How many times have you heard the lament "If I knew then, what I know now!"? There's always more to learn, after all, and hindsight is 20/20. So here's to those who have a passion for sharing their knowledge and speeding up that learning curve. One such man is Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport ("Kinky Boots", "Once on This Island"). He's been sharing industry tips and trends for a decade on his "Producer's Perspective" blog, and that desire to inform has led to The Producer's Perspective Super Conference, a two day event (November 11th and 12th) promising an in-depth look at the theater industry with multiple panels, networking opportunities, practical advice, and special expert guests. It's designed for passionate theater professionals who want to "learn more, do more, and meet more."
Show-Score recently sat down with Ken Davenport for a quick chat.
(Note: Show-Score members can get discount tickets to the conference! Just go here and enter SHOW17 at checkout. The code is good through 10/31!)
S-S: How did you get your start in producing?
I was actor who was lucky enough to get a gig as a production assistant on a Broadway show, and when I saw the lead producer give the opening day speech to the cast and crew, I remember thinking, "I want to be that guy!" I started coming up with ideas for shows, and learning the biz by working my way up the ranks immediately.
S-S: What do you wish you'd known from the beginning?
You can't do theater or anything by yourself. I'm a big problem solver. I can do a lot in my room, in front of my computer. But to really achieve success, you need to meet other people who want to do the same things you want to do. You can all help each other get to where you want to be.
S-S: Why did you start "The Producer's Perspective" conference and who should attend?
I started this conference because there wasn't one like it when I was starting out. And while podcasts and blogs are great, there is nothing more powerful than getting passionate, like-minded people in a room to talk about how to do what we all love to do . . . better than we're doing it now.
S-S: What are you most excited for in the season ahead?
"Once on this Island" :-)
S-S: Do you ever look at our member reviews on Show-Score?
A big part of a producer's job is listening . . . to your creative team, to your investors, and to your audience. Show-Score gives you a way to do that, [and it] is much more efficient than hanging out by the restrooms during intermission.