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Mexico City is one of the most exciting cities in the world! It has art like no other and it has such a vibrant nature to it. That is why musical theatre can not be any different. Hi, my name is Mariana and I would love to take you through my journey as the Production Stage Manager of one of the biggest musicals in Mexico City and its history: Jesus Christ Superstar.
80`s rock idols, pop icons, soul rockstars, 60`s legends of rock and roll… you name it, we have it in our cast. So when you pair that with the top producer in the country… you are most certain to have a hit on your hands.
Challenging? oh yeah! but very worth all the extra stress!
And if that wasn’t enough, the technology behind our show is top of the line; the video, lights, audio system, it is all over the top amazing! If you are a geek like me you probably love all the new tech enhancements the musical theatre industry has to offer.
That is why sometimes stage managing this show can be an adventure all in itself… fire on stage, water on stage, pyrotechnics, geysers… that all have to match the music and the video and the lights, plus make sure it never hits an actor, and it all looks natural and organic.
Phew… just talking about it made me sweat!
I have worked with many producers and directors over these past ten years, I have been very blessed with work and amazing jobs, so even though the seat is not new to me, the excitement is new every day!
I have a team of two outstanding ASMs that help me oversee the full production and its needs. Eager to learn and young, they are my eyes backstage, because in comparison to other musical shows, this show is run from the light, video and sound booth, so I see the stage from the best seat in the house and can have my operators right with me (poor souls, they get to hear me yell).
Every day has a new challenge, either from the scheduling point of view, to the personal relations department, or even just as simple as having a terrible migraine and still running a great show.
I mean big ones every so often. So as a PSM I need to make sure everyone in our company knows how to safely react to an emergency of this sort.
How to stop the show, how to exit the building and how to keep calm.
Talk about adding more challenges! (especially when you have Jesus Christ on the cross dying and suddenly Mother Earth decides to shake).
Maybe this sounds all too familiar to you, maybe it doesn’t!
Still thank you all for reading me! Hopefully this small part of our lives transported you to our part of the world with our very beloved show.
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Mexico born and raised, my parents took me to see Cats when I was 9 years old... it was such an amazing experience to me I decided to do nothing else, I went home to have my mom put on make up on my brother and neighbors so I could produce my first show. Ever since all I can think about is theatre. I went to York University in Toronto and graduated in Theatre Production having my BFA and then went to work for Mexico´s top production companies. I have worked in International Broadway shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia, Sweet Charity, Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar. Currently I am the PSM for Jesus Christ Superstar in Mexico City. I have also been the Executive Producer and Production manager for full Mexican productions like Mentiras and Si Nos Dejan. I have found a true passion working for family show licenses on Latin American tours with shows such as Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, Monster High, and many more. I was the Technical Director for one of Mexico`s biggest venues the Centro Cultural Teatro 1, giving service and development to international tours like Voca People, Blue Man Group, The Russian Ballet company's Nutcracker, Cinderella and Swan Lake, The Hungary Modern Dance Company's Carmen, and many more. I live and breathe theatre 24/7 and I cant wait for what tomorrow has in store.
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