Book Publication Timeline

I just got word from my Copy Editor that the timeline for publication of my book has been set. I will be doing final edits through February with a release date of April! I can't believe that just over a year ago I began this whole process-incredible. And I almost forgot that I needed to do an acknowledgement page! Where to start. With so many people to thank I feel like this will be almost more difficult to write than any of the book content. first and foremost, my students, both current and past and to some extent those I've yet to teach are the reason why I felt a need to begin this project. So many others to mention I may have to come up with a clever way to do it so it doesn't become a chapter of its own!

I will keep you posted on the progress!

Final Day: First Preview

This may be my last post from NYC - I really, really, cannot believe, A: I am here doing this, and B: that it is already over.  I will probably post again after tomorrow's first preview performance and if it is possible to be more emotional than tonight's, I may be in for it.  It hit me really hard during the second act that I was sitting in the St. James Theatre, and had been for the past 14 days working on a beautiful show with some of the most talented technicians, performers, designers, directors, musicians, and choreographers there are - and somehow, I was part of it.  If I didn't fully understand what it means to be humbled, I certainly learned it over the course of the past 4 weeks. 
This experience has been nothing short of life changing and how I look at the gifts I have been given to be able to be part of the theatre community - not just here, but at home on a wonderful campus as well. I really began to understand just how blessed we (show folk) are to get to do this for a career and I know there have been, and will probably be in the future, times when I've taken it for granted.  Being here has changed that. I cannot remember the last time I sat through 14 straight days where I was physically in the theatre for over 12 hours each day and really enjoyed my time. It was amazing.
I thanked Christine for allowing me to be a part of her family of creative artists and was barely able to keep my emotions in check - big surprise.  Well, it is almost midnight again and I need to be back at the theatre tomorrow for my official last day of work - it will be bittersweet, to say the least. . .

Official Playbill for First Preview

It may not be on the cover page, but it is in a Playbill!

Long First 10 out of 12

This is just an observation, but if the best smells in the world lie in that of a new born baby's head and fresh baked bread, than the odor and funk of the local A train at midnight is the polar opposite - enough said.  Also, I never thought I would miss the express train as much as I did last night trying to get back to 181st.  Twenty stops and 45 minutes later, I finally got back to the apartment.  I certainly slept well.

The rehearsal went very well again - there seems to be a rhythm that has been established and we've now come to the end of Act I and actually started into Act II.  We hope to have the entire show teched by Monday evening - if so, we may get costumes a day early (Tuesday). 

I was able to speak with a cast member yesterday - Sean Krill - who is another very talented actor who is the stand by for Harry Connick Jr.  We don't necessarily know each other, but I went to college with Guy Adkins, his long time partner who recently lost his battle with cancer at an age that, for lack of a better phrase, was way, way, too young.  I was so happy to finally get a chance to say hello.  This business, even here on Broadway, is so very, very, small and connected that it never ceases to amaze me. From a crew member here at the St. James that I went to college with some 20+ years ago, to a performer who's partner and I shared the stage in a production of A Chorus Line in 1988, I am constantly reminded that we are all part of a very intimate family of artists.

We begin today at 1:30ish with some more Dry Tech as the cast has their sitzbrobe.  They, the cast, will join us after dinner break to hopefully get a good start on Act II tech. 

I can't believe that I will be starting my final week in two days - this first three weeks has simply flown by. I have tried to absorb as much as I can so I can share the many similarities, and unique differences between what we do at the academic level and here at the St. James.  What I will take with me is the wonderful memories of the great people I've gotten to meet and work with. I hope it is not my last time to work in this wonderful city.

First Week of Tech: Coming to a Close

We've been teching for five full days at the close of tonight's rehearsal (at 11:45 pm) and this show is looking absolutely beautiful.  The lighting is incredibly vivid with all of the LEDs being used; and for this show, it is perfect and the sound is noticeably clean and full sounding.
 
The cast is helping out by wearing color coordinated t-shirts in the family of their primary costume colors to help set more accurate lighting levels and colors. Some costume pieces have hit the stage, but for the most part, we will see full costumes on Wednesday - three days before the first invited dress rehearsal!

The cast will have their sitzprobe on Saturday as the orchestra began their rehearsals yesterday.

The automation for all of the moving scenic units has fallen into a wonderful groove and it appears that everything seems to be running as smooth as to be expected with a show as involved (scenically) as this. The crew is amazing and should be commended for all of their work that they do (they all work from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm prior to the arrival of the cast) as without their endless hours, we wouldn't be able to move forward with the afternoon and evenings technical rehearsals.


I was able to meet a former student for dinner (Thanks Suzy!) and let her sit in on some of the rehearsal before she had to head back home.  It never get's boring listening to Harry Connick Jr. and the rest of this incredible cast sing these beautiful songs.  Well, finishing up some errands before heading back into Midtown for the start of rehearsal. 

No Detail Too Small. No Idea Too Large

Yesterday was day 2 of our full day of tech and things really began to go smoothly. There are many, many cues that feature automation, and as many of us know, any time there is moving scenery (or projections!) in a play or musical, those details tend to take time to make right, so patience is certainly a virtue.  Another one of the amazing aspects about a show this scale is the speed with which changes can, and are made.  A decision to alter a prop or a scenic unit can be made at 3:00 pm on day one, and by 12:00 pm on day two, the new item is often there.  There really is no time wasted when it comes to sharing and incorporating new ideas.

I've also noticed something yesterday that may be interesting and worth sharing. No detail is too small to be concerned with, and no idea is too large to consider.  What I mean is this.  We were working on a particularly short scene - 2 lines, in fact - and it featured a couple of chairs, a small cocktail table, two cocktails, and a practical lamp used in the scene. When the wagon carrying all of the set items arrived for the scene, (the first time all of us had seen the set piece) there was a discussion regarding the "look" of the set pieces all the way down to the cocktails that were going to be featured in the scene.

When the prop artist began to talk about the choices she made, they were all based on the dramaturgy of the show - everything discussed was based on the story and made to enhance and support the characters and that particular moment.  Eventually, some minor adjustments (trim details, new cocktails, and scaling down the chairs a bit) were made to help the set pieces "live" in the world of the moment better.  The changes were small, by most accounts, but absolutely necessary to bring them into the vocabulary of the rest of the design.

Seemingly every decision, no matter how big or small, seems to always go back to the script, the story, and the vocabulary that has been established for this exact environment. This may seem absolutely obvious, but all too often, decisions are made that are rooted in reasons other than "the story" or the agreed upon design vocabulary.

The other scary and exciting aspect is time. It may seem like 2 weeks to tech a show is a long time (compared to some regional theatres and most academic situations where one week is the norm) but, with everything that goes on in a show this size, every minute is being used - and used efficiently. 

Day three starts for the crew (who are amazing!) today at 8:00 am and we take the stage for more tech at 1:00 pm.  More to come. . .

First Full Day of Tech - With Cast

Today was an emotion filled day. I got to the studio around 10:00 am to prep for today's tech. We started at the St. James around 12:30 pm with all of the cast, crew, and writers, and some of the producers. The rehearsal began with a welcome speech from the producers. Then at the end of the introduction, we all went around the theatre and introduced ourselves and told everyone what our role was on the production - it was quite strange introducing myself right before Harry Connick Jr and all of the "old pros" of the Great White Way.  I felt incredibly humbled and strangely comfortable.  The entire group was so obviously excited about moving forward with tech - which is both exciting and frightening all at the same time. 

We began at the top of the show and slowly and methodically moved through the first 15 minutes of the show. Aside from some tense moments, things went well.  Lots of notes on set pieces. Tomorrow,  I will be working on designing a new paint scheme for a couple of restaurant chairs for three scenes - small, but still very exciting.

Tomorrow will be another long, long day ending around 10:30 pm.  Then, starting on Thursday, we have 4 or 5 10 out of 12's in a row before the first dress!  This is going to get interesting. . .

Day 2 Dry Tech: Run Thru

Today started off really great with a few hours in the theatre for Dry Tech.  Not that there's a lot I do; however, just watching the lighting designer work with his crew setting levels and writing cues was another educational opportunity.

Tomorrow is another long day but I'm not complaining.

Working on a New Musical

Today was another red letter day. I began by updating groundplans for CLEAR DAY and quickly switched gears to attend a meeting with Christine.  Christine is collaborating on the new musical that is based on the documentary that took place in Longview, Texas a few years back.

The production meeting was fascinating. This was one of the first meetings Christine had and I learned some new techniques on how to have an open dialogue that is informative and specific, but still remain open and creative.

After the meeting I hightailed it over to the theatre as the crew was ahead of schedule so the Dry Tech got a head start. Hopefully that means the next couple of days will also go just as well - I can dream, can't I?

Early Start

I got into the city early (8:00 am) this morning to try to get a head start on updating all of the various groundplans for the crew members. We begin Dry Tech tomorrow and after that, I am certain my time will be limited. Please indulge me for a moment to share some of what I feel being here and working with these artists.

One of the most wonderful experiences thus far is just how excited these everyone is to be doing theatre. I think, as a full time academician, we get spoiled with having the opportunity to create theatre upwards of 10 times a year - these artists are never guaranteed another chance to practice what they love - I tend to forget that when we all struggle to "pick a season."  We should be so lucky to "pick a season."

While we were sitting in the theatre, the lighting designer was playing with his lighting on a select piece of scenery that Christine had designed and the joy and excitement he had when she walked in to meet with the production coordinator was infectious.  He was so jazzed to show how "awesome" the piece looked under his lights - and take my word, it did!  It's these little moments that happen with designers, directors, prop carpenters, and electricians every day that makes me grateful that I have a built in opportunity to create art each and every year.  Does it get tiresome? Certainly. Should I take it for granted? Never.  We are very, very lucky and should remember that every time we complain about another 10 out of 12 at the University Theatre.

Well, enough philosophizing for the morning - back to the studio for more drafting, soldering, gluing, cutting (hopefully more than my fingers. . . ) and living the dream. . .

Week Two Begins

I have a brief update of where we are. We are two days from our first dry tech for Clear Day.  I am posting the 52+ groundplans that I am responsible for updating as the scene shift plots develop.  The crew needs accurate run sheets that show where each scenic unit is placed on stage. This show has 59 (as of today) different looks!

I was assigned a name badge in order to attend rehearsals as the cast prepares to take the stage next week. (in case you thought I was making this all up just hanging out in the Big Apple seeing Spiderman!)

Today I split my time between updating paperwork for Clear day and doing some preliminary work on a new musical. There is a meeting with the director tomorrow so we wanted to have something to share.

Well, I need to get back to work learning Vectorworks.  Even after 15 years of using Autocad, I am still at a loss sometimes when it comes to another program.  Another long night.

Me and Harry Connick waiting for opening night!

My sunrise from the Heights

Oh, this is me. . . and Harry.  And my view this morning - yeah, don't feel sorry for me. . .

End of Week One

It has been a full week of work here in the Big Apple, and I can say, without a doubt, it has lived up to my expectation. I can't begin to tell you all what I've learned thus far and I know my true education begins on the 31st - when the Actors hit the stage for the first time.

 I started my day with my wife (she flew in for a few days!) heading from 181st Street down to 14th Street on the Express A train to return books (research books) at the Parson's Library and pick up art supplies for the Rigoletto model.  I went to the absolute coolest art store!  It was actually the store where Robert Rauschenberg used to buy his supplies back in the day.  Every paper imaginable was there for sale along with the greatest selection of paint, brushes, adhesives, art cases, . . . . OK, I am an art store nerd.

My job was to make a box to ship all of the hanging scenery over to the Metropolitan Opera

.

When I returned to the studio, Christine's associate and I frantically finished the details on the presentation model for their big meeting tonight for the Artistic Director at the Met. I finished cutting out scenic units and then built a storage box for all of the hanging scenery.  The 1/2" scale model is gigantic!!!

The rest of the model furniture, people, etc.

 The Metropolitan Opera sent a driver over to the studio to pick up the model for this evenings presentation and Brett and I had to take the freight elevator (the model was THAT big!!) down from the 15th floor to meet the driver and load it in his pickup.  After we wrapped up on Rigoletto for the day, I headed over to the St. James to check in on Clear Day.  I met with the technical coordinator to go over some set and prop details and report back to Christine.  All in all, it looks as if we will be all set for Dry Tech on Thursday.

Me outside of the marquee

 Next week begins a whirlwind of juggling three large shows at the same time.  One at the Met, one at the St. James, and another at La Jolla Playhouse!  Some rest this weekend and time in the city with my wife, then back at it Monday morning.
The information I am learning will undoubtedly be incredibly valuable to my current, as well as future students - heck, to me as well for that matter!  I sometimes pinch myself to remember that this is an opportunity that I am participating in and serve an amazing role in the creation of a Broadway Musical with some of the most talented, kind, and supportive artists I've ever met.  I almost wish I could find a way to add this to my book. Oh well, maybe that's another book!

.More to come and in closing I want to quote one of my favorite movies, because I am: "Livin' The Dream, baby. Livin' The Dream!"

Busy Day 4: Prepping for Design Presentation for Rigoletto

Today was incredible. I got to the studio early and worked a bit on Clear Day. Once Christine arrived, I switched over to working on Rigoletto with the Associate Designer.  I was cutting out model benches, a bar that needed stools, and a number of other smaller "rough" model pieces.

We had an afternoon meeting for only an hour and had to show the director and lighting designer the progress.  It was fascinating listening to Christine interact with the team.

Day Three: Learning a New Program - Yikes

Yesterday and today were both, what you call, baptism by fire.  I was informed that all of the drafting that I would need to update daily during the technical rehearsal process was created using a program (VectorWorks) that I neither use, nor understand!  It is similar to AutoCAD (which I've been using for 15 years) but just different enough that I was completely lost.  Nothing like taking a shot to your pride when you have to inform the designer who hired you that, "No. I actually do NOT know how to draft using that program."  Oh well . . . what 24 hours, a few trial and error attempts to convert the files to something I could use, and finally, a bunch of phone calls to a former student - thank you Shawn!!

I know that you're not supposed to be able to teach an old dog any new tricks, but this dog is getting it done! I have been spending the past 7+ hours playing around in the program with the occasional frantic call to Shawn and a shout out to my studio mate who is plenty busy working on Rigoletto. The good news is, I am starting to be able to feel about 78.4% confident that by October 31st (first day the actors take the stage), that I will be just fine.  We shall see.

The set should be completed by Friday morning and then next week the lighting designer takes the stage for focus prior to our Dry Techs on Thursday and Friday - all day.

Another strange occurrence during our morning meeting at the theatre. I turned around because I was certain I recognized a voice from my past - long past. Like 24 years past.  Sure enough, it was someone I went to undergrad with back at Stevens Point. She is an electrician in New York and works for the IATSE Local 1.  I'm not sure she recognized me, but I think tomorrow I will refresh her memory. Small. Small. Awesome. World.

Day One: Theatre, Rehearsal, Drafting, Photoshop. . . No Rest for the Weary

Well. . . Broadway does move at a pace unlike any other theatre I've encountered.  I arrived at the St. James Theatre at 10 minutes to nine and met the production (for lack of a better term) Technical Director.

He gave me a tour of the theatre and in no time I was off to rehearsal with Christine to rework a scenic piece - a desk. While we were discussing how to alter Mark's (character's name) desk, I was able to catch a staging rehearsal with Harry Connick Jr.  What an absolute professional. Very kind. Very focused.

After about 1.5 hours at rehearsal where we were measuring a scenic wagon that had less than an inch of clearance between scenery, fire pocket, and lighting equipment. After that, I headed to the Equity office to sign my contract, then, it was off to the studio to draft.

I stayed at the studio until about 6:30 pm.  Longish first day. Tomorrow I will be at the theatre to discuss a concern with the DS portal - every day it's something to troubleshoot and make absolutely perfect - I love it.

More to come. . . now for dinner then, to bed.

Day Before Day #1 - Part II

Wanted to update today's outing. Stopped by where I will be spending most of my time.

I also went to see Man and Boy - Derek McLane set, and Kevin Adams did the lighting.  Was also happy to see an old (not in age) MUNY friend was the Production Stage Manager.  Would have stopped to say hello Nevin Hedley, but needed to get some dinner!

Not much more to report other than, in a few hours I begin for real.  This will be incredible.

Day Before Day #1

I am attaching a photo of the beautiful sublet (Thank you Mr. Gross and thank you Ken Martin!!) If I had drawn a picture of the most perfect place to stay while on this adventure, it wouldn't have looked this beautiful.

I am staying in Washington Heights very close to a number of old friends - hopefully there will be many cups of coffee or dinner with them all.  Spent the morning getting some groceries and finished unpacking.  The gentleman I am subletting from is a conductor in the city and has worked with many of the most amazing musicals - Urinetown, Les Miserables, etc.  We had dinner as a very nice little place close to my place last night and he shared a few great stories.  He also had a friend from over seas with him who is here looking to get his "break" in the New York Theatre scene.

I will be meeting Christine and Ed (the Associate Designer) at 10:00 am tomorrow morning at the St. James Theatre - photos to come! We will be dealing with the first of, what I am guessing could be many, issues with a couple of scenic units.

I may head down to Times Square in a bit - yesterday there was a large demonstration for Occupy Wall Street that took over a good portion of TS - I wanna see what's happening today. Street theatre, you know!

Opening Night

Year 19. First show of the season. Opening night.  These days have come and gone for over 25 years and they never seem to grow old.  Today we open a wonderful show on the University Theatre stage - UP. No, it's not based on the Pixar movie! This beautiful story is about big dreams and even bigger lives. The University of Arkansas Department of Drama continues to push itself in ways that challenge both the design/tech staff as well as the performers.  I don't want to give anything away, but this is a show, despite all of the bikers roaring through the streets, needs to be seen.

First Draft Officially in the Can!!

Today was the day. I sent the "hard copy" of my manuscript with all images, intro, foreword (thank you Michael Mayer!!) and back cover blurbs off to the publisher via snail mail.  I thought it would be a feeling of relief but I had no idea it would feel this great.  My bucket list of "to dos" is getting shorter and shorter thanks to this past year's endeavors. 

I will await notes and comments from the publisher so until that time, it is one, major project off my plate for the time being. . . now what??

Manuscript Sent!

Well, today was the day I sent the manuscript for my book off to the publisher. I am feeling a great deal of relief as well as pride. This has been a long, long road and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, in about 8 months, there will be a book out on the shelves (and on the Nooks, Ipads and Kindles of the world) for everyone to read. I am so happy I took a shot in the dark to do something so far out of my comfort zone - it has been so worth it.  I also would love to thank all of the designers who agreed to work with me on this project. I know your time is valuable and to choose to share some of it with me was much appreciated.  Thank you Derek, Scott, Christine, Anna, David, Kenneth, David, Peter, Howell, and Kevin.

I can't wait to be in New York to work with one of these great individuals (Christine Jones) in a dream job. I will continue to blog about the adventure for all of you to follow along with me.

Great Week of Book Work

Well, this was one incredible week of work on the book. I received all but one final edit from my designers, started collecting photos, finished all introductions, reordered the questions, and formatted the entire manuscript in preparation to deliver to the publisher.
I also did a bit of work tallying up the hours I've put into this book to date. Since December of 2010 when I began, in earnest, I've logged close to 900 hours, which doesn't even include the travel time and airport delays, to and from New York 3 different times. It has been worth it though. I can't wait to get this out there - the interviews are so informative and positive about this industry.
More to come this coming week, I'm sure.

Book Update: Publisher Success!

It has been since May that I shared anything new on the book. The fact is, there wasn't much happening up until about two weeks ago when I heard from Allworth Press, a publishing house in New York City that is now owned by Skyhorse Press. After a brief phone conversation, we agreed to a deal for the book. Fast forward to Saturday, July 23rd when I received a signed contract in the mail making it official - Starting Your Career as a Theatrical Designer: Insights and Advice from Leading Broadway Designers will hit the shelves sometime Spring 2012.
I've been receiving photos, sketches, and other visual support materials from the ten contributing designers throughout the past two weeks through email - it's like Christmas! The book will have about 40 images and the publisher has agreed to make them all color images! Also, Michael Mayer (Director for Spring Awakening and American Idiot among many others!) is on board and currently reading the drafts of the interviews to begin his contribution - he is writing the foreword. I think the book will be a wonderful addition to the few books that are currently available to those who are interested in pursuing a career in theatre design.
It's now a matter of meeting all of my deadlines! Wish me luck. . .

Book Project Progress

Well, it's now been about 3 1/2 months of intense work on my book and I think, finally, this week it took it's toll on me. I returned from a 6 day trip to New York to finalize my interviews and almost as soon as I got on the airplane (actually before while I was sitting in the airport) I started to feel sick. It was that kind of sick you get when after you've pushed to get a show open, your body just gives in and you crater - that's how I felt. It has been 5 more days and I am just now starting to feel like myself again. I guess the reality of having to go back to work on a daily basis without having finished the work on the book has started to get to me.
I am in the process of transcribing my final three interviews - thank God! I also have had some contact with a publisher about working the book into a more narrative form; we shall see. I hope to truly have a publisher by the time I get all of the interviews transcribed and back from the designers. That would be a huge relief.  This is so much more work than I ever thought. How hard can it be to listen to wonderful designers and just transcribe their word? Huh! How naive I was.
I am proud of the fact that I have pursued this project, and I know it will be a good one once it is completed. I've even secured introductions by Michael Mayer, director for Spring Awakening and American Idiot. Both shows received huge praise not only from the audiences that saw them, but by the Tony Awards committees as well. Des McAnuff has also agreed to contribute to the project. When I was interviewing Howell Binkley, he made a call to Des and that was it. I know they will both make wonderful contributions to the project.
I guess now it's a waiting game. I wait to here back from publishers for a contract as I continue to work on putting the book together. I also will be waiting for all of the designers to send me images to include in the book.
If I ever say I want to write another book, someone please slap me. This is monumental.

Race Day Saturday

It's been, well, only about 20 months since I started running again - and not from someone - just running. It's nothing like when I had to run back in high school for cross country. Running in Wisconsin during the late winter, early spring when the high temperature is about 24 degrees, doesn't really instill the urge to "just do it." In fact, I can't remember if I ever ran one training run in it's entirety - in fact, I know I cheated every single one of them - sorry coach, but if you put a corn field between me and the finish line, and by cutting through said corn field it will cut off over 3 miles of a 6 mile run, consider that bad planning on your part.
Back to 2009. I started running, seriously, again just after my Father-in-law passed away unexpectedly - we were all taken by surprise by his passing and we, and by we I especially mean my wife, struggle with it each and every day. He was, and still is, an incredible man with a spirit that lives on in almost everything we do - from grilling steaks to putting air in my daughter's truck tires (which was her Papa's) to flipping through television shows that feature unidentified flying objects - he was a well rounded wonderful guy and will forever be missed.
Now with this running thing, I guess since I was in St. Louis, MO, and I was away from my wife, I also just needed something to occupy my time - working at the MUNY is great fun, and Forest Park is absolutely beautiful, but there are 24 hours in a day! Besides, I was now old enough to appreciate "a walk (or run) in the park." I also would ride my bicycle around the 12 mile park loop - that was easier, but for some reason, running just really worked for me on a completely different level. The strange thing is, I've had my right knee rebuilt (ACL) and have had back surgery (years of stupidity and heredity) - I really wasn't the optimal candidate to be running what started off as about 10 miles a week. But, I couldn't really stop. Then, upon returning to Fayetteville at the end of the MUNY season, I just, to quote Forrest Gump, "just kept runnin'."
Well, like I said, almost 20 some months later I have completed 3 half marathons, a full marathon, an 11K, a 10K, and a number of 5K races. It's not a record by any stretch of the imagination, but it is something that is not only great for me physically but emotionally as well. I actually stop (or I guess I should say, GO!) long enough to gather MY thoughts.
While running may not be for everyone, it's really working for me - and on some strange level, I think it is making me a better teacher, designer, and husband - now if I can just get started on editing this damned book.

Cheers!

I'm not sure I am at all too pleased with how and when I am struck to write. Why does it seem like the only time I am feeling as if the exact words I am looking for come between 3:00 am and 5:00 am? Why do I then wake, not even an hour later some mornings, only to draw a blank as to the truly inspired words that, not even an hour earlier, filled my head? I may have to keep my digital recorder by the bed-although my wife may not appreciate being serenaded by a stream of gibberish about designers. Oh well. There are worse things, I guess.

Great Start

Justin John and I worked this morning and got about 80% of the plot hung. We did some routine clean up to the catwalks and are getting ready to finish tomorrow morning. It is so much easier to work on a show when you have good help!
More to come. . .

Pre-hang for T-2 Production

Tomorrow my assistant Justin John and I will begin the pre-hang for Reasons to be Pretty. More to come soon.

Day One - Sabbatical Progress

I just wanted to share a bit about how my progress on a new book that will feature top Broadway designers is going. I have gathered most of the interviews over the course of 2 trips to New York. I was able to meet with Scott Pask, David Lander, David Gallo, Christine Jones, Anna Louizos, David Budries, Peter Nigrini, and Ken Posner. I will be making one, hopefully, final trip sometime in mid May or early June to interview Derek McLane and hopefully add to that list Natasha Katz and David Rockwell.  I've transcribed over 100,000 words already and it is shaping up to be a wonderful book! Stay tuned for more updates.