Alumni Offer the Inside Scoop on “The Outsiders”
Three Muhlenberg theatre alumni talk about their work on Broadway’s newest musical.By: Sarah Wedeking '24 Thursday, April 25, 2024 03:00 PM
Rachel Kaufman ’14, Emily Searles ’19 and Carolyn Bonaccorsi ’18 on the set of 'The Outsiders' on BroadwayThree alumni of the Theatre & Dance Department are part of the team behind The Outsiders, the buzzworthy Broadway musical based on S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel. Rachel Kaufman ’14, Carolyn Bonaccorsi ’18 and Emily Searles ’19 took a break from their 70-hour work week, preparing for opening night, to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to develop a new musical. The show has been in previews since March 16 and officially opened April 11.
Rachel Kaufman ’14
Associate General Manager
with 321 Theatrical Management
“I’ve been involved in the project for eight years, so hearing the audience roar after the opening number was a really proud moment.”
What does your job entail?
General managers are the chief operating officers and consultants to the producers on the show – we manage everything that has to do with the business side of the production, which includes contract negotiations, budgeting, investor relations, accounting, financials, labor/union relations, ticketing, and everything in between.
The producer hires my firm to help strategize and execute their vision; we are usually there from the very beginning, and work in lock-step with the producer to make their dream a reality. I work on multiple shows at a time, so while I’m opening The Outsiders, I’m also running the day-to-day of Kimberly Akimbo, ramping up the Kimberly Akimbo National Tour, closing out the financials for A Strange Loop, and developing a new musical entitled Goddess which is setting its sights for an upcoming Broadway season.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is the first preview of a show, when we “give” the show over to the audience. There’s something special about seeing the fruits of your labor in front of your eyes. The Outsiders has been in development for ten years, and I’ve been involved in the project for eight, so hearing the audience roar after the opening number was a really proud moment.
What's it like being on Broadway, especially when you’re helping to open a new show?
People in the industry are incredibly supportive of one another in ways that continue to surprise me — especially in this season where there are 15 new Broadway musicals opening, and 40 total productions this season. But it’s also a business, and it’s fascinating to see the new ways we innovate and adapt in a post-pandemic world to bring in new audiences to our long running shows like Wicked, and how we see how we convert that audience into long-time theatre-goers. We’re definitely at a tipping point in the industry right now as we try to keep Broadway and live entertainment relevant in today’s society, and it's incredibly refreshing to see that The Outsiders is pulling in multi-generational audiences to experience the magic of theatre.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to go into your industry?
Keep an open mind when it comes to careers, and network as much as you can. I had no idea what a General Manager was until someone told me I’d thrive in this career, and it took a few twists and turns to get there! Use tools like careers.broadway to learn more about these careers, and reach out to the companies that you see in the back of your playbills on the “staff page” to learn who the players are and find out what they do. This industry is ALL about relationships, so the earlier you establish them, the more you will thrive. Internships are also another incredible way to learn — and the best internship you can have is the Fall after you graduate, because that means we can hire you after your internship ends!
Carolyn Bonaccorsi ’18
Assistant Production Manager
with Juniper Street Productions
“Working on Broadway is being immersed in a fantastic community of theatre makers.”
What does your job entail?
We’re hired to manage all physical elements of production from workshop rehearsals to load out. We budget, bid, and supervise the build of scenery, lighting, sound, video, and props. Once we move into the theatre, I manage the daily operations of our crew, trucking, scheduling, and help lead production meetings.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the process is during tech, when all the elements are under one roof — the cast, crew, scenery, and band. It's a privilege to experience years of hard work coming to fruition.
What's it like being on Broadway, especially when you’re helping to open a new show?
Working on Broadway is being immersed in a fantastic community of theatre makers. The Outsiders is my second show at the Jacobs (the first was Parade), and it’s great to be back. Everyone I work with is dedicated to creating the best possible experience for each other and for our audience.
New shows are tricky because everything about them is being developed for the first time, constantly changing right up until we “freeze” just before opening. This show is especially tricky because it involves some very special elements: rain, fire, automation, and a “dirt” stage surface.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to go into your industry?
Production Management is a mix of technical knowledge, creative problem solving, and accounting. One of our biggest responsibilities is helping the scenic designers translate their vision into reality with the scene shop, so carpentry and technical direction experience are hugely beneficial. A great PM is someone who understands all technical departments but is very comfortable explaining complex technical elements to anyone, from actors to producers. If you’re interested in Production Management, working as an intern at a scene shop or as a technical production assistant for Juniper Street is great exposure to the day-to-day tasks of a PM.
Emily Searles ’19
Assistant Stage Manager
The Outsiders
“...It’s been such an incredible experience to take a work from its world premiere to its final form.”
What does your job entail?
My title is Assistant Stage Manager! Generally, my job entails supporting the production from a few days before rehearsals start to closing. On this show in particular I’ve also been managing our two production assistants, creating the run sheet and prop tracking, as well as connecting with all departments to ensure that notes are being received and carried out. So much of the job is knowing the show and being one of the central people who help bring everything together.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
That connection is my favorite part — from the designers to crew to actors to writers to management, I build relationships with everyone to ensure a smooth process. I also manage the deck along with the stage manager and will eventually learn the call of the show to ensure we have full coverage on the team. I love working with other stage managers and getting to learn from them, even if it’s just something small! There are so many ways you can stage manage and I love seeing how others do it. It’s a gift to work on this current team with veteran stage managers like Beverly Jenkins and Mark Dobrow who are as funny as they are kind and gracious.
What's it like being on Broadway, especially when you’re helping to open a new show?
It’s really exciting! The Outsiders is my Broadway and New York debut, so there has been a learning curve of the nuances of Broadway compared to regional theatre. Broadway is a goal I’ve had for 11 years so it’s both thrilling and surreal to be here. I had the honor of ASMing both The Outsiders and Lempicka at La Jolla Playhouse, among other projects, so it’s been such an incredible experience to take a work from its world premiere to its final form. I’m tremendously proud and grateful of the work we’ve all done and energy we’ve put into the show.
A new show poses significant challenges that remounts or revivals may not face. There are constant changes, whether huge like new scenes or small like a single word, that we as stage managers need to keep up with not only for our immediate work but also for our understanding of the full project to maintain its artistic integrity once we open. Thankfully the work at its core remains the same as a musical and I’m able to implement all of the tools I’ve learned thus far to be as prepared as possible.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to go into your industry?
Be kind, gentle, and patient with yourself and others. Most people do theatre because they love it, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love yourself, too! Stage managers are such a key part of any process and are often held to high standards, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve loving kindness, too.
I’d recommend building a strong network not just of those who are more advanced in their careers who you admire and want to work with, but your peers, too. I’ve gotten many jobs from stage manager friends not being available and recommending me, and have done the same for others. It’s also so incredibly valuable to have people who you trust to confide in and who understand the challenges of the industry.
I also firmly believe it’s most important to lead from a place of understanding, kindness, compassion, and humility. It’s totally good to not know things, as long as you’re honest about it. “I don’t know” and “Can you help me?” go a long way.
About the Muhlenberg College Theatre & Dance Department
Muhlenberg offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in theatre and dance. The Princeton Review ranked Muhlenberg’s theatre program in the top twelve in the nation for eight years in a row, and Fiske Guide to Colleges lists both the theatre and dance programs among the top small college programs in the United States. Muhlenberg is one of only eight colleges to be listed in Fiske for both theatre and dance.
About Muhlenberg College
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg is a highly selective, private liberal arts college offering baccalaureate and graduate programs. With an enrollment of nearly 2,000 students, Muhlenberg College is dedicated to shaping creative, compassionate, collaborative leaders through rigorous academic programs in the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences; selected preprofessional programs, including accounting, business, education and public health; and progressive workforce-focused post-baccalaureate certificates and master’s degrees. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, approximately 90 miles west of New York City, Muhlenberg is a member of the Centennial Conference, competing in 23 varsity sports. Muhlenberg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
