‘Ethical and creative leadership’ at heart of program for those in theater community

Zane Champie knows he’s at a special place at a special time.

“There’s truthfully nothing like summer theater in Kansas City,” Champie said.

For Champie and 10 others, experiencing summer theater this year is like no other through a new program called the Emerging Theatre Professional Initiative.

“The goal is to put on amazing theater that’s fun to see, and fun to be a part of, while helping develop new theatrical professionals that work with integrity, create truly positive safe spaces, can understand mistakes and learn from them, and know how to be just good humans,” said Emerging Theatre Professional Initiative Mentor Guy Gardner.

The initiative started when Gardner discussed how he wanted newcomers on the production staff of his next directing gig at Theatre in the Park with its Producing Artistic Director Tim Bair.

“As a young creator I searched for opportunities daily, trying to find places I could create theater in safe spaces,” Gardner said. “This program gives the opportunity for people to apply and interview for positions that normally would be given through years of involvement and networking.”

Initiative participants are on the production teams in the areas they are most interested in pursuing on a professional level at two productions: “Matilda: The Musical,” which runs through July 24 at The White Theatre at The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City; and “The SpongeBob Musical,” which runs from July 29 through Aug. 6 at Theatre in the Park.

“The program was created to give opportunities to up-and-coming theater people in a way that hadn’t been done either at Theatre in the Park or the White Theatre before,” Bair said. “Participants in the program have the opportunity to be a part of two large musical theater productions at two different theaters. One, proscenium indoor theater, and the other our facility, which is huge, outdoor and uncovered.

“It really is all about hands-on real-life education. It also goes beyond just the mechanics of creating theater. I believe the goal is also to build a great foundation of mindful creatives.... how they relate to each other, and how they relate to large casts of performers, crew, orchestra.”

Initiative participants work during rehearsal time, in production meetings, preplanning meetings, studio creation time and leadership training. They also visit other theatrical productions as patrons together.

Participants are paid a stipend but are given much more.

“There are mentors that work with participants to help them set up their rehearsal management, skills, and provide feedback often through the rehearsal process,” Gardner said. “The mentors are dedicated to their specific areas and are the safety net to help the participants through the process. The participants are the main force for the creation of these productions, with the mentors assisting and guiding them appropriately, choosing when and where to step in and provide their own talent.”

It’s the kind of experience Anna Kempf was seeking.

“I was initially interested in this program because I was looking to get a more in-depth view of the theater community in Kansas City,” Kempf said. “As a designer, or even just as a costumer in general, I am constantly growing and learning and I strive to make valuable and personal connections with the people I work with. Now that I have a more formal view of the art-scape, I feel more confident moving forward and continuing to grow in my career here in Kansas City.”

Champie said at the heart of the program is “the concept of ethical and creative leadership.

“As someone who has a passion for the amazing art that is created in the Kansas City area, I felt that this program would equip me with the skills and training necessary to not only be a better and more creative director, but also to serve our artistic community as a kind and effective leader,” Champie said.

And there could be a future for the program itself.

“After this summer we will sit down and evaluate how this program will continue,” Gardner said. “This is the first of its kind, and I wasn’t able to read about something like this in any part of the country.

“It’s been new, challenging, exciting, and fun. I can only see it moving forward in a positive way.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "‘Ethical and creative leadership’ at heart of program for those in theater community."