Jake Snell

Stage Manager & Production Manager | he/him/his

jakesnell000@gmail.com | 708-724-8502

 

EDUCATION 

Loyola University Chicago - Graduated May 2022

Bachelor of Arts, Theater, Magna Cum Laude. Minor: Psychology

• Outstanding Department of Fine and Performing Arts Worker Award

 

UPCOMING:

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk | PA/Floor Manager | Northlight Theatre | Dir. Elizabeth Margolius | Aug-Oct 2024​

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STAGE MANAGEMENT | ∗=live virtual event

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Black Playwriting Festival | SM | Black Ensemble Theatre | Dir. Daryl D. Brooks | July-Aug 2024

• Annual playwriting festival that featured 4 original musicals as part of BET’s Black Playwright’s Initiative

• Assisted with coordinating and supervising all rehearsals and tracking any script changes, lighting and sound notes, props/scenic information, and any costume notes/quick changes.

• Called all performances with light board and follow spot operators

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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil The Musical | SM Intern | Goodman Theatre | Dir. Rob Ashford | May-July 2024

• World premiere musical production featuring book by Taylor Mac and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown

• Assisted with set-up and strike of rehearsal rooms, helped track entrances/exits, props, and costume changes during rehearsals and made sure all paperwork was updated as script changed throughout process

• During tech, helped track and communicate any staging changes, as well as be on-book and assist actors/production team members as needed

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They Keep Talking About Me | SM | Black Ensemble Theatre | Dir. Michelle Renee Bester | Mar-Apr 2024

• Part of Black Ensemble Theatre's "Plays with a Purpose" series that presents plays for CPS schools across the Chicagoland area. This show discussed the importance of anti-bullying and respecting others

• Tracked all staging and choreography, coordinated music rehearsals with live band, and tracked all script and story changes over the process

• Supervised and called all performances and ran Ion XE light board for all performances

 

Brooklyn Laundry | PA | Northlight Theatre | Dir. BJ Jones | Mar-Apr 2024​

• Tracked all props and costume changes throughout rehearsal and assisted stage manager with all responsibilites

• Trained crew on backstage track in tech and assisted all departments throughout tech process, also assisted SM with running understudy rehearsals.

• Also covered for the Floor Manager and ran backstage track at a few performances

 

Anything Goes | ASM | Porchlight Music Theatre | Dir. Michael Weber | Feb-Mar 2024

• Replaced ASM mid-run in February for remainder of performances through March

• Ran backstage track throughout performances, including scenic set-up and strikes, prop and costume hand-offs, and pre-show and post-show responsibilities 

 

Selling Kabul | PA | Northlight Theatre | Dir. Hamid Dehghani | Jan 2024

• Tracked all props and costume changes throughout rehearsal and assisted stage manager with all responsibilites

• Trained crew on backstage track in tech and assisted all departments throughout tech process

• Needed a PA cover and trained them to assist with rehearsals for a week of the process 

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Dial M for Murder | PA | Northlight Theatre | Dir. Georgette Verdin | Nov-Dec 2023

• First show working with Northlight as their PA

• Tracked all props and costume changes throughout rehearsal and assisted stage manager with all responsibilites

• Trained crew on backstage track in tech and assisted all departments throughout tech process

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Welcome to Matteson | ASM | Congo Square Theatre | Dir. Ericka Ratcliff | Aug-Oct 2023

• World premiere production that discussed housing inequity, classism, and discrimination from the Chicago Housing Authority 

• Production featured three-course meal with real consumables, moving platforms, multiple snow and flier drops, and multiple costume changes

• Managed two production assistants and backstage area and tracking of all prop and costume materials during rehearsals and performances

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Black Playwriting Festival | SM | Black Ensemble Theatre | Dir. Daryl D. Brooks | May-July 2023

• Annual playwriting festival that featured 5 original musicals and 1 straight play as part of BET’s Black Playwright’s Initiative

• Assisted with coordinating and supervising all rehearsals and tracking any script changes, lighting and sound notes, props/scenic information, and any costume notes/quick changes.

• Ran Ion XE light board during all performances

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Fairview | ASM | Definition Theatre | Dir. Tyrone Phillips | April-May 2023

• Joined mid-rehearsal process as an additional ASM for this production

• Assisted with tracking of all costume and prop pieces, as well as venue set-up and take down after each rehearsal and performance

• Helped train ASM that joined process during at the start of tech, as well as an ASM Cover

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New Faces Sing Broadway 1984 | SM | Porchlight Music Theatre | Dir. Tommy Novak | April 2023

• Annual concert introducing 10 new performers in the Chicagoland area

• Tracked various stage/performance number setups and facilitated communication with production team about various rehearsal and performance calls for featured artists and host of event

• Ran lighting and projection cues for performances at SPACE in Evanston and The Den Theatre

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The Girl Who Was Different | SM | Black Ensemble Theater | Dir. Michelle Renee Bester | Feb-Mar 2023

• Final production in BET’s “Plays with a Purpose” series that tell stories specifically for children in CPS, this production targeted towards elementary school students and discussed themes of kindness and appreciate for each other’s differences

• Shared SM responsibilities with resident SM of BET, Jessica Moore

• Tracked all staging and choreography, coordinated music rehearsals with live band, and tracked all script and story changes over the process, as well as ran Ion XE light board during performances

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Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle | SM | Griffin Theatre | Dir. Nate Cohen | Jan-Mar 2023

• Collaborated with director and production manager to create rehearsal calendar, including tech schedule and understudy rehearsals 

• Coordinated any necessary rehearsals with dialect coach and intimacy coordinator

• Performed at Raven Theatre, helped enforce all theater policies and space guidelines 

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I Am A Camera | ASM | Porchlight Music Theatre | Dir. Nate Cohen | Jan-Feb 2023

• Part of Porchlight’s “Revisits” series that accompanied their winter mainstage production of Cabaret

• Short rehearsal period, 11 rehearsals total with 2 performances over a span of two weeks

• Trained ASM that joined process when tech started, ran all scenic and prop transitions during performances, communicated with PSM throughout show to give actors “Go” cues 

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Urban Love Story | SM | Black Ensemble Theater | Dir. Michelle Renee Bester | Jan-Feb 2023

• Second production in BET’s “Plays with a Purpose” series that tell stories specifically for children in CPS, this production targeted towards high school students and discussing themes of gun violence

• Tracked all staging and choreography, coordinated music rehearsals with live band, and tracked all script and story changes over the process

• Supervised and called all performances and ran Ion XE light board for all performances

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New Faces Sing Broadway 1951 | SM | Porchlight Music Theatre | Dir. David Fiorello | Jan 2023

• Annual concert introducing new performers in the Chicagoland area

• Tracked various stage/performance number setups and facilitated communication with production team about various rehearsal and performance calls for featured artists and host of event

• Ran lighting and projection cues for performances at SPACE in Evanston and Arts Club of Chicago

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The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque| SM | (sub)version Productions | Dir. Miguel Long | Oct-Dec 2022

• Worked with Backstage Manager to create a welcoming and positive environment for cast

• Facilitated dialogue about consent and safety during dance and burlesque performance

• Supervised put-in rehearsals for weekly featured burlesque soloists that varied each week through performance run

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Bobo The Bully | SM| Black Ensemble Theater | Dir. Rueben Echoles | Oct-Dec 2022

• First production in BET’s “Plays with a Purpose” series that tell stories specifically for children in the CPS community, this production targeted towards elementary and middle school children and discussing themes of anti-bullying 

• Collaborated with director about rehearsal calendar and tech schedule, communicated with cast members, production team, and musicians with daily calls and rehearsal reports, tracked all blocking and choreography and created shared folder to keep all show information for cast 

• Supervised and called all performances and ran Ion XE light board for all performances

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The Ugly One | SM | Trap Door Theatre | Dir. Michael Mejia | Aug-Oct 2022

• Supervised principal cast and understudy rehearsals, recorded blocking, ran sound on Qlab during rehearsals, sent daily rehearsal calls and reports to production team, and facilitated dialogue between all departments of production

• Managed technical rehearsals including coordinating light cue building, dry techs, line throughs, and dress rehearsals, as well as oversaw all cast and production team members and coordinated tech meal distributions

• Ran lighting and sound boards during performances and sent performance reports after each performance

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Everybody | SM | ETA Creative Arts Foundation | Dir. Devon de Mayo | May-June 2022

• Tour of previous Loyola DFPA production from February 2022

• Organized rehearsals, tech, and performances and assisted with transportation of all scenic/costume elements; called and operated light board during performances

• Worked with actors who stepped in for ensemble members throughout the production to feel incorporated into the process and ready with their blocking to perform onstage

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Into the Woods | PSM | Loyola University Chicago | Dir. Mark Lococo | Feb-April 2022

• Helped organize and communicate information about auditions and callbacks, rehearsals, tech, and performances

• Worked with Loyola DFPA’s first student pit orchestra and organized audition and production information

• Collaborated with over 80 actors, designers, production team members, crew, and orchestra members to produce this production

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Nevertheless, She Persisted | SM| Loyola University Chicago | Dir. Sandra Kaufmann | Aug-Nov 2021

• Loyola Dance program’s annual dance concert back in-person, consisted of six original pieces all with large scenic/prop elements 

• Largest dance concert in Loyola’s dance program; worked with choreographers from the Joffrey Ballet Company, Martha Graham Company, and other Loyola staff

• Trained new crew members about Loyola DFPA policies, worked with ASM and Floor Manager to create a safe space for all dancers and crew

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Polaroid Stories | ASM | Loyola University Chicago | Dir. Lavina Jadhwani | Aug-Sep 2021

• Loyola DFPA’s first production back in-person following COVID-19 pandemic, first production working with a guest director and intimacy/fight coordinators

• Helped regulate department’s COVID-19 policies, including surveillance testing and daily symptom/temperature checks

• Covered SM for one performance and assisted with put-in rehearsals and understudy tracking after principal cast member was out for a weekend of performances

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The Boys and the Nuns∗ | ASM | Loyola University Chicago | Dir. Sandra Delgado & Mark Lococo| Feb-Apr 2021

• Original musical that incorporated original music recordings, pre-recorded music videos, and live scene work

• Worked with SM team to track production needs, especially as script evolved and scenes were edited throughout the process

• Helped communicate information about recording and filming music videos to blend into live production

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Spectral Heartbeats∗ | SM | Loyola University Chicago | Dir. Sandra Kaufmann | Aug-Nov 2020

• Virtual dance concert consisting of three pre-recorded films and one live dance, including choreography from Loyola staff, the Joffrey Ballet Company, and the Anna Sokolow Theater/Dance Ensemble

• Organized filming of each pre-recorded dance piece that adhered to local and university COVID-19 guidelines

• Tracked dancers turning on/off cameras to be in specific order, worked with video and sound operators to create live performance 

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Scenes from the Odyssey∗ | ASM| Loyola University Chicago | Dir. Sarah Gabel | Feb-Sept 2020

• Production began in-person, transitioned online, helped re-organize production needs to a live Zoom performance

• Tracked all actors turning on/off their cameras, operated OBS to be various videos throughout performance, and tracked deliveries of scenic, prop, and costume pieces to actors across the country

• Spearheaded how future virtual productions would operate in our department

 

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

 

Production Assistant | Northlight Theatre | Nov 2023-April 2024

• Resident PA on upcoming productions Dial M for Murder, Selling Kabul, and Brooklyn Laundry

• Expected start date: November 7, 2023

• Expected end date: April 13, 2024

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Production Manager | The Wolves | UChicago | Dir. Ericka Ratcliff | July-Nov 2023

• Expected start date: July 2023

• Expected end date: November 5, 2023

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Production Assistant | Chicago Sings: Broadway Pop | Porchlight Music Theatre | March 2023

• Porchlight’s annual fundraiser that features local artists, this year performed at the House of Blues Chicago, 1-day event featuring over 20 artists and child performers

• Oriented people into the space, gave walkthrough of backstage and dressing room areas 

• Helped load-in and load-out Porchlight’s equipment 

• Ensured that all performers and musicians were in places throughout rehearsal during day and performance in evening

• Maintained cleanliness of dressing rooms and backstage area throughout day

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COVID-19 Safety Assistant | Goodman Theatre | Nov-Dec 2022

• Administered COVID-19 PCR tests once a week to companies of A Christmas Carol, The New Stages Festival, and Goodman Theatre staff, totaling around 80-90 people each day

• Organized pickups of COVID-19 tests to be sent to North Shore labs for testing

• Distributed at-home rapid tests for company members to have throughout the rehearsal and performance process

• Tracked who was administered their PCR test and given their rapid tests for the week, sent reminders about getting tested, and made sure all necessary personnel were tested before leaving for the day

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Production Management Coordinator | Loyola University Chicago Production Office | May 2021-Aug 2022

• Organized all audition and production activities in various performance venues for dance, theater, music, and fine arts programming, as well as other events such as conferences, showcases, and other student-led projects

• Directly coordinated with Managing Director, Department Directors, production staff, faculty, and students about mainstage and second stage programming

• Helped organize production and student information in different databases in Airtable, strengthen organizational documents in Microsoft Suite, and maintain a strong flow of information within the DFPA

• Managed and trained four production management assistants and helped organize their workflow through Asana, including assigning tasks and projects and following their progress to make sure it was completed

• Spearheaded new DFPA and COVID-19 policies and guidelines

• Created new online database for theater library

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Production Management Assistant | Loyola University Chicago Production Office | Feb 2020-May 2021

• Managed space requests and multiple calendars that held venue information

• Coordinated production meetings, including scheduling and note taking

• Communicated project and production updates and information between internal team members and faculty

• Assisted in training new stage managers and other production office assistants

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SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite ⋅ Google Suite ⋅ Zoom ⋅ Airtable ⋅ Asana ⋅ Jotform ⋅ Social media ⋅ Mac iOS 

Qlab ⋅ Light/sound board operation ⋅ Food prep ⋅ COVID-19 Compliance Officer ⋅ Driver’s license

 

REFERENCES

Katie Klemme ⋅ Stage Management Mentor ⋅ katieklemme@gmail.com ⋅ 773-671-7815

April Browning ⋅ Managing Director ⋅  Loyola DFPA ⋅ abrowni@luc.edu ⋅ 773-508-3833

Daryl D. Brooks ⋅ Managing Director ⋅ Black Ensemble Theatre ⋅ dbrooks@blackensemble.org ⋅ 773-563-8338

Julie Jachym ⋅ Stage Manager/Colleague ⋅ jachymjulie@gmail.com ⋅ 630-644-7380

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