Commentary: Why does ‘Spotlight Project Presents’ always broadcast live? For a very good reason!

By LOREN CHRISTOPHER MICHAELS/For The Herald — I have been asked time and time again: Why do we produce a “live” variety show online for the community when we could just prerecord the whole thing?

Some may think that I am the only one who cares that the show is being broadcast live, but that’s not true. I truly believe that those people who tune in to our live show do it to be a part of something that is quickly going by the wayside — live theater.

I know that with these broadcasts there is a series of technical issues that happen. My job is to continually try to solve each issue and do my level best to give our audience a good show.

Working with a limited budget (and sometimes no budget at all) trying to improve the experience for our viewers is my way to give something back to this community that has given so much to me. If our audience could see the effect on our volunteers and our on-air guests after one of our Sunday broadcasts, they would see why this will remain a “live” show for as long as we can continue to do so.

The elation of our guests having the chance to share their talents on stage, along with our production crew members seeing their hard work pay off for an audience that is “in the moment” with them,  is worth every technical problem we have to solve before our next performance.

With the closing of so many venues for people to enjoy a live performance and so many talented artists out there missing the chance to be on stage, “The Spotlight Project Presents” is for them.

Loren Christopher Michaels is a magician, illusionist, actor and musician who toured the world appearing on stages in many countries and throughout the United States before retiring in Oakridge. He produces the popular “Spotlight Project” live stage shows periodically at the Willamette Activity Center. More information may be found on the show’s website.