Acquavella Shaping Generations of Stage Managers: American Theatre

Performing Arts Senior Stage and Production Manager-in-Residence Deb Acquavella was one of six Boston theatre workers recently highlighted by American Theatre.

Numerous Emerson College alumni spoke about how important Acquavella was to them and the theater industry.

Stage manager Lilian McGrail ’20 wanted to “…ensure Acquavella received the credit she deserved for teaching a generation of Boston stage managers.”

“Deb is the unsung hero of performing arts at Emerson College,” said former student Carleigh Allen ’22, who is currently serving as company manager for the North American tour of Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty Sided Tavern. “She has shaped countless stage managers who have continued to work in the Boston area, while also working herself. She is the epitome of what a kind, empathetic leader is and continues to teach that year after year.”

Ryan Kane ’19, who is serving as assistant stage manager on the Broadway production of Oh, Mary! said Acquavella’s “…leadership, kindness, and intuition are unparalleled in this industry.”

Acquavella’s resume includes being a Production Stage Manager on Broadway, off-Broadway and regionally for many years.  On Broadway, she was Production Stage Manager for the year-long run of the Tony Award-winning Metamorphoses; stage manager of Master Harold… and the boys, starring Danny Glover; and stage manager of Jane Eyre, The Musical, directed by John Caird.

While Acquavella continues to educate Emersonians, she recently closed Stan Lai’s A Dream Like a Dream 如夢之夢 at MIT Theater, and will be production stage managing Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s production of Kevin Kling: Unraveled (Jan. 21-Feb. 8, 2026). She is also looking forward to upcoming events with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops.