By Amy Hoffman
Junior, Public Relations

New College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Alumnus Mark Andrews says he's been called everything from a "glorified accountant to babysitter" in his professional career that has ranged from managing musicals on Broadway to running a country store in Maine.

Andrews, B.A., 1971, is currently the general manager for the Las Vegas production of "The Phantom of the Opera." He said theater management is a unique way to combine his love for theater with the communication skills he learned while at Purdue.

Andrews' love of theater began on stage at a small Indiana high school and further developed during his time in the Department of Communication at Purdue.

"I could go to one rehearsal at 6:30 then another after, and then another, getting home around 1 or 2 a.m.," said Andrews. "The theater department was my second home."

His current job entails all the work that is done at the theater "in front of the pass door," or non-stage matters, including employee payroll and benefits, according to "The Phantom of the Opera" official Web site. Andrews said he benefits from his degree in communication when doing business negotiations. 

"Communication helped me realize that there are more than two sides to a story, or three or four or five," said Andrews.

Andrews, who does negotiations with the Actor's Equity Union, the Musician's Union and the Crew Union, said the most challenging part of his job is keeping everybody happy.

Andrews said he put his organizational skills together in order to get a job in theater.  After graduating, he worked stuffing envelopes for a small off-Broadway theater in New York City. He slowly worked his way to the top, working as an assistant press agent, subscription manager, stage manager, house manager, company manager and finally, general manager. It's a career that has taken him around the globe. He's managed "Phantom" on Broadway and been in charge of national tours of such shows as "Wicked" and "Sunset Boulevard."

Andrews said he was grocery shopping when he received the call that announced his "Distinguished Alumni" award.  Andrews described himself as being "totally surprised, very honored, very flattered."

Andrews was to receive his award April 17.