Occupying the director’s chair at the Mansfield Playhouse this year is theater veteran Doug Wertz, who was recently named Artistic Director for the Playhouse’s 2014-15 season.
Since his first involvement with the Mansfield Playhouse in 1978, Wertz has contributed to the Playhouse as an actor, director, set designer and builder, and more. As Artistic Director, he’ll still play those roles while also directing the season for the Playhouse.
“My primary goal is to keep a good quality production, for not only the cast members that participate as volunteers but for the audience members who enjoy coming to see good theater,” said Wertz. “My philosophy when it comes to productions has always been, just because we’re community theater does not mean we don’t strive to put on professional quality shows. I think we have a lot more fun and people are driven to do better when we face it that way.”
In addition to maintaining a high production standard, Wertz will serve as spokesman for the Playhouse in order to keep the theater in business. In the 47-year history of the Playhouse, the theater has always been self-sustaining thanks to local patrons and box office sales.
“Part of what I need to do is now I can be the public voice for the theater, and hopefully go out and find more sponsorships and more people willing to support what we do in the arts for the community,” said Wertz. “I would love to see this building get some major improvements to it, and I think it’s about building awareness of what we do and how we do it, and finding those people who are willing to give – whether it be on a financial basis or on a volunteer basis – and bring the love and care back into the facility and organization as a whole.”
Though directing has been a primary focus the past 20 years, Wertz said his first love would always be acting. He has worked as an actor not only locally, but also in Florida for a few years and in some commercials and films as a professional. Wertz noted his experience as an actor has helped him hone his directing skills.
“I’ve learned with a number of directors that I’ve worked with what I don’t like and ways to improve upon those things,” he said. “It’s not to say they were bad directors, but it was a matter of how do we work a little smarter and not so long and tedious, especially for the cast members.”
As a community theater with actors working on a volunteer basis, Wertz sees it as his duty to make every rehearsal period as productive as possible. To do so, he said, requires an in-depth knowledge of each production.
“I need to know what the set design is, what the motivation is behind every cross, every scene movement and every lighting exchange,” said Wertz. “That’s where we can also grow in the quality of show, because if that is all pre-planned and prepared, then repetition is key. Once we get all the repetition through the rehearsal process out of the way quickly, we can do nothing but focus on better quality and character development and technical aspects of the show.”
Wertz also acknowledges his supporting cast helping backstage at every production, including his wife Tammy Wertz, who serves as Theater Manager as well as being in charge of marketing and publicity for the Playhouse.
“I’ve been directing for well over 20 years either here or elsewhere, and every show that I’ve done she’s been right there beside me,” said Wertz of Tammy. “She is a wonderful extra set of eyes. She’s a great partner because we know each other and what we need to look for, and how we always want to improve on things.”
Also lending a helping hand at the Playhouse is Steve Zigmund, head of the lighting and sound committee and President of the Mansfield Playhouse Board of Trustees. Zigmund noted Wertz’s experience and qualifications made for an easy decision to hire him as Artistic Director.
“Doug’s been a crowd favorite, both as an actor and a director, in countless productions over the past three-plus decades,” said Zigmund. “I’m sure the audience will enjoy this season, and with Doug’s expertise and attention to detail, audience members may be assured that the production quality will be exceptional. Personally, I consider Doug one of the most talented people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with in my many years of being involved in community theater. I think our patrons will agree.”
With the start of the current season underway, Wertz said he has been impressed with the turnout from surrounding areas at auditions – proving that the Playhouse may no longer be Mansfield’s “best kept secret.”
“I think we’re a wonderful resource of hidden talent anyway, but the younger people that are coming in, the new faces, that means that we can bring in fresh ideas and fresh passion for something that’s been around for so long,” he said. “We’re really on the cusp of a new growth. I think we’ve seen this for the last two or three years, it’s like a refreshed rebound.”
And if things work out well in his new position, Wertz plans on seeing that new growth through in the future.
“If things work out well and the energy goes on and things are running smoothly, I anticipate a pretty good future here,” he said. “I would love to see it, it’s something I love to do and I love to share what I have.”
“I think we’re a wonderful resource of hidden talent anyway, but the younger people that are coming in, the new faces, that means that we can bring in fresh ideas and fresh passion for something that’s been around for so long. We’re really on the cusp of a new growth,” said Doug Wertz.
