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Crossroads Comedy Theater is very excited to announce that we have officially named Lisa Lawrence as our Production Manager and Channing Billups as Associate Artistic Director! For those that have been around our productions as performers, guests, or even audience members this news will come as no surprise. These roles will likely shift as our theater grows and changes and we could not be happier to grow and change with these two amazing people.
It is no exaggeration to say that I do not know what the status of our live shows would be – if we would even have live shows right now – without Lisa working to make them happen. For the last year and change I have had the easy part when it comes to live shows being that most of my work can be done via email, phone, or Zoom. Lisa, on the other hand, has been tirelessly working to put all those plans into action and create new operational procedures to fit each space we find ourselves in. Lisa’s contributions to our productions are too numerable to count, but include coordinating and training our volunteers and house managers in different positions to assist throughout show runs, booking and directing shows including the very well received Crossroads Sketch Comedy Showcase during our July 2022 run, arranging for Lola Ivory Productions to take part in and assist with shows and workshops, creating opportunities for the students of Crossroads classes and community members to get involved in events, and ensuring performances have everything they need to be successful. Lisa has essentially been the face of Crossroads as she is the point person for performers, volunteers, staff, guests, and even the media at times.
In addition to making sure our shows run smoothly, she has equally ensured our shows run as safely as possible. When we held our first live shows in June 2021 it was during the few weeks that summer when everyone believed the pandemic was over. COVID-19 precautions in Philly actually ended the day of our first live show – but they stayed in place at Crossroads and have been in place since. Lisa made sure the precautions advised by our own public health expert, Michael Yudell, were followed to the letter.
When we switched to requiring vaccination and boosters, Lisa put the plans in place to make sure we were able to do so while keeping everything running on time. In December when Omicron broke out and raised alarm in the theater going public again, Lisa procured enough COVID-19 tests for us to rapid test all performers and guests before taking the stage. Lisa’s commitment to the success and safety of Crossroads and all who come through our doors make her not just a great Production Manager, but the great person she is. She has been invaluable to every aspect of the theater and I’m thankful and honored to have her on this ride.
Channing Billups and I have worked together for several years now. Whether it’s been on the education side of things or the artistic, she’s been a go-to on all fronts. Her background in booking and live entertainment in general as well as her creative eye was a valuable voice when doing everything from casting shows, picking directors, talking through ideas, problem solving, and much more.
Along with Lisa, Channing has been on this Crossroads journey from the jump. She has offered her advice from day one and through texts, calls, and Zoom meetings, she has never run out of ways things can be made better. Channing has contributed more and more as the theater grew from virtual to live shows. She has helped book most guest performers and teams that we’ve hosted over the last year and has also booked many of the guests for Study Hall: Comedy Inspired By Lectures leading to an even greater variety in the backgrounds of people the show has welcomed to teach. She can also be seen during our show runs taking some pics and video for our social media, sometimes even climbing into the tech booth for some cool overhead shots.
Channing and Lisa have bee instrumental in Crossroads getting this far. With sound advice, helping hands, creative eyes, trusted opinions, great ideas, and unending support – they have helped shape Crossroads Comedy Theater into what it is and will no doubt continue to shape what it becomes as they take on these new titles. I am so very happy to publicly recognize them for their contributions to the theater and by extension, the comedy community in Philly. I continue to be thankful and humbled they put their time and talents into Crossroads.