ROBERT JOHN FORD
PLAYWRIGHT COMPOSER LYRICIST PRODUCER
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Art as Resistance, Part I (Posted March 2, 2025)
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March 2, 2025, marks the 60th anniversary of the release of "The Sound of Music," a film that has had a lasting and profound impact on my art, my world view, and my moral compass. Yes, this portrayal of the Von Trapp's story may be too sugary sweet for some tastes, but it served as my first introduction to nationalistic authoritarianism and to those heroes who opposed and resisted it.
Now, I find myself in the role of resistor in a deeply divided country that 80 years ago was unified against the fascism spreading like wildfire in other parts of the world. One way in which I raise my voice is through my art, and in recognition of "The Sound of Music" anniversary, I'd like to share with you my musical "Rolf(e)," which - beyond the silliness of its name and its irreverent and audacious humor - seriously examines how easy it is to turn a blind eye to the horrors surrounding us and how difficult but essential it is to regain our sight. You can read the full script here.
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But there is another reason I am sharing this with you today that has nothing to do with the TSOM anniversary. Because of action taken by the Iowa Legislature and Governor last week, it may now be unsafe, if not illegal, for me or any theatre company in my home state to produce "Rolf(e)," as it prominently features LGBTQ characters, actors, and themes. Censorship, yes, but being prohibited from producing a play is not a life-or-death situation for me; having basic human rights stripped away in an ignorant, cruel, and hateful way IS a life-or-death situation for my LGBTQ friends and neighbors. I stand in solidarity with them and hope "Rolf(e)" - even if only on the page and not on the stage - can amplify their voices as they fight for their very survival.
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Look for Part II tomorrow, March 3, 2025.
ABOUT
Robert John Ford is an award-winning playwright, composer, lyricist, and theatre producer. His stage plays and musicals - including "Caucus!," "Six-On-Six," "Utopia," "Adore Us! Line," and "Sleeping Dogs" - have been seen by more than 75,000 people throughout the world and featured in stories by The New York Times, The New Yorker, National Public Radio, and The CBS Morning Show, among others. His songs have been performed at Carnegie Hall and at cabaret clubs and events by notable Broadway performers including Jeremy Jordan and Laura Benanti. He is the recipient of numerous national recognitions, including the Ashland New Play Festival Award, the Cloris Leachman Award, the Vittum Award, and an Iowa Arts Council Fellowship.
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As a theatre administrator, RJF has held management positions at numerous theatre companies including the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego (15 years), the Theatre In Old Town in San Diego, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, the Hangar Theatre, the Berkshire Theatre Festival, and Goodspeed Musicals. He currently administers RJFcreative, an umbrella limited liability company that represents all of his creative works, businesses, and contract work nationally.
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A native of Iowa, RJF splits his free time between Des Moines, where he is a theatre producer and activist, and New York, where he is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop and The Dramatists Guild of America. Other notable conversation starters about RJF: he was a former successful contestant on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," had daily conversations with a serial killer for nearly a year, and had a nationally-televised moment with Vice President Kamala Harris.
UPCOMING
SHORT ANIMATED FILM
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A visit to a MAGA household on the eve of the 2024 Iowa GOP Caucus. YouTube - December 2023
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NEWS
New animated short "'Twas The Night Before Caucus" to be released January 2, 2024 - Continuing a caucus-year tradition he began in 2004, Robert John Ford has created a new musical feature just in time for the 2024 Iowa Republican Caucuses. Rather than a stage musical as has been the tradition in the past, this year's ode to the caucuses is a short animated film, in which a MAGA family prepares for the upcoming political season. Produced with illustrator Bill Nelson and orchestrator & sound/video editor Lucas Tahiruzzaman Syed, the seven-minute film will be viewable on YouTube (click HERE) beginning December 28, 2023. - Posted 12/12/23.
RJF projects receive more than $50,000 from IAC - Since 2007, the Iowa Arts Council has awarded more than $50,000 in grants for RJF projects including productions of "Caucus! The Musical," "Six-On-Six," "Utopia - The Iowa Musical Revue," "Adore Us! Line," and "Rolf(e)." In addition, RJF was included in the first class of five Iowa Arts Council fellows in 2014. RJF is grateful to the Iowa Arts Council for its generous support. - Posted 3/15/23
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"Adore Us! Line" earns four BroadwayWorld Awards - Iowa Stage Theatre Company's production of RJF's "Adore Us! Line" has won four regional BroadwayWorld "Best Of The Decade" Awards including Best Original Script, Best Production Of A Musical, Best Ensemble, and Best Direction Of A Musical (Maxwell Schaeffer). To watch a full performance of "Adore Us! Line," click HERE. - Posted 1/31/22
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Click HERE for archived news stories.
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