Part 3

Autumn Coppaway

Autumn Coppaway is the Founding Director of the Miikana Project and currently the Consulting Director of Production at Edmonton Opera.Originally from the Curve Lake First Nations Reservation area; she currently resides on the unceded homelands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueum), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Autumn has a Master’s Degree in Public Safety from Wilfred Laurier, as well as two Bachelors in Fine Arts from The Toronto Metropolitan University. Her past credits include Technical Director for Vancouver Opera; Technical Director for the Banff Centre’s Opera Program; Assistant Technical Director for the Canadian Opera Company; Corporate Director of Production for Bespoke AV; and Production Manager for Against the Grain Theatre.

Autumn is a member of the Canadian Opera Company’s Circle of Artists and sits as the Board President for Lucky Penny Opera. She is a National Director for CITT/ICTS, co-creating their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee. Autumn continues to work as a leadership mentor and indigenous advocate through a variety of educational, cultural and community projects.

Heather Basarab

Heather Basarab is the Production Manager for the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern University. Her 25-year career includes production management for the Joe Goode Performance Group, Thick Description, The New Pickle Circus, Make-A-Circus and the STOMP Company (swing). She has stage managed circus, theater and dance, including for the Magic Theatre, Teatro Zinzanni, and The Cutting Ball Theater’s collaboration with the Grotowski Institute in Wroclaw, Poland. A passionate arts educator, Ms. Basarab was an adjunct professor at Sonoma State University and was the Production Manager and Co-Director of Tamalpais High School’s nationally recognized Conservatory Theater Ensemble, where she created and supervised the student-run production and design department. Ms. Basarab holds a BA from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and a MS in Arts Education from Dominican University of California.

Lawrence Bennett

Lawrence Bennett brings 15 years of production management and technical direction experience in a variety of company leadership positions. He is one of only a small handful of Black people to ever be a Director of Production at a League of Resident Theatres (LORT) institution. Before becoming the Director of Production at the Alliance Theatre, Lawrence served as the Director of Production at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and as the Associate Production Manager at Baltimore Center Stage. Prior to entering production management, he spent 10 years working as a technical director at various universities across the country, including the University of Texas, University of South Florida, and others. He has also worked at various summer theaters all over the country including but not limited to Williamstown Theatre Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Lawrence serves as Vice Commissioner of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice (IDEAS) for the Management Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). He is also the co-chair of the IDEAS and Membership committees for the Production Managers Forum, the network for Production Managers of non-profit theater, dance, and opera companies and educational theaters in North America. Lawrence received his MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers!) and his BFA from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University (Go Gorloks!).

Veronica R Pullins-Bishop

Veronica R Pullins-Bishop has been involved in the theatrical arts for over 50 years. Her journey began late in high school and has spanned design, stage management, props, direction, technical direction, production management and coordination. A majority of her time was spent in regional theater, but she now works in the for-profit sector as a senior project manager. She has problem solved more technical issues then she can remember, managed teams of artists from 1 person to a staff of over 30, been involved in over 400 productions, and spearheaded safety programs. COVID was not a boring time in her career as she became deeply involved in the creation of COVID safety policies for the reopening of live performances, worked to keep staff engagement alive, and stepped into the eye-opening world of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging where she continues to learn. Veronica managed to balance her life between a theatrical career with being a wife and mother and credits her professional success to her family support system and the privilege she was born into.

Tom Bollard

Tom Bollard has worked in corporate theater and television for nearly 40 years as both a designer and technical director. Trained as a TD and scenic/lighting designer, Tom has compiled an impressive list of credits in almost every area of the entertainment industry. Tom’s leadership also includes developing a thriving, award-winning mentoring program for high school, college and university students interested in careers in the corporate theatre industry. As a result of his hands-on curriculum, Tom has personally mentored dozens of students who have transitioned into successful working professionals. He is a guest lecturer, covering topics ranging from production 101, networking, and direct application of theatre degrees in the corporate production world. Tom maintains an active schedule of freelance technical director work on corporate projects while overseeing a thriving, award-winning mentoring program for high school and university students interested in careers in corporate theatre.

Drew Cady

Drew Cady: General Manager for the Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo (75-76), & San Diego Symphony (87-05); Interim ED for La Jolla Music Society (05-06); Producer/Manager for the Denver Symphony (80-87), Mainly Mozart Festival (93-98 & 06-18), Hutchins Consort (08-10), Philharmonic Society of Orange County (19-22); Independent Producer, Cadyarts (75-22). In 1990, Cady designed and produced the build of a landmark Summer Concert Venue at Embarcadero Marina Park, which is now the permanent home of the award-winning Rady Shell, San Diego. “From the landmark concert presentation of Bruce Springsteen as he introduced Born to Run to the world, to the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’ landing in America, featuring the San Diego Symphony performing in the main ballcourt of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, to the innovative rebirth of this same orchestra in 1998, including a west coast tour with Classical Cross-over artist, Andrea Bocelli, and a diverse offering of programming designed to enthrall and re-embrace its audiences, my stage producing experience is a cultural mosaic, driven by curiosity and the determination to connect us all to the world of live art.”

Cody Chen

Cody Chen grew up in Xiamen, China and studied Stage Management under Karen Quisenberry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As a production stage manager, Mr. Chen collaborated with a wide range of performing arts troupes and managed productions in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. After a decade-long touring career, he became a production manager and is now the General Manager of the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.

Jared Clarkin

Jared Clarkin is the Director of Production for Milwaukee Rep, where he has worked on a number of world and regional premiers including Antonio’s Song / I Was Dreaming of a Son, by Dael Orlandersmith and Antonio Edwards Suarez, Run Bambi Run, by Eric Simonson and Gordon Gano, One House Over, by Catherine Trieschmann, and Junk, by Ayad Akhtar. Previous projects include: Technical Director for the Argentine premier of Basil Twist’s Symphonie Fantastique, Production Manager for the world premiere of Sam Shepard’s The God of Hell (New School), and serving as the Resident Lighting Designer onboard the Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner. During the off-season Jared looks for any excuse to get outside and enjoy nature by hiking, camping, and bike-packing throughout the Midwest.

Jon Harper

Jon Harper has worked for ten years at Abrons Arts Center, part of the Henry Street Settlement. Starting as the Technical Director, he has moved through several arts management positions in his time there. Previously, he toured as a Lighting Supervisor with Pilobolus, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and worked in the fabrication of large-scale public artworks. He also continues to work as a freelance lighting designer and creates lighting designs for dance, theater, opera, performance art, and live music shows. He received his MFA in Lighting Design from the University of Tennessee in 2007, an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Baruch College in 2019 as part of the NY Community Trust Fellows program, and his MPA from Columbia University with a dual concentration in Environmental & Sustainability and Management & Innovation in 2022. He is married to Madeline Best of the Chocolate Factory Theater in Queens, and with her has two kiddos in elementary school.

Paul Horpedahl

Paul Horpedahl has been involved in opera production for over 40 years, beginning as a technical apprentice at The Santa Fe Opera. Paul has worked for the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet. He has served as Assistant Technical Director for The Juilliard School, Trinity Square Repertory Theatre in Providence, The Santa Fe Opera and The Santa Fe Festival Theatre and as Faculty Technical Director for San Francisco State University. In addition, he was the Production Director for The Skylight Opera Theatre in Milwaukee for 6 ½ years and, in 1998, began a 22 year stint running the production and facilities operations for The Santa Fe Opera. Since leaving Santa Fe Opera in 2019 he has worked as Acting Director of Artistic and Production Operations for Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center, consultant for Dallas Opera, production and operations consultant for Lyric Opera of Chicago and Interim Director of Production for The Washington Ballet in Washington, DC. He received his BA in theatre from the University of Washington in Seattle and resides in Santa Fe, NM.

Kimberly Fisk

Kimberly Fisk - After nearly three decades of traveling around the country and world with Broadway musicals, Kim has finally settled into a single city! She is currently the Director of Production for Broadway San Francisco, serving Ambassador Theatre Group theatres. Her earlier career included stage managing tours such as Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, Billy Elliott, Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hairspray, The Full Monty, Ragtime, Titanic, Victor/Victoria and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Kim is now perfectly content being in one place to enjoy life with her husband and dog while being on the presenter side of bringing theatre to one of her favorite communities.

Liza Luxenberg

Liza Luxenberg is Senior Vice President of Aurora Productions, a production management and technical supervision company to the entertainment industry, whose roots are in Broadway, Off Broadway and First Class Touring Productions. Liza has been a valued member of the Aurora team since 2009. Some of her favorite credits include Matilda the Musical, the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce, To Kill a Mockingbird, the reopening of Broadway post pandemic with Bruce Springsteen on Broadway and most recently Into the Woods, Death of A Salesman with Wendell Pierce and Almost Famous. She has served as guest lecturer for Columbia University, SUNY Purchase, The University of Maryland, New York University, and her alma mater Indiana University. In addition, she serves as a liaison for ATPAM apprentices volunteering her time teaching the local one and pink contracts. Liza believes in a production management philosophy that allows creative visions to go from page to stage and that the key to that is through personal relationships and concise communication. Liza is from Winter Park, Florida.

Herman Montero

Herman Montero is the Director of Production for the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In addition, he has been an accomplished Lighting Designer and Production Manager for over a decade. With a M.F.A. in Lighting Design from Florida State University, his career has crossed into theatre, tours, & cruise lines across the country. Leading him to work alongside a diverse group of companies such as - ABC Signature Studios, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Ringling Museum, and more. Prior to Broward Center, Herman served as the Director of Project Management for Bombshell, working with such Clients as- King’s Hawaiian, Ferrari, FENDI just to name a few. He was also the Production Manager at the Adrienne Arsht Center where he led a variety of projects including- Flamenco Festivals, Gala fundraisers, original works (Kitty Hawk), MLS Press Conference, NBC Democratic Debate, the NFL Honors, and more. What he has enjoyed the most is the diverse and collaborative experiences that his career has brought him. It is through this human connection that his love for the arts has grown so much. He is most proud of his two best productions - Arya & Sienna… his daughters.

Tajh Oates

Tajh Oates is currently one of the Production Managers at Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas. Prior to the Alley, he was the Assistant Production Manager at Arizona Theatre Company. Tajh is a Co-Chair of the Production Managers Forum's IDEAS Committee, which leads weekly Anti-Racism discussion sessions with Production Managers from across the country. He is also a member of the 2021-2022 cohort of the LORT EDI Mentorship Committee. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Georgia Southern University. In his few minutes of free time, Tajh loves to shower the internet in memes in hopes of bringing a little more levity to everyone's world.

Shannon Pringle

Shannon Pringle is the Senior Manager, Production for California State University Summer Arts and Director of the CSU Media Arts Festival. Over her professional career, Shannon has worked in theatre production, general and business management, career development and mentorship, and arts administration for the California State University, McCarter Theatre, Arena Stage, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. She holds a B.A. in General Studies (Creative Writing and Publishing) with a minor in French, an M.A. in Arts and Humanities, and professional certificates in Book Publishing, French Language and Writing, Events Planning, Student Success Analytics, Ethical and Inclusive Leadership, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.

John Sanders

John Sanders started working sporting and live music events while attending San Diego State University in the late-1980’s. After receiving a degree in electrical engineering in 1990, John continued his career in sports and entertainment at San Diego Sports Arena overseeing operations and production at the 15,000-seat venue, while also working part-time with concert promoters Bill Silva Presents, Avalon Attractions, SFX, and Clear Channel Entertainment. During this time, John toured with San Diego punk band Blink-182, as tour and production manager, prior to and during their meteoric rise to major international status. In 2007, John was recruited by Live Nation Worldwide to manage production for their shows throughout all Southern California venues. Live Nation’s Global Touring division recruited John in 2010, where he continues to oversee numerous tours on a national or global basis, as senior tour director. John has toured with artists including Eagles, Shakira, Sting, Prince, Peter Gabriel, David Gilmour, Phil Collins, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Barbra Streisand, KISS, Paul Simon, Beyonce & Jay-Z, Stevie Nicks, Rhianna, to name a few. He has done shows in 70+ countries and on all continents except Antarctica. John resides in Southern California where he enjoys fitness and the outdoors. He is an aviation enthusiast, achieving a flight instructor certificate in single engine airplanes.

Jennifer Schwartz

Jennifer Schwartz has worked as a stage manager and production manager in the DC area for nearly two decades. She currently serves as the Production Manager and Instructor of Stage Management for the University of Maryland's School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. Previously, Jenn was the General & Production Manager for Imagination Stage, and the Production Manager for Round House Theatre. Prior to becoming a production manager, Jenn enjoyed a career as an AEA stage manager for many different theaters in the DMV area.