Theater Leadership

Board of Directors (2004-2012) and Advisory Board (2013-present) of Altarena Playhouse, the Bay Area’s oldest continuously-operating community theater (founded 1938). 

Advisory Board, Custom Made Theatre Co., 2013-present.

Much of what I learned working with them and with others is summarized in my open-source Small Theater Growth & Development Field Manual. 

Technology for Small Theaters

I’m the author and maintainer of Audience1st, the open-source ticketing/CRM/backoffice software designed expressly for the needs of small-to-medium community and semipro theaters.

Musical Direction Credits (* = original orchestration or reduction)

Much of what I’ve learned doing the productions below is summarized in my book Piano/Conductor: So They Talked You Into Being Music Director. Productions are listed in reverse chronological order.

1. Guys and Dolls (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2018
2. In the Heights (Contra Costa Civic Theatre, dir. Ryan Weible), TBA Finalist Music Direction, Direction, Best Musical, Best Ensemble, Jul/Aug 2017
3. *Chess (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), BATCC Winner Music Direction, Ensemble, Best Overall (SF), Best Overall (Bay Area), Sep/Oct 2016
4. Next to Normal (Custom Made Theatre Co., dir. Brian Katz), BATCC Nominee Music Direction, Sep/Oct 2013
5. Rent (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2013
6. The Fantasticks (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Oct/Nov 2012
7. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Mar/Apr 2011
8. *Man of La Mancha (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Stewart Lyle), Feb-Apr 2010
9. *Gypsy  (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Christina Lazo), Mar/Apr 2009
10. Chicago (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Christina Lazo), Mar/Apr 2008
11. Sweeney Todd (St. Mary's College, dir. Reid Davis), Apr 2009
12. *Assassins (Custom Made Theater Co., dir. Brian Katz), TBA Top Ten, Jun/Jul 2007
13. The Last Five Years (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Corrie Lenn Borris), May/Jun 2007
14. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), May/Jun 2006
15. *Merrily We Roll Along (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Oct/Nov 2006
16. *The Man Who Saved Christmas (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), Dec 2006
17. Cabaret (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Sep/Oct 2005
18. *Oh My Godmother! (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Ron Lytle), Jul/Aug 2005
19. Company (Altarena Playhouse, dir. Phil Lowery), Mar/Apr 2004
20. Company (Haste Street Players, dir. Phil Lowery), 1998
21. Bye Bye Birdie (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Liz Ambrogi), Apr 1990
22. Chicago (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Ben DeSousa), Apr 1989
23. Guys and Dolls (Baker House Productions at MIT, dir. Ben DeSousa), Apr 1988

Other Original Reductions for Small Theater Pits: Oklahoma! (Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 1998)

Other Music Performance

• I’m the co-director and keyboard player for the 80s cover band Disposable Pop.
• I trained classically at the Preparatory School of the Mannes College of Music, New York, with concert pianist and educator Michael Boriskin and others. I studied piano performance, theory, orchestration, ear training, ensemble, the whole enchilada, completing the pre-conservatory Certificate Program.
• I’ve been keyboardist and drummer (sometimes simultaneously) for original & cover bands Spoon (MIT Battle of the Bands finalist 1990), More at Eleven (MIT Battle of the Bands finalist 1987), Reminiscent Jam (MIT Battle of the Bands Finalist 1988).