June 21, 2012 | by
Manny Strauss
- First show you saw:
I actually don’t remember, but I can say for certain that in high school I did a Career Day at a production of 1776 at Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre.
- First involvement in a theatrical production:
Probably producing and directing remounts of Brady Bunch episodes featuring my cousins at Sunday dinner at my grandparent’s house.
- Favorite play / musical:
I’m so fickle. This answer would change from day to day. One of my recent favorites is Jason Grote’s This Storm is What We Call Progress. It’s beautiful and strange and magic.
- Favorite playwright / composer:
I don’t have a single favorite, but I fall for any playwright who writes things that don’t seem possible to achieve on the stage—an invitation to achieve the impossible.
- What you like most about Washington area theatre community:
People are generally nice. They’re supportive and they share. I love that.
- Something others are often surprised to find out about you:
I spent a great deal of my young life in a competitive dance troop. (Like Dance Moms only my mom was nicer.)
- Other than your significant other, who would be your dream date (living or dead)?
Baz Luhrmann
- If not theatre, then what?
I always really wanted to direct music videos—being of the MTV generation and all.
- Why do you do what you do?
It’s just a really cool job to take the words on a page and make them real for people.
- Advice for an 8 year-old smitten by theatre / for a graduating MFA student:
When all else fails, turn out the lights and cross your fingers—it’s probably going to work out alright.