Asolo Rep's Nia Sciarretta Explains it All
Kevin Ray Johnson
It is my honor and privilege to introduce you to Nia Sciarretta. Nia is Production Stage Manager at The Asolo Repertory Theatre where she has been at the helm and worked on productions such as The Lifespan of Fact, Sweat, The Music Man, Roe, Rhinoceros just to name a few. She has also worked with The Creede Repertory Theatre and in New York at The Flea Theater and The Penguin Rep Theatre. Nia is also currently the host of The Asolo Repertory's Education and Engagement Youtube show titled "Nia Explains it all" where she goes into detail about certain aspects of her job as well as terms you here every day in the theatre world such as "Calling A Show", "Blocking", "The Ghost Light" among many other topics. I had the chance to work with Nia several years back and I can strongly attest that she is truly a gem to work with and the true embodiment of hard work and dedication for not only The Asolo Repertory Theatre but the theatre business as a whole. I am so happy to have the chance to interview Nia!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to have a career in the performing arts?
I was involved in theatre starting in about 5th grade, though I didn’t know it would be my career until much later. I acted in a handful of shows in middle and high school, and I was always cast as “Woman #1” or something similar. I wasn’t a particularly good actor or dancer or singer, but I had a loud voice and I loved being in the room and watching everyone work. Once I started stage managing, I never looked back. I got to be involved with all the different parts of the show. It played to all my strengths—and I didn’t have to do any of that pesky acting or dancing or singing anymore. From there, I couldn’t imagine not doing theatre.
2.) Where did you study? Are there any mentors who helped you on your journey?
I received a BA in Drama from Ithaca College, which I loved. Then, my first apprenticeship out of college was actually at Asolo Rep—the same place where I now PSM, 9 years later. That’s where I met Kelly Borgia, who was PSM at the time. I was Kelly’s apprentice, then her AEA ASM. I stage managed shows alongside her, and finally, she recommended me for her job as her time at Asolo Rep was drawing to a close. I worked with Kelly for six years and she, more than anyone, is the person who helped me to become the stage manager I am today.
3.) We are living in an unprecedented time. As a PSM what is your daily routine like now and days?
I’m incredibly lucky right now to be continuing to work. Nowadays, I get up, make myself coffee, and sit down in my dining room-turned-office (I like to call it my library) in my apartment. My job has changed a lot in recent weeks—usually, most of my work is directly tied to the productions I stage manage—so I’ve been working hard to find ways to use my SM skills to contribute to the work Asolo Rep is still doing.
I’ve been involved in planning for next season and in helping to create content that we can put out now. We’ve started a program called Asolo Rep Engage in an attempt to open up the creative process of what goes into producing shows—and I have my own weekly segment (“Nia Explains It All”) to explain backstage terminology. It’s been a challenge, but it also feels good to be working and contributing to my theatre.
4.) You have served as production stage managers for some amazing productions at The Asolo Repertory Theatre. Are there any that stick out to you that will always be near and dear to your heart?
The show that’s closest to my heart actually hasn’t opened yet. We were just about to head into tech for a world-premiere musical called Knoxville when we had to hit “pause” due to COVID-19. It’s a beautiful, hopeful story (and a wonderful musical). However, the thing that struck me most about this show is the team—creatives, actors, and production team. It’s a room of people who care deeply about the work and come to it from a place of kindness and collaboration—and this kind of collaboration makes a big difference in the show.
Knoxville is coming back to Asolo Rep next season (come see us in May 2021!) and I couldn’t be more grateful to get an opportunity to work with this team again. This time, I can’t wait to share the show with an audience.
5.) What advice would you give any young aspiring artist during these crazy times?
There’s a lot we can’t control in the world right now—so I think it’s important to focus on the things you can control. Work hard, be kind, do work that matters to you. Those skills are important no matter what’s happening in the greater world.
Make sure you check out Nia's latest episode of "Nia Explains It All" below and to learn more about The Asolo Repertory Theatre make sure you visit their official website at www.asolorep.org