Angela F. Kiessel

Describe your involvement with the arts on campus.

As a theatre design and production major, I work on University Productions (U-Prod) shows as part of my curriculum. These are the main stage shows here at the university. Additionally, I am very active in Basement Arts, a student-run theatre group based out of the Theatre Department. Last year, I did a lot of stage-managing and tech work for Basement Arts, and this year I am one of the two Production Coordinators on the BA board. I plan to do more stage managing and tech work for BA next semester.

When did you first get involved with theater?

I first became involved in theatre in the spring of my freshman year of high school, when I was working backstage on my high school's production of PIPPIN. I did a lot of technical work and some acting throughout high school, and some time between my junior and senior year I realized that I was most passionate about stage management and wanted to pursue it as my career.

What kinds of classes have you taken at Michigan to really explore your field?

For stage management specifically, I took Intro to Stage Management my freshman year, which includes an hour-long lecture twice a week and an assignment as a 2nd assistant stage manager on a U-Prod show. I also attend an hour-long stage management seminar every Friday, which is for all active stage managers in the program (there are currently about 10 of us). The plan is that every semester until I graduate, I will be taking a stage management practicum, which means that I will be assigned to work on a U-Prod show. Additionally, all theatre design and production majors are required to take some design courses such as Rendering, Drafting, Lighting, Costumes, and Set Design, along with more lecture-type classes such as History of Dress, History of Decor, and Theatre History.

How do you think involvement in the arts affects your life in general?

I think that my experiences in the arts have helped me and are continuing to help me become more flexible and open to different ideas, situations, and people, as well as more cooperative and responsible. Theatre is such a communal effort, and as a stage manager, I have a huge role in leading the group towards our common goal.

What kind of career do you hope to pursue with regard to your arts involvement?

I am hoping to become a professional stage manager when I graduate. My dream is to one day work in New York City.

Are there any myths or stereotypes about artists that you would like to debunk?

One popular myth is that being an art or theatre major is easy. I can assure you that is not the case. Design classes are particularly challenging because you constantly have to be creative on command, and the grading is so subjective; you could easily work on a set model for 10 hours, and the professor could hate it. It is also hard to constantly take criticism from classmates and professors, since everything you do is subject to their opinions. Furthermore, design projects don't have solid ending points. There is always something else you can add or improve, but you just have to get to the point where you're happy with what you've done and call it a night. There are days when I really miss classes like math, where I sit down, do the problems one certain way, get the answer either right or wrong, and am done with it. Additionally, on top of all of our classes and homework, theatre students have 4-hour rehearsals every weekday and 5- or 6-hour rehearsals on Saturdays when they are working on productions, as well as outside work for those productions, such as paperwork or memorizing lines.

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of theatre design and production?

It is very important to stay flexible and be able to adapt to changes quickly. I think the number one thing is to always keep a positive attitude because attitudes are so contagious, and they can make or break an experience.

Which artist or art movement proves the most inspiration to you?

The artists I find most inspiring are the current students and graduates of U of M. It amazes me how many successful artists were right where I am now just a few years ago, and in some cases, last year! When I work on shows here, see our shows, and even just go to class, I am constantly amazed at the talent that surrounds me. I have so much confidence in the people in our design and production, theatre, and musical theatre programs, and I can't wait to see all the wonderful things that my friends will end up doing!