Black Light the Spotlight: Recent Episodes
Black Light the Spotlight
Black Light the Spotlight is a podcast tackling inclusion and representation in the entertainment industry. By spotlighting artists that for far too long have been underrepresented, and by examining, or "black lighting," the power structures that run rampant in this industry, the hosts hope to champion the diverse experiences of contemporary storytellers. Donovan Lockett and Matt Flocco seek to elevate the voices of underrepresented artists; educate those on a journey to allyship; and nerd-out on all things TV, theatre, film and music. Welcome!
To close out the season and 2020, life coach Brandon Wagner takes Donovan, Matt, and the listeners on a journey of gratitude, reflection, elevation. Covering a wide range of topics from the Winter Solstice to stilt walking, the three reveal some of their resolutions, motivate listeners on how to set their own intentions, celebrate the joy that has come from a difficult year, and discuss how to create a more inclusive world in the New Year and beyond.
In this episode, Donovan and Matt speak with Philly icon Eric Jaffe about how their artistic endeavors, both before and during the pandemic, shaped them as a content creator and drag performer. Thriving at the intersection of Philly’s LGBTQ+ and theatre communities, Eric offers advice on how to forge one’s own path when others won’t let you walk along theirs.
In Part One of this series exploring the ways artists have displayed entrepreneurial skills amidst the pandemic and a seemingly paused industry, guest speaker India Shanelle shares the pivotal moments in the life of a Black female artist's career. These instances led her to have priceless revelations about her own artistic identities, about how her non-profit Blacklight Community has pivoted amidst the pandemic, and why it’s important not to take this extra time we’ve been given for granted. India also offers advice to those looking to follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps.
Guest speakers Carlos Emanuel Castillo and Ashton Muñiz unpack a wide range of topics related to their respective Latinx experiences. As with all underrepresented communities discussed on this podcast, the Latin American experience is vast and varied. Though united geopolitically, our guests explain how the experience transverses race, color, colonialism, nation, language, and so on. The intersectionality of race and ethnicity, engendered language, and cultural heritage is also discussed in depth.
Guest speaker Courtney Rikki Green and co-host Donovan Lockett discuss their roles as leaders in creating equitable and inclusive space for Black students at Syracuse University and Ithaca College. Though it began in their theatre departments, this interdisciplinary action is part of a movement sweeping across the United States in the wake of George Floyd's murder.
Loud and proud, Matt discusses how apprentices can better their allyship for gay men. Though he acknowledges there is PLENTY of privilege in cis and white, he expresses his frustrations at the lack of LGBT+ representation on screen, mostly in mainstream films. After throwing some shade at those who have demonstrated poor allyship, he divulges stories about friends and family that love him for who he is, and offers listeners ways in which to make more room at the table for LGBT+ individuals. He also reminds his fellow gay white men that their work must be intersectional in advocating for their BIPOC friends.
In this two-part special, Donovan & Matt break down how (and how NOT) to be an ally to the respective underrepresented communities to which they belong. By using the "Four A's," they educate listeners that allyship is a process, not a given.
In Part One, Donovan speaks to her own experiences as a Black woman, divulging her reactions surrounding the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, warning against assumptions that her community exists as a monolith, and explaining the differences between performative allyship and true action to uplift Black people.
Oh, and how she doesn't like Star Wars or anything Fantasy-related.
In this episode, Pax Ressler breaks down some of the struggles and triumphs of non-binary, trans, and gender non-conforming artists in the theater community, particularly in Philadelphia. They paint a fantastic picture of an industry that can and should be FULL of gender.
In this episode, special guest Amara Brady discusses the reason for and the ways in which to monetarily compensate BIPOC artists for their professional services; especially because emotional labor often comes with the territory of this expertise.
Donovan Lockett & Matt Flocco are ready to tackle inclusion and equal representation in the entertainment industry. In this first episode, the hosts give a glimpse of their friendship, take questions from listeners, unpack useful terminology, and provide an overview of future topics. This podcast seeks to elevate the voices of underrepresented artists; educate those on a journey to allyship; and nerd-out on all things TV, theatre, film and music. Welcome to Black Light the Spotlight!
You can follow the podcast on Facebook, or Instagram: @blacklight_the_spotlight