Eric Lane Barnes
Eric Lane Barnes is the author of the critically acclaimed Fairy Tales, which received two Jeff citations (Chicago), three After Dark Awards (Chicago), and three Bistro Awards (NYC). Fairy Tales enjoyed successful runs in Chicago, New York City, London, Minneapolis, Houston and numerous other cities. Barnes has written extensively for Chicago theater, including Live Bait Theatrical, Bailiwick Repertory, Pegasus Players and Poison Nut Productions. His scores and scripts for Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre include Tuck Everlasting, Simple Jim and His Four Fabulous Friends, Scary Home Companion, The Amazing Bone and Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, which recently finished a national tour with TheatreWorks USA. His most recent creation is The Stops, a musical show featuring three lady church organists. The Stops has played Chicago, Houston and Seattle in various productions, and most recently ran in Richmond, Virginia in April of 2006. The Stops was awarded Best Musical, among other awards at the Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival in September 2006.
In January of 2000, Eric Lane Barnes was appointed Assistant Artistic Director of Seattle Men’s Chorus, through which he formed the vocal comedy ensemble Captain Smartypants. Since their inception, Captain Smartypants has performed with Blake Lewis, Ann Wilson, Melissa Manchester, Lea Delaria, Kristine W, Kristin Chenoweth, Megan Mullally, Rosemary Clooney, Nell Carter and Margaret Cho. Captain Smartypants has toured the Northwest with their shows Song and Pants, Sticks and Stones, Undercover, Camp and Trousers of Terror to sold-out houses. Undercover, Smartypants’ CD of cover songs, is available online through iTunes, FreshTracks music or CD Baby. Look for their new show PowerPants! opening June 1 2007 at Seattle’s Re-Bar.
Michael Hayden
Throughout his career Michael Hayden has served as a choral director/musical director and voice teacher for high school, university, community choruses and musicals. His music education comes from Butler University (Bachelor of Music Education) The Eastman School of Music (Masters in Choral Conducting) and Michigan State University (Doctoral Course work in Choral Conducting). For the past 12 summers he has also participated in the Haystack Summer Program through Portland State University studying with Rodney Eichenberger. This west coast choral workshop is for conductors concentrating on choral conducting technique. Professionally, Mr. Hayden has served on the music faculties of Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) and Butler University. For five years on WBNI, 89.1 FM, Fort Wayne, Northeast Indiana’s National Public Radio Station, Michael hosted AMT-American Musical Theatre, a weekly radio broadcast. This weekly program took an in depth look at the American Musical and its history and development. Michael is also no stranger to the musical stage as a performer. He has performed roles for the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, First Presbyterian Theatre in Fort Wayne, Butler University Theatre, Oakland University Theatre, The Edyvean Theatre, and Shawnee Summer Theatre. His musical directing credits include Call Me Madame, Oliver!, Finian’s Rainbow, Candide, Nunsense, Spoon River Anthology, Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, and The Secret Garden. Additionally, he is the founding Music Director of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus serving as its conductor for seven years. For the past four years Michael has served as Artistic Director for VOICES of Kentuckiana in Louisville, Kentucky. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors for GALA Choruses.
In 2003, Michael was asked to participate in the 33rd annual International Workshop in Biarritz, France. In this two-week workshop he sang with and conducted a 16-voice chamber choir and presented a session on developing the voice in the choral singer. He was most excited to sing the Baritone solo for the performance of Faure’s Requiem with the International Workshop chorus and orchestra under the direction of workshop choral clinician Rodney Eichenberger. In 2004, Michael was asked to return to the final International Workshop in Graz, Austria. Again he was a participant in the choral track, assisting Rodney Eichenberger, the workshop clinician and additionally, Michael presented a session.. He was the Bass soloist for the International Workshop chorus and orchestra’s closing concert of Mass in G by Franz Schubert.
Michael is now a full-time choral clinician and vocal coach. He has been discovered by Sweet Adelines International and just returned from Australia and New Zealand where he spent a month working with 6 choruses.
