Stage Manager Anne Marie Kuehling-Kastilahn Visits Millbrook

Millbrook’s theater department has had the opportunity to pick the brains of some acclaimed professionals this October. Playwright Neil LaBute led an entire week of classes earlier this month, and then screenwriter Dominic Bergeron ’97 visited playwriting class before giving Millbrook an early look at his upcoming film “Mlle Bottine.” Last week, the cast of the fast-approaching fall play “The Mousetrap” had the chance to talk with Anne Marie Kuehling-Kastilahn, a long-time stage manager.

Kastilahn, who is the mother of Millbrook teacher Mitch Kastilahn, has been a television stage manager for 30 years, and she also has 15 years of theater stage management on her resume. Her credits range from the original stage production of “Driving Miss Daisy” and “The View” to the final U.S. presidential debate of 2024, and she has worked with the likes of Al Pacino, Michael Jackson, and Barbara Walters.

In the Chelsea Morrison Theater, Kastilahn gave students a brief autobiography and explained how stage managers work closely with directors to manage productions, giving examples from her career. She answered questions from Millbrook thespians, and then went to the shop to work with the crew. Finally, she met with the student stage managers who will run Millbrook’s fall theater productions.

We’re excited to see what great things the Millbrook Theater Department has in store this academic year, especially after working with so many industry luminaries.