Beyond the Lights: A Conversation with Theater Professionals
65 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -Welcome to Beyond the Lights: A Conversation with Theater Professionals. Theater is a community event and it takes a village to operate. From actors to designers to company managers to teaching artists to data nerds and dramaturgs and everything in between. So join me weekly to learn more about each person's journey and the "hustle" we call theater as we go Beyond the Lights.
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Episodes
54. TOM ONTIVEROS - Lighting and Projection Designer
November 29, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBOn today's show, I speak with Tom Ontiveros, a lighting and projection designer as well as a professor and chair of the theater department at the University of La Verne. Tom has such an interesting and unexpected from starting college as a biology major, to working at the Museum of Natural History in LA, to finding himself as an emergency professor for one semester in Pennsylvania and falling in love with teaching. While I could keep going about Tom's journey, I feel it's better to let the r...
53. ANDREA GRODY - Broadway Music Director
November 15, 2021 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBAndrea Grody is a music director and music supervisor, primarily working in new musicals. Now, if you've been listening for a while you know that one of my specialties and loves is new plays, so it was such a pleasure to discuss what that looks like from a musical director's perspective. Andrea has been on two of the bigger Broadway shows over the last few years, The Band's Visit and Tootsie—two pretty different shows. She walks me through a little of what those processes looked like and the...
52. CATE BROOMHEAD - Broadway Wig Swing
November 01, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBOn today's show, I speak with Cate Broomhead, a wig swing on Broadway. With Halloween being yesterday it's only appropriate to release an episode with a person who does a job that we've all benefitted from at some point in our lives. I'd venture to guess MOST of us have worn a wig at least once, and many of us much more frequently than that. Cate walks me through how she got into theater and wig making in the first place, what really goes into creating and maintaining a wig, and what a day i...
51. RJ MAGEE - Casting Director
October 18, 2021 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBOn today's show, I speak with casting director RJ Magee. RJ got his start in professional theater at a very young age, a journey that led him to the famous Interlochen School for the Arts and then eventually onwards to casting for musical theater. RJ is currently involved in a pretty unique project called Theality TV which we talk about extensively in this episode. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:05:06] Interlochen [00...
50. DARREN LEE - Director, Choreographer, and Performer
October 04, 2021 11:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBOn today's show, I speak with Darren Lee, a director, choreographer, and performer. Darren has had quite the career, from winning the first-ever Junior Star Search, to being in the original Broadway cast of Miss Saigon, to reconnecting with Lea Salonga in 2015's Allegiance, to being on tour in the UK as the King in The King and I when covid shut the world down. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:03:43] Star Search [00:04:41...
49. OR MATIAS - Music Director
September 20, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MBOn today's show, I speak with music director Or Matias. Or has such an incredible resume that includes Juilliard, NYU, The Great Comet, Octet, Moby Dick, The Wave which premiered in Austria, an upcoming children's album, honestly the list goes on and on. I've had the pleasure of seeing a bit of Or's work both on and off-Broadway and I was so excited to have a chance to speak with him. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:00:...
48. CAROLYN MAZUCA - Costume Designer
September 07, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBOn today's show, I speak with costume designer Carolyn Mazuca. We talk about everything from our love of San Antonio and the Southwest, to imposter syndrome, to the differences between working in film and television vs. theater. I absolutely loved chatting with Carolyn and I know you'll enjoy our conversation as much as I did. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:07:55] Old Town Albuquerque [00:08:17] Carnegie Mellon [00:17...
47. *REBROADCAST* ERICA HEMMINGER - Associate Set Designer of MOULIN ROUGE
August 25, 2021 14:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBI'm so excited for you to listen to (or revisit) my conversation with Erica Hemminger, associate set designer of Moulin Rouge. A lot has happened since we recorded this a year ago, but my fascination with the elephant continues. Please enjoy this rebroadcast of episode four of Beyond the Lights. Please note, the next new episode will premiere on Tuesday, September 7th, and then alternate Mondays moving forward. ___________________________________________________________ This week we have ...
46. *REBROADCAST* JASON LOFFREDO - Music Director of KINKY BOOTS
August 18, 2021 17:00 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MBHi everyone! I am still on a bit of a break, but I promise, I'll be back with NEW episodes in two weeks. Until then, I am rebroadcasting my episode with Music Director Jason Loffredo. Now, Jason and I recorded this in August of 2020 so any "upcoming" projects have long since passed. Nonetheless, this episode remains one of my favorites, enjoy! ______________________________________ Today’s guest is Jason Loffredo a music director in New York City. We discuss how an invite to play on a soft...
45. *REBROADCAST* KAT WEST - Stage Manager of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Yiddish
August 09, 2021 15:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBThis is week in re-broadcasts, I am proud to present the second episode I ever recorded with my friend Kat West stage manager, extraordinaire of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. Enjoy! ______________________________________ Today's episode features Kat West, a freelance stage manager working in New York City. We discuss her work with Prospect Theater Company, how she became involved with Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (directed by Joel Grey), what it's like working on a show when your son i...
44. *REBROADCAST* TAI VERLEY - Artistic Director of Revolution Shakespeare
August 05, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBHello friends! I'm coming to you in a bit of a different format today. I will be taking a break for the next weeks and instead of not showing up in your feed every Monday I've decided to re-share some earlier episodes that you may have missed if you are a new listener or perhaps you just want to revisit. This week is the VERY first episode I released with my dear friend and incredible artist Tai Verley the artistic director of Revolution Shakespeare. Enjoy! ________________________________...
44. *REBROADCAST* TAI VERLEY - Artistic Director of Revolution Shakespeare
August 05, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBHello friends! I'm coming to you in a bit of a different format today. I will be taking a break for the next weeks and instead of not showing up in your feed every Monday I've decided to re-share some earlier episodes that you may have missed if you are a new listener or perhaps you just want to revisit. This week is the VERY first episode I released with my dear friend and incredible artist Tai Verley the artistic director of Revolution Shakespeare. Enjoy! ________________________________...
43. CÁNDIDO TIRADO - Playwright
July 26, 2021 18:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBOn today's show, I speak with Cándido Tirado a playwright, teacher, and chess master. Cándido and I discuss his time at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, why there is a rumor that he punched a critic after a bad review (spoiler, he didn't punch a critic), his status as a chess master, and how that informs his approach to theater. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:05:12] Míriam Colón [00:05:14] Puerto Rican Traveling The...
42. DAWN CHIANG - Lighting Designer
July 19, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBOn today's episode, I speak with Dawn Chiang. Dawn is a lighting designer that has worked on Broadway, in opera, regional theater, dance, live events, I could keep going, truly. I first met Dawn a few months ago as a part of the Actor's Fund LinkedIn Challenge, which we talk about extensively during this conversation. Dawn is the first lighting designer to come on the show and I'm so excited for you to listen. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Menti...
41. CARA REICHEL - Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Prospect Theater Company
July 12, 2021 11:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBCara Reichel is a co-founder and artistic director of Prospect Theater Company in New York City. If you've been listening to this show from the beginning, you may know of my history with Prospect--but if not, well...you're in for a treat. I worked with Prospect back in 2008 as an Assistant Director to Cara and have been a fan ever since. We talk about everything from her early years in NYC, Prospect's origins and ultimate growth, and some of the barriers to entry for early career directors. ...
40. KRISTI ROSS-CLAUSEN - Theater Maker
June 28, 2021 20:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBOn today's show, I speak with Kristi Ross-Clausen, a self-proclaimed eclectic theater practitioner. Kristi has been in the industry for 30+ years and has done everything from working in a large theater in Appleton, WI where she calls home to going on tour with Broadway shows War Horse, Mamma Mia!, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:14:07] The Spotlight Operator’s Handbook [00:14:38] Drama ...
39. DAVID R. MOLINA - Composer and Sound Designer
June 21, 2021 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBOn today's show, I speak with David R. Molina a musician, composer, and sound designer. I have a not-so-secret love of sound design, and quite frankly I can't believe it's taken me THIRTY-NINE EPISODES to have a sound designer on, but here we are. David has so much insight to share about composing for theater, film, radio plays, podcasts, you name it. This conversation was a lot of fun for me and gave me an even deeper appreciation of just what sound designers in the theatre space accomplis...
38. LIZA LUXENBERG - Broadway Production Manager
June 14, 2021 14:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBOn today's show, I speak with Liza Luxenberg, the Senior Vice President of Aurora Productions. Aurora is a production management and technical supervision company that specializes in Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring theater productions. Liza walks me through her journey from college stage manager, to intern, to her Senior Vice President role at Aurora. She is the first Broadway person I've interviewed since the announcement of Broadway's return and we discuss a bit about what that MAY loo...
37. ARIANNA GASS - Multimedia Theater-Maker and Scholar
June 07, 2021 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBArianna Gass is a theater-maker who primarily occupies the multimedia theater space. They are a worker-owner of Obvious Agency, an artist cooperative in Philadelphia known for creating interactive live performance. They are also currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago which we talk extensively about. This was an enlightening conversation for me and really exposed me to areas of theatre and performance theory that I did not know much about before today. For a full transcript o...
36. ERICA ANDRACCHIO - Executive Director at Left Coast Theater Company
May 31, 2021 13:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBOn today’s show, I speak with Erica Andracchio. Erica is the Executive Director at Left Coast Theater in San Francisco. Left Coast is an independent theater that is dedicated to elevating new works by LGBTQ+ artists. We discuss her journey to becoming an Executive Director, what that looks like at a theater like Left Coast and some of the key differences and similarities between her role and that of an Artistic Director. Erica is a woman who wears many hats and we discuss a few very differen...
35. RYAN MCALPINE - Flying Director on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
April 19, 2021 17:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBOn today's show, I speak with Ryan McAlpine, a flying director with Flying by Foy. Ryan is a Flying Director on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in New York, San Francisco, and the Australia production which is currently on stage in Melbourne. Ryan is currently in Australia with the show and while we talk extensively about what it takes to fly in a production, he also gives me a good glimpse of the health and safety protocols that Australia has put into place for theater. For a full trans...
34. NAVI - Artistic Lead at Flying V
April 12, 2021 10:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBOn today's show I speak with navi, an Artistic Lead at Flying V theater in Washington DC. We discuss their background in music and how that lead them to theater through the Capital Fringe Festival, what the DC theater scene is like, the definition of "nerdcore" in terms of music, and what it means to be the Artistic Lead of the R&D department for a theater. For a full transcript of this episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:02:53] Capital Fringe Festival...
33. KEITH JOSEF ADKINS - Artistic Director of The New Black Fest
April 05, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBOn this episode, I speak with Keith Josef Adkins, a playwright and artistic director of The New Black Fest. Keith originally went to school for broadcast journalism with the dream of becoming a weatherman, so how exactly did he transition into playwriting and becoming an artistic director? Keith takes me through his artistic journey, how he became a playwright, and the inspiration for starting The New Black Fest. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Me...
32. JUDITH FRANKLIN - Broadway Actor
March 29, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBOn today’s show I speak with Judith Franklin, or as Matthew Neff from episode 17 calls her “Broadway’s Judith Franklin”. Judith and I discuss how she went from the Sunshine Choir at her local church, to performing in Ethiopia, to her journey to Broadway and appearing in both Donna: The Donna Summer Musical and most recently her ensemble turn in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Mentioned in this Episode [00:21:19] Atlanta Lyric Theater [00:24:31] Orbit Arts Academy [00:39:08] Broadway Inspira...
31. NGOZI ANYANWU - Actor and Playwright
March 22, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBNgozi Anyanwu is an actor and award-winning playwright (Good Grief, Homecoming Queen). During this conversation, we discuss her early years in theater, how she went from actor to playwright, her journey to landing an agent, what it means to make The Kilroys List (2016), and so much more. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:01:43] The Thespian Conference [00:05:33] The Public Theater [00:05:34] Rattlestick Theater [00:1...
30. SARAH ENLOE - Director of Education at the American Shakespeare Center
March 15, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBSarah Enloe is the Director of Education at the American Shakespeare Center. We discuss the role an education director plays for a theater, the practical research efforts that infuse performances at the ASC, and how scholarship informs all aspects of the company. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:01:36] American Shakespeare Center [00:01:58] Shakespeare Theater Association [00:03:56] #SHXCamp [00:04:20] Shakespeare and ...
29. GUY KWAN - Broadway Production Manager
March 08, 2021 17:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBGuy Kwan is a Broadway Production Manager with Juniper Street Productions. His current shows include Come From Away, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Moulin Rouge. Guy walks me through his early start with Mirvish Productions in Canada, how he eventually made his way to Broadway, and exactly when he becomes involved with a Broadway show. I learned SO MUCH from our conversation about the role a production manager and technical director truly plays on a production. For a full transcri...
28. Joseph Ahmed - Theatre-Maker
March 01, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBJoseph Ahmed is a Philadelphia-based theatre-maker. Joe wears many hats in the theater community which we discuss at length, including actor, director, and most recently playwright. He’s also currently working as an arts administrator for an organization that is helping to provide emergency funding to artists hurting during this current economic climate. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:03:19] Boston University for T...
28. JOSEPH AHMED - Theatre-Maker
March 01, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBJoseph Ahmed is a Philadelphia-based theatre-maker. Joe wears many hats in the theater community which we discuss at length, including actor, director, and most recently playwright. He’s also currently working as an arts administrator for an organization that is helping to provide emergency funding to artists hurting during this current economic climate. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:03:19] Boston University for T...
27. CARMEN RIVERA - Playwright
February 22, 2021 11:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBOn today’s show, I speak with playwright Carmen Rivera. If you recognize Carmen’s name it’s because her play La Gringa is one of the longest-running off-Broadway shows in history. Get this, La Gringa celebrates its TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR at the Spanish Repertory Theatre this year. Carmen and I have a really insightful conversation around new play development, why she believes La Gringa continues to have such a long and successful life, and what teaching theater in the time of COVID really looks l...
26. BUIST BICKLEY - Broadway Props Supervisor
February 15, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBOn today’s show, I speak with Buist Bickley a Broadway Props Supervisor. Buist has worked on more shows than I can actually count or keep track of, and when Broadway shut down he estimates he had about nine shows running on Broadway or on tour. Buist walks me through how he became a props supervisor, what’s considered a prop and what’s not (spoiler, Evan Hansen’s cast? Not a prop), and what exactly a props supervisor does during rehearsal. I love talking about props and I know you’ll enjoy t...
25. MIGDALIA CRUZ - Playwright
February 08, 2021 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBOn today’s show, I speak with playwright Migdalia Cruz. You may remember Elisa Bocanegra mentioning Migdalia in episode 18 for her work on María Irene Fornés’ documentary. We discuss her experience working with María Irene Fornés, how she helped Migdalia uncover her true playwrighting voice in a way that Columbia was unable to do, as well as her current project turning her translation of Macbeth into a podcast. I loved speaking with Migdalia about all of this as well as her early life writin...
24. JOSEPH CORELLA - Founder of 567Broadway!
February 01, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBJoseph Corella is a dancer, choreographer, and founder of 567Broadway! Joseph takes me through how he got started in dance, his journey to the Broadway stage, and why he wanted to create 567Broadway! If you’ve never heard of 567Broadway!, I am so excited to introduce you to Joseph AND to the popular dance fitness class--and don’t worry if you have zero dance skill (like myself), the class is for all levels! For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentione...
24. JOSEPH CORELLA - Founder of 567Broadway!
February 01, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBJoseph Corella is a dancer, choreographer, and founder of 567Broadway! Joseph takes me through how he got started in dance, his journey to the Broadway stage, and why he wanted to create 567Broadway! If you’ve never heard of 567Broadway!, I am so excited to introduce you to Joseph AND to the popular dance fitness class--and don’t worry if you have zero dance skill (like myself), the class is for all levels! For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentione...
23. CHRISSY HOGUE BARTELS - Actor, Producer, and Filmmaker
January 25, 2021 13:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBChrissy Hogue Bartles is an actor, producer, and filmmaker. In addition to her acting career, she is on a mission to teach actors how to make money at their craft no matter where they live. New York, Chicago, LA get a lot of press in the acting world, but there are thousands of people all over this country trying to make a living in acting and Chrissy walks me through some of her biggest recommendations. No matter how long you’ve been at this game called entertainment there is something in...
23. CHRISSY HOGUE BARTELS - Actor, Producer, and Filmmaker
January 25, 2021 13:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBChrissy Hogue Bartles is an actor, producer, and filmmaker. In addition to her acting career, she is on a mission to teach actors how to make money at their craft no matter where they live. New York, Chicago, LA get a lot of press in the acting world, but there are thousands of people all over this country trying to make a living in acting and Chrissy walks me through some of her biggest recommendations. No matter how long you’ve been at this game called entertainment there is something in...
22. JONATHAN MCCRORY - Artistic Director of National Black Theatre
January 18, 2021 17:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBJonathan McCrory is the Artistic Director of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre. Jonathan walks me through his serendipitous beginnings at the Duke Ellington School in Washington DC to his current position at National Black Theater. Jonathan considers himself a “creative doula” a term I had never heard until this conversation, but after “meeting” Jonathan I can think of no better description. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in...
22. JONATHAN MCCRORY - Artistic Director of National Black Theatre
January 18, 2021 17:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBJonathan McCrory is the Artistic Director of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre. Jonathan walks me through his serendipitous beginnings at the Duke Ellington School in Washington DC to his current position at National Black Theater. Jonathan considers himself a “creative doula” a term I had never heard until this conversation, but after “meeting” Jonathan I can think of no better description. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in...
21. CAT RAMIREZ - Creative Director of Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists
January 11, 2021 19:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBOn today’s episode, I speak with Cat Ramirez a director and producer. Cat is the current Creative Director of Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists which serves to enhance and strengthen the presence of Asian Americans in the Philadelphia theatre community. Our conversation runs the gamut from the definition of devised works, to the creation of PAPA, to their love of anime. For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Episode [00:03:55] Mar...
Holiday Break
December 21, 2020 11:00 - 1 minute - 1 MBOn today’s show...well, we don’t have a show today. Because of the upcoming holidays, I’ve decided to take a little bit of a break. Catch up on some editing, bank some future interviews, and also just take things easy. I am so excited for what the new year will bring. I have several episodes waiting to be shared, and many more scheduled in the coming weeks. People are doing cool things out there and I feel so very lucky that so many have spent their time with me over the last five months...
20. JASON JOSEPH - Broadway Hair Supervisor
December 14, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 47.5 MBOn today's episode, I speak with Jason Joseph a Broadway Hair Supervisor. I fully admit I knew nothing about the world of Broadway Hair prior to our conversation, but he is so great at explaining how the hair department operates and what exactly is involved working on new and established productions. If you've been listening to the show for a bit, you know I'm a little obsessed with Broadway quick changes, which I consider to be a special brand of theatrical magic, so I was NOT disappointed ...
19. Markéta Fantová - Scenographer and Artistic Director of Prague Quadrennial
December 07, 2020 10:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBOn today's episode, I speak with Markéta Fantová, a scenographer, and the current artistic director of the Prague Quadrennial. She gives me a great break down of what exactly a scenographer is, her experience moving from the Czech Republic and then moving and working in the US, and the ins and outs of the Prague Quadrennial. Before speaking with Brad in episode 10 I was entirely unfamiliar with PQ, but after speaking with him and now Markéta I'm ready to pack my bags for the 2023 edition an...
19. Markéta Fantová - Scenographer and Artistic Director of Prague Quadrennial
December 07, 2020 10:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBOn today's episode, I speak with Markéta Fantová, a scenographer, and the current artistic director of the Prague Quadrennial. She gives me a great break down of what exactly a scenographer is, her experience moving from the Czech Republic and then moving and working in the US, and the ins and outs of the Prague Quadrennial. Before speaking with Brad in episode 10 I was entirely unfamiliar with PQ, but after speaking with him and now Markéta I'm ready to pack my bags for the 2023 edition an...
18. ELISA BOCANEGRA - Artistic Director of Hero Theatre
November 30, 2020 11:00 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBElisa Bocanegra is the Producing Artistic Director of Hero Theatre in Los Angeles. Elisa began acting at the age of 17 with the famous Puerto Rican Traveling Theater Company in New York. After years of pursuing an acting career in film, tv, regional theatres, and off-Broadway productions, a backstage conversation with her mentor Olympia Dukakis led Elisa to create Hero Theatre. We talk about everything that led up to that moment, what has since followed, and why she has no desire to return t...
17. MATTHEW NEFF - Broadway Wardrobe Professional
November 23, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBOn today’s show, I speak with Matthew Neff from the wardrobe department of well…15 Broadway musicals in the last FOUR years. Are you tired just thinking about it? Because I am. Before March 12th he was a stitcher on West Side Story and since the shutdown, Matthew has pivoted to form his own business that earns himself and other Broadway wardrobe professionals some income while we all endure “The Great Pause”. Be sure to check out the links below for more information! For a full transcript ...
16. TERI BALL - Executive Director of Center Stage Theater
November 16, 2020 11:00 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MBTeri Ball is currently the Executive Director of Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara, California. We discuss what it takes to become a successful executive director and how she is keeping her theater alive during the current health crisis. When we were originally connected she was described to me as “the most born-to-be-an-executive-director ever” and after you listen to our conversation, I think you will agree! If you or someone, you know, has superior administrative skills and loves th...
15. GARLIA CORNELIA JONES - Playwright and Producer
November 09, 2020 11:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBOn today’s show, I speak with playwright, producer, and photographer Garlia Cornelia Jones. I’ve known Garlia for about 13 years and in that time she has actively created space for Black voices in New York City. But her work in this space has roots beyond New York, going back to her time at Indiana University and continuing through today with her work at The Public Theater. Our conversation begins with her children telling us what a producer does, transitioning into the project she is curre...
14. SARA JEAN FORD - Broadway Actor
November 02, 2020 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBOn today’s episode, I speak with Sara Jean Ford, a Broadway actor most recently seen in Cats. We discuss her early life in a professional children’s chorus, her experience stepping into established roles on Broadway, and why being in the Cats revival was so. very. hard. Sara also offers some great insight into being a working actor while simultaneously being a single mom and all that that entails. For a full transcript of today's episode visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this...
13. BONUS Episode - Everyone's Invited to the WILD PARTY(s?)
October 29, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBOn another very special episode of "Brenden and Brian Explain Musicals to me that I Should Know, But Don't" we dive into all things Wild Party. And not just a singular Wild Party, no, no, two different versions that just happened to premiere in New York City during the same 2000 season. Join us as they break down the differences between Andrew Lippa's Wild Party and Michael John LaChiusa's Wild Party and how exactly they came to exist at the Exact. Same. Time. For a full transcript of t...
12. PATRICK MUSNI - Props Master at The Curran Theater
October 26, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBPatrick Musni is currently the Props Master at the Curran in San Francisco. He takes us through the all-encompassing job of a house props master, his journey to becoming a union member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, what life is like as a touring stagehand, and just how long it took to build the San Francisco production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. For a full transcript of today's episode please visit beyondthelightspodcast.com. Mentioned in this Epis...