Katrina Herrmann for AEA Central SM Delegate
ABOUT ME
I’m a Chicago-based stage manager. I was born and raised in Western Central Illinois. (Heard of Western Illinois University? Macomb is my hometown.) I graduated from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy before matriculating from DePaul University’s The Theatre School with a BFA in Stage Management. I worked at American Girl Theater, back when the stores had theaters. (As a kid, I had Molly, Felicity and Samantha, in that order. I got Felicity the year she came out.) I then moved to New York to pursue my dream of stage managing Broadway musicals. I lived there for eight years, cumulatively, touring with Theatreworks/USA, working on new works like Circle Mirror Transformation and The Flick, and strawbossing for Santa Claus at Macy’s in Herald Square. I still haven’t worked on a Broadway musical. I moved back to Chicago in 2013 to live in a city I love. Since then I’ve worked regionally at Baltimore Center Stage and La Jolla Playhouse. In Chicago I’ve worked at American Theater Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, Drury Lane Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Lookingglass Theatre Company.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE UNION
I joined AEA in 2007 on a Theatreworks/USA tour of The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. I’ve worked the following contracts: TYA, LORT, Drury Lane, Production, Off Broadway, SPT, CAT. I currently serve on these committees: Stage Manager, CAT, LORT, Entry to Equity, Young Workers, Developing Theatre/Central Region. I’ve participated in AEA committees since I joined the union in 2007. Even when working survival jobs, I made attending meetings a priority, and I’ve taken advantage of all the programming AEA offers (like CTI and EEOC workshops). I’ve attended Stage Manager Speed-Networking events in both New York and Chicago, and those events have led to job offers.
WHY I’M RUNNING
Because I am Leslie Knope.
But, seriously. I’m running because process equals policy. Who is in the room, making decisions, affects the decisions getting made. There are going to be a LOT of decisions made at the AEA conventions - if only because these are the first ones! Ever! We are literally setting precedent! We’re like George Washington!
Labor unions are responsible for setting the standards for working conditions. There are a lot of conversations happening within the theatrical industry right now, and AEA needs to lead those conversations and negotiate for higher standards within its contracts.
Democracy doesn’t work unless citizens get involved. Which means someone has to step up, run for delegate, win the election, and go to the Convention. I decided that someone should be me.
I want to set precedent. I want to make the decisions made at this convention. I want to be in the room where it happens.
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME
Because I show up.
Because I listen, and I speak when I have something to say.
Because I’m not afraid to ask questions.
Because I care about working conditions for stage managers and actors.
Because I have experience in governance from being on the Board of the Stage Managers’ Association.
Because I have lived in rural and urban areas, and I understand the different needs between those environments.
Because I love the Central region, and I want to protect the work members do here.
Because I am passionate about theater and those who make it.
FAQ
Questions for me? Contact me at katrina dot renee at gmail dot com or find me on Facebook!