The Backstage Creative: Recent Episodes
Krista Kopper
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.
On this solo anniversary episode of The Backstage Creative I talk about the similarities between running ultramarathons and being an artist.
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.
Miguel Flores is a Boston based production manager. We talk about setting boundaries, the Boston theater scene, and communication.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shantez Tolbut is a theater artist in New York City. We talk about Black Stage Everything, theater education, and entrepreneurial advice.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aria Evans is a Toronto based choreographer. We talk about elitism in the arts, inviting people into the artistic process, and body intelligence.
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.
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.
Carolina Ortiz Herrera is a New York City based lighting designer. We talk about adaptability, supporting others' art, and the La Gente Network.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sara Sharos is a props master. We talk about all of the different jobs in props departments, Sara's path through the theater world, and what can help you stay in the industry when things get difficult.
Bill Shinoski is a Kansas City based technical director. We talk about leadership, organization, and balancing work with life.
Paige Hernandez is a Maryland based theater artist. We talk about all of the different roles she fills in the theater world, imposter syndrome, and getting unstuck in the creative process.
On this solo episode of the anniversary of TBC, I talk about quitting, the Resistance, and starting overwhelming projects.
Luqman Brown is a New York City based sound designer and musician. We talk about Luqman's path into sound design, taking ego out of your art, and work as your reward.
Jhanae Bonnick is a New York City based stage manager. We talk about her work on Hadestown and Slave Play, communicating effectively, and cultivating a healthy work environment.
Tom Hipskind is a Chicago based drummer. We talk about the Chicago production of Hamilton, the importance of technique, and internalizing music.
Ari Fulton is a New York City based costume designer. We talk about the books she has been reading during the pandemic, how diversity should be organic, and the importance of making mistakes.
Brian Morgan is a trombonist who was touring with A Bronx Tale. We talk about touring, preparing for gigs, and finding love in what you do.
Julianne Merrill is a music director based in New York City. We talk about building a network, pit technology, and audition coaching.
Joanna Staub is a New York City based sound designer. We talk about diversity in sound design, mixing shows, and some of the realities of Broadway.
Susan Sampliner is the company manager for Wicked on Broadway. We talk about what a company manager does, dealing with difficult people, and the Broadway Green Alliance.
Emily Grishman is a New York City based music copyist. We talk about what a music copyist does, the importance of community, and changes in the industry over the past several decades.
Kate Sutton-Johnson is a scenic designer based in the Twin Cities. We talk about measuring effectiveness, importance of transitions, and creativity.
Robbie Cowan is a music director, singer, and pianist. We talk about doing theater during a pandemic, touring, and balancing ambition with satisfaction.
Meredith Ries is a New York City based scenic designer. We talk about getting stuck in the design process, asking good questions, and the different ways to lead while creating.
Nia Sciaretta is the production stage manager at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida. We talk about the Nia Explains It All videos, diffusing tense situations, and organization.
Adriane Heflin is a Minneapolis based technical director. We talk about inviting collaboration, leadership, and effective communication.
Kyra Sims is a New York City based musician, writer, and actor. We talk about subbing on Broadway, the New York Neo-Futurists, and working on off-Broadway.
Anne McPherson stage manages in NYC. We talk about effective communication, self advocacy, and building trust with those you work with.
Lawrence Moten is a New York City based scenic designer. We talk about self care, working on new plays, and the 2020 Antonyo Awards.
Richard Hammond is the bassist for Hamilton. We talk about recording versus live performance, creating musical currency, and musicians as athletes.
Stacey Derosier is a New York City based lighting designer. We talk about advocating for yourself, balancing life, and minorities in theater.
Justin Ellington is a musician and sound designer. We talk opportunities in the field of music, handling healthy conflict, and the importance of representation in the theater and music industries.
Anna Murphy is a Twin Cities based music director and pianist. We talk about breaking into a scene, having a day job, and engaging with your community.
Dominique Hill is a costume designer who splits her time between NYC and LA. We talk about empathy, staying healthy, and viewing clothing as language.
Jiyoun Chang is an East coast lighting and set designer. We talk about letting go in the design process, staying healthy during stressful times, and motherhood.
Scott Thornton is a New York City based bassist. We talk about his background, what it's like playing Chicago on Broadway, and his advice to young musicians.
Tilly Grimes is a costume and set designer. We talk about the art of asking good questions, leadership as a designer, and the beauty of live events.
Chloe Treat is a director and choreographer. We talk about interpretation, story telling's impact on culture, and leadership.
Victoria Deiorio is a Chicago based sound designer. We talk about women in theater, life in academia, and the myriad of opportunities in the sound world.
Kelli Harrod is a Kansas City based set designer. We talk about her set design for a production of Puffs, her design process, and the value of having an open mind.
Tyler Micoleau is a Tony winning lighting designer. We talk about the correlation between lighting design and music, healthy disagreement, and how to say no.
Carleigh Wagner is a painter and designer currently working at the Glimmerglass Festival. We talk about why Carleigh loves painting sets, what it's like working in the off-season at a large company, and the benefits criticism.
Maddy Henry is a Canadian stage manager and podcaster. We talk about her podcast called Standing By, the importance of positivity when dealing with conflict, and balancing life and career.
Sean McDaniel is a New York City based drummer. He was responsible for developing the drum books for Hamilton, Book of Mormon, 9 to 5, Spamalot, and others. He is currently the drummer for Frozen.
Kaitie Hughes is a props artisan however most of this interview revolves around her experiences with mental health. Kaitie shares stories from her life as well as advice for people struggling with mental health and advice for people who want to help coworkers and friends who are dealing with mental health issues.
Claire Summers-Jones works in New York City as an assistant technical director at The Public Theatre. We talk about freelancing, over communicating with your coworkers, and creativity in the technical design field.
Rachel Dean is a New York City based pianist and playwright. We talk about the creative process, what it's like being a rehearsal accompanist on Broadway, and how to handle failure.
Krystle Henninger is involved in many areas in the theater world. We talk about being a playwright, communicating as a stage manager, and her favorite aspect of designing sound.
Eaton Saylor is a sound engineer who works primarily in the Kansas City area. We talk about the importance of building trust, pre-show rituals, and letting go as an artist.
Katherine Abell is a stage manager. We talk about what it's like stage managing for a dinner theater, the importance of communication, and how she stays organized.
Jordan Standlee is a woodwind player currently on the national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. We talk about taking care of yourself while on the road, life as a woodwind player, and how to increase your consistency as a musician.
Jess Mckelvey is an Ohio based student currently studying stage management. We talk about what life is like as a student studying stage management, the importance of empathy and kindness, and the importance of self care.
Sara Ice is a California based costume designer. We talk about her design process, research strategies, and her path through the theater world.
Michelle Engleman is a stage manager currently involved with Opera Orlando. We talk about the challenges of a touring stage manager, the qualities of a great stage management team, and how to be a leader who inspires others.
The Backstage Creative turned one year old! I am so proud of this podcast so I took a little time to sit down and talk about how this project got started and some of what I've learned over this past year.
Megan is a sound designer based in New York City. We talk about dealing with frustration, the differences between designing for a musical and a play, and composition.
Steph Waaser is an associate technical director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We discuss the skills needed to be a technical director, the benefits of having a master's degree, and the importance of embracing change in the industry.
Jo Farley is an Oregon based scenic artist. We talk about the West Coast theater scene, the importance of taking care of yourself, and advocating for yourself.
Laura Valenti is a New York City based scenic designer and artist. We dive into life in NYC, what it's like assisting a top tier scenic designer, and the importance of passing on what we know through teaching.
Cory Pattak is a New York City based lighting designer and podcaster. We talk about the relationship between lighting and music, becoming better at saying yes, and his own podcast called In 1.
Katie Siegmund is a New York City based keyboardist and music director. We had such a fun conversation discussing how to build trust with the people you work with, how to navigate conflicts and failure, and the business skills needed to be a freelancer.
Dawn Youngs and I sat down and had a great conversation about the benefits of community, the importance of good habits, and the arts scene in the Kansas City area.
Sean Francis Patrick is a multi talented stage manager based in New York City. We talk about teaching, changes in the theater industry, and the amazing theater scene in Cleveland.
Jessica Paz is a Tony award winning sound designer for her work on Hadestown. This is a great conversation where we talk about her interesting path to the theater world, the importance of perseverance, and women in technical fields.
Brad Carlson is a designer, technical director, and professor who is based in Missouri. We talk about puppetry, the role of a TD, and the importance of creative problem solving.
Rachel Hauck is a Tony award winning scenic designer who has worked on shows like Hadestown and What the Constitution Means to Me. We talk about her creative process, the magic of theater, and how to find inspiration in everyday life.
Trevor Jones is a bassist in the Chicago area. We talk about what characteristics make a good pit player, how to build a network, and what it's like subbing for Hamilton.
Jamibeth is a casting director and teacher in New York City. We talk about how to negotiate contracts, advice for actors, and the importance of having your own projects to work on.
Jamie Quinn is the audio engineer at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire. He and I talk about a lot of great topics that are relevant to everyone in the theater field!
Miranda Shunkwiler is a Twin Cities based stage manager. Amongst other things, we talk about her strategies for staying organized, conflict resolution, and stress management.
Ian LeRoy is a New York City based music director. We had a wonderful conversation talking about networking, communication, and the importance of having intra and inter personal intelligence.
Kristof is a Chicago based scenic and lighting designer. We talk about his design process, the incredible privilege of story telling, and much more!
Elly Hunt is a Chicago based costume designer. We talk about all sorts of fantastic topics like impostor syndrome, her design process, resources for costume designers, and stories of favorite shows.
This episode is my conversation with Mike Morris who is a music director and arranger. He has done a lot of really neat things in the industry and has many stories to tell! We dig into topics like the many opportunities in the theater world and the importance of being a problem solver.
Jess works at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire where she designs the costumes and choreography for dozens of shows throughout the season. We talk about her design process, being open minded, and the importance of having a positive attitude when working in theater.
Tawna Dabney is a choreographer who is so passionate about theater and community and art. We get into numerous topics like education, creativity, the choreography process, and creating your own opportunities.
Devon Muko is a stage manager who currently works at the Asolo Theatre in Florida. She has several great insights on what makes a successful stage manager as well as a few very entertaining stories from the world of theater!
This episode is my interview with Zach Ryan who is the music director at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire. He great stories about working for Disney and his experience working off Broadway.
The music on this podcast was improvised and performed by Ian LeRoy.
Welcome to the Backstage Creative! This podcast focuses on the people who work behind the scenes of theater to create the scenes, music, costumes, props, and everything else that goes into live productions.
Welcome to the Backstage Creative! This podcast focuses on the people who work behind the scenes of theater to create the scenes, music, costumes, props, and everything else that goes into live productions.