Professor Creates Mental Health Days for Student Well-Being
Excused absences for mental health days are growing more common for K-12 learners, but most higher education institutions don’t allow
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Bryan Runion is a professional Production Stage Manager whose credits include: Drawn to Life (Cirque du Soleil and Disney), Netflix’s Stranger Things: The Experience, Duel Reality (7 Fingers), La Perle (Dragone), The Voice of Tolerance (The Ministry of Education, UAE); Mastercard Experiences (Mastercard); Everybody Black (World Premiere), Queens (La Jolla Playhouse), Ken Ludwig’s The Gods of Comedy (The Old Globe), TEDx (Chula Vista), Mark Morris Dance Company, Joey Alexander Trio, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (La Jolla Music Society), The Bridges of Madison County (Arkansas Rep). Bryan earn his M.F.A. at The University of California, San Diego and his B.A. at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and The Stage Managers’ Association.
The Key to Effective Stage Management Leadership
As a stage manager, our role extends far beyond cueing performers and coordinating technical aspects of a production. At its
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Mental Health: Stage Managing Myself to Sanity on a Cruise Ship
Pammy writes about how she makes space for mental health breaks and ways to prioritize your mental health while working
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Mastering Empathy: Effective Leadership for Stage Managers
In today’s fast-paced entertainment environment, the most effective leaders aren’t just strong decision-makers—they’re also empathic. Empathy in leadership isn’t merely a nice-to-have quality; it’s a crucial component that fosters trust, boosts team morale, and drives organizational success. I’m exploring why empathy is vital for leadership, how it can enhance team dynamics, and practical steps to cultivate this essential trait. Whether you’re an aspiring or a seasoned stage manager, understanding and applying empathy in your leadership approach can transform your team and elevate your impact.
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The Art of Stage Management: Blending Education and Experience
Stage management stands at the heart of every live performance, serving as the conductor of a behind-the-scenes symphony. Our roles
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Stage Managing for Ballet
I asked a friend and colleague, Helen Moreau, who has Stage Managed for several Ballet Companies such as American Ballet Theatre,
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How to Embrace Risk: Transforming Vulnerability Into Triumph
Effective stage management relies not only on technical prowess but also on strong leadership skills. In my own awareness journey
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“Why should I care?” How Empathy and Curiosity Can Help Us See “The Big Picture”
In this edition of Half-Hour, my friend Nicholas Lambros Smith discusses the importance of empathy and curiosity and how using these
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Authority, Power, and Leadership
In this week’s article, we are discussing the differences between authority, power, and leadership; stripping them down and investigating their
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How to Safely Stop the Show: A Look At Assessing Risk Before It Happens
In this week’s article, I’m discussing show stops and emergency situations. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan and the
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Preparing for a Hard Conversation: Defining Feelings, Uncovering Identity Triggers, and Setting a Purpose
In this week’s edition, I’m talking more about hard conversations. Last week, I laid out a structure of questions to
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Inviting Feedback, Creating Space for Diversity, and Challenging Tradition
In this week’s article, I’ll briefly touch on some concepts around giving and receiving feedback. Communication is such a large
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Touring Shows: An abridged summary of important points
The life of the Stage Manager in touring theatre is one of excitement, adventure, and constant change. It can be
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