Staff Spotlight: Kyia Britts, Associate Production Manager/Company Manager

CTC: What does the Associate Production Manager/Company Manager at CTC do?

Kyia Britts: This position is really a double position, with each part meaning something a little different. As the Associate Production Manager, it is my responsibility to assist the Director of Production, Ellen Baker, in completing the contracting process for designers, choreographers, and directors—creating production calendars, scheduling pre-production meetings, attending production meetings, and being in technical rehearsals as support. I also manage outside rentals at CTC and assist with logistics of internal events, such as the Curtain Call Ball.

As the Company Manager, I manage the travel and housing of out-of-town artists and guests, plan show-specific events, and manage catering of meals for our cast and crews. No day is ever exactly the same, which is why I love it so much!

CTC: Can you tell us a bit about your background? What first sparked your interest in theatre, and how did that path lead you to CTC?

KB: When I was 8 years old, my younger brother (7 years old) begged my mother to let him audition for the play at our church. Since we were so close in age, anything either of us wanted to do, meant the other also had to do it (which is how my brother ended up in so many sports, sorry Reese!). It was a church-spin off of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, named Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace. I ended up with my first role ever, an auction-goer. My single line was “I got fifteen!”—I was hooked. I ended up doing every show at our church from then until I was 13 years old. After that, I sought other places to do theatre. My brother and I were in a few shows at Lyric Arts Main Street Stage and got to be young student actors brought into Andover High School to do Honk!. We then transferred to Andover so we could continue to do theatre there as high schoolers.

I was never a very good actor, but I loved theatre. In high school, I loved helping to build sets and would stay late most days to build, make props, or paint until I had to go home. It wasn’t until I was in college that I truly found my love for technical theatre. I attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and did everything I could.

I did a bit of everything, focusing mainly on being a lighting designer. I didn’t know much about Production Management until I graduated, but everything about it reminded me why I love theatre so much. I was able to be a part of everything and got to be the one to help support designers and directors in making their dreams come to life. I always say I fell into Production Management because I wanted so badly to be a part of everything, and I am always glad I did fall into it. I grew up seeing shows at CTC and was always in complete awe of the magic that they made on stage and have always known I wanted to be a part of making that magic.