abbey's professional Journey So Far
Where I Started
My career within production started with stage management way before I even realized it was something I could turn into a career. I quickly fell in love with being behind the scenes and a part of the team that brings a musical or play together. That passion eventually led me to Oklahoma City University, where I earned my BFA in Design & Production with an emphasis in Stage & Production Management. Through years of working on theatre productions, I learned how much I enjoy keeping track of all the moving pieces and thinking a few steps ahead. I love the challenge of solving problems on the spot and helping a team make a vision a reality. Stage management is ultimately where I discovered how much I love the process of taking something that may seem impossible and figuring out how to make it happen.
Learning Through Live Production
One of the most exciting experiences in my early career was the opportunity to work with Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère in Las Vegas. It was my first time being part of a resident production of that scale, giving me the chance to see just how much is required behind the scenes to run the show night after night. I learned both the backstage & runner stage management tracks while supporting daily rehearsals, training, performer needs, production documentation, and backstage operations. Being surrounded by people with so much dedication and experience in their craft pushed me to learn as much as I could during my time there. More than anything, Mystère showed me the amount of preparation, communication, and attention to detail required from every person behind the scenes to make something so complex look effortless, all while keeping performer safety front and center.
Expanding Into Events
As my career continued to grow, I found myself stepping outside of theatre and into the events world. Since then, I’ve worked on everything from conferences and expos to galas and weddings, with events ranging from intimate gatherings to productions with thousands of attendees. What I quickly came to love about events was the variety. Every project meant a new client, a new venue, a new team, and a completely different set of challenges to figure out. No two events are ever exactly the same, which pushed me to become more confident walking into unfamiliar environments and learning how things worked as I went. This experience ultimately pushed me outside of what I already knew and showed me that the skills I had built in theatre could translate far beyond the stage.
Growing Into Production Coordination
Most recently, I worked as a Production Coordinator with The T!LT Group, supporting projects from early planning through on-site execution. I coordinated schedules, travel, vendors, production documentation, expenses, scenic and AV needs, materials, deliveries, hospitality, and the many details that kept each project moving. That experience gave me the opportunity to bring together what I had learned through stage management and events while taking on greater responsibility across increasingly complex productions.
Where I Am
Bringing the Pieces Together
Today, I bring experience from several sides of production: theatre, live entertainment, corporate events, experiential production, weddings, venue operations, and production coordination. Each has taught me something different, but the common thread has always been the same: I enjoy being behind the scenes, connecting the moving pieces and helping turn an idea on paper into something people can actually experience.
Ready for What's Next
I am currently based in Los Angeles and focused on building the next chapter of my career in film and television production. I'm looking for opportunities where I can bring the organization, logistics, adaptability, and production experience I've already built into the film environment while continuing to learn the industry from the ground up. While film is where I ultimately want to grow, I'm also open to opportunities across entertainment or live events where I can contribute my experience, take on new challenges, and continue growing as a production professional.
A Quick Study
Throughout my career, I’ve had to step into new productions, teams, and environments while learning quickly. From learning stage management tracks during my time with Cirque du Soleil to constantly working with new event teams, venues, and clients, I’ve become comfortable adapting to unfamiliar situations and finding my place within a team. I genuinely enjoy learning how things work, especially in environments where every day can look a little different. I ask questions, take notes, and pay attention to how each team operates. My goal is to learn as much as I can early on so I can become someone the team can rely on, anticipate what needs to be done, and step in wherever I can be helpful.
Someone You Can Rely On
One thing production has taught me is that being dependable isn’t always about having the most important job in the room. A lot of the time, it comes down to the smaller things, such as catching a detail before it becomes a problem, remembering a conversation from earlier, keeping everyone updated, or being willing to jump in when an unexpected need comes up. I take a lot of pride in being someone who follows through and can be trusted with whatever is given to me. At the end of the day, I want to be the kind of person my team knows they can come to when they need an extra hand or simply need to know that something will get done, no matter how big or small.
Where I'm Going
Building a Career in Entertainment
I’m intentionally building a career that keeps me close to entertainment production because that is where I have always been the most excited and passionate about the work I’m doing. I love being part of the process that takes an idea that may seem impossible and figures out everything that needs to happen behind the scenes to bring it to life. Whether that is on a film set, at a live event, in a studio, on a stage, or somewhere completely new to me, I want to continue working in environments that challenge me, keep me learning, and allow me to be part of creating something that people will ultimately get to experience.
Learning the Whole Production
One of the things I value most about my background is that it has allowed me to work on a wide variety of productions. Stage management taught me how to think ahead and anticipate what might be needed before it happens. Events strengthened my understanding of logistics while teaching me how to adapt when things inevitably change. Production coordination gave me the opportunity to bring those skills together while managing the many details that connect the client, vendors, and crew. I know there is still so much for me to learn about production, and that genuinely excites me. With every new role and experience, I hope to continue gaining a better understanding of every element of the production lifecycle.
Toward Assistant Directing
Within film and television, my long-term goal is to become a First Assistant Director. I have always been drawn to roles where I am expected to keep track of many moving pieces, solve problems through quick thinking, and work with others toward one larger goal. That is a big part of what excites me about the AD department. I love the idea of being involved throughout the entire production and creative process. I want to understand what each department needs, anticipate potential issues before getting on set, and help keep everyone moving in the same direction. I know becoming a First AD takes years of experience, but I’m ready to start at the bottom, work my way up, and learn as much as I can on set. With more experience, I hope to continue taking on greater responsibility while learning from the people around me.
The Reputation I Want to Build
When I think about where I want to be ten years from now, it’s not just about having an important title or tons of box office credits. I have big goals for my career, of course, but more than anything, I care about the kind of reputation I build along the way. I want to be the person others get excited about working with, someone whose name on a call sheet makes people genuinely happy because they know I’ll show up prepared, work hard, stay calm when things get stressful, and treat everyone around me with respect. I hope to build a career where the relationships I make are just as important as the work itself, where one production leads to another because people genuinely enjoyed working with me and are excited to do it again.