Convocation ‘20: Krystal Johnson

Krystal Johnson is helping to keep theatre alive during these challenging times.

Now completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Production Stage Management, Johnson has spent the last few years being trained to run the kind of live theatrical productions you’d see at Shakespeare in the Park, the opera, or even on Broadway. As a stage manager, Johnson spends most of her time where the audience would not see her -- backstage, or in the booth behind the audience -- keeping the show running smoothly by cueing all the lights, sounds, special effects and even the actors themselves. The stage manager is a critical part of any production, and the University of Alberta offers the only Canadian degree program with a stage management specialization.

Johnson was completing her final practicum as an Apprentice Stage Manager on a production of Candide with Edmonton Opera when COVID-19 appeared and, just days before opening night, forced them to cancel. It was a gut-wrenching blow to Johnson and her team, but it inspired her to create something of her own, in the name of theatrical productions all over the world that had been similarly cancelled because of the pandemic.

Changing the topic of her final thesis, Johnson created Mourning Theatre, a compilation of stories from people who had lost their shows to COVID-19. It united members of the theatre community, and shared inspiring “behind the scenes” anecdotes about the hard work that went into creating these productions. Johnson has since expanded her project to invite the global community to contribute to Mourning Theatre, as her way of documenting this monumental moment in theatre history, and to celebrate the art and artists who were unable to share their work with their audiences.

What drew you to the area of your study, why are you passionate about it, and/or how do you see it's value in society?

I discovered stage management in my third year of my first degree. As my practicum, I became the Stage Manager for the BFA Acting clown show. A professor then asked me to stage manage the BA students’ senior production, and he mentored me about the role of a stage manager. From there, I kept volunteering on productions, and those volunteering opportunities turned into job opportunities. I then realized that this is what I loved doing.

Growing up, I never really had something that was my “thing,” but I finally found it at the U of A and could not give it up. So when I finished my first degree, I jumped right back in to pursue a more specialized degree in stage management.

I love working in theatre because there is such a sense of community. The people you work with on each production become like your family. It is amazing to watch a show blossom through the rehearsal process. To see the words on a page brought to life on stage. To have an audience appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that go into it. The stage manager in this is like the glue that holds everyone together in a production, and I love being that glue.

What is the most remarkable thing you learned while you were a student?

I learned to believe in myself. I, like many people, suffer from imposter syndrome, but throughout this degree I have done so many things I never would have thought myself capable of doing. I have pushed and challenged myself. I have grown my confidence past the point I ever thought it could go. I still get anxiety sometimes, but I know that I can do whatever I set my mind to.

Did you face any significant challenges, and if so, how did you deal with it?

Time management is the biggest challenge I faced in this degree. It is a demanding program requiring you to balance your practicums with a full course load. On top of that, you have to find time to complete all the different assignments, from prompt scripts to lighting designs to costume construction. The days are long, and you do not always get enough sleep, but having other students who are in the same position and who can empathize and support one another was always helpful. I knew there would be similar situations in the professional world of theatre with taxing weeks, so I took this challenge as training for my future career.

How did you manage the challenges of navigating student life under COVID-19 restrictions and remote learning? 

I was working as an Apprentice Stage Manager on Candide with the Edmonton Opera at the time for my final practicum credit. We had just finished our final dress rehearsal and were ready for opening night when we found out later that day the production was cancelled due to COVID-19. This was gutting to hear because everyone had worked so hard on the production and we were all looking forward to seeing audience reactions. This experience actually inspired me to change my topic for the final project of my degree and I compiled a book called Mourning Theatre filled with stories from people like myself who had lost shows.

What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you when you started?

I wish someone would have told me sooner that it is okay to make mistakes, especially in a learning environment. That is why we are here: to learn, to mess up, to grow. As long as you own your mistakes, work to fix them and learn from them, you should not have to stress and fear making them in the first place.

What is next for you?

I was going to be the Apprentice Stage Manager again for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival this year, but it has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19. I also had an interview lined up with Citadel Theatre and an offer to be the Stage Manager for a Fringe show, but the Fringe Festival has been cancelled and everything is uncertain right now for theatre companies around the world. All artists are on standby, but we are ready to go as soon as we are able to create safely. Currently, I am hoping to expand on my final project, Mourning Theatre, to an international scale, and have created a website to do so.

The Future is Arts! This story is part of a series celebrating our graduates.  Please join us for a virtual convocation, Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m. MST. at ualberta.ca. Registration is not required.