NYTW Spotlight: Hillary Luong

We caught our Production Manager Hillary Luong between putting on a digital season and prepping for our return to in-person theatre. Learn a little bit more about Hillary and their love of podcasts in our March staff spotlight!

Tell us about your role at NYTW?
The Production Department covers all the physical aspects of theatre: scenery, lighting, props, audio, costumes and occasionally video. If it’s on stage and it doesn’t breathe, it’s probably production. On my best days as Production Manager, I’m here to facilitate collaborative conversations with designers and technicians that translate initial sketches and 2D drawings into the beautiful world we experience on stage. On other days, I’m tracking invoices, hiring our show crew, and navigating how to edit down a scenic design that is four times over budget.

Most memorable show or experience at NYTW?
Slave Play was the first production I worked on as PM at the Workshop. On my first day of work, totally unaware of what it was about, I printed out the full script and started reading on my subway ride home. I fell in love with both the play and my new artistic home that would dare to produce it…and became incredibly self-conscious of anyone who might be reading over my shoulder.

What is your first memory of going to the theatre or how did you fall in love with theatre?
Growing up in the City, spending summer days waiting in line for Shakespeare in the Park was a highlight of the year. I have clear memories of being a kid and wishing I could climb all over the towers where the lighting hung. Sure enough, I was able to realize that dream when I worked as an electrician at the Public before moving to production management.

What or who inspires you?
Last summer, a group of BIPOC production managers from across the nation gathered to find affinity and solace as both our industry and our bodies were being torn apart by two concurrent pandemics. My colleagues in the field who are pushing forward progressive change in the industry to make for more humane working practices, they’re the ones who inspire me.

Without live theatre at this time, what have you been watching, listening to, reading…?
I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts. Some favorites include: Still Processing, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel, and Invisibilia. I’ve also loved taking the time to go on runs and hikes and totally escape our current digital overload.

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Categories: NYTW Spotlight. Tags: NYTW Staff.