Alumni INTERVIEW Cast and crew of Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo (Big Top Version) in Mexico City.
MANDIE HARMS '04 Graduated from <strong>Prep</strong> 2004 • Attended Oklahoma City University Studied Finance and Marketing • Lion or Unicorn? Unicorn CAREER Where are you working, and what is your job title? I currently work for Cirque du Soleil as a Stage Manager for the touring production of Corteo. What are your responsibilities in your position and what projects are you working on? As a stage manager, I facilitate the daily functions of our show. I schedule and run daily trainings and rehearsals for the artists, I work with other technical departments to ensure all equipment is working correctly and safely, and I run deck tracks or call the show from front of house each night depending on our needs for the day. What are some of the challenges you face in your work? The most interesting part of my work is the diversity in our team. We are a traveling family of over 100 people, each with a different specialty and each from a different corner of the world. We work in many languages and approach situations from a wide variety of perspectives. It doesn’t take much to stir up confusion, but with concentrated intention, a little patience, and a lot of respect for one another we create an awe-inspiring experience for thousands of people every night. Where have you worked in the past? Since starting with Cirque du Soleil in 2011, I have worked on Viva ELVIS (a show about the life and music of Elvis Presley), KA (one of the most technologically advanced theatrical shows in the world), Criss Angel’s BeLIEve and Mindfreak LIVE, Luzia (a big top production inspired by the culture and beauty of Mexico), and Corteo (the touching story of a clown’s funeral) in both the big top and arena versions. I spent seven months in Dubai, UAE creating La Perle, a contemporary circus style production to rival the technology and glamour of Las Vegas with Dragone (the creator and producer of La Reve in Las Vegas and Lido in Paris). I have also worked with productions such as Mannheim Steamroller Christmas and many Albuquerque theater companies. What would you tell people who want to pursue a career in your field of study? Take advantage of being a student. Find an internship for every school break (my Senior Experience led to my first paid gig nearly five years later), and try something outside your realm of expertise or comfort. The first step to being pretty good at something is being pretty bad at that thing, and internships are the best way to try on new skills and careers. People are always willing to answer questions and give a little more of their time to students and interns. Take advantage of that, reach out, learn everything you can, and then send a handwritten thank you note. Is it important to have art in school? Even if a student doesn’t pursue a career in arts, it is important to expose him or her to art in school. Learning art forms in an academic setting supports an appreciation of art encountered in life. Practicing art offers self-expression, a way to better understand yourself and an opportunity to approach new and different life stories. Like science, math, history and language, art allows us to be well-rounded citizens and more empathetic human beings. SANDIA PREP DAYS How did your experience at <strong>Prep</strong> influence who you are today (personally or professionally)? Because <strong>Prep</strong> supports student-led exploration, I was able to build the skills necessary to create my career path. I learned how to recognize my own interests, how to develop and pursue them, and how to find the mentors and support I need to achieve my goals. I was taught the fundamentals of independent learning and self-structured success while my own drive and ambitions were bolstered by the <strong>Prep</strong> culture. Did specific teachers, classes, or programs at <strong>Prep</strong> influence your career path? As one can clearly imagine, my career path was influenced by Tim McNamara and Louis Giannini (back before he taught full-time at <strong>Prep</strong>) as they both showed me aspects of the theater industry beyond performing on stage. Technical specialties, stage management, and production operations are very rarely touched in high school programs, but <strong>Prep</strong> has done an excellent job reaching beyond the standard and pushing students to explore any niche that sparks interest. LIFE IN AND OUT OF CIRQUE What are your passions? My passions are theater, circus arts, youth outreach, and travel. Conveniently, I have turned these passions into my career, making every day fulfilling. What hobbies do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? I enjoy reading, needlework, and drawing. Living on tour makes many of my hobbies unrealistic, but a book, a cross stich project, and a sketchpad with pencils travel easily in my backpack. • • • • • <strong>532</strong> • <strong>Summer</strong>/<strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 10 Alumni INTERVIEW
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