Joel Markowitz
The YAA family is honored to dedicate our performance of RAGTIME in Concert to the memory of one of YAA's founding board members, Joel Markowitz.
Joel was a pillar in the region's performing arts community. He was the Co-Founder, Publisher and Editor of DC Metro Theatre Arts, a premiere arts blog in the region covering the performing arts in DC, Philadelphia and New York. He is deeply missed by the community, and his memory lives on through the arts.
When we first founded Young Artists of America, Joel was one of the first calls we made when we were forming our founding board of directors. We knew that Joel was not only a pillar of the local arts community here, but also a big supporter of arts education for young people.
We were humbled when Joel agreed to join us as a founding board member of YAA. Joel was our first guest narrator in our Inaugural Concert in May 2011 at Strathmore, and he beamed as he watched our first class of students perform the repertoire he loved the most. In the years that followed, Joel was always just a phone call away to advise on our productions and offerings to our students. We are honored that Joel helped contribute to the vision of what YAA is today.
In our many conversations with Joel over the years, we learned that RAGTIME was one of his favorite musicals of all time. While we are sad that Joel cannot be with us for this performance, we know that he would be proud of our students as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of this epic work he loved so much.
- Rolando Sanz, Producing Artistic Director
- Kristofer Sanz, Music Director
About Joel Markowitz
Joel Markowitz was the Publisher and Editor of DCMetroTheaterArts. He founded the site with his brother, Bruce to help promote the vast riches of theatre and the arts in the DC Metro area that includes Maryland, Virginia, and DC theater and music venues, universities, schools, children's theaters, professional, and community theaters. Joel was always an advocate for promoting the 'stars of the future' in his popular 'Scene Stealers' articles. He wrote a column for 5 years called ‘Theatre Schmooze’ and recorded podcast interviews for DC Theatre Scene. His work can also be seen and read on BroadwayStars. Joel also wrote a monthly preview of what was about to open in DC area theaters for BroadwayWorld. He was an avid film and theater goer, and a suffering Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. Joel was a regular guest on 'The Lunch and Judy Show' radio program starring Judy Stadt in NYC. Joel founded The Ushers Theatre Going Group in the DC area in 1990, which had a 25-year run when it took its final curtain call last year. Joel was a proud member of The American Critics Association.
Learn more and get tickets here for the upcoming RAGTIME In Concert production on April 15th at 4pm at the Music Center at Strathmore.