Aidan Hobbs, a senior at our school, has served as the theatre department’s stage manager for the past two years. She’s become a trusted and dependable presence, someone everyone in the department can rely on. Whether she’s sending out weekly emails with the rehearsal schedule or training new technicians on their roles, Hobbs is almost always busy. Balancing her stage management duties during two productions while applying to college made time management a serious challenge.
“It was chaotic, to say the least,” Hobbs said. “I had lots of to-do lists and lots of late nights. Since I was applying to programs with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in technical theatre or stage management, I not only had to fill out Common Apps for each school, but I also had to complete a second, more specific theatre application and do an interview at each school!”
This fall, she’ll be heading to the University of Cincinnati, where she will continue to pursue technical theatre.
“I got to go [to the University of Cincinnati], visit, and speak to people in the stage management program, and everyone was super lovely,” Hobbs said. “I knew that these were people I could spend hours and hours with over the next few years and not get tired of them.”
According to the University of Cincinnati’s website, it ranks among the top ten colleges for theatre. Although starting a new chapter is exciting, leaving behind her high school community won’t be easy. What Hobbs will miss most is the people.
“Everyone is so kind,” Hobbs said. “It’s just this amazing, tight-knit family. I couldn’t have done anything without them and their support—especially Mr. Issa. He’s taught me a lot of what I know and helped me become a better person. I couldn’t have done any of what I did these past two years without him. I’m gonna miss the chaos of it all, too.”
After two years in her role, Hobbs has advice for aspiring stage managers in the school’s theatre community.
“It’s a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be,” Hobbs said. “Stage management is, at its core, about effective communication. How can I get this information out most efficiently? That’s it. Whatever works best for you is perfect.”
Hobbs is a role model for anyone involved in theatre. Whether you’re an actor, a director, or a technician, there’s something to learn from her.
“A big thing I learned this year was just how to ask for help—and when to ask for it,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it on my own.”
