Camille DePascale on Blue Man Group’s new VIP experience, vinyl & her career in theater

A performance art company formed over 30 years ago, Blue Man Group has performed for over 35 million people. With multiple productions going on at any time — as of this article’s writing, beyond a touring company, there are current Blue Man productions in New York, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando and Berlin — Blue Man Group put on a stage show that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, musical preferences and native languages. In turn, Blue Man Group has been Grammy-nominated beyond winning an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award.

New to Blue Man Group fold is its recently-implemented VIP experience. Attendees of this experience not only get to 20-minute pre-show jam with a Blue Man Group band member on a custom-made, four person drumbone percussion instrument created in the exclusive Blue Man Group music lab, but also a post-show meet & greet experience with a Blue Man. The VIP experience offer also includes one ticket, an honorary VIP band member credential and a coveted front row “Poncho seat” for the full, colorful Blue Man Group in-concert experience.

To learn more about the VIP experience and more, I spoke with Camille DePascale, Resident General Manager of Blue Man Group New York at Astor Place Theatre. More on all things Blue Man Group — including links to buy tickets — can be found online at www.blueman.com.

How did you get your start in the theatrical world?

Camille DePascale: If I really think back to it, my start in the theatrical world was when I was 1 of 25 little girls in curly red wigs and red costumes for the Secaucus, New Jersey community theater production of Annie when I was 8 or 9 years old. My first professional theatrical experience was as a Design Studio Intern for Walt Disney Theatrical Productions when I was in college, which was followed by an opportunity to intern for the Company Management team of De La Guarda.

Finally, during my senior year while I was looking for a full-time, post-college job, I was fortunate to spot an ad for a company management position at Blue Man Group. When I went in to interview, I was a little nervous, but there sitting in the office was the MC from a poetry slam I had been to the night before which was in a completely different state! Needless to say, this put me at ease and I felt an immediate connection to the team. I got the job and started working at Blue Man Group the week after I graduated from college. I’ve been here ever since.

What is a typical day like for a Resident General Manager? What time do you usually get to the Astor Theatre on a show day?

Camille DePascale: Not to sound cliché but, of course, there is no typical day at the Astor Place Theatre. Yesterday my morning was spent planning an event for the mayor’s office while my afternoon saw me checking in with the team on our inventory levels of bald caps to ensure we were set up for the holiday season. In case you were wondering, we will need hundreds as it’s our busiest time of year — one week of our holiday schedule has 23 shows. My job is to ensure that during every season, our theater is properly staffed, everyone is equipped with the appropriate supplies and that everyone feels supported in handling the workload, which sometimes is 4 shows per day.

As I must be available for business meetings, my typical hours are earlier in the day, but I always try to attend the full show team Circle Meeting — a nightly ritual that serves as a point of connection for everyone working the show. After this meeting, I generally head out for the day. This is possible only because of the exceptional team that keep the show running so smoothly and well. I’m not really doing them any justice; they are the most amazing human beings and they run the ship!

Is there anything that you feel people don’t have right about Blue Man Group? Or something you wish more people knew about Blue Man Group?

Camille DePascale: On the surface, you can enjoy this show simply for the humor and sheer entertainment value of it all — marshmallows, gumballs, paint, drums, Twinkies. But if you go deeper, Blue Man Group offers a lot of dimension, a lot of layers that provide a richer experience. Take the instruments; the science that went into making them out of industrial piping, the precise tuning required to generate those sounds and the structure necessary to withstand all that banging!

Then there’s the Blue Man character and the subtle choices the Blue Men and Band make on a nightly basis to differentiate — a simple move of someone’s head as a reaction can incite a different feeling for the audience, or the way an instrument is played can create a different atmosphere and completely change the ambiance. With an ever-changing combo of talent and audience, you never know what you’re gonna get.

When did you first see Blue Man Group?

Camille DePascale: I saw it first as part of my interview process. Afterwards I was met by the Company Manager at the time who asked me my opinion of the show. I remember thinking the part that struck me as most special, and still does, was this small moment at the end we call Bows, where the cast, band, and crew members come onto the stage and take a collective moment to bow together. I’ve always loved curtain calls. They are a celebration of what you just experienced, but curtain calls usually just include the actors and actresses.

What struck me most was that Blue Man Group, as a company, made an active decision that they were going to have a more inclusive approach that recognized the communal work that it takes to create the performance. That’s the moment I knew I wanted to be a part of Blue Man Group. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the rest of the show, too, but I connected with this acknowledgement and moment of collective celebration.

I understand that the Astor Theatre production of Blue Man Group lets select fans play music with the band. Can you tell me more about that?

Camille DePascale: The VIP Jam Experience is a super-exciting new creative project that pairs fans with our performers, a group of incredibly talented, generous, welcoming people. At its core, it’s a drum lesson. A member of the Blue Man Group band teaches you a pattern — the more experienced you are the harder the pattern — and then adds track music behind you and a cool lighting design to create a truly unique rock star moment. A conversation beforehand will determine your skill lesson to ensure there is fun for all, no one is bored, and everyone gets a fun moment of surprise. Then, for the show, you’re in the front row, with a clear line of site to the band and a real connection to them, and a more in-depth understanding and appreciation for what they are accomplishing on-stage.

I know that Fred Armisen was previously part of the Blue Man Group Band, but is it true that one of the Blue Man Group Band members also play in Blondie?

Camille DePascale: It is true! Tommy Kessler is a current part-time BMG band member, who has been with us a super long time. When he goes out on the road as a member of Blondie, he takes a leave from BMG and we’re so happy to support external creative pursuits. In fact, most of our band members have very eclectic outside projects they perform in on a regular basis. BMG is all too happy to provide that outlet as it nourishes their creative vitality and ours since they always come back with new perspectives on music and learnings. It’s a win-win.

When not busy with the Astor Theatre, how do you like to spend your free time?

Camille DePascale: My favorite thing to do is take my kids to the Public Library. Each visit, we fill up one giant Trader Joe’s bag with books, comics, movies, and video games. We were just inspired to get a turntable at home as the Nutley Public Library lends vinyl records (!) so we could take them out and listen to Elton John, [John] Coltrane, [David] Bowie, Queen, Michael Jackson… The good stuff! I love that my kids now know what a record player is and that’s all thanks to the Public Library. I think it’s one of the most underutilized, free wonders of our country and I’m a huge advocate for what they do for communities. Going makes me immediately happy, and it’s all free — as long as you bring the stuff back on-time.

Blue Man Group aside, what was the last show or concert you saw for fun?

Camille DePascale: Last show was SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical. It was fantastic! It’s got a dynamic soundtrack that everyone in my family enjoys for different reasons. Last concert was On The Road II at MetLife, the one where the thunderstorms made 55,000 people evacuate to the corridors till 11:00 PM… But when Beyonce and Jay-Z came out, they were perfection each moment until the 1:30 AM end. It was one deliriously-long, amazing and beautiful night.

Finally, Camille, any last words for the kids?

Camille DePascale: The Astor Place Theatre and what happens inside of it is a special pocket of community that most people never get to experience in a workplace setting. The respect, collaboration, perseverance, dedication and talent of the people who work here are the key component to why this show thrives year after year. I’m so honored to work with everyone here. It’s a special place and I am confident that people get a sense of that when they come see our show. I hope that all kids can grow up to find that place that they love as much! You’ll know it when you find it.