Behind the scenes of The Grinch with local stage manager
Ashley Pupo is stage management fellow at Children's Theatre Company
Roseville resident Ashley Pupo is working backstage to make all the magic happen in Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas, opening this week at Children's Theatre Company.
Pupo is a stage management fellow at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis for the 2025-2026 season. She works alongside other stage managers to keep everyone organized, on schedule, and equipped to create a strong show together.
"The stage manager is essentially the keystone to the entire production. We are the central hub for all things communications and all knowledge of the show itself, from prep week all the way through closing, Pupo said in an interview.
Whether it's sharpening pencils or organizing props, helping with lines or running errands, ensuring the cast and crew are comfortable and the production is run efficiently is all part of a stage manager's job.
"Being a stage manager is an extremely fulfilling role because you get to have essentially everyone's back and you get to support the production in a way that . . . everybody has what they need," Pupo said.
For example, before the cast is rehearsing on the stage with a set, stage managers put up photos on the walls showing what the set and costumes will look like, to help get the actors in the right frame of mind. This also helps them to think through their movements and blocking on the stage.
During performances, Pupo can be found backstage or up in the booth with a handheld radio or a headset for communicating with the rest of the crew.
Pupo moved to Minnesota specifically for this job after working at a nonprofit theater in Miami and then a touring gig based in Orlando with VSTAR and Cirque du Soleil. Pupo toured with a Paw Patrol show for about a year and a half. A friend she made on the production was from Minnesota.
"She was like, listen—Minnesota has a really wonderful theater scene. And the quality of life is also really great, so you should consider moving here," Pupo said. So she did. She ended up settling in Roseville, renting a house with her friend.
"Roseville is a really wonderful city. Everything is in close range. And Minnesota itself is also a really beautiful state. I'm really excited to keep learning more and exploring more about the city," Pupo said. "And the theater scene has been really, really wonderful."
In the process of moving, Pupo applied for and was hired as a stage management fellow with Children's Theatre Company. She is now a member of Local 13, a stage employees union.
The Musical Production
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the musical, was first commissioned by Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis in 1994, inspired by the picture book. In addition to running in Minneapolis, the show has performed on Broadway and in theaters around the country.
"It has been a wonderful experience coming into a production that is thoroughly established. And a great majority of the cast has been with the show for five plus years. They have been extremely kind in acknowledging that there are a few new members too," Pupo said.
Director Dean Holt told the cast and crew that because there are new people making the show, they will be creating a new version of The Grinch, as a result of their collaboration. There are no obvious changes from the beloved show of years past, Pupo said, but the creative act of making a show like this with a group of people means there are little personalized touches and nuances to the production that are unique every year.
The Grinch has stood the test of time, first introduced to children in Dr. Suess's picture book in 1957 and then in the animated short film in 1966. There have been several adaptations since.
Pupo watched the CTC production last year and said it felt like a "big warm hug" from the music, to the set, to the energy from the cast. And the show's themes of love, family, and kindness reach across generations and different backgrounds.
"It's a wonderful moment to just really dive into the Christmas spirit or just the spirit of friendship," Pupo said.
The show has a lot of heartfelt moments in addition to its laugh-out-loud comedy. Some of the songs are fun and upbeat while others are more soulful ballads. While it's a great show for children and families, Pupo says it's worth seeing without kids too.
"It makes me feel grateful, you know? We're alive and we're able to see art and we're able to move and to sing and to dance," Pupo said. "I think the show really highlights all of the best parts about being human."
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis opens this week and runs through January 4, 2026. Tickets are still available.
Disclosure: This article was independently reported and not part of a paid promotion. However, the Roseville Reader was given two press tickets to a matinee production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
