Take 5! with Helen Hayes nominated Musical Directors

 A Musical Director collaborates with the Stage Director to set the musical framework then works painstakingly with both singer-actors and instrumentalists, blending sound so that everything comes together in a balanced whole.

Take 5 with Musical Directors …….
Christopher Youstra, Darius Smith, Karen Hansen, Matt Hinkley, Ross Scott Rawlings, and 3-time nominee
Walter “Bobby” McCoy.
(No time for a long read? Find nominees and shows using the Search box)

The Nominees	Conversation
	Matt Hinkley What attracted you to this project? How many opportunities does one have to work with James Lapine, Debra Monk, Boyd Gaines, and Michael Starobin all in the same room together? What was your favorite musical moment? The scene in which Mrs. Miller records a pop song in the studio for the first time, and we really get to absorb the majesty of her art. What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? I live and work mostly in NYC; we have no awards here (that I'm aware of) that recognize and celebrate the work that music directors do on a show. It means a lot that the DC theater community does honor their contributions, and I'm thrilled to get to share a small part of that with everyone.
	Darius Smith What attracted you to this project? The directing team (Timothy Douglas and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi) and, of course, Nina Simone. What was your biggest challenge? How does anyone arrange Nina Simone's music? It is iconic and already perfect on its own. How many musicians did you have? Just me, my stompin' feet and my clappin' hands. Our Nina (Harriet D. Foy) also played a mean tambourine. What was your favorite musical moment? The penultimate number ends, after a full song of shouting and dancing, in a full a capella chorus with all the ladies in full voice. And then the song just stops. And you can hear the audience holding their breath, unsure how to respond to such a genuinely cathartic moment. It is glorious. What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? The location! [He's talking about The Anthem on DC's waterfront]
	Christopher Youstra, Ragtime, Ford's Theatre What attracted you to this project? Ragtime is one of my favorite shows and to do it in early 2018 with the political climate of the new administration in a theater 5 minutes from the White House and the Capital renewed my sense of why we do this. What was your biggest challenge? Doing such an epic show on a smaller scale was cause for some trepidation, but I think we were all terribly excited with the results. How many musicians did you have? Besides me, there were only 9 - we focused on a "Main Street USA" sound rather than a the "big Broadway" sound and we used the ensemble in special ways to add to the brilliant orchestration created by Kim Scharnberg. And then there's the accordion..... What was your favorite musical moment? The opening will always put chills down your spine. What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? Seeing friends that I may not have seen for a while. This really is a great community.
	Karen Hansen, Bon Voyage! A Happenstance Escapade, Happenstance Theatre What attracted you to this project? It was next on our docket. What was your biggest challenge? Making sense of the French language and that period. How many musicians did you have? Mostly just me, but everyone in the company sings and some played instruments. What was your favorite musical moment? I honestly loved them all. What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? Being there and celebrating with other DC theater people.
	Ross Scott Rawlings, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Toby's Dinner What attracted you to this project? Fun score, family favorite, great Choral singing. What was your biggest challenge? Keeping the show fresh and alive. How many musicians did you have? 6 per performance, but a rotation of over 18 players. What was your favorite musical moment? Close Every Door ending. The music reaches a climax when the chorus sings a cappella with Joseph singing above them. Fantastic, chilling moment. What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? Seeing my talented colleagues celebrate their accomplishments over the past year.
	Walter "Bobby" McCoy, Blues in the Night, Creative Cauldron What attracted you to this project? I am huge lover of Jazz, so when I started listening to the show I was immediately hooked on all the crazy arrangements of the standards. I also really love working with Matt Conner, Stephen Gregory Smith and the intimate space at Creative Cauldron. What was your biggest challenge? making sense of the messy books that the orchestra and I got. All the parts we're in pretty bad condition. Many times stuff in the band books didn't line up with what we had in our Piano/Vocal Books. How many musicians did you have? 4 including me on piano What was your favorite musical moment? Getting to play one of my favorite songs ever!! "Lush Life" What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? Hanging out with all my friends at the beautiful Anthem and celebrating everyone's achievements!
	Walter "Bobby" McCoy, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre What attracted you to this project? I have a very deep connection to this show! I grew up in Latinx household and I really identify with the culture, the food and most importantly the music. As soon I heard that Gala Hispanic was mounting version in Spanish I was very excited. What was your biggest challenge? There's a lot of technology involved in the newer Broadway scores. I built many click tracks for this show and it was my 1st time really diving into that. I really grew to appreciate them for many reasons!! How many musicians did you have? 10 including myself What was your favorite musical moment? Playing the club number!!!! Non-Stop salsa, until the lights go out! What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? Hanging out with all my friends at the beautiful Anthem and celebrating everyone's achievements!
	Walter "Bobby" McCoy, The Wild Party, Constellation Theatre What attracted you to this project? I LOVE JAZZ! I had also been a huge fan of The Wild Party since my 1st listen. I couldn't wait to dig in!!!! What was your biggest challenge? Playing a show with 7 musicians in the Source Theater can be very challenging. Also the sheer amount of music involved in this show is nuts and it's all difficult! How many musicians did you have? 7 including myself on Piano What was your favorite musical moment? Doing the Juggernaut every night!!!! One of my faves from the show! The trumpet part is lit in that number! What are you most looking forward to the Helen Hayes Awards? Hanging out with all my friends at the beautiful Anthem and celebrating everyone's achievements!