Theatre Artists Connect

A note from the Artistic Director

I am extremely grateful for the incredible support Singing OnStage Productions has received in the last year and a half. From the readings of new musicals like Harmony, Kansas and Nightfall, to our production of Side by Side by Sondheim at the Laurie Beechman, to our Music Director Weekend Intensive and Artists Connect Events, our little company did some amazing things with your help and support.

For the time being, however, I have to put Singing OnStage on “hold” as I have accepted the position of Executive/Artistis Director of The State Theatre in State College, Pennsylvania. This is a true “community” theatre, hosting national music and theatre events, independent, foreign, and classic film, and local arts and community groups.

My vision for The State includes the development of new musicals, so I hope I can combine the work of Singing OnStage and my new position and continue the important work of forwarding the writing and production of new musical theatre for the 21st Century.

I thank you for your generous and enthusiastic support of Singing OnStage!

Warmly,

Richard Biever, Artistic Director

 

Singing OnStage Productions (SOS) presents “Theatre Artists Connect.” We will continue hosting similar events to the very successful first-time Connect on October 24. Stay tuned for future events!

SOS is all about building a community of theatre artists to create musicals for the 21st century. As part of that community building, we’re putting together a special evening. Join composer/lyricist Joe Iconis, director John Simpkins, actor/entrepreneurs Jodie Bentley and Doug Shapiro, producer Michael Roderick, and actor Jason “Sweet Tooth” Williams while they discuss ways to connect with others and find work.

Here’s the plan: On Monday, October 24, at the Davenport Studio, 250 W. 49th St, Suite 302, we will host an evening event for ALL theatre artists, including directors, choreographers, and writers.The evening will be divided into three parts:

I. An interactive discussion, featuring active writer Joe Iconis, directors John Simpkins and Richard Biever, actor/entrepreneurs Jodie Bentley and Doug Shapiro, producer Michael Roderick and actor Jason “Sweet Tooth” Williams.  We’ll talk in detail about how these relationships began and what has kept them together.

II. Participants will have a few minutes each to talk a bit about their past work and the kind of theatre that excites them, the work they hope to do, and the people they would like to meet.  Think of this time as YOU in a nutshell!

III. The last portion of the evening will give participants a chance to begin to build these very relationships. We trust there will be many wonderful connections made!

While we’d like to make this a totally free event, there are some expenses that we can’t avoid. So, we’ll do the next best thing: we’ll make it really cheap! The fee is only $15!

You can also upgrade to our Premium registration. For only $50, you’ll be admitted to the October 24 evening and get an hour one-on-one consultation with Artistic Director, Richard Biever. You can use that hour to talk about the biz, ask questions, or even coach for an upcoming audition.

A little about Singing OnStage Productions:

Richard Biever (NYC credits: Smile, Harmony, Kansas, Side by Side by Sondheim) is the Artistic Director and Founder of the company, and Greg Santos (Transport Group, Musicals at Mufti, The 92nd St Y Lyrics and Lyricists Series) serves as Producer.

Part of what we do is bring artists together to meet each other– newbies and more experienced folks– and to discuss the art and craft of making theatre.

We recently hosted a wonderfully successful Music Director Weekend Intensive, where 27 emerging MDs and 18 industry pros, including Music Director David Chase (How To Succeed), Tony Award winning Orchestrator Michael Starobin (Next to Normal), Director Stafford Arima (Carrie, Altar Boyz), and Composer Adam Gwon (Ordinary Days, The Boy Detective Fails), discussed the many facets of what it takes to be a Music Director. Singing OnStage arranged this for many reasons: 1. To give MDs practical information that allows them to be better at what they do. 2. To help emerging MDs find work and be able to support themselves. 3. To provide the opportunity for established pros to meet those who are up and coming and begin to build relationships.

Here’s some comments by those who attended: “Absolute top of the line MD’s, Conductors, Voice Teachers, Arrangers, Orchestrators, Composers, Directors, Choreographers, and Music Entrepeuners all giving back to the new generation of MD’s! What’s not to like? “ “I’ve been a professional musical director for the last ten years; the MD Intensive taught me more in a weekend than I have learned in a decade.” “[The Intensive] has redefined my concept of modern music directing.” We now want to do something similar for other theatre artists! We feel that traditional methods of finding talent, like auditioning, though still very necessary, are not the sole paths to work. In fact, a lot of work is gained through networking. An example close to home: for our reading last spring of HARMONY, KANSAS, the entire company of 9 men  was cast by the creative team suggesting people known to them! The same is true of our most recent production of SIDE BY SIDE.