Today we’d like to introduce you to Wes Brustad.
Hi Wes, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started as a child actor and continued acting as I went to high school and college (Univ. of Washington). I had a propensity for mathematics and was selected as one of 25 nationally to participate in the University of Washington’s accelerated mathematics honor program. I preferred the arts to the sciences and opted to enter the School of Drama, where I received my B.A. and M.A. The combination of left and right brain working together propelled me into a career as both artist and producer.
My career in brief: I founded Stage South (South Carolina) and served as Vice President of The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis where I developed the Second Stage and oversaw the Theater’s national touring productions in addition to heading up its fund-raising efforts. I was the Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Commission and a co-founder of the South Carolina Arts Foundation. I oversaw the design and building of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, where I also served as the Producing Director for the Advent Theatre, directing a variety of work from the classics to contemporary comedies to musicals.
I took time off following a pericarditis health scare and subsequently moved from theater to music to serve as CEO of the Spokane, Los Angeles Chamber, and San Diego Symphony Orchestras. After a stint producing major arts festivals such as the Beale Street Music Festival, I returned to San Diego to direct the performing arts, lecture, film production, and new media programs at the San Diego Museum of Art. From here, I returned to the East Coast to serve as the President and CEO of the State Theatre Regional Arts Center in New Jersey, a multi-theatre venue offering in excess of 225 performances annually.
I have directed numerous productions ranging from the classical theater to contemporary musicals. I created and directed the Mardi Gras musical Fat Tuesday (And All That Jazz)! for the stage and national television (PBS). I also staged for worldwide television The Meeting of Two Worlds concert in 1992 in the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. In 2008, I created and produced with Marvin Hamlisch “From Broadway to Brunswick” and wrote, directed and produced the full-length theatrical BALLROOM! In 2010, I created and produced “That’s Entertainment (A Las Vegas Experience)” starring Lynda Carter.
I am an avid writer of both fiction and non-fiction and have 8 published novels. I have developed several projects for the theatre, film, and television in addition to contributing to many professional journals.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
An artist struggles daily, facing a blank page or stage and the challenge to bring life to this void. Often, the challenge is with myself as I seek to follow new paths without repeating myself.
Of course, there are external obstacles to mounting or producing any new work. First, there must be sufficient ego on my part to believe that what I have to say is worthy of an audience. Then there is the money. Who is going to step forward and finance my work, whether it is a publisher or investors or serious donors/benefactors. Logistics can be very daunting and too often stop good creative efforts before they get off the ground. All art is made by a team. The challenge is to find the right colleagues who share your vision and want as badly as you for it to succeed.
Above all, you must never, never give up. No one else will pick up the pieces if you walk away.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been an actor, director, and producer in theater and music. I may be most known for my Mardi Gras musical, FAT TUESDAY (And All That Jazz)! I also served in executive management in the arts. For the past fifteen years, I have been a novelist producing a trilogy set in the Babylon Empire, a few stand-alone books (Most notably AMERICAN PILGRIMAGE), and my current series of angels and demon warfare titled WE ARE NOT ALONE.
What sets me apart is that I am excellent with numbers and deals while, at the same time, my artistic skills and savvy function at a high level.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Attend every professional meeting and conference/convention in your industry to meet people; attend social events that people in your industry attend. Meet as many people as you can as fast as you can, especially when you are young and starting out.
If people you want to meet, go to the theater, symphony, museum openings, sporting events–whatever! You find a way to go to and meet them before, during, and after the event. Try to get invited to speak, lead workshops, serve on panels, or perform at these events to be seen by people.
It is all about WHO you know and less about WHAT you know.
Contact Info:
- Website: wesbrustad.com
