Backstage Banter

What happens when two stage managers get fired up about the state of community theater? You get this conversation. In this solo episode of Backstage Banter, Jay sits down with DJ to unpack the real challenges and surprising solutions that emerged from a recent conference, from unpaid tech crews to poorly planned seasons and burnout behind the curtain.They dive into:The quiet crisis happening in college theater programs and community spacesHow entrepreneurial thinking can solve persistent production problemsThe role of mentorship, and why most stage managers never really had oneThe origin stories that pulled them both into teaching and leadershipFrom "pay-to-play" models to the potential of creating pre-rehearsal ASM training videos, this episode is full of insight, laughter, and a bit of righteous fire. Bryan’s off on assignment this time, but he'll be back next week.Listen now, and if this episode sparks an idea or hits a nerve, drop us a comment or share it with someone behind the scenes.

In this episode, we’re joined by Laura Zingle—stage manager, freelancer, and connection-builder extraordinaire—to dive into the realities of always being on the hunt for the next gig. We talk about the freelance hustle, how to stay connected with people after the job ends, and why keeping relationships alive in this industry is about more than just networking—it's about being remembered.We discuss our approach to staying visible, building genuine connections, and navigating the in-between moments of freelance life. And we even touch on how tools like LinkedIn (yes, even Premium) can support that visibility when you're not in the room.If you’ve ever wondered how to keep doors open after the final curtain call, this one’s for you.

We’re joined by the powerhouse Kate Poundstone—a stage manager whose career has spanned the loud, fast, and unpredictable world of Rock n Roll and now dives deep into the immersive exhibition space. Kate shares her journey through the ever-changing landscape of live entertainment and what it takes to survive (and thrive) when every gig, artist, and team demands something different.We unpack what it really means to be a chameleon in this industry: adapting on the fly, managing chaos with grace, and building a thick skin when you're constantly stepping into new environments. Kate brings thoughtful insight into the freelancer mindset, the challenge of always having to prove yourself, and how that compares to the stability and structure of long-term roles within state labor companies.If you’ve ever felt the tension between reinvention and reliability in your career, this one’s for you.

Jay and Bryan dive into the highs, lows, and sharp turns that come with working in a constantly shifting industry. From unexpected show closures and sudden job losses to surprise opportunities that pop up out of nowhere, we talk about the ripple effects these moments can create—and how we each handle them. Are you someone who needs a plan and a backup plan? Or do you trust the chaos and roll with whatever comes your way? Either way, this one’s for you. Let us know where you land in the comments!

Pavel Kotov, International Casting Director and longtime creative force behind Cirque du Soleil joins Jay and Bryan to talk about the artistry behind building a show from the ground up. After two decades of discovering and casting extraordinary talent around the world, Pavel shares why he’s stepping into a new chapter—and how a simple message on LinkedIn sparked an unexpected opportunity. From global stages to fresh beginnings, this conversation dives into the magic of creativity, curiosity, and taking the next leap.We love hearing from YOU! Drop us a comment, or send us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a comment on the podcast!

In this episode, Jay and I sit down with the incredible Liza Marie Hackman to talk about the art of making connections as a stage manager, the importance of not putting ourselves in a box, and how staying adaptable can open unexpected doors. And just when you think you know where the conversation is going, we dive into something a little…unpredictable. Could AI have a future in stage management? The answer might surprise you.Tune in for laughs, insights, and maybe even a glimpse into the future of our industry.

What does it really take to go from calling cues on Broadway to shaping the next generation of stage managers? Matthew Stern knows. But his journey didn’t stop at the theater doors. From navigating the high-stakes commercial world of Broadway to launching The Broadway Stage Management Symposium that brings stage managers together, he’s built a career on more than just timing—it’s about relationships. And the surprising part? The relationships we create and foster might just be the key to our success far beyond the spotlight, but what is the recipe for success? Listen to find out!We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a comment on the podcast! Links mentioned in our podcast:Event Training Academyhttps://www.eventtrainingacademy.com/Broadway Stage Management Symposiumhttps://www.broadwaysymposium.com/

In this episode, we’re talking about taking risks—those big, scary leaps that can either pay off in a huge way or crash and burn spectacularly. From bold creative choices to career-changing decisions, we share stories of when going for it worked… and when it totally didn’t. Whether you’re all about pushing boundaries or more of a play-it-safe type, this one’s for you.

Our guest today is our dear friend Paige Satter, whose life and career exemplify the word "adaptability" Join us as page shares her thoughts on the importance of cross-over skills and flexibility in this ever-changing entertainment industry.Please subscribe and share with your friends and network!Send us your disruptive innovations to [email protected]

Today we are thrilled to be talking to Jay's personal mentor and dear friend the legendary Carolyn Satter the first female production manager in San Diego's History.  From an interest in costumes to the President of the United States Institute for Theater Technology Carolyn takes us down the path of her legendary 45-year career as a production manager in the entertainment industry. We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a comment on the podcast!

Have you ever had a new idea and aren't sure what to do with it or how to stay organized? Maybe you have a lot of ideas and keep a journal of them like we do. Jay and Bryan are talking about new ideas, the changing trends in education and the future of learning, and where do you put toilets when you're planning an event...join us to find out. This is the second part of a two-part episode! We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a comment on the podcast!

Have you ever had a new idea and aren't sure what to do with it or how to stay organized? Maybe you have a lot of ideas and keep a journal of them like we do. Jay and Bryan are talking about new ideas. This is a two-part episode, so stay tuned in for the next one.

In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to establish your own brand as a manager in the entertainment industry. We’ll explore how your leadership style, values, and professional image shape your reputation and discuss key factors to consider before building your brand, such as aligning it with your goals, understanding its impact, and ensuring authenticity in everything you do.

In this episode we discuss how we approach leadership in the context of a multi-cultural setting. How does language, cultures from different countries, and how we are trained in our profession influence how we work with others from different places. Moreover, what are some of the challenges we face when we are forced to change the way we talk or interact with those known "facts?" Join us as we take a deeper look into these questions. Our good friend, Miguel Morais, visits the podcast to give us personal experiences about working in multi-lingual production settings and some of what those challenges uncovered for him.

In this episode Jay and Bryan record their first in-person episode and talk about how to be creative as a human to channel some of the high stresses of the job. When we are constantly expected to be perfect and make no mistakes on every single job we do, there has to be a space where we are allowed to be free and explore some creative outlets. It's essential to keeping our sanity.

As stage managers, we work behind the scenes, ensuring that everything runs smoothly while the spotlight shines elsewhere. What many people don’t realize is that the skills we use—managing moving parts, anticipating challenges, and balancing creative and technical demands—are directly transferable to leadership. Read Bryan's article where he takes a deep dive on this very topic: https://itshalfhour.blog/what-stage-management-teaches-us-about-guiding-teams/

Today we welcome our first guest, Cary Gillett co-author of the international best selling textbook the production managers tool kit. In this humorous and insightful discussion, we will hear about how the book came to being at the USITT conference in Fort Worth Texas join us for a humorous and insightful episode We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at [email protected] or leave us a comment on the podcast!

We are discussing how the words we use can clearly communicate and be effective in emergencies and chaotic situations.

How do you keep yourself from overworking, getting burnt out, and building trust within your team? Check out this episode to learn how boundaries play a huge role in the development and success of teams.

In this episode, we are discussing the two most important words you might utter in your life..."Thank You." Join us as we discuss ways to be grateful amid the stress of being a leader in entertainment.

When a potential client asks "what's your day rate?" Do you start having an anxiety attack OR do you know what your time is worth and give a confident response? Today we are going to take a deep dive into the word VALUE and how we can apply it to our own lives as freelance production managers and show callers. We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at [email protected]

How many times have you heard, “It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who you Know.” But, Can you really “Fake it till you make it” as far as “what you know?” And…Is “who you know” really enough to get hired in the competitive entertainment industry? In this episode, Bryan and Jay are going make you think twice the next time you hear “It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who you Know.” We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at [email protected]

In today's episode, Jay gets on his Syllabus Soapbox to discuss his opinion on the University required document and how he has "evolved" to have a somewhat unusual take on the use of one. Do Gen Z students like the idea of the ridgid syllabus? The answer may surprise you. We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at [email protected]

In the world of corporate productions, you only get one shot at getting it right , AND it MUST run perfectly…or else !! but, what happens if things don’t always go the way you want them to ? In this episode we’re going to talk about making mistakes and how to bounce back and turn that failure into a learning opportunity We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at [email protected]

“Luck is the Residue of Design”… OR Is It? Do you believe in LUCK? Do you believe in MAGIC? Is being in the right place at the right time enough to make your career advance to the next level? Join us as Bryan and I take a deeper dive into Tina Shackelford’s “mysterious” text message to me that one special evening when “luck” was indeed all around us. “Luck is the Residue of Design” … OR Is It? We love hearing from YOU! Drop us an email if you have thoughts about an episode, have ideas for an episode, or just want to share your disruptive innovations. Send us an email at [email protected]