Shannon Heibler: How the presenting manager keeps shows running smoothly at Overture

As a presenting manager at Overture Center, Shannon Heibler is the go-to person behind the scenes, making sure touring artists have everything they need to shine on stage. From the moment a performance is booked until the final curtain call, Heibler helps coordinate the many moving parts that ensure a smooth visit.

Taking care of artists

Before a company arrives, Heibler reviews contracts and riders—documents outlining everything from technical requirements to catering preferences. She works closely with Overture’s tech team, ticketing, front of house and catering to bring those requests to life. As performance day approaches, she helps to finalize hotel arrangements, parking, menus, dietary restrictions and invoice settlements.

“It’s about anticipating needs before they become problems,” she says.

Lover of Logistics

Heibler has years of experience working in a theater in very different roles—in wardrobe as a dresser, as costume designer around Wisconsin and teaching at university costume shop. A self-proclaimed lover of logistics, Heibler credits her background in costume design as the perfect preparation for her current role.

“There’s a misconception that costume design is just shopping and crafting,” she says. “But most of a costume designer’s time is spent in spreadsheets: budgets, measurements and quick changes.”

Her years of managing intricate logistical details in the world of costume design have made her exceptionally well-suited to the work she does now.

Story in the Rider

With each company that comes to Overture, their rider tells a story of what they’ve been through, according to Heibler. For many companies, by the time they arrive at Overture, they’ve already been on the tour for a long time and will continue on their journey after their performance.

“One company requested a roof over their dressing room,” she recalls. “Clearly, they’d had an experience where they didn’t have one. Those little details tell you what they’ve been through.”

When Overture staff welcomes artists, handles catering, provides union stagehands and features beautiful performance spaces, Heibler knows the positive impact it has on performers.

“These touring artists are on a long and weary road, and far away from home,” she says.

In explaining her mindset of making things easier for artists who come to Overture, Heibler says “while we can’t be home for them, we can be the next best thing.”

A heightened appreciation

With her background in wardrobe and current role directly coordinating with cast and crew, Heibler has a heightened appreciation for particular elements of performances. During a recent run of “Moulin Rouge,” Heibler was captivated by the numerous quick costume changes. As she was watching the show, she found herself counting the seconds the actors were off stage before they reappeared in different outfits.

“While everyone else in the audience might just see the costume, I’m focused on the quick change that made it possible. My heart is with the dressers backstage, thinking about all the excitement and terror and everything that goes into getting performers into their next costume,” Heibler says.

Source of Inspiration

As an artist herself, working at Overture offers many sources of inspiration.

“If I ever feel a creative block in my art practice, all I have to do is visit one of the five galleries or see a show,” she says.

Working behind the scenes with artists and having an opportunity to engage with audiences gives Heibler a special perspective that continually deepens her appreciation for the arts. Talking to artists and hearing how invested they are in their craft and hearing what’s next for them is incredibly inspiring for her.

After the logistics and lead-up to the show, Heibler likes to get out from backstage and join the audience in the lobby before the show starts.

“I love looking around at all the people who show up to the show,” she notes. I can feel the energy of the crowd and hear how excited people are to be there, and how much they’ve been looking forward to the show. It’s the best reminder of why we do what we do.”

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