I earned my Equity card in 1990 with Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of Love Letters. When I came to Steppenwolf, the company was in a period of transition, working towards moving into their new home, as well as expanding the size of their production schedule. I was in the right place at the right time. I had been working as an intern, as a non-Equity assistant stage manager, and as general backstage support for Steppenwolf when they asked me to step up and become one of their Equity stage managers. In the following years I was fortunate enough to work with and be mentored by many great stage managers, including my hero, Malcolm Ewen. I have been a part of world premieres, great revivals, taken shows to international festivals and Broadway – both with Steppenwolf and my other creative home, Northlight Theatre.
I am the child of proud Equity actors and though I fell backwards into stage management in college at SUNY New Paltz, I feel it was a job I always meant to do. With the support of our union I am able to create a safe, collaborative and dynamic environment in my rehearsal room. Thank you, Actors’ Equity, for the ticket that got me on this incredible ride and for allowing me to share the ‘secret handshake’ with all of those actors who join our union at first rehearsals.
Originally published in Equity News, Autumn 2018.
