You Start When the Queen Is Ready and the Vibes Are Right

Stage manager and sequin catcher Caitie Murphy has built a career that sparkles across theatre, opera, and the vibrant, high-energy world of drag — where no two shows are ever the same and, as she puts it, “you start when the queen is ready and the vibes are right.”

In the latest episode of Whispers in the Wings, Caitie joins host Joshua Broadbent for a chat that dives deep into the artistry and unpredictability of live performance. With a background in both music and theatre, Caitie shares how her love of creativity and structure led her to stage management — and how those skills eventually brought her into the world of drag.

“I was a regular at a local drag cabaret,” Caitie laughs. “The bartenders would see me walk in and say, ‘Caitie’s here, get her a lemonade.’ Eventually the queens started asking if I could help with their shows. One thing led to another, and suddenly I was the stage manager in a world held together with gaff tape and prayer.”

Working in drag, she explains, is all about instinct, adaptability, and reading the room. “It’s not like a traditional theatre where the curtain rises at seven. You start when the queen’s ready, when the audience is ready, when the energy is right.”

Caitie also opens up about the challenges of working in nightlife spaces and the importance of safety and boundaries in live performance environments. “I love the drag community — it’s creative, wild, and welcoming, but it can also be unpredictable. You have to know your boundaries and protect yourself. That’s part of being a good stage manager — keeping the show, and yourself, safe.”

From calling operas sung in Wadawurrung to lighting cues for glitter-covered queens, Caitie’s story is a reminder that great stage management is equal parts precision, empathy, and show-stopping flair.