Lisa Monde
1. Congratulations on your achievements in the NY Digital! Could you start by introducing yourself or your agency? Can you also share a bit about your journey into your current industry?
My name is Lisa Monde, and I am a writer, playwright, director, actress, and singer. I earned a Ph.D. in Musical Theatre and am the author of ten original plays and eight musicals, most of which have been produced and staged in the U.S. and around the world. For the past fifteen years, I have also worked as a theatre critic, writing news articles, reviews, essays, and interviews for various specialized publications in four European languages. My research-based work has been published in multiple academic journals. I also teach acting and musical theatre performance to aspiring theatre and film actors, and I created an original master class on musical theatre history. I am the recipient of multiple awards and honors in theatrical contests, playwriting competitions, and other prestigious programs. My journey in musical theatre began more than twenty years ago when I first stepped onto the stage in a musical that I had written and composed myself. Since then, I have written, directed, and performed in dozens of productions. I know the world of theatre—and especially musical theatre—inside and out. Being a critic, writer, journalist, and interviewer of renowned musical theatre creators from around the world is one of the many roles I proudly embrace. I began writing about musical theatre nearly twenty years ago for a wide range of media outlets. For the past five years, I have primarily published reviews, exclusive interviews, and essays for The Theatre Times Digital Portal and Theatre-News.com. Over the past three years, my publications have been grouped under the title "All Around the Musical," a series dedicated to celebrating the anniversaries of world-famous productions.
2. What inspired you to submit your work for this competition, and what does winning mean to you personally and professionally?
I highly value the opinions of the professional community, which is why I decided to submit my work to the competition. Winning is, of course, incredibly inspiring and motivates me to keep moving forward.
3. Can you share the story behind your success? What inspired its creation, and what do you feel it represents in today’s industry?
I realized very early on that musical theatre was my passion. That is why I studied dance and singing from a young age and received a strong musical education. I have been performing on the musical theatre stage since I was 14, and as a composer and librettist, I have written several musicals. I have also explored directing, bringing musical productions to life from behind the scenes as well as on stage. That background makes it easy for me to interview musical theatre creators and performers—we speak the same language. When I joined the cast of the renowned rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar many years ago, I never imagined that one day I would have the opportunity to discuss its creation with Tim Rice himself, or talk with Alan Menken about various productions of Aladdin, including school productions. As an educator, I have also directed school versions of several well-known musicals. I hope that the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career—and that I am fortunate to share with my students, readers, and viewers—will contribute to the continued growth and appreciation of my favorite theatrical genre: the musical.
4. What do you believe set your project apart in such a competitive field? Were there specific elements or strategies that made it shine?
I believe my work stands out through its relevance, clear thematic focus, professionalism, and high-quality presentation.
5. Every project has its challenges. Can you share a significant obstacle you faced during this process and how you overcame it?
The main challenge for me is the lack of time and technical support, as I do not have a team of assistants. At the same time, this has allowed me to expand my skills in research, content development, and publication preparation, including sourcing and managing photos and videos.
6. Winning an award of this caliber often brings recognition. What do you hope this achievement will mean for your career, your team, or your agency in the long run? Have you already noticed any changes or opportunities arising from this recognition?
I hope that more people will learn about me and my work, in part thanks to this interview. I also hope that some will become interested in the topic, decide to read my articles, and discover the wonderful The Theatre Times Digital Portal for themselves. I believe that winning prestigious awards like the NY Digital Awards gives me and my team at The Theatre Times greater credibility, and that more musical theatre gurus will soon agree to collaborate with us.
7. What has the reaction been from clients, audiences, or stakeholders about your winning entry? Any feedback or memorable moments that stand out?
I am very pleased that The Theatre Times, the online portal that published my article series, Legendary Musicals Around the World: Creation and Evolution, which won a Silver Medal at the NY Digital Awards, warmly congratulated me on this achievement by publishing a press release in the Awards section of its website.
8. For those aspiring to achieve similar success, what advice would you offer to help them not only thrive in their industries but also craft compelling, award-worthy entries? Are there specific practices, mindsets, or strategies you believe are key?
I have an answer to this question, and it is always the same: keep moving forward, and never stop! Success is the "art of small steps," as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry put it. Hard work always pays off! Never stop believing in yourself!
9. The creative industry is constantly evolving. How do you view these changes, and where do you hope to position yourself in the future?
I'm very curious about the development of musical theatre as an industry. It is a living organism that continues to evolve, and as I observe this process, I analyze it and share my insights with readers. There are aspects I appreciate and others I question. I am not afraid to discuss them openly in my interviews with experienced creators of successful musicals from around the world, particularly when it comes to how musicals exist and thrive in the digital space.
10. Entering awards can be daunting for many, especially those just starting out. What would you say to individuals who have limited experience, or are hesitant to showcase their work in competitions? How can they build confidence and see the value in participating?
America is the land of great opportunities. Of course, the creative path in any field of art is often complex and unpredictable. But everyone has the opportunity to test their abilities and find their calling. The key is having the desire and courage to listen to the feedback of others—colleagues and audiences alike. I have long maintained the practice of surveying audiences after my shows. The responses provide me with so much information and insight that I can confidently offer this advice to aspiring artists: do not neglect the opinions of your primary audience. And it does not matter whether it is a showcase or a full-fledged production. It is all valuable information that you can build upon.
11. Creativity thrives on community. What message would you like to share with fellow creatives, marketers, and advertising professionals?
The support of my colleagues is very important to me. I always look forward to seeing them at my performances and greatly value their opinions. Unfortunately, my journalistic work does not generate much feedback, so I can only track its reception through various rankings and mentions. Exchanging opinions with theatre critics about productions and the development of musical theatre would be valuable for reviewers, essayists, and fans of the genre alike. If such an opportunity were organized by marketers and advertising professionals, I would gladly participate.
12. Winning is a team effort in many cases. Is there someone or a group of people you’d like to dedicate this achievement to, and why?
I'd like to once again thank everyone who kindly agreed to be interviewed, proofread and edit the transcripts, and share photos from their personal archives. This is incredibly valuable to both our readers and me. I am grateful to The Theatre Times for its long-standing collaboration and support.
13. If you could describe your award-winning entry in one sentence, what would it be and why?
Remember the legends of musical theatre—not just on their anniversary dates! You have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the creation and enduring success of famous musicals from around the world. Don't miss out!
14. Finally, what’s next for you? Any exciting projects or upcoming goals that you’d like to share with us and the audience?
My immediate plans include launching a podcast series about musicals around the world. I also hope to complete my monograph, "All Around the Musical," in the coming years, a project I have been working on for decades. I am desperately short on time. Sometimes, I find myself thinking about writing a play on how to increase the number of hours in a day!
