HeadsetChatter
@headsetchatter.bsky.social
Stage Manager. 2nd ASM on the North American Tour of The Lion King (Rafiki Company). Addressing the elephant in the room.
Profile 📷: Matthew Murphy
Profile 📷: Matthew Murphy
Wanted to do a “It’s the day of the show, y’all!” post from the hospital but they took me so fast. Got phone back just in time to take a pic to send to the folks at the 1:00 put-in so I could be included in the “80s workout” theme. I was hoping to be awake in time for it to be announced I was ok.
January 17, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Wanted to do a “It’s the day of the show, y’all!” post from the hospital but they took me so fast. Got phone back just in time to take a pic to send to the folks at the 1:00 put-in so I could be included in the “80s workout” theme. I was hoping to be awake in time for it to be announced I was ok.
It’s time for the big event! My colleagues sent me off for my final show with a series of celebrations, the clear winner of which was Wardrobe’s presentation, which included a set of wearable ovaries they crafted (with a little support from Puppets, I gather). The best part is the beaded “egg”.
January 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
It’s time for the big event! My colleagues sent me off for my final show with a series of celebrations, the clear winner of which was Wardrobe’s presentation, which included a set of wearable ovaries they crafted (with a little support from Puppets, I gather). The best part is the beaded “egg”.
Last week before my medical leave, and as we’re opening in a new city, it’s not ideal to switch the FOH SM mid-city, so my replacement is doing my track. That puts me in the role of the sub / 5th SM. It’s a lot of sitting around trying to be helpful and running rehearsals. Feels like cheating!
January 9, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Last week before my medical leave, and as we’re opening in a new city, it’s not ideal to switch the FOH SM mid-city, so my replacement is doing my track. That puts me in the role of the sub / 5th SM. It’s a lot of sitting around trying to be helpful and running rehearsals. Feels like cheating!
I’m in rehearsal with a dancer who left the show a few years ago. I plop down the bag of her shoes and she’s freaked out cause they even still have her insoles like she just took them off. She’s like, “Do they just keep everything in a vault forever when you leave?”
“Yeah I think they literally do.”
“Yeah I think they literally do.”
January 8, 2026 at 4:01 AM
I’m in rehearsal with a dancer who left the show a few years ago. I plop down the bag of her shoes and she’s freaked out cause they even still have her insoles like she just took them off. She’s like, “Do they just keep everything in a vault forever when you leave?”
“Yeah I think they literally do.”
“Yeah I think they literally do.”
It’s my first night in a new hotel. At bedtime I turned off the lights and reached to put my phone on its charger. I’ve slept in this exact room configuration so many times that I was able to stick my arm out in the dark and know exactly where my charger would be on the nightstand.
January 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM
It’s my first night in a new hotel. At bedtime I turned off the lights and reached to put my phone on its charger. I’ve slept in this exact room configuration so many times that I was able to stick my arm out in the dark and know exactly where my charger would be on the nightstand.
OMFG got in bed with my alarm set for 10AM, looking forward to a nice day tomorrow. Suddenly I’m like, “Do we have a Tuesday matinee? That sounds like something that might be a thing.”
So I pull up our schedule on my phone, and yes we have a Tuesday matinee. And my call is 11AM. That was almost bad.
So I pull up our schedule on my phone, and yes we have a Tuesday matinee. And my call is 11AM. That was almost bad.
December 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
OMFG got in bed with my alarm set for 10AM, looking forward to a nice day tomorrow. Suddenly I’m like, “Do we have a Tuesday matinee? That sounds like something that might be a thing.”
So I pull up our schedule on my phone, and yes we have a Tuesday matinee. And my call is 11AM. That was almost bad.
So I pull up our schedule on my phone, and yes we have a Tuesday matinee. And my call is 11AM. That was almost bad.
I can think of better times to run a fire alarm test than 7:45AM on a Monday.
December 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I can think of better times to run a fire alarm test than 7:45AM on a Monday.
Ahhhh we got travel-sized theraguns for Christmas!! All agree this is by far the best holiday gift in years — definitely in my time! Well played, DTG!
December 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Ahhhh we got travel-sized theraguns for Christmas!! All agree this is by far the best holiday gift in years — definitely in my time! Well played, DTG!
As we bid farewell to 2025, today I had to extend our production calendar through 2027, as we just got our first ticketing bible for that year, for a venue in May 2027.
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 AM
As we bid farewell to 2025, today I had to extend our production calendar through 2027, as we just got our first ticketing bible for that year, for a venue in May 2027.
Got ready to leave for a press day early and thought, “I have time to get a smoothie on the way in!”
Last time I got a smoothie I arrived at work with my whole mouth turned purple. For the sake of our press rep’s heart, I won’t risk incorrectly guessing what flavors will dye my mouth a crazy color.
Last time I got a smoothie I arrived at work with my whole mouth turned purple. For the sake of our press rep’s heart, I won’t risk incorrectly guessing what flavors will dye my mouth a crazy color.
December 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Got ready to leave for a press day early and thought, “I have time to get a smoothie on the way in!”
Last time I got a smoothie I arrived at work with my whole mouth turned purple. For the sake of our press rep’s heart, I won’t risk incorrectly guessing what flavors will dye my mouth a crazy color.
Last time I got a smoothie I arrived at work with my whole mouth turned purple. For the sake of our press rep’s heart, I won’t risk incorrectly guessing what flavors will dye my mouth a crazy color.
“KP can you take a quick note?”
“Sure.”
“—cking ostrich”
(The slightest pause)
“What was that first word?”
“—ocking(?) ostrich”
“I… wha—?”
“Taaaaallking ostrich”
“Ahhh. It sounded like another word.”
“Sure.”
“—cking ostrich”
(The slightest pause)
“What was that first word?”
“—ocking(?) ostrich”
“I… wha—?”
“Taaaaallking ostrich”
“Ahhh. It sounded like another word.”
December 8, 2025 at 7:02 AM
“KP can you take a quick note?”
“Sure.”
“—cking ostrich”
(The slightest pause)
“What was that first word?”
“—ocking(?) ostrich”
“I… wha—?”
“Taaaaallking ostrich”
“Ahhh. It sounded like another word.”
“Sure.”
“—cking ostrich”
(The slightest pause)
“What was that first word?”
“—ocking(?) ostrich”
“I… wha—?”
“Taaaaallking ostrich”
“Ahhh. It sounded like another word.”
My doctor’s like “How long has this been going on?” and I’m struggling to translate a concept of time other than “Since Tuesday of Week 2 Vegas.”
December 6, 2025 at 12:31 AM
My doctor’s like “How long has this been going on?” and I’m struggling to translate a concept of time other than “Since Tuesday of Week 2 Vegas.”
It was also just a really great shadowing situation: very spacious booth with my own desk space, own script, and a clear view of all the monitors. While the amount of things happening is overwhelming, it was possible to focus in on specific things and follow along as if I was the caller.
November 28, 2025 at 4:53 AM
It was also just a really great shadowing situation: very spacious booth with my own desk space, own script, and a clear view of all the monitors. While the amount of things happening is overwhelming, it was possible to focus in on specific things and follow along as if I was the caller.
Wow! Sometimes when you shadow you’re just watching a show you haven’t done, and adding a relatively small amount of new knowledge about the craft of stage management. Watching the call of a Cirque show for the first time was an incredible experience. Amazing work from the artists and technicians!
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Wow! Sometimes when you shadow you’re just watching a show you haven’t done, and adding a relatively small amount of new knowledge about the craft of stage management. Watching the call of a Cirque show for the first time was an incredible experience. Amazing work from the artists and technicians!
Thanksgiving is one of the more special days of the year when our tour family comes together for dinner as a true family. Company management always provides a truly special setting, the Vegas version of which was to book the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Delicious food, and a stunning view!
November 28, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Thanksgiving is one of the more special days of the year when our tour family comes together for dinner as a true family. Company management always provides a truly special setting, the Vegas version of which was to book the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Delicious food, and a stunning view!
In-unit laundry: When your brand new hotel hasn’t received its laundry machines yet.
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
In-unit laundry: When your brand new hotel hasn’t received its laundry machines yet.
Called a matinee today. Was wide awake, but I did say “At this evening’s performance… sorry I don’t call matinees!” at the half hour call, and after calling the last cue of the show, “Thank you, have a good night — sorry I don’t call matinees — you’ll have me again in a few hours!”
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Called a matinee today. Was wide awake, but I did say “At this evening’s performance… sorry I don’t call matinees!” at the half hour call, and after calling the last cue of the show, “Thank you, have a good night — sorry I don’t call matinees — you’ll have me again in a few hours!”
Check out our backstage/FOH video of how we prepare for Circle of Life. This is from the show last week where I was mic’d up for all my FOH stuff.
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Join us behind the scenes of Disney's The Lion King North American tour, as our incredible Stage Management team keeps the Pridelands running like clockwork for the “Circle of Life!” Nobody can be lat...
TikTok video by Denver Center
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November 7, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Check out our backstage/FOH video of how we prepare for Circle of Life. This is from the show last week where I was mic’d up for all my FOH stuff.
www.tiktok.com/@denvercente...
www.tiktok.com/@denvercente...
Although I’ve never lived anywhere other than NYC in my adult life, my mailing address is outside the city so I can’t vote for mayor. It feels like the literal law telling me “You’re not one of us anymore.” But although I had nothing to do with it, I am so proud of my people tonight!🗽
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Although I’ve never lived anywhere other than NYC in my adult life, my mailing address is outside the city so I can’t vote for mayor. It feels like the literal law telling me “You’re not one of us anymore.” But although I had nothing to do with it, I am so proud of my people tonight!🗽
It’s management’s favorite day, a tradition that’s been going on for YEARS:
Stage management posts our rather dark Lion King take on daylight saving time on the callboard, and company management sends a Cher-themed reminder email.
(There are also versions for the spring.)
Stage management posts our rather dark Lion King take on daylight saving time on the callboard, and company management sends a Cher-themed reminder email.
(There are also versions for the spring.)
November 2, 2025 at 5:04 AM
It’s management’s favorite day, a tradition that’s been going on for YEARS:
Stage management posts our rather dark Lion King take on daylight saving time on the callboard, and company management sends a Cher-themed reminder email.
(There are also versions for the spring.)
Stage management posts our rather dark Lion King take on daylight saving time on the callboard, and company management sends a Cher-themed reminder email.
(There are also versions for the spring.)
Interesting balance of the day today: 2.5 hours of running an onstage rehearsal with 6 new actors. Followed by another hour of being not-in-charge and just doing my SR thing for “Can’t Wait to Be King,” then getting released with more than a full dinner break. And I’m randomly on SL tonight.
October 30, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Interesting balance of the day today: 2.5 hours of running an onstage rehearsal with 6 new actors. Followed by another hour of being not-in-charge and just doing my SR thing for “Can’t Wait to Be King,” then getting released with more than a full dinner break. And I’m randomly on SL tonight.
I was soooo sleepy when I had to call the show, thanks to the amazing meal our CMs provided for Halloween. The show kept me awake. I believe I had to call 7 contingencies, plus my 1st Broadway Cares curtain call of the season, which is a different cue sequence.
October 30, 2025 at 4:55 AM
I was soooo sleepy when I had to call the show, thanks to the amazing meal our CMs provided for Halloween. The show kept me awake. I believe I had to call 7 contingencies, plus my 1st Broadway Cares curtain call of the season, which is a different cue sequence.
We’re filming some really fun social media content this week. Today I’m mic’d up for Circle of Life. I feel like an NFL player or something. 🤣
October 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
We’re filming some really fun social media content this week. Today I’m mic’d up for Circle of Life. I feel like an NFL player or something. 🤣
We’re preparing for one of the most family-friendly times of our tour family’s year: Halloween. Between the currently 8 kids on the show (upcoming cast change) and the dozen or more kids of company members who travel with us, it’s always a full house of trick-or-treating between shows.
October 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM
We’re preparing for one of the most family-friendly times of our tour family’s year: Halloween. Between the currently 8 kids on the show (upcoming cast change) and the dozen or more kids of company members who travel with us, it’s always a full house of trick-or-treating between shows.
They call Denver the “mile high city,” but nobody mentions that it’s actually a mile-and-a-half to the back row of the Buell. Getting my high-altitude cardio in!
October 23, 2025 at 1:32 AM
They call Denver the “mile high city,” but nobody mentions that it’s actually a mile-and-a-half to the back row of the Buell. Getting my high-altitude cardio in!