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:

1. Are all call booths created equal?
2. To tour or not to tour!
3. What’s the difference between touring and sit down productions?
4. What does a day on Broadway on a stage management team look like?
5. How do you manage eight shows a week and a life?

Theme music by Barrett Riggins.

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:

1. What does it look like to work at a community theatre vs. the professional world?
2. What is it like to rise through the ranks at a regional theatre and wear multiple hats?
3. What is imposter syndrome and why does no one realize theater is harder than sports OKAY?!
4. How do we get more EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility into our theaters?

Theme music by Barrett Riggins.

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:

1. What is it like working on Broadway?
2. How do you handle a premature closing notice?
3. How are we problem solving on Broadway? What kind of problems do you have?
4. How do Broadway and Corporate Events differ as a Stage Manager?
5. Work Life Balance!!
6. Event Training Academy = YES!
7. Broadway Stage Management Symposium = YES!!
8. Why is important to be part of the Stage Managers Association?

Theme music by Barrett Riggins.