Features Reporter
To imagine what it would be like to sit down with a Broadway director is nearly impossible. Directors are the people who create some of our favorite characters and scenes that become embedded in our memories. Directors are the architects of many stories can arouse emotions in any member of the audience.
BT McNicholl has dedicated his life to doing these things. Sitting down with him in the Moss Performing Arts Center was anything but predictable.
McNicholl came to Grand Junction to spend his time and talent working with Mesa State students. The workshops that he is teaching are meant to educate students on play writing, the structure of Broadway, and the “Future of Broadway.”
A few students even had the opportunity to perform for the director and gain some feedback. When McNichollwas asked why he believed it was important to continue doing workshops he replied, “Teaching theater is important to me because it is one of the last jobs that is passed on by apprenticeship — there is something human and honorable about that.”
BT went to high school in Connecticut where he directed his first musical, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” McNicholl continued his education in Washington D.C. and then later in New York.
Early in his career he revived old flop Broadway musicals to get his name out and since then he has directed musicals such as “Billy Elliot”, “Spamalot” and “Cabaret.” McNicholl was also the writer and director for the musical “The It Girl.”
McNicholl has had numerous role models, such as Stephen Sondheim and Michael Stewart, He said, “Hal Prince was probably my first director crush, in a professional sense of course.”
McNicholl has had the opportunity to work with many amazing people, but he explained that one of his best memories came from working on his show, “The It Girl.”
“My favorite memory was the last night of the show,” he said. “I moved to the front row and instead of watching the musical I watched the audience. My best memory was watching their facial expressions.”
McNicholl has had an impressive and successful career as a Broadway director but like any career, there are ups and downs.
“The thing about directing is that anything can happen, and nothing can happen,” McNicholl said.
He said that he is constantly growing and learning as a director. When asked how long it took him to accomplish his goals as a director he replied, “I’m not there yet, but when I make it, I’ll let you know.”
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