The 2019 season is over and planning for 2020 is in full swing. In order to get the most out of our 6th season, we're bringing on some new team members! Get to know more about each of them below.
Josiah Hernandez
What is your role at Monumental?
Board Member
What was your first Monumental experience?
I saw Daddy Long Legs. I knew it'd be a good show, but I was absolutely blown away by the production value and experience I had.
What are you excited to work on with the Monumental team? I'm so excited to help in growing the organization. This is such a special place that I feel so honored to be able to take part in the fundraising and development of the company as they continue to grow into one of the best companies in the DMV.
Matthew Kacergis
What is your role at Monumental?
Board Member
What was your first Monumental experience?
Be More Chill!
What are you excited to work on with the Monumental team?
I am thrilled to join the board and support the growth of an exciting new theatre in DC. Monumental is doing great work and will be instrumental in building a new generation of theatre goers! I am particularly enthusiastic in helping monumental find a path toward sustainable growth so that its work can reach even more people.
Quoc Tran
What is your role at Monumental?
I am excited to being joining the Monumental team as the Development Associate.
What was your first Monumental experience?
I first came to experience Monumental during its inaugural season. I had the opportunity to see Girl vs Corinth performed in Ward Recital Hall at Catholic University. Throughout Monumental’s pervious seasons, I have had the opportunity of knowing many artists whose talents have been fostered through the amazing work that the company does.
What are you excited to work on with the Monumental team?
I am excited to work with Monumental in growing their company and their mission of developing new works, establishing new perspectives on theatre, and nurturing the next generation of theatre goers. Also, I am excited to work with a team so passionate about the work that they do!
Brian Shaw
What is your role at Monumental?
Board Member
What was your first Monumental experience?
I overheard that some theatre company was renting space at my office to audition folks some random afternoon. I happened to have my audition book with me, and stuck my head in the door and Jimmy and Michael let me sing for them - I got a callback, but couldn't attend. They haven't called me in again since then so I guess the moral of the story is that Lydia the Tattooed Lady doesn't do it for everybody. I saw the show. Urinetown. It was great. They made the right choice.
What are you excited to work on with the Monumental team?
As a theatre-maker I see two major problems with Washington DC. The first, is that audiences and supporters come from a certain age of patron. That's wonderful, but it isn't sustainable - we can only advance the art form if we diversify our audiences, our interests, and broaden ways of thinking. Monumental has a great grasp on the traditional model, and is working to find ways to meet our peers where they are and build a different sort of audience to revitalize theatre as a cultural norm for young people. I'm excited to support that.
It's true that Washington is a saturated home to more than 95 theatre companies. However we function with a massive disparity of resource, respect, and visibility. The majority of this community are small start ups (as Monumental began) very niche shows with huge sacrifices for those artists to just to participate. A select few are Kennedy Centers and big contract, equity houses, where artists can (almost) make a living at union wage. An even smaller number are companies truly in the middle, stepping stones from the start up to the big house. This middle level that gives real opportunity to those building their careers. They prove potential and get people noticed. Monumental is well positioned to becoming one of those theatres, visible, respected, known, and an important incubator and stop-gap for the up and coming of material, performance, and practitioner. I'm excited to work with Monumental to help us become the place where the world can look at next big thing, and realize that's what it is.
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