MADISON CONRAD

If you ask Broadway Rose Operations Manager Madison Conrad what a typical day looks like, don’t expect a straightforward answer. “Do you want my day yesterday, today, or three weeks ago?” she laughs. “Because you’ll get drastically different answers.” That unpredictability is exactly what makes her job so essential.

A Tigard native, Madison grew up just up the road from Broadway Rose. Instead of heading downtown for theatre, her family came to shows in their own backyard. In fact, long before she joined the staff, Broadway Rose was the site of her Broadway themed sweet sixteen party. “I’ve grown up with this company,” she says. “It’s always been part of my life.”

Her connection to Broadway Rose deepened in high school when Broadway Rose co-founder and Managing Director Dan Murphy became her director and mentor. At the time, Madison dreamed of performing professionally, and like many theatre kids, had her sights set squarely on New York City. “When I was a teenager, all I wanted was to get to New York,” she says. “I went to sleep every night with postcards of New York above my bed.”

With encouragement from Dan–who wrote many of her college recommendation letters–Madison pursued theatre studies first in Illinois and later at Wagner College in New York where she earned a degree in arts administration. Along the way, she worked with Off-Broadway companies, spent time in the programming department at the famed cabaret venue 54 Below, and even toured across North America as Executive Assistant to Countess Luann de Lesseps of The Real Housewives of New York City. (Sharp-eyed fans can even spot Madison in three episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City.)

But even while building a career in New York, Madison’s connection to Broadway Rose remained strong. Before moving east, she completed an internship at Broadway Rose, serving on the running crew of West Side Story and helping build scenery for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Years later, Madison received an unexpected phone call from Dan about a newly created executive administrator position. Today, she has traded New York skyscrapers for something arguably even more unpredictable: keeping Broadway Rose running.

As operations manager, Madison oversees a dizzying array of responsibilities. On any given day she might be reviewing contracts, coordinating artist travel, tracking financials, arranging facility repairs, processing payroll information, or troubleshooting an unexpected building issue. “If it’s not operating, then I’m not managing,” she says. “But if there’s not very much to do, then I’ve done my job right.”

Much of her work happens behind the scenes. She manages contracts for performers, directors, musicians, designers, and crew members–each with their own unique schedules, payment structures, and requirements. She also works closely with Accounting Associate Jennifer Simon to ensure the organization’s day-to-day operations run smoothly.

And then there are the surprises: a leaking ceiling, a mold issue, or a broken air conditioning system. “Sometimes there really isn’t anybody else to address the issue, she says. “So, you just figure it out.”

That mindset has led to some memorable moments. During last season’s production of Waitress, Madison was scheduled to serve as house manager when a backstage crew member unexpectedly called out sick. After delivering the pre-show curtain speech, she quickly changed clothes in the concessions closet and headed backstage to run deck crew for the performance–returning to do it all again for multiple shows.

“It’s a full outfit change,” she jokes. “I can’t wear my cute little heels backstage.”

As Broadway Rose prepares for the future, Madison is taking on increasing leadership responsibilities as Dan Murphy approaches retirement. For Madison, the transition carries special significance.

“Little Madison would have never dreamed of this,” she says. “This company means so much to me."

She describes stepping into Broadway Rose’s next chapter as both exciting and overwhelming–not only because she grew up attending productions here, but because she feels a deep responsibility to honor the mentor who helped launch her career.

“Dan gave me everything that I needed to get the education and career start that I wanted in New York. He set me up for success,” she says. “When I realized I wanted to put roots down in Oregon, Dan and Broadway Rose made that possible. Now it’s my turn to make him proud with this company that he built. He helped give me my dream and now it’s my turn to help keep his alive.”

Despite the challenges, Madison remains energized by the people around her. “We have such a strong team in every department,” she says. “Everyone is in the right position here.”

And while no two days are ever the same, one thing is certain: whether she’s negotiating contracts, booking artist travel, climbing onto the roof to investigate a leak, or helping shape Broadway Rose’s future, chances are Madison is already finding a way to make it work.