MY MISSION STATEMENTAs a manager of art, I am an advocate of art. In order to effectively advocate all aspects of a production (from creative team, to technical team, to crew, to actors) I strive to be the most neutral and positive influence in the room, and to keep my mind and heart open to any opportunity for growth.
ABOUT ME... |
I found theatre by accident when I was asked to help with a high school benefit production. This experience had such a profound impact on me, changing the way I interacted with the world and stories. After being accepted to California State University, Chico I decided to crash the Theatre Department's Freshman meeting to sign up for a show crew, thinking I could Minor in Theatre. Four years later, I graduated with a BA in Theatre and was named “Outstanding Theatre Student” by the College of Humanities and Fine Arts.
Two years post-graduation, with a couple credits around the country, I craved a more focused education to refine my skills and an opportunity to network, so applied for graduate school. In June 2021, I graduated from University of California Irvine with my MFA in Stage Management under Co-Chairs Don Hill and Joel Veenstra.
I had the pleasure of working as a resident stage manager at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre in Clinton, Iowa where I worked for seven seasons on a variety of productions, from full scale musicals to TYA productions.
It was at the Showboat I had the opportunity to join Actor's Equity Association by way of contract, and I have proudly been an official member since February 2020 (just in time for a global pandemic, but still!).
I most recently worked as the 2024 Seasonal Assistant Company Manager for Theatre SilCo in beautiful Silverthorne, CO. Outside of the summer stock season I am newly based in San Diego, CA and excited about finding a place in that community. I also enjoy any opportunity to guest lecture for Intro or Advanced stage management courses; particularly on the topics of Management Theory and Conflict Resolution.
Always interested in people, cultures, and experiences, theatre was a natural shift and Stage Management even more natural. As a manager of art I am an advocate of art, and I take that seriously and humbly. I am particularly excited about working on comedies and with people who lead with joy and curiosity.
When not in a theater, I can most likely be found watching stand-up comedy, crocheting, reading, or napping with my elderly dog, Marley.
Some of my favorite SM credits include: The Amish Project (Theatre SilCo); Living Dead in Denmark (CSUC); The 39 Steps, Cabaret, Tuesdays with Morrie (Clinton Area Showboat Theatre); The Penelopiad (UCI), and Chicago (The Lexington Theatre Company).
Cheers!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME
“Thank you for all your hard work and for hitting the ground running. You are just what we needed and we are lucky to have you.”
Marcy Vazz | Director | South Coast Repertory
"Kyrsten is first and foremost a kind and giving soul, a leader who focuses and highlights her people. Add to this the fact that she is a full-rounded theater maker - thriving as a manager, an artist, a technician, a storyteller, and an educator - and you get Kyrsten, the very first person anyone would call to join their team. I had the pleasure of working alongside Kyrsten (both as ASM’s) and the team dynamics through the production as a whole benefited from Kyrsten’s attention to detail and initiative to foreshadow needs. It was together that we also learned the importance of intimacy training for our craft, and if it hadn’t been for her standing there by my side throughout this challenging process of unlearning and relearning, I don’t think I would have come out of the experience as prepared as I did. She provides safety, of the most invaluable kind."
Jesús López | Managing Director & Associate Creative Director for K.B. Theatre Company
"...she was always THE example for all students. While she is a humorous person to be around, Kyrsten has a sense of focus and maturity when she needs to. This is invaluable..."
Shane Churchill | Teacher | Granite Hills High School
“Kyrsten is an amazing stage manager and theatrical advocate. Through the plethora of opportunities I have had to work with her, I have yet to encounter a production team that was not made better by her participation in it.”
Rebecca Rankin | Costume Designer
“You are the best PSM I’ve ever had. So kind, firm, and open to everything...”
Jalon Matthews | Actor
“You are literally supporting and making dreams come true! Thank you for making this experience so fun and exciting for us all!”
Samantha Lin | Choreographer