We were lucky to catch up with Megan Colburn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful Project I have worked on is for sure Max’s Nasty Town. When we first started doing shows as Ballview, our Production Company, David Dickens, the founder of Ballview Entertainment, he asked me to direct and help create a show called Max’s Nasty town. This was followed up with another show I directed called Rat F*** Manor, also a collaborative project. This all came to head with the Third installment, Max’s Nasty Town. A 6 1/2 hour fully immersive set of 14 shows that took place across three theaters businesses, and public areas in the north Hollywood arts District. That followed the lives of North Hollywood Characters as they prepared for the election for the First Mayor of North Hollywood.

It was meaningful to me because there was/is simply nothing else like it. We were creating something that had never been done before in North Hollywood and utilizing all of the assets that we feel makes North Hollywood as unique and inspiring, as it is to us every day. The project was extremely collaborative. As the characters were mostly created in title alone and the personalities, the storylines, the purpose of these characters were determined as we worked with our cast, and found out their strengths, their desires, and their passions. A thing difficult to sustain for for a cast of 31 people. Luckily, Max Zumstein, Brandon Slezak and David Dickens all directed segments of the show. With David Dickens at my side and Stage managed by Max Zumstein and Elise Walters there was never a chance for Failure. Not to mention being constantly supported by Jacob rumor, Isaac Tipton Snyder and the rest of the incredibly hard working cast. Working on such a large collaborative process showed me that if you have a team of “gamers” – extremely driven and creative individuals – absolutely anything in North Hollywood as possible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have a pretty usual story in the beginning, started pursuing acting at age 11, was lucky enough to go to Magnet schools with wonderful Theatre programs my whole childhood, Richardson West Junior High School and Richardson High School. At Richardson, I was given a leg up working with amazing acting Teachers, Cliff McClelland and Erik Archilla, not to mention the state of the art facilities that the school provided. From there I went to Santa Fe University of Art and Design, don’t look it up, its not there anymore. Final Graduating class. (But that’s a whole other story on its own) There I was lucky enough to work with the wonderful Jon Jory, Shepard Sobel, and Christina Duarte. Three teachers that inspire and refine the talent of every student they meet. After College, there was never a question, it was LA or bust. So the week of graduation about 10 of us packed up all our things rented a moving van and made our way out here! It didn’t take long for reality of working and paying bills overtook the lofty dreams of paying rent with acting when you hardly know anyone in town. After almost a year of nothing, I got a call from Brandon Slezak, a director and the General Manager at the time over a Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre. That is where I met, Max and David along with Countless other extremely talented and Kind hearted humans. It didn’t take me long to figure out, that this community was going to have a hold on me for a long time. I had no idea how right I was. The pandemic hit shortly after my first show with them. We kept up with each other through Instagram lives and zoom call nights. But it all really changed when David started Managing the Whitmore Lindley, The Brickhouse, and The Sherry theatres. Now we had venues. We could start putting up the shows that Max, Bandon, and David had been writing and conceptualizing for years before this. And I got to join along side them. Producing, directing, acting. We have been creating for 3 years now and as a company that only does original work, to say no one is doing exactly what we are, is not a brag it is simply the truth. We work in a open and collaborative space. I am lucky that I get to share not just the stage but also in the process with these three at Ballview.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My main Goal in this industry is to provide a space for Starving artist. The artist starving for their art. When I first moved here my partner at the time was diagnosed with Cancer, we were only 23. We didn’t hardly know how to pay rent let alone how to stare down the barrel of THAT gun. So any kind preforming was off the table. So when he got better, I was already settled into a life in LA away from the stage. My spirits were low. So when I was able to get back under those lights I knew that what I wanted most was to provide a space for others that were hitting that low point, that drag that pulls you under, to get back on stage and find the drive. The ball has to start rolling before you can pick up the momentum.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is watching those that I work with, actors I have cast, keep that momentum. Watching them go on to pursue all of the things they dream of. Hoping that maybe I helped on their journey. My favorite part of the community I have been lucky enough to be a part of is when my fellow creatives have the confidence in my recommendations to ask for advice or suggestions for cast and crew. I cannot tell you the joy I get from those nights Idle Hour surrounded by Friends and artist that have all met through our productions and the productions around us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @meganecolburn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-colburn-2b37b4178
• Other: Ballview Instagram @ballviewentertainment

Image Credits

All credits to @ballviewentertainment