The Producer's Perspective Podcast with Ken Davenport

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business. We learned how to crush writer’s block, how to squeeze a few more hours into each day for your REAL work (not that day job work), how to increase your confidence . . . and more. We got such great feedback on this free event that we decided to do it again! But better. 🙂 I’m proud to share our free “Places, Please” Challenge which will kick your theatermaking in high gear! Why now? Two reasons. First, I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve been out of school for (mumble, mumble) years, I STILL think the start of the school year is the start of a NEW YEAR for me. So what better time than RIGHT NOW to re-evaluate where we are, and develop a plan on how to accomplish all that we want to accomplish as we sprint toward the end of the year. Second, this is a PIVOTAL time for the theater and for theater-making. First, we’re finally opening up again. So not only do we need to be ready to get out of the zoom rooms and into a rehearsal room again, but I believe that a renaissance is around the corner. And that means opportunities. Opportunities for more new voices in the theater than ever before.  And you want to be ready, right? I mean . . . we just went through a crapper of a year. Well, the sun is coming out tomorrow, so let’s take advantage of it. That’s why I assembled some of the smartest and most motivational and inspirational theatermakers I know to give you strategies on how to be ready for the renaissance. And they are all coming to you for free as part of the “Places, Please” challenge! Referenced in this episode: Check out the TheaterMakers Summit: www.theatermakerssummit.com The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business. We learned how to crush writer’s block, how to squeeze a few more hours into each day for your REAL work (not that day job work), how to increase your confidence . . . and more. We got such great feedback on this free event that we decided to do it again! But better. 🙂 I’m proud to share our free “Places, Please” Challenge which will kick your theatermaking in high gear! Why now? Two reasons. First, I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve been out of school for (mumble, mumble) years, I STILL think the start of the school year is the start of a NEW YEAR for me. So what better time than RIGHT NOW to re-evaluate where we are, and develop a plan on how to accomplish all that we want to accomplish as we sprint toward the end of the year. Second, this is a PIVOTAL time for the theater and for theater-making. First, we’re finally opening up again. So not only do we need to be ready to get out of the zoom rooms and into a rehearsal room again, but I believe that a renaissance is around the corner. And that means opportunities. Opportunities for more new voices in the theater than ever before.  And you want to be ready, right? I mean . . . we just went through a crapper of a year. Well, the sun is coming out tomorrow, so let’s take advantage of it. That’s why I assembled some of the smartest and most motivational and inspirational theatermakers I know to give you strategies on how to be ready for the renaissance. And they are all coming to you for free as part of the “Places, Please” challenge! Referenced in this episode: Check out the TheaterMakers Summit: www.theatermakerssummit.com The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business. We learned how to crush writer’s block, how to squeeze a few more hours into each day for your REAL work (not that day job work), how to increase your confidence . . . and more. We got such great feedback on this free event that we decided to do it again! But better. 🙂 I’m proud to share our free “Places, Please” Challenge which will kick your theatermaking in high gear! Why now? Two reasons. First, I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve been out of school for (mumble, mumble) years, I STILL think the start of the school year is the start of a NEW YEAR for me. So what better time than RIGHT NOW to re-evaluate where we are, and develop a plan on how to accomplish all that we want to accomplish as we sprint toward the end of the year. Second, this is a PIVOTAL time for the theater and for theater-making. First, we’re finally opening up again. So not only do we need to be ready to get out of the zoom rooms and into a rehearsal room again, but I believe that a renaissance is around the corner. And that means opportunities. Opportunities for more new voices in the theater than ever before.  And you want to be ready, right? I mean . . . we just went through a crapper of a year. Well, the sun is coming out tomorrow, so let’s take advantage of it. That’s why I assembled some of the smartest and most motivational and inspirational theatermakers I know to give you strategies on how to be ready for the renaissance. And they are all coming to you for free as part of the “Places, Please” challenge! Referenced in this episode: Check out the TheaterMakers Summit: www.theatermakerssummit.com The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business. We learned how to crush writer’s block, how to squeeze a few more hours into each day for your REAL work (not that day job work), how to increase your confidence . . . and more. We got such great feedback on this free event that we decided to do it again! But better. 🙂 I’m proud to share our free “Places, Please” Challenge which will kick your theatermaking in high gear! Why now? Two reasons. First, I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve been out of school for (mumble, mumble) years, I STILL think the start of the school year is the start of a NEW YEAR for me. So what better time than RIGHT NOW to re-evaluate where we are, and develop a plan on how to accomplish all that we want to accomplish as we sprint toward the end of the year. Second, this is a PIVOTAL time for the theater and for theater-making. First, we’re finally opening up again. So not only do we need to be ready to get out of the zoom rooms and into a rehearsal room again, but I believe that a renaissance is around the corner. And that means opportunities. Opportunities for more new voices in the theater than ever before.  And you want to be ready, right? I mean . . . we just went through a crapper of a year. Well, the sun is coming out tomorrow, so let’s take advantage of it. That’s why I assembled some of the smartest and most motivational and inspirational theatermakers I know to give you strategies on how to be ready for the renaissance. And they are all coming to you for free as part of the “Places, Please” challenge! Referenced in this episode: Check out the TheaterMakers Summit: www.theatermakerssummit.com The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I am sharing the 5 phases I believe we will see as Broadway makes its big comeback! After 6 years of podcasting with one style, we're shaking it up here - no guests! Just me! I'm giving you micro-episodes with my perspective on Broadway and the comeback on Broadway. Did you catch the livestream series I did on Facebook & Youtube last year? We did over 70 episodes between March and November and we used Streamyard to host them all. Have you heard of this platform before? About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, a revival of The Great White Hope, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Enjoy and thank you for coming back to our new season! Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, I sit down with one of my favorite people - Asmeret Ghebremichael (West End's Dream Girls, Broadway's Book of Mormon & Legally Blonde). After running into each other in London a few years ago, we reunite on my livestream to talk about what she's up to during quarantine, racial equality in the industry, and more! Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/JtLD0IbbQrw Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Asmeret Ghebremichael: Asmeret Ghebremichael was most recently seen on Broadway in The Book of Mormon. Her other Broadway credits include Wicked, Legally Blonde, Elf, Spamalot and Footloose. Off-Broadway, she's been seen in Lone Star Love, In the Heights and Sweet Charity. In 2017, she took on the role of Lorrell Robinson in the West End production of Dreamgirls. Ghebremichael appeared in NBC's The Wiz Live! and has also been seen on screen in Submissions Only and Confessions of a Shopaholic. The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, I catch up with Tony-nominated Director MICHAEL ARDEN and Broadway and TV Actor ANDY MIENTUS. In this episode, we talk about Andy's book series "The Backstagers", what Zoom rehearsals and readings look like as a Director vs an Actor, and Michael teases the early ideas of a his drive-in theater experience (now called: The Forest of Arden). Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/XPB65hkluC4 Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Michael Arden: MICHAEL ARDEN is a Tony-nominated director for his revival of Spring Awakening. The acclaimed production transferred from Deaf West Theater in Los Angeles to Broadway in fall 2015. He also won the Outer Critics Circle for Outstanding Director of a Musical and was nominated for a Drama Desk award for the production. Michael made his Broadway debut in Deaf West Theater and the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Big River. Other directing credits include My Fair Lady at Bay Street Theater; Merrily We Roll Along at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Los Angeles, where he is currently the Artist in Residence; LA Ronde for his company, the Forest of Arden; and For the Record: John Hughes in LA and NYC. His production of The Pride opened at the Wallis Annenberg Center in June 2017. Other theatre credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Times they are a Changin', Ragtime (Avery Fisher), It's Only Life, Swimming in the Shallows, Ace, Juno, As You Like It, The Winter's Tale, The Secret Garden, Pippin (Mark Taper Forum), and Aspects of Love at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London. Michael's film work includes Source Code, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Bride Wars and So B It. He has also worked extensively in TV, most notably on FX and Fox's "Anger Management." Other TV credits include "GCB," "Nurse Jackie," "Royal Pains," "Unforgettable," "Off the Map," "Kings," "The Closer," "The Forgotten," "Bones," "The Return of Jezebel James," "Cashmere Mafia," "Grey's Anatomy," and "NUMB3RS." Concert work includes singing with Barbra Streisand, Chris Botti, and performances at 54 BELOW, Feinstein's at the Regency and Joe's Pub. Michael is an alum of The Interlochen Arts Academy and The Juilliard School. About Andy Mientus: Andy Mientus makes his theatrical writing debut with Burn All Night. Together with his husband, Michael Arden, he conceived Deaf West Theatre’s Tony Award-nominated revival of Spring Awakening, in which he also acted at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Los Angeles and the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway. As an actor, he has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at theaters such as The Mark Taper Forum and The Kennedy Center, and on television. He has twice been named in Out Magazine’s list of the 100 most compelling LGBT people of the year. Education: Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, University of Michigan.  The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, I catch up with Tony-nominated Actor JENN COLELLA. In this episode, we talk through her time with Come From Away, how she got started with Urban Cowboy, and her tips for actors on staying positive during this time (but really this advice is great for ALL TheaterMakers!). Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/yPpktaqc74U Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Jenn Colella: Jenn Colella is a Tony-nominated actor known for her roles in Come From Away, If/Then, and Urban Cowboy. She attended Columbia College, graduating with a degree in speech and drama. She carried on her studies at the University of California, Irvine, where she earned her MFA in Acting. She initially started her career in the stand-up comedy circuit in Los Angeles, playing iconic venues such as the Laughy Factory and the Comedy Store, before she decided to branch out into musical theater. She made her Broadway debut as Sissy in Urban Cowboy in 2003 and her off-Broadway debut in The Great American Trailer Park Musical in 2005. She spent the next years of her career mainly between Broadway and off-Broadway with her most notable credits being Chaplin and High Fidelity on Broadway, and Slut, Lucky Guy, and Closer Than Ever off-Broadway. She joined the cast of If/Then alongside Idina Menzel in 2013 which, after out-of-town tryouts, transferred to Broadway in 2014. Her journey with Come From Away began at La Jolla Playhouse in California in 2015, portraying a handful of roles including Flight Captain Beverley Bass. The show transferred to the Great White Way and began performances on February 18, 2017. She earned a Tony nomination and won a Drama Desk Award for her efforts. She played her final performance in the show on November 10, 2019. The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, I catch up with Tony Award-winning Director KENNY LEON. We chat through how he stays so positive during quarantine, what is the #1 show he wants to do in the near future, and who are some up & coming theater makers he wants to see succeed. Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/yPpktaqc74U Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Kenny Leon: KENNY LEON (Director) is a Tony Award winning Broadway and film director. His Broadway credits include the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington(Tony Award Winner for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Stick Fly produced by Alicia Keys, August Wilson's Fences (which garnered ten Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards including Best Revival), the 2004 revival of A Raisin in the Sun with Sean P. Diddy Combs, Gem of the Ocean, Radio Golf and the 2014 premiere of Holler if You Hear Me, a new musical created using the music of Tupac Shakur. Leon's recent film work includes "In My Dreams" for Hallmark Hall of Fame, "The Watsons go to Birmingham" for Walden Media and Hallmark, and the Sony and Lifetime TV adaptation of "Steel Magnolias". Leon is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2010 Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing by the Drama League of New York The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, I catch up with 'Seinfeld' star JASON ALEXANDER who I haven't seen since we recorded our original podcast episode together in March 2019. Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/RQDgFr_MI1Y Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Jason Alexander: Jason Alexander is an American actor, comedian, singer, and director. He is best known for his role as George Costanza in the television series "Seinfeld", for which he was nominated for seven consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. Other well-known roles include Phillip Stuckey in the film "Pretty Woman", comic relief gargoyle Hugo in the Disney animated feature "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and the title character in the animated series "Duckman". He has also made guest appearances on shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel". Jason has had an active career on stage, appearing in several Broadway musicals, including Jerome Robbins' Broadway in 1989, for which he won the Tony Award as Best Leading Actor in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. He appeared in the Los Angeles production of The Producers. He was the artistic director of "Reprise! Broadway's Best in Los Angeles", where he has directed several musicals. The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, super star JORDAN FISHER ended his 8-hour day of streaming on Twitch to join my livestream!! Having only met once in an audition, I was excited to sit down with him and talk about the current state of the industry. What I did not expect was to learn so much about TWITCH and the world of streaming for gamers. Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/NLzGW9Rsc80 Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Jordan Fisher: Jordan Fisher is a multi-faceted artist whose talent knows no boundaries. Jordan's abilities as an actor, singer/songwriter, dancer, choreographer and musician spans everything from TV to music to film and, most recently, Broadway. In 2017, Jordan took home the Mirror Ball alongside partner Lindsay Arnold on ABC’s 25th season of “Dancing With the Stars”. Jordan has starred in such TV shows as “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”, “Liv and Maddie” and MTV’s “Teen Wolf”. He also starred in (and contributed music to) the television movie “Teen Beach Movie” (2013) and its 2015 sequel before being hailed as the breakout star by MTV and People Magazine of FOX’s Emmy-winning broadcast of “Grease: Live” in 2016. In 2015 Jordan released his first single, “All About Us,” which was produced by Oak Felder (Alessia Cara, Arianna Grande, Rihanna) and which melded influences of pop, soul and R&B. The song was the #2 most added at pop radio. In August 2016, Jordan released his self-titled EP, which debuted at #18 on the Billboard Heatseeker album chart. In addition to his role in “Grease: Live”, Jordan scored a pair of collaborations with Lin-Manuel Miranda, performing a duet with him on "You're Welcome" from Disney's Moana, as well as joining the cast of Miranda's smash hit Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton. Jordan is voicing the role of Seahawk in Netflix’s reboot of the classic animated series “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power”. He is currently Co-Hosting Dancing With the Stars Jr. alongside Frankie Muniz which premiered October 7, 2018 and is gearing up for several other exciting projects in 2018. www.jordanfisherofficial.com The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, Tony Award-winning Actor Sierra Boggess joins the livestream! We caught up and talked about what it's like to sing/warm up in her apartment every day (with neighbors!!), what her cats think of her being home every day, how she stays creative . . . and whose voice in the industry does Sierra admire the most (besides Barbra!!). Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/Fnobqlk296Q Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Sierra Boggess: Sierra Boggess is an Olivier nominated actress, best known world-wide not only for re-inventing the coveted role of ‘Christine Daae’ in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, but for Lord Webber himself going on record to say that “she’s the best, the best Christine certainly.” Boggess portrayed the role in the Broadway, West End, and the televised 25th Anniversary concert productions of Phantom. Sierra made her Broadway debut as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, receiving Drama Desk and Drama League Nominations, as well as the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance. Her additional Broadway credits include Master Class, It Shoulda Been You, The Phantom of The Opera, and School of Rock. Boggess’ Off-Broadway credits include Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Music in the Air, alongside Kristin Chenoweth, for New York City Center’s Encores! Series. In the West End, Boggess has appeared as Fantine in Les Miserables and originated the role of Christine Daae in Love Never Dies, the critically acclaimed sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, receiving an Olivier Award Nomination for her performance. Sierra's concert appearances include multiple engagements with BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Series The Lyrics of David Zippel, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, Broadway By The Year at Town Hall, Guys and Dolls at Carnegie Hall opposite Patrick Wilson, Megan Mullally and Nathan Lane, and The Secret Garden at Lincoln Center. www.sierraboggess.com   The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, Tony Award-winning Actor and Writer Alex Brightman joins the livestream! We chatted about the new plays that he's currently working on with collaborator and friend, Drew Gasparini, whether Beetlejuice will return to Broadway when theater reopens, and what he misses the most right now. Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/VAZjMd9GD4g Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Alex Brightman: Alex Brightman is an American stage actor, best known for originating the role of Dewey Finn in School of Rock and the title role in Beetlejuice on Broadway, both of which earned him Tony Award nominations for Best Actor In a Musical. The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this episode, Award-winning Composer/Lyricist Stephen Schwartz joins the livestream! We talked about his collaborative process with Alan Mencken and how the pandemic hasn't changed their working partnership. Stephen also leaked that there would be a cast recording of The Prince of Egypt in the coming weeks (you can stream that here). Watch the replay of this episode: https://youtu.be/2qnN9ZTolcM Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Stephen Schwartz: Stephen is probably best known in the UK for his scores for Wicked and Godspell. Other shows for which he wrote music and lyrics and which have been seen in the UK include: Pippin; The Baker’s Wife; Children of Eden and Working. He co-wrote the English texts with Leonard Bernstein for Bernstein’s Mass. For films, he collaborated with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted, as well as the animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and wrote the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. Awards include: three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards and the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award. Mr. Schwartz has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Stephen is Artistic Director of the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshops and serves on the Council of the Dramatists Guild. A book about his career, ‘Defying Gravity’, is published by Applause Books. www.stephenschwartz.com The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the miniseries, The Producer's Perspective LIVE! From The Pandemic. Inspired by my podcast and check-ins with friends, I started The Producer’s Perspective LIVE! I started going live every night at 8pm with a superstar TheaterMaker to check in with them and see how they were doing and how this pandemic has affected them.  Many shared how they’ve been keeping those creative juices flowing, sharing many fun memories, raising money and awareness for The Actors Fund and other charitable organizations needing our support. We even started sharing ‘something to make you smile’ by featuring a new music video one of you in the community produced, directed, wrote, performed in! In this first episode, you’ll hear me testing the livestream platform LIVE and in front of our very first virtual audience! There was a lot of uncertainty back on March 23, 2020 when we started this. I say in this episode that we’ll go live for as long as Broadway is shut down . . . and I did not think that we would still be doing this in July!  Watch the replay of this episode: www.youtu.be/H9lBITanU0U Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway Catch the next livestream LIVE: www.theproducersperspective.com/live About Me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world. He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "master class" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. The Producer's Perspective LIVE! and this podcast episode was produced by Mary Elizabeth Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Moore is a director of film, theatre, and television. He directed the musical Avenue Q, which opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre and then moved to Broadway in July 2003. He was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for his direction. Moore directed the 2005 Broadway revival of Steel Magnolias and Shrek the Musical. For television, Moore has directed episodes of Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, Everwood, and Brothers & Sisters. In 2012, Moore made his film directorial debut with Pitch Perfect. He also served as an executive producer on the sequel. He directed the film Sisters, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. On this episode, we talked about that plan and how it flies in the face of conventional wisdom, as well as . . . Why assistant directing or searching for your own projects is the fastest path to success for a Director. What Broadway can learn from Hollywood and vice versa (this is turning into a favorite question of mine for those with a foot on both coasts). What it’s like directing a bio-musical where the songs can’t change, compared to a totally original musical like Avenue Q where everything can change. Reviews and how they can help (or not). How directing on Broadway has changed since he got his start. This week's episode is brought to you by Will Jellicorse Photography. Will Jellicorse is a photographer and videographer who specializes in capturing subjects in unique portrait, landscape and aerial forms. He is available for booking, freelance and collaboration opportunities of any size. Check him out at www.willjellicorse.com. Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway www.theproducersperspective.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business. We learned how to crush writer’s block, how to squeeze a few more hours into each day for your REAL work (not that day job work), how to increase your confidence . . . and more. We got such great feedback on this free event that we decided to do it again! But better. 🙂 I’m proud to share our free “Places, Please” Challenge which will kick your theatermaking in high gear! Why now? Two reasons. First, I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve been out of school for (mumble, mumble) years, I STILL think the start of the school year is the start of a NEW YEAR for me. So what better time than RIGHT NOW to re-evaluate where we are, and develop a plan on how to accomplish all that we want to accomplish as we sprint toward the end of the year. Second, this is a PIVOTAL time for the theater and for theater-making. First, we’re finally opening up again. So not only do we need to be ready to get out of the zoom rooms and into a rehearsal room again, but I believe that a renaissance is around the corner. And that means opportunities. Opportunities for more new voices in the theater than ever before.  And you want to be ready, right? I mean . . . we just went through a crapper of a year. Well, the sun is coming out tomorrow, so let’s take advantage of it. That’s why I assembled some of the smartest and most motivational and inspirational theatermakers I know to give you strategies on how to be ready for the renaissance. And they are all coming to you for free as part of the “Places, Please” challenge! Referenced in this episode: Check out the TheaterMakers Summit: www.theatermakerssummit.com The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most fun and most productive events we had this year was our “Take Charge of Your ’21” Challenge in January. Over 500 TheaterMakers joined us to hear tips and strategies on how to have your best year yet from super successful people in the business. We learned how to crush writer’s block, how to squeeze a few more hours into each day for your REAL work (not that day job work), how to increase your confidence . . . and more. We got such great feedback on this free event that we decided to do it again! But better. 🙂 I’m proud to share our free “Places, Please” Challenge which will kick your theatermaking in high gear! Why now? Two reasons. First, I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve been out of school for (mumble, mumble) years, I STILL think the start of the school year is the start of a NEW YEAR for me. So what better time than RIGHT NOW to re-evaluate where we are, and develop a plan on how to accomplish all that we want to accomplish as we sprint toward the end of the year. Second, this is a PIVOTAL time for the theater and for theater-making. First, we’re finally opening up again. So not only do we need to be ready to get out of the zoom rooms and into a rehearsal room again, but I believe that a renaissance is around the corner. And that means opportunities. Opportunities for more new voices in the theater than ever before.  And you want to be ready, right? I mean . . . we just went through a crapper of a year. Well, the sun is coming out tomorrow, so let’s take advantage of it. That’s why I assembled some of the smartest and most motivational and inspirational theatermakers I know to give you strategies on how to be ready for the renaissance. And they are all coming to you for free as part of the “Places, Please” challenge! Referenced in this episode: Check out the TheaterMakers Summit: www.theatermakerssummit.com The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for listening to these conversations over the 6.5 years I've been hosting this podcast. We're not saying Goodbye . . . just see ya later! Referenced in this episode: The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About the podcast: After 6 years of podcasting with one style, we're shaking it up here - no guests! Just me! I'm giving you micro-episodes with my perspective on Broadway and the comeback on Broadway. About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About this episode: Before I crowdfunded Godspell, I had a thesis. “There are thousands of people out there who would love to invest in Broadway shows . . . they just don’t know how to do it, or who to talk to.” Sure enough, when we announced our plans for Godspell, thousands of leads poured in. In between placing all those return calls I remember thinking, “Huh, will you look at that . . . I got this one right.” Of course, not all those people invested (in the end we had about 750 investors), but thousands expressed interest and proved my thesis correct. And all those thousands of people had questions. Five years later, people still have questions about investing in Broadway shows. As I’ve spoken to more and more potential investors, I’ve noticed that many of the questions are the same. That’s why I’ve created this FAQ for Broadway Investing. So whether you’re a potential Broadway Investor looking to dip your toes into our theatrical waters, or whether you’re a Producer looking to raise money for your show, I think you’ll find these Qs and their appropriate As helpful. Referenced in this episode: The TheaterMakers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theatermakersstudio Continue the conversation: www.instagram.com/kendavenportbway The Producer's Perspective: www.theproducersperspetive.com About the podcast: After 6 years of podcasting with one style, we're shaking it up here - no guests! Just me! I'm giving you micro-episodes with my perspective on Broadway and the comeback on Broadway. About me: Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway - Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions! Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world.  He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.   Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. Outside of theatre, he has produced award-winning content for both film and TV. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Keep up with me @KenDavenportBway on Instagram. Check out my blog for daily content: www.theproducersperspective.com This episode was produced by Mary Dina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices