Coffee with...Maggie Spanuello
- Lauren Acord
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
"Coffee With..." is a blog brought to you by The Forge. Every month, we sit down for a coffee chat with industry professionals who are doing cool things in the world of film. Whether they're behind the camera or in front of it, these individuals bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and inspiring stories from the heart of the entertainment industry.
Today, we sit down for coffee with Maggie Spanuello, Manager of Drunk Shakespeare Chicago and the Manager of The Lion Theatre.
What is your morning drink of choice? Matcha? Tea in your favorite mug? Iced Coffee? Smoothie with kale? Do tell!
I have gone full Nespresso Queen at my home. My favorite pod is the VIVIDA and any seasonal flavor they come out with. My dad collected handmade pottery mugs for years and I have inherited most of them. They are the coziest and I love to drink out of them!
What is a resource you wish you had when you first started out in this industry?
A Mentor! After a couple of years in Chicago, I found strong mentors in Dana Black, Ann Filmer, and Briana Fahey, and all three of them were integral to my growth as a career director in Chicago.
Is there a specific film, or moment in film history that you feel especially connected to? What inspired you to pursue a career in film?
Musical Theatre in general was what pulled me into a career in the arts. It is my favorite kind of storytelling. It's honest and grounded, it's filled with spectacle, it has the opportunity for so many WOW moments, and it is a celebration of so many things that the human body is capable of. Without music theatre, I don't think I would have found my way into this profession. Music Theatre can carry so many different stories.
What is your favorite advice to give actors?
Create a list of your "fans." These can be your friends and family who support you in your work. This can be a casting director that keeps calling you in, even if they've never cast you. Keep notes and emails that have made you smile. Jot down a supportive text. Put it somewhere where you can pull it out and revisit it whenever you are feeling next to hopeless. Your journey will never match anyone else's exactly, and there are more people who believe in you than you think.
Want to work with Maggie? Schedule a Virtual Coaching with her today!
We want to hear from you, too
Do you have a burning question or a topic you'd love us to cover in an upcoming interview? Leave a comment below, and we’ll take your ideas into consideration for the next Coffee With... chat. Who knows? You might just get to ask the question next!