Alumnus Stephen Milosevich is celebrating this week with his fellow crew and cast of the Broadway musical “Fun Home.” The production took home five Tony Awards June 7, including best musical. Milosevich graduated in 2011 with a BFA in theatre for design, technology and stage management.

Milosevich started out as a production assistant during rehearsals. Since opening night, he has been the sub stage manager. He talked to Missouri State about his job on the production and his time as an MSU student.

Describe your job on “Fun Home.”

A sub stage manager fills in for a full-time stage manager who calls out sick, takes a personal day or goes on vacation. The sub will run the backstage deck track during the show.

What has been your favorite aspect of working on “Fun Home”?

My favorite aspect of working on this show is being a part of something that’s so one-of-a-kind on Broadway. It’s a coming-of-age story based on Alison Bechdel’s life. You will laugh; you will cry; you will think; and you will remember this special show.

What are the unique challenges that come with managing an “in-the-round” stage?

One of the most challenging parts of doing a show in the round is not having a large backstage area. Since the backstage isn’t big enough to store large scenery pieces, we have a total of six traps in the deck. These traps open up on the deck and a lift will bring up furniture pieces onto the stage level. These lifts are used often to execute transitions smoothly. As stage managers, it is our responsibility to make sure the actors are safe on stage while the traps are open and to make sure furniture is in the correct spike/position. There is a small margin of error which adds to the excitement.

How did Missouri State help you prepare for that job?

Missouri State quickly introduced me to the professional environment of stage management. We were given wonderful opportunities to stage manage high-caliber shows that helped prepare me for where I am today.

Is this your first time on an award-winning production?

I’ve worked on shows that won Obie’s, Lortel’s and Drama Desk awards, but this is the first show I’ve worked on that won a Tony Award for best musical.

When the awards were announced, what was your reaction? 

I felt very blessed and so unbelievably happy for every single deserving member on the team!

What advice would you have for MSU’s design, tech and stage management students?

Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to try something that you may feel you’re not qualified or prepared to do.

About the musical

“Fun Home” is a Broadway musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s bestselling, award-winning 2006 graphic novel “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.” It follows Alison, a 43-year-old graphic artist, as she looks back at various stages in her life trying to recreate moments between her and her dysfunctional family, especially her closeted father, as she reflects on her own journey as a lesbian.

“Fun Home” received a total of 12 total nominations at the 69th Annual Tony Awards on June 7 with five wins, including best musical, best performance by an actor in leading role in a musical, best direction of a musical, best book of a musical and best original score written for the theatre.