Today’s subject Matthew Gardiner is a prime example of someone living their theatre life to the fullest. While he has directed and choreographed all over town and in Korea as well, by far the bulk of his career has been working at Signature Theatre. Since coming there in 2004, Matthew has either choreographed and or directed some of Signature’s most memorable productions while also serving as the company’s Associate Artistic Director since 2011.

Sometimes a young artist makes a big impression on an ornery arts reviewer first time out of the box. Today’s subject Adelina Mitchell did just that to me and my wife a few years ago. More on that later on in the column. Now you can see her incredible talents for yourselves from the comfort of your own home Constellation Theatre Company’s streaming presentation of The Last Five Years. The production is available from June 22nd through July 11th.

Debbie Allen is one of those arts types that simply doesn’t fit into one category. I think it is safe to say she is an all-around goddess of the arts. Her list of achievements includes being directed by Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins, directing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway, choreographing the Oscars, being an executive producer and actress on the long running Grey’s Anatomy, and running a dance academy that bears her name.

Today’s subject Beth Hylton is currently living her theatre life performing on your TVs and computer screens as the sole performer in Round House Theatre’s latest streaming production of Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up. The show is available for viewing through June 13th.

You most likely know today’s subject Erin Driscoll Gardiner as a superb performer. Some of her most memorable performances over the years include the title role in Violet and Cinderella in Into the Woods at Ford’s Theatre, many productions at Signature Theatre including a Helen Hayes Award winning performance as Hope Cladwell in Urinetown, and of course her solo cabarets where her angelic voice always rings like a band of angels.

Today’s subject Lileana Blain-Cruz is currently living her theatre life as the director of Signature Theatre’s latest Signature Features streaming offering entitled Daniel J.Watts’ The Jam: Only Child. The show recounts Watts’ life as the only child of a single mother. From the fierce growing pains of boyhood innocence to the awkwardness of teenage years to a proud Black man, Daniel digs through his memory’s attic in a powerful and playful story of metamorphosis. The production is available for streaming through May seventh on Marquee TV.

Throughout this pandemic, theatre companies have found some creative ways to keep staff members employed. Today’s subject Jenn Sheetz is one of those fortunate artists that is living her theatre life as the Properties Manager at Arena Stage. She has held that position for the past three seasons after twelve seasons as Properties Director at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. She began her theatrical career at Arena Stage, working as a Properties Assistant for nine seasons in the Kreeger Theatre. She has also designed properties for Norwegian Cruise Line (Rock of Ages, Legally Blonde, Million Dollar Quartet), Comedy Central, and Showtime.

Today’s subject Emily Skinner is currently living her theatre life in your living rooms as part of Signature Theatre’s streaming presentation of Simply Sondheim. The production is available through March 26th. Over the years, Emily has wowed audiences on Broadway and throughout the country. You might remember her past Signature greatness from her performances in Dirty Blonde, Ace, and The Witches of Eastwick.

Today’s subject Richard W. Kidwell has been living his theatre life in DC theatre professionally since1966. He has been the Theatre Manager at the Opera House at Kennedy Center since it’s very first performance back in 1971 which makes him one of if not the longest running employees working in the DC theatre scene.

For the past fourteen years DC Theatre Scene has been the place to go locally to find out what’s what in the DC theatre community. Its Publisher and Editor Lorraine Treanor recently announced the site would stop publishing fresh content on December 31st and, with that, the DMV loses its liveliest local theatre site.

My fellow theatregoers! Ever since this pandemic began, we have been asking when and if will live theatre return to the DC area. I am happy to report that the answer is a resounding YES and it is going to happen sooner than you maybe thought it would.

Renée Fleming's long and distinguished career includes performing in some of the world's most famous opera houses, performing on Broadway, and being heard on many recordings singing everything from arias to showtunes. Tonight Ms. Fleming will add another honor to her canon as she and Vanessa Williams will become the first artists to perform a live indoor concert onstage at Kennedy Center's Opera House. The evening is entitled A Time to Sing: An Evening with Renée Fleming and Vanessa Williams. While the audience will be very minimal in person, you can watch the concert in your very own living room by purchasing a ticket for the livestream. Click here for details.

On September 16th, Arena Stage will unveil it's latest socially relevant docudrama. The 51st State will feature the work of several playwrights including today's subject Otis Cortez Ramsey-Zöe.

Today's subject was kind enough to give me an hour of his time in the balcony of the place he lived his theatre life for almost 40 years.  I'm sure there isn't a person here in DC who would argue that Howard Shalwitz was one of the most influential minds in the DC theatre community as the Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Under Shalwitz, Woolly Mammoth produced some of the most thought provoking, wild, and sometimes shocking pieces of theatre this area has ever seen. Shalwitz stepped down in 2018 and the company is now run by Maria Manuela Goyanes. Mr. Shalwitz remains as Artistic Director Emeritus.

Today's subject Jennifer Elizabeth Smith is currently living her theatre life touring the country in Bandstand in which she portrays the lead character of Julia Trojan. The show plays here is DC at the National Theatre from March 3rd through 8th.

Today's subject Marva Hicks is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre in the World Premiere Musical Gun & Powder. The production runs through February 23rd in Signature's MAX Theatre space. You'll be able to see my review of the show on Broadway World soon. Trust me it will be worth the wait.

Today's column starts with some questions for you my fellow readers. Have you ever thought about how theatres get audiences to attend their productions? Generally the first thing you might see after a season is announced is what's known as a press release for each individual production. Have you ever wondered who puts out that information?

Today's subject Justin Weaks is currently living his theatre life onstage at Studio Theatre where he plays Omari Joseph in the company's current production of Pipeline. The production runs through February 23rd in Studio's Mead Theatre space.

Today's subject John Bell is currently living his theatre life as the musical director for the Bartlett Sher directed touring production of My Fair Lady which plays in the Opera House at the Kennedy Center now through January 19th.

Today's subject Corey Greenan is currently living his theatre life in a show he is very familiar with. He portrays Tommy DeVito in the current National Tour of Jersey Boys. Read on to see how many performances of the show he has under his belt. The show is currently playing at the National Theatre and will continue there through Jan 5 2020.

Today's subject Ted Sperling is very well represented this holiday season here in DC. He is the Musical Director/New Orchestrator for Fiddler on the Roof which plays through December 15th at the National Theatre. Beginning December 17th his work as Musical Supervisor can be heard on My Fair Lady at Kennedy Center. That show runs through Jan 19th.

Today's subject Diana Huey is currently living her Theatre Life at Studio Theatre where she is giving a shattering (literally) performance as Built Suttikul in White Pearl. The production runs through December 15th.

Today's subject Jenn Rapp is making the holiday season all the more magical as the Associate Director (AD) of the international magic extravaganza The Illusionists. The show begins a DC return engagement this evening December 3rd at the National Theatre. It will play there through December 8th.

Today's subject Chris Clark is currently living his theatre life in a big way. He is making his national tour debut in the Jimmy Buffet extravaganza Escape to Margaritaville. The tour plays here in DC through October 13th at the National Theatre.

Today's subject Matt Torney is currently the Associate Artistic Director of Studio Theatre. Their excellent current production of Doubt: A Parable is helmed by Torney and plays through October 6th in Studio's Metheny space.