5Q4: Nikki Eggett

Nikki Eggett’s training to become a theatrical stage manager began at a very young age, with the flawless arrangement of plates and utensils for meals—bread plate and butter knife upstage right, dinner plate downstage center, folded napkin parallel to the adjacent forks. As a toddler, they began wearing all black. In order to provide a safe path to the bathroom at night, Nikki spiked the hardwood floors with fluorescent tape. They had a strong preference for Oscar Mayer Lunchables, loving how each item had its own designated place. To their parents’ absolute delight, Nikki’s bed was made each morning, pillows professionally fluffed. They always kept their dirty clothes in the hamper and ironed their socks for a pristine presentation. And of course, Nikki flossed. It was inevitable, then, that they would become the legendary stage manager that they are today. Let me offer this final praise–Nikki was that most remarkable young person, that most rare individual, possessing that most rare quality for someone of so few years: they were a responsible kid. And now, here are Nikki’s replies to the 5Q4 questions, along with photos of themself and their work.

At what moment did you discover that you wanted to be an artist?

There was a children’s musical theater company in Alameda called ACMT, and when I was nine, I saw a production of Treasure Island on a school field trip. Afterwards the actors held a Q&A. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but getting just a small look behind the curtain was enough to pique my interest. By the time I was 13, I was acting in their productions. I had a really good time and made lifelong connections. I felt like I’d found my community and what I wanted to do with my life.

When I was 16, I realized I’d rather be backstage than onstage and I worked my first show as stage crew on a production of Into The Woods . I loved still being part of the show without having to dress in costume or memorize lines. Instead I just had to wear all black and memorize scene changes.

What I think drew me to stage managing at first was that I was a little nosy and a bit controlling (let’s be real, I still am) and being the SM, you basically know everything that is going on with the production, and once a show opens it becomes yours and everyone has to do what you say! Well not exactly, but it is your job to make sure the actors stay true to the director’s vision throughout the run so you do give them notes as needed, which they have to listen to. But what I really love about it is that from day one you’re the person in the room that the actors and director can rely on, someone they know they can turn to if they forget a line or can’t find their prop, and when the director has an idea, you help make it possible. There’s pride and a sense of accomplishment in being a problem-solver and the person who keeps it all together and most importantly, organized.

Who was the most influential person who helped you achieve your goal?

One of the friends I met through ACMT, Shannon Reilly, also went down the Stage Manager path. She was a few years older than me and was definitely a huge help. Not only did she get me two SM gigs at theaters she was working at at the time, she also mentored me and helped me if I had any questions about anything relating to theater. She’s not a Stage Manager anymore but I still hit her up if I need advice and she’s always there with wisdom to share.

I also have to credit the Altarena Playhouse since that was where I got most of my backstage experience and it was there that I stage managed for the first time on their 2013 production of God of Carnage . It’s still where I do most of my stage managing.

Tell about the best—or a best—experience you had as a Stage Manager.

One of the best experiences as a Stage Manager was when I did Eat The Runt in 2015, directed by Tim Beagley at Altarena. It was a unique and fun show that kept you on your toes. It’s a comedy where the actors learn all the parts and the audience votes for who plays what before every show. So taking blocking and line notes was a challenge, since every night of rehearsal the actors would change character. Sometimes, once a show opens it can get monotonous doing the same thing each time, but with Eat The Runt it was different every night. Plus the cast was great to work with and Tim is one of my favorite directors to work for.

Conversely, tell us about a pretty bad experience.

It’s hard to say any one experience was bad because they all ended up being learning experiences, which ultimately I’m grateful for. That’s what’s so special about stage managing—if you love it enough, all experiences can be good experiences one way or another.

Any advice to folks out there hoping to pursue a life in the arts?

Make sure this is what you want to do. Being a Stage Manager can be a hard and thankless job. The work might not be consistent and the pay is not always great, most nights are late nights and you’re almost always busy on the weekends, but generally the people you work with are fun and it’s like you’re in this really cool club where you get to make something special for people to enjoy! There will be times that you really struggle but if you love it enough it’ll be worth it.

Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players , a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at gene@alamedapost.com . His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane .

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