August Viverito is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Director of  a Play for EQUUS at The Production Company, where he also serves as Artistic Director.  EQUUS is also nominated for Best Production of a Play - Intimate Theatre.  He was also nominated for an Ovation Award in 2007/2008 for Lighting Design - Intimate Theatre at the Production Company.

If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for August (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!

As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked August the following questions:

What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?

Living in Baltimore, New York was always a quick trek, so I had an early glimpse of the magnificent work that was possible.   The first play that really overwhelmed me was ‘Equus’, which I saw three times in its original Broadway run, so having our production and my work both nominated for that particular play is absolutely a dream-come-true.

What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?

Well, since I was seventeen when I saw Equus the fisrt time (starrinig the breathtaking Peter Firth) I originally dreamed of playing Alan Strang myself, but as years passed it began to burn within me that I knew that I could bring that play to vivid life as a director.   I’m not really the crying type, but I honestly welled up with emotion when I watched my leading actors Patrick Stafford and Jim Hanna - along with a fantastic supporting cast - make that dream real.

Patrick Stafford in EQUUS

What project or projects are you currently working on?

Right now, I am directing another truly great play, Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer prize-winning ‘How I Learned to Drive’, and I am humbled by the fact that I think I have once again hit the jackpot with a magnificent cast.

What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?

I love that in Los Angeles, I can bring beautiful works to the stage that have proven value and substance, but that have often been overlooked for years.   I love that in a town of magic and make-believe, we can still be suprised by the truth of great performances and messages that I believe live theatre can evokes in a very special, personal way.

What’s your dream project?

Now that’s an ever-changing list, but I must be completely honest; ‘Equus’ was so close to my heart that I haven’t given it up yet sufficiently to name just one play.   Perhaps the true answer is that I want to be Joe Papp for Los Angeles.   I want to create and combine the vast resources of this town in a way that binds the smallest and the largest venues together.

Biography: AUGUST VIVERITO is the Artistic Director and one of the founders of The Production Company.   He directed the world premiere of a recent new adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby, John Gay’s Diversions & Delights, Spring Awakening, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues and most recently Mrs Warren’s Profession (which received 2 LA Weekly Award Nominations) for The Production Company. Previously, Mr. Viverito served as the Artistic Director for the Attic Theatre Ensemble, was on the Executive Board of The Knightsbridge Theatre, and was founder of The McCormick House Theatre back on the East Coast. For the Attic, Mr. Viverito directed hit productions of the World Premiere of Richard Martin Hirsch’s Peripheral Vision, Backstage West ‘Critic’s Pick’ The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, and Studz Terkel/Stephen Schwartz/Nina Faso’s Musical Masterpiece Working. For other stages he has directed productions of The Rainmaker, Beautiful Bodies, Little Women, Godspell, Our Town, Jesus Christ, Superstar and many others including numerous original works. As a stage performer he has appeared in leading roles in many acclaimed productions including Assassins, Blood Brothers, Pippin, Merrily We Roll Along, How to Succeed In Business…, and Sweet Charity.

For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!