#SMLife

This is our final episode!!! In a change from our normal structure, this episode interviews our regular host, Morgan Zupanski. Nidia Flores is our host in this episode and she dives deep into all of the questions that our audience has been asking Morgan. We talk about safety, advocating for yourself, imposter syndrome, the importance of finding your tribe, creating a tribe within your teams, all of the feelings around shadowing/being shadowed, and believing in yourself. 

This weeks episode is all about Cruise Ships! We talk with Cheyenne Splinter about her time working with Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. We discuss how she got in to the industry and how her stage management skills have transferred over. We also talk about life on a ship and some of the logistics that come along with that lifestyle. 

This episode is all about dance! We talk with Jessica Barker about her experiences working in dance, the corks of dance like working with animals, working in San Francisco, and moving across the country to try something new! We also talk a bit about how important it is to make space for your personal life along with your career. 

In this episode we talk with Rusty Cloyes about his career trajectory moving from stage management into being a technical director into being a production manager and then moving back in to stage management both professionally and as a teacher. We also talk about his experiences working at SXSW and his experiences on tour. 

Have you heard about SM Bootcamp? Well in this episode, we are talking with the creator, Anne Hitt! We talk with her about her career trajectory and how that has led her to Seattle and what it's been like starting a family while doing the freelance stage management life. We also dig more into what SM Bootcamp is and how it works. 

In this episode we talk with Joel Veenstra about his work as Western Regional Director for the Stage Managers' Association. We also talk about his career trajectory moving from film in to theater, and his willingness to take chances that has ultimately led him to live a life full of balance between his many interests. 

How do you promote yourself as a freelancer? In this episode, we talk with Claire Friday about her trajectory as a stage manager that has led her to show calling and producing in the corporate events world. We also talk about how to marketing yourself, creating a business, the art of follow-up, and some key advice for PAs in any genre. 

It is so important to be supported when you are coming up as a stage manager and to support others throughout your career as a stage manager. In this episode, we talk with Meredith Greenburg about everything "mentor". Everything from having a mentor, being a mentor, finding a mentor, to utilizing a mentor, and so much more. 

In this episode, we talk with Liz Fiala about her career trajectory from Theater to TV to Corporate Events+Weddings. We also talk about finding your tribe, how important it is to have a good support system, and what a positive thing it can be to feel uncomfortable and to embrace not knowing what you are doing but trying it anyways. 

Ever wondered how to make the jump from theater in to opera? Well in this episode, we are going to talk about that with Nikki Hyde! She comes from a theater background and has moved in to a very busy opera schedule as a stage manager. We discuss her career journey, her advice for people looking to stage manage in opera, and everything she's learned along the way. 

Social media is such a big part of our every day life these days and you need to make sure you are managing it in a way that suits you. In this episode, we talk with Mandisa Reed about her experiences working in regional theater, her relationship with social media, and the realities of burn out. 

Happy Father's Day! This episode is a bonus episode - I interviewed my dad, Randy Zupanski! We talk about him being the father of a stage manager, working as the general manager of hotels, all of the management wisdom he has lived by over the course of his career, and how transferable a stage managers skill sets can be. 

Sometimes building the right network can take you to places you never would have imagined. In our first episode, we talk with Anthony Sierra about his very unique experiences working in a number of amusement parks, how important networking has been for his career, and some of the cool ways his network has led him to interesting opportunities. 

This is a trailer for the upcoming show #SMLife. This podcast is a west coast perspective limited series hosted by stage manager Morgan Zupanski and presented by the Stage Managers’ Association that highlights a handful of stage managers actively working on the west coast and talks about how we are all making it happen. Music composed by Victoria DeIorio and produced by Jenna Moran.