Speaking Engagements
Lectures , Presentations, and Interviews
Upcoming Events:
December 6, 2019
Vashon Center For The Arts
Broadway Nation Live:
The Story Behind “White Christmas” – America’s Most Popular Song
David Armstrong, Artistic Director Emeritus of The 5th Avenue Theatre, will take you inside the creation of the bestselling and most recorded song of all time as he tells the story of how destitute, illiterate, a Russian-Jewish immigrant named Irving Berlin became America’s Composer Laureate and invented an entirely new category of song.
With special guest Albert Evans, and musical performances by 5th Avenue Theatre stars Cayman Ilika (Kiss Me Kate, Jaques Brel) and Eric Ankrim (How To Succeed, First Date) singing holiday hits from the Great American Songbook.
Spring 2020
University of Washington
School Of Drama
Spring Quarter:
Next spring I will again teach my new course for the University of Washington School of Drama called:
The Broadway Musical - How Immigrants, Queers, Jews, and African-Americans Created America’s Signature Art Form
I describe it like this:
This historical and cultural study of the Broadway Musical will examine how this uniquely American art-form was created predominately by people marginalized from mainstream society; it will survey its evolution including the mid-20th Century “Golden Age” and its current 21st Century resurgence; and explore how musicals have both reflected and shaped American culture -- especially in regard to issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, social justice and equality.
Past Events:
The Rainier Club, Seattle
Monday, June 10:
Genius Handed Down: The History of The Musical In One Continuous Thread of Artistry
David Armstrong (Artistic Director Emeritus of The 5th Avenue Theatre) will discuss the significant role the Broadway musical has played in American Society and how its nearly 120-year history can be told through the work and personal connections of three groundbreaking artists – Oscar Hammerstein, Steven Sondheim, and Lin Manual Miranda.
With special guest Albert Evans
Vashon Center For The Arts
Sunday, November 11:
Genius Handed Down: The History of The Musical In One Continuous Thread of Artistry
David Armstrong (Artistic Director Emeritus of The 5th Avenue Theatre) will discuss the significant role the Broadway musical has played in American Society and how its nearly 120-year history can be told through the work and personal connections of three groundbreaking artists – Oscar Hammerstein, Steven Sondheim, and Lin Manual Miranda.
With special guest Albert Evans