Backstage Spotlight: Dragons Love Tacos The Musical

Meet Stage Manager Jordan Simon and get your tickets for this kid-friendly show running February 8-March 9.

What inspired you to become a theater maker and stage manager?

I’ve always loved storytelling—growing up, I was obsessed with musicals and playing pretend. When I was 11, I joined Odyssey of the Mind, which got me into creative problem-solving, and a year later, I did my first musical, 13: The Musical, and was totally hooked. I didn’t even know stage management was a thing until 10th grade when my theater teacher asked me to stage manage Guys and Dolls, and from there, I just fell in love. I loved being the one helping everyone, keeping things running smoothly, and getting to learn a little bit about everything. It just felt like the perfect fit!

What kind of education prepared you for this career?

I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Stage Management at the University of Central Florida, but there are so many ways to learn stage management! College is definitely one route, whether it’s a BFA, a BA in Theatre, Theatre Management, or even Theatre Education. But honestly, a lot of it comes from hands-on experience—just jumping into the professional world, learning as you go, and building connections can be just as valuable.

What school subjects that our students may be studying do you use everyday?

It might sound silly in theatre but I use math every day. As a stage manager, it’s my responsibility to make sure we aren’t working too long without taking a break. The rules are (this is based off of Actors’ Equity Union): every 55 minutes, you can take a 5 minute break, and every 80 minutes, you must take a 10 minute break. You can’t go past 80 minutes without a break. So I am counting and calculating times every day while making sure we can complete our tasks in that time too!

What is one of the most exciting moments for you as the stage manager during this production and why?

One of the most exciting parts of this production for me is calling the show! As the stage manager, I’m on headset cueing all the different departments—things like “lights 22, go” or “warning in the trap.” This show has a lot of moving parts and uses a bunch of different tech elements, so there’s always something to call, which keeps me super engaged. I love the energy of it all and how it brings every piece of the production together in real time!

What is your favorite part about being a stage manager?

My favorite part of being a stage manager is definitely the people! I love meeting new people, collaborating, and figuring out how to communicate and work together. Building relationships—both professional and personal—is such a huge part of the job, and it’s what makes every production special. Plus, I love bringing good energy into the room and making the process as fun and enjoyable as possible for everyone!

How spicy do you like your salsa?!

I LOVE spicy salsa! Honestly, the spicier the better.. a little kick is perfect for me!

What are three words you would use to describe this production?

Thrilling, spicy, and enduring!

Jordan, a graduate from the BFA Stage Management program at the University of Central Florida, is excited (as always!) to be working with Orlando Family Stage! Some of her previous work includes: Wait Until Dark (Stage Manager), ENOUGH!: Plays to End Gun Violence (Stage Management Mentor), and Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens Jr. (Assistant Stage Manager). Jordan thanks her family and friends (shoutout Jade, Kane, Sav, Rami, and Maggy)!