Dan Callaway is a 2009/2010 Ovation Nominee in the Featured Actor in a Musical category for his work on SWEENEY TODD with Musical Theatre West.

LA Stage asked Dan the following questions:

What was the first theatrical production you ever attended and what impact did it have on you?

“I think the first theatrical production I ever attended was a children’s theatre production of CINDERELLA when I was in preschool. I remember that all I could think the whole time was, “”Why doesn’t Cinderella have any water in her bucket when she’s washing the floor? Doesn’t she need water in her bucket?”"

But when I went on my first trip to New York City, I saw my first Broadway show which was PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and that was the moment when I thought, “”Maybe I can give this acting thing a try.”" PHANTOM ended up being my first Equity contract.

What is your most cherished theatre memory?

Meeting my wife in NYC rehearsals for a musical called THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING. Changed my life.

Which LA theatre artists’ work do you consider a ‘Must See’?

The great thing about LA is that we have a concentration of such talented people who are always creating incredible work. I could make a list of my faves here, but it would be way too long.

See the question above…so many great, talented people to work with. More important than the level of talent we have here in LA, I have found that so many of the people I’ve had the privilege to work with are just good people.

If you could change one thing about theatre in Los Angeles, what would it be?

I wish there were a way for us to wave a magic wand and make LA more of a theatre destination. While I realize this will never happen to the extent of my imagination, in my perfect world I would miraculously create an LA with an efficient, affordable public transportation system that could whisk people to a revitalized downtown Broadway district from all parts of the city.

There would be long-running musicals and plays that give LA actors opportunities for jobs that can earn them a living wage, insurance weeks, and creative fulfillment…also offering the LA community more access and exposure to the theatre…as well as great investment opportunities for theatre producers. Win-win-win.

Hey….it’s my perfect world, right?

Who’s the first person you texted or tweeted when you got the news about your nomination?

Actually, no texts or tweets.

I was teaching our musical theatre class when Heather (Provost, my wife) called from NYC and told me to put her on speaker phone. She announced my nomination to our class and me at the same time which was really cool. I couldn’t have gotten the news in a better way.

Between the call and her putting the news on blast on her Facebook page, no tweeting or texting was necessary.

I did enjoy emailing and congratulating some of my fellow nominees, though. We have some great talent here in LA. In my category, I am nominated alongside some very talented and accomplished guys, and I am very honored to be in their company.”

Biography:

Dan is a founder and teacher at Our Learning Spot Musical Theatre Classes and teaches private voice lessons in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of Elon College in North Carolina and a member of LA’s Musical Theatre Guild. He also co-owns Ciao Bella Productions with his wife, Tony-nominated Broadway producer Heather Provost..

For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 17th, click here!