Friday, 9 October, 2015

INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN MCGILL

Stephen produced the new musical The Tailor-Made Man at the Arts Theatre, London in 2014. Since then he has been awarded a Stage One Start Up Fund of £50,000 to co-produce the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Pajama Game to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Producing alongside Joseph Smith, John Brant, Old Vic Productions and Gavin Kalin. He met his fellow co-producers at the Stage One New Producers Workshop in October 2011.

At the moment you are…
co-producing Green Day's American Idiot with Sell A Door Theatre Company at The Arts Theatre. I've been a massive Green Day fan since my teens, so when the opportunity came along to work on this fantastic show with the brilliant chaps at Sell A Door, it was a very quick and easy decision.

What does Stage One mean to you?
Ever since I was invited to take part in the workshops in October 2011, Stage One has been such a crucial part in my development as a producer. In 2014 I was lucky enough to receive the Start Up Award which helped me co-produce the Pajama Game alongside Smith & Brant, Gavin Kalin and Old Vic Productions.  The support and mentorship that Stage One provides has been invaluable.  It also has created a fantastic community of producers, at different stages in their careers who are keen to help and support each other in what can be at times a very lonely but rewarding career.

Last show you saw and loved?
Apart from of course American Idiot, I really enjoyed another "turn it up to eleven!" show Sunny Afternoon. Plus I lived in Muswell Hill for years where the Kinks used to drink in my old local the Clissold Arms!

What do you think, is the best thing about the Theatre Industry?
Not to sound too much like 1990's New Labour: collaboration, collaboration, collaboration! Working with new people and building relationships is the best thing about this industry, and Stage One has played a big part in bringing people together.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Go with your gut, treat everyone with the same respect and courtesy you'd expect yourself. Oh and try and have fun!

To find out more about American Idiot, click HERE.

@StephenMcGill82


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