Rosalia native makes directorial debut

COLFAX - Rosalia native Collin Pittmann, 23, is making a professional theatre directorial debut directing Jimmy Buffett's "Escape to Margaritaville" at the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre (SVST), opening Friday, August 4, with showtimes running through the 20th.

Pittmann is excited to make his directorial debut in the region he grew up in.

"My dad Jeff Pittmann is a wheat farmer outside of Rosalia," Pittmann said, adding that growing up on the family farm was his first introduction to Jimmy Buffett music with his dad playing it in the tractor.

"I was singing 'Wasting Away in Margaritaville' at five," Pittmann laughed.

Pittmann shared that the theatre has always been a part of his life, adding that when he was a kid, Rosalia didn't have a theatre program, so the Colfax theatre director Cary Cammack would allow Pittmann to participate in the Colfax musicals.

Pittmann is thankful to Cammack for allowing a little kid from Rosalia to experience the theatre and follow in his direction, "My mom would drive me the 45 minutes to Colfax for rehearsal, and she'd wait in the car while I rehearsed," Pittmann said, adding that once he hit high school, he would drive himself.

"I think directing is one of those things that is always within you," Pittmann said of how he found his passion, adding that he's always had a directing bug.

"My mom tells the story of me at an elementary Christmas concert where I took over for my teacher and told my peers where to stand," he said, noting that being able to develop and own it over the years is awesome.

Pittmann is extremely grateful to the people along the way who have inspired him to pursue his dream of directing, including his mom and his mentors, Cammack and SVST Executive Artistic Director Yvonne A.K. Johnson, who also took him under her wing and taught him about directing.

Johnson stated that Pittmann has worked with her since 2018.

"He started off with doing stage management," she said, adding that he's worked at SVST every summer since, earning his way to directing.

Pittmann graduated from Texas Christian University in 2021, where he double majored in theatre and broadcast journalism, after which he explained he had an eight to nine-month period working for SVST as their production manager during the summer and will return to London to continue pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts in Theatre Directing at the UK's top drama school, East 15, in London.

Johnson shared that she is proud of him for attending her Alma Mater, and Pittman is one of two Americans accepted into the Master's program.

Pittmann will also have the opportunity to finish his Master's thesis at SVST's new facility Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, after he completes one more year of graduate school, Johnson stated.

Pittmann loves the work of directing and the magic of it, explaining he moved from performing to directing.

"As a performer, I didn't get to see the final product," he said, adding that as a director, he can sit back on opening night and watch.

"I get to see the people I've worked with really shine and watch the work come alive," he said, "It gives me chills; it's magical."

Pittmann hopes that Whitman County residents come to see his directorial debut of "Escape to Margaritaville" in August and is thankful to the communities that supported his theatrical career.

"I'd love for them to join me as I make my directing debut in this fun summer way," he said.

Johnson has taught and directed thousands, she shared, noting that Pittmann is noteworthy for his combination of creative and business skills.

"Collin Pittmann has a very teachable spirit," Johnson said, adding that she's very fortunate for the opportunity to mentor him.

"I look forward to all that's ahead for Collin, and he will be a part of the future at SVST," she said.