BWW Interviews: ANDY DONALD – Producer of Artistic Development and Community Programming of NJPAC

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is a world-class venue offering the finest entertainment in the arts. With a strong commitment to the community and education, NJ PAC is a true gem in the New York metropolitan area. We went behind the scenes and interviewed, Andy Donald who is the Producer of Artistic Development and Community Programming.

Donald joined the programming department at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in 2013. He oversees long-range creative projects, new musical series, commissioning works, co-presentations, and free community/civic programming. Some of his producing highlights at NJPAC include: Jimmy Fallon in Conversation with Stephen Colbert, John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown (filmed, HBO),American Songbook (w/ Ted Chapin; filmed, PBS), Meredith Willson's The Music Man (all black cast, w/ Two River Theater, dir. Robert O'Hara). NJPAC Commissions: The Hip Hop Nutcracker (w/ United Palace; national tour); NJPAC Stage Exchange (w/ NJ regional theaters, world premieres). Previously, he served as Artistic Director of Naked Angels in New York City: Next Fall (Broadway, Tony Nomination) and This Wide Night (with Edie Falco and Alison Pill, 5 Lortel nominations). He also spearheaded the merger of Naked Angels with the New School for Drama, establishing the company as the resident professional theater inside the university's graduate program. Education: BFA, NYU/Tisch; MFA, Columbia University.

Andy Donald told us a little about his career and some of the exciting events that audiences can look forward to at NJ PAC.

Why do you think your background lends itself so well to your position at NJ PAC and why do you enjoy your role?

My background is in the New York theater, and specifically new work development. When I got the call that NJPAC was interested in creating and premiering original work before sending it out - an unusual impulse for any performing arts institution used to booking existing attractions to fill their calendars - I knew it was a unique opportunity for any producer. Being able to use my tools as a specialist in commissioning and artistic process on a much larger scale, for new projects involving large dance companies or regional theaters, is hopefully establishing this arts center as a significant place for artists of all stripes to not only present their proven works, but also start their next one.

What would you like theatergoers to know about the upcoming season?

In the past few seasons, we've put a large emphasis on our American Song series, which is highly curated and wholly original. From acts like Laura Benanti and Lea DeLaria in our most intimate cabaret setting, to larger-than-life Broadway guru Seth Rudetsky (our newly appointed American Song advisor) enlisting his friends for original concerts featuring show tunes, standards and crazy showbiz stories in our 500-seat theater, to Tony-winning icon Bernadette Peters in our biggest hall, the menu of attractions is meant for Broadway regulars, adventurous theatergoers, and songbook aficionados alike. Plus, we have our annual PBS taping of "American Songbook at NJPAC", which features six headliners from the Broadway and cabaret worlds all for the price of one ticket. And you get to be on TV!

What has the recent reaction been to the season's announcement?

Each year, our programming is both increasing in number of attractions and diversity. Our American Song series - much like our Classical, Comedy, or Rock/Pop series - has its own personality and vibrancy. It's a unique programming voice amongst our other offerings, which is exciting to me as a producer, and audiences seem to be looking to us to be a distinct alternative to what's happening across the river in New York.

Why do you feel NJ PAC has such an outstanding presence in the NY Metro area?

There's a running a joke here that although we're technically only a 20-minute train ride from Manhattan, we might as well be in a different country. Most of our audience comes from New Jersey, rather than New York City, and yet because of our proximity, we appeal to top-flight New York-based performers (who don't have to travel far from home for a gig) as well as the finest artists our own state has to offer. It makes our programming stronger and allows us, as the state's largest performing arts center, to present work that might not find a home right away at Lincoln Center or venues in and around Broadway. In a sense, you can say we're New York's best kept secret.

What have some of the achievements that you are most proud of during your time with NJ PAC?

I love our PBS series, "American Songbook at NJPAC." Produced with NJTV, it's hosted by Ted Chapin, president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and our resident Broadway expert, and in the past three seasons, it's featured seasoned vets like Tom Wopat and Maureen McGovern, newcomers Jessie Mueller and Laura Osnes, and Tony winning songwriters Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman and Stephen Schwartz. It's a great snapshot (and historical document) of where American songwriting and song styling is today.

I'm also proud of "The Hip Hop Nutcracker," a new holiday evergreen that we co-commissioned with our friends at NYC's United Palace of Cultural Arts last season. It's a modern reimagining of the holiday classic for a new generation, utilizing hip hop dancing set against Tchaikovsky's legendary score. The show premiered, to sold out crowds, last holiday season both here and at the United Palace, and I'm thrilled to say it will embark on an international tour this coming year.

Lastly, on the theater side, we've established the "NJPAC Stage Exchange Commissions," which is a unique partnership between us, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and three of the state's leading new play companies. As a venue not accustomed to presenting 30 weeks of Broadway touring shows (we're too close to the Great White Way, remember?) this is our contribution to the theater community: we commission and develop the plays here at the arts center, by New Jersey-based playwrights only, and guarantee them full scale world premieres the following season at one of the state's best regional theaters. It's our attempt at solving the new play conundrum and avoiding having new, important local work stuck in development purgatory.

With all of the Center's incredible achievements, what is your vision for its future?

My hope is that this arts center continues to be considered a first-rate presenter of unique entertainment, a town hall and gathering place for the city of Newark, and finally, evolves into a place for major American artists to create new work on a large scale. The latter is what will make NJPAC stand out in the performing arts landscape, and make this building not only significant in the NY/NJ area, but a model for arts innovation in the rest of the country as well.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center is located at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey in the heart of the city's bustling Arts District. The Center has convenient parking options and is easily accessed by mass transit. For more information about their upcoming shows and programs or to purchase tickets call (973) 642-8989 or visit their web site at www.njpac.org.

Photo Credit: Paul Wusow