Erika Newman
Theater Designer and Educator
Professional History
My Experience
Nobody is born a professional at their industry-everyone who wants to be exceptional at something has to work hard at it, both through practical work experience and education. Read below for details on my education and past work experience. To see a complete list of my work, click on the document link found on the bottom of this page.
Director/Assistant Director
Spring 2007-Present
As a director, I work closely with my actors and crew to bring my vision to life on stage. I begin with background work, research if needed, and a general discussion with my actors to share our purpose and our goal for the production. Throughout the rehearsal process, I work with actors to develop their characters and to understand their objectives, possible tactics, and substitutions if necessary. With newer actors, I begin with the basics and help them develop their skills so they are ready for an audience. Here's a list of my most recent productions:
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Murder, Party of 10, Zoom Production, Fall 2020
Eldritch the Invincible, Antelope Valley College, Winter 2020
22nd and 23 Original One Act Play Festival
All I Really Need to Know, I Learned from Being a Zombie, Palmdale Playhouse, Summer 2019
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Palmdale Playhouse, Summer 2018
The 21st Annual Original One Act Play Festival, Antelope Valley College, Spring 2018
The Rehearsal, Palmdale Playhouse, Spring 2018
The Suessification of Romeo and Juliet, Palmdale Playhouse, Summer 2017
The 20th Annual Original One Act Play Festival, Antelope Valley College, Spring 2017
The Distracted Scholar's Guide to Literature and Drama, Palmdale Playhouse, Spring 2017
The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, Palmdale Playhouse, Summer 2016
11 Variations on Friar John's Failure, Palmdale Playhouse, Spring 2016
Alice in Wonderland, Western Piedmont Community College, Assistant Director, Spring 2015
Theatre Through Time: An Interactive Workshop, Western Piedmont Community College, Assistant Director, Fall 2014
Aliens Vs Cheerleaders, Western Piedmont Community College, Assistant Director, Spring 2014
Design/Creative Experience
2008-Present
As a designer, I enjoy thinking of creative solutions to difficult problems. Working with my crew, researching the show, and testing out ideas are just a few of the tasks I complete as a designer. I begin with the director's concept and develop the ideas from there. Here's a list of the most recent design work I've completed:
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We Can Do It, The Ebell of Los Angeles, Set Designer and Prop Master, Winter 2025
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The Everywhere of Her, The Ebell of Los Angeles, Set Designer and Prop Master, Winter 2023 and 2024
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Down with the Ship, Olim Entertainment, Production Designer, 2021
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Mary Poppins, Palmdale Playhouse, Props Master, Winter 2020
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The Little Mermaid, Palmdale Playhouse, Props, Set dressings, and Makeup, Winter 2019
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Shrek the Musical, Palmdale Playhouse, Scenic Designer/Painter and Makeup Artist, Spring 2018 **Shining Star Award Winner**
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The Suessification of Romeo and Juliet, Palmdale Playhouse, Scenic Designer/Painter, Summer 2017
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Beauty and the Beast, Palmdale Playhouse, Scenic Painter and Makeup Artist, Spring 2017
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The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, Palmdale Playhouse, Scenic Designer/Painter, Summer 2016
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Hansel and Gretel, Palmdale Playhouse, Scenic Designer/Painter and Costume Designer, Winter 2015
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Alice in Wonderland, Western Piedmont Community College, Scenic Designer/Painter, Spring 2015
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A Christmas Carol, Foothills Performing Arts, Makeup Artist, Winter 2011
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Reasons to be Pretty, Alpha Psi Omega Production, Costumes, Spring 2010
Acting Experience
1995-2014
I started out as an actor at a young age and fell in love with the feeling of being on stage. I love to research my characters or create a backstory for them if one isn't provided. Finding the character within myself and bringing it to life on stage is a challenge I love facing. Here is just a sample of my work:
Who's Under Where? Foothills Performing Arts, Sybil, Summer 2014
Burke County Health Department/Family Planning Commercial, Burke County Health Department, Young Wife, Spring 2013
Dracula, Old Colony Players, a vixen, Fall 2011
Lysistrata Appalachian State University, Women's Chorus Member, Fall 2009
Stage Manager Experience
2008-Present
As a stage manager, I have been responsible for organizing prop tables, creating contact sheets, taking notes, calling shows, and managing the cast. It is a lot of work, but it is an essential role in productions. My experience includes more than theatrical plays too.
West Coast Classical Winter Concert, Palmdale Playhouse, Winter 2018
Twice the Spice Featuring Frank Graves Concert, Spring 2018
Magical Toyshop, Palmdale Playhouse, Winter 2017
The Case of the Missing Ring, Palmdale Playhouse, Summer 2017
Man of La Mancha, Palmdale Playhouse, Fall 2015
Occupation: Murder! Palmdale Playhouse, Summer 2015
Alice in Wonderland, Foothills Performing Arts, Spring 2014
Freshmen Showcase: Scenes from Pulitzer Prize Winning Shows, Appalachian State University, Fall 2010
Inherit the Wind, Appalachian State University, Spring 2009
Technical Work/Stage Crew Experience
2008-Present
In order to round out my theatre education, I started working backstage in the various areas in college. In an effort to continue my education about the technical world, I work backstage in a variety of positions such as:
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​The 21st Original One Act Play Festival, Antelope Valley College, Lighting Designer, Spring 2018
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Art Garfunkel Concert, Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Makeup and stage Crew, Spring 2018
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Olivia Newton John Concert, Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Wardrobe, Fall 2017
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Anita Renfroe, Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Lighting and Follow Spot, Fall 2016
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The Wizard of Oz, Palmdale Playhouse, Stage Crew, Spring 2016
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Barefoot in the Park, Tidewater Stage, Wardrobe and Stage Crew, Summer 2013
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The Addams Family: The Musical, City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium, Wardrobe, Spring 2013
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Metamorphoses, Appalachian State University, First Hand, 2010
"We must all do theatre to find out who we are and to discover who we could become."
Augusto Boal
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