The Producer's Perspective Podcast with Ken Davenport

Jonathan Lomma, Powerhouse Literary Agent to the Stars, discusses his theory of how musicals changed after 2001, how an emerging writer gets on his radar, and more. 

Pam MacKinnon, Tony Award-Winning Director, discusses how she went from pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science to a career in directing, why Broadway shows not slated for Broadway that end up there have an advantage, and more.

Catherine Zuber, Six-Time Tony Award Winning Costume Designer, discusses how she was terrible at sewing when she started . . . and that did NOT impact her ability to design, why her favorite costumes aren't the most beautiful, and more. 

Jerry Zaks, Four-Time Tony Award Winner, discusses how he agreed to direct a show even though he didn’t know what directing really was, the best advice he ever got, which made him change his attitude overnight, and more. 

Doug Hughes, Tony Award-winning Director, discusses why his research for plays gets him a lot of frequent flyer miles, how directing a play is like a lawyer trying a case, and more. 

Mark Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director of the Paper Mill Playhouse, discusses what Broadway had to do with the Paper Mill's recession, working with commercial producers on out-of-town tryouts, and more.

Mike Rafael, Broadway Ticketing Analyst, discusses why he learned what he knows from working Off-Broadway, how the price of your ticket tells a story about your show, and more. 

Kwame Kwei-Armah, discusses, how a political point influences all his writing . . . and then why he hides it, what the @#$% can we ALL do about diversity, and more. 

Trip Cullman, Broadway and Off Broadway Director, discusses why the first thing he does when he takes a job is make a mixtape, the super-secret, age-old blocking technique that you've got to try, and more.

General Manager Carl Pasbjerg talks about the difference between managing Broadway shows now vs. twenty years ago, the necessity of accountability, the first thing he does when building a budget, and more. 

Kyle Jarrow, SpongeBob the Musical Bookwriter, discusses how he got the job for SpongeBob (a process different than most musicals), how an idea informs what medium you should write it for, and more.

Pat Cook, BMI's Director of Musical Theatre, discusses the best way to collaborate with your co-writer, what makes a great musical theater writer, versus just a great writer, and more.

Jonathan Rand, one of the most produced playwrights on the planet, discusses how entering a contest kicked-off his writing career, how a couple lines of HTML and ZERO expectations changed his life, and more

David Korins, Broadway Set Designer, discusses the key to success while a show is in previews, the #1 skill that a designer needs, and more.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Vice President of The Second City and The President of Second City Theatricals.

Michael Passaro, Production Stage Manager, discusses the best thing to learn if you want to be a Stage Manager, the role of the Stage Manager in the creative development process, and more.

Tom Kitt, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winner, discusses, how to choose an idea to turn into a musical, why he isn't on social media, and more.

Chris Jones, The Chief Theater Critic for the Chicago Tribune, discusses, how he deals with Critic Fatigue, the role of the audience in the writers process, and more.

Chazz Palminteri, Author, Academy Award Nominee, and Art-repreneur, discusses how he had to talk a mob guy out of taking out a guy he was understudying, why he turned down an offer for one MILLION dollars for the rights to his story, and more.

Randy Buck, CEO of The Troika Organization, discusses when you should plan your national tour, can a show go on the road without a Broadway brand, and more.