Today we’d like to introduce you to Chadd McMillan.
Hi Chadd, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I came to LA from NYC seven years ago to direct a friend’s solo show at the now-closed Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz and after being in LA for a week I decided not to go back to New York. I grew up on the East Coast and was heavily involved in every aspect of theatre wherever I lived knowing I would eventually end up in NYC. I mainly worked backstage in the wardrobe on several Off-Broadway shows and eventually became the costume designer for the nightclub The Box. Rockwell was the perfect transition from NYC to LA for me and up until the pandemic I was working there full time putting up musical parodies of movies, concerts, burlesque shows, and all the other amazing shows that came thru the venue.
Sadly, it didn’t open back up after the pandemic but I built such a strong family there that enjoys doing shows in a bar that I’ve taken all that knowledge I’ve gained over the years working in theatre and nightlife and have started producing our own shows with those friends in different venues in LA. I have co-founded a production company Diamond Dog Entertainment that has produced 2 Broadway plays one of which won 2 TONY awards, Titanique which is currently a huge hit Off-Broadway, Summoning Sylvia which is an LGBTQ horror movie available on VOD, and Horror Camp A Musical Massacre which ran here in LA Halloween 22/23. I am currently co-directing/producing and designing Exorcistic The Rock Musical Parody at The Three Clubs in Hollywood on Sept. 8, 9, 15, & 16 and then we are taking the show to NYC on Oct. 8-23, and I couldn’t be more excited. I love this show so much, and I can’t wait for more people to see it. In December the Burlesque troupe I work with Cherry Poppins will be bringing back our production of Nightlesque a burlesque musical parody of the Nightmare Before Christmas to the Bourbon Room Hollywood. I look forward to continuing to create fun, weird, and heartfelt entertainment with an off-kilter twist that helps people escape for a few hours.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never a smooth road, but that’s to be expected. Self-doubt is a huge obstacle that plagues me daily. Like this interview, it has taken me a week of staring at these questions to finally force myself to write about myself. You’re welcome.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Director, Producer, and Designer specializing in all things entertainment. I’m known for recreating iconic pop culture moments and making them musical. I’m most proud of the fact that I haven’t given up and that I have people in my life who don’t let me give up and see the things I don’t always see in my life or my work (there’s that self-doubt again). Lastly, I think what sets me apart from others is that I care a lot about my craft and am always willing to learn something new and difficult in order to accomplish my vision.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Google and YouTube are my best friends. It may be obvious, but it’s very easy to not look things up and just move on, walk away, and let someone else handle it. I want to know what’s wrong cause it’s probably going to happen again tomorrow and the person who happened to be there to fix it probably won’t be there to fix it again. I also love Instagram! I find a lot of inspiration in people’s willingness to put themselves and their work out there and to see how much creativity there is in the world.
And of course, playbill.com and BroadwayWorld.com!
Pricing:
- Exorcistic The Rock Musical at Three Clubs FRI/SAT 8pm thru Sept 16 $45 general admission
- Summoning Sylvia VOD $14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hrsproductionsla.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaddmcmillan/
- Other: www.diamonddog.com
