Guys and Dolls (2018). Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer.
Guys and Dolls (2018). Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer.
Regards from Broadway Rose
Summer 2023 Newsletter
Articles written by Dani Wright
Welcome to the third edition of Regards from Broadway Rose, our new quarterly newsletter.
Summer is the busiest and most exciting season here at Broadway Rose. As we host our blockbuster summer shows at the Deb Fennell Auditorium, we also feature our children and teen productions. While our summer shows are bustling, things are also brewing for next year as we’ve started planning ahead for our 2024 season which we’ll be announcing in August.
So take a break from the summer heat, kick back with a chilled lemonade, and enjoy hearing more about some of the amazing people who help create musical theatre at Broadway Rose.
Keep an eye out for our next issue this fall, and we’ll see you in the lobby.
– Sharon Maroney and Dan Murphy
Kristeen Willis, lighting designer
Meet the Artist
KRISTEEN WILLIS, LIGHTING DESIGNER
Kristeen Willis, lighting designer
“If it’s something to do with the theatre I’ve probably done it at this point, whether it’s in front of the stage or behind it – but lighting is where my heart is.” ~ Lighting Designer Kristeen Willis
What is a lighting designer? A lighting designer works with the director, choreographer, set designer, sound designer, and even the costume designer to create the lighting systems for a show.
Kristeen Willis has a Master of Fine Arts in lighting design and over 25 years of experience in the industry.
Student interns build a platform on the stage at the Deb Fennell Auditorium
Backstage Pass
MOVING STAGES, SUMMERS AT THE DEB FENNELL
Student interns build a platform on the stage at the Deb Fennell Auditorium
Each summer when we host productions at the Deb Fennell Auditorium, our crew performs the massive task of moving costumes, set pieces, props, lights, tech equipment, and other assorted paraphernalia over to this seasonal venue.
Here are just a few of the stats we collected on the massive move for our first summer production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat…
Bonnie Pavel, a longtime patron and incredible sponsor of Broadway Rose
Featured Sponsor
BONNIE PAVEL AND PAVELCOMM
Bonnie Pavel, a longtime patron and incredible sponsor of Broadway Rose
Bonnie Pavel, CEO of Pavelcomm, has been a loyal patron and generous benefactor of Broadway Rose Theatre for many years. From donating furniture for the theatre’s marketing office, to upgrading the fiber optic cables used in wiring the building expansion, to moving storage containers packed with set pieces, to Bonnie’s own service on the theatre’s board of directors, Pavelcomm, with Bonnie at the helm, has been an invaluable part of the Broadway Rose organization for some time now.
Join us for our 2024 season announcement!
Events at Broadway Rose
CURTAIN UP!
Join us for our 2024 season announcement!
You’re invited to our Curtain Up! event
Broadway Rose will be announcing our 2024 Season for Dreamers at the Curtain Up! event on August 13, with select preview performances by some of our most popular stars. This event also offers a light and lively look at happenings behind the scenes at Broadway Rose! Anything can and does happen before the curtain rises on a show, and our staff have the stories to prove it.
Donors who have contributed $50 or more within the past year are invited to the Curtain Up! event. To receive an invitation, contact us today to donate.
Contact Chelsea Curto at chelsea@broadwayrose.org with any questions.
Annie Kaiser and the 2023 summer campers
Education Update
SUMMER CAMP PRODUCTIONS
Annie Kaiser and the 2023 summer campers
“When my hope for this industry or my faith in the world falters, these amazing students bring me back to the extraordinary privilege and possibility inherent in being a storyteller: that on any given day you might move someone’s heart and soul.” ~ Director Isaac Lamb
Summer is a time when our professional actors fill the mainstage, performing to audiences at the Deb Fennell Auditorium. It’s also a time when participants in our children and teen summer drama camps get a chance to perform on stage as well.
Judy Koonce, volunteer extraordinaire
Volunteer Tribute
JUDY KOONCE
Judy Koonce, volunteer extraordinaire
Judy Koonce met Dan Murphy when he was directing a production of The Mikado for the Musical Theatre Company in 1998. At the time, Judy was working as house manager for the company. It wasn’t long after they met that Judy started volunteering as an usher at Broadway Rose. She has been volunteering for over 25 years now. “Judy Koonce is the definition of the heart of a volunteer. She is someone who is willing to dedicate her life to making events happen,” said Lead House Manager Bliss Talbot. “She’s amazing.”
Derek and Holly Richards at the 2022 Gala
Meet the Staff
HOLLY RICHARDS, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Derek and Holly Richards at the 2022 Gala
Holly Richards has been involved in theatre since the fourth grade when she wrote, produced, and performed in her first musical at her grade school.
“I was 9 years old when I wrote my first musical. It was called Cindy’s Bad Day, and it was really bad, because a 9-year-old wrote it,” Holly laughed. Holly recruited her friends to act in the production and she served as director, choreographer, sound design, lone musician, and one of the performers for Cindy’s Bad Day. The experience gave Holly her first taste of musical theatre and she was hooked. “It was a disaster, but the staff at the school believed in me and let me put on this trainwreck of a production, and that’s where it all began for me,” she said.
Alan D. Lytle, music director
Meet the Artist
ALAN D. LYTLE, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Alan D. Lytle, music director
“Music direction is all about trying to create the sound from the orchestra pit that supports the magic that’s happening onstage.” ~ Music Director Alan D. Lytle
What is a music director? A music director works with the arrangements and musicians to support the action onstage. They are involved in casting decisions for actors and hiring decisions for the orchestra. Music directors who also serve as conductors may direct the orchestra during the run of the show.
Alan D. Lytle has worked as a music director for close to 30 years for different theatres throughout the Portland area and has been awarded multiple PAMTA and Drammy Awards.
