The A, I Mean J-Team

While directors often dream big, the producers in community theatre try to keep those dreams in check and the crew on budget.  Sounds like kind of a bummer of a job.  It’s really not.  In fact, with the right team, it’s actually pretty fun.  That’s why the end of 2026 marks our 10th year and 24th production together. 

A wise lighting designer once dubbed us “The Ladies J.”  Since we’re pretty inseparable when it comes to productions, it stuck.  We make a good team, with the right balance, the right yin and yang, to even out the workload and cover for each other.  And that’s really the advantage of being a team and being close friends.  I may not want to tell the director he can’t have the $3,000 fancy lights he wants, but I know she’ll have that tough conversation.  She may not want to collect all of the information, edit and proof the playbill, but I love it. 

As producers, we truly want the show to be a success, not only in the box office, but also that the whole team – cast and crew - have a fun and meaningful experience.  That makes for a better production.  Have there been times we’ve had some difficult “drama” to deal with?  Of course!  But as a team, each with our own perspectives, opinions, and logic, we keep things running smoothly. 

We’ve come a long way since we first started producing and house managing together.  It’s pretty easy and seamless now.  And of course, things have changed with the theatre so many times over all of these years – new staff and management, new theatre, new processes…  But through it all, we’re pretty proud of all of the shows we’ve had the privilege being a part of.  It’s a labor of love, so to speak.  You don’t have to remember which one of us is Jennifer and which one is Jill, just call for “The Ladies J” and we will be there!