Name: Kevin Bush

Title: Marketing director, Department of Theatre and Dance

Background: I started working for the University in December after spending almost 11 years as an account manager for Post No Bills, Inc. It's a small firm based here in Columbia that develops wacky, creative promotions for clients in the entertainment industry. I put together press kits and collectibles for companies such as Dreamworks, Universal, and Turner Entertainment. It was a fun job and a tremendous learning experience.

What brought you to Carolina? Actually, this is my second return to the University. After earning a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 1993, I worked for a TV station in Charleston and came back to earn a master's in media arts in 1996. I had reached a place in my last career where I couldn't advance any further, and this opportunity came up and seemed like the perfect next step. It combines my love of theatre with my professional interests. Plus, after living for three-and-a-half years in L.A., I knew I really wanted to stay in Columbia.

What are your goals as marketing director for theatre and dance? I want to get the product--our theatre and dance productions--out in front of people in a larger way. To borrow a phrase from my last job, I want to enhance the brand awareness of theatre and dance at Carolina. It might not be through anything wacky like we did at Post No Bills; those tactics worked within that particular world to rise above the clutter. My job here at Carolina will be to find ways of promoting theatre and dance that rise above the clutter. I want to raise awareness of what the department is doing culturally for the community. By the way, our first play of the spring semester, Crumbs From the Table of Joy, opens Feb. 22.

You're involved in the local community theatre scene, too. I just wrapped up a show at Trustus Theater and will be doing Sweeney Todd in March at Workshop Theatre. Since I returned to Columbia from California, I've done almost a dozen shows, and I still get recognized for doing The Full Monty at Workshop. It's very fun for me because theatre was my cognate when I was a student here. I was involved in one mainstage production back then, The Frogs, which Ann Dreher directed. It wasn't critically well-received, but it was a wonderful introduction to this program, and I made a lot of friends who are still good friends.

What else keeps you busy? A 104-year-old house that I'm keeping from falling down. It's an old shotgun house in Elmwood Park, and there's always something to be done. Home Depot and Lowes are like church for me--I'm there every weekend. I'm also a big music person; if I'm bored, I'm always listening to music. I also have a brother, Eddie Bush, who's a professional musician, and I'm thrilled at what's happened for him this year. He's with a guitar and vocal trio called One Flew South that's in the style of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and The Eagles. Their first record with Universal/Decca is coming out this spring, so I'm really excited to see if he finally hits the 'big time.' And, if so, maybe I can hook them up with Carolina Productions!

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