As I'm writing this in May 2023, it's hard to even imagine how different my life looked at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Traversing the country, flitting from gig to gig, regional theater to school, bus to van, proscenium to round, to a complete stand-still. I was fortunate enough to navigate a few contracts in 2020-2021 that were able to continue, as safely as possible. However, the glitz and glam of being a non-equity actor was starting to fade. All that glitters is in fact not gold. My partner, Derek, and I had to make significant and difficult decisions about the future. Our desires changed. We still wanted to be artists, but at what cost? There had to be a more sustainable way. We didn't necessarily find the answer, but we did create a new way of living that would eventually become our "new normal." We moved back to Southwest Florida, this time settling in Bradenton along the Manatee River—nestled just in between Sarasota and St. Petersburg, two uniquely cultural and beachy escapes. We each found what I lovingly call "muggle jobs," me back in the marketing and communications sphere, and Derek in a project manager role... and, somehow, between all of this change, we were able to slowly crawl back into artistic projects. I say slowly with a smirk, because it's actually incredible what we've been able to achieve in our relatively short time in Florida. Since moving back to this area less than 2 years, I've been a part of 9 (NINE!!!!!) projects: seven of which were new works, world premieres, or self-created & written. The other two were blockbuster, prolific pieces in the fabric of musical theater canon. To say I'm hashtag-blessed is an understatement. AUGUST 2021 I directed the new play, O.U.T. by Derek Sikkema, as part of the Sarasota Players' New Play Festival 2021. The play festival took place virtually over Zoom in August, and O.U.T. was first runner up in the festival. OCTOBER 2021 I directed the new play, That Kiss by D.C. Cathro, as part of Theatre Odyssey's One Act Play Festival. It starred two of my favorite local actresses, Tahlia Byers and Kathryn Parks. Our play won first prize at the festival, which is such an honor for both the playwright and our trio of women. AUGUST 2021 - NOVEMBER 2021 I got to revisit Into the Woods for the third time, reprising my role as The Baker's Wife with a new theatre company, JUMP! Encore. The outdoor production took place amongst the live oak trees at Hunsader Farms. I previously played the role at McLeod Summer Playhouse in 2017; and played the Stepmother at TheatreZone in Naples, 2015. DECEMBER 2021 - FEBRUARY 2022 I was a part of the world premiere cast of Ruby at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota, FL. The production was meant to run January 12, 2022 - February 27, 2022 - but experienced several delays and an eventual cancellation due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Ruby will return to the stages of WBTT in 2024. APRIL 2022 - MAY 2022 I created, wrote, directed, and choreographed the original Broadway-style revue called The Sarasota Divas with the Players Centre of Sarasota. This "Broadway on the Bay" series was held at Selby Gardens in Sarasota and Waterside at Lakewood Ranch in May, and featured several Sarasota stage favorites: Eve Caballero, Kathryn Parks, Alana Opie, Jennifer Baker, and Berry Ayers. Oh! And a guest appearance by moi—because why not write yourself into the show? JULY 2022 I was honored to be a part of Derek Brookens' new play reading, Gin Rickey, as part of the Sarasota Players New Play Festival 2022. I played the role of Lina, directed by Elliott Raines. JULY 2022 - OCT 2022 ICONIC! I got to direct and choreograph RENT in Manatee Performing Arts Center's Kiwanis Studio Theater, an intimate 75-seat black box. Read my director's note here to learn more about our production. MARCH 2023
Danae starred in "Nineteen" by Katherine Michelle Tanner, a new musical about the women's suffragist movement with Tree Fort Productions in Sarasota, FL. This two-hander explored the people who worked to get the 19th amendment passed. It was so special to share the stage with the writer and composer, Miss KMT herself! FEB - MAY 2023 The Hat Theater Collective, founded by Danae DeShazer, premiered its inaugural production: "The Ballad of Old Manatee," an original musical inspired by true events from early Manatee County history. This immersive, outdoor theatrical experience debuted at the Manatee Village Historical Park in downtown Bradenton, FL. "The Ballad of Old Manatee" was created by Danae DeShazer and Derek Brookens. With a story by Danae DeShazer and Derek Brookens, the book, music, and lyrics were written by Derek Brookens. Directed by and self-produced by Danae DeShazer. Read all about it here! In collaboration with Manatee Village Historical Commission, Inc., the production raised thousands of dollars for historical preservation. I am endlessly proud of the work, the creative process, and just happy to be here.
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That’s how long it’s been since “Rent” debuted on Broadway, ultimately winning both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Musical. And yet, Jonathan Larson’s ground-breaking musical is still teaching us lessons today. “Rent” is about Love. Life. And Death. But, more importantly, it teaches us how to live, how to love, and how to leave a legacy. Mimi utters, “Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other path, no other way, no day but today.” Roger is desperate to write a song that will bring him glory before death finds him. Angel believes in karma: if you help those around you (today for you), then good things will find their way back (tomorrow for me). Mark and Maureen believe there’s power in numbers - it’s better to be an “us” than a “them,” and if you don’t like something? Moooooooo. What I love so much about this story is that it’s a love letter to bohemia: this mecca where artists can live, breathe, and create, regardless of whatever barriers society may have. They’ve created a true community - one that lives together, and at times, dies together. This intimate production peels back the curtains (no, really, there aren’t any curtains!) and invites the audience to share in the energy, sorrow, angst, and joy of the story alongside the actors. That’s because the small company of 14 actors will be both participants and viewers of the story, just like you - creating a communal experience for all. There is no fourth wall here. I would be remiss not to mention that the brilliant Mr. Larson passed away 10 days before his 36th birthday - and only a few months before “Rent” debuted on Broadway. A visionary gone way too soon and with so many more works of art yet to create. I would like to dedicate this production to a few other artists and visionaries in my life who left this world far too soon, including Helen Holliday, Greg Shaw, Allan Kollar, Sam Mossler, and my mentor, Thomas J. Kidd. I hope you will leave having felt something transformative - and be able to take the life lessons of “Rent” with you: live as if today might be your last, stand up for what you believe in, create community, create art, and do it unapologetically. —Danae DeShazer This article was originally published by Sarasota Herald-Tribune: www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/theater/2022/09/09/jonathan-larsons-rent-makes-belated-debut-manatee-players/7962083001/ Like “Oklahoma!” “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line” and “Hamilton,” Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” revolutionized by changing the subject and sound of musical theater.
Even though it has been 26 years since “Rent” first became a sensation at the off-Broadway New York Theatre Workshop and become a flashpoint for young audience members at the time, it still has a lot to say even if times have shifted our focus to different social issues, said Danae DeShazer, who is directing and choreographing a new production for the Manatee Players. “Just like any good piece of theater, it should still speak to today, even if some things seem dated,” she said. “It was revolutionary and it still is with all the things we love about theater. It’s about how to live life, how to live a good life, about death and loss and society and creating community.” The musical, loosely based on the Puccini opera “La boheme,” is about a group of artists, struggling to create and support themselves, pay for housing, maneuver through relationships and deal with the AIDS crisis. It became a legendary show when its creator died unexpectedly on the night before the first off-Broadway preview. Larson’s death brought extra attention to the musical, which earned enthusiastic reviews and a transfer to Broadway, where it ran for 12 years. DeShazer, perhaps best known as a performer in area theaters, is staging the production in the intimacy of the Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Bradenton Kiwanis Studio Theatre, which suits her concept. “I think what’s unique about ‘Rent’ is that it can be done in a big space and have a lot more of a theatrical feel, but it also works in a small space like the studio theater,” she said. Her cast will feature 14 performers – eight principals and six ensemble members. Keeping it simple She describes it as a “pretty bare bones” production with scaffolding and some folding chairs and the cast members visible at all times. (Ralph Nurmela is designing the set, Patrick Bedell is the lighting designer and Caren Brady is creating the costumes.) “We’re breaking the fourth wall between the audience and the actors and providing that energy to the story the entire time,” she said. DeSshazer is going for an intimate communal feeling. “I want the audience to feel they really are experiencing something unique to the night that they joined us. That’s what’s wonderful about live theater.” Her cast is led by Jason Ellis as the filmmaker Mark, Derek Luna as his musician roommate, Roger, and Ariella Pizarro Johnston as the exotic dancer Mimi. Eldred Brown plays the professor Collins, with Brian Craft as Angel, a drag queen and drummer. Vera Samuels plays the performance artist Maureen opposite Madison Bradley as her attorney girlfriend, Joanne. The ensemble includes Caitlin Ellis, Karli Gunderson, Kathleen Kay, Ashley Figlow, Jason Moore and Michael DeMocko. Katie Priest is the musical director, who has been working with the cast on such songs as “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Boheme,” “Take Me or Leave Me,” “Light My Candle” and “One Song Glory.” The cast members will be singing to prerecorded tracks. DeShazer said with the size of the theater, it “wasn’t feasible to have a live band in the space.” Like most productions in the Kiwanis Studio Theatre, “Rent” is part of the theater company’s Action through Acting program, which allows it to partner with community organizations that work on issues raised by the shows on stage. For “Rent,” information about CAN Community Health, will be available for audience members. Even though it is based on an opera, it is not necessary to have heard or seen “La boheme” to appreciate “Rent,” though fans of the Puccini work will recognize characters and situations that parallel the opera, DeShazer said. “What may be unique for the Bradenton-Sarasota area is that we have a world class opera company here so more people may be familiar with the opera than in other places where ‘Rent’ is performed,” she said. ‘Rent’ By Jonathan Larson. Directed and choreographed by Danae DeShazer. Runs Sept. 14-Oct. 2 in the Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Kiwanis Studio Theatre, 502 Third Ave., West, Bradenton. 941-748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at [email protected]. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune. I was on a PODCAST!
It would mean the world if you would listen to this podcast episode, with the incomparable Sarah Philabaum. Hear about how I got started in theater, what makes a great director, just how *hard* it is to be a woman director, and maybe a little bit about The Hat Theatre Collective. Stream There's No People Like Show People on your favorite app (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.) or click the link below >> https://theres-no-people-like-show-people.simplecast.com/episodes/danae-deshazer-3YZ5RBYu What a year! Danae did some soul-searching and artistic pivoting after losing 4 jobs due to COVID-19. But, somehow, she survived. Here's a quick recap of some recent work.
JANUARY 2020 - MARCH 2020 Danae was an Associate Artist with at Lexington Children's Theatre with their 2020 Spring Tour! In addition to her role of Mary Catherine in Long Road to Freedom, she appeared in the World Premiere of The Princess and the Peas, where she originated the roles of Queen, Princess Eliza, Princess Leascelyn, and the Highwayman. This contract was cut short due to COVID-19. JUNE 2020 - AUGUST 2020 Danae went (safely) back on-stage at Cornwell's Dinner Theatre in Marshall, MI, in Honky Tonk Angels as Sue Ellen. She sang lots of old country favorites, including "9 to 5," "These Boots are Made For Walkin'," "Cornell Crawford," "Rocky Top," and "Cleopatra: Queen of Denial." This contract was cut short due to COVID-19. SEPTEMBER 2020 - MAY 2021 Danae enjoyed an administrative stint with New York City's TADA! Youth Theater as their Marketing Manager. TADA! is a unique Drama Desk award-winning nonprofit youth theater that produces original musicals for children, teens, and family audiences. While working remotely for TADA!, she lived in Pigeon Forge, TN, and made people laugh at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show in 3 different comedies: Moonshine Murders as Lily Luke, Who Shot the Sheriff? as Miss Kitty, and Marriage Can Be Murder as The Bride. Then, she moved back to Southwest Florida in the summer of 2021. Read the full FLO-RIDA update here! And just like that, another wonderful tour with the National Theatre for Children has come to an end! Derek and I spent 9 high-energy weeks throughout North and South Carolina, spreading the energy conservation love with "Energy Endgame," a brand new show sponsored by Duke Energy. I got to play the lovable Hieronyma Tru, a quirky video game developer who was on a mission to save energy and defeat the Internet Troll in order to create the next great game at GameCo Inc.! After 129 shows, 72 schools, more than 10,000 miles, and 30,000+ students... we were successful in saving lots of kwH of energy and teaching kids how to do their part to save the world. One of my favorite parts of tour is exploring new parts of the country. And what better place to spend the fall than the Carolinas? We got to spend time in and around Florence, SC, Wilmington, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Southern Pines, NC, and Asheville, NC. I definitely fell in love with Raleigh and Asheville... and I want to permanently live at the North Carolina Museum of Art or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Absolutely stunning. In addition to directing & choreographing the Illinois Premiere of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical!, I also got to return to one my most treasured shows and programs! The McLeod Summer Playhouse season typically includes two mainstage shows in the McLeod Theater with the professional company, plus a Theater for Young Audiences production in the intimate blackbox theater. At the end of the MSP Professional season, we collaborate with Carbondale Community Arts to present the ALL-SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE PROJECT. This musical theater intensive is a four-week immersive experience filled with rehearsals, workshops, classes, and culminates with a full-fledged professional production on the MSP stage! The high school students from the Southern Illinois region audition to get into the program each year, then it's off to the races in July. This is my THIRD year working with the program! In 2017, I assisted Wes Drummond on his production of Singin' in the Rain. In 2018, I directed Once Upon a Mattress and then, I directed & choreographed one of my favorite musicals this summer, The Drowsy Chaperone, with these incredible students! Many moons ago, I played Janet van de Graaff at the Venice Theatre in Florida... and it was a special experience. You know those shows that just have the perfect mix of great people, great times, great experience, and great theater? THAT was Drowsy in 2012. And who woulda thunk that I would be returning to the musical again, this time at the helm!? Definitely not me. But, I'm so so grateful I got the chance. These students, ranging from incoming freshman to graduating seniors, are incredible. Some of them are heading off to impressive BFA programs (and I'm so proud!), while others, this was one of their very first experiences like this on stage. I pushed them and challenged them, and we created something so beautiful and special. And did I mention we had FUN? Yes. This show is quite fun. And challenging! This choreography is no joke! I have never choreographed a 4-minute tap routine before. Especially one so intricate as "Cold Feets" for two male tap dancers. I think the thing I'm most proud of, is the fact that I directed AND choreographed that thing. And slapped a unique and enlightening concept on it, that was born out of a fever dream. It was a mammoth undertaking. I was so ready for it, and yet it challenged just about every creative bone in my body. And, the reward was so sweet. I loved every minute of it.
I call McLeod Summer Playhouse my artistic home. It's a treasure that I discovered at the Southeastern Theatre Conference auditions in 2014, and I've been lucky enough to return for four fulfilling summers since! Over the years, I've been lucky enough to grow as an actor, as well as begin my career & sharpen my tools as a director and choreographer. My mentors, Wes Drummond and J. Thomas Kidd, have been instrumental in my growth and I'm ever so grateful for all the opportunities! This past summer was fruitful in new experiences with directing and choreographing two productions. The first, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, was new to me in more ways than one! It was my first time directing a Theatre for Young Audiences production, but it felt so natural and so beautiful. It is a new, contemporary musical written by the geniuses Douglas Lyons, Melvin Tunstall III, and Gregory Borowsky. A little about Polkadots: The musical follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot who just moved to the “Squares Only” town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all-Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying, to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected pal-ship. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for the world, reminding us that our differences make us awesome, not outcasts! I mean. Could I be any luckier? In addition to its powerful message and beautiful story, the score ROCKS! And with only four actors, the rehearsal process was incredibly joyous - full of discovery, laughs, tears, and lots of play. Another "new to me" experience with Polkadots, was that it was in the intimate Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theatre, which is essentially a blank canvas scenically. Working with the genius Ronald Naversen (scenic designer), we created an almost-in-the-round design (three-quarter thrust) with colorful adult-sized building blocks to create shapes and furniture in front of the audience's eyes. It added to the playful and abstract element, while inviting them into our colorful and shape-driven world of Rockaway. The process and end-product were truly innovative and exciting to watch. And, of course, once we added an audience of about 100 young people and the "young-at-heart," the story was infectious. I was often times moved to tears to see an audience of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and orientation, being drawn into this story and connecting to its powerful message of acceptance, inclusivity, and celebration of all. I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life. A special shout-out to my amazing cast: Lyndsay Manson, Brooke Bucher, Kalyn Glover, and Bryce Beliveau, and my music director Jenna Mee Dosch, for creating this special and unique production. Oh, and did I mention this was the ILLINOIS PREMIERE of Polkadots?!! I'm so honored. Get a look at the incredible cast of Polkadots at MSP!Inside the Costumes & Makeup of Polkadots at MSPWhat does it mean to be a COOL KID?All videography & photography by the incomparable Carrington Spires.
Having just completed my first tour with Prairie Fire Children's Theatre, let me just say... TEACHING IS HARD! A little about PFCT and touring: PFCT is a professional touring theatre company based in Barrett, Minnesota, and has been bringing a theatrical experience to communities across the upper Midwest since 1987. Prairie Fire tours a variety of original musical adaptations of classic tales. I was touring with their original adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, with my tour partner (and real-life partner!) Derek Brookens. Together, we served as Co-Directors of the show as well as actors in the show. We traveled week-to-week to new cities, small and large, across Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. While in that community for our one-week residency, we met with our cast of children (ages 7-18) to hold auditions and rehearsals Monday through Friday. By Friday/Saturday, we performed in two performances for the community at-large - sometimes in gymnasiums, sometimes in auditoriums, sometimes on stages, sometimes not! Every week was different in all ways possible, but it brought wonderful challenges and opportunities to learn and grow and experience theater magic. By Sunday, we were onto the next booking and next group of kiddos. This job taught me so much about myself and about the art of teaching. And trust me, it's an ART, y'all. I've learned an ungodly amount of patience, peace, and strength. I also think my ability to command a room is much stronger! When you're facing a squirrelly group of 75 small humans, your skills are put to the test! I also found pockets of joy in their success. As always, working with youth is an interesting part of my job as an actor and director. Each week with PFCT is a sprint to the finish. The show is happening no matter what! It's our job to prepare them as best we can... and to have FUN along the way. It's incredible what kids can soak up in just five days. One of my favorite comments from teachers is when they remark about certain students they "didn't think would be able to pull it off" because of their shy nature in class or their reserved qualities. But, by the end of the week, they are completely out of their shell and doing incredible things in front of 300 people. You truly never know what they're capable of until they're given the opportunity to shine. Not only did I have a complete B-L-A-S-T directing & choreographing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with The Players Centre in Sarasota, FL, but the audiences and critics are L-O-V-I-N-G it too! "Danae DeShazer directs and choreographs with a sure hand. Some years ago, Ms. DeShazer was frequently cast in important roles [in the area] and I thought her a fine talent. Her recent absence was due to leaving the area and making McLeod Summer Playhouse in Carbondale, Illinois, her home base. She has honed her talents and is now a fine director bringing out the best in all of her cast... This production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee reminds me that much of the best musical theater is taking place at our community theaters." - William S. Oser, Talkin' Broadway "It's a charming musical, staged with energy, joy and a touch of empathy..." "It’s a charming musical, staged with energy, joy and a touch of empathy by director and choreographer Danae DeShazer at the Players Centre for the Performing Arts. There are some clever updates to the script that allow for local references to, for example, the recent #MeToo graffiti on the Unconditional Surrender statue and problems with parking meters. DeShazer has assembled an adorable cast of performers who capture the essence of those middle school years from different perspectives." - Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune |
AboutDanae DeShazer is an actress, singer, and dancer living in Sarasota, FL. Archives
May 2023
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