Meet Donna Driver of Donelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Driver

Donna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the Managing Administrator for The Keeton, a nonprofit dinner theater in Nashville. This is my second season in this position, but I’m not new to this theater. I have been performing in shows at The Keeton since 2007 when I joined the cast of Hello Dolly. I actually met my husband doing that show, as he was in the ensemble. We have mostly done our performing in this space for the past 18 years. Our combined daughter grew up doing shows here, and now our oldest McKenna choreographs many of the musicals, and our youngest, Caylin, has directed a play.

In 2012, the artistic director of The Keeton at the time knew that I was a writer and also worked with special education, and she asked me to put together a program for a young man with cerebral palsy to fulfill his dream of directing a show. I wrote an original musical called Don Coyote: A New Western Musical for Kids, and I helped him direct the show. A few years later, I was asked to direct Steel Magnolias, and since then have gone on to direct at least one show per season. I also have choreographed and done costumes for several shows. In 2023, the Board of Directors voted to have the theater produce my original musical Songwriter Night: A Nashville Inspired Musical Romance. About a month before that show started rehearsals, they put out a call for a new Managing Administrator for the theater. I applied, and after a couple interviews, they hired me for the position. It was kind of wild to be directing my own musical and running the theater at the same time right at the start, but it was also very thrilling. It’s been an absolute dream come true running this theater ever since then.

My husband, Kevin, has become a very accomplished set designer and builder over the past five years. Due to his understanding of how all the technical components of shows come together, he has the title of Technical Director for the theater. It is so great to be able to work together at this theater that means so much to us.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Board of Directors has been so supportive of my ideas and show suggestions. Our season ticket subscribers already knew me pretty well from being a regular performer/director, so they have been incredibly open to me being in this position. For the most part, I can say things are going smoothly here at The Keeton. Of course, no production is without concerns when there are so many moving parts and volunteers. We are trying our best to make The Keeton a safe space for performers and crew members. That said, this isn’t my full time job. I have a day job as well, so juggling all of the business, scheduling, and demands of both jobs has its challenges. Keeping everything on schedule, under budget, and making sure people are being acknowledged for their work/contributions can be overwhelming, and I am learning as I go how to do all of that to my best ability.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think for the past five or six years, people in the Nashville theater community know me more as a director. I’ve been doing theater all my life and have my degree in Theatre Arts from the University of California, Irvine many many moons ago. I got into the theater community here shortly after moving from California in 2003. In addition to theater, I’m also a published author of several novels. I think the combination of knowing how shows work from the performing perspective and the way I need to understand motivation and plot to write has helped me be a better director. My years of experience in theater has aided my ability to manage The Keeton, but honestly its the 18 years of being part of this particular theater has helped me see what works and what doesn’t with regard to producing successful shows.

I’ve been very proud of the shows I’ve directed here, with last season’s Evita feeling like my highest achievement so far. As I write this, we are going into tech week for my current directing project: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical. The cast and production team on this show have been absolutely amazing, and I can’t wait for audiences to see this magical show!

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Be kind to everyone and be patient while people learn. In the theater it’s very easy to get caught up with ego. We’re here to be on display, after all. However, no show happens without collaboration of all aspects of the show. The backstage crew person is as vital to the show as the lead actor. The flute player is as valuable as the best dancer. Kindness and support go so much further toward encouraging people to do their best work than criticism. Also, this is a community theater. While we want to present the best, professional shows we can do, and the end of the day, many of our performers are amateurs and they are all volunteers. Sometimes we have stage managers or other members of the team who are doing this for the first time. We need to be patient as people learn the jobs, the music, the choreography or whatever else may be new to them and help them learn. When people feel safe and trusted, they will rise to the occasion. This is the environment that I am trying to uphold at The Keeton.

Pricing:

• Tickets for Beautiful, The Carole King Musical are $40 for dinner and show on Friday, Saturday evenings and Sunday Matinees.
• There are show-only performances on Thursdays for $30.00

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thekeeton.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelarrykeeton
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKeeton