The Art & Business of Community Theater

Dave, Bob, Kathleen and Mark are hanging in the Green Room this week to discuss the fun and the energy in working backstage. Questions are contemplated, like, "Should everyone work backstage before being put onstage?" Also, Dave gives us a review of the show "Matilda"! Come on in and grab a chair! It's time to talk about backstage fun and hijinks!

Dave, Ron, Bob and Carol are hanging out in the Green Room this week to talk about what to keep and what not to keep behind stage or in a storage room (if you have one). How many Nun costumes does one need to keep? Also the important question - "Should we keep this Nazi flag or not?" It's those little things that are important, folks! Join us in the Green Room for a lively discussion!

The Green Room Groupies are back with more information, more hijinks, and more levity as they discuss the important issues of directing community theater. Carol compares her time directing children compared to adults, Brian reveals the one show he should have never directed and Dave fills everyone in on his backstage tour of the Fisher Theater! So come on in, have a seat and join us!

Andrew Kleopfer returns to the Green Room with the rest of the groupies to discuss a topic requested by a listener, "What's the best way to work with animals on stage." Several options are discussed as Dave states a fact about cats that will send a shiver down your spine! Also Kathleen review's The Croswell's production of Gypsy. Is everything coming up roses? Join us in the Green Room and find out!

The Groupies gather around newest member, Andrew Kleopfer who went from Community Theater alumnus to professional actor. Listen to his inspiring story while Andrew deals with his first time through the Tangentverse. Also another script review and Dave reveals a hidden culinary talent! You don't want to miss this one!

The Green Room Groupies return to discuss the differences between practical sound effects versus internet acquired effects. Dave gives his review of Southgate Players: "Calendar Girl" and Kathleen shares her experience with the theater company. Plus! Brian reveals his brief but exciting conversation with Jeff Daniels about the one role they have in common. Come on into the Green Room and join us! Bring snacks!

The Groupies are are back in the Green Room to discuss on stage chemistry. Is it natural or can it be developed? Also Dave gives his review of "The Wiz" and the groupies discuss disheartening news about the intolerance over a Nebraska production of Frozen. Come on in and join us!

The groupies return to discuss new plays as well the main topic about when or when not to do an accent for your character. Kori joins in the fun and of course silliness abounds. All that and Carol also "wigs" out. You have to hear it to believe it.

The Groupies are back for the month of May and Ron reappears along with Kori! The discussion of how to prepare for a musical kicks off the discussion portion of the program but controversy rears it's ugly head thanks to Ron and Brian. Uh oh! And if that isn't enough for you, Carol gives us a new show she's read and Kori and Brian discuss the Tony nominations!. You REALLY don't want to miss this one, folks!

The Groupies converge on the Green Room to discuss the concept of collaborations between local theater groups that stems from a fan letter. Dave shares his first experience as an adjudicator for Kalamazoo Civic Theater's production of "Angels in America". Join the fun in the Green Room!

The Groupies gather in the Green Room to share their reviews on several shows in this episode. Kathleen and Carol both review, "Next to Normal", Kathleen reviews "Menopause 2", and Broadway Brian gives his reviews for "Two Strangers" and "Death of a Salesman" starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. All that and Dave pays tribute to Jessie Jones. Come on in and have a seat!

To get things started this episode, Dave discusses the differences between fund raising and development with Betsy Willis. Then all the Groupies continue the conversation in a lively give and take. Be sure to listen to this episode before planning your next bake sale!

The Groupies gather round Dave as he talks about his trip to the amazing Hale Centre Theatre in Utah and his experiences while there. Kathleen shares a wonderful story with a happy ending and Brian and Carol are as snarky as ever! Plus an interview with Community Theatre Association of Michigan - CTAM Adjudication Chair Betsy Willis.

The Groupies are back with one important question - why doesn't community theater get the respect it deserves? Of course tangents abound because, well, it's The Green Room. Come on in and have a seat, but don't miss your call for places!

The groupies gather together to discuss intimacy on stage and what is needed to make everyone comfortable. Of course memories abound and Kathleen's list comes out! Also, Carol gives us her review of "Shucked". Have a seat and a listen, in the Green Room!

The Groupies have a seat in the Green Room to discuss the danger of choosing a play based on the movie but oh boy does the Tangentverse rear it's head and by the time the episodes over the Groupies have taken several side roads. Hop in and join them for a rollicking and thrilling ride!

The groupies return in 2026 for a Hodge podge of discussions including hiding tattoos and what "bag of tricks" do you use during auditions? Dave gives his review of "Shucked" as the second Groupie to see the musical, with Carol waiting in the wings for her turn. Come on into the Green Room, it's going to get a bit corny!

The Groupies celebrate the holidays discussing murder! What their favorite murder mysteries are and which ones they'd like to do or seen done or which ones they have done. Oh yeah, Christmas Carol is mentioned which makes Carol wretch just a little bit. Come on in and join us! The Green Room Groupies wish everyone a joyous holiday season!

The Groupies are learning all about he latest trends in theater management and the software to support it when Zachary Collins, CEO and co-founder of Ludus visits the Green Room. We learn the state of community theatre as a business, when to automate messages to donors, and even what SAAS stands for. Join in as we put the "business" back into The Art of Community Theater!

The groupies take a moment out of their busy Thanksgiving schedule to relax in the Green Room and contemplate if acting is an innate ability or something that can be learned. Things go sideways quickly though when Carol and Dave try to explain six/seven to Brian who seems triggered by the whole thing. Before you sit down for that turkey dinner, come join the groupies and don't forget to weigh in!

The Groupies are back in the Green Room to discuss how far down the rabbit hole a community theater group should go when it comes to "trigger warnings". From Shakespeare to 'Night Mother, what and when is too much? The conversation gets deep and intense but also tangent-y, because what's life without a few good tangents. Come on in, have a seat and join us!

Dave, Mark and Brian return to the Green Room and discuss how to get to the core of your character. The Mail Bag is opened and Rocky Horror pops out! Dave gives us a show worth looking into and Broadway Brian gives his final review of the Broadway Show, "Call Me Izzy" before proclaiming he has no plans to go back to Broadway soon. He lied. Join us for all the Green Room shenanigans you've come to expect.

It's Dave and Brian in the Green Room as they welcome back Groupie Mark, and discuss what to look for and how to determine choosing shows for an upcoming season. Dave reveals another show worth taking a look at and Broadway Brian is back to ramble on about the Tony Award winning musical, "Maybe Happy Ending". Have a seat in the Green Room and join us!

It's Dave, Bob and Carol, back in the Green Room for another episode as they discuss what they consider to be the 3 C's of acting. Tangents abound as they patiently wait for that "dead weight" to return. If you know, you know! Dave also discusses a show he thinks would be great for community theater groups, with or without the nudity. Come on in and have a seat!

Some of the groupies return and discuss children's theater as well as a maybe not so well known play that is worth taking a look at. Dave, Bob and Carol hold down the fort while the others prepare for the next MCP show. Have a seat in the Green Room and enjoy!

The Green Room groupies welcome back Kori as Dave brings up the topic of marketing and social media. They've touched on it before but they get a younger person's perspective this time. Kori even teaches them a thing or two! Also, Broadway Brian and Chorus Line Kori give a dueling review of the Broadway hit, "Stranger Things". Come on in and have a seat in the Green Room! It'll be divoon, darling! Simply divoon!

The groupies return and ask the question, are all plays that are considered classics, worth bringing back? The Tangentverse is in full swing and even Kathleen has a hard time bringing them all back. Dave gives his review of Les Misérables and the usual Hijinx ensues. Dave interviews Thom Henke! Come check it out!

The Groupies gather in the Green Room to discuss how to be more welcoming in your theater, but as can happen, the groupies take a Tangentverse ride down another road and seem to react more to Dave's intro to the topic, creating a spirited conversation with different views and opinions. Dave and Patricia Middleton gives us a review of the show "Clue", and Brian gives us his second show that he's completely over. Have a seat and listen, and don't forget to send in those emails on your opinion of our topic! We want to hear from you!!!

AACTFest Dave returns from Iowa and fills the Groupies in on all the winners of the event, as well as who he met there and for the first time ever, a remote interview!!! Look at us getting all tech-savvy! Who took the top prize this year, come on into the Green Room and find out!

The groupies are having a celebration! One hundred episodes and still going strong!!! Join us in the green room as we reminisce about the first 100 episodes through a quiz that Dave gives the gang. How many questions can you get right? Who were the original groupies? How many times did Dave play Daddy Warbucks in Annie? (Seriously you all better get that one!) All that and the gang reflects on characters they'd like to revisit.

The Groupies relax in the Green Room and reintroduce themselves by talking about show moments that have inspired them. Broadway Brian gives a review of the musical "Pirates!" with Jinx Monsoon and David Hyde Pierce while some of the groupies raise their concern over Brian's personal finances. Join them as the celebration to the 100th episode continues!

The Groupies continue to count down to their 100th episode by asking the question, "Are awards important to give out in your group?' First Broadway Brian shows just how little he knows about this years Tony Awards and it's Carol's turn in the hotseat as she reveals which Broadway musical you couldn't pay her to ever see. Also Broadway Brian reviews the Broadway comedy, "Oh Mary!" All this and a shout out to Pekoopsi, wherever you are!

The Groupies return to ask the philosophical question, "Why is Community Theater Still Alive?" The Groupies have mail! Bob gives us the show that he is "So Over!" and Dave gives a review of "39 Steps" by The Village Players Theater in Toledo, Ohio.

The Groupies are all together and Carol regales everyone with what she's learned about costume design from a friend at Disney World. Brian gives his final two reviews from his Broadway trip in November: Gypsy and Hells Kitchen. Come on in and pop a squat and let's talk theater!

The Groupies are back! Kathleen gives us the show she is so over. Dave fills us in on more AACT Fest fun. The Groupies receive mail and ask the question: "Is there typecasting in community theater?" Join us in the Green Room!

Dave, Bob, Ron and Carol return to talk about trying to fit big shows into small spaces. Tangents abound, and if you've been in a Green Room you know how that goes. Ron gives his "Show That I'm So Over" opinion and Carol has a review of the show called - "Summer 1976". So join us, come and waste an hour or two.... doodly do!

The Groupies welcome guest, Ryan Albrecht from Toledo's Village Players as they talk about AACTfest.

The Groupies gather in the Green Room to discuss the difference for preparing a role in comedy compared to drama. Brian's up next in the new segment, "Show's I'm SO Over", and it's not Oklahoma folks! Carol gives us a review of a "Dr. Rides American Beach House". So come on into the green room and join them for what is one of the liveliest conversations they've had to date! (And that is saying something!)

As all the groupies return to the table they pick up a new member along the way! The main topic may be how to schedule rehearsals, but tangents exist and Dave introduces their newest segment "I'm so over this show!", with Carol up first and wait til you hear what she is SO over! All this and Broadway Brian reviews The Roommate starring Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone!

The Groupies are back, and as El de Facto always says: "You know how those Green Room conversations go" and this episode proves it as Dave, Carol, Ron and Bob spend some time discussing the good, the bad and the WICKED of Broadway musicals turned into Movies. It's something a little bit different!

It's a New Year and four of the groupies come back excited at the multitude of responses to their Christmas episode! Further discussion is had about Christmas Carol before the Groupies veer into the topic of finding members and keeping them.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Or is it? The Groupies gather together to talk Christmas Carol and the best way to choose a show...BUT!... For the first time in recorded Groupie history, the Tangentverse takes over! GASP! And Broadway Brian reviews the new Broadway Musical: "Death Becomes Her". And all of us here in the Green Room wish all of our wonderful listeners a joyous and happy holiday season!

The whole gang is back together as Dave asks the riveting question: "What the hell is wrong with playwrights?" Not surprisingly, the groupies tangent off into various streams of consciousness. Also, Broadway Brian gives a review on the Broadway musical, "Swept Away".

The Groupies gather together to discuss the many challenges Directors face during a show. Dave surprises everyone with a Broadway quiz that Broadway Brian is not there to enjoy! (Editor's note!) Ron and Bob make several solid points and Katheen gives a revue of The Toledo Reps production of "Camping With Henry & Tom". And Happy Thanksgiving from all the Groupies to all of you!!! We are very grateful to all our listeners!

The Green Room doors are open again! Join them as they discuss the many many challenges of actors, and we're not even line memorization! Ron and Bob bring up the infamous show, "Rumors" to prove their points. Kathleen shudders at the memories! And Dave shares his theater experiences from Vietnam! Yes folks, Vietnam Dave is in the Green Room! Join us and leave all your worries behind!

The Groupies return to discuss the right shows to perform during the Halloween season. Bob shares his personal favorite and Dave is able to slip in his running gag... And so is Brian, thanks to Dave! Kathleen gives a review of a play she went and saw and of course, the Tangentverse is visited more than once because... Hey! It's the Green Room!

The gang gathers in the Green Room again, this time to discuss important books on acting and directing. Tangents abound and Ron and Dave discuss the highs and lows of their most recent production of "Moonlight & Magnolias".

In this thrilling installment, Dave's niece, Caitlin, enters the Green Room to join the groupies discussion on theater festivals. Brian recounts his experience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The groupies discuss the idea of smaller towns trying to do their own weekend theater festivals. Caitlin gives a Broadway revue! AND, an ending that NOBODY saw coming! If you're a long time listener, you may be slightly surprised at the revelation the Groupies receive! GASP!!!

Some of the usual suspects are back, minus Ron and Kathleen. The topic is how much research should you do when playing a historical character. Carol reveals her favorite accent of all time, Dave and Brian discuss their upcoming show, "Moonlight & Magnolias", Bob's witty one-liners are in abundance and Brian gives a review on a unique version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" that he saw in Edinburgh, Scotland. Come hither and let the groupies regale you with the topic of the week!

Those Groupies are back early thanks to a vacationing Editor. The gang, minus Ronald Roberts, discuss how to attract new directors, how to encourage them and tips for them. Tangents are heard, Carol reveals what her biggest fear was when she started directing, David Wahr subtly tries to entice Kathleen into directing- finally, and Brian Burchette has an emotional moment on the air (much to the surprise of nobody). Insert eye roll here. Check it our and we'll see you all again in September!