Neuse Little Podcast: Recent Episodes
Neuse Little Theatre
Come listen to the history of Neuse Little Theatre as well as onstage/backstage stories from the people who were there. We look forward to bringing new content and helping folks learn a little more about the theater while maybe taking a walk down memory lane. We hope you enjoy it. Credits are:Host & Creator: Matt Gore * Producer: Meta Toole * Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
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We talk with the director and some members of the cast of Anne of Green Gables, the opening production of our 51st Season at NLT. We discuss the show, as well as what brought them to our stage.
Guests: Patsy Castellano, Ava Wilson, Karen Tolliver, and Kim Vieira
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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Matt and Meta discuss the Cannon nominations for the 50th Season (2024-2025), along with some other things going on in the theatre in the area.
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We talk with the director and some of the cast of Johnston Community College's acting troop who are putting on Neil Simon's The Dinner Party. Not one of his more well-known shows but it is Neil Simon so you know it will be funny. We talk about the experience getting a group up and going at JCC and what the experience of doing the show has been like to all involved.
Show dates are:
- June 27th at 7 pm
- June 28th at 3 pm
- June 28th at 7 pm
Guests: Zachary Schultz, Madi Lee, Jack Chambers, Rayne
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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Matt sits down with the cast of Sex Please, We're Sixty, our final show of the 50th Anniversary Season. We discuss the show, a comedy by Micheal and Susan Parker, their characters, what brought them to NLT, and all the mayhem involved.
Guests: Kirk Davidson, Larry Grey, Chantal Wright, Joyce Kilpatrick-Jordan, and Denise Joyner
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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We are excited to announce our show line up for Season 51 (2025-2026). We have a great mix of shows and are looking forward to bringing some great shows (some known, some unknown) to our audiences. We will have a brochure available soon. We will announce when season tickets can be purchased (definitely available by the final show of this season) in person as well as online.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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The full cast of NLT's latest production, Steel Magnolias, appear on the show to discuss the development of their characters, acting choices and losses and gains. Find out how they make some well-known characters fresh and give them new depth.
Guests: Michelle Dawes, Kaitlyn Tarley, Elizabeth Armstrong, Kim O'Callaghan, Theressa Rose, and Nancy Gibbs
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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Join us for our fourth annual Oscar podcast! A full house of NLP vets Abby Jordan, Keith Davis, Randall Lawrence-Hurt, Justin Gore-Pike and DH Johnson discuss each movie nominated for Best Picture in 2024. Be aware of spoilers and the occasional mature theme in this wide-ranging discussion of cinema.
*This was recorded before the controversy over some of the movies happened so some of the commentary by be "out of date". Also... spoilers ahead!
Guests: Keith Davis, Justin Gore-Pike, DH Johnson, Abby Jordan, Randall Lawrence-Hurt
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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Join us as we talk with some of the cast of our latest production, The Foreigner. We talk about the characters, the social issues within the comedy, and about the experience of doing the same part after performing it at another theatre. The Foreigner runs February 14, 15, 16, 21 & 22, 2025.
Guests: Amy West Whitley, Madi Lee, Randall Lawerence-Hurt, Eric House
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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New board member, Benda Hartley, stops by the podcast and chats about her cleaning obsession. Also, it wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't go around and talk about our various traumas associated with the holiday.
Guest: Brenda Hartley
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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Join us for the latest episode of the Neuse Little Podcast as we chat with Kathi Nixon (director), Nancy Gibbs (Abby), and Patsy Castellano (Martha) about bringing this dark comedy to life on stage! Get the inside scoop on what it takes to direct, perform, and perfect this classic – with plenty of laughs along the way!
Guests: Kathi Nixon, Nancy Gibbs, and Patsy Castellano
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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We continue our interviews with some of the cast of The Wizard of Oz. We talk with Larry Grey, Kathi Nixon, and Ava Wilson as they discuss playing some morally ambiguous characters from classic theatre and movie history. We are so excited to be able to bring the show to the stage for the kick-off of our 50th Anniversary Season!
Guests: Larry O. Grey Jr., Kathi Nixon, and Ava Wilson
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
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Join us as we kick off our 50th Anniversary Season by interviewing some of the cast of The Wizard of Oz. We talk with Hannah Quinlivan, Darren Nix, Tanner Harmon, and Daniel E.D. Brown as they discuss playing the iconic roles of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion in this American theatre classic.
Guests: Hannah Quinlivan, Darren Nix, Tanner Harmon, and Daniel E.D. Brown
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Kathi Nixon
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Matt and Meta discuss the nominations for the 2024 Cannon Awards. The Cannons, named after long-time supporter Doris Cannon, are NLT's acting awards that is held at the end of every season. We are so fortunate to have so much talent. We look forward to bringing you the winners after our Awards Gala in 2 weeks!
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
Matt sits down with a few members of the cast of Madagascar, Jr. and they discuss their experiences at this year’s NLT summer camp.
Guests: Patsy Castellano, Julia Scalice, Nolan Anckner, Jayden Grisafi, Caleb Humphrey, Ryan Jernigan, and Ava Wilson
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Angel Street closes out NLT’s 49th season and the cast and director stop by to discuss the origin of the term “gaslight” and staging this Victorian thriller for a modern audience.
Guests: Theressa Rose, Larry Grey, Kirk Davidson, Marianna Morin, Joyce Kilpatrick-Jordan, Noah Denton
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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The cast and crew of Ivories playing at The Gilbert Theater in Fayetteville stop by to discuss why there should be more stage horror and of talk of their recently staged musical Assassins.
Guests: Lawrence Carisle III, Michelle Rutherford, Dan Adams, Justin Gore-Pike
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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The cast of the zany comedy Unnecessary Farce stop by to chat about bittersweet farewells, small words, copious amounts of doors and a brief foray into meat. Enjoy.
Guests: Titania Ruffino, Jorge Sepulveda, Larry Grey, Keith Allen Davis
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Matt and Meta unveil the much anticipated lineup of shows for NLT’s 50th Anniversary.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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While the next show rehearses we take it off-stage and onto the silver screen. Abby, Justin, Tamara and Matt talk about some of the most critically acclaimed movies of 2023. Movies discussed include: Oppenheimer, Barbie, Poor Things, Maestro and The Holdovers.
Guests: Abigail Jordan, Tamara Baltazar, Justin Gore-Pike
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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For this month’s episode we have a sampling of the cast from NLT’s show The Lion in Winter. Join us we talk to newcomers Noah and Larry on navigating complicated characters, unhealthy family dynamics and what’s it’s like acting for the first time at the hut.
Guests: Noah Denton, Larry Gray, Stephanie Veren
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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Join Matt, Meta, Justin, Tam and Keith in a festive round of Christmas movie trivia. Hear if team Krampus or team Scrooge takes home the coveted Christmas Wig.
Guests: Justin Gore-Pike, Tamara Baltazar, and Keith Davis
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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The cast and director come chat about the upcoming show at NLT The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular. Discussions include working on memorization, cast bonding and an ill-fated pre-rehearsal wine walk.
Guests: Stephanie Veren, Theressa Rose, Nancy Gibbs, Emily Snow, Nichole Braswell, and Sheila Lane
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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Matt and Meta are joined by the head-honchos at Benson Little Theater Jeri Keith Liles and DH Johnson. They discuss their upcoming 25th season and talk about the current play about to open, the stage adaption of the cult-favorite movie Clue.
Guests: DH Johnson and Jeri Keith Liles
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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Matt and Meta are joined by a small contingent of the Willy Wonka cast. Listen to different perspectives on the message of the show, backstage insights and also hear us complain about how hot it was during the recording of this episode.
Guests: Abbie Claire Donaldson, Asher Saab, Randy Jordan, and Kenny Howell
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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Matt chats with members of the Johnston County Arts Council about their new book Johnston County Creates.
Guests: Evelyn Wool, Judy Boyette, Joyce Kilpatrick-Jordan
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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Summer is here and that means it’s time for NLT’s annual youth program. This year they are presenting “Disney’s Frozen, kids.” Matt and Meta chat with the director Patsy Castellano, music director Karen Mollins, as well as cast members Gianna Gresafi, Julia Scalice and Mackenzie Hill. Also stick around for the last bit of the show to hear the acting nominations for NLT’s annual award gala, the Cannons.
Guests: Patsy Castellano, Karen Mollins, Gianna Gresafi, Julia Scalice, and Mackenzie Hill
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
Matt and Meta sit down with a portion the cast of 176th NLT production The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. The conversation delves into developing a western onstage, intimacy training, love triangles and more.
Guests: Madeline Snow, Owen Lewis, Daniel E.D. Brown, Randall Lawrence-Hurt
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
Join Matt, Meta and Keith as they announce Neuse Little Theatre’s 49th season (2023-2024).
Guest: Keith Davis
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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The charming cast of NLT’s 175th production discuss the similarities of their characters to their real-life selves, their expectations of opening weekend and acting in a modern romantic comedy.
Guests:
Titania Ruffino (Olivia), Marz McCallister (Gabe), Julia Kapke (Lydia), Will Snow (Wyatt), Angela Arant (Karen), Dan Ruffino (Carter)
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
The director and (almost) all of the cast of Monte Carlo join us to talk about the behind the scenes process of bringing this dramedy to life onstage and how it connects with their offstage lives.
Guests:
Julz McCallister, Jaynesha Davis, Virginia Edwards, Bowen Thomson, Stephanie Veren
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
WARNING: SPOILERS!
We are back with our first show of 2023 where we discuss some of favorite movies of the previous year. Enjoy!
Guests: Keith Davis and Abigail Jordan
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
Join the cast and crew of Boeing Boeing as they discuss Italian translations, comic timing and unexpected delays. Then in the latter portion of the podcast we veer off and talk about the late-comedian Gallagher for no good reason. Enjoy!
Guests: Sequilla Arita, Theressa Rose, Randall Lawrence-Hurt, Kathi Nixon, and Patsy Castellano
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
We take the Johnston County Heritage Center Ghost Walk (held Oct 27) and learn about the local history of JoCo about some not so familiar people, from a team of both familiar and new folks. Hope you enjoy.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
visit Neuse Little Theatre at www.neuselittlehteatre.org
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Leave a review and let us know what you think.
A few cast members from NLT’s season premiere “A Murder is Announced” discuss working on an 80s version of an Agatha Christie story.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Patricia Barta, Kathi Nixon, Daniel E.D. Brown
Director Tony Pender returns and discusses the challenges of presenting Agatha Christie to a modern audience with modern technology.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Tony Pender
Meta and Matt preview the 48th season of Neuse Little Theatre.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker
Come listen to our conversation with DH Johnson as we talk about what’s in store next season at Benson Little Theatre. Then we talk about older movies based on plays with a brief foray into a discussion of the pros and cons of method acting.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: DH Johnson
For our 50th episode we welcome back our first guests. Darius and Theressa Rose return to talk the state of NLT and 50th anniversary ideas. We hope you enjoy.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Darius Rose & Theressa Rose
Summer is blazing away, and NLT is taking a break from the heat with our 48th season picking up in August. Join us as we kick back and talk about summer movies and try to not die of heat-stroke in this off-the-wall episode.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Keith Davis
After taking a break in June we’re back with repeat guest Patsy Castellano and newcomer Karen Mollins, join us as we chat about the Neuse Little Theatre Summer Drama Camp coming back after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, and after that Meta and I recap NLT’s annual award ceremony The Cannons.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Patsy Castellano & Karen Mollins
Hear from a few cast members of The Trip to Bountiful opening Friday May 27th. We talk about a variety of topics such as backgrounds, motivations and making the most out of tech week.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Edith Berry, Caroline Chavez, Tim Russell
Join Matt and Meta as they set out to discuss the finale of Neuse Little Theatre’s 47th season Trip to Bountiful and how they get delightfully distracted along the way.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker
Join us we talk to one of the most talented people at our humble hut. Set painter/set dresser Anita Liverman stops by the show and discusses her favorite sets to paint, her unique eye for detail and her other artistic forays in the Smithfield community.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Anita Liverman
In our latest episode, we talk with three cast members of the current NLT production, 'Til Beth Do Us Part. We find out about the show, their roles, and their experiences with NLT and other area theater groups. Show runs April 15 & 16, 2022.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Laurie Evans, Bethany Ruffino, Curtis West
The director of NLT’s 170th production 'Til Beth Do Us Part, Abigail Jordan, joins us on the show this week. Hear us chat about working with an experienced cast, having a crew that supports you and navigating the pitfalls of being a first-time director.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Abigail Jordan
Join us as we talk to Beth Cannon about her late mother Doris’ contributions to the founding of NLT and her work in the arts and culture of Johnston County.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Beth Cannon
While we’re in between shows at NLT we welcome back Lawrence Carlisle III artistic director at the Gilbert Theater in Fayetteville, NC to talk about their upcoming show, his hatred of all things popular and then we all decide to crap on Andrew Lloyd Webber. Enjoy!
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Lawrence Carlisle III
This week we talk to a small portion of The Outsiders cast. Grace, Jack and Bo take us through the rehearsal process and tell us what to expect from the 169th NLT production.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Grace D’Entremont, Jack D’Entremont, Bowen Thomson
Join us as we welcome back Tony Pender to the show. In this episode he talks about directing NLT’s new production “The Outsiders” premiering at the hut February 18th and runs two weekends. We discuss his vision for the show, working with several new teens in the cast and overall themes from the classic S.E. Hinton YA novel and how they translate to the stage.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Tony Pender
Join us as we talk to longtime NLT veteran Bill Jordan about his experience puppeteering the plant from Little Shop of Horrors and his work on keeping the hut up and running as well as several memorable roles onstage. His wife Joyce also rejoins the podcast to talk about her responsibilities as business manager for NLT.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Bill Jordan & Joyce Kilpatrick-Jordan
The first NLT show of 2022 is in production and while they rehearse, we thought we’d take things from the stage to the silver screen this episode. Join Matt, Keith, Justin and Larry as they talk about some of the best movies of 2021.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Keith Davis, Justin Gore-Pike, Larry Carlisle III
Greg Hill reads "Cajun Night Before Christmas" by "TROSCLAIR", edited by Howard Jacobs, and illustrated by James Rice. Pelican Publishing Company originally published 1973.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Greg Hill
This week we talk to longtime NLT actor, board member and all-around handyman Fred Toole. Hear him reminisce about hosting the Cannons as well as being a part of several classic NLT shows.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Fred Toole
We end the 168th production of Neuse Little Theatre at the beginning. Prop master Greg Hill, set designer Meta Toole and director Matt Gore discuss bringing The Explorers Club to the NLT stage.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Greg Hill
Join us as we talk to three cast members of The Explorer’s Club playing at the hut November 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20. All three guests are making their debut at the hut so we get to know them a little better and ask about their favorite aspects of the show and what it’s like working NLT for the first time.
Host and Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guests: Alyssa Bayless-Tiburcio, Randall Lawrence-Hurt, and David Holt
Due to technical difficulties and weather, we had to scrap our previous plans for a spooky Halloween episode and interviewed Todd Johnson of the Johnston County Heritage Center about his experiences as musical director. Also, all of his work with the Heritage Center and the Ava Gardner Museum.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Todd Johnson
Before our ghostly Halloween special in two weeks we sit down and talk about a bizarre incident of theft with a spooky twist, favorite Halloween movies and we replay a dramatic reading of The Raven recorded last year.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker
The laughs continue on the second part of our conversation with Nancy Gibbs. We hear about being Glinda in Wizard of Oz, the consequences of giving Toto bits of hotdog in an enclosed space and other stories from behind the scenes at the hut.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Nancy Gibbs
The talented and wonderful Nancy Gibbs joins us on the show to talk about being a Tik Tok celebrity and about starting in NLT’s 47th season opener Never Too Late (which opens TODAY! Call 919-934-1873 to reserve seats) and other NLT behind the scenes stories.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Nancy Gibbs
Long time NLT vets and father/daughter Randy and Abigail Jordan sit down with us and talk about what it’s like playing despicable characters, favorite NLT shows and what it’s like taking on one of the greatest and weightiest plays of all time as a first time director.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Randy Jordan & Abigail Jordan
We continue our conversation with Leanne Bernard and talk about challenges she's faced as a director and her new career path as a spiritual medium. This leads us to share our personal spooky encounters with the other side. Special guest: Tamara Baltazar sits in for a moment as well.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Leanne Bernard & Tamara Baltazar
Our 47th Season is moving forward and so are we. We're back to interviewing your NLT favorites. In part 1 of our interview with Leanne Bernard, we talk about her time on stage at the hut and helping out with the summer drama program. Enjoy!
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Leanne Bernard
Matt and Meta talk about Neuse Little Theatre's upcoming 47th season for 2021-2022, and the shows planned. We wanted to have a little discussion about the plots and plans for the future. We will start bringing folks back on the podcast who are going to be in the shows soon and we'll get more in depth about shows and experiences.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Our last episode in our series of "outside perspective" interviews we talk with members/leaders of other local theatres about their seasons and experiences as we all open back up from the pandemic shut down. This week's guest is Shaun Braswell who works with the Arts Council of Wilson and the Edna Boykin Cultural Center in Wilson NC. Shaun talks about their new season coming up and all the fun stuff the Wilson Arts Council has in store now that they have a new building. Please enjoy the show.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Shaun Braswell
We continue our series of "outsider perspective" interviews we talk with members/leaders of other local theatres about their seasons and experiences as we all open back up from the pandemic shut down. This week's guest is DH Johnson from Benson Little Theatre. We discuss Benson's next season and what is in store for them in the future. We also have DH discuss his time as a professional/paid actor in New York City and fun stories about being in the ultimate city for theatre. Please enjoy the show.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: DH Johnson
In our new series of "outsider perspectives" interviews we talk with members/leaders of other local theatres about their seasons and experiences as we all open back up from the pandemic shut down. This week's guests are Cathy Woods and Keith Parrish from Center Stage Theatre in Goldsboro NC. Cathy talks about her history in theatre and being the president of CST, while we talk to Keith about his personal experiences on our stage as well as his time on Jeopardy! Please enjoy the show.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Cathy Woods & Keith Parrish
We chat with Mike McGee about his favorite on stage roles as well as his experience as a director at several area theatres. We discuss his experience as director of area favorite, Cinderella at Raleigh Little Theatre, and what the future holds now that restrictions are loosening.
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Mike McGee
We talk with Stephanie Veren about the upcoming production of Almost, Maine, and all her past experiences with Neuse Little Theatre. Learn more about the show as well as how she moved from backstage to on stage to directing.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: Stephanie Veren
We continue our talk with long time NLT director, Tony Pender. We discuss Shakespeare, finding the way to play the villain, some of his memories of directing (and what he's learned) and some of his favorite shows.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker *
Guest: D. Anthony Pender
We talk with Tony Pender, long time director/actor with Neuse Little Theatre (part 1 of 2). We discuss his history with acting, working in TV and movies, joining NLT and his lovely wife Adrienne and her career as a playwright. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: D. Anthony Pender
We talk with Ruth Mills, the president of the board of directors for Neuse Little Theatre, about her history with theatre, joining NLT, and teaching the next generation of actors about theatre and why it is important. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: Ruth Mills
WE'RE BACK!!!! We open our first show since the shutdown. This week we talk with the director and cast of THE LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC about coming back from the pandemic shutdown, what it's like getting back into the swing of things, the show and what they are feeling.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guests: Annabeth Clark & Dylan Atwood
We talk with Chris Johnson about his iconic performance as the Scarecrow in NLT’s Wizard of OZ and his involvement with the Smithfield Downtown Development Corporation including the time he bathed in the Neuse river with water moccasins and that night he had to wrangle Eddie Money at the Ham & Yam Festival. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: Chris Johnson
We talk with Nichole Braswell about how she joined the theatre, meeting her husband (long time NLT member, Shaun Braswell), and what it is like being in shows. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: Nichole Braswell
We talk with Lawrence Carlisle III about his history of theatre. He also talks about becoming the artistic director of the Gilbert Theater in Fayetteville just before the pandemic hit, as well as what they are doing to bring theatre back to the audiences in their area. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: Lawrence Carlisle III
We talk with Patsy Castellano about her history of theatre/choreography and finding the Neuse Little Theatre. She talks about her favorite shows and shows that have special meaning to her. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: Patsy Castellano
For our first show of 2021 we talk with Rick Herndon about his life before moving to NC and becoming part of the Neuse Little Theatre family. He talks about coming out for the first auditions, working backstage, getting his first chance on stage, and the differences between our community and that of his hometown. We hope you enjoy.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG) *
Guest: Rick Herndon
Matt Gore and Meta Toole discuss Christmas traditions and, thanks to the generosity of Center Stage Theatre in Goldsboro NC, we bring you the audio of A Covid Christmas Carol (an abridged version of the Charles Dickens classic tale). Many thanks to Center Stage for sharing their 2020 production with us so we can share it with everyone.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Center Stage Theatre: www.cstheatre.org
Sammy Smith, talks about his past shows and some very interesting advice he's given over the years.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Guest: Sammy Smith
Myra Wallace, discussing the beginnings of the theatre, the hard work it took to get the organization going, and the early shows she was involved with.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Guest: Myra Wallace
Jean Marlow, long time member of NLT, talks about how she came to the NLT stage, some of the shows she has been a part of, and what has kept her coming back for 43 years.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Matt Gore and Meta Toole discuss Halloween and the ghosts in the Hut building. Then 3 scary stories to start off the holiday weekend. Enjoy!
Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe - read by Rick Herndon
The Pale Man by Julius Long - read by Keith Parrish
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe - read by Matt Gore
Credits:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer & Editor: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Mary-Leigh Hamilton and Shaun Braswell continue their discussion about previous shows and the people they got to know over the years. Lots of little conversations that don't really have anything to do with each other. (the sound quality is a little subpar for this one we apologize)
Credits:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore *
Producer & Editor: Meta Toole *
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Mary-Leigh Hamilton and Shaun Braswell discuss their first shows at the theatre, being younger for their first shows and what it was like going from playing brother and sister to love interests. (the sound quality is a little subpar for this one we apologize)
Credits:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer & Editor: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Reggie Parker talks about how he joined the theater, those who have left us and the fun of being a "character actor".
Credits:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore *
Producer & Editor: Meta Toole *
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Joyce Kilpatrick-Jordan, business manager of NLT, talks about her first show with theatre, the shows that she remembers and the way seasons are chosen and why shows are picked.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)
Darius and Theressa Rose talk about the history of the theatre, Darius' first show in 1976, and meeting during the 2004 production of The 1940s Radio Hour.
Credits are:
Host & Creator: Matt Gore
Producer: Meta Toole
Music by: Cody Walker (@CodyWalkerFTG)