Faces of 4Wall - Michael Mutascio

Next up in our Faces of 4Wall series is Michael Mutascio, Assistant Operations Manager at our Boston location. With more than a decade of experience and a passion for all things entertainment, from theater and haunted attractions, Michael brings creativity, kindness, and a deep love for the craft to every project. In this Q&A, we get a glimpse into his journey, lessons learned, and the unique mindset that keeps him grounded and moving forward in a fast-paced industry.

What's your name and title?
Michael Mutascio: Assistant Operations Manager

What 4Wall location do you work at, and how long have you been with the company?
Boston, going on 12 years...I think? It's kind of a blur at this point!

What was your "aha!" moment that made you realize this was the industry for you?
I grew up doing theatre, and then I was out in L.A. going to film school and working on some of the back lots. I don't know if I'd say I had an "aha" moment as much as I just always knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry in some aspect.

Describe your career path within this industry.
Once I moved back to Boston and got a job at 4Wall, I entered as a shop tech. From there I worked my way into the shop foreman position and then stepped into the assistant operations manager. Outside of 4Wall I went from starting a few not-for-profit theatre companies to opening up my own haunted attraction. originally as a fundraiser for the mentioned non-profits and then spinning that out into it's own business. I like to have my hands in different aspects of the entertainment world.

When you explain your job and/or this industry to family members who have no idea what it is, how do you do it?
We are everything except the eye of the hurricane. We are the storm before the calm, and the aftermath of the devastation when it's all said and done.

What's one thing people think is easy about your job-but in reality, it's way harder?
Thankfully, I don't know if anybody thinks my job is actually easy. so N/A I guess?

If you could trade jobs with one person at 4Wall for a day, who would it be and why?
That's a tough question. Perhaps Eric Meagher, so I could go to different locations and compare their SOPs to ours in Boston. See if they're doing something that could help improve our lives here or vice versa. I don't know if one day would be enough to switch into any position, but it would be a position I could benefit from in some way.

What's your secret weapon on a long, hectic day?
Kindness. Everyone is having a hard day, and if I can be their calm during it, we can both get through whatever we need to in an amicable way.

What's a project you worked on that made you the proudest?
Creating a successful band in my youth, that allowed me to tour and play with friends for an elongated timeframe, starting theatre companies that continued after I left, bringing arts to different communities, turning my parents home haunt into a thriving business that became a tradition for other families throughout the year.

What's a piece of industry advice that sounded like nonsense when you first heard it but turned out to be absolutely true?
Nothing is set in stone. Clients will always client and you have to roll with those punches.

Are there any life hacks at your job that would surprise people?
I can't give you all the tricks!

Technology in our industry is constantly evolving-how do you stay on top of what's new?
Just need to find the time to plug in and play.

What's a skill you've developed on this job that you never expected to need?
I've always been good at multi-tasking. But this job brought it to a new level.

If you could go back in time and give "Day One You" a piece of advice about this job, or life in general, what would it be?
Trust yourself.

What's one career goal you're working toward right now?
Constant continued knowledge and advancement.

What's the best part of working at 4Wall?
The next show.

Describe your job in three emojis.
😤 😬 ☕

What's your go-to karaoke song after a long event?
Can't take my eyes off of you by Frankie Valli.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure snack on the job?
I actually don't eat on the job. It's a mental block so that I won't need to use a restroom. I know, awkward!

If your work life had a theme song, what would it be?
The pirates of the Caribbean theme song.

What's the last song that you listened to?
The Mark, Tom and Travis show - Blink182 live CD.