OU theatre alum honored for backstage work by League of Chicago Theatres

Oakland University Theatre alumna Rebecca Lister was recently selected by the League of Chicago Theatres as the recipient of the Broadway in Chicago Backstage Award in honor of her positive impact on the theatre community while celebrating the essential role of backstage professionals in making theatre magic possible.

She was formally recognized at the League of Chicago Theatres Spotlight Gala on August 4 at Teatro ZinZanni Chicago in Chicago, Ill.

“I was nominated for this award by a member of the cast of Million Dollar Quartet, the show that I am currently stage managing at Paramount Theatre,” Lister said. “This award meant a lot to me in two ways. This is a recognition of a typically very unrecognized position, and I was grateful that I was able to represent both backstage workers and stage managers specifically. It was also such an honor to win for this show specifically, which has taught me more than any other professional production I’ve been a part of.”

A dedicated stage manager, teaching artist, and advocate for the next generation, Lister has been a vital force behind the scenes of Chicagoland theatre.

“I have been with Million Dollar Quarter for just over a year now, which is the longest I’ve been with any production,” she said. “Previously, I had been freelancing around the Chicago area, primarily as a stage manager and occasionally as a teaching artist. I’ve worked with Paramount, Drury Lane, Fleetwood Jourdain, Mudlark, Windy City Playhouse, and done some freelance stage managing with Northwestern University, as well.”

While her journey has taken her far from the halls of Oakland University, Lister said she still looks back fondly on her time at OU and the experience she was able to gain there.

“I had the privilege of completing a double major while at Oakland, studying both acting and theatre design and technology,” she said. “I was so grateful that Oakland allowed students to work on shows in a design capacity, including as stage managers. It’s because of professors like (Distinguished Professor Emerita) Karen Sheridan that I am a stage manager in the first place, as I didn’t really discover it until my time at Oakland. I also met a number of incredible collaborators, as well as friends for life.”

To learn more about OU’s Theatre Program, visit www.oakland.edu/smtd/programs-and-majors/theatre.