TINA M NEWHAUSER
ART on STAGE
I knew I wanted to be in theatre since 7th grade. It was at that time that our teacher, Ms. Evans, registered us to compete in History Day, a national competition that asks students to depict a moment in history. This could be through the written word, visual arts, music, or whatever means of expression the student wants to embrace. my friends and I wrote a play titled "Susan B. Anthony," and you guessed it, it was about Susan B. Anthony. We ended up doing very well regionally and got to travel to Washington DC to compete in the finals. Our play ended up winning third in the nation and from that moment on I was a theatre nerd. I loved everything about it. I never wanted to be an actor in the limelight, but everything else about the art form intrigued me. Now, after 30 years, I'm proud to say that I never needed a 'day job.' Theatre has always been my bread-n-butter, and I've worked as stage manager, production manager, general manager, scenic designer, lighting designer, properties designer, carpenter, scenic artist, electrician, and automation tech.
BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
AEA PRODUCTION CONTRACTS
Before I share the progression of my career, I'll answer that common question I always get asked at social functions - "yes, I've worked on Broadway." Although many of my regional theatre experiences are some of my most cherished, I did have an amazing run working on two really great productions. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing creatives, such as designers Robin Wagner, Don Holder, and Tony Leslie James, and I've been fortunate enough to watch such talents work the stage as Hugh Jackman, Frank Gorshin, Barbara Cook, Liza Minnelli, Bebe Neuwirth, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Andrea De Shields, and so so so many more.
This life has been and continues to be, a dream come true.
Broadway's 'The Boy from Oz'
Imperial Theatre
What can I say - this has been one of the highlights of my career. It was an experience like no other and it starred Hugh Jackman, Stephanie J. Block, Beth Fowler, Isabel Keating, Jarrod Emick, John Hill, and an ensemble made up of some of the most talented dancers and singers. Our backstage IATSE crew became an instant family, a family that I still love to bug and bother every time I'm back in the city. I adore them all.
Broadway's 'Say Goodnight, Gracie'
Helen Hayes Theatre
Working on this production was both a challenge and a joy. Frank was one of the most amazing talents to watch night after night, and after over 350 performances, I never tired of watching him bring George Burns to life.
He was a perfectionist. He was a challenge. I adored him, and when on tour together, before the Broadway run, we spent many nights sharing a drink and a story.
NONPROFIT REGIONAL EXPERIENCE
AEA CORST/COST/SPT/LORT/GUEST ARTIST CONTRACTS
So how did I get to the Great White Way?? One step at a time. My first professional stage management experience was with Porthouse Theatre Company in Ohio. This AEA summer stock theatre is associated with Kent State University, where I went to undergrad. I worked there for a number of summers and held a variety of positions such as properties designer, assistant stage manager, carpenter, electrician, and I'm sure a few other roles that I have long forgotten. What I do remember, and cherish, is the opportunity they gave me during the summer of 1988 when I stage managed my first professional show, On the Verge, by Eric Overmyer. It was a blast and I never turned back. Now all these years later, I still think back with fondness as to how it all began...
Crossroads Theatre Company
New Brunswick, NJ
My first job after college was as an Assistant Stage Manager & carpenter for Crossroads Theatre Company. It was a marvelous time, and I got to work on Sheila's Day by Mbongeni Ngema, And Further 'Mo by Vernel Bagneris,
Spunk by George C. Wolfe (world premiere), and Black Eagles by Leslie Lee,
Playhouse on the Square
Memphis, TN
In 1991, as I merged onto the highway headed to POTS, 'Walking in Memphis' started to play on the radio. It was a good sign. I was on my way to the home of the 'blues, soul, & rock 'N roll.' While in Memphis I stage managed, designed scenery & lighting, dabbled in puppertry design as well as properties. It was an amazing year and I made amazing friends with whom I never lost touch.
BoarsHead Theatre
Lansing, MI
After Memphis, I had a 3-year stint at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, working as a stage manager, scenic designer, lighting designer, carpenter, and scenic painter. It was a marvelous time, working and learning from the best. Then I was contracted to work as the resident stage manager for the BoarsHead Theatre. It was here that I began to feel that I was finding my legs as a stage manager. The talent and dedication that flowed through this company was overwhelming. I was lucky enough to watch Carmen Decker, an amazingly unique talent, grace the stage in a number of productions. I met lifelong friends that I cherish. When the BoarsHead Theatre's doors closed for good in 2006, there was sadness among hundreds of talented creatives that left their mark on that 3/4 rounded stage.
Peterborough Players
Peterborough, NH
During my time at the Boarshead Theatre, I met a few folks that would become lifelong friends as well as creative collaborators. In 1996 I followed one of them - Gus Kaikkonen - to New Hampshire to work at the Players. This summer would have a lasting effect on my personal as well as professional trajectory. The Peterborough Players became our home away from home. I would return every summer to stage manage, design, play bridge, and relax. Now, more than 25 years later, I still consider it to be an important part of me as a person and theatre creative.
New York City Theatre
WPA, Primary Stages, Signature Theatre, Roundabout,
Manhattan Theatre Club...
In the mid 90's I left MI and moved to New York City. Nothing would ever be the same. I started out working for The Drama League, then WestBeth Theatre Center, WPA, Lincoln Center's Director's Lab, Primary Stages, Signature Theatre, Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club... The list goes on and on. I SM'd for such groundbreaking talents as Eddie Izzard (NY debut 'Dressed to Kill') Horton Foote (Last of the Thorntons) Daisy Foote (When They Speak of Rita) Regina Taylor (Urban Zulu Mambo) Sandra Bernhard (I'm Still Here, Damnit) Jim Luigs (Spread Eagle) and so many more... I worked as a freelance scenic painter, carpenter, and automation tech. I did everything I could to learn and grow my skills while building my network. Then in 1998, I stage managed my first commercial production (THWAK starring The Umbilical Brothers) This production provided me with two years of laughter as I watched Dave and Shane kill it each night, first at WestBeth, then at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Many other shows followed, and then in 2001 I started on 'Say Goodnight Gracie' and next 'The Boy from Oz'. In 2002, while running 'Gracie' on Broadway, I started working industrials. I would bounce between running my Bdwy shows and working corp gigs. A perfect balance.
Taking a Break
Peterborough, NH
After almost 10 years in NYC, and 9 months after The Boy from Oz had its closing performance, we moved to New Hampshire to
live permanently in Peterborough. Our son was 6 months old so we left the city and trekked north. While my husband worked at The Players, I took 2 years off to raise our son, and then our daughter. It was glorious getting to design scenery at The Players, raise our babies, garden, hike, swim, sneak away on a variety of corporate gigs and then come home to relax in the most beautiful countryside.
Capital Center for the Arts
Concord, NH
In the fall of 2007, I started working at the CCA as their Production Manager. I spent just over 3 years doing show advances for artists such as BB King, Indigo Girls, Train, a variety of bus & truck tours, stand-up comedians, different versions of The Nutcracker, and the list goes on. We also had an event space where we could host weddings, galas, fundraisers, meetings, and of course - American Girl doll shows. Those years were so much fun and I got to work with amazing people who are still very close friends.
CORPORATE EXPERIENCE
I have been showcalling corporate shows for 20 years. I have worked on small intimate shows and those that fill NFL stadiums. I have worked locally in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing, and I have traveled the globe to call gigs in Spain, Italy, India, and Iceland. What I enjoy most is the speed, talent, and energy required to do this work. On a gig, we usually have only a few hours to work out the details and then we have only one chance to get it right. That's the fuel that keeps me going.
I've had the pleasure of working with some of the top brands out there today, and some really amazing folks. Here are a few logos for some of them....
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
In 2006-7 I was hired by the University of Maryland's Department of Theatre to help them develop and establish a new position - a Production Manager. For 12 months I worked in this position as I got to know and understand the workings of the department. During that time we developed the job description and established a new working relationship with The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which is responsible for building the physical elements for the department's staged productions. After establishing the new position, we posted the job, and I assisted with the hiring of their new PM.
University of Houston
Houston, TX
In 2010, my husband and I got jobs at UH's Department of Theatre. My husband was their Technical Director. I started in the same department, then became General Manager for The Cullen Performance Hall and UH's Shakespeare Festival. During my time at UH, I negotiated IATSE contracts, oversaw client contracts, show advances, vendor relations, and staffing. While working for the Shakespeare Festival I oversaw AEA contracting, and production/designer/crew contracts. I applied for and received annual grant funding while maintaining the operating budget. It was a whirlwind and even after leaving UH, I consulted with future GM's as they transitioned into the job.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Then in 2012, we trekked north to be near our families and to start work at MSU. We've been here ever since. When I first got to MSU I was the event manager for the Dean's office in the College of Arts & Letters. I oversaw large-scale academic events, graduations, and conferences that we hosted. At that same time, I taught the stage management class for the Department of Theatre. They didn't have an SM faculty so I was asked to step in. I loved working with the SM students.
At this same time, I began working with the Dean to create an Arts & Cultural Management program. Over the course of the next 16 months, I researched other programs, worked with faculty to create a curriculum committee as we developed an undergraduate minor and a master's in Arts & Cultural Management. Those programs were launched in 2014 & 2015 respectively. During those early years, and after teaching stage management for a few years, I began to build a BFA in Stage Management Program. We launched that new program in the fall of 2017. We started out with four students and now have a rolling enrollment of 16, with a 95% placement rate after graduation.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Every opportunity that's presented to me to either bring students on corp gigs or connect them with industry professionals and I'll take it. Networking is an important part of what I do for my BFA students and is an important part of the profession. So I go out of my way to create meet & greets with national tours that come to campus or connect students to professionals via social media or get my students working on events. Over the past 12 years, I have brought students with me to work on product launches, leadership meetings, pharma gigs, NASA's 50th Anniversary of Humans in Space, NewFronts, and more. What I enjoy most when a young student joins me on a corporate show is the lightbulb moment they always have when they finally see what these experiences are really about. Sometimes you just have to be there to truly understand; that's experiential learning at its best.
Well, that's me in a nutshell. For more details regarding shows managed, shows designed, awards won, please check out my cv or resume. Thank you for reading this far!!!