She Took Her Lifelong Passion For Theater And Became A Producing Powerhouse

Producer Lisa Dozier always had a clear sense of her passion and what she wanted to do. Recently, when looking through a box of items at her mother’s house she found a journal she wrote in fourth grade. Beneath the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Dozier simply answered, “I want to make theater.”

The theater had been her salvation. “In a whirling childhood of moving around a lot, local community theaters—particularly, Athens Creative Theatre—became my church of sorts, my safe space,” says Dozier. So her course was put in place early on.

During her first week of college at Florida State, Dozier went into the Associate Dean’s office and told him she knew her calling was theater. “I said that I loved knowing how things are made,” she says. Dozier also shared how she adored leadership roles she had in school clubs. When she asked for guidance about a specific career path within the industry he advised being a producer or general manager.

“I have been doing both ever since,” says Dozier who now a professor of practice at the University of Florida, heading the theater management program. “I think it is crucial for students who love theater to know these positions exist.”

Since then Dozier has produced shows on Broadway, off Broadway and around the world. Some of her credits include Be More Chill, Little Girl Blue and A Letter to Harvey Milk.

Most recently Dozier has made a big splash producing Anthony Rapp’s rapturous solo musical Without You. Currently playing at New World Stages, the show has been extended through June 11. Based on Rapp’s New York Times best-selling memoir Without You, the show takes audiences on a journey with Rapp originating the role of Mark Cohen in the life-changing musical Rent as the show debuted off Broadway.

Not only did Rapp go on to be in the show as it moved to Broadway, the musical, based on La Bohème, won a Pulitzer Prize and four Tony Awards including Best Musical. Rent would ultimately run on Broadway for 12 years and 5,123 performances. The show had an indelible imprint on Rapp and his career. But at the same time as all the Rent success Rapp was dealing with his mother’s illness and the sudden death of the show’s creator Jonathan Larsen.

As Rapp poignantly sings from Rent in Without You: “How can you measure the life of a woman or man? In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried. In bridges he burned, or the way that she died. It’s time now to sing out, tho the story never ends let’s celebrate and remember a year in the life of friends. Remember the love.”

Singing the beloved songs from Rent along with his own compositions Rapp delves into each loss and how they have shaped him. He also celebrates the gift of life and invites the audience to do so too. In fact, there’s a wall of post-it notes where people can write remembrances to those they love and lost.

“It is an honor to meet folks who come to our show and share stories of those they have lost and carried with them and who are transported during the 90 minutes with Anthony through their journeys,” says Dozier.

And for Rapp having Dozier on board as the show was birthed into life for its off-Broadway run has been the most priceless gift. “Without You is, to say the least, an intensely personal show, and Lisa has displayed impeccable sensitivity and grace every step of the way as she has brought this production into being,” says Rapp. “I’ll forever be indebted to her for the chance to finally do a real New York City run of the show after all these years.”

Dozier hopes that people take away a new appreciation for their loved ones, both living and departed after experiencing Without You. “I hope that folks who see our show take a moment to call those who they love and to reach out to those who they have something to share with,” she says. “I hope they spend time remembering stories of those who they are carry with them who are no longer here.”

Jeryl Brunner: Can you share the moment when you learned about the show and the possibility that you would take it on?

Liza Dozier: Chris Henry of Royal Family called me back in the winter of 2022 and asked if we could collaborate on a workshop of the piece to invite the industry. As I was sitting in the audience, completely transported, it was clear to me that I was meant to be the lead producer and to be part of shaping and bringing this show to the New York City stage. I am humbled that Anthony and the creative team welcomed me into the family for a fresh look at the show.

Brunner: Why were you so drawn to Anthony Rapp and his story?

Dozier: In 1999, when I was a freshman in college, two close friends of mine from high school, Megan and Andrea, who were best friends, met Anthony at the AIDS walk in Atlanta. He was so kind to them, as he is with everyone. A few short months later, Andrea died in a car accident. Through the years, Anthony has kept in touch with Megan. When I was watching the workshop of Without You, all I could think about was Anthony meaning so much to countless incredible people in the world. And being part of this show, like so many others on our team, was also a way to carry those who have meant so much to me in my heart.

Brunner: What is your connection to Rent and why does that show resonate for you?

Dozier: A major joy during the Without You journey has been talking with people about what their connection is to Rent. Friends who worked on it originally, those who slept outside for rush tickets, or those who wore their CD players out listening to the original Broadway cast album. I was the latter of the group, along with my fellow theater friends where I grew up in Athens, Georgia, including Megan and Andrea.

Brunner: So many people have a creative project that they want to bring to fruition, but feel they don’t have the confidence or resources to make it happen. What would you advise?

Dozier: Producing is indeed not for the faint of heart. I care so deeply when producing that I would be lying to you if I didn’t say I hadn’t had many sleepless nights throughout my career. The only way I know how to produce is to fully champion the show and the company members who are part of it, which means taking on the joy and the fear all wrapped in one. As for confidence, it feels a bit to me like jumping off a cliff to see if you can fly—while hedging the bet by surrounding yourself with incredible people who you trust to lift each other up. I am also very lucky to have the infinite support system of my husband, Mark, our kids and family.