THE COLUMN...

was created almost 30 years ago by professional actor and theater critic John Garcia as a private email group for his close theater friends. Since that time, it has grown to over 61,000 worldwide subscribers. Over the years the content changed with what readers wanted. Due to the rapid growth of the publication, John’s unique point of view and critiques resulted in him now reviewing pre-Broadway out of town tryout productions in Boston and Atlanta, many Broadway productions, as well as countless National tours.

Because of the incredible growth and demand for THE COLUMN to review, the publication today now has over 21 Associate Theater Critics along with Garcia that review theater (both Equity and Non-Equity) all over the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. THE COLUMN is the only publication in the area to have such a big staff to review all over the DFW metroplex, from the smallest to the biggest. We believe in supporting all theater companies.

Garcia has interviewed for THE COLUMN some of Broadway’s biggest stars. Past interviews include: stage legend and three-time Tony award winner Chita Rivera, Tony Award nominee Christopher Seiber, Film legend George Hamilton, Golden Globe winner Val Kilmer, Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Sean Thompson, Tony Award nominee Douglas Sills, Tony Award winner Jarrod Emick, Christian Campbell, Craig Bierko, Morgan Fairchild, Margaret Cho, Wilson Cruz, Tom Wopat, Matt Cavanaugh, Patrick Cassidy, and many others.

In 2005, The University of North Texas honored John Garcia with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Theater. In 2009 John did a special segment as the "singing theater critic" for the national radio station, KISS FM for Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio show. As an Actor (both in Equity and Non-Equity), John has done over 400 productions in Florida, Oklahoma, Boston, Pittsburgh, and all over the DFW area.

Garcia had an idea that he wanted to bring the theater community together for one night and donate money to a cause in memory to those he lost to AIDS, and to honor excellence in theater within the Dallas/Fort Worth Theater community. Thus, the creation of THE COLUMN AWARDS was born. THE COLUMN AWARDS organization honors both Equity and Non-Equity productions that are produced all over the metroplex. THE COLUMN AWARDS Gala is produced by the Executive Director and THE COLUMN AWARDS Board of Directors. The members of the board are made up of individuals within the DFW theater community. THE COLUMN AWARDS donate all the money raised from the annual COLUMN AWARDS Gala (after operating costs) to Broadway Cares/Equity Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BCEFA). THE COLUMN AWARDS is the only awards organization in the United States that uses its yearly Gala as a fundraiser for BCEFA, and has become part of the BCEFA's Angel Campaign.