John Galo is a production stage manager focusing theater. His credits include stage managing many shows on Broadway and several national tours including: Matilda, Evita, Sister Act, A thoroughly modern Millie, Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan, the King and I, and many others. John has been a member of Actor’s Equity for 44 years and has served on their national governing board. He was one of the select people voting for the Tony awards.
I got to know John by working with him on a production of Peter Pan which traveled to Anchorage Alaska. Since then, we’ve worked on several productions, including a National tour of Evita. John is an incredibly knowledgeable stage manager who I’m grateful to count amount my friends. I decided to call him up and ask him how about how he got started.
John’s passion for the theater is obvious. He has been a tremendous resource for me, as well as many younger professionals working in these challenging times. John talks about communication being his most important skill, but really John’s greatest strength is his flexibility and compassion. He is able to keep all the moving parts of a production moving forward without letting ego, his or others, get in the way. Putting together a show can be an intense time that brings out the best and worst in people. I’ve only ever seen John at his best. I’m enormously grateful to have gotten to know John over the course of several shows and look forward to working with him again in the future.
Links from the Episode
The King and I
Yul Brynner
The Crystal Cathedral
Cathy Rigby
North Shore Music Theater
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