About Elsbeth M. Collins

About

Life as an opportunity for learning.

I was born in New York City, grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, and was educated at St. Paul’s School and Princeton University. I’ve had a fulfilling career, first as a professional stage manager primarily in Los Angeles but with stints in New York and Dubrovnik. In addition, I relished nearly two decades at USC as a professor and production manager for close to four hundred student productions. Through this rich career, I’ve had the privilege of working with both professionals and students, and value all time with both populations. I view life as an opportunity for learning, honing curiosity and passion for everything, including the theater. In this time of increasing uncertainty and the rise of Artificial Intelligence, I recognize the power of live human interaction in the theatrical process, either as an artist creating theater, or as a supporter of live events and theatrical institutions.

In my personal life, I’ve experienced a full and loving marriage, the experience of mothering a spectacular son, and the sorrows and grief accompanying the loss of a spouse, a mother and two step-mothers. I’ve experienced and survived cancer. It is perhaps this last experience that galvanized me to make choices that matter in my remaining time on life’s stage. I try to say Yes to life every day. If only as an antidote to FOMO.

Art appreciator, Author, Activist, Avid theater-goer, Cancer Survivor, Hiker, Reader, Stage and Production manager, Traveler, Writer, Volunteer, Creator of (as I’ve entitled my webpage) lifeinthethe8tre.com. Welcome to this newly revised site, where I’m hoping to share unique and universal perspectives on professional and personal endeavors. I invite you to begin and continue a conversation about why theater and art matter in the world.