Director's Chair

Next Phase in Marketing

2011-12-16T13:44:00.001-08:00

We have just finished creating a brilliant TV spot ad for NUNSET BLVD! With the help of Nunsense creator Dan Goggin and in partnership with Hogan Media here is the TV spot for NUNSET BLVD going on air tonight!

Feeling the Holiday Cheer

2011-12-02T17:21:00.001-08:00

Last night at the Campbell Theatre we had the Preview performance of The Winter Wonderettes.

This show is the perfect holiday treat! All four actresses (Pamela Khoury*, Lisa Drummond*, Diahanna Davidson and Laurie Hedstrom) invoke the holiday spirit in Roger Bean's lovely WINTER WONDERETTES.

Come check out the Wonderettes as they entertain Harper's Hardware employees. Featuring such classic songs: "Santa Baby" "Suzy Snowflake" and "Winter Wonderland" this is a sure fire holiday treat for the whole family!

Congrats to the cast and crew for all their hard work, and Happy Opening Night!

Thankful

2011-11-22T15:54:00.000-08:00

I was just listening to my favorite holiday song, "Thankful" off of Josh Groban's holiday Album "Noel."

At this time of year it is nice to sit back and reflect on all the things we are thankful for. Large and small.

I look around at the staff at the Willows Theatre Company, the patrons, our Board of Directors and all the volunteer's, and realize how blessed I am.

I am thankful for each and everyone of you that is a part of the Willows Family!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Nunsense is Habbit Forming

2011-11-14T00:32:00.000-08:00

We kick off this week with the newest in the Nunsense franchise: NUNSET BLVD!

Dan Goggin and Nunsense team have been in town for the past 4 weeks putting together a hilarious show. From the moment you walk in the theatre and see the towering set, the 5 savvy actresses (Deborah Del Mastro, Amy Washburn, Alexandra Kaprielian, Juliet Heller and Linda Dorsey) and of course Sister Kim and the band, you know you are in for a wonderful evening of theatre. Previews start tomorrow at 7:30pm and opens on Friday the 18th at 8:00pm at the Willows Mainstage in Concord, Ca across from the REI.

The only thing that could possibly make this better? The new speakers improving the Willows sound system! We've listened and finally accrued the funds. We have added 3 new high powered speakers in the house. "Can you hear us now?"

Over in our Campbell Theatre we have the WINTER WONDERETTES rehearsing. I peeked my head in this afternoon, and this show is coming along. Lois Grandi is directing and choreographing the production. The cast includes Lisa Drummond, Pam Khoury, Laurie Hedstrom and Diahanna Davidson. This will be a holiday favorite for the whole family. I'm pretty sure I heard some tap shoes doing a few shuffles on the stage.

As we creep into the holiday season I am reminded of all the joys in my life. I would like to take a moment and thank the Willows Theatre Company Staff and Patrons for your continued dedication. You are all an inspiration to me.

This week will be filled with lots of laughter on the stage. Behind the scenes we are continuing our casting process for the 2012 Season and hiring of Directors. 2012 is looking to be a season full of hits. David and I are finalizing the 2012 budget for our Board of Director's approval, hence the post so early in the morning. Yesterday and today I was updating webpages on our website, and trying to clean up the appearance as well. On top of budgets, casting, websites I did find a few moments to make sure I could catch a little of NUNSET BLVD tech. Rachel is getting ready for our WinterStage program, and Sara, our Box Office Assoc, is stuffing season ticket envelops with all the goodies. Every designer is currently looking over their last minute notes for NUNSET and continuing their work for WINTER WONDERETTES. All hands are on deck, and I am so proud of the staff’s hard work.

I am looking forward to the opening of NUNSET BLVD this Friday at the Concord Mainstage. See you at the theatre!

-Eric Inman

Artistic Director

Patron Centric

2011-10-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is such an exciting moment for me to begin a new journey with my Willows Theatre Company patrons.

I was at a very inspiring conference a few weeks ago entitled "Beyond Dynamic Adaptability." This conference explored the new world of technology and how we as arts organizations connect and engage our audience in a world that is becoming more and more networked.

My brain exploded for hours! I was so inspired by the revelation that today arts organizations are in an Artistic Reformation. As a leader in the Bay Area theatre community I am excited to be a part of this reformation.

Today we are surrounded by social media, twitter and an ever growing desire to self-promote. How does the current arts organization stay relevant in a world that is adapting faster than we realized?

In the passing of Steve Jobs, we as a nation and global society are finally putting terms and focus on how the world has changed. The art of communication and sharing of information has changed. The way we learn is changing as well. As an arts organization, especially a theatre organization, we truly have a new commitment in how we look at making art, but more importantly how we invite our audience to participate in our art.

As The Willows Theatre Company moves forward we will be exploring how to dynamically adapt as well as lead in the this exploration of connectivity and engagement with our Patrons. David and I have always believed that to be successful you must be Patron Centric. We operate by this mind set on a daily basis.

Thank you so much to all of our Patrons for your continued faith and commitment to the excellence of live professional theatre.

To continue my commitment to you, I am starting a weekly blog in which I will be exploring what is happening at the Willows in a new light. I hope this finds everyone well, and I look forward to seeing all of you at NUNSET BLVD!

-Eric Inman

Artistic Director