A working life in musical theatre

Tristan Baker

The work, choices and life around the show — in one contributor’s own words.

Tristan BakerACT ONE presents OFF BOOK
FROM THE ACT ONE ARCHIVE · IDENT

The conversation is being shaped into Scenes for ACT ONE presents OFF BOOK. Video, captions and the Notes Session resource will appear here when the edit is ready.

The person behind the work

Tristan Baker

Tristan Baker is a theatre producer and co-founder of Runaway Entertainment, which he established with Charlie Parsons in 2011. The company develops new work and produces across theatre and film. His Broadway producing credits include Girl From the North Country. In Off Book, his perspective opens up the production side of a performer’s working life: how a CV is read, what an agent communicates, how problems reach the right person and why a revival may ask for something new. It is a view of the professional relationships that sit behind a casting decision and continue after the contract is signed.

Selected work

  • Runaway Entertainment — Co-founder
  • Girl From the North Country — Producer

This preview pairs the conversation with archive imagery. The production gallery is being prepared from official sources.

Pull a thread.

Start anywhere. Each thread opens onto a different part of this working life — a question, a contradiction or something nobody puts in the prospectus.

Conversation thread

The audition starts with the person signing you in

A producer explains how reports of rudeness outside the room can affect a decision.

Make a note

Conversation thread

Research who will hear your song

A panel member may have years of experience with the material you choose.

Make a note

Conversation thread

What a producer actually reads on a CV

Previous work, creative connections and training signals can matter more to him than the degree itself.

Make a note

Conversation thread

The agent is also a negotiator and conduit

Shows the professional relationship between representation and production.

Make a note

Conversation thread

Tell the production there is a problem

Tristan describes needing information in order to help.

Make a note

Conversation thread

What the company manager actually represents

The company manager bridges company and producer while representing the producer.

Make a note

Conversation thread

A revival may want a new interpretation

A different creative team can want something different from a previous production.

Make a note

Follow the connections

Explore related perspectives across the course. Different experiences can produce different answers.

Explore the library ↗
STAGE DOOR