I'm rooting for it too. Pushing new boundaries is exciting. I like rethinking and reinventing the art form.
As Ken says, if Spiderman succeeds it could put a lot of people to work and bring many more people to the theatre. Could be a spectacular success or a spectacular failure - either way, both are spectacular!!
I trust the genius of Julie Taymor and I like what she said in the preview piece about Spiderman on 60 Minutes last weekend: "I like it when people say 'that's a terrible idea'"!
I'm sure the Wright brothers heard the same thing. And now, all these years later, you can get groped for free at any airport TSA checkpoint! Genius.
If they won't come to the theatre, bring the theatre to them!
I've always thought that finding creative ways of merging live theatre and video can be a cool way to raise awareness of plays and musicals. Check out one of my previous posts Why Video Should Be Center Stage in Theatre Marketing. Obviously there are a lot of people smarter than me who think so, otherwise we would never have seen motion picture versions of musicals. And speaking of movie musicals, isn't it ironic that some people will pay good money to go to a movie theatre to see a film version of a play or musical while seats remain empty at local productions often producing the same works? But I digress...
In the never-ending quest for theatres to maintain and build audiences, I've been experimenting with the concept of streaming video of live performances over the internet. I was really excited recently when I was successfully able to test out an internet broadcast using UStream, a free online service . The show was the Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre's senior class production of "Edges", a contemporary song cycle.
It was fairly easy to set up a show page for "STAGES", the video series I produce for the BW Music Theatre Program and I figured out how to add cool on-screen graphic elements like logos and links throughout the program. So with a single video camera,my computer and an audio mixer, we were on the air! We had a few glitches...the internet signal wasn't great in the theatre and the program crashed once....but after restarting some things, everything worked pretty weel for the rest of the show. UStream even lets you record your program as you broadcast so you can replay it later or embed the video in other sites:
Obviously the biggest challenge with broadcasting theatre are the licensing issues that prohibit the videotaping or broadcasting of most theatre works. "Edges" was the perfect project for this experiment because it wasn't a scripted piece, but a very interactive, in-concert presentation of songs by composers known to the Director. Audience members were encouraged to text and tweet the cast during the show to tell the cast what they would like them to do. I even texted one cast member to come up and say hello to the camera at some point during the show and sure enough, he did!
But the point is, we're on to something...this particular night was about erasing traditional boundaries of producing theater.....the house lights remained up so the cast could see the audience who were communicating with them in real time. We were texting, tweeting, broadcasting live on the internet and - oh, yeah - singing the living shit out of some wonderful new music!
But for me the coolest part of the experiment was hearing from relatives of the students on stage from all around the country who now had the chance to share in the experience and were communicating with the cast in real time right on stage. Really an incredible experience. Especially the cast member's brother in the military, stationed out of town who got to see his brother on stage.
In response to recent national news stories of bullying and a rash of tragic suicides by young gay people, Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre students and teachers took time out of rehearsal for "Rent" to share personal stories and offer hope to anyone who is hurting...and desperate.
The 2010-2011 school year begins! Meet the new freshman class and some new faces on the teaching team too as students begin preparations for auditions for BW's Fall productions of "Rent" and "La Boheme"!
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 (www.geoffreyshort.com), 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.
The Avenue from Jerry Bruno Productions kept the dance floor full all night long at another great wedding reception! This time the Lisa Grandinetti/Jason Swoger Wedding!
August 28, 2010 Walden Inn - Aurora, Ohio Geoff Short- Vocals Tiffany Marchak - Vocals Leigh Peterson - Vocals Bob Kessler - Bass Ray Porello,Jr.- Drums Joe Blues - Guitar L.R. Smith- Keyboards Chris Vollstadt - Sax/EWI Shawn Delaney - Sound
The Avenue from Jerry Bruno Productions entertained at the beautifully elegant wedding of Kim and Grace Lee. Great to work with Genevieve Nisly Photography and Amy Hissa with At Last Event Planning! Geoff Short - Vocals Leigh Peterson - Vocals Tiffany Marchak- Vocals L.R. Smith - Keyboards Bob Kessler -Bass Ray Porello, Jr.- Drums Joe Blues - Guitar Chris Vollstadt - Sax, EWI B.J. Bishop - Trombone Nate Heath - Trumpet Shawn Delaney - Sound
Video Preview of the FPAC presentation of "HONK! Jr." Produced By Geoff Short
HONK! Jr.
Honk Jr. will be performed for one weekend at the Mayfield Village Civic Center on Thursday, July 29 at 7:30pm, Friday, July 30 at 7:30pm, Saturday, July 31 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, August 1 at 2:00pm.
Book & Lyrics by Anthony Drewe Music by George Stiles Based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling
Director / Choreographer - Sarah Clare Music Director - Brad Wyner Assistant Director - Eric Fancher Set & Lighting Design -- Ben Needham Costume Design - Craig Tucker Sound Design - Carlton Guc Stage Manager - Sarah Lynn Nicholas
Honk! Jr. is a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, The Ugly Duckling.
Part 2 Takes a look at the production as rehearsals heat up and Opening Night quickly approaches. We also get a look at some of the things that make Near West Theatre so unique including activities the cast participates in to get a better understanding of the context of "Rent" - like discussion groups with community member effected by addiction and AIDS.
RENT - SCHOOL EDITION Near West Theatre -www.nearwesttheatre.org Directed by Bob Navis,Jr. Choreographed by Stephanie Morrison-Hrbek Asst. Music Direction by Jordan Cooper
July 23, 24, 29, 30, 31,August 6, 7 & 8 Thurs., Fri. & Sat. @ 7:30 pm, Sun. @ 3:00 pm Tickets: $8 Adults, $6 Children (12 & under) Performance Location: St. Patrick's Club Building 3606 Bridge Ave.- 3rd Fl.
Part 1 focuses on the unique audition process at Near West Theatre designed to break down walls and inspire auditioners from all walks of life at all skill levels to find their artistic voices. Includes insight from Artistic Director Bob Navis, Jr. and Executive Director Stephanie Morrison-Hrbek.
Book by John Caird Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Based on a concept by Charles Lisanby
Director - Fred Sternfeld** Music Director - David Williams Choreographer - Bebe Weinberg Katz Set & Lighting Design -- Ben Needham Costume Design - Craig Tucker Sound Design - Carlton Guc Associate Director, Associate Choreographer, Associate Music Director and Stage Manager -- Sean Szaller* Assistant Stage Managers - Sean Cahill, Mandy Arent Production Assistant - Jamie Benetto
THE SEASON FINALE....All preparations are over and it's showtime for the Class of 2010 Showcase in New York City. Go behind the scenes and see how things turn out for this amazing class of new Broadway stars. Includes insight from BW alumni currently starring in Broadway smash hits like, "Hair", "A Little Night Music" and Best Musical Tony Winner "Memphis"!
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 (www.geoffreyshort.com), 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.
Check out these amazing performances from the agent showcase by the Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theater Class of 2010. I shot these videos live from The York Theatre in New York City.
The Avenue was honored to be the entertainment at the beautiful Wedding of Joel Carney and Lauren Cecconi at Brookside Country Club in Canton on June 5th, 2010:
STAGES Part 16: The Road to Broadway....this episode looks at preparations for the class of 2010 Showcase for casting agents in New York City. Go with the class to the Big Apple and see how Broadway stars are made!
In honor of Mother's Day and my mom, Linda, just sharing some thoughts from my Director's Note from the program for "Gypsy":
I dedicate this production to my mother Linda Short.Like so many strong and amazing women - including Mama Rose - she was a single mom raising two kids, my younger brother and me.When I think of Rose, it’s not the image of her as the epitome of a manic stage mother who won’t let anything – including her daughters’ happiness – get in the way of her dream of fame and fortune that I think of. I’ve always identified with Gypsy as simply the story of an extraordinary single mom doing whatever she thinks is necessary for her and her kids to survive. Just like my mom.And just like the extraordinary performer playing Rose in this production, Monica Olejko, the first and only person I wanted to play the part from the very beginning. It’s only now that I’m a parent of two daughters myself, that I can truly appreciate the fact that the sheer fear these incredible women - and so many others like them -must have felt while wondering where the next meal was going to come from, was tempered only by the pride, determination and strength to overcome it.It’s easy to judge an iconic character like Rose as being selfish and overbearing.Indeed, it may be a vast understatement to say the real-life mother of Gypsy Rose Lee - Rose Thompson Hovick -was, at times colorful, unusual and disturbing.But no one can doubt the love she had for her kids and the lengths she would go to to protect them.And no one who knows my family can doubt my mom has always been the same way.And when she sees this production I hope she knows that there is no doubt that the feeling is mutual.
This production wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of our creative team – Music Director Georgiann Bodle, Choreographer Katie Kocik, Costumer David Glowe, Stage Manager Annmarie Steffes, Scenic Artist Michael Lenzo, Props Managers Mary Ann Hippsley and Judy Pekarik and the entire BTOTS team, Scott McPherson, Don Albainy, Hadden Hippsley, Michelle Albainy, Kim Bush and Pam Ciccarello.Thank you.
I am in awe of the talent and dedication of this cast and crew.Love and thanks to you all.But most of all, love and thanks to my family Lisa (another incredible mom) and my girls Mikey and Bailey…and of course to Mom.I love you.
CLICK HERE for the Sun News review of "Gypsy"! It's a hit!! Shows sold out this weekend!!!
(from left to right: Jeanette Luli as "Electra", Kim Bush as "Tessie Tura" and Heather Hersh as "Mazeppa" in "Gypsy" at Brecksville Theater on the Square. Photo by Geoff Short)
My mind is truly blown to have been featured in this amazing article that was the lead story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Arts Section on Sunday April 25th about community theater and our production of "Gypsy"!
http://geoffreyshort.com/Geoff_Short/Gypsy.html Reserve your tickets now by calling 440•526•6436 Book by Arthur Laurents Music By Jule Styne Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Suggested by memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee DIRECTED BY GEOFFREY SHORT MUSICAL DIRECTION BY GEORGIANN BODLE CHOREOGRAPHY BY KATIE KOCIK COSTUMES BY DAVID GLOWE
A preview look at the upcoming Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory production of "Eat (It's Not About Food)" by Linda Daugherty and Directed by Fred Sternfeld.
EAT (Its Not About Food) is a humorous and poignant look at the dangerous and baffling world of eating disorders and our societys obsession with food, appearance and body image.
The play candidly explores causes and warning signs, and takes a hard look at the influences of society and the media. The play tells individual stories of teens and adults struggling with this epidemic and too often tragic problem.
As one (Blue) Door closes, another opens...and so another theater adventure begins as my next directing project begins. This time it's the musical "Gypsy" at Brecksville Theater on the Square (BTOTS). I love this historic theater because it's a smallspace which forces you to be very creative with staging. I prefer smaller casts anyhow and we will have 20 people in this cast. We've gotten through auditions and the cast is amazing, starring the only person I could envision in this role- the incomparable Monica Olejko as Rose. Meet the cast at: http://geoffreyshort.com/Geoff_Short/Gypsy_CAST.html
GYPSY APRIL 30TH-MAY 16TH, 2010 Reserve your tickets now by calling (440) 526-6436 440•526•6436440•526•6436
Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Jule Styne Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Suggested by memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee
DIRECTED BY GEOFFREY SHORT MUSICAL DIRECTION BY GEORGIANN BODLE CHOREOGRAPHY BY KIM BUSH COSTUMES BY DAVID GLOWE
STARRINGMONICA OLEJKO AS ROSE
with ROB GIBB as Herbie
BRIDGET CHEBO as Louise KATIE O'CONNOR as June TIA KARAPLIS as Baby Louise EMILY TABAR as Baby June KIM BUSH as Tessie Tura HEATHER HERSH as Mazeppa JEANETTE LULI as Electra SHANE SINISCALCHI as Tulsa LUKE SCATTERGOOD as L.A. DEBBIE LENARZ as Angie NICK ROYAK as Yonkers THERESA PEDONE as Marjorie May/Miss Cratchitt BOB KENDERES as Pop/Goldstone/Cigar MICHAEL PITT as Jocko/Weber/Kringlein/Pastey JOEY STEFANKO as Young Tulsa JORDAN STEFANKO as Young Yonkers MEGHAN JOYCE as Young Angie CAROLINA MANFREDI as Young Yonkers
STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program - Pt. 13: Broadway star and Baldwin-Wallace Music Theater Graduate Steel Burkhardt (currently starring in "HAIR" on Broadway) comes back to campus for a visit with current MT students.
Thanks so much to everyone at Dobama Theater for the wonderful experience of "Blue Door". We closed the show last weekend and doing a show like this can be a really life changing experience. I learned so much from our Director Scott Plate and from my amazing co-star Rod Ingram, a performer over 20 years my junior but one taught me so much about depending on just one other actor on a stage. Of course we couldn't have done any of it without our incredible Stage Manager Sarah Nicholas - our "3rd cast member"! This truly was the most challenging theater experience of my life and one I'm definitely so grateful for.
STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program - Pt. 12: A look at the Call-Backs for the Spring musical "Chess", including observations about the show from Conservatory Director Peter Landgren.
STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program - Pt. 11: "Breaking the Fourth Wall: Performing Off-Campus". In this episode, go on the road with BW music theater students as they perform at venues outside of Baldwin-Wallace, including a benefit for a local community theater and a play Directed by Asst. Professor & Dept.Chair Scott Plate.
Check out this week's new episode of STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater ProgramPt. 10... "Making a Buck" ...Baldwin-Wallace Music Theater students have lives offstage too. This look at a not-so-typical day and working night of one of those students shows that students work just as hard outside the theater.
Episode 9 of STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Programis a look at the Senior Class workshop production of the new musical "See Rock City" by Adam Mathias and Brad Alexander. Each Fall the Senior Class presents full staging of a new work in workshop form. This year's project "See Rock City" was a National Alliance for Music Theater (N.A.M.T.) winner. BW is a member of N.A.M.T. and "See Rock City" examines different relationships using the themes of traveling to various vacation destinations.
