August 21, 2020
Who is Bob Silton?
He’s a designer, a cooking enthusiast, a prop connoisseur. Most especially, he is Music Theater Works’ newest production manager.
A production manager is an individual who listens to the creative team’s ideas for a show and turns them into a feasible reality. To execute the desired outcome, a production manager coordinates with scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers, assuring everyone is on the same page. Since production managers communicate with a variety of people, they must have a strong knowledge of the many disciplines involved in a show.
Due to COVID-19, Silton was never properly introduced to the Music Theater Works community, so we decided to sit down with him and ask a few questions about his passions in addition to his career.
How did you discover the performing arts?
“I discovered the arts when I was in junior high. I participated in stage management, acting, and tech. At 14 years old, I realized there was no youth programming in my area, so I started a children’s summer camp with one of my friends. The camp was a small program in my parents’ backyard and eventually grew into a company that I was a part of for 17 years. We did five large musicals a year.
Alongside running my company, I worked for Marriott and Drury Lane. For set design, I worked for the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California. From crew to stage management to set design and props, I’ve done everything, which is kind of how I got involved with Music Theater Works. I had designed some previous shows for Music Theater Works as far as props go. Then, Kyle asked me last season to join the organization and I thought, ‘Sure, why not?’”
Why do you love theater?
“I love the idea of coming together as a collective group to form one idea and make one show. The other thing I love is just the energy of live theater — there’s nothing like it. I miss that so much right now. I keep talking about how I love watching these Zoom performances and prerecorded shows on TV, but there’s nothing like being in a theater. The energy of an audience and the energy of backstage is the best.”
What are your responsibilities as Music Theater Works’ Production Manager?
“My job is to unify everyone — to reel everyone in. It’s not just making sure everyone is on task, but it’s being a helping hand and making sure that you’re a good communicator between directors, choreographers, props, and everything so that everybody feels like we are working as a group. Communication is a huge part of theater. It is about the relationships. Of course, I have to handle budgets and hiring, but the best production managers are the communication lines. They keep everything together.”
What’s something not everyone knows about you?
“I’m a designer! That’s my creative outlet. I don’t just do props and sets, I do interior design, restaurants, weddings, mitzvahs, everything.
I also design for a lot of children’s theater. I think it’s the most fun because kids’ reactions are special. When they walk into a theater and look amazed — that is what I live for.”
How have you been keeping busy during the pandemic?
“I’ve been going outside, reading more, and discovering new design interests. Right now, I am just trying to live in the moment. I’m used to
planning ahead as a production manager so this is definitely a challenge. But, I think I’m getting better at it.”
What’s your favorite musical?
“My favorite musical is ‘Gypsy.’ I love it with a passion. But, I’ll never forget seeing the pre-Broadway showing of the ‘Producers’ in 2001 with the original cast. It was hysterical. I’ll also never forget the ‘Color Purple’ with Cynthia Erivo. Even driving to The Muny in St. Louis and seeing ‘Les Misérables’ with my mom; it started to rain during ‘A Little Fall of Rain’ and that was a magical moment for me.”
As our conversation finished, Silton had a few words to share with the Music Theater Works community.
“We are all struggling right now,” Silton said. “Our escape is usually seeing shows so that we can live in a fantasy world for a little bit. I think theater will come back. It might be different for a little while, but I have faith that we will be able to move forward. I can’t wait until the day that we can unite again. It’s going to be very emotional and I look forward to sharing that moment with all of you soon.”