Jason Tucker is an award-winning musical theater director and music director with over 30 years of experience in every type of theater, including high school, university, community, dinner, regional and national tours. Since the early 1990s, Tucker has conducted, music-directed, directed, and composed countless productions throughout the U.S. including NYC, LA, and all over Florida, amassing a breadth of knowledge of American and English musical theater from multiple perspectives.
Jason is teaching “Orchestration in Musical Theater” this fall at Eckerd College.
What inspired you to present “Orchestration in Musical Theater”?
JT: As a musical theater director and music director, I’ve learned not only to appreciate this rarely regarded part of the artform, but I’ve learned how important it is to the success of a given musical. I think I have a unique point of view which I can share to make this arcane subject come alive and be accessible to anyone who likes a fun night at the theater.
What unique perspectives or insights do you bring to your instruction that sets you apart?
JT: I’ve conducted well over 200 American and British musical theater scores over the years. Plus, I make audio tracks for small theaters and schools that can’t afford live orchestras, so I’ve been exposed to and studied dozens more.
What do you hope OLLI participants will gain from your course that they might not find elsewhere?
JT: By focusing on this rarely noticed but indispensable part of artform, I’d hope that it will make it even more fun to listen to music, even outside the musical theater genre.
What’s the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
JT: The Triumph of Christianity by Bart D. Ehrman
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
JT: A glass of bourbon and a good book.
Is there an interesting tidbit or piece of information you’d like to share with OLLI members?
JT: I’ve ridden over 250 different roller coasters so far. Also, to unabashedly drop names, I’ve worked with OLLI instructors Jason Fortner and Rick Kistner countless times over the last 30 years.
