Stage managing Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 was an exciting and challenging experience. We rehearsed 40-hour weeks for two and a half weeks over our winter term, which made for an intense but rewarding process. With a 20-person cast and a large creative team, I had to keep everything running smoothly. The cast performed in the house, making the audience feel part of the action, while a snow machine created a magical, wintry atmosphere.

The raised orchestra pit added to the dynamic energy of the show, with many actors playing instruments live. I also coordinated with house management to get audience members to sit onstage for each performance. Managing all of these elements required careful attention to detail, quick thinking, and a lot of negotiation, but it was an incredibly rewarding experience to help create such a vibrant and immersive piece of theatre.