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[0:00] Ken Davenport: Hey everybody, it's Ken Davenport here with the Producer's Perspective Podcast, episode number 239.

[0:06] Ken Davenport: And it's a very special episode of the Producer's Perspective podcast. This one goes out to all my graduating theater makers out there. I've got a special message just for you.

[0:18] Ken Davenport: So if you're a senior graduating this year, this podcast is for you. If you know a senior graduating this year, share this podcast with them. Here comes my special message just for you.

[0:34] Ken Davenport: I wanna be a producer with a hit show on Broadway. You're listening to the Producer's Perspective Podcast with your host, Tony Award winner, Ken Davenport.

[0:51] Ken Davenport: So it's June, everybody, and you know what that means? It's graduation time for high schools, college students, graduate students, even my two-year-old graduated this year. This is when high schools, colleges, even these prep schools are sending their students off to their next stage. Yes, pun, very much intended.

[1:10] Ken Davenport: And from what I'm hearing from the theater students who I've spoken to lately, well, they feel a little weird because they don't know what to do next coming out of a period when there was no theater. I mean, I can't imagine being a student right now, period. Never mind being a theater student and going into an industry that has been shut down for 15 months.

[1:38] Ken Davenport: In fact, one student Facebook me literally and said this what the F do I do now? That's what they said. So, which is why I've heard this from so many people, and I have this philosophy in my life. When I hear the same question from more than three people, then I know I actually haven't done enough to answer that question.

[1:58] Ken Davenport: I this is a this uh theory of three questions is something I developed when I was a company manager. When I used to get three questions from my actors, stage managers, stage hands about travel or housing or house seats. If I got the same question three times, I knew I hadn't done my job well enough, and I knew I had to answer it faster.

[2:19] Ken Davenport: And this is a question I've heard from theater students all over. What do I do now as a theater graduate, theater major graduate, after a pandemic when the industry is still shut down? And obviously, many of them are a bit despondent. Should I go into my father's real estate company? Should I go to graduate school? What the heck should I do?

[2:44] Ken Davenport: Now, look, I've actually never spoken at a graduation ceremony, except my own high school ceremony where I actually quoted Le Miz and also sang memory. Yes, thank God there's no footage of that. Uh, but if you'll imagine that I'm in a cap and gown right now, I thought I'd deliver an e-version, uh podcast version of what I'd say to any graduating theater makers in 2021.

[3:09] Ken Davenport: Ready? Here it is, my special podcast commencement speech just for you. Here it is, ready? Congratulations, you made it. And that's pretty much it in a speech shell, if you will.

[3:27] Ken Davenport: See, if you're a graduating theater maker right now, you survived the hardest period the entire theater industry has ever experienced. And I'd actually wager money, like the capitalization of Spider-Man type of money, that this is the hardest period the theater industry will ever experience. And you made it.

[3:52] Ken Davenport: And if you got through this past year, and if you're still as passionate as ever to make theater, to act in theater, to produce theater, to market theater, direct theater, or whatever you want in the theater, then you're gonna be more than fine. Do not worry. Because what this business requires of you to be successful more than other businesses out there is very, very simple.

[4:17] Ken Davenport: Success in the theater demands relentless perseverance and commitment to your goals. It requires this. I don't care how many times people say no or how long I have to wait or what I have to sacrifice, I am going to make it attitude. And this past year has been the ultimate test to see if you have that gene.

[4:37] Ken Davenport: And if you're here, if you're listening to this, if you're writing your next play or your first play, if you're auditioning, if you're looking to move to New York, to Chicago, to LA, if you're taking classes in person or online, if you're taking any tort of action towards your future post pandemic, you will be successful because you made it. Congratulations.

[5:03] Ken Davenport: I don't know that I could have. I'm being totally honest with you. I don't know that I wouldn't have decided to go to law school by now. Heck, I thought about going to law school during the past 15 months myself. But you didn't. You are still here, still wanting to make theater. And you should be so proud.

[5:22] Ken Davenport: You should be smiling bigger than any generation of theater makers who have graduated before you. You did have it harder, and you made it, and you will make it. As long as you put that, I don't care how many times people say no or how long I have to wait or what I have to sacrifice, I am gonna make it attitude to work starting right now.

[5:45] Ken Davenport: To all you theater makers out there, I cannot wait to collaborate with every single one of you. We will see you on a stage real soon. Now somebody cue memory. Just for the love of all that's holy, not a version sung by me.

[6:03] Ken Davenport: Thanks for listening to this week's podcast. I can smile at the all days.com or check out my social media accounts at Ken Davenport B Way on Instagram and at Ken Davenport on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

[7:08] Ken Davenport: We'll see you for the next episode.