Kenedy Panosh: A Rising Star in Stage Management at Iowa State University
Kenedy Panosh, a senior in Performing Arts and Communication Studies at Iowa State University, has spent her college career making a name for herself behind the scenes. Hailing from Altoona, Iowa, Kenedy will graduate in December 2026, with a portfolio that already boasts an impressive array of stage management roles in the university’s theatre productions.
Balancing academics with a part-time job at Burgies North, Kenedy’s passion for theatre has been a constant driving force throughout her time at Iowa State. "My favorite thing about my experience at Iowa State is how much I've gotten to grow," she reflects. "I've gotten to take chances I wouldn't have been able to imagine, like stage managing an operetta for the first time and getting to share that work at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)."
Kenedy’s journey in stage management began with assisting in two productions, but she soon stepped into leadership, taking the reins as stage manager for three notable shows: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Die Fledermaus, and Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner. Her exceptional work on the latter earned her a certificate of merit at the recent KCACTF regional festival, a testament to her growing expertise.
Beyond Iowa State's productions, Kenedy also made her mark with Story Theater Company, stage managing Finding Nemo JR, with a cast of 39 children. Her ability to juggle multiple moving parts and keep everything running smoothly has made her a key player in the university’s theatre department.
“I’ve always loved theatre,” Kenedy says. “It has been a consistent source of joy since I was in middle school. I knew I wanted to take part in putting together the shows that brought people joy, and the Department of Music and Theatre here at Iowa State felt like the place I could make that happen!”
Kenedy’s advice to prospective students is simple but profound: “If you think you might be interested in something in theater, try it! I never would have guessed that stage management was for me if I hadn’t taken the chance and reached out to see how I could get involved in my first semester here. Ask questions, dive in head first. You never know what'll happen!”
As she prepares for graduation, Kenedy's future in theatre looks bright, with many more stages and productions awaiting her as she continues to grow in the craft she loves.