Alumni Spotlight: Lights, Camera, Action!

Headshot of UWM Alumni Sarah Grubb

Sarah Grubb I Theatre: Production, BFA

Sarah Grubb, currently the Managing Director at Grubb Productions LLC, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the world of production and event management. She has held many significant roles, such as the Head of Production for the Special Olympics USA Games, US Operations Director for The Creative Engagement Group, Technical Director for MC3, and an Operations Director for major events. Sarah’s outstanding contributions have been recognized with several shows she worked on earning Emmy Awards, further solidifying her expertise in the field.  

Educational Journey and Career Path 

Driven by her love for theatre, Sarah was inspired to pursue a BFA in Theatre Production at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts. Her passion for being involved behind the scenes led her to reflect, “I always wanted to do theatre. In fact, I assumed I would audition for UWM’s acting program, but it didn’t take too long for me to realize that I preferred being backstage.”  

Impactful Classes and Faculty 

When asked about her most impactful experience at UWM, Sarah acknowledged the significant contributions of her teachers, specifically Sandra Strawn and Chris Guse. “I honestly enjoyed all of my teachers at UWM. But I would say that both Sandra Strawn and Chris Guse impacted my success in a big way. They were always encouraging me to aim higher, and I felt it gave me a great understanding of why a strong work ethic is crucial. Chris actually taught a class called Verbal Aikido that I still think was one of the most valuable classes I ever took. It was about how to communicate better in a collaborative theatre setting. I absolutely loved this class!”  

Advice to Students

Offering advice to current and future students at UWM, Sarah emphasized the value of hard work, initiative, teamwork, and genuine passion for one’s craft. She stressed the need to prepare for increasing challenges as one progresses in their career. “I would say it is very important to work hard. You will be forever employable if you show initiative, get along well with others and enjoy what you do. But be prepared as the more you move up, the harder you have to work! But every show I have ever worked on, all of the hard work paid off when I experienced the end result.”

In addition to her role as Managing Director, Sarah also contributes as a writer to TheatreArtLife.com, sharing her expertise and experiences with a wide audience. One notable article that she wrote offers advice to students aspiring to pursue similar professions and can be found here. In this piece, Sarah dives into the intricacies of her journey, providing valuable perspectives and guidance for those seeking to make their mark in the industry.

Connect with Sarah

To learn more about Sarah and explore her artistic endeavors, please visit her website. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.