Hear what Producing Artistic Director Eric Woodall, Lauren Juengel (Production Manager, Associate Producer), and Maya Bryant (Communications Manager) have to say about the 2021-2022 season and what is next.
About the Guests
Lauren Juengel will join NC Theatre as Production Manager/Associate Producer. This position is responsible for coordinating, managing, and growing all artistic, production and technical aspects of shows and programs ensuring artistic excellence, safety, and fiscal responsibility. A graduate of Elon University, Ms. Juengel spent twelve years stage managing over fifteen mainstage shows at NC Theatre. Eager to build upon the education she received at Elon, Ms. Juengel completed The Juilliard School Professional internship in New York City, and received her MFA in Stage Management at the University of California San Diego. She earned her Equity union card while stage managing a new production at La Jolla Playhouse. In addition to working in theatrical stage management, Ms. Juengel has traveled all over the world as a live event producer, supporting global corporations. Ms. Juengel frequently collaborates with Casey Hushion, Broadway director (and NC Theatre’s past Artistic Director), including assisting her with Nerds (a new work originally staged at NC Theatre) at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Ms. Juengel has spent the past six years as a stage manager for the Broadway productions of Allegiance, Significant Other, Cats and, most recently, the new Broadway musical, Mean Girls.
Maya Bryant will join NC Theatre as Communications Manager. With a focus on digital communications and PR, this position is responsible for the tactical and creative administration of all aspects of communications including earned media, website, social media, media relations, and more. A native of Durham, Ms. Bryant studied Communications and minored in Theatre at William Peace University and received her Masters’ Degree in Communications from Liberty University and is currently pursuing an MBA part-time from Campbell University. Beyond her professional work in communications, nonprofit fundraising, and digital media, Maya enjoys competing in pageants. In the Miss America Organization, Maya was a top finalist at Miss North Carolina and is currently Miss Dunn 2021. Maya will compete for Miss North Carolina in 2021 promoting her personal platform, Arts at the Core, where she travels across the state promoting the importance of Arts Education in our schools. In addition, Maya has earned numerous awards including being a recipient of the Bronze and Silver Medalist with the Duke of Edinburgh Young American’s Challenge Award program and Girl Scout Silver Award Recipient. \
Eric Woodall has a long history with NC Theatre; as an actor, teacher, and director. As a high school student, he performed in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and GEORGE M! at NC Theatre. After successful years on stage and television, Eric returned to NC Theatre in the late ’90s to direct and help cultivate the existing Summer Theatre Arts School program into the NC Theatre Conservatory. For the past16 years, Eric worked as one of New York’s top casting directors in the office of Tara Rubin Casting. Through casting and developing new musicals, Eric has been lucky enough to work alongside Stephen Sondheim, Cameron Mackintosh, William Finn, Sir Richard Eyre, Stephen Daldry, Susan Stroman, Stephen Schwartz, Casey Nicholaw, James Lapine, Phyllida Lloyd, and Hal Prince. A few of his Broadway casting credits include SUNSET BOULEVARD, ALADDIN, FALSETTOS, LES MISERABLES, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, BILLY ELLIOT, MARY POPPINS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and MAMMA MIA! (Broadway, National tour.) Past NC Theatre directorial credits include GYPSY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, MARY POPPINS, BILLY ELLIOT, DRIVING MISS DAISY, and STEEL MAGNOLIAS. Other directing credits include NEXT TO NORMAL, WEST SIDE STORY, BIG RIVER, ON GOLDEN POND (Casa Manana); BIG FISH, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, PARADE, AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY and VIOLET (Theatre Raleigh); AMADEUS (Memphis’ Playhouse on the Square), and HAY FEVER (Playmakers Repertory.) As a guest lecturer, Eric has taught at universities and training programs around the country including NYU, Baldwin Wallace, and Elon. Internationally, Eric was invited to lead workshops in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia through Actors Equity of Australia. Last year, American Theatre named Eric one of the “People You Should Watch” in its “Role Call: Six Theatre Workers You Should Know” series. Eric is a drama graduate of Carnegie Mellon-University and is a member of SDC and CSA. He is grateful to be “home” at NC Theatre.