Sandia Prep - 532 Magazine - Summer/Fall 2018

MANDIE HARMS '04
Graduated from Prep 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 Prep influence who you are
today (personally or professionally)?
Because Prep 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 Prep culture.
Did specific teachers, classes, or programs at Prep
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 Prep) 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 Prep
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.
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532 • Summer/Fall 2018 10
Alumni INTERVIEW