Thomsen Talk: Sabbati-what?!
The time has come for Brandon J. Thomsen to take his sabbatical. To disappear for a period of time, perhaps to work on a project, and then return reinvigorated.
Thomsen Talk: March 2018
The best part of an adventure is the people you meet! March 2018 marks the official opening of our 81st Season. If you were to ask QCT volunteers why they keep coming back, I’m sure most would say, “The people.” Our aim is that every person involved here – whether onstage, backstage, front of house, … Continued
Thomsen Talk: February 2018
Without a doubt the hardest part of directing for me is casting. When I was in high school, a director said, “80% of good directing is good casting.” After a show, a comment I hear frequently is “the show was so well-cast. Everyone was perfect for their part.” I like hearing that. It feels like … Continued
Thomsen Talk: January 2018
“We have a whole new year ahead of us….” In the 1963-1964 television season, Judy Garland had her own television series on Sunday nights on CBS. It was a variety show. There would be a celebrity guest who would sing or tell “jokes,” and Judy and the guest might do some sketches. The highlight of … Continued
Thomsen Talk: November 2017
If TV has taught us nothing else, it’s that when your dysfunctional family finally sits down at the dinner table for Thanksgiving, you each say what you’re thankful for. (It kills me that I ended that sentence with a preposition.) Well, here we go. Here are just a few things I’m thankful for from the … Continued
Thomsen Talk: October 2017
In a conversation last month, someone talked to me about the thrill and significance of reaching out to former teachers who made an impact on your life. I love that idea. Recently, I had the opportunity to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of a former teacher. I would like to use this forum … Continued
Thomsen Talk: September 2017
You know what show scared me the most to work on this season? Our Town. Yep. A play with no set and no props terrified me the most. Why? Expectations. Our Town has been seen onstage since 1938, and it has baggage. It’s a play people love, hate, have read willingly, have been forced to … Continued
Thomsen Talk: June 2017
“New York! New York! It’s a wonderful town!” A short while ago, I made my almost-yearly pilgrimage to New York City to do my equivalent of Netflix binge watching, but with live theatre, sitting in an overpriced uncomfortable chair instead of my cheap, comfy couch. I was there Thursday afternoon through Monday afternoon and saw … Continued
Thomsen Talk: May 2017
My mom thought I would grow up to be a criminal. It’s true! When I was in kindergarten, I was always getting in trouble. There was one afternoon after snack time, my friend Angie was throwing her napkin into the large garbage can, and I wanted to see what she would look like inside the … Continued
Thomsen Talk: April 2017
My nose is running, tears are running down my face. Can it be? Am I getting emotional? Heaven forfend! It’s that time again— spring allergies. The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, and my eyes are redder. Despite being in a perpetual allergy-induced haze, I do really love the spring. Rejuvenation, rebirth…. After I close … Continued
Thomsen Talk: March 2017
Warning: This blog is extremely personal. If you’ve read my bio in the stagebill, you’ve seen that I attended Wisconsin Lutheran College. I actually had Lutheran education from nursery school through college. In grade school, we were taught the difference between Law and Gospel, and I remember in our 8th grade confirmation class being taught … Continued
Thomsen Talk: February 2017
February is a short month; therefore, this will be a short Thomsen Talk. As I write this, Tarzan ® is about to open to the public, and I really hope you will all make an opening in your schedule to see this. It’s epic. When Director of Student Theatre Kelsey Celek and I met in early … Continued