Meet Production Stage Manager: Lauren Wickett
When most people think of a theatrical production, the director is often imagined as the one running the show. However, when the curtain rises for an audience, it’s not the director calling the shots but the stage manager. “At the center of all communication for the shows,” says DMMO's Production Stage Manager Lauren Wickett, the opera stage manager’s role is both complex and vital. They work with directors, designers, singers, music staff, and production crew to ensure each performance runs seamlessly—or as close to it as possible.
What many people don’t realize is that stage managers like Lauren are backstage for the entire production, calling lighting, set, and artist cues throughout the show. Before the curtain even goes up, it’s people like Lauren who walk the stage to make sure nothing is amiss. What Lauren found most rewarding about the 2025 Season was calling The Rake’s Progress, where she got to dive into a new score as well as watching her fellow crew mates execute complicated scene changes. "I'm basically in a bubble at the calling desk, so I have to trust the crew and the ASMs to run the scene changes right on cue" she explained.
People like Lauren make live theatre possible, with their dedication to detail, precision and ability to solve problems while staying cool and calm. Every time Lauren dons her headset, the team relies on skills honed over years of practice to guide them from start to finish. Lauren’s motto to always “ask questions if you don’t know the answer, it’s better to get the information later than not at all” is sage advice as she guides aspiring stage managers, including our own summer intern stage managers, who get real-world experience working along side the amazing stage management team at DMMO. Lauren’s team-centered philosophy—“We are all human and we too will make mistakes”—reflects her approach to leadership: with empathy, grace and always putting people first.
Des Moines Metro Opera Stage Managers and Assistant Stage Managers are represented by The American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO, the union that represents Artists in the fields of opera, ballet, modern dance and choral presentations.
