What inspired the creative direction for “Working in the Theatre?”
“Working in the Theatre,” fondly referred to as WIT, is a 45-year-old series, so it has changed a lot over the years. Originally conceived as a panel series spotlighting the insights of creatives and cast members from prominent theatrical productions, WIT has gracefully evolved into an episodic Documentary series. This evolution has ushered in a new era, shining a global spotlight on the endeavors of theatre artists hailing from every corner of the US.
How does this series represent the American Theatre Wing’s creative ethos?
In 2014, Heather A. Hitchens, the President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and WIT’s Executive Producer, felt the urgency to showcase more inclusive work. She recognized the abundance of captivating projects and job roles within our industry, understanding that many, including those actively involved, didn’t fully grasp the nuances of working in all positions within the theatre. By presenting these endeavors through interviews, b-roll, rehearsal footage, and production clips, we aim to provide access to those who require a roadmap. This approach offers an entertaining and educational guide to the daily lives of numerous theatre artists.
Describe one of your biggest obstacles or challenges producing the series.
When the pandemic first hit, the theatre suffered terribly and continued to feel so many ramifications. We had to cancel the process of documenting theatre, because there wasn’t any live theatre to document. It was then we discovered something that we inevitably knew would happen. Theatre artists are some of the most brave, creative, and hardworking people on the planet. We found so many stories of these workers creating work digitally, outdoors, and in any way they could to entertain and survive. We knew we had to document these stories in as close to real time as possible. We created, edited, and released several episodes of WIT in 2020 and are so proud that we were able to share these artists’ journeys.
