Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly McMinn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Gwinnett County. I grew up going to shows and camps in Atlanta; this has always been home for me.
In 4th grade I started taking acting classes at the Suwanee Academy of the Arts, and that’s where my relationship with theatre began. I joined Drama Club in middle school and took theatre as an elective in high school. We almost didn’t have a theatre department because the teacher who taught theatre at my high school for years left to teach at the newly built school. For awhile, no one wanted to take on the theatre department. Luckily, one of the English teachers stepped up.
Until my senior year, I never realized there was more to theatre than just actors. It was always a tradition for seniors to direct a show so when it came to that time for me; I finally understood what other options there were.
I liked acting alright, but I was never completely comfortable with it. I put up with it because I wanted to be apart of theatre so badly. But once I realized there were so many other options for careers in theatre, a whole new world opened up to me. There was nothing else I could think of to study in college or anything else I wanted to spend my life doing.
I attended Columbus State University for undergrad. I auditioned as a BA (as opposed to BFA or BSEd) because I still wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do in theatre. I really struggled with settling on what I wanted to do in college. I briefly changed my major to Theatre Ed and considered changing schools altogether. My poor advisor watched me hem and haw on what to do for a year. She was so patient. I think she knew all along, that deep down I knew what I needed to do: be patient and stick it out.
As a freshman we had to take an Intro Acting & Directing course where the first half of the semester we focused on acting and the second half we focus on directing. Of course, the first half of the semester was not super enjoyable, but once we got to the second half something changed. Something about directing really spoke to me. On my final paper for the class which was about a scene I directed, my professor commented that he thought I found what I was meant to be doing.
I took as many directing classes as I could in college. And even when I felt like I just wasn’t getting it, I kept with it because I knew this was what I wanted… I just needed the confidence to pursue it. Every time I directed something, no matter how small, I grew, and that’s all that mattered. Approaching graduation, I felt like the right move for me was to look for a post-undergrad apprenticeship in Atlanta and to move back home.
That’s when my relationship with Horizon Theatre began. Some of the staff visited CSU to speak about their apprenticeship, and I applied. My last semester of college I drove up to Atlanta and interviewed with Marguerite Hannah and Kelly Criss, and I fell in love. There was something about the theatre, the people, and the mission that drew me in.
Although they didn’t have a directing apprenticeship, I knew I had to be part of this theatre company. I served as the 2016-17 Stage Management apprentice for Horizon, and it was the best introductory year I could ask for. I was given so many opportunities, made countless connections, and established a firm foundation to begin my career in Atlanta.
The people in my apprentice company are like family now. This is where my fondness for new works grew from. Horizon’s mission of promoting new plays and playwrights is something that I really connected with. Since I completed my apprenticeship, I have been working nonstop.
I still freelance as a Stage Manager. I also founded a theatre project with three good friends. Our group, the Atlanta Appco Alumni Series, focuses on creating opportunities by Atlanta Appco alum for our peers. We aim to cultivate new works and showcase up & coming artists. Most recently I joined Out Front Theatre Company as their Production Manager. I am really passionate about the work they’re doing, and I am very proud to be apart of their company.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is it ever a smooth road? I think it’s the bumps that make every person’s journey unique, and of course, I had my own. Although I loved college, I didn’t always feel like I fit into my theatre department. I was never the type of person that only worked on one thing. I was the President of my Sorority, I worked on the student newspaper, and served in leadership roles in some honors societies. I had lots of different friends from all over campus, and I didn’t isolate myself to just theatre.
Most people in my department didn’t want to use their time like I did, but I wanted more out of college. I may not have spent my time how my professors would have liked, but I always gave 110% to whatever I was involved with.After leaving college, I felt like I accomplished so much. Even if that meant I didn’t know as many people graduating from my department as well as they knew each other.
As a professional in the field, I think the biggest challenge is being a young, inexperienced, female director. Often it feels like one of those situations where a restaurant won’t hire you to be a server because you have no serving experience – and yet how are you supposed to get that experience to get hired? But it takes patience and resourcefulness.And that’s what I’d advise to anyone getting started in this career.
I stage manage because I enjoy it and it’s basically free observation hours on directors. It’s also a great way to network. Recently I decided to create my own directing opportunities which is partly why I co-founded the Appco Alumni Series. You have to do whatever it takes just to get in the room, that’s something Marguerite Hannah instilled in my mind while I was at Horizon.
Please tell us about Out Front Theatre Company.
I do still work as a freelancer, which means theatres will hire me to stage manage their shows. I really enjoy getting to work with different theatres in Atlanta.
Recently, I joined Out Front Theatre as their Production Manager. I make sure everything is in order for each show of the season on the technical side of things. If I’m not stage managing, I hire someone else to. I also help out with finding designers and determining what kind of crew needs we may have. I’m a problem solver.
I think the thing I’m most proud of about Out Front is what makes it unique: Out Front is Atlanta’s LGBTQIA theatre. Our missions is to tell stories of the LGBTQIA+ experience and community, through theatre and the performing arts, to the greater Atlanta area.
Theatre has always been a voice to those suffering, and in need. At this time in our country’s history the stories we at Out Front are sharing are messages that need to be heard now more than ever. We are a safe haven from those in the LGBTQIA+ community, and we serve to amplify their voices.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I think the only the thing I would have done differently was to have more confidence in myself and my decisions. I’m still young; I still have so much to learn and experience to gain. But I think learning to trust yourself and your instincts are lifelong lessons.
Contact Info:
- Address: 999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
- Website: carlymcminn.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAseries/
- Other: www.outfronttheatre.com
Image Credit:
Tyler Ogburn Photography, Hannah Lake Photography, Christopher Head
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