From Center Stage to Command Center: How A Woodside Alum Discovered The Career That Keeps Broadway Running
- webmaster84636
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
In 2005, Woodside High School opened the doors of its brand-new Performing Arts Center, and Heather Losey was there to help christen the stage. As part of the inaugural musical revue, she poured her heart into The Wizard and I from Wicked, a performance that captured both her love of theater and her boundless ambition. Like so many students in the WHS Drama Program, Heather embraced every production with passion, guided and inspired by the wisdom of longtime drama teacher Barry Woodruff. What she didn’t yet know was that these experiences would become the foundation for a future on Broadway—not under the spotlight, but in the extraordinary world behind the curtain, where theater magic quietly comes to life.
Discovering the Role She Never Knew Existed
“I thought for sure I’d be a director,” Heather reflects. “Watching Barry run a production made me want to be at the helm, shaping the vision.” That passion took her to UCLA, where she entered the theater program with her sights set on directing. But one unexpected email would change her trajectory forever. The Los Angeles sit-down company of Wicked was seeking a company management intern. Heather applied, got the role, and within weeks, discovered the career she never knew she was looking for. “It clicked immediately,” she says. “I realized I could still be in the theater, still connected to the cast and crew, but also lean into my strengths—organization, problem-solving, and people.”
For those unfamiliar, company managers are the unsung heroes of Broadway. They are the “boots on the ground,” serving as the extension of the producer while working daily in the theater. From payroll and contracts to supporting cast members in everything from HR to health emergencies, they make sure productions run smoothly both on stage and behind the scenes.
Shaping Theater Magic Behind the Scenes
Heather’s career has spanned some of the biggest productions in theater, from Jersey Boys on tour to her most recent role as Associate Company Manager for Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. This fall, she’ll step into a brand-new role as Associate General Manager of Special Projects and Production Finance with Disney Theatrical Group—a move that allows her to expand her impact across multiple shows.
Looking back, Heather credits the WHS Drama Program not only with igniting her love for theater but also with giving her the confidence to explore new directions. “What Barry created was more than a class—it was a place to be yourself, to take risks, and to discover talents you didn’t even know you had. That gave me the courage to pivot when I realized my place in the arts wasn’t on stage, but supporting the people who make the magic happen.”
Her advice to today’s students?
Don’t worry if your path isn’t defined. “Careers in the arts aren’t always linear. You might start one place and end up somewhere you never imagined—and that’s okay. Give yourself the grace to explore, network, and lean into the opportunities that come your way.”
Why This Matters for Our Students
Heather’s story is proof that the performing arts world is vast and full of possibility. And sometimes, the most meaningful roles aren’t the ones in the spotlight, but the ones that make sure the spotlight shines bright.
Join the Legacy in Lights Campaign
Your support helps create more stories like Heather’s. When you give to Legacy in Lights, you’re not just funding costumes or sets—you’re helping students find the confidence to discover surprising new career paths within the creative arts.
