Levy Grossman is president of the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards, which will celebrate the District theater scene on Monday night at the Warner Theatre, followed by a gala at the JW Marriott. What should people know about D.C. theater?
There is literally something for everyone every night of the year. Theater is not something to be feared, it is not something for only special occasion; it is the opportunity to be part of stories, beautiful human stories that really impact our lives. There are price points for everybody. So many of our theaters have wonderful pricing incentives.
What makes a play fantastic?
My personal barometer is if I sit there and it makes me remember what it is to be human again, I have been moved by that piece. Lots did that for me this year.
Who is notable this year?
There are two new companies that will get the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company — Factory 449 and No Rules Theatre Company.
What does the future hold for the Helen Hayes Awards?
We are morphing into a new chapter of our history: revising the name of the organization, our communications strategy, our governance structure, our funding and programming. What we are determined to promote Washington theater so that Washington becomes a theater destination town.
What gave you the theater bug?
When I was in sixth grade I saw a production of “1776.” At the very end the gong is striking midnight, it’s July 4th and the signers are gathering around John Hancock. Then all of a sudden a scrim I didn’t know was there was illuminated from the front to project an image of the Declaration over the signers. It wasn’t just a spectacle piece of stagecraft, it made history real for me. It was the first time I’d come in to contact with a human story like that. From that point I knew theater would always have a place in my life.
Caitlin Byrnes
