If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be A Muhfucka
Patrons Theater
February 2023
Role: Production Manager
Location: Patrons Theatre (blackbox), Winston-Salem, NC
Format: Contemporary play
Full blackbox build with custom seating, lighting, sound, deck, and quick-change zones. In addition to standard PM leadership, I stabilized the rehearsal process when cohesion slipped, restoring structure, communication, and pace. The production used live percussion onstage alongside recorded music and effects, which required careful audio planning, RF control, and fast mic turnarounds.
Key contributions
• Led the production from pre-pro to hot wash. Ran meetings, set agendas, assigned owners, tracked deliverables, and managed the budget.
• Scoped and coordinated the blackbox conversion: seating plan, platform layout, rigging points, power and cable paths, audience ingress, and ADA.
• Rehearsal operating rhythm: implemented day plans with timeboxes and end-of-day notes; aligned stage management, movement, and design teams on next steps.
• Room culture and communications: centralized call sheets and updates, set norms and escalation paths, and supported one-on-ones through producing leadership.
• Audio integration: partnered with the sound designer and A1/A2 to map an onstage percussion and playback plan, including RF frequency coordination, mic assignments by scene, spare packs, quick mic swaps, foldback needs, and isolation of percussion zones to reduce spill.
• Change control and safety: flagged impacts to schedule, cost, and risk; secured approvals before executing late notes; protected crew and performer safety during high-energy sequences.
• Tech and previews: kept cueing sessions on pace, protected turnarounds, and ensured departments had the time and space to land notes.
Outcomes
Rehearsals stabilized with clear daily targets. Audio remained clean and intelligible with no RF dropouts, fast mic swaps, and consistent levels between live percussion, playback, and dialogue. The blackbox installed on schedule, tech notes landed on time, and the show held timing through opening.
