BWW Interviews: TheaterWorks' Chris Hamby on SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE... Et Cetera

Chris Hamby is an award-winning director. He was formerly the education director for Theater Works and serves as the puppetry director for the Puppet Works program. Chris has worked with many valley companies throughout the years, including Phoenix Theatre, North Valley Playhouse, Greasepaint, and the East Valley Children's Theatre. In 1999 he co-founded the Vagabond Youth Theatre and in 2003 served as an education intern at Seattle Children's Theatre. Most recently, Chris directed Twilight's Quest, Charlotte's Web, The Secret Garden, and A Year With Frog and Toad, for YouthWorks. He has also directed Avenue Q: School Edition and Hairspray at Desert Foothills Theater and The Full Monty at Mesa Encore Theatre. In 2015, Chris participated in the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's ANIMOTION: Puppetry Intensive Training Program in addition to completing the American Express Leadership Academy's Nonprofit Leadership Management program. He was recently honored with an outstanding service award by the Arizona Thespians for his work for high school theatre students. Chris is also the past president of the ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence and currently sits on the Board of Directors.

Daniel Schay, executive director of Theater Works, died last April, the day before opening night of the company's season finale, the comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. He was only 63 years old.

First of all, how's it going? You took the helm after what must have been a difficult time for Theater Works.

Things are going well. There has certainly been a bit of a learning curve stepping into the shoes of Artistic Director. I feel fortunate that I have had a very supportive staff and Board of Directors in addition to a great partner in our Managing Director Cate Hinkle. It has taken all of us to weather the storm. There obviously was not a plan in place and though it has meant more hours in the office, hopefully for our audiences it has been a smooth transition.

You have a penchant for works that are edgier than past Theater Works fare. Is Sunday in the Park with George along those lines, or was that already planned when you took over last year?

Sunday was already part of the season that I inherited. That being said, it certainly is a show that I would have included in a hand picked season. I would not say our production is edgy but I do think it will stand on its own as a beautiful and memorable production. Sunday in the Park With George was the favorite of Theater Works founder David Wo and the show he was never able to produce. It has taken the organization 32 years to bring this show to the stage and I couldn't be prouder to have it happen under my watch. The show has greater significance here than most.

How do you feel about the production that's going to open on the 17th? How is it looking so far?

I am thrilled with how the production looks and sounds so far. We have a great team at the helm with Phillip Fazio and Steve Hilderbrand. These two have created some of the biggest hits at Theater Works in past few seasons. I think Phillip is a brilliant director and am always excited to see what he brings to life with a production. Steve Hilderbrand, is a foremost Sondheim enthusiast and I feel blessed to have such a well versed music director for this project. The design team is creating something quite unique and appropriate for our production.

How is Theatre Works' Sunday in the Park different from other productions we've seen of the show?

We have partnered with Huntington University and their digital media and animation campus in Peoria to help bring the scenic elements to fruition. In collaboration with our scenic designer and technical director Brett Aiken, projections, video and simple scenery will bring us into Seurat's world. Phillip, has real vision and I believe we have amassed the team to bring his concept to life. We are lucky to have such accomplished designers on this project with costume designer, Landis York and lighting designer Jeff Davis among them.

Sunday in the Park is very much a visual arts piece. I know you are a puppeteer (and a director of puppet works), which is also a largely visual form of theatre - more so than when human actors play the parts. I mean, we're not going to see puppets doing My Dinner with Andre, but I'm interested in the way your relationship to the more visual form translate into any deeper visual impact with the upcoming production. I realize you aren't directing the piece, but I wonder if your influence as Artistic Director plays any part in the visual aspects of Theater Works Productions.

I think that my relationship to the visual form, including puppetry, will translate into the work you will be seeing from Theater Works in the future. The visual has always been important in the theatre I have created. We have partnered with the experts in digital animation and design to move us into a new visual realm and create something never seen before on our stage. We have done away with the traditional flat and static look for the show and are creating something more kinetic. This show has so much movement in the music we really wanted the other elements to follow suit. However, on Sunday in the Park With George my real aim is to provide the resources to a trusted director to create the production he fully envisioned.

How do you see Theater Works evolving in the next few years?

I hope to move the theater to producing more visually challenging work, without sacrificing true story telling. My ultimate goal is to grow the company to a place that allows us to create theatre that appeals to our audiences and satisfies the creative passions of the artists we work with.

It is beautiful, and very touching, that you are realizing the dream of Theater Works' founder with your upcoming production. You're young and, I hope, as healthy as you look and have years ahead to see a lot of ideas come to fruition. Do you have any comparable dreams - projects that seem beyond the company's reach - that might be left to future generations?

I'm not sure if there are any shows that I'd like to direct or produce that are beyond our means. There certainly are shows that I just haven't been able to direct...yet.

As a director, what drives your artistic impulse?

I think it is always about storytelling. I am also obsessed with source material. No matter what the show is I want to know everything about it even if it will never come into play in rehearsal. I want to be fully armed with knowledge to tell the story the best way I can.

How does that harmonize or conflict with your role as artistic director of a theatre that employs an array of directors?

I am aware of what I am good at and what I am not good at. I try to always pair the right people with the right project.

What is Theater Works' relationship with the diversity of our community? Is that a concern?

I think that AZ in general, including our schools and institutions need to recognize that we are not doing a good job of preparing, training and keeping diverse actors, designers, directors. I also don't think that it is something any one organization is going to be able to solve on their own.

Indeed.

There is talk of the National Endowment for the Arts going away (and the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, etc.). Are you concerned about that possibility?

I am concerned. I think all artists in all mediums should be concerned.

In your view, is arts/theatre subsidy important?

It is very important. The financial reasons are obvious. The NEA, PBS and NEH being cut will have larger ramifications than just the loss of money. It will be saying that our government does not value the arts, artists contributions and the impact they have on our lives and on our country. I think it is a very dangerous and frankly sad message to be giving our citizens and the world.

Sunday in the Park With George opens at the Gyder Theater, Friday February 17 at 7:30pm.

Friday, February 17 at 7:30pm BUY TICKETS
Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm BUY TICKETS
Sunday, February 19 at 2:00pm BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, February 22 at 2:00pm BUY TICKETS
Friday, February 24 at 7:30pm BUY TICKETS
Saturday, February 25 at 3:00pm BUY TICKETS *Includes a talkback after the show!
Saturday, February 25 at 7:30pm BUY TICKETS
Sunday, February 26 at 2:00pm BUY TICKETS
Friday, March 3 at 7:30pm BUY TICKETS
Saturday, March 4 at 3:00pm BUY TICKETS
Saturday, March 4 at 7:30pm BUY TICKETS
Sunday, March 5 at 2:00pm BUY TICKETS
For ADA seating please call the Box Office at (623)815-7930.
Senior, Student and Group Discounts available.