Production Portfolio

Building Experiences From Script to Reality

Ian Mason

Antistrophe to an Andro-Sapphic Tragedy

Theater Maker

Financial Director

Artist

Working as a local theatre producer involves keeping a tight calendar and active communication. Juggling rehearsal and performance space rentals, insurance procurement, hiring of performers, and managing technical timelines requires a well color-coded google calendar. A missed deadline spells chaos for production.

Working as a performer means mastering a myriad of trades. All the photos and videos seen in this portfolio were taken by Ian or are taken of Ian. He's choreographed stunt/violence for shows utilizing his circus background, his reels were self edited, he's worked as a lighting electrician, and, of course, he's performed across stages in Chicago from small storefronts to the Lyric Opera.

Financial Director

As Financial Director of Couch Penny Ensemble, Ian began with the responsibilities of incorporating the company as a 501(c)3 and writing company policies and bylaws. Today, Ian manages the company CRM, organizes the grants pipeline, and oversees all accounting and financial documentation including budgets and 990 reports.

Fully funded staged reading through the Independent Productions Initiative in 2025

Current fundraiser, The Exquisite Corpse Festival, co-produced and organized

Spreadsheets, data, documents, policies, and all that necessary stuff

Timeline

Project accepted into MN Fringe Fest and Ian was brought on to co-produce

Auditions are held, cast hired, spaces booked, travel organized, rehearsals held

A Chicago premiere is organized at the Rivendell Theatre before going to Minnesota

Both shows go on successfully with positive reviews!

"I will be thinking about this production for a long time. It is both excellent and exactly the kind of boundary-pushing theatre you want to see at Fringe."

Vee S.

Background artwork by: Ian Mason