Laura Zingle is a freelance stage manager based in San Diego, exploring the evolving nature of stage management across theater, music, dance, and live performance. With a career shaped by both traditional and nontraditional paths, her work focuses on adaptability, sustainability, and expanding what it means to build a life in this industry. She has worked across a wide range of productions and currently serves as a Resident Stage Manager for the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, while continuing to navigate the freelance landscape. Her experience spans union and non-union work, giving her a grounded perspective on the realities of 1099 and W2 employment, and the choices that come with each. Laura’s approach centers on redefining the role itself, encouraging stage managers to explore beyond a single lane and build careers that reflect both their skills and their curiosity. Her work highlights the importance of flexibility, resilience, and staying open to opportunities that don’t always fit a traditional mold. Her perspective is grounded in a belief that stage management is not a fixed identity, but a practice that evolves alongside the work and the person doing it.