JOHN GRÜBER (he/him, CHICAGO FLYHOUSE) is the automation project manager for The Chicago Flyhouse, Inc, focusing on project logistics and performer flying. John has been leading stage management teams with Teatro ZinZanni-Chicago (reopened July 2021), Dragone/FiveCurrents Productions (world premiere in Wuxi, China 2019), Fuerza Bruta (Las Vegas), and Rail Events Productions on The Polar Express Train Ride (Chicago production). He previously was the general stage manager for Cirque du Soleil’s productions of JOYÀ (in Riviera Maya, Mexico), Michael Jackson ONE (premiered in May 2013), and ZUMANITY. He also served as production manager for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in 2009, and on management staffs at the Illinois and Utah Shakespearean Festivals, The Goodman Theatre, Oberlin Dance Collective, and Opera Australia. 

John has a bachelor of arts in theatre from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a master of fine arts in stage management from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program. He has also had the pleasure of being a professional mentor for ten years (2014-17, 2020-25) with USITT’s Stage Management Mentoring Project.