The Paperwing Lesson: Why the Local Ecosystem is the Heart of the Form
Brian Steen-Larsen & Hunter Powers star in Gutenberg! The Musical! at Paperwing through February 15th. Photo: SARAH GAUDOIN of Monterey County NOW
I spend a lot of my life in windowless Midtown rehearsal studios talking about "commercial viability" and "developmental roadmaps." But this past week, I stepped away from the noise of the city and found myself in Northern California at Paperwing Theatre, watching a production of Gutenberg! The Musical!
It was exactly the soul-refreshing experience I needed.
The Fire in the Craft: Brian and Hunter
It is one thing to see a seasoned Broadway veteran hit a high note for the thousandth time; it is another thing entirely to watch artists at the beginning of their journey discover the power of their own voices.
I want to call out the two leads, Brian Steen-Larsen and Hunter Powers. Watching them tackle the relentless, high-energy comedy of Gutenberg was a masterclass in passion. There is a specific kind of electricity that happens when performers like Brian and Hunter give everything they have to a role—a raw, infectious joy that reminds you why we fall in love with theater in the first place. They weren't just "performing" for us; they were sharpening their tools and developing their craft in real-time. It was a privilege to witness that spark.
The Galvanizing Force
As I sat in that room, I was reminded that theater is a social technology before it is a commercial one. Its primary function is to bring people together and remind them that they aren't alone.
Paperwing is doing the vital work of building a collective:
It is A Hub for the Arts: I saw a community of local arts lovers who were there to support the lifeblood of their own town.
It is A Training Ground for Artists: Passionate artists learn confidence and gain their sea legs, a rite of passage for every single artist ever.
It is A Safe Haven: I saw a space where the outsiders and the queer community feels safe, seen, and celebrated. In 2026, that kind of radical belonging isn't just a "nice to have" - it’s a necessity.
The Investor as a Patron of the Soul
My friend and fellow Broadway producer/investor, Koly McBride, has been a driving force behind the work at Paperwing. Seeing her in her home environment reminded me that "investing" in theater isn't always about the bottom line of a pro-forma.
People like Koly and her partner Lloyd are investing in cultural health. They understand that by building a local stage, they are providing a training ground for the next generation of professionals - the future Brians and Hunters - and a sanctuary for the community. Koly’s commitment to Paperwing is a reminder that being a "producer" is about the people you lift up, whether that’s on 42nd Street or in a dinner theater in Northern California.
Why Paperwing Matters
It is easy to get caught in the bubble of high-stakes development. But Paperwing reminded me that the "Woodshed" space we create in Maine - that place of deep work and discovery - exists in spaces even farther from NYC than rural Maine.
We need these theaters to keep the fire burning. They are the soil from which the future of the American Musical grows.
To Brian, Hunter, the crew, and the leadership at Paperwing: Thank you for the joy, the safety, and the reminder of why we do this.
Keep building. The industry is stronger because of you.
