New Video from THE AVENUE!

Enjoy the BRAND NEW demo video from The Avenue from Jerry Bruno Productions!



Thanks so much to Eddie Tomecko and the whole gang at AV Works!

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program - Pt. 6

Hope you enjoy the latest episode of "STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program"! Pt. 6 - "The Wild Party" finally opens!

PART 5 OF MY DOCUMENTARY SERIES "STAGES- STORIES FROM THE BW MUSIC THEATER PROGRAM"

Enjoy Part 5 - In this episode we go to Music Theater Workshop class with the program's newest students as freshman tell their life stories through special exercises. Also we peek into the rehearsal process of "The Wild Party".

Click here to see all the "STAGES" episodes!

This documentary series follows the stories of the students and teachers of the acclaimed Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre Program led by Victoria Bussert. Produced by theater artist and documentarian Geoffrey Short, STAGES gives viewers unprecedented access to this exclusive program that draws the very best talent from around the country to this small private college in Berea, Ohio (just southwest of Cleveland). Graduates of this program often go on to careers on Broadway. Learn more about Baldwin-Wallace College at www.bw.edu. See other theater video documentary series from Geoff Short at www.youtube.com/CallBackCleveland.

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program - Pt. 4

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program - Pt. 4: "The Wild Party" auditions are over and casting deliberations begin. Be there among the students to share their reactions from the customary midnight posting of the casting results. Plus a special presidential reception for the MT students with BW President Richard Durst and his view of why the music theater program at Baldwin-Wallace is so special.

This documentary series follows the stories of the students and teachers of the acclaimed Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre Program led by Victoria Bussert. Produced by theater artist and documentarian Geoffrey Short, STAGES gives viewers unprecedented access to this exclusive program that draws the very best talent from around the country to this small private college in Berea, Ohio (just southwest of Cleveland). Graduates of this program often go on to careers on Broadway. Learn more about Baldwin-Wallace College at www.bw.edu. See other theater video documentary series from Geoff Short at www.youtube.com/CallBackCleveland.

PART 3!! "STAGES" - Check it Out!

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program!

In this episode, auditions and call-backs wrap up for the Baldwin-Wallace College production of Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party"

PART 2 OF "STAGES"!

Here is part 2 of "STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program"

In this episode, go behind the scenes of auditions for BW's Fall musical Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party". In the BW Music Theater program, where every opportunity is a teaching opportunity, an audition can be so much more than just a tryout.

Welcome to my new video documentary series "STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program"!

I'm always so grateful when anyone takes the time to watch my "Call-Back" videos documenting the process of producing live theater. I'm even more grateful when someone notices and hires me to do more of it! That was the case earlier this year when Vicky Bussert, the head of the Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theater program asked me to produce a brand new series for them that we call "STAGES:Stories from the BW Music Theater Program ".

The "STAGES" series follows the stories of the students and teachers of the acclaimed Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre Program led by Victoria Bussert. Produced by theater artist and documentarian Geoffrey Short, STAGES gives viewers unprecedented access to this exclusive program that draws the very best talent from around the country to this small private college in Berea, Ohio (just southwest of Cleveland). Graduates of this program often go on to careers on Broadway. Learn more about Baldwin-Wallace College at www.bw.edu. See other theater video documentary series from Geoff Short at www.youtube.com/CallBackCleveland.

A new episode will be posted to YouTube every Friday. I will post them here as well.

Here's episode 1. In this first episode, the MT students from freshman to seniors meet for the first time as a complete group. They learn some about some of the philosophies of the program from its teachers and they learn some interesting things about each other as well.

Why Video Should be Center Stage in Theatre Marketing

One of the biggest selling points TV Ad Sales reps use (I certainly did during all the years I sold TV) is the ability for a visual medium like TV to convey the sight, sound, motion and E-motion of a particular product, service or event. For me personally, there is not a more thrilling visual medium than live theatre. Next to actually being in the theatre when the magic is happening, the best way to describe and re-create the thrill of live theatre is with video. I always wonder, then, why so many community theatres still rely solely on still production photos, press releases or static program ads to try to generate revenue and interest in their productions. True, video photography and editing is a skill that takes time (and in some cases considerable money) to become proficient at and a poorly produced video can backfire and reinforce the "amateur" stereotype of community theatre. But modern technology and pricing is steadily breaking down barriers to producing intriguing videos for your theatre and other businesses. "Duct Tape Marketing" Author John Jantsch recently wrote about this in his blog entry Making Video an Everyday Marketing Activity.

Video marketing should be an important part of every theatre's marketing mix. Here are just a couple of the reasons why:

Sales - When I go on a sales call for a theatre, I have to realize that the person I'm presenting to may not be a fan of live theatre at all. My first job is to convince them that the resource I'm providing - my audience, and their eyes and ears - can help improve THEIR business, not mine. But I also need to convey the excitement of live performance. This is where video comes in. I will often bring either a projector or just my laptop and show them edited video montages of recent productions or behind the scenes documentaries of the shows we're doing. It's also a good idea to provide some sort of brief performance as well. I have often performed a song from a musical or had our outreach performing group do a brief presentation. That is, after all, what we do. The key is EXCITEMENT! Let's turn them on!

Also, producing short commercials for a client and showing them on screens in the lobby or in the theatre before each performance can be a valuable element in a sponsorship package. Many advertisers may already have TV or cable spots produced in which case , it becomes as easy as editing their spot in a pre-show reel of other video messages. And there's no reason why sponsors should have all the fun. I have produced many video messages for our theatre itself to promote our seasons - previews of upcoming shows, welcoming messages from staff, etc. But again, quality is the key here, no one wants to be represented by schlock.

By the way, including samples of these video marketing efforts in grant applications can go a long way in describing the type of work your theatre does and your efforts in raising revenue to support it.

Audience Building - I started "Call-Back" because I was looking for a way to creatively raise awareness of a show that I was Directing that is not very widely known - the musical "Violet". Frankly I was inspired by reality TV. A documentary series about Boxing of all things. I could care less about Boxing, but the documentary was interesting. The actual Boxing match the series was building up to wasn't as interesting as the stories behind the scenes. In the voyeuristic society in which we now live, the same can be said of any business or endeavor- including theatre (though I hope not). I thought if reality TV shows could be produced about crab fishing, families with litters of kids and boxing, why not theatre? I mean, if ever there was drama behind the scenes of drama - theatre would be the place! And people did notice "VioletBlog" as it was originally called. And now 5 years later or so "Call-Back"is still going strong and often goes a long way to help generate buzz about shows and contribute to ticket sales.

Directing, Lighting,Costuming and Choreography - One of the things I notice as I edit hours of video for a particular show I may be working on is that it's like I'm still in rehearsal in front of my computer screen. Editing video sort of forces me to continue to examine the staging and the movement of the action on stage. I catch things I might not in the heat of the moment of a live rehearsal and I often bring in my computer to share those things with the cast at the next rehearsal to make adjustments. I have found this very helpful and costumers, lighting designers and choreographers can benefit from this as well. Even if you don't ever plan on editing video for any other presentation, I would recommend video taping rehearsals as much as possible.

Cast Bonding - An interesting phenomenon happens when I first engage my casts to stand in front of a camera and talk. At first they are very self conscious and even shy (yes...shy stage performers!). But when they see how that footage can be creatively edited into a fun segment that really is a slice of their lives in rehearsal, they suddenly start to own the process and soon are anxious to create new segments. The cast of "Violet" started to wear funny costumes and create hilarious little segments in character- all of which makes great video. But more importantly, the cast becomes closer in doing this. They see each other on local cable TV and on line and start to feel good about the buzz their show is generating and that people are taking notice. Their friends and families have seen these entertaining and interesting previews and are asking them how to get tickets and they really start to take pride and ownership of the production. These videos give them something cool to refer people to when asked about the latest show they're working on. Check out the latest segment of "Call-Back" - Call-Back: Oklahoma Pt.4: The Top Ten- featuring my cast from "Oklahoma" doing their Top 10 List of Reasons to be in Oklahoma - I think reason #1 says it all!

So get the cameras rolling and hopefully the money and audiences will be too!

New "Oklahoma!" Vids on Call-Back!

The Latest two Episodes of "Call-Back" featuring Oklahoma! Cast perspectives on the show and interviews with Choreographer Alex Tepe and Music Director Kira Seaton. Be sure and check out the cast's "Top Ten List" in Pt.4!!

New "Oklahoma!" Vids!

The first new episodes taking a look behind the scenes of the 2009 Huntington Playhouse production that I'm directing this Summer! Visit www.oklahoma.8k.com for more info!

Preview of Cassidy Theatre's "Frog and Toad"

A preview of the Cassidy Theatre production of "Frog and Toad" with Director Sarah Clare.

City of Angels on "Call-Back"- Episode 4

"Call-Back" continues its look behind the scenes of the Brecksville Theater on the Square Production of City of Angels with this fourth and final City of Angels episode. Enjoy!

Episode 3 of City of Angels on Call-Back

Episode 2 of City of Angels on "Call-Back"

"Call-Back" continues its look behind the scenes of the Brecksville Theater on the Square Production of City of Angels with Episode 2. Enjoy!

New Video! City of Angels on Call-Back!

You can tell I'm in the middle of directing a show because I haven't been able to blog lately. But I did want to share the latest Call-Back episode featuring City of Angels, the musical I'm currently in rehearsals for.


This has been a phenomenal cast and crew to work with. Just the nicest, most professional group in a long time. And I love the people at Brecksville Theater on the Square. Also a sweet bunch of folks who know what they're doing, know how to engage volunteers and know how to work together to put shows on the stage. Other theaters could really learn from the BTOTS model.

With a month to go until opening, this is when things really get interesting...we move from our rehearsal space into the actual theater next week and to have an entire month on stage is a luxury not commonly afforded. It has been my experience sometimes, however, that that move can also bring challenges.

All of us performers can be divas at times. After weeks of rehearsing in a certain space with a certain understanding of the specifics of the set and props, etc., it can be challenging to have to suddenly make a few adjustments around the reality of what the actual space and set are like. I'm a big believer in giving the cast as much information and ammunition about what the actual performance environment will be like from the very first read-thru. We use rehearsal props and set pieces, tape the floor with the specifications of the stage, rehearse scene changes. But it is inevitable that things always will be slightly different when the actual set is built. This is why it's so great to have a full month to adjust to the space and the set and also why it's so important to have a mature, professional and flexible cast.

Making adjustments to reality is not a problem for the aforementioned mature, professional and FLEXIBLE actor. Big problem for the diva. I've been in situations where the complaints and whining from cast members started almost immediately after stepping on the actual performance stage. I've seen the actors with the panicked look in their eye swearing none of their blocking will work because there are 4 steps instead of 3 or whatever. I've said it to casts before and I will again- don't bring me problems, bring me solutions. If you let yourself enjoy the challenge of it, finding those solutions is the fun part of producing a show. I choose to work with the people I do because they are brilliant, creative performers and yes - problem solvers. Yes, the director is the leader of the project and needs to approve changes or ideas, but we also need great problem solvers around us. Great ideas don't come from just one person and if an idea will make things smoother or better - no matter where it comes from - give it to me! I love it when someone says "I was thinking about it and I wondered if it would work better to have me come in from stage left instead of stage right because now that the actual chair is sitting there it's in the way" as opposed to "I don't know how I'm ever going to make my entrance here with this chair in the way".

Think about that in your own work environment. Isn't it true with just about any job?

A Video Preview of "ASSASSINS"

A look at the Berea Grindstone Players' Production of "ASSASSINS" Onstage now at The Cassidy Theatre through October 18th!

ASSASSINS Promo Featuring Leon Czolgosz

Rob Starek as Leon Czolgosz
www.assassinsshow.8k.com

ASSASSINS Promo Featuring Sarah Jane Moore

Kim Bush as Sarah Jane Moore
www.assasinsshow.8k.com

ASSASSINS Promo Featuring Squeaky Fromme

Holly Facer as Squeaky Fromme

www.assassinsshow.8k.com

ASSASSINS Promo Featuring Giuseppe Zangara

Trey Gilpin as Giuseppe Zangara
www.assassinsshow.8k.com