Cassandra Trascik
Aspen,CO
Summary
VERSATILE AND ACCOMPLISHED THEATRE PROFESSIONAL with broad-based successes in developing new venues, building strategic relationships, and fostering growth and evolution within theatrical settings. Background includes over twenty years in arts education, directing, acting, and production with an exemplary tenure with Venice High School/Venice Performing Arts Center. Successes building sustainable theatre operations, establishing a cooperative, collaborative and creative culture, developing and maintaining community and performer relationships, establishing and building program fiscal health, and leading staff and community in unified goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Theatre Director
Aspen School District
08.2023 - Current
- Oversaw the scheduling, management, and productions/events in all Aspen School District Theatre Spaces
- Created Technical Theatre curriculum and Theatre Production class.
- Lighting, sound, and projection operations for various events.
- Working knowledge of all technical elements in theatre space.
- Created and implemented a tracking and check out system for theatre equipment and materials
- Production planning with professional rentals, community productions, and school events.
- Collaborated with community theatre and arts groups to foster an arts community.
- Enhanced theatre production quality through effective collaboration with rental production team members.
- Evaluated emerging technologies for potential integration into existing systems or future projects.
- Developed suggestions for technical process improvements to optimize resources.
- Introduced educational outreach programs to connect with local schools and inspire younger generations'' appreciation for live theatre arts.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring fiscal responsibility throughout all stages of production planning and execution.
- Conducted meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to attain production objectives.
- Remained highly composed and calm in very fast-paced, stressful and constantly changing environments to provide optimal leadership and achieve desired results.
- Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.
- Identified and approved equipment and elements required for productions.
- Directed work of lighting, sound, and build crews to coordinate efficient production operations.
Drama Teacher/Director
Venice High School
08.2019 - Current
- Implemented scaffolded curriculum model to foster individualized student development and overall growth of a multilevel, high quality theatre program
- Revived and Reimagined Children’s Show program, serving local elementary school with focus on title 1 schools
- Spearheaded IB Theatre program at Venice High School for both CP and DP programs
- Directed and designed 2-4 mainstage productions each year
- Developed community outreach and parent support for the theatre department in fundraising and volunteer support
- Grew Drama Boosters program from 5 to 30 members
- Managed student creative teams in Stage Management, Directing, and Technical Theatre and Design
- Increased gross profits of Productions by 300%.
Theatre Manager and Technician
Venice Performing Arts Center at Venice High School
12.2016 - 08.2019
- Recruited, hired, trained, supervised, and evaluated stage crews of 15-30 student apprentices, blended with adult volunteers and IATSE members
- Managed the technical equipment, soft goods, and materials in the performing arts center
- Anticipated and resolved scheduling issues between Venice High School and community or visiting rentals
- Oversaw contract rider execution for all school based and outside rentals/events
- Created a theater community utilizing tools and ideas focused on collaboration, respect, feedback, trust, and appreciation
- Provided strategic planning, administration, and day-to-day decision making for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of a School Board owned and Community based performing arts center seating up to 1100 patrons
- Established procedures and developed relationships with rental groups, community groups, school administrators, and department heads to realized and execute their events at the highest level
- Created a summer theatre program for students to learn all aspects of production and contracted working professionals to work with and mentor the students
- Served as Technical supervisor for all events.
Center Manager
12.2016 - 08.2019
- Coordinated and executed a multi-venue Grand Opening for over 8,000 people with rotating performances, tours, and activities
- Recruited student clubs, community volunteers, and local theatre professionals to serve as hosts, tour guides, ushers, and stage management
- Lead Joint-Advisory Board of Venice High School, Community, and School Board members focused on the development and successful integration of the Performing Arts Center into the community
- Partnered with Gulf Coast Community Foundation to boost initial fundraising and to assist in development of relationships with various community groups
- Provided leadership, vision, oversight, strategic planning, administration, and day-to-day decision making for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the Venice Performing Arts Center
- Created and ensured program budgets comply with school board and community guidelines
- Updated School Board user contract to meet budgetary needs and include financial support of the Venice High School Arts Department
- Built and maintained relationships across the Sarasota School district with Board members, employees, and administrators
- Created template for organizational structure, mission, procedures, and workflows for efficient and clear day-to-day operations
- Executed negotiations and contracts with community and visiting rentals based on pre-set criteria
- Established, developed, and implemented policies and procedures for the Venice Performing Arts Center Volunteer Corps, grew the Corps into a group of over 300 volunteers
- Reviewed and approved technical riders for all events, negotiated specifics with renters
- Co-founded the 501c3 Venice Institute for Performing Art Management as an external group to support the operations, budget, and fundraising for Venice Performing Arts Center and Venice High School Performing Arts
- Created annual budget and fundraising goals based off information and goals set out by VIPAM and Venice High School
- Collaborated with Sarasota County School Board, District employees, and VIPAM on budgeting, insurance, preparation of financial materials, and funding raising
- Optimized production and rehearsal calendar for easy application and access for school, district, and external renters
- Created brand recognition focused marketing materials for both Venice Performing Arts Center and Venice Institute for Performing Arts Management
- Supervised front-of-house operations and technical execution of events
- Grew student internship program into professional Apprenticeship Program with 80% of all apprentices finding work or pursuing education in theatre upon completion.
Co-founder/ Producing Director
Sound & Space Theatre Company
01.2011 - 06.2014
- Planned and Co-founded theatre company specializing in site-specific theatre with a focus on translating classical theatre into a modern setting and placing the reins of experience in the hands of the audience
- Directed flagship production of Hamlet in a Co-Op entrepreneurial office space
- Developed reciprocal relationships with local businesses to support all aspects of production within very limited budget
- Developed marketing in collaboration with artists and local professionals
- Created and maintained budget and rehearsal schedule throughout production
- Interviewed and hired external professionals as needed to support various areas of production.
Teaching Artist (IND students)
VSAFL – University of South Florida
11.2013 - 03.2014
- Planned and led varied ability curriculum for basic theatre education and production
- Mentored and taught students of various physical and intellectual levels basics of acting and auditioning
- Created bespoke script of Snow White and the 7 Dwarves to meet the abilities of each student
- Led class in auditions and rehearsals of original Snow White and the 7 Dwarves production
- Evaluated and reported student and teacher experience data back to VSAFL.
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
Tethys Technology
05.2011 - 01.2013
- Spearheaded the development of multi-national operations system which allowed New York and London offices to work simultaneously on various algorithmic projects
- Coordinated scheduling system across international offices cross-referenced with CEO personal calendar
- Assisted accounting with budgeting and payroll systems
- Assisted Human Resources with recruitment and hiring process
- Developed client relationships
- Ran team image boost and relationship building, focused on relationships between employees at Tethys and between employees and their clients.
Event Coordinator
Green Spaces, NYC
01.2011 - 10.2012
- Day-to-day operations of collaborative workspace including scheduling, event management, and facility management
- Responsible for all aspects of Green Spaces and client events from setup through event to breakdown
- Managed needs of Green Spaces members
- Served as communication liaison between clients and Green Spaces
- Managed logistics of each event or workshop.
Company Management Intern
Nina Lannan Associates
09.2008 - 03.2009
- Assisted all General/Company Managers on Broadway shows: Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde, and Dirty Dancing as well as all touring shows
- Executed Tony Voter submission and marketing push for Billy Elliot
- Organized all correspondence, documents, contracts, and marketing
- Reviewed and summarized all actor contracts
- Assisted with SpotCo marketing materials for shows
- Tracked all actor receipts for costs and reimbursement
- Assisted with payroll, employment verification, and letters of employment/unemployment claims
- Developed relationships with various unions, theatre box offices, and stage managers through weekly interactions.
Education
Certificate from Educator Preparation Institute -
State College of Florida
01.2021
BFA – Acting / Theatre -
Florida State University
01.2007
Completion of courses in Shakespeare, Clowning, Restoration, and Playwrighting -
Florida State University London Study Center
01.2005
Skills
- Program Development & Management
- Relationship Building & Mentorship
- Strategic Planning & Leadership
- Contract Negotiation & Execution
- Operational & Administrative Oversight
- Communications & Partner Relations
- Theatre and Production Management
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Material Planning
- Diagnostics and troubleshooting
- Production Monitoring
- Strategic Planning
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Workflow Optimization
- Scheduling and Coordination
- Results Orientation
- Process Improvement
- Budget Management
- Resource Management
- Process Streamlining
- Strong leadership abilities
- Team Development
- Safety Monitoring
- Production Oversight
Notable
- Online hotline operator – RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) 2011 – 2013
- Generation Next – article recognized as one of eight young adults making an impact on Venice, FL – 2015
- Recognized as “Backbone of VPAC” by Venice Sun Newspaper – 2017
- Launched Student Theatre Summers (STS) program at VHS providing high level professional summer theatre experiences for Venice High School students
- Recognized for bringing positive changes to Venice High School Theatre Department by Venice Community – 2019
- Florida Teacher Certification in Drama 6-12
Timeline
Theatre Director
Aspen School District
08.2023 - Current
Drama Teacher/Director
Venice High School
08.2019 - Current
Theatre Manager and Technician
Venice Performing Arts Center at Venice High School
12.2016 - 08.2019
Center Manager
12.2016 - 08.2019
Teaching Artist (IND students)
VSAFL – University of South Florida
11.2013 - 03.2014
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
Tethys Technology
05.2011 - 01.2013
Co-founder/ Producing Director
Sound & Space Theatre Company
01.2011 - 06.2014
Event Coordinator
Green Spaces, NYC
01.2011 - 10.2012
Company Management Intern
Nina Lannan Associates
09.2008 - 03.2009
Certificate from Educator Preparation Institute -
State College of Florida
BFA – Acting / Theatre -
Florida State University
Completion of courses in Shakespeare, Clowning, Restoration, and Playwrighting -
Florida State University London Study Center
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