We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nico Parducho. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nico below.

Nico, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Working as a freelancer in the theatre industry is full of the unexpected. Many practical people with regular 9-5’s tell you it’s a risk to go for your dreams, especially if it’s in entertainment. I was fortunate enough to have my family and friends support me when I told them that I wanted to become a Stage Manager. However, no matter how much support I had, I had to face the reality that this career is a risk. I remember the moment I knew I wanted this. I was stage managing my first show in high school, and my dad passed away. Tech week had just started, and I couldn’t bring myself to think of anything else besides the show. Everyone who was part of that entire process, no matter how big or small their role was, supported me. They attended my dad’s viewing, and helped my family and I get through a difficult time. Moments like that in the beginning of my career, made me realize how much of a community and found family aspect there is to the theatre industry, and just how important human connection is. I found that I want to be in a position where I help create communities like that. Once I graduated high school, I put myself through community college for three years, and those were some of the most difficult three years I’ve ever experienced. I was working and going to school full time, learning how to hone my craft (so stage managing shows at school, which took up most of my life), I’ve had to sacrifice time with friends and family, and I didn’t even know if I was going to do well out in the “professional world”. I had so many moments of “do I really want this?” or “is all of this work, all of my sacrifices going to be worth it?”. My mentors and professors told me that it’s natural to have that feeling, especially with the unknown of my future. And every time I found myself in that position, I got pulled out by every show I finished. The feeling of accomplishment, cathartic energy, and established relationships I’ve made always brought me back. After graduating from community college, I transferred and put myself through my undergrad. Even though it was still challenging, something was different. I didn’t have to sit through my GE classes wondering if I’m even supposed to be here. I knew I was meant to be there. I remember sitting in my stage management class that my mentor taught, and she said the words “if you are in this industry, you have to want it. You have to keep moving forward and reminding yourself that it’s going to be worth it.” That resonated with me, and I knew that I wanted it. I knew that I couldn’t let my big fear of the unknown take hold of preventing me from something that brought me pure joy. I had to put all of my eggs in this basket and go for it. Upon my last semester, the pandemic hit, and all classes were made online. Let me tell you, it’s not exactly ideal to graduate with a theatre degree when live theatre itself was closed. I was working at a bakery at the time, but had my creative outlets. I was also very fortunate to have a partner at the time who saw what I was going through, and he was so gracious to support us while I followed my dreams. And I did. I got my first big break assistant stage managing a huge immersive experience that was based off of the Netflix series, Arcane. Since then, I’ve been so fortunate to work on multiple new works, insane immersive works, and make connections that will last a lifetime. I’ve met some amazing people, and constantly find new found family with every project I work. Sitting here today, and recalling my past has made me grateful for all of the hardship I’ve had to go through to get to where I am. The relationships I’ve built throughout my educational and professional career have impacted me in more ways than one. I found it comforting that other people around me were taking the same risk as I was, and we look to help raise each other. Taking a big risk is scary, taking a big risk on yourself is terrifying. But who else are you going to bet on if it’s not you. And no matter how it played out, even if I didn’t have the life I lived, I’d do it all again, because I’m grateful to have taken this risk on myself and see where it took me. Where it took me, where it’s taking me, is beautiful.

Nico, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a Production Stage Manager, and my specialties are immersive works and new works. I started my stage management career in high school, and fell in love with all of it. I put myself through college where I really learned how to hone my craft and make myself more marketable. Since graduating, my credentials include Arcane: Enter the Undercity, Afterglow, Stranger Things: The Experience, Halo World Championships, Delusion, and many more. Stage Management is not for everyone (or so I’m told), and what our responsibility is, is to ensure the production runs smoothly and safely. Of course, there are many other aspects to it such as creating and distributing call sheets/calendars/conflict matrix/etc., facilitating rehearsals/shows/meetings, ensuring safety of crew/actors, and much more. We are the eye of the storm when things go wrong, and communication and safety are our top two priorities. What I am most proud of are the connections I make with every show I do. Many people see stage managers and they think of the endless paperwork or meetings we go through. However, what I love most about the job is the people aspect. Everyone needs to know that you’re on their side, that you have a common goal, and you’re willing to listen to others. I’m very big on collaboration, and I’m proud of my work as a collaborator in my position.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect to me is one: the relationships built and two: the fulfilling and cathartic feeling I get when a show is finished. I love talking with audience members after to hear their thoughts, and it warms my heart every time when they tell me how amazing the show I helped create was. I’ve worked shows before where guests are sobbing after because of how much it’s impacted them. All I’ve ever wanted to do is bring art into the world, to create something beautiful that I can share, and I get to do that almost everyday of my life.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think that people get nervous about the financial aspect that comes with being a theatre artist full-time. And I get that. However, I was raised in a household that said “do what you love and the money will come”, so I was very fortunate to have an upbringing that supported my dreams. And I will say that there is struggle sometimes, but theatre makers are so full of creativity, we always tend to figure things out. Also, most of our skills are transferrable to everyday jobs or other jobs that have more stability financially, but with the freedom to still create. I have friends who are multi-hyphenates, and as a freelancer, we’re kind of always working and looking for our next thing. I’m starting my intimacy coordinator journey, and that’s been very eye-opening. It’s another way to make money, while still having the freedom to do what I love. I also have friends who are artists that work 9-5 jobs, and they use their nights for their creative outlets. I’m currently working with a theatre company that actually caters to people with 9-5’s. The point I’m trying to make is that, if you need and want to make it work, you find a way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopingmechanism/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-parducho-012611136/

Image Credits

Hookman Crew
Arcane Crew
Adobe Punk Crew
Afterglow Team
Stranger Things: The Experience
Summa Cum Loser Music Video Team
Delusion FOH Crew