Exit Interview

Me about graduation coming up!

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

EQ: How can a Stage Manager ensure a show runs smoothly?

Answer 1: Proper Pre Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

Answer 2: Fake it til you make it

Answer 3: Clear and concise cues

Best answer: Proper Pre Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Why?: This is my best answer because if a stage manager makes sure that everyone involved in the show knows what is going on before the show starts, then they can be expected to work together to create the illusion of a smooth show.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

I knew from the beginning how important planning is for a stage manager because of my freshman year. Being in a management position in Infotainment I learned that production staff needs to have a plan on how time can be used to the fullest. My father has always said this phrase in any situation he could. This includes driving, homework, and chores. When I was researching about the pre-production that a stage manager does, I realized that with the proper pre planning, one can prevent a poor performance. I thought it was cool that I could take a part of my life and apply it to something I love.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

When I was first looking for a mentor I had a hard time getting theatres to reply to phone calls and emails. So I just looked at Cal Poly and they replied the fastest because everyone there really wants to help young people get involved in theatre and keep the art alive. I wouldn't ask for a better summer mentorship because I learned so much about how awful some people are and what it takes to be a stage manager in the real world.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

I think my mentor Joanna has been the best source for me. She has provided me so much information and tips because she is a student at Cal Poly. She really knows how to handle people when they are being difficult and she has such a passion for everything she does. Even the Production Manager at Cal Poly, Jeff Keane, said that Joanna has a great skill for stage managing. The second best source I had was a video from the University of Tennessee. It is a video of one class that the stage manager teacher had. I learned so much in a 1 hour video that I can not imagine how much I am going to learn in 4 years of college. The video basically taught about how to set up a cue book and how to think on your feet to solve a problem during a show. This video made me really excited to go study this in college and get into the real world of this and do it for a long long time!