Q& A with Stage Manager Tina Jach

Q: Victory Gardens produces many world premieres. What are the biggest challenges, as a stage manager, of working on new plays?
A: The biggest challenge is keeping the script up-to-date and making sure all involved have the changes. We do not have a dramaturgy department, so keeping up with changes falls into the stage manager's lap.

Q: How is working on a musical (such as The Snow Queen) different than working on a straight play? Which do you prefer?
A: Working on a musical is different because there are more components. You have music/musicians and different types of rehearsals that can happen simultaneously. On The Snow Queen we also had puppets, so during a rehearsal we had music, puppetry, and staging rehearsals happening in different rooms at the same time. I think a musical can be more fun, but I do not have a preference. The thrill is working on a new piece that nobody else has done before and developing that script with the actors, playwright & director.

Q: What has been your favorite part of working on The Snow Queen?
A: The people and the music. I think it is a great musical.