1973 Roy Backes

· After graduating in June of ’73, I spent the summer as the TD for the Apple Hill Playhouse

· In the fall of ’73, I went to work as the Properties Master for MISTER ROGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD at WQED-TV. I left the Roger’s show after one year because I did not like the mechanical nature of tv. I love the pressure and challenge of doing live theater and I really missed it. However, I loved working with Fred. He is one of the most amazing men I have ever known in my life.

· After kicking around for a year or so I began work at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre where I became an Equity Stage Manager and stayed there for 10 years.

· In 1985 I met my wife and moved to New York City in 1986.

· I spent one season as the PSM at the Hartman Theatre in Stamford, CT. (Now closed!)

· I then spent 5 years as a PSM at The Roundabout Theatre downtown on Union Square.

· I got married to Mary Lisbeth Bartlett in 1987 in Madison, Wisconsin.

· I moved to Philadelphia in 1991 one year after my son, Oliver was born. (He is now 20 and going into his junior year at the University of Pennsylvania)

· I was the 1^st ASM on the Broadway production of Guys and Dolls with Nathan Lane and Peter Gallagher. (Did that for about 6 weeks as a replacement ASM.)

· I have been both a Stage Manager and Production Manager here in Philadelphia at The Philadelphia Drama Guild (Now closed!), The Prince Music Theater (Formally known as AMTF), The Wilma Theatre and Freedom Theatre for 9 seasons.

· I helped design new theaters for both the Price Music Theatre and Freedom Theatre here in Philadelphia.

I have been the Production Manager for the Walnut Street Theatre for the past 10 seasons. Last year the Walnut Street Theatre celebrated its 200^th Anniversary and is currently the most subscribed theater in the world with over 51,000 subscribers.

I spent over 19 years as a professional Stage Manager and loved every minute of it. What a pleasure it was to go to work every day and produce live theater. I consider myself very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work in the theater for over 35 years. What a joy it has been. I am never bored and find that I am always challenged with very interesting problems to solve.

The training I received at Point Park College and the Pittsburgh Playhouse could not have been more valuable. It was a great training ground and I cherish those times like none other.

Enjoy, Roy