Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.
READ: How to Broadway-size Your Next Party or Event with PLAYBILLDER
This week's Spotlight is the Braver Players Musical Theatre Foundation of Costa Mesa, California and their production of Curtain Up for Murder. The hilarious whodunit is an original play by Chris "Sully" Sullivan. The slapstick comedy had the young actors sharpening their comedy skills, from perfecting fake slaps and faux falls to playing dead.
Director Chelsea Braverman shared with Playbill why her proudest moment as an educator came during COVID and how her former students are using the skills they learned in theatre in the real world.
Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
I have been teaching for 26 years and started my own non-for-profit theatre company 12 years ago.
What is your proudest moment as an educator?
My proudest moment as an educator is surviving the COVID years. When many companies were going out of business, Braver Players pivoted by mounting outdoor shows. We built stages outside in parking lots, seated audience members six feet apart, and did tear down and set up every day with lights and microphones. We masked our actors and rehearsed outside. The fact that we demonstrated grit and out-of-the=box thinking is my proudest moment.
What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching the performing arts to today’s students?
When I hear back from students who I taught years ago who say they use Braver Players and what we taught them in their everyday lives. Whether it is nailing a job interview or doing well on a history test they credit what they learned in their time doing one of our shows.
Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show?
This is an original show that one of our directors, Chris "Sully" Sullivan, wrote for our company. An actor in his own right, Sully is a gifted storyteller and wrote a clever, witty piece that has inspired the cast to build their comedic skills.
What are the kids loving about the show?
The kids are loving all the physical comedy that goes with the show. There's fake slaps, falls, and one of the actresses has to play dead for the entirety of act two.
What reactions do you expect to see in students when they see their name printed in this Playbill for the first time?
I expect the students to be so excited when they see that they are featured in Playbill. Many of them follow the publication.
How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
By making all our Playbills look so professional, which in turn elevates the whole level of the production from the time the audience walks in the door.
To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show or special event, head to PLAYBILLDER.com. Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight! And if you are looking for a beautiful way to display your Playbills, click here to purchase Playbill frames.
