Q&A At The Table With EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SPOKANE CIVIC THEATre
YVONNE A.K. JOHNSON by Tammy Marshall
Q
You’ve been all over the world directing and studying theater. What made you decide to call Spokane home for the last seven years?
A
Spokane Civic Theatre conducted a national search for a new artistic director eight years ago. There were over 120 applicants and I was the fortunate candidate to be hired for the position. Civic has grown tremendously over the past seven seasons through producing high quality, affordable entertainment for our community. Along with artistic excellence we have made over a $1 million in building improvements to our physical structure for generations to come to enjoy. When did you first decide you were going to work in theater? I always knew that theatre would be a part of my life as early as age 11. My first play was called “Wheels” and I sang a solo thanking Henry Ford for the dream that came true. After college I began to pursue theatre as a career choice with directing plays and musicals at every opportunity I could in the Midwest and eventually abroad. I also actively pursued two advanced degrees. An MA in Contemporary Theatre Practice at the University of Essex and an MFA in Directing at Minnesota State UniversityMankato. Tells us about some of your favorite theater experiences? My favorite theatre experiences tend to be the ones that are life changing for those involved. I have had students and actors study at the best drama programs in the US and London that now appear on Broadway and the West End. As a director and educator, I could not be more proud of their achievements and I consider the time I had with them a true gift. What’s a good way to introduce a child to the theater? Theatre should be a fun, family involved experience for a child.
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Taking a child to a children’s theatre production, participating in a class or theatre camp (Spokane Civic Theatre Academy), or attending a play or musical specifically tailored to families (Annie, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins) would be a wonderful introduction. What are some things parents should know if they choose to bring their child to a play? Most theatre’s have a policy of no babes in arms or children under the age of five. This is for both the joy of the child’s experience and other patrons. I suggest bringing a child to a show that is no longer than 60-90 minutes for their first play. When attending a play/musical I still feel that it’s the entire quality of the experience that a child will remember. Dress appropriately, take them for lunch/dinner or dessert after the show to discuss it with them. If you are able, consider securing seats near the front of the audience so they can sit up close to the stage and not miss a beat. What kinds of things does the Spokane Civic Theatre do to involve the community? We involve the community in all that we are and do. A few highlights: we produce on average 15-20 benefit performances for other not for profit groups per season, we started a community outreach program called “Shakespeare in Schools” which is in its second year for middle and high school students, we have formed dozens of community partnerships serving in varying capacities and we support 1,000 volunteers (actors, directors, technicians, stage crew, front of house, etc.) and 700 Academy students. Our Academy scholarship program supports a 30% need for families in our community. When shouldn’t a parent bring his/her kids to a play? Much of this decision is up to the individual parent but I feel it’s important for the child to want to attend the play or production. If the subject