Episode 14: Jennifer Leigh Sears Scheier

Waiting for Places is a podcast highlighting stage managers in the flyover states. Episode 14 features Dr. Jennifer Leigh Sears Scheier. She is a freelance AEA stage manager and recently completed her PhD dissertation at the University of Illinois. Her dissertation, “The Quest for Professionalization: A 20th Century Cautionary Tale for United States Stage Managers,” focused on reclaiming stage management history while investigating the field’s current challenges through a historical lens. Her past stage management credits include: Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Knoxville Opera, La Jolla Playhouse, Lamb’s Players Theatre, Long Beach Opera, San Diego Repertory Theatre, and Tennessee Repertory Theatre.

Editor’s Note: The interview implied Dr. Scheier was the only person with a PhD in Stage Management.  This is incorrect. Dr. Tracey Catherine Cattell recently got her PhD on British Stage Management history, looking at British promptbook notations. Sue Fenty, current faculty at DePaul University has a PhD from an Australian University and her dissertation was on modern day stage management and working Internationally.