The Backstage Creative

The Backstage Creative focuses on the people who work behind the scenes of theater. Each week is a conversation with either a stage manager, designer, musician, music director, choreographer, sound engineer, or technical director. We get into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to get a live production on stage and shine a light on the often overlooked and under appreciated creatives who create the magic of live theater.

TBC is 3! 12/29/2021

TBC is 3! On this solo anniversary episode of The Backstage Creative I talk about the similarities between running ultramarathons and being an artist. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/21627563

Heather Augustine 08/31/2021

Heather Augustine Heather Augustine is a sound engineer currently getting ready to go out on tour with Mean Girls. We talk about her ten years of touring experience, making mistakes, and why she enjoys mixing shows. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/20311088

Miguel Flores 08/24/2021

Miguel Flores Miguel Flores is a Boston based production manager. We talk about setting boundaries, the Boston theater scene, and communication. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/20236046

Celia Kasberg 08/17/2021

Celia Kasberg Celia Kasberg is currently pursing her MFA at Carnegie Mellon University. We talk about working on a degree during a pandemic, advice for people looking for a college to go to, and the structure of a costume shop. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/20150669

Katie Spelman 08/11/2021

Katie Spelman Katie Spelman is a New York City based Choreographer. We talk about her work on Moulin Rouge, issues facing women in the industry, and how growing up in Chicago has influenced her work. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/20113751

Ana Maria Aburto 07/27/2021

Ana Maria Aburto Ana Maria Aburto is a New York City based painter. We talk about her favorite projects to work on, skills needed to do her job, and what she is excited about right now. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19861997

Emma Ford 07/20/2021

Emma Ford Emma Ford is a New York City based drummer. We talk about the Australian theater scene, playing on the Australian production of Hamilton, and how running has benefitted her life. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19847084

Tara Houston 07/13/2021

Tara Houston Tara Houston is a scenic designer and painter based in Louisiana. We talk about some of the issues in higher education, being a community based artist, and managing priorities. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19786013

Paul Thompson 07/06/2021

Paul Thompson Paul Thompson is a Pittsburgh based bassist. We talk about being in the moment, what he likes about teaching, and the importance of keeping the music first. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19710683

Harry Nadal 06/29/2021

Harry Nadal Harry Nadal is New York City based costume and scenic designer. We talk about knowledge being a safety net, how he gets unstuck in the design process, and what he is excited about right now. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19634840

Beth Lake 06/22/2021

Beth Lake Beth Lake is a New York City based sound designer. We talk about deciding what projects to take on, her favorite parts of being an associate sound designer, and being a women in the sound world. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19551560

Shantez Tolbut 06/08/2021

Shantez Tolbut Shantez Tolbut is a theater artist in New York City. We talk about Black Stage Everything, theater education, and entrepreneurial advice. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19391738

German Martinez 06/01/2021

German Martinez German Martinez is a New York City based sound designer and audio engineer. We talk about taking time to ask big questions, the importance of telling first generation stories, and keeping calm as an audio engineer. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19301966

Cynthia Meng 05/25/2021

Cynthia Meng Cynthia Meng is a New York City based musician. We talk about working on Hadestown, deciding when to leave a day job, and the benefits of thinking like an engineer. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19223204

Jamie Roderick 05/18/2021

Jamie Roderick Jamie Roderick is a New York City based lighting designer. We talk about growing up in the theater industry. building rapport with other collaborators, and working on new works. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19136171

Salmah Beydoun 05/11/2021

Salmah Beydoun Salmah Beydoun is a set designer who works in Mexico City and LA. We talk about Salmah's background in architecture, working in Mexico, and asking quality questions. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/19047473

Aria Evans 05/04/2021

Aria Evans Aria Evans is a Toronto based choreographer. We talk about elitism in the arts, inviting people into the artistic process, and body intelligence. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18955094

Melissa Crespo 04/27/2021

Melissa Crespo Melissa Crespo is a multi-disciplinary theater artist based in New York City. We talk about decision fatigue, honesty with respect, and the Werking Artist podcast. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18868904

Crystal Lee 04/20/2021

Crystal Lee Crystal Lee is a Toronto based production manager. We talk about the Canadian theater scene, how to make changes in the industry, and empowering others to do their jobs. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18780647

Carolina Ortiz Herrera 04/13/2021

Carolina Ortiz Herrera Carolina Ortiz Herrera is a New York City based lighting designer. We talk about adaptability, supporting others' art, and the La Gente Network. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18700874

Cherie B Tay 04/06/2021

Cherie B Tay Cherie B Tay is a New York City based stage manager. We talk about trusting the people you work with, Cherie's experience working on Hadestown, and getting into the voice over world. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18611990

Dirty Laundry Podcast 03/30/2021

Dirty Laundry Podcast Johanna Pan and Shayna O'Neill recently started a podcast called Dirty Laundry: Unpacking the Costume Closet. We talk about the purpose of the podcast as well as issues in the theater world such as feminized labor and decolonizing costume history. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18517841

Deanna Choi 03/23/2021

Deanna Choi Deanna Choi is a Toronto based sound designer. We talk about her pandemic projects, favorite parts of the design process, and cultural appropriation in sound design. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18423767

Rich Rosenzweig 03/09/2021

Rich Rosenzweig Rich Rosenzweig is a New York City based drummer. We talk about his podcast called Big Noise from Planet Earth, playing on Broadway, and touring. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18237719

Mark Exline 03/02/2021

Mark Exline Mark Exline is a Kansas City based scenic designer and production manager. We talk about navigating the digital space when doing productions, the Kansas City theater scene, and empathy. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18128036

Michi Egger 02/23/2021

Michi Egger Michi Egger is a New York City based guitarist. We talk about being on the SpongeBob SquarePants national tour, handling nerves, and the importance of being kind. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/18050279

Benjamin Stayner 02/16/2021

Benjamin Stayner Benjamin Stayner is currently pursuing a graduate degree from Ithaca College. We talk about what it's like pursuing a degree during the pandemic, working with singers versus instrumentalists, and looking on the positive side of difficult circumstances. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/17955551

Kristy Norter 02/09/2021

Kristy Norter Kristy Norter is a New York City based musician and contractor. We talk about working on Broadway, subbing as a musician, and the role of a music contractor. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/17866661

Jon Diener 02/02/2021

Jon Diener Jon Diener is a Michigan based musician. We talk about separating your worth from your art, imposter syndrome, and Jon's podcast Beyond the Spotlight. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/17762210

Cara Spencer 01/26/2021

Cara Spencer Cara Spencer is a Kansas City based scenic charge artist. We talk about the role of a scenic charge, the skills needed to do this job, and separating your identity from your work. /episode/index/show/thebackstagecreative/id/17643704

The Backstage Creative

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