Brian Snodgrass
Executive Director, Conundrum Theatre Company
Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
I am the Executive Director and co-founder of Conundrum Theatre Company. I also serve on Burbank’s Board of Library Trustees and on the membership committee for the Theatre Producers of Southern California. I received my BA in Theatre Directing from the University of Northern Colorado. I have been a part of numerous productions, both on and off stage, as actor, director, and producer. Some of my Conundrum’s acting credits include Rent (Mark Cohen), Cabaret (Emcee), Fun Home (Bruce), Into the Woods (Baker), She Loves Me (Sipos) and more. Some other acting credits include Louis (Angels in America), Wright (Our American Tragedy), Pippin (Charlemagne), You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Fuddy Meers (Kenny), and The Sound of Music (Max). I have directed Seussical, A Company of Wayward Saints, Bringing It All Back Home, Love Letters, and The Sound Of Music, and the producer of Hair, Ragtime, and The King & I and Paul.
Come see Conundrum’s Ragtime at the Broadwater Theatre in Los Angeles and register your child for one of our after school or summer camp programs. We start rehearsing Into the Woods, Jr. in January for elementary and middle school youth!
How did you first become interested in art?
I started acting when I was in kindergarten, playing the Prince in a school production of Cinderella. That feeling of standing in front of an audience, receiving laughter and applause from them, was the best feeling in the world! Theatre has been my passion ever since.
How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can engage with art in Burbank?
Art does amazing things for a community, creating a place where people come together for a combined experience like no other. Theatre often tackles issues that spark dialogue and inspire social change in a community. Our mainstage Conundrum productions bring people together of different ages and backgrounds, and we thrive on volunteer participation that allows us to make a deeply inclusive art form. We also have our Conundrum Kids after school and summer camp programs that teach not only acting, singing and dancing, but specifically builds confidence, communication skills, and creativity in the youth who participate.
In addition, the arts contribute significantly to local economies, not only through ticket sales but additional spending at local restaurants and bars. The arts bring people to a collective location, which means it’s so important for people in Burbank to engage with local art. Support local theatre as much as possible because it helps put Burbank on the map as a true arts destination.
If you could share with our community one thing about art and/or your creative process, what would it be?
My creative process always starts with a spark, a simple idea that maybe a certain piece of theatre could turn into something incredible. Once you have that idea, then it’s all about surrounding yourself with actors, directors, designers, and more to create something on stage that will hopefully have a lasting impact for those who watch it.
To learn more about Brian and his work, visit www.conundrumtheatreco.com.
