Three generations of TMU alumni help bring international smash hit musical to life on Mirvish

From rehearsal halls at Toronto Metropolitan University to backstage at one of Toronto’s biggest musical productions, three graduates of The Creative School’s Performance: Design and Production (opens in new window)  program recently found themselves sharing an extraordinary full-circle moment.

As the Canadian production of & Juliet (external link, opens in new window)  enters its final extension through August 2026, alumni Anna Spencer (Class of ’17 and current TMU Instructor), Ciaran Brenneman (Class of ’21), and Kate Chubbs (Class of ’24) are reflecting on their work behind the scenes of the Mirvish production and the role TMU played in shaping their paths to professional theatre. 

Working together across three graduating cohorts, the trio formed part of the stage management team responsible for helping one of the country’s largest productions run seamlessly each night, coordinating everything from rehearsals and backstage operations to performer cues, technical coordination and show safety.

Their presence on the same production wasn’t coincidence. It was a reflection of the industry connections, practical training and collaborative culture fostered in TMU’s Performance program.

For Spencer, who served as Assistant Stage Manager, the experience reaffirmed how foundational their training at TMU has remained throughout nearly a decade in the industry.

“What I found most beneficial about being a student at TMU was the hands-on experience the program offered,” they say. “Physically being in rehearsals with actors and generating paperwork that I would need to as a professional stage manager was integral.”

That practical grounding, combined with learning how to manage pressure, deadlines and the complexity of live performance, laid the groundwork for their professional trajectory.

For Brenneman, who joined & Juliet as Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager, the pathway from TMU to Mirvish was shaped through a series of opportunities built one step at a time, beginning with independent projects, followed by work at the Stratford Festival and later large-scale musical theatre productions.

Reflecting on their education, they credit the breadth of the program for preparing them to communicate across departments and navigate the demands of professional stage management.

“Learning how to prioritize time and balance commitments is essential for a successful career in the professional theatre industry, and I think the TMU program set me up well in that regard,” they say.