Tanja Raaste
References for Tanja Raaste

Erik Ehn
Playwright,
Dean of Theatre School – California Institute of the Arts

Tanja is a scholar, writer and teacher of exceptional talent and soulful reason. Her academic training is deep, her commitment to her students is exemplary, and her sense of esthetic daring is inspiring. She has far-reaching intercultural experience; she is a seasoned internationalist. I got to know her when she was my student and teaching assistant at Cal Arts, and have had the good fortune to keep the dialogue alive over time. Her knowledge of the contemporary field is breathtaking, and her ability to judge what’s before her, no matter how new or unforeseen, is consistently empathetic, curious, generous, and accurate. She plans and manages a class with masterful grace. Students work hard for her.

I recommend her as a leader, enthusiastically.


Carol Bixler
Producer, REDCAT, Director of Design and Production and Head of Producing, CalArts School of Theater
Producing Director, Center for New Theater at CalArts

In her three years at CalArts, Tanja worked with increasing responsibility on the potpourri of impossible circumstances in which we create art. Her first assignment was a production of Charles L. Mee, Jr.'s adaptation of Trojan Women, which was performed on two floors and in two locations. She followed that with a Blood Wedding performed on a cantilevered set. In the first act the audience face the 80 degree-angled stage; in the second act, they were moved under it. Side issues to contend with included a strong movement-based approach to the material, a unique costume design closer to an installation than to clothing, and a repeatedly pesky problem with a leaking ceiling. This was her first year.

Subsequently, she spearheaded our production of Durrenmatt's The Visit, which featured a cast of 70. She dealt with company frustration (there is no play with 70 good parts), stage manager burn-out, and vastly complicated logistics. She then moved on to an opera project, directed by the wildly talented/somewhat complicated baritone John Duykers.

In all these projects, she was a phenomenal success. She has a rare gift for sussing out a situation and applying the appropriate solution -- from emotional succor to providing additional financial support to maintaining firm, but tactful limits on debate and dissension. She knows when to ask for help, and when to use her own judgment. She impressed all areas in contact with her, from administration to technical support.

She has a bright, shining future wherever she goes.


Janie Geiser
Director, The Cotsen Center for Puppetry and the Arts

It is without reservation that I recommend Tanja Raaste for work in the fields of producing and management. I have worked closely with Tanja on several professional theatrical projects, and have found her to be creative, extremely hardworking, responsible, and wonderful to work with. She is terrific in dealing with artists and audiences, with staff, and with the production team.

Tanja Raaste produced a series of three theater pieces over the course of two months here in Los Angeles, a collaboration between the Cotsen Center for Puppetry and the Arts at CalArts and the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles. The performances took place in a space adjacent to the Museum, which is not often used as a theatrical space. Tanja had to basically invent the entire box office system, manage all audience flow in and out of the theater, supervise the ushers, create the press releases and distribute them, as well as numerous other tasks. Each of the three works was presented in a different audience configuration, including one performance (Evidence of Floods, which I directed), which requires the audience to enter in groups of eight at a time. This required her to create an elaborate reservation system and also a system for the performances which could deal with constant arrivals and departures of audience over a three hour period. Everything went without a hitch.

Also, in my position on the faculty at CalArts, I have had the opportunity to observe Tanja’s work on a number of other projects, and speak to other artists and faculty about her work. She is very highly thought of in the community here. I think that you will be fortunate if you have the opportunity to work with Tanja Raaste. Again, I recommend Tanja Raaste very highly.


Dr Anne LeBaron
Composer of WET
Professor of Music Composition, California Institute of the Arts

Tanja Raaste worked as the producer and marketing specialist for the Los Angeles workshop performance of my opera, WET, during the spring of 2005. Her creativity, thoroughness, consistent follow-up, and direct approach to problem-solving ensured that our performance ran smoothly. Her early efforts on our behalf will be in evidence in the full production, slated for Dec. 1-3 at RedCat in Disney Hall. Tanja also organized an elegant fund-raising event following the workshop. Even though she was in the midst of moving from L.A. to London, she managed to oversee the fund-raising letter, the mailing, the venue requirements, and the catering details, all of which culminated in a successful and memorable event. Her strong organizational skills, enthusiastic attitude, and charming personality are valued qualities that will be in evidence to any employer who is fortunate enough to hire her.


Michael Franco
Producer / Writer / Director, Zoo District Theatre Company

Tanja Raaste was my producing partner on the award winning US Premiere of my adaptation of Bulgakov's Heart of a Dog, a show I also directed.
Working with her was one of the greatest pleasures of my professional career. She handled everything brilliantly from press to marketing to promotion to making sure we had audience for eleven sold out weeks. She allowed me to direct a great show and never worry that we we're missing a step somewhere. I hold her in the highest regard.


Istelle Petra
Artistic Director, ART Players

Tanja Raaste's diverse set of skills from budgeting to editing combined with meticulous organization make her into a vital asset to any production. She is the best producer The Shadow could have had. As a director I felt very well supported and taken care of.