May 14, 2020

Meet Emma McVey of Metro Atlanta Chamber

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma McVey.

Emma, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I took a winding road to economic development. An Atlanta native, my background is in musical theatre performance and stage management. After I graduated with a B.A. in Musical Theatre, I knew I wanted to go back to Atlanta. Upon arrival, I took my first “day job” as the Front Desk Coordinator at an IT Staffing company in Sandy Springs, MATRIX Resources. I found myself quickly working my way up the corporate ladder, all while balancing my passion of stage managing theatrical productions in the Greater Atlanta area.

I have stage managed at many organizations, including Actor’s Express, Synchronicity Theatre, Emory University, Oglethorpe University, Brenau University, and several children’s theatres. About three years ago, I found myself at a career crossroads, wondering what my next step would be when I received a call from a recruiter who used to work at MATRIX. He knew the Chief Economic Development Officer at the Metro Atlanta Chamber was looking for a C-suite level Executive Assistant. He and I met and immediately hit it off and I’m entering my 3rd year at the Chamber now as the Senior Manager of the Economic Development Division.

Our mission is to recruit, retain and expand companies and talent in the Metro Atlanta region. My position as the division Sr. Manager is basically to “stage-manage” the economic developers I work with and any large programs they launch at tradeshows and conferences. I’ve found that the theatrical stage management skillset is applicable in many different environments, and the Chamber embraces my creativity and passion for the arts wholeheartedly along with my operational acumen. I still stage-manage theatrical productions as time allows at Actor’s Express on the Westside, and I recently joined the Board of Directors at Synchronicity Theatre in Midtown.

Has it been a smooth road?
I think the largest struggle for me as a “Type A” person was not always knowing what my next step would be. I went back-and-forth between wanting to pursue theatre full-time versus committing to my corporate career. It took some steps forward (and backward) to get to where I am today, and I feel very lucky to be able to do both. Currently, the largest struggle is against exhaustion, BUT it is so worth it. I carefully prioritize self-care and staying healthy, so I can give both the Chamber and my stage management gigs 100%. If I ever veer from that path, I’m blessed to have a badass husband, D Connor McVey (vektorkat.com), who works as a full-time light and set designer that holds me accountable.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) is a 160-year-old organization that today represents businesses, colleges and universities, and nonprofits across the 29-county region that makes up the nation’s ninth-largest market. MAC works to position metro Atlanta as a top-tier global region by focusing on three key areas: economic development, public policy and promotion.

Our team focuses on starting, growing, and recruiting companies. Atlanta is an amazing place to live, work and play – I’m proud of how the Chamber represents our region with integrity and passion through times of economic growth and crisis. I am also continuously impressed by my teammates who pour so much knowledge and positive action back into the community and each other.

Concerning Stage Management, think back to the last time you attended a live show. You may have noticed a darkroom in the back of the theatre where someone stood with a large headset on. That is most likely the stage manager. It is my job to make sure all elements of the live production run smoothly. From day one, I attend all rehearsals and manage communication between my client (the theatre) and the cast, keep track of all choreography and stage blocking, track props throughout the arc of the show, and call all the light/sound/projection/special effects/etc. cues once the show opens. I am the spinner of many plates : )

Stage Managers are the multi-tasking, highly-organized cool heads that make sure the proverbial train stays on the track. One time I even had to go on for a sick actor. During the production of Sweeney Todd at Actor’s Express, I got to stretch my long-unused musical chops and perform as Mrs. Lovett for one night while my Assistant Stage manager ran the show. You never know what is going to happen in live theatre.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
At the Chamber, we like to say that metro Atlanta isn’t up and coming. It’s here, it’s now and it’s next. Atlanta also has a thriving and supportive arts community. As someone who as one foot in the corporate world and one foot in the creative world, I always feel welcome in both scenarios and surrounded by smart, supportive people who want to see talent succeed. I’ve been slowly wearing down friends from other parts of the country to consider Atlanta as their next base.

In one weekend, I can go from planning a large corporate activation at Money2020 (leading FinTech conference) through the Chamber to DragonCon in a Sansa Stark dress to being interviewed about my arts career on a podcast to a stage management gig at Actor’s Express. There is truly a place for everyone here!

Contact Info:

Website: www.metroatlantachamber.com, For stage management inquiries: emmaplmr@gmail.com
Phone: 404-880-9000
Instagram: @ChooseATL
Twitter: @atlchamber

Image Credit:
Sweeney Todd photographer: BreeAnne Clowdus | Actor: Kevin Harry
Head Over Heels photographer: Casey Gardner | Actors: Peyton McDaniel, Joseph Pendergrast, Paige McCormick
Emma McVey Headshot Photographer: Alea Moore

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