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News

Newest updates on John's current and former projects!

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1/2023

John Ertman performs in Fifty-Seven A New Musical at APAP+ 2023

Produced by Love Productions and Irving Street Rep. for APAP+ 2023 Theatre Industry Conference

From Love Productions: 

"1957 was one of the most prolific years in music and that is the basis for Fifty-Seven— A New Musical.

This multi-media time machine musical showcases the top 25 show-stopping hits of 1957, featuring period costumes and stellar performances reminiscent of the Platters, Elvis, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, The Everly Brothers, Patsy Klein and many more.

There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on when this electrifying eleven-member cast of singers and dancers takes the audience on an unforgettable trip down memory lane. A treat for the whole family."

11/2022

John Ertman performs in NYMTF's Best Musical Short: Itchn' For An Itch: The Mosquitical

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jordan Knitzer

Directed by Mary Tomei

Produced by New York Music Theatre Festival

John Ertman co-stars as Newman The Human in Jordan Knitzer's 15-minute One Act Itchin' For An Itch: The Mosquitical. This hilarious short told the tragic tale of a blood-addicted mosquito (Squit) and a depressed alcoholic loner (Newman) trying not to give in to their primal urges at the moment of their greatest weaknesses. Itchin' For An Itch won Best Musical Short as a part of NYMTF's Fall 2022 season.

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9/2022

LonelyWolf Film Festival 2022 (UK)- Claws wins Best New Media Award

Candle House Collective's Claws, directed by John Ertman, has won the Best New Media Award from the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival London 2023.

5/2022

NYC Music Theatre Debut:
John performs in "Back to Prescedented Times" Cabaret at The Duplex.

Directed by Mary Tomei and Produced by Rachel Khatorsky and Maddie Burton, Back To Prescedented Times featured alumnus from Northwestern University returning to the stage for two nights to celebrate theatre, bring together loved ones, and meet with industry professionals looking to become acquainted with the next generation of New York Theatre Artists.

John performed two pieces, "Never Ever Getting Rid of Me" from Waitress and "Never Say Goodbye Pt. 2," an original song that will appear on his second solo album in 2023.

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9-10/2021

Appearing at IndieCade, Denver Film, and FIVARS 2021

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Candle House Collective announced that its works Next TimeEach and Every, and Claws, all directed by John Ertman, have been commissioned for-- and named-- Official Selections to film festivals this upcoming October and November. Claws continues its run of the festival circuit, having been Nominated for 5 Jury and 2 Spotlight Awards at IndieCade 2021. Each and Every will have a commissioned run as a part of the 2021 Denver Film Festival. Finally, Next Time will join Claws as the second of John's directed works to be selected for the 2021 FIVARS Film Festival.

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8/2021

Alone- Staged Reading at the Black Box Theatre at Paper Mill Playhouse

Alone, the new musical by John Ertman and Joseph Mathusek moved to Millburn, NJ for two performances of a staged-reading at the Paper Mill Playhouse Black Box Theater. This reading open to an invited audience was a first look at the full version of Alone following the positively received one-hour cut of the show that premiered online as a part of the American Music Theatre Project's Innagural Capstone Festival in April.

The full-cut ran for 2 hours, included 20 songs (10 new songs to accompany those from the one-hour cut), and a live pit orchestra. Produced under Ertman & Mathusek Productions, the staged reading included 5 of the 8 original cast members from AMTP (Alex Good, John Ertman, Maddie Novak, Andy Hartman, Gray Watson) in addition to three new actors (Grace Petersen, Emmet Smith, and Jayne Meyers). 

7/2021

John performs in the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts' "What Did I Miss?" Concert 

In his first in-person live performance since the COVID-19 Pandemic, John steps onto the stage for the last time as a Northwestern Wildcat and the first time post-grad. John performed solo on the song "Thursday in July" from new musical Beau in addition to several musical medlies with fellow performers from the Northwestern community. 

 

6/2021

Northwestern University School of Communication Convocation- Class of 2021

6/14-18/2021- John graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

At Northwestern, John successfully earned:

 

- A double major in Theatre and Legal Studies

-A Certificate in Music Theatre

-A Module in Creating the Musical (Music Theatre Writing and Composition- Innagural Class)

-Department Honors in Legal Studies

-A Thesis of Distinction Honor for his Legal Studies Thesis: Abstract Words to Concrete Concepts: How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission and Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia Decisions Balance the First Amendment’s Free Speech and Free Exercise Rights with LGBT Civil Rights in the Private Sector
 

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6/2021

Northwestern University School of Communication Convocation- Class of 2021

6/14-18/2021- John graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

At Northwestern, John successfully earned:

 

- A double major in Theatre and Legal Studies

-A Certificate in Music Theatre

-A Module in Creating the Musical (Music Theatre Writing and Composition- Innagural Class)

-Department Honors in Legal Studies

-A Thesis of Distinction Honor for his Legal Studies Thesis: Abstract Words to Concrete Concepts: How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission and Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia Decisions Balance the First Amendment’s Free Speech and Free Exercise Rights with LGBT Civil Rights in the Private Sector
 

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5/2021

Northwestern's 2021 New York Music Theatre Showcase goes live!

John was accepted to participate in Northwestern University's New York Showcase for Music Theatre and Acting this Spring. The showcase reel (also published on this website) was sent to invited New York agents/managers, casting directors, and producers. 

John submitted four performance samples-- three songs ("Maria" from West Side Story, "Good Kid" from The Lightning Thief, and "Never Say Goodbye" an original song) and one monologue (from Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night). 

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4/2021

Alone- One Hour Cut for AMTP: streaming April 2nd-11th on YouTube

This week Alone wrapped initial filming and studio recordings for our reading with the American Music Theatre Project! More work to come as we officially begin Post-Production! 

Alone: A New Musical- 1 Hour Reading (Produced by AMTP) will go live on YouTube 4/2 at 8:30/7:30c pm at youtube.com/amtp

Alone: A New Musical (Extended Cut) will go live on YouTube on 4/12 at 8:30/7:30c pm at youtube.com/ertmanandmathusek

3/2021

Claws wins PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for BEST INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE at 2021 FIVARS Film Festival

Directed by John Ertman, Candle House Collective's Claws, a one-person show starring, Vin D'Avanzo and Erich Schuett, was recognized as an Official Selection for the 2021 FIVARS Film Festival. At the conclusion of the Festival, the piece was awarded People's Choice for BEST INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

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02/2021

"Claws" named Official Selection of 2021 FIVARS film Festival

Candle House Collective's Claws, directed by John Ertman, was named an Official Selection of the 2021 FIVARS Film Festival. Ertman and creater, Evan Neiden gave a live interview with FIVARS on Feb. 22 that will be released on their YouTube Channel

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2/2021

Alone: Original Northwestern Cast Recording

Alone writing team John Ertman & Joseph Mathusek will release the Original Northwestern Cast Album of Alone this April following its YouTube debut with the American Music Theatre Project. This album will feature all of the music from the One Hour and Extended versions of the world premiere reading. Streaming on the Ertman & Mathusek YouTube Channel

12/2020

Each and Every's Taylor Feld wins BEST PERFORMER in No Proceneum's 2020 Immersive Awards

Directed by John Ertman, Candle House Collective's Each and Every, a one-person show starring, Taylor Feld, was recognized by No Proscenium as one of the "Best of" 2020 immersive theatre shows. This December, Taylor was recognized as the best immersive performer of the year for their work in Each and Every.

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