February 2001

Phillip Colglazier returns to Summit City

Just when he thought he was out of Ft. Wayne, it pulled him back in.

Phillip Colglazier, Ft. Wayne Civic Theatre's new Executive Director, returns to his hometown after a year at the Edyvean Repertory Theatre in Indianapolis.

The multitalented Colglazier got his degree at Ball State in theatre performance with a concentration on teaching. His first professional performing gig out of college was at Virginia's King's Dominion theme park. From there he moved on to New York, Connecticut, Italy, and Korea. He also spent some time on a national tour of CATS, understudying five of the dancing felines.

In 1989 Colglazier returned to Indiana where he entertained FOX viewers as the second Happy the Hobo -- a credit he acknowledges with lowered voice and slightly gritted teeth.

Soon, however, he abandoned hobo-dom for the Ft. Wayne Civic Theatre, putting the teaching concentration of his theatre degree to good use as their Educational Director. He worked with schools and social service organizations in the Civic's In-the-Wings program, bringing the arts into the lives of hundreds of individuals who may not otherwise have attended a live theatre performance.

After 15 years of performing professionally all over the world, he joined the Civic Theatre in 1992 as their Education Director. While there he also served as guest director, guest choreographer, and volunteer actor. His last acting role was as the male lead in 1999's summer musical STATE FAIR, where his singing and dancing helped earn him an Anthony Award.

But after almost seven years in the same place, this gypsy was ready to move on. "I needed to grow," he says. "I felt like I needed a change, more challenges. I'd been at the Civic for over six years, and I wanted to explore other avenues."

So he packed up and moved to Indianapolis, where he had been offered the position of Executive Director at the Edyvean. But it didn't take him long to return to his roots. He had fully intended to stay in Indianapolis for the long haul, but opportunity knocked, in the form of the Executive Directorship of the Ft. Wayne Civic Theatre. "[Leaving the Edyvean] was a very hard decision," he admits. "Indy has a lot to offer."

Although he did have opportunities to direct at Edyvean, his main responsibility was as managing director, focusing on business side of theatre. "I really didn't have as much artistic involvement as I do in this current position," he says. "It was one of the main reasons I came back. I just needed the time to think what my needs are and how I could be best serve this organization."

The Civic's reputation as being the second largest community theater in the state didn't hurt, either.

In spite of his love of performing, Colglazier says that it is the "lowest of my priorities." Instead he will concentrate on directing and helping to raise revenue.

Which brings us to the Civic's current offering, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. This is a production he has directed not once, not twice, but three times. It was the last show he directed at Edyvean last season, and it is his first back home.

One might think that keeping a fresh outlook on the show could be a difficult task. But as Colglazier explains, "It's a little different [each time] because they're a whole different company of actors put together. This JOSEPH will be much different, just by the simple fact of who auditioned and who was cast."

The cast is unique because in addition to several ensemble players, two of the leads in this musical are African American. Lisa McDavid, who starred as Dorothy in THE WIZ three years ago, has the role of the Narrator, who is the audience's connection to the Biblically inspired story of Joseph (Tony Didier), whose jealous brothers sell him into slavery, then suffer a famine. Joseph's gift for dream interpretation leads to his salvation and all ends happily.

Another pivotal role is that of the Pharaoh, who tells Joseph his dream for his interpretation. Ft. Wayne audiences expecting to see the Elvis-style pelvic gyrations made famous locally by Tom Didier (Tony's uncle) should prepare themselves. Dwight Wilson's "King" is decidedly more soulful. We're talking James Brown soulful.

Perhaps in response to some criticism Ft. Wayne theatre has withstood for being too white bread, Colglazier actively sought out a diverse cast. "We really tried hard to get the word out," he says. "Frost Illustrated has been very supportive and is our media sponsor. I worked with the African American Historical Museum as well as with churches and the NAACP. We also have a good [ethnic] representation on our Board of Directors."

Besides the unique cast, Colglazier is working with a whole new creative team behind the scenes, including scenic designer Jon Sandmaier, whose father Robert retired last season after over twenty years at the Civic. In addition, Julie Sims-Lancaster of the Ft. Wayne Ballet is choreographing this time, with the help of Gary Lanier, who assisted Colglazier with choreography the last time he did the show.

While he is excited about the opportunity to become creatively involved in theatre once again, however, he is not planning to over-extend himself. Harry Burney, an established professional director and performer from Daytona, is directing the Civic's upcoming drama A RAISIN IN THE SUN by playwright August Wilson. Burney has extensive performing and directing experience, having worked in the New York school system, as well as for Disney and Nickolodean.

"I've worked with him before," Colglazier explains. "He was our guest artist for ain't misbeHAving and FENCES. He has an established reputation and he knows our community of actors and has worked with them before. Our staff has enjoyed working with him in the past. He was the most logical person for the job."

In spite of the generally low audition turnouts for straight plays, Colglazier proudly reports that more than thirty people tried out for RAISIN IN THE SUN. "It was a very strong turnout. It made [casting the show] a very hard decision."

Next year's season at the Civic offers another wide variety of productions, from WIT, the dramatic story of a woman dying of cancer, to the intellectual humor of Neil Simon's PROPSOALS, to the hilarious slapstick comedy of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.

But when will Civic produce Colglazier's own script, BEST INTENTIONS? "It would have a very small audience," he acknowledges. "But I have no need to have it performed. It would be nice if it were, but I don't see it happening."

Two years ago First Presbyterian Theatre held a non-staged reading of his play. "I wrote it years ago, back in 1985," he says, "so you can tell I have no burning desire [to see it fully produced.] If I had, it would have happened by now. It's not [Fort Wayne's] type of material."

Fort Wayne's type of material runs more toward the lighthearted entertainment of musical comedy, and JOSEPH certainly fills the bill. Colglazier's last two productions sold out quickly, and this year's promises to do the same.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT runs February 9-25. Sunday evening performances have been added for February 11 & 18 starting at 6:00. For tickets, call the box office at (219) 424-5220. Prices are $17 adults, $14 senior on matinees, $10 students.