The Wilds was one of the most interesting productions I’ve ever been a part of. As the PA, I was tasked with maintaining the motion tracking suits, helping set up the space before rehearsals, assisting in creating the prompt book for the rotating stage managers, and operating the lightboard.

I joined this opera fairly late in the process. A week after I began attending rehearsals, we loaded onto a bus and drove six hours to the other side of the state. As my first opera and my first traveling show, I learned about how opera is different from other theatre and how to maintain flexibility when loading into a completely new space. I was tasked with managing all of the set pieces and props as we performed in new spaces every two days. I also learned a new respect for traveling productions.

These positions were a very unique chance to work with the dance company at UNL. In one week each, I created a prompt book for a series of dances. Each dance had a different choreographer and lighting designer making consistency in my cues difficult. Ultimately, I learned to call cues based on subtle physical actions rather than based on lines. This attention to detail is something I have applied to other areas of theater as well.

This student directed opera was as interesting lesson in director management and operating with little overhead support. Working with 2 novice co-directors was a challenge before factoring in a missing production team. I was required to maintain precise blocking notes, props tacking, room reservations, and calling the show off of music. This production was uniquely challenging and was immensely satisfying to see come together.