Young Chang One works for the Orange...

Young Chang

One works for the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa

Mesa.

Another works for the Philharmonic Society.

The last works for Opera Pacific.

But no, none of them work on stage.

They sit instead in air-conditioned offices in front of computers

for most of their days. They deal with spreadsheets and patron

relations and administrative behind-the-scenes tricks that make it

possible for the shows you know and love to land on stage.

They do what they should to pay the bills.

But by night, Eric Eisenberey, Andrew Ninaber and Jody J. Reeves

do what they want.

For Rude Guerrilla Theater Company’s production of “Truth and

Beauty” at The Empire Theater in Santa Ana, Ninaber is one of two

actors. Eisenberey directs him in the performance art show. Reeves

stage manages the whole deal.

“From sitting around all day, it’s nice to be more creative and

original at night,” said Eisenberey, 23.

Ninaber agreed, but took his opinion even further.

“The only reason I have a day job is ‘cause I have not yet found a

way to survive only in the theater,” said the artist relations

coordinator for Opera Pacific.

The long title means that Ninaber makes travel and housing

arrangements for visiting artists and makes sure they have what they

need.

Eisenberey is a marketing associate for the Center, which means he

figures out the previous day’s sales figures, makes and sends out

spreadsheets showing these numbers, helps close out advertising

aspects of shows and makes sure all the invoices and bills are coded

right and dropped in the right account.

Reeves is a patron services manager for the Philharmonic. She

sells tickets, handles major donors, takes care of everything that

has to do with patrons and how they’re serviced.

She doesn’t think her day job is all chore, though.

“It’s always teaching me new things,” the 28-year-old said. “The

main reason I went to look for a job in the arts industry was I

needed to have a full-time job and I wanted to be surrounded by an

environment I love.”

As stage manager for “Truth and Beauty,” a joint effort by

playwright and performance artist Ping Chong, Michael Rohd and

Jeffrey Rose, Reeves’ s responsibilities aren’t that different from

her job at the Philharmonic Society. She’s in charge of everything

from lighting cues to making sure the stage is ready before the

audience trickles in.

“My job at the Phil really helps me with the production aspect of

it,” she said. “I am able to be a part of how you book an event, all

the aspects behind the contracts, what’s supposed to be paid for and

the marketing aspect.”

Marketing guru Eisenberey got involved with “Truth and Beauty”

because he was attracted to the politics of the story and its take on

issues like consumerism and corporate control.

He hopes to one day act or direct full time. The UC Irvine

graduate, who has a degree in theater arts, might even move to New

York next year to make that dream come true.

“My main goal is to always be involved with the arts, whether it’s

on stage or off stage,” he said. “I think that’s why I enjoy working

here at the Performing Arts Center. Even though it’s business, I’m

still getting to work with the arts and promote [it.]”

Ninaber, who chose to work at Opera Pacific because he wanted to

be in the entertainment industry, said it’s common knowledge around

his workplace that he pursues acting and his true passions in his

free time.

“Half the people around here do, ironically,” said the

26-year-old.

Eisenberey’s colleagues have also seen his show at the Empire

Theater. But for this director-hopeful, working at the Center is more

than just his way of paying the bills.

“I want to stay in the arts,” he said. “If I don’t make it or if I

can’t purse the acting or directing career I’d probably pursue, I’d

do this... I’m just feeling out both sides of the game.”