Backstage Breakdown

backstagebreakdownpod

Welcome to Backstage Breakdown, a podcast dedicated to shedding light on the backstage world of theater and the humans who make it all happen. Join Allison Leah Hohman and Elizabeth Emond as they interview Stage Managers and Creatives in the arts community about the magic happening backstage.

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  1. VOR 2 TAGEN

    Jamie Torres

    Jamie Torres (He/They) is a multi-hyphenate theater creative who thrives during the chaos and doesn’t back down from their beliefs.    BIO: Jaime is a theatre artist born and raised in NYC, growing up in the Bronx, Jaime starting dancing at the age of 7 and then singing in middle school, it wasn’t long until they were in love with theatre. Unfortunately college for theatre wasn’t an option so they had to pivot. Jaime attended The Fashion Institute of Technology or FIT and graduated with a BFA in Fashion Design. Merging the worlds of theatre and fashion quickly set them on the path of Costume Design and Wardrobe. It allowed them to establish themselves in the theatre community earlier than most of their contemporaries and gain experience as a theatre professional. Jaime worked steadily in Theatre, Opera, and Concert Dance up until the pandemic, and has been fortunate to continue working steadily post, most notably as the original wardrobe supervisor for the hit Off Broadway Show TITANIQUE which opened in 2022 At The Asylum Theatre and moved to the The Daryl Roth.    Backstage Breakdown answers questions like: How did you get involved in the costumes and wardrobe world of theater? What is a wardrobe supervisor? What is their relation to the stage manager? What does a typical day at work look like for you? How do you try to achieve a work / life balance in this industry? How do you keep yourself healthy during a 8 show week?     Instagram/TikTok: @jaimester88   Dance with Jamie:  Steps on Broadway (“Lastic Stretch”)  Monday’s @ 1:30pm  Online or In Person    Dance with Jamie:  Broadway Dance Center  Thursday’s @ 12:15pm  Friday’s @ 10:45am   Theme music by Barrett Riggins. BARRETT RIGGINS is a composer and lyricist based in Brooklyn. He won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT). He is represented by UTA and the Hybrid Agency.

    1 Std. 54 Min.
  2. VOR 2 TAGEN

    Leon Jones

    Leon is an all around super human multi-hyphenate with professional experience as an actor, company manager, marketing manager,  general manager, and producer on the regional, Off-Broadway, and Broadway stages.    BIO: An award-winning creative producer, artistic administrator, multi-hyphenate, Leon Jones (they/he) is committed to creating space for other BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ artists on stage and off. Leon began their professional career playing Macduff’s Child in Berkeley Rep’s Macbeth, starring Frances McDormand and Conelth Hill. They have worked with renowned regional companies such as Abingdon Theatre Company (Artistic Associate), California Shakespeare Theatre (Company Member), San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (Associate Producer), and Marin Shakespeare Company (Education Director). Most recent credits, PICTURES FROM HOME (Assistant Company Manager - Broadway debut), Associate Producer for the upcoming Off-Broadway production of TROPHY BOYS, Client Services Coordinator at AKA, and Associate General Manager and Company Manager positions for several Off-Broadway productions and a national tour of ON YOUR FEET. www.leonjonesjr.com | IG: @theleonjones   Backstage Breakdown answers questions like:   You were a child performer! Tell us more.  How did you transition into the management side of theatre from there? How did you get to New York from California? What the heck does a Producer do? How do they work with Stage Managers? What does a General Manager do? How do they work with Stage Managers?   @theleonjones Theme music by Barrett Riggins. BARRETT RIGGINS is a composer and lyricist based in Brooklyn. He won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT). He is represented by UTA and the Hybrid Agency.

    42 Min.
  3. 26. MÄRZ

    Jen Ash

    Jen Ash is a phenomenal stage manager who has worked extensively as a Stage Manager in New York, on Tour, and beyond. She talks openly with us about the professional world, friendships, and how to balance business and pleasure.      Bio: Broadway: A  Wonderful World, Days of Wine and Roses, SIX, POTUS, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked  Tours: Come From Away, Hadestown, Wicked, IF/THEN, Off-Broadway: CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Everything’s Fine, FuerzaBrutaWAYRA, Peter and the Starcatcher, Satchmo at the Waldorf, Bill W. And Dr. Bob. Regional: Goodspeed, Paper Mill Playhouse. Originally from El Paso, TX.   Backstage Breakdown answers questions like: How did you decide to pursue stage management? What does stage management mean to you? Why do you continue on this path?  What do you love about management?  What is unique to subbing on a tour as opposed to touring full time with a company?  What did you /do you keep on person at all times while touring?  How does calling the show differ when on tour?  How did you get started on broadway?  Can you describe what a typical day looks like when calling a broadway show? Are all broadway calling booths created equal? Tell us about the unique spaces you’ve called a show in.  Tell us about the relationship between the stage manager and the performer.  How do you interact with performers as the stage manager/asst. Stage manager?  What’s the most exciting thing about being a broadway stage manager?    Instagram: @jendashash

    48 Min.
  4. 26. FEB.

    Amanda Spooner

    Amanda Spooner is an accomplished stage manager and educator.  Amanda talks with us about all things backstage.  She is now working on Purple Rain The Musical, a dream come-true that she manifested years before.     Amanda Spooner is an AEA Stage Manager and Educator, who came to Ithaca from New York City. She has worked on and off-Broadway, regionally, on tour, in events, on immersive experiences, on opera, dance, countless readings and workshops, and in television. Her specialty is in the development of new works and their world premieres, including Rebecca Tyke-min and Paula Vogel's Indecent as well as the musical Sing Street. Amanda has stage-managed for Producer Daryl Roth, Lincoln Center Theater, Berkeley Rep, Playwrights Horizons, Signature Theatre, Soho Rep, BAM, Ars Nova, Sundance Theatre Lab, The Public Theatre, American Repertory Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Westport Country Playhouse among others. She is the founder of both the Year of the Stage Manager campaign and Tandem, a peer-to-peer education program for theatre makers, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Stage Managers' Association. Amanda is a former TONY voter and works closely with Actors’ Equity Association -- she was recently the youngest stage management AEA councillor in the nation. She advocates for economic equality in professional theatre, for families in the arts, and for greater visibility for Stage Managers and spends a great deal of time on research and in discussion regarding these topics. Amanda was named an American Theatre Magazine “Person to Watch” and was featured on the cover of Equity News with her son, among countless other articles and interviews. She received her MFA from the Yale School of Drama, her BA from San Francisco State University, and her AA from Las Positas College.    Backstage Breakdown answers those big questions like: How did we get here?   When did you decide to join the union? How did your career change once you did? Should AEA include Actors and Stage Managers?  What are some of your favorite credits?  How did you start teaching?  What would you advise young people to do in order to prepare to become a successful stage manager? Is college necessary?  You created “Year of the Stage Manager 2020” can you tell us about that facebook group and the use of social media?    @spoonforbetter on Instagram @sminsta2020 on Instagram     Theme music by Barrett Riggins. BARRETT RIGGINS is a composer and lyricist based in Brooklyn. He won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT). He is represented by UTA and the Hybrid Agency.

    1 Std. 13 Min.
  5. 25. JAN.

    Aldora Neal

    Aldora Neal talks to us about how she got into Stage Management, touring as the Assistant Stage Manager on the Hamilton Phillip tour, working on Broadway and how she manages it all.    ALDORA NEAL is a Brooklyn native who blends her duality of stage management and dance. Her love for Hiphop, dance, and bringing people together naturally makes her an "Organized Creative". These passions have landed her in rooms with inspirational humans for which she is grateful to collaborate with and learn from daily. She is currently the Assistant Stage Manager on Hadestown (Broadway). Aldora wishes for everyone to share their personal magic to contribute to making the world a better place. Some of her credits: (National Tour) Hamilton: An American Musical (Philip Tour); (Broadway) Frozen, Caroline, or Change, Freestyle Love Supreme, The Cher Show, Once on This Island. Dance: Project D Dance Company: 1st Place- Elements XV & XVI, Prelude New York, and Defining Rhythm 2015 & 2016. SUNY Purchase alumna.  Backstage Breakdown answers the hard hitting question: Are all call booths created equal? To tour or not to tour! What’s the difference between touring and sit down productions? What does a day on Broadway on a stage management team look like? How do you manage eight shows a week and a life?    Theme music by Barrett Riggins.   BARRETT RIGGINS is a composer and lyricist based in Brooklyn. He won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT). He is represented by UTA and the Hybrid Agency.

    1 Std. 6 Min.
  6. 25. JAN.

    Rachael Ellis

    Rachael Ellis talks to us about the various levels of theatre and her time working for City Theatre in Pittsburgh.    RACHAEL ELLIS (she/they) is honored to serve as the Company Manager for City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and also loves being a part of the Patron Services team as a Box Office Associate. Over the years, Rachael has worked in various production, managerial, and patron-based positions. Highlights include Contemporary American Theater Festival (Associate Company Manager 2022, 2023, & 2024), Pittsburgh CLO (Props Intern 2018), Pittsburgh New Works Festival (Stage Manager for I Forgot to Worry, 2018), USITT (Stage Management Mentor Project, Mentee Class of 2019), New Hazlett Theater (Stage Manager), Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre (House Manager), a member of the inaugural class of Beth Morris Projects: Producer Academy, and The Walt Disney Company (Character Attendant, Walt Disney World). She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid. A cum laude graduate of Allegheny  College (2019), her senior thesis focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion within theatrical management.    Rachel Ellis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-ellis-63a77b106/   Backstage Breakdown answers those big questions like: What does it look like to work at a community theatre vs. the professional world? What is it like to rise through the ranks at a regional theatre and wear multiple hats? What is imposter syndrome and why does no one realize theater is harder than sports OKAY?! How do we get more EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility into our theaters?   Theme music by Barrett Riggins.   BARRETT RIGGINS is a composer and lyricist based in Brooklyn. He won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT). He is represented by UTA and the Hybrid Agency.

    56 Min.
  7. 25. JAN.

    Matthew Stern

    Matthew Stern talks to us about his career and life on Broadway and what it means for a Stage Manager to make the transition to the world of events. We talk about management, finances, the collegiate world, and what it means to dedicate your life to the world of theatre.     MATTHEW AARON STERN has extensive credits on both Broadway and in corporate events. Broadway stage management credits on 20+ productions, including: Finding Neverland, On The Town, Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, Hands On A Hardbody, Death Of A Salesman, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, The Phantom Of The Opera, and The Full Monty. Matt has toured with: Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, John Lithgow, Billy Crystal, and spent two years on the road with Les Miserables. Other theatre credits include: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Blue Man Group at the Hollywood Bowl, and The Lord Of The Rings Symphony Concerts around the world. He spent a year as the resident stage manager at Ballet Iowa, and has stage managed many readings and workshops in NYC. Matthew has been a show caller or deck manager for numerous corporate event clients in a wide variety of industries from technology (Google, Facebook, Samsung, AOL, Intel...), travel (Volkswagen, Toyota, Boating Industry Magazine, Caterpillar…), Pharma (Abbvie, GSK, Novartis, DSI…), financial (Mastercard, FC Stone, Bank of China, New Mountain Capital…) and non-profits (American Theatre Wing, Endeavor, amFAR, GLAAD Awards...). Matt is a board member of the Stage Managers’ Association USA, as well as a member of AEA & AGVA. Matt is the founder of the Broadway Stage Management Symposium, an annual conference for stage managers, where Broadway pros share their insights and experience about the art and craft of stage management. www.broadwaysymposium.com.   https://www.broadwaysymposium.com/ https://www.eventtrainingacademy.com/ Instagram: @broadwaysymposium  TikTok: @broadwaysymposium Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/broadwaysymposium?mibextid=LQQJ4d  Backstage Breakdown answers those big questions like: What is it like working on Broadway? How do you handle a premature closing notice? How are we problem solving on Broadway? What kind of problems do you have? How do Broadway and Corporate Events differ as a Stage Manager? Work Life Balance!! Event Training Academy = YES! Broadway Stage Management Symposium = YES!! Why is important to be part of the Stage Managers Association? Theme music by Barrett Riggins.   BARRETT RIGGINS is a composer and lyricist based in Brooklyn. He won the 2025 Richard Rodgers Award for HELSINKI (Upcoming; The New Group, Selection; NAMT). He is represented by UTA and the Hybrid Agency.

    1 Std. 30 Min.

Info

Welcome to Backstage Breakdown, a podcast dedicated to shedding light on the backstage world of theater and the humans who make it all happen. Join Allison Leah Hohman and Elizabeth Emond as they interview Stage Managers and Creatives in the arts community about the magic happening backstage.