March 13, 2025
We are celebrating Women’s History Month at Cincinnati Ballet by highlighting some of the incredible women within our company who inspire us every day. Admired Production Stage Manager Carissa Gandenberger has been with Cincinnati ballet for 10 years. We sat down with Carissa to learn about her journey.
Who are some women that have inspired or mentored you throughout your career, and what impact did they have on you?
I was always very close to my English teacher, Heather Staley, and my Art/Theater teacher, Allison Heisel, in high school and they mentored me through many aspects of my life and were always extremely supportive of my creative and professional ambitions. My theatrical colleague, Maggie Perrino and my college dance professor, Tracey Bonner have been an incredible sources of mentorship and encouragement to this day. In their own ways, they have each taught me how to take my best assets – my passion, mindset, and strength – and channel them toward collaboration and creating something as a team, while emphasizing that we all must maintain our humanity no matter what.
Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self when you were just starting your career?
Take more chances and trust your instincts. You don’t have to be a ‘yes’ person to be good at your job. Be grateful for your mistakes because that is how we learn and grow and it better prepares you for the next time. When you take care of yourself, you are able to bring your best self to the table and can then manage everything and everyone more effectively — so go to sleep and drink more water.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in stage management, and how did you get your start in the field?
I originally wanted to be a writer, but I realized that I wanted to be fully immersed in the process and with everyone involved more directly. Over time, I discovered that my true strengths were elsewhere. I didn’t even know stage management existed until I found out a woman from my dance team/high school was going to college for it. My theater director (Heisel) connected me with a stage manager who was working in town, who I then had the opportunity to work with on a few projects. Once I got to NKU, I decided to check out stage management more seriously and got involved on the freshman show as the SM and fell in love with it. From then on, I focused solely on theater and left my English major behind. I have always learned best by doing and got put on as many shows as possible, both at school and regionally, and built my network quite quickly. My senior year, I started an internship at Cincinnati Ballet and discovered that stage managing for dance was especially exciting for me and utilized all of my skillsets. Shortly thereafter, that internship turned into a job at Cincinnati Ballet.
What is your favorite aspect of being the production stage manager at Cincinnati Ballet?
Dance was my first love, so there’s truly nothing better than combining that with my love for stage management and the arts. I love being part of a rep company and being able to grow with each other on every project, whether it’s the first time or the hundredth that we have tackled it. More so than with plays or musicals, when I’m calling the show (the light cues, sound cues, scene changes, etc.) it is so important to be in sync and in tune with the music, movement, and dancers themselves, and it’s the best feeling for me.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you, and how do you think it reflects the ongoing progress and challenges that women face in the arts?
I see Women’s History Month as a time to reflect on and celebrate all the ways women excel, grow, and affect the world and people around them. The influence that each and every woman has, whether they realize it or not, is a powerful and beautiful thing. This month is an opportunity to show each other and ourselves what that influence can be. I want to emphasize and realize the power of the female voice in the room. Every woman at the metaphorical table has surpassed a world where her opinion is not traditionally valued, and her presence changes the very fabric of the industry by demanding that we all be included. I am extremely proud of and grateful for the women surrounding me each day and am inspired daily by how they push our industry and the arts forward.
When you’re not working, what are some of your personal interests or passions that help you unwind or recharge?
In my rare free time, I enjoy a good beer or game night with my friends, catching up on movies and my favorite Korean dramas, or looking for any project or opportunity to film/edit video. Traveling and trying to see as much of the world as possible is my favorite way to reset and recharge, so I’m often seen planning my next big trip.
