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Hey everyone, it’s a pleasure to have you all here for another episode of the Leader Show with Lou Carter. Our guest today is Andrew Kato, the producing artistic director of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Florida. Kato has an impressive background in the arts, having produced the Tony Awards and worked with famous actors at the Burt Reynolds Museum.
Now, without further ado, let’s go behind the scenes with Andrew.
To begin, Lou asks Andrew about his love for the arts and how it drives his work as a leader of the Maltz Theatre. Kato, an eight-time Emmy award-winning Broadway producer, highlights how he learned to manifest the things he wanted in life at an early age. He wrote to the executive producers of the Tony Awards for five years before he got the opportunity to work with them.
On that note, he highlights the importance of being grateful to the people who give you opportunities and how he tries to do the same for his staff at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, helping them develop their artistic careers.
Subsequently, Lou asks Andrew about his role as a coordinating producer for the 65th Annual Tony Awards and how he approached creating the video components of the show, including the In Memoriam segment. Kato describes working with executive producers Ricky Kirshner and Glen Weiss and the honor of making a mark on theater history.
He also discusses his role as a leader at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and their corporate philosophy of being “talented and kind” and “taking responsibility for the energy brought into the building.”
On a similar note, Andrew talks about the importance of the company culture at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, where the values of being talented and kind are prioritized. The phrase “take responsibility for the energy you bring into this building” is a reminder for everyone to bring their best selves to work.
According to Andrew, this culture sets the tone for the organization and helps everyone work together towards a specific vision. He also mentions that leading with kindness is a huge value for him, and he is proud to have it as a legacy.
Moving on, Andrew and Lou discuss the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, which is the largest regional theater in the lower half of the United States. The Theatre is a producing organization that brings economic benefits to the local community. The Maltz Jupiter Theatre creates original shows that are rehearsed for three weeks, followed by a five-day tech process, and then the shows run for two to four weeks, depending on the popularity of the production.
He mentions that the Theatre aims to create a unique experience for the audience by adding new seasoning to each production. Donors appreciate the Theatre’s emphasis on being creators of art, and the shows are not done again, making the experience unique to each audience. Andrew notes that musical theatre incorporates every art form and is a monumental feat to accomplish in just three weeks. However, the goal is always to make it look effortless.
Next, Lou and Andrew discuss the power of art in creating meaningful connections and inspiring personal growth. Lou notes that art has effects on T-cells, oxytocin levels, and our overall health. He also highlights how art can make us better human beings and plant seeds in our minds about ways we can improve ourselves.
Kato adds that approaching art has changed in recent years, and people are no longer just art appreciators but critics. He strongly believes that this is due to the popularity of shows where people are asked to give a thumbs up or thumbs down instead of having deeper conversations about the production.
Andrew highlights that criticism doesn’t have to be negative and that even if we don’t enjoy a show, it’s still worth our time because it can prompt internal conversations about what we did or didn’t like.
Moving on, Lou asks Andrew what it’s like to work at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. In reply, Andrew highlights how they have a full marketing department, a creative team that creates all the original artwork, and a sales team. He mentions that they take a creative approach to everything and are also very strategic, planning their season 15 months to two years ahead.
Development and fundraising are critical aspects of their business. They have a creative person on staff dedicated to special events, making their galas interactive and feel like you’re walking into a play.
Lou asks Kato what motivates someone to get involved in creative play and become part of a community and what causes them to invest their time and money in it. The former basically wants to know the tipping point for someone to make that decision.
Andrew explains that the goal is to inspire people as they come in, and the Maltz Jupiter Theatre does this through various events and programs that bring its mission statement to life. They focus on education and offer scholarships for children, which people are eager to fund. They also offer backstage tours and masterclasses, where people can learn more about how they produce shows and gain insight into the process.
Andrew cites how people appreciate hearing from actors and learning about their experiences, which draws them in closer and makes them want to be more involved.
Lastly, Lou asks Andrew about his favorite performance at the Maltz Theatre. Andrew mentions Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a show she could watch over and over again. They discuss the importance of dialogue with the audience and how it deepens their appreciation for the arts. Lou mentions Ben Folds and how he also values audience interaction, and Kato shares her experience of asking the audience how a play made them feel and the profound responses he received.
Lou and Andrew go into much greater detail throughout this conversation. Thank you for listening!
