The Next Generation of Columbus Theater
by Chris Hayes
Cbus (yes somehow I’ve grown to love the term) is exploding with the arts. It’s not often you have a 2nd tier city with such a rich diversity of arts to enjoy. That is owed a lot of credit to the vast group of independent artists pushing for something new – for creation to reign. One such group of doers is Evolution Theater Company. They’re producing stuff you won’t find anywhere else and also creating shows of their own. I talked with ETC’s Artistic Director Paul Lockwood to find out more about this cutting edge theatre co., the business of theater and the implications of being labeled gay.
Chris Hayes: When and how did Evolution Theater Company start?
PL: Paul Lockwood: In late 2007, I found myself wanting to direct the kind of plays I like – daring, thought provoking – and I had no contacts here. I had already founded two theatre companies (one in NYC and one in Pittsburgh) so I thought, “why not start another one?” In January 2008, I solo-produced and directed Adam Rapp’s Stone Cold Dead Serious. Through that show I began to meet similar-minded folks.
CH: What artistic/professional backgrounds make up the company?
PL: I began doing theatre in Chicago in 1978 then moved to New York in 1981 and continued to perform Off- and Off-Off Broadway in all kinds of crazy stuff. ETC Executive Director Mark Phillips Schwamberger has been acting and directing just as long in New York, Florida, Kentucky and Ohio. Drew Eberly has been acting and directing for nearly 15 years, including a long stint at Philadelphia’s acclaimed Walnut Theatre. Vera Ryan Cremeans, a Columbus native, is the youngest of our current core, and she has an extensive musical theatre background.
CH: Where did you get the name ETC?
PL: I think of theatre (and all the arts, really) as an evolutionary process. Since ‘Theatre Company’ was a given part of whatever name I chose, and I love acronyms (because they are easy to remember), ETC it was. Plus I love the idea of ‘etcetera’ – it’s one of those boundless words.
CH: What has been your most well received production?
PL: To date, I’d say The Little Dog Laughed. It’s a very funny play with very crisp writing by Douglas Carter Beane. The cast was superb, including Krista Stauffer, who was named ‘Best Actress of 2008’ by the Central Ohio Critics Association, for her portrayal of the lesbian Hollywood agent.
CH: What does it take to start a theater company?
PL: Creative vision, substandard financial expectations, and absolutely no fear at all!
CH: On average how much money does it take to produce a show?
PL: Our productions have run $3,000 – $8,000, depending on the number of actors, licensing costs and length of the run.
CH: Are the actors paid or is it all for the love of the art?
PL: We pay everyone –cast and crew. We strongly believe they deserve to be compensated for their time and talent. It’s also what categorizes us as “semi-professional.”
CH: Where does your talent pool come from? Is it all local? Do you keep the same cast for each production?
PL: Our talent pool is local – which is a testament to all of the creative people who live in Columbus. We like to feature as many artists as possible in a season rather than use the same few. Spread the wealth!
CH: Are all your productions performed at the same venue?
PL: Our first season was at MadLab; the second year we were at Columbus Performing Arts Center and this coming season we will be using two CAPA venues: Studio 1 at the Riffe Center for out first show and then a brand new space to be announced by CAPA soon.
CH: Does ETC do all original content? Who creates it?
PL: We do all ‘premiere’ productions – contemporary plays that have never been seen in Columbus, or Ohio, or in the case of last season’s original production of “I’ll Take Romance,” the world. The plays we present can be the work of new playwrights or well-established ones.
CH: How many show do you produce in a season?
PL: This season we are presenting six (or possibly seven) shows.
CH: It seems a universal questions to artists that are gay or geared toward the queer community is if they consider themselves a gay artist or and artist that happens to be gay. Where does ETC fit in the spectrum? What is the political/business implications of taking a stand either way?
PL: Many of us involved in the company are gay and active in the Columbus gay community. I can only speak for myself – being gay influences all of my own work and the work I am drawn to. Many plays we have produced have had gay themes and/or gay characters. Our goal is to make “gay” a non-issue. Theatre explores the human condition – and ‘gay’ is just one aspect of it. That said – if we are considered one of the gayest troupes in town, we are proud to oblige. It really does not affect us politically or economically because: 1. Theatre audiences tend to be open to everything in the human spectrum and 2. Our audiences are often asked, considering the work we choose, to sit back AND think. Theatre can be a strong conduit for change.
CH: What demographics typically make up your audiences?
PL: We have a huge gay and lesbian following, as well as younger creative types. What we really love is that we have a tremendous senior following. They are historically great supporters of live theatre and much more progressive and open than some may think.
CH: Are your shows for any ages or are they 21 and over only?
PL: Many of our plays include strong language, adult situations and sometimes nudity (not gratuitous, but rather situational nudity.) We leave it up to the parent or guardian to decide what they feel is appropriate.
CH: How has ETC evolved over the years? Did we hear you have a new partnership with CAPA?
PL: Yes. We will now be affiliated with CAPA in some respects. We are performing in their venues and will hopefully work more closely with them in the future. They have been tremendously supportive and we really value their faith in us as a company.
CH: Besides attending a show, how can people support ETC?
PL: We offer both individual and business sponsorships. We are also very happy to be included in wills. We are also having a benefit Friday, September 25, at8p. The rollicking event will take on a 1920′s speakeasy theme with period jazz music, wonderfully kitchsy drinks, food, flappers, mobsters, and fun! This one-night-only fundraiser party will be held at Gresso’s in German Village, and is a cocktail attire or 1920s costumed event. Come and hear all about our 2009-2010 season, and what is new with Evolution! It’s big and exciting news! The ticket price ($25) includes a cabaret-style music show, appetizers, 1 free drink, and lots of fun 20′s flapper style! To purchase tickets, please send an email to Vera Cremeans at cremeans.28@osu.edu or call 614.302.0096.
CH: What’s this next season look like for ETC?
PL: It will be our most exciting – and challenging – season yet. We open in September with The Agony and The Agony, a hilarious comedy by Nicky Silver. In January we will present RAPPture, the first-ever festival of plays by Adam Rapp. The lineup includes Red Light Winter, American Sligo and Nocturne. His work can run the gamut of tragic to comic all in the same scene. In April we present “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia” by the great Edward Albee. That show is sure to stir people up, and in June we present our annual gay production. This year it’s the charming musical Boy Meets Boy.
CH: What do think is missing from Columbus arts scene?
PL: We need more cutting edge work, and more professional companies. We only have one or two right now, which is odd for a city of this size.
CH: What part of that does ETC productions cover or fill?
PL: We’d like to see Columbus become a city known for forging new theatre, like Chicago, Minneapolis or Seattle.
For more info on ETC visit: http://evolutiontheatre.org.
