The Ovation Awards are the Los Angeles version of the Tony Awards, with awards given in everything from acting to sets to lighting. Prior to my appointment as artistic director, there was one Ovation nomination in the 20-year history of Malibu Stage Company. During my five-year tenure, there were three Ovation nominations and one Ovation award victory, as well as multiple nominations for the NAACP awards and one victory.
The last show that I produced was an Ovation-recommended production. Virtually all professional theaters located in the far corners of Los Angeles County have trouble getting Ovation voters to their shows.
While in charge at Malibu Stage Co., I donated the dressing room, oversaw the installation of a $45,000 sound system, added $30,000 worth of lighting and donated a temporary workshop, all of which are still in use. During my tenure (more than 30 shows), I started the subscription season program and ran the scene study program that still meets today, and raised all of the funds needed to keep the theater on its feet. My job was a volunteer job and after I had given all I could, I resigned effective May 2013.
Many thanks to Dick Van Dyke, A. Martinez, Lou Gossett, The Vantastyks, Rob Blackman, John Savage, Ed Asner, Jerry Van Dyke, Pierce Brosnan and the wonderful subscribers that supported our efforts during my tenure. Thanks also to Jackie Bridgeman and Charles Marowitz for creating the beautiful theater, and to Geoff Ortiz and the board members of Malibu Stage for their great support. The Malibu Times also gave us a lot of coverage for our shows and supported us throughout, and they continue to do, so thank you for that. Gene Franklin Smith: good luck.
Richard Johnson, “The Carpenter”