BWW News: Theatre Life Turns One Year Old

One year ago today, I went from writing for a local theatre site to writing for the largest worldwide theatre site. One year ago today, Theatre Life made its debut here on Broadway World's DC page with a profile of scenic designer Paige Hathaway.

Yesterday we profiled actress Kimberly Gilbert so with that there have now been 65 installments during the column's first year.

I didn't know if the area could take another interview column since pretty much every publication has one. I thought this column needed something to make it stand out from the rest and I think it does in a couple of ways.

First, the column is called Theatre Life so it's an overview of the featured subject. We feature early career photos whenever possible to give the reader an idea of how these artists got started.

Secondly, it takes a small village to make these interviews happen. It struck me that no other columns acknowledge the people that helped make an interview come together. There is generally a publicist or manager that helps me - or any other column author - connect with the interviewee. Since day one, I have acknowledged the folks that help me bring each interview to fruition at the bottom of the column.

I always believe that theatre is meant to educate as well as entertain. I hope that by reading this column you learn something about each subject while also being entertained by what they have to say.

Over the past year Theatre Life has featured scenic designers, musicians, orchestrators, prop designers, production managers, directors, and (of course) performers. I firmly believe that featuring individuals working in all departments gives the reader a broader sense of how a show comes together.

Of the many columns from the past year, here are just a few of my favorites.

I need to include one with the Washington Post's chief theatre critic Peter Marks. It's not often you get the most powerful man in DC theatre to interview for another publication.

When Ford's Theatre produced Ragtime this past spring, I thought it would be interesting to talk with the music department for the production. Orchestrator Kim Scharnberg and musical director Christopher Youstra gave a firsthand account of how the score was reimagined while keeping to the writer's original intention.

I always enjoy interviewing local performers. Over this past year, I interviewed such local luminaries as Stephen F. Schmidt, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Ed Gero, Paige Hernandez. and a plethora of others.

But perhaps one of my favorite columns would have to be a profile I did on one Jennifer Perry. While she does not work in the arts for a living, she is very well connected to them. She is the assignment coordinator for Broadway World's DC page and, oh yes, for the past seven plus years I have been happily married to her. A little nepotism is ok once in a while.

Lastly, I felt that Theatre Life needed a logo that would grab the reader's attention and Kevin Laughon rose to the challenge to create one. For our second year he improved on his original design. The logo is now animated.

I must thank the following people for making Theatre Life as successful as it is.

To every one of the interviewees that gave of their time, you are the reason this column exists and thrives.

To every publicist in town that helped me secure these interviews, the biggest thank you ever.

Without readership there is no reason for Theatre Life to exist so a huge note of thanks to all of you that have supported this column during its first year. If I created something that you enjoy reading, then I've done my job properly.

Many thanks to the head of Broadway World Rob Diamond, past regional editor Christina Mancuso, and current regional editor Alan Henry for their support throughout the year.

Continue to live your theatre lives to the fullest and here's to another great year. Cheers!!

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