Superstar Cast Photos!

Check out these killer photos of the amazing cast of Jesus Christ Superstar.  I'm directing it at Brecksville Theatre on the Square, opening March 8th, 2013! Here's a sample:

A Video Look at "Ragtime" at Near West Theatre

I am so proud to be a part of this amazing production of "Ragtime" at Near West Theatre.  I am playing Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and we open May 4th, 2012 and run for three weeks!  Don't miss it! Here is a video I produced looking at our production.

A Video Look at "Ragtime" at Near West Theatre

New Video: The Music Man at FPAC!

Here's the promo video I just finished for the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory production of "The Music Man"!

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theatre Program #25

In this episode the Titanic sails! Also tune into see some fascinating and unique auditions for Spring Awakening and Lizzie Borden that rock the B-W campus.

Check out My Latest Episode of "STAGES"! Year 3!

Season 3 begins by letting viewers sit in on student auditions for the Fall musical "Titanic" with insight from a couple experienced students. Director Scott Plate uses some auditions as valuable teaching moments for young performers. Then Scott takes us on a tour of the brand new conservatory building, but not before he and Program Director Vicky Bussert look at some of the funny inconveniences the music theatre department endured in their temporary home waiting for construction to be complete.

"Oliver!" at Near West Theatre

The latest promo I produced for the Near West Theatre Production of "Oliver!"

JBP's Geoff Contributing to Mobile Beat Online Magazine

Geoff Short of Jerry Bruno Productions is proud to be a new contributing blogger for Mobile Beat Magazine online. Mobile Beat is a leading DJ industry publication and Geoff will be writing various articles about relating to the DJ business periodically. Here is a Geoff's latest Mobile Beat Blog entry:

All the (DJ's) World is a Stage: Why DJs could learn Lighting Lessons from the Theatre

Like many DJs, I have a varied entertainment background. Being a well-rounded performer can only help a DJ be a more effective entertainer. In addition to being a DJ, I'm a singer and currently the Band Leader of a 10-piece wedding band, but I have also spent a lifetime performing in live musical theatre productions and have directed them as well. So it's not surprising that I often look at the profession - and, indeed, the art - of DJing through the lens of other performing art forms, especially theatre which naturally has a lot in common with DJing - rehearsal, public speaking, interaction with a live audience and technical elements including live sound reinforcement and of course, creative lighting.

Typical DJ gigs don't involve curtain calls, but a look at some of the basic ways lighting is used in live theatre productions might get us closer to a standing ovation at the end of the night.

I was just reading a thread on one of the seemingly infinite online DJ forums. This particular discussion caught my attention because it posed a question I've thought a lot about lately. Whether or not modern DJs actually need tons of state-of-the-art gear many of us seem obsessed with to be truly great entertainers. I am still fairly new to the mobile DJ scene so it feels like I still have an objective point of view about the DJ profession. I've been amazed at how much focus there has been in the mobile DJ community on gear that doesn't actually make any music - specifically lighting.

I have a theory. We dig toys.

Just kidding. I mean, we do, but I think there really is something a bit more noble at play here than just keeping up with the Joneses or the simple (but costly) over-accumulation of shiny things that blink and strobe.

Modern mobile DJs are recognizing that "extra-audio" equipment like lighting is an important - dare I suggest, vital ingredient in the recipe for engineering events that thrill special event guests and have new clients clamoring for similar bells and whistles. Great examples of this can be found in the art of live theatre.

I've trod the boards of community and professional theatre since I was a kid so the importance of lighting to any production is practically part of my DNA. The most effective DJs are, in fact, artists and performers very similar to actors. The wedding receptions, Bar Mitzvahs, School Dances and other special events that DJs host are actually all mini musical productions. DJs are recognizing what theatre artists have always known. The impact of artfully executed lighting designs can make or break a production.

Examine a few of the ways* lighting helps tell the stories of theatrical stage plays and musicals:

• Mood - Lights are the most effective way to set the mood or tone for a play or for any given scene. For instance, natural light can give a sense of normalcy, while the use of gels in dark greens or purples can give a scene an unsettling, otherwordly feel.


• Special Effects - Lighting can be used to execute a variety of stage directions and special effects. These can range from weather (lightning, snow, rain, clouds) to fire to the illusion of explosions or gunfire.


• Focus - The absence of light can also be a useful tool. By darkening certain portions of the stage, the remaining illuminated areas become focal points, thus directing the attention of the audience.

It's not a leap of faith to envision mobile DJs enjoying the same benefits in their own "theatres" like reception halls and ballrooms. A DJ's "scenes" are the songs he or she plays, balancing the romantic feel of a ballad with the thrill of the latest uptempo chart topper. The formal elements of the events we are charged with producing are also like scenes in a play. Shouldn't there be a different mood created for the bridal first dance than the garter toss? A pin spot or artfully placed par can can certainly put focus on the wedding cake or the head table. As far asspecial effects go, throw a couple Chauvet Intimidators onto a dance floor and a DJ's "production" is heading for a standing ovation and rave reviews.

The fact of the matter is that we are being called upon to create events that go beyond audio-centric experiences. Today's special event clients want more for their money so we must have the tools to give it to them. And it doesn't have to take multi-million dollar Broadway budgets. With a little creativity and an even smaller budget, I've managed to create some really cool effects using my Chauvet 4-Bar/4-Play combination system controlled with an Obey 10 controller along with a Mini 4-Bar light rig.

Speaking of Chauvet, that company's mission is built around the theory of "V.I.P" - Value, Innovation and Performance. I think successful contemporary DJs (and theatre artists) should focus on the same things. Creating value for clients and audiences, and being innovative in producing events culminating in well-rehearsed and flawlessly executed performances.

Of course more toys can't replace inherent talent and the ability to guide an event smoothly through it's timeline and entertain guests. Without raw talent, audiences could very well be watching a killer light show with a bomb of a performance. Nothing can replace talent and experience.

But kick-ass lighting can sure make it look better.
So take your bows.

*from Why Lighting Is Important to the Theatre by Tucker Cummings, E-How Contributor

STAGES #22: Passing Strange at Baldwin-Wallace

As we approach the 3rd season of "STAGES" with the new school year - here's a look back at the regional premiere of this amazing show! Stew drops in on rehearsal!

This episode takes a look behind the scenes of the regional premiere of "Passing Strange" produced by Baldwin-Wallace College and Playhouse Square.

Produced by Geoff Short (www.geoffreyshort.com)

Video Promo for "Big, The Musical" at FPAC!

My latest video promo! This one for Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory's production of "Big, The Musical"!

Video Promo by Geoff Short (www.geoffreyshort.com)

Fairmount Center for the Arts presents
"Big the Musical"
at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory
August 11-21, 2011

Book by John Weidman
Music by David Shire
Lyrics by Richard Maltby,Jr.

Based on the motion picture 'Big,' written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg
Produced by Twentieth Century Fox

Director - Carol Pribble (CP)
Music Director - John Krol
Choreographer - Bebe Weinberg Katz
Set Design - Ron Newell
Light Design - Ben Gantose
Sound Design - Carlton Guc
Costume Design - Craig Tucker
Stage Manager - Sarah Lynne Nicholas
Technical Director - Keith Newman

to be presented August 11 - 21, 2011
at Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Road, Mayfield Village

TICKETS
can be purchased online at www.fairmountcenter.com
or by calling 440-338-3171.

Miss Saigon at Near West Theatre!

A promo for the Near West Theatre production of "Miss Saigon"!

My Latest Video Project: "COMPANY" at FPAC!

My latest video project:
A look at the FPAC (www.fairmountcenter.org) Production of
"COMPANY"

Video Produced by Geoff Short (www.geoffshort.com)

My Latest Video! It Gets Better!

A special episode of "STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theatre Program"
IT GETS BETTER!

Produced by Geoff Short
www.geoffreyshort.com



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.

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU!

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•6436 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 KIM BUSH
COSTUMES BY DAVID GLOWE

STARRING MONICA 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

NEW STAGES EPISODE!!!

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 LATEST EPISODE OF "STAGES"!

Episode 9 of STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program is 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.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE "STAGES" EPISODES!