Four years ago today my interview column called A Quick 5 debuted. I started it with the intention of introducing and highlighting people working in all areas of the arts. It was a simple idea and as of this writing it has spawned 378 columns. For those of you keeping score, that’s 1890 questions asked. Someone please tell me to shut up already!
There are several things that make A Quick 5 successful, the least of which is myself. Why do I say that? I will always maintain that this column is about the subject and doing the reader a service. It has not and will never be about stroking my own ego. Yes, I appreciate when someone says to me that they enjoy it, but I’m not one to go around saying “Look at this!” It’s all about the content and that’s how it always will be.
You can’t have an interview column without your interviewees and over the past four years the range of people that have graced this column is quite astonishing. We’ve had veteran performers such as Nancy Robinette in one of her rare interviews, Rick Foucheux, Kimberly Schraf and Craig Wallace, while also making a point to highlight new comers as well like Shayna Blass, Tina Ghandchilar, Adi Stein and most recently Izzy Smelkinson. On the design side of things we’ve had such folks as James Kronzer, Eric Shimelonis, Matthew Neilson and Jared Mazzocchi while also highlighting musicians and musical directors such as Christopher Youstra, George Fulginiti-Shakar, Jenny Cartney and Gabriel Mangiante. I’ve also managed to have almost every artistic director in town do one of these and considering their always jam-packed schedules, this is no small feat. I also can’t forget about the one interview I never thought I’d actually get with former NEA chairman and Broadway producer Rocco Landesman. A definite highlight to be sure.
Secondly, without the help of the pretty incredible publicists at all of the theatres, this column simply can’t happen. It takes a lot of time coordinating things with the interviewees and these folks go above and beyond to get you what you need so you can put out a good product. I applaud each and every one of them and thank them for their tireless efforts in making this column a success.
Last but definitely not least, I have to thank all of you, the readers. If there isn’t an audience for what you do then you shouldn’t be doing it. I’ve had people say to me “I didn’t know he/she did that” or “I went to see that person based off of what I read in your column.” If this column continues to educate and entertain you as it has in the last four years, then I know it’s done what I meant for it to do.
There are three more folks that must be thanked for obvious reasons. MDTG’s Publisher Mark Beachy and Managing Editor April Forrer are the ones that hit that all important publish button so without them you wouldn’t be able to read A Quick 5. Lastly without the being of my wife Jennifer Perry, I’m not sure if I ever would have been in a good place mentally to have started this column. She saved me and I am forever indebted to the girl of my dreams for that.
Thanks for taking A Quick 5 with me over the last four years everyone. It’s been a great ride that I hope continues for a little while longer. Onward and upward!!
