Ron Christopher Jones Farewell Letter

 In Blog
Production Manager

Ron Christopher Jones

After 2+ years of working for San Diego Musical Theatre, on June 1st my term as Production Manager will come to an end. What an incredible journey it has been. It has made me a better actor, communicator, and has allowed me to see aspects of theatre that I never fully understood before. I was in the room where it happens! I enjoyed being involved in the full arc of a season, from design meetings, to budgets, set builds, casting, load-ins, tech weeks, opening nights, and load-outs. It is magical to manage the process from concept to closing night, and I am a better person for having had this wonderful opportunity.

I would like to thank SDMT producers Erin and Gary Lewis, for reaching out and offering me the position of Production Manager. It was thrilling to develop and use my skill sets in a new and elegant way. I would like to thank the wonderful designers, directors, and choreographers I was able to partner with, for allowing me to help bring their vision to life with the constructs of our unique theatre and budget. I would also like to thank my fellow actors, singers, and dancers who I always viewed as colleagues; it was great to have a birds-eye view and watch you work your craft. I really want to acknowledge the SDMT crew. They work tirelessly to ensure that the magic of theatre happens, and don’t seek the credit for it. They are constantly working in the world of what might be possible and accomplishing it. The problem-solving ability in that department is incredible. Unlike the rest of us actors, who relish the acknowledgement of the masses, the crew members get their acknowledgement from smooth transitions, actors’ needs being met, and creating a well-oiled machine. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave, and theatre would not be possible without the sound, deck, props, costume and lighting crews. Thank you, Michelle Miles, Mathys Herbert, Jon Fredette, Paul Durso, Soroush Mahdavi, Paul Morgavo, Janet Pitcher, Jaz Sveum, Amy Oliverio, Max Cadillac, Tanya Casas, Cain Hause, Alexa Querin, and the one who does everything, Heather Longfellow, it has been a pleasure.

Steve Longfellow, the Technical Director for SDMT, is simply amazing. The knowledge he keeps stored in that head of his is extraordinary. His vision and leadership have grown, and anything he sets his mind to he accomplishes, exceeding expectations. It has been a real pleasure working with you. Keep growing, my friend, and keep “throwing your hat over the wall”. I certainly must acknowledge my partners on the journey, Artistic Director, Jill Townsend, and Managing Director, Neil Dale. SDMT is in great hands with you two at the helm. It has been a pleasure working with you, and I look forward to what you create in the future for San Diego Theatre. This last year especially has been a doozy, but I enjoyed digging in with you and thinking outside of the box.

The future is completely open, and I look forward to watching the magic unfold. As Andre De Shields said in his Tony Award-winning speech, “…the top of one mountain, is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing!” These last couple years have prepared me for whatever the future holds!

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