Eric D. Schaeffer, director, producer and co-founder of the acclaimed Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, has created multi award-winning stage plays and shows on Broadway and for theaters in Los Angeles, Chicago and London. On October 28, the Fleetwood-area native returns to his alma mater, Kutztown University, to create a special, one-night musical presentation of songs from the Great White Way. Although he’s called Arlington home for years and continues to accrue stellar achievements (can you say Tony Award?), he still thinks of Berks as home, right down to the shoofly pie.
Q | How did you go from Fleetwood High School to having your own theater? Did you study theater or perform as a kid? [laughs] No, not at all. After graduating from Kutztown with a degree in communication design, I was living in Washington, D.C., and working at an ad agency in Georgetown and started doing theater for fun. A friend and I were out one evening and began talking about how there was no professional theater in Arlington. We decided there was a need and that we should create one – and 24 years later we’re still going strong.
Q | And doing great things. The Signature Theatre received a Tony in 2009, correct? Yes, for best regional theater. It was such an honor and a great experience.
Q | As a director you’re very well known and respected for transforming huge productions for smaller stages – that must be a challenge creatively and logistically. Can you tell us about that process? It is a huge undertaking. For example, for the Signature’s production of Miss Saigon – which is typically a big show – we had our largest cast to date, 40 people. That’s 18 in the cast, 15 in the orchestra and a crew of eight. Even so, the original production was truly grand, playing in 2,000-seat theaters and featuring a helicopter. By comparison, our theater has 276 seats. [The process] requires me to be immersed in the production, non-stop, in every facet, but I’m lucky I love what I do. Not a lot of people can say that, so I’m very grateful.
Q | Since each new project sort of becomes your life for a while, what’s your favorite part or phase of each new show? I’d have to say the beginning, when I’m conceiving it, figuring out how we’re going to do it. That’s where the communication design degree comes in and helps with the visual, creative, conceptual phase. Bringing it to life is so exciting. I’d also have to say casting a show is great. Some take longer than others to cast, but when it’s right, it’s amazing and lots of fun. I especially like when we cast an unknown actor. Giving someone new an opportunity is wonderful. I remember how it felt when someone gave me that first big chance, so I enjoy doing it for someone else.
Q | Do you get back home to Berks often? I try to get back at least once a year, particularly during the holidays. My dad and brothers and sisters still live there and I love to see family. Where I grew up, I also love the farmlands and the one-room schoolhouse that’s still a few blocks away. And the food, I have a friend [in Arlington] who’s also from Berks County, and if he goes back, he’ll ask what I want, and I always say fastnachts or shoofly pie. I received an honorary doctorate degree from Kutztown [University] not long ago, and that was a great visit.
Q | Speaking of Kutztown University, how did you get involved with the night of Broadway music you’re directing? The University asked me to be a part of the celebration after the renovation of the auditorium. It’s a concert of Broadway show tunes, featuring everything from the Gershwins to Stephen Schwartz to ragtime and Rodgers and Hammerstein. There will be a 23-piece orchestra and singers Rebecca Luker, Christiane Noll, Ron Rains and Jason Daniely, all of whom are accomplished New York theater veterans. It’s going to be a great night.
BY MICHELLE E. BIGGERSTAFF | PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
