More and more often, Colorado is producing top notch talent headed to Broadway. Case in point, Overland High School (Class of 2020) graduate Gabriella Shead who we caught between shows as she transitioned from Company Management Production Assistant on THE WIZ tour launch to Assistant Company Manager on THE BOOK OF MORMON tour.

Gabriella Shead

“Truly, my love of all arts, both performing and visual, is what led me to get my degree in arts administration and eventually led to my career in Company Management,” said Gabriella who graduated this past May from Arizona State University.

Gabriella started dancing at the age of three with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. “Dance has been a constant in my entire life, and I couldn’t begin to imagine what my life would be without it.” In middle and high school, she found an additional outlet in the orchestra playing the upright bass and in college, discovered a love for administration.

“When I was in college, my main career goal was to just work at a performing arts facility (like the DCPA) where I could get the chance to interact with all types of performing arts. There was never any specific job that I was looking for or wanted to do in the future, but I knew that I wanted to work with a venue.

“I had an internship at ASU Gammage where I got to learn a lot more of the behind the scenes of what it takes to put on a show from the venue point of view. That internship paid off big time when she learned about a Production Assistant job with A Beautiful Noise and landed the job right out of school. “When I was hired for my second show, Life of Pi, I got the opportunity to learn all of the details and job responsibilities that come with company management.”

Now, just a year out of college, Gabriella is poised to join her third national show, and she fully credits her early success with the opportunities she had as a youth.

“Colorado has such a diverse and fantastic arts scene. If being on the stage isn’t your cup of tea, there are all types of different things that happen behind the scenes. Personally, being immersed in the dance world, I was able to find my appreciation and passion for arts administration. I love dancing and being on stage, but there’s something so rewarding about helping artists from behind the scenes achieve their goals.

“Any form of creative interest can help young people bloom into being well-rounded individuals, whether they pursue the arts professionally or not. The benefits of the arts in youth is such a beautiful thing as it opens a path to self-discovery, growth, and personal expression. The arts is such a welcoming community and can be a creative and safe space for youth to just figure out themselves.”