the thoughts

  • Vanna is a very straight to the point director, she doesn't waste time and in theater often, time is money. I have been a part of a few things she has directed and found that she left just enough room for me to explore my character and make choices but also provided the perfect amount of structure and guidance. Vanna’s directing style allows for the actors to play in an efficient and effective manner. She is an extremely organized individual who is very passionate about what she does and that is very prevalent in her work.
Ryann McClure
​Actress
  • Vanna is a delight to work with! I had her as an assistant director for a show I was acting in. She takes great care of her actors and is very focused and dedicated to the work. I hope I get more opportunities to work with her in the future!
​Emily Norris
Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors
  • Vanna is an amazing SM. She is reliable, trustworthy, smart, and notably, has a great sense of humor. She is very valuable, as she anticipates issues and challenges, and is a proactive problem-solver, making it easy for the creative team to focus on creative tasks, rather than SM issues. Also, she has great interpersonal skills. You cannot go wrong by hiring Vanna for your important project. 
​Kerri Kochanski 
Writer/Producer
  • Vanna Richardson is everything you want in a stage manager: intelligent, organized, detail oriented, and professional. I had the great pleasure of working with her on a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Vanna was a team player in every sense and made rehearsals and performances run smoothly. She has an amazing ability to make sure all the technical elements of the show are taken care of while still allowing room for the creative work to flow. She is dependable, hard working, and completely the type of wonderful person you want to spend production weeks with. I highly recommend her.
Tom Slot
Artistic Director of Original Binding Productions
  • Vanna is a stellar stage manager. She is coolheaded throughout all situations, pays attention to the smallest details, and lends an ear to the creative process when needed. I loved working with her on Pancakes/Cigarettes at Dixon Place. I'd work with her time and time again.
Rebecca Cunningham
Director/ Executive Producer and Host of Girl Tales Podcast
  • Vanna has one of the most valuable skills a stage manager can develop: she sees what is needed to be done for both the director and the production and adapts how she works based on that. She has the perfect balance of high professional work ethic and great personal character.  She has continued to make both my artistic and personal life better since our first conversation.
Sarah M. Chichester
New York Theatre Director and Playwright/ Costumer Designer at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts
  • Vanna is a very detail oriented person. She carefully listens and carries out the task as it is needed and has been asked for. She’s one of those rare people who, once given a job, you can relax about its outcome.

  • Her attention to detail instills a sense of confidence in the actors and the crews. The actors know that what they need from the technical side of the production will be there when called for and the crews relax because they feel they have a strong person leading them. I’ve witnessed a number of occasions where she has maintained a calm head while facing a storm. Vanna is not one prone to ego outbursts or temperamental scenes.

  • Ms. Richardson is one of those young people who pass through a company and leave a solid mark.

 Patric McWilliams 
 Artistic Director, River City Repertory Theatre
  • The strongest aspect of my remembrances of Vanna was her dedication and dependability. She was always committed to do the very best in any situation in which she was assigned. She consistently brought a high level to every task and didn’t settle for something being just “alright.” Vanna always displayed a passion for things to be accomplished in a professional manner. 

 Robert Buseick (1932-2018)
Former Chairman of the Board, River City Repertory Theatre
  • As a director, it is an honor and a privilege to have access to what we lovingly refer to as  "The Full Vanna Renee Richardson Experience."  This woman is a paragon of organization.  Her attention to detail is unrivaled.  Rarely, during the course of the show, would I have a concern or a note that needed to be addressed, because Vanna had already taken care to arrange solutions to any foreseeable problem.  Vanna went above and beyond the call of stage management, successfully herding sixty 7th and 8th graders (along with their accompanying parents) in two productions at Southfield school.  If a stage manager's job is to "do the heavy lifting" and handle the details so that the director can dedicate as much energy as possible to the creative aspects of the production, then Vanna is the exemplum of said title.  There will never be a way to fully capture in words "The Full Vanna Renee Richardson Experience" --one must buy the ticket and take the ride. The only drawback is that it will be impossible to find a stage manager as solid, dependable, capable, and supportive as she.

Courtney Loggins
Director
  • She constantly brought to the department an attitude of professionalism beyond her years.  When assigned a task she needed no further prodding to be sure she accomplishes the assignment.  What a wonderful work ethic she brings.

Don Hooper
Professor of Theatre and Dance, Centenary College Of Louisiana
  • Vanna has built a reputation for herself as a hard-working, no-nonsense, ball of energy in the Shreveport theatre community. 

  • …the go-to gal for quality stage management. In addition to being able to get the job done and done right, she is a pleasure to work with.  She is quick to laugh and communicates well with a wide variety of personalities. 

  • She is of the highest character and I have no hesitations about her integrity, honesty, and level of responsibility in all areas of life. As an aspiring director and producer, I will not hesitate to hire Vanna as a stage manager in the future.  You should hire her now. 

Charity Schubert
Actress and Director
  • Vanna was my stage manager multiple times between 2006-2012. Though we were just in an undergrad program, Vanna approached her position with an unprecedented level of professionalism - well-organized, assertive, and passionate about her work. I recall being impressed with Vanna’s ability to handle conflict particularly well. She made it a priority to foster personal yet appropriate relationships with the cast and crew, and remains a good friend to this day.​
Lizzy Drexler 
Friend/Social Media Influencer
Vanna Richardson
vannarenee1@gmail.com