From Not Knowing to Running the Show: Sarabeth Ellis’ Path into Event Production

Some conversations feel less like an interview and more like a reminder of why this industry is so much fun to be part of.

This was one of those.

On a recent episode of the podcast, we sat down with Sarabeth Ellis, an event producer intern at James Madison University. What stood out right away wasn’t just what she’s doing today, but how quickly it all came together once she found it.

Because, like a lot of people in live event production, she didn’t grow up planning for this.

She just said yes at the right time.

A Simple Start That Changed Everything

Sarabeth came into college undecided, exploring different paths without a clear direction. That changed during a class discussion when her professor asked if anyone was interested in sports production.

She raised her hand.

Not because she fully understood what it meant, but because it sounded interesting.

That moment led to a classmate sharing a job opportunity. Shortly after, she found herself walking into a control room for the first time, surrounded by monitors, switchers and more buttons than she knew what to do with.

“I walked in and thought, I have no idea what any of this is.”

It’s a feeling that’s familiar to a lot of people the first time they step behind the scenes. But instead of backing away, she leaned into it.

Someone told her they would teach her. That was enough to get started.

Learning the Entire Show

Sarabeth began as a replay operator, getting comfortable with the role and the rhythm of live production. But she didn’t stay in one spot for long.

With encouragement from her team, she started moving into other positions. Camera operation. Show Control. Directing. Eventually, producing.

That willingness to step into different roles gave her something more than just experience. It gave her context.

You could hear it in the way she talked about it.

“I just kept getting more pieces of the puzzle.”

That mindset is what makes a difference in this space. The more you understand how each role connects, the better you become in your own. Communication improves. Decision-making gets sharper. The entire show starts to make more sense.

The Energy of Live Production

At some point, it stopped being something new and started becoming something she genuinely loved.

For Sarabeth, that came from the pace and the environment.

“It’s fast-paced, it’s a lot of teamwork and it almost feels like playing a sport.”

That comparison came up a few times, and it fits. There’s a rhythm to live production. Everyone has a role. Everyone is working toward the same moment. When everything comes together, you feel it.

Whether it’s a game tipoff, a big replay moment or the final seconds of a show, there’s an energy that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.

Seeing the Game Differently

One of the more relatable parts of the conversation was how her perspective has changed as she’s spent more time in production.

Watching sports isn’t the same anymore.

“I can’t watch it like a normal person now. I’m always thinking about what’s happening behind the scenes.”

It’s something we see all the time. Once you understand how the show is built, you start noticing everything. Camera choices. Graphics. Timing. Split-second decisions being made.

It adds a new layer to the experience, even if the people sitting next to you might not always appreciate the commentary.

From Working Shows to Building Them

Her current internship has taken things a step further.

Before, she was part of the crew executing the show. Now, she’s involved in creating it from the ground up.

Planning content. Writing scripts. Coordinating with marketing and communications. Testing and refining everything before game day.

“It went from being one piece of the puzzle to the whole puzzle.”

That shift is where things really start to click for a lot of people in this industry. You begin to see how all the moving parts come together long before the event actually starts.

And when it’s done well, most people in the venue never realize how much work went into it.

Growth Comes from Saying Yes

One of the moments that stood out was when Sarabeth talked about applying for her current role.

She reached out to her mentor for honest feedback, fully prepared to hear that she might not be ready yet.

Instead, she was encouraged to go for it.

That doesn’t happen without putting yourself out there first. Trying new roles. Taking on challenges. Being willing to step into situations that feel uncertain.

“I’m constantly doing new things, and it can be scary, but it’s a good thing.”

That mindset has carried her from not knowing what event production was to building a career in it.

A Simple Takeaway

If there’s one thing that comes through clearly in Sarabeth’s story:

You don’t need to have everything figured out to get started.

“I would just say try anything and everything.”

That approach is what opened the door for her. And it’s what continues to create new opportunities.

Why This Matters

In an industry that’s constantly evolving, stories like this are a good reminder of how people actually get here.

Not through a perfectly planned path, but through curiosity, opportunity and a willingness to try something new.

Sarabeth’s journey is still just getting started, but it already reflects something we see across live event production every day.

The best way to find your place in it is to step in, learn as much as you can and keep saying yes to what comes next.