STC Women in Charge: Anne Kohn

STC
WOMEN IN CHARGE

This fall, more than 50 Washington, D.C. professional theatres are participating in the momentous Women’s Voices Theater Festival, showcasing more than 50 world premiere plays by women. In the spirit of the festival, Shakespeare Theatre Company wants to highlight some of its Women in Charge. Theatre is a collaborative art, and a successful production involves stage managers, scenic designers, administrators and grant writers, costume designers, prop masters, trainers, and so many more. That is why we are taking the opportunity to highlight some of our women behind the scenes who keep our theatre, and the art form, alive.

We hope you enjoy the sixth and final installment, featuring Anne Kohn, STC’s associate managing director.

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNE KOHN

How long have you been working in the arts?
I have been working in the arts for almost 15 years, and I have been working six years at STC. I have worked in marketing and PR for an opera company, grant writing for a Shakespeare festival, and producing for an art and technology festival. I also founded my own theatre company called No Rules Theatre Company which performed both in DC and Winston-Salem, NC.

 What’s your favorite show that you have helped make happen? Why?
The first show I produced with No Rules was Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I love the music and the story itself, but the best part of the experience was that I learned so much. To produce you have to have your hands in everything – casting, contracts, marketing, budgets. It was an amazing learning experience, and the end result was pretty great, too.

What do you love about STC?
I love the people at STC. These are some of the most hardworking and talented people I have ever encountered, both on and off the stage. But my favorite thing is we laugh a lot, even when we’re working hard.

 What’s the best part about your job?
The best part of my job is that no two days are ever the same. Things are always changing at the theatre. You meet new people, solve new problems and are part of creating something unique all the time. It’s never boring.