Backstage Pass Becomes Something More

If you've been paying attention lately (or if you are on our mailing list), then you you've heard that we've launched a podcast called Backstage Pass. By we, I mean my brother John and I are doing it on behalf of Maurer Productions OnStage. Backstage Pass is a podcast about all things community theatre in Central New Jersey. It's an interview show that typically runs from 15 to 30 minutes on topics like upcoming productions, how to get into community theatre, profiles of people working in local theatre. Stuff like that.

Okay, yes, I have to admit that I originally thought of the idea of doing a single episode podcast as a promotional tool to drum up some attention for our production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. But after talking about it with John, he quickly made me realize that it was a lot more affective -- and a lot more fun -- if we made it into a real show and opened it up by doing episodes about all things community theatre and covered what the other theatre companies were doing in Central New Jersey. And thus, Backstage Pass was born.

I'm glad we took this direction. We already have four episodes online with a fifth scheduled and more on the drawing board. On the selfish note, they are a lot of fun to create and they help raise awareness for our theatre company. But when you look at the bigger picture, Backstage Pass is helping to promote community theatre in general . My favorite episode is one I hosted featuring Kyrus Westcott, Kitty Getlik, and John Maurer talking about the Perry Awards. John did another himself with the folks from Yardley Players' about Moon Over Buffalo.

Upcoming episodes will include one John is working about the production of Skin of Our Teeth, which Brian Bara is directing at the College of New Jersey, and an episode I'll be putting together talking about children in community theatre. I don't know if this podcast are any good. I only know that like them and they're fun to produce and fun for the people who participate in the interviews. If you've had a chance to listen to any of them, I hope you'll offer us your feedback through this blog. We're always looking for ways to make it better.

Also, if you have an idea for an episode of Backstage Pass, please email us at info@mponstage.com.