Beltline to Broadway

Hear what Bekah Brunstetter has to say about THE NOTEBOOK and the world premiere of her new play, THE GAME.

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Hear what Director Sammi Cannold (How to Dance in Ohio) has to say about the show, the process, and the future of Broadway.

How to Dance in Ohio will play its final performance on Feburary 11. For more infromation visit https://howtodanceinohiomusical.com/.

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On this episode of the podcast, we are talking about emotional trauma, panic disorders, PTSD, and mental health, which might be triggering to some listeners. If you need immediate care, call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center, text 741741, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. Please take care of yourself and each other. For additional resources visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/mental-health-resources/.

For more information on Sean Hayden or Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story, visit https://stagecombatthepodcast.com/.

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Hear what Amy Spanger has to say about playing Dee Dee Allen in the Theatre Raleigh production of THE PROM. THE PROM runs through August 13.

Links

Amy Spanger's Website
Theatre Raleigh Website

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Hear what Kara Lindsay (NEWSIES) and Kevin Massey (WICKED) have to say about returning to North Carolina for the NC Theatre production of MARY POPPINS, becoming parents, and more.

Links

North Carolina Theatre
Kevin Massey Website

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Listen to what Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winner Rachel Bay Jones has to say to Beltline to Broadway about seeing her first Broadway show, leaving the business, and returning triumphantly.

Rachel Bay Jones will be performing a concert at Theatre Raleigh on July 7. For more information visit the Theatre Raleigh website.

About the Guest

Rachel Bay Jones is best known for originating the role of ‘Heidi Hansen’ in the Original Broadway Cast of Dear Evan Hansen, and received a Tony Award, Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Lucille Lortel Award, and a Drama League nod for her performance.
An actress acclaimed for her versatile ability to bring life to comedic, dramatic and character roles, she has garnered praise for her performances in Diane Paulus’ Tony Award Winning Revivals of Pippin and Hair, went on for Patti Lupone in the Original Broadway production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, wowed New York audiences in the critically acclaimed productions of Michael John LaChiusa’s First Daughter Suite and Hello Again, and received rave reviews for her performance as ‘Diana’ in The Kennedy Center’s revival production of Next to Normal, directed by Michael Grief. She can be seen on television in major on CBS’ “Young Sheldon,” “The United States of Al,” ABC’s “The Good Doctor,” Amazon’s “Panic,” “Why Women Kill” on Paramount+, ABC’s “Modern Family” & CBS’ “God Friended Me.” On Film she starred in “Ben Is Back,” opposite Julia Roberts, and in “Critical Thinking,” directed by and opposite John Leguizamo.

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Hear what COST OF LIVING's Tony Nominated Actress Katy Sullivan has to say about disability representation on and off stage, presenting the keynote speech at the National Women's Theatre Festival, and what's next.

For more information about the National Women's Theatre Festival, visit https://womenstheatrefestival.com/.

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Hear what two-time Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz and Theatre Raleigh's Producing Artistic Director Lauren Kennedy Brady have to say about Jason Robert Brown, originating the the roles of Cathy and Jamie in THE LAST FIVE YEARS, and so much more.

For more information on Theatre Raleigh's all-star concert series, visit https://theatreraleigh.com/.

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Hear what Michael Kushner (DEAR MULTI-HYPHENATE) has to say about the theater industry, his new book, and more.

Links

Michael Kushner's Website
Dear Multi-Hyphenate Website

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Hear what Raleigh Little Theatre's Executive Director Heather Strickland and HANDS ON A HARDBODY Director Brian Westbrook have to say about the evolution of Raleigh Little Theatre, musical theater, and more.

Links

Raleigh Little Theatre''s Website

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A conversation with Museum of Broadway Co-Founder Diane Nicoletti.

Links
Museum of Broadway

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Hear what Rob Marnell (TINA, BEAUTIFUL) has to say about reprising his role of Bob Gaudio in the Theatre Raleigh production of JERSEY BOYS and returning home.

Links
* Theatre Raleigh * Rob Marnell's Website

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This episode of the podcast is an exploration of two works inspired by two different historical figures, one of whom you may not know fully and one you may not have heard of at all.

For more information visit:
* PlayMakers Repertory Company (They Do Not Know Harlem) * Carolina Performing Arts (Omar)

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Thank you for listening to this very important episode. For more information on any of the topics you've heard in this episode, see the links below.

Links
* Aggregate Theatre Company * Jewish For Good * Ridge Road Baptist Church Mosaic * Indecent Broadway HD Trailer * Madeline Scotti's Questioning Censorship change.org Petition * Dramatist Guild Statement on Cancellation of High School Productions * Dramatist Guild Form to Report Censorship and Cancelled Shows

The Aggregate Theatre Company of MY NAME IS ASHER LEV runs through February 19th in Raleigh and Durham.

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The North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre production of DOT runs through February 5. For more information visit http://www.nract.org/.

Additional Resources:
* Alzeimer's Association * 24/7 Hotline: 800.272.3900

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The North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre production of DOT runs through February 5. For more information visit http://www.nract.org/.

Additional Resources:
* Alzeimer's Association * 24/7 Hotline: 800.272.3900

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Heart attack survivor, stroke survivor, and slaying it in heels 4 times a week as Lola in the Opera House Theatre Company production of KINKY BOOTS. Hear what Justin Allen Tate has to say about his health journey, putting in the work, and returning to the Land of Lola.

About the Guest

Justin Allen Tate ( Mr. Mid-South Pride 2020) returns to the Memphis stage after recently being named the 2019 Broadway World Regional Best Actor in a Musical for his performance of Lola in Kinky Boots at POTS. National Broadway Tour Credits include Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Flashdance & Cirque Dreams. Favorite Regional Credits include Violet, The Legend of Georgia McBride, and Memphis the Musical. Justin has been a Lead Featured Vocalist for Royal Caribbean International and Holland America Line for five years. A Background Vocalist for Blake Shelton, Gene Simmons of KISS and K. Michelle. T.V. Appearances: Wedding at Graceland ( Hallmark ), The Deuce ( HBO), ELLEN (NBC) & Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve, twice. He is a former four-year member of the USO Show Troupe, entertaining our military and their families around the world including tours in Hawaii & South Korea. He graduated from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City. And most of honored to serve as your King of Mid-South Pride 2020.

Links

Justin's Website
Opera House Theatre Company
Historic Thalian Hall

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About the Guest

Links

Justin's Website
Opera House Theatre Company
Historic Thalian Hall

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Hear what Dave Karger, host of Turner Classic Movies' Musical Matinee franchise has to say about the significance of movie musicals in film's golden age and today.

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Hear interviews with Broadway stars live from the Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction.

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Hear interviews with Broadway stars live from the Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction.

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Hear what Black Stage Everything's Shae Marie has to say about representation in theater, Tyler Perry, and creating opportunities for BIPOC artists.

Follow Shae Marie on Instagram @blackstageeverythingg or visit her website at blackstageeverything.com.

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Hear what Black Stage Everything's Shae Marie has to say about representation in theater, Tyler Perry, and creating opportunities for BIPOC artists.

Follow Shae Marie on Instagram @blackstageeverythingg or visit her website at blackstageeverything.com.

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A conversation with Valerie Curtis-Newton about the theater's role in a community, Black theater in America today, and more.

About the Guest

Currently the Head of Directing at the University of Washington School of Drama, I also serve as the Founding Artistic Director for The Hansberry Project, a professional African American theatre lab. I have worked with professional theatre's across the country including: The Guthrie Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Seattle Rep, Playmakers Repertory Company, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, The Mark Taper Forum, New York Theatre Workshop, and Southern Repertory Theatre among others.

Links:

https://playmakersrep.org/show/blues-for-an-alabama-sky/

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A conversation with Valerie Curtis-Newton about the theater's role in a community, Black theater in America today, and more.

About the Guest

Links:

https://playmakersrep.org/show/blues-for-an-alabama-sky/

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Hear what Dr. Alisa Hurwitz (Dr. Drama) has to say about Jewish representation onstage, musicals and mental health, and faith. Also in this episode, hear what COME FROM AWAY's Kevin Tuerff has to say about paying it forward.

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Live from BroadwayCon, a candid conversation with Libby Parker (aka The Broadway Dietitian) about disordered eating.

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Live from BroadwayCon, a candid conversation with Libby Parker (aka The Broadway Dietitian) about disordered eating.

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About the Guest Aaron Simon Gross is a graduate of Northwestern University. He made his Broadway debut in the musical 13, originating the role of Archie. On television he has appeared in The Good Wife and Made in Jersey. He is pursuing a Master Degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Links https://www.netflix.com/title/80222822 (13, the Musical (Netflix)) https://amzn.to/3PtYIdb (13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording)) https://amzn.to/3SNKdEb (13 (Netflix Soundtrack))

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About the Guest Iliana Garcia is of Cuban descent, born and raised in Tampa, FL. Garcia moved to Atlanta, GA and began singing lessons when she was five years old. She studied Musical Theatre at Western Carolina University, graduating in 2017. She has performed with the Legacy Dancers in New York, worked under the direction of the Tony-nominated Terrence Mann, and in 2018, played the role of Carla for the musical "In The Heights" with the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Other roles include West Side Story, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Evita. TV: Younger, Blue Bloods, Law and Order SVU. Links https://nctheatre.com/ (NC Theatre) http://www.ilianagarcia.net/ (Iliana Garcia's Website) http://www.ilianagarcia.net/ (Red Table Talk with Gloria and Emilio Estefan ) https://youtu.be/5cIZpqzSxNQ (Miami Sound Machine Pepsi Commercial)

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About the Guests Adam Halpin (Stine) Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen, Glory Days. Off-Broadway: Daddy Long Legs, Rent, Dogfight. National Tours: Come From Away, Kinky Boots, Rent. Select Regional: Chess at The Kennedy Center, The Last 5 Years at Long Wharf, The Music Man at The Muny. Megan McGinnis recently toured with the North American company of Come From Away. Prior to that, she completed the Off-Broadway run of Daddy Long Legs, originating the role of Jerusha Abbott, both nationally and internationally (Ovation Award, Jeff Nomination, London What’s On Stage Nomination). Broadway: Side Show (Revival, Standby Daisy/Violet), Les Miserables (Revival, Eponine), Little Women (Beth), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Diary of Anne Frank, Parade. Links https://theatreraleigh.com/ (Theatre Raleigh) http://meganmcginnis.net/ (Megan McGinnis Website) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

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About the Guest Aaron Harrington is a native of Durham, North Carolina. Theater credits include Audrey II/Voice of the Plant; Off Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors, Tom Collins; Rent 20th Anniversary Natl Tour, Robert King; Johnny & The Devils Box (Workshop), A Christmas Carol and Assassins (Theatre in the Park) and Rent (NRACT). For more information about Little Shop of Horrors, visit https://www.littleshopnyc.com/ (https://www.littleshopnyc.com/).

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About the Guests Kayla Pecchioni - National Tour: The Book of Mormon (Nabulungi), SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical (Duckling Donna). International Tour: Dreamgirls (South Korea). NYC: Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Regional: Signature Theatre: A Chorus Line (Maggie); Circa ’21: Legally Blonde (Pilar). Northern Kentucky University: BFA in Musical Theatre. Links https://www.paradisesquaremusical.com/ (Paradise Square Website) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

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The North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre staged reading of CHURCH AND STATE, which will benefit Sandy Hook Promise and Moms Demand Action, will be June 27 in North Raleigh. To register for the free reading, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiAT2ylespC6-fugCN1H7cxEctyAkcCM7Kjti9fTUykuNWpA/viewform (click here). Links http://www.jasonodellwilliams.com/ (Jason Odell Williams' Website) http://www.nract.org/ (North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre) https://momsdemandaction.org/ (Moms Demand Action) https://momsdemandaction.org/students/ (Students Demand Action) https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/ (Sandy Hook Promise) https://www.churchandstatetheplay.com/ (Church and State Play Website) https://safercountry.org/ (Safer Country) https://www.bradyunited.org/ (Brady United) https://marchforourlives.com/ (March for Our Lives)

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About the Guest Telly Leung is an American actor, singer and songwriter. He is known for his work in musical theatre on Broadway and for his role as Wes, a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee. In 2011, he starred in the Broadway revival of Godspell at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Leung was named one of 12 Faces to Watch in 2012: Dance, Theater, Architecture, and Art by the Los Angeles Times. Links https://theatreraleigh.com/ (Theatre Raleigh) https://www.tellyleung.com/ (Telly Leung Website) http://www.aapacnyc.org/ (Asian American Performers Action Coalition) https://www.broadwaycon.com/ (BroadwayCon)

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About the Guest Randy Redd made his Broadway debut in PARADE at Lincoln Center directed by Harold Prince. Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include MAY WE ALL, Max Vernon's THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, ALLEGRO at Classic Stage Company directed by John Doyle, Alain Boublil’s MANHATTAN PARISIENNE directed by Graciela Daniele, and PUMP BOYS & DINETTES at City Center Encores. Other credits include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, RING OF FIRE directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., Randy Newman’s FAUST, THE BURNT PART BOYS, Terrence McNally's SOME MEN, the American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's BY JEEVES directed by Alan Ayckbourn, David Greig's MIDSUMMER, LUCKY STIFF, ONE MAN BAND with James Lecesne, and SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Film and TV credits include https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1HQ5OP9E8c (“Beautiful Creatures”) and “The Last 5 Years” directed by Richard LaGravenese, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjmpO8k9m0 (“After The Storm”) directed by Hilla Medalia, "Kinsey" directed by Bill Condon, “From Broadway With Love” (PBS), “All-American New Years” (FOX), "The Wright Verdicts", Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Tony Awards, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Wynonna Judd, and Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella, a monthly variety show at Birdland. He has worked as an actor, writer, musician, and director at Manhattan Theater Club, Lincoln Center Theater, Classic Stage Company, Tectonic Theater, Atlantic Theater Company, Naked Angels, Second Stage, New York Musical Theater Festival, The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed, Geffen Playhouse, Primary Stages, York Theater, Emelin Theater, City Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, New Stage Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Charlotte Repertory Theater, the Flat Rock Playhouse, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Stamford Center For The Arts, the Arden Theater, New World Stages, the Cape Playhouse, the Actor's Playhouse, and more. Recordings: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/showfolk/id305047066 (SHOWFOLK) with Tony Award-winner Rachel Bay Jones, Robin Skye's https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/robin-skye/id383949971 (HOUSE OF LOVE), LUCKY STIFF, NEO, Jason Robert Brown's WEARING SOMEONE ELSE’S CLOTHES and the Original Cast Recordings of PARADE, RING OF FIRE, THE BURNT PART BOYS and THE VIEW UPSTAIRS. In concert: Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Symphony Space, Cooper Union, St. John the Divine, Feinstein’s, Ars Nova, Birdland and Joe's Pub. Links North Carolina Theatre http://www.randy-redd.com/ (Randy Redd's Website)

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About the Guests David Blakely is a playwright, director, actor, musician, songwriter, and the Playwright-in-Residence emeritus for Heller Theatre Company. His plays include Trade Privileges, Four Ways to Die, The Light Fantastic, For Your Examination, Frankenstein, Tales of Shoogilly, Hank the Cow Dog and Monkey Business (based on John R. Erickson’s book), and short plays: … The Oceans Would Be Full, Ars Longa Vita Ferris, The Next Blue Moon, and 7 Doorways/7 Stories. He holds an MFA from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. He is Theatre Program Director at Rogers State University, and a member of the Dramatists Guild. Nassim Soleimanpour is an Iranian playwright, theatre maker and the Artistic Director of the Berlin Based Theatre company Nassim Soleimanpour Productions. His plays have been translated into more than 30 languages and performed globally in over 50 countries. Best known for his play White Rabbit Red Rabbit, written to travel the world when he couldn’t, his work has been awarded the Dublin Fringe Festival Best New Performance, Summerworks Outstanding New Performance Text Award and The Arches Brick Award (Edinburgh Fringe) as well as picking up nominations for a Total Theatre and Brighton Fringe Pick of Edinburgh Award. White Rabbit Red Rabbit had a 9 month Off-Broadway run casting celebrated actors like Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Martin Short, Bobby Cannavale, Wayne Brady, F. Murray Abraham, Cynthia Nixon and etc. Soleimanpour is currently living in Berlin with his beautiful wife and dog and is busy finalising his new play for the audiobook platform Audible, and a new play for Grob Theatre in Denmark. https://www.nassimsoleimanpour.com/home (https://www.nassimsoleimanpour.com/home) Links http://www.thejusticetheaterproject.org/ (The Justice Theater Project) (Enemy of the People) https://www.otheronlywindows.org/ (Other Only Windows) (White Rabbit, Red Rabbit)

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About the Guest David Loud (NYC) occupies a unique place in Broadway history. In addition to his distinguished career as one of Broadway’s most respected music directors and arrangers, he originated three Broadway roles as an actor, including his appearance in the original cast of Stephen Sondheim’s legendary failure (and cult classic) Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Harold Prince. In a career spanning several decades, he served as music director for the original Broadway productions of Ragtime, Curtains, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Visit, The Scottsboro Boys, A Class Act, The Look of Love, and Steel Pier, as well as revivals of She Loves Me, and Company. The extraordinary cast of characters in his life also includes John Kander, Fred Ebb, Angela Lansbury, Chita Rivera, Roger Rees, Marin Mazzie, Scott Ellis, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Garth Drabinsky, and Barbara Cook, among others. Links https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Facing-the-Music/David-Loud/9781682451915 (Facing the Music Publisher Page) https://www.parkinson.org/ (Parkinson's Foundation) Music Credit Opening written and performed by Huck Borden. Instagram @huck_borden. Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

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Cindy Williams' one-woman show, Me, Myself, and Shirley, is touring the country. It will play the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh on April 16. For more information visit https://www.memyselfandshirley.com/ (https://www.memyselfandshirley.com/). About the Guest Born in Van Nuys, California, Cindy became interested in acting during high school. After graduation she attended L.A. City College where she majored in Theatre Arts. After leaving college, she landed her first television roles on Room 222, Nanny and the Professor and Love, American Style. Some guest-starring roles include Law & Order: SVU, 7th Heaven and 8 Simple Rules. Other appearances include starring in an episode of The Odd Couple for CBS, A Dream of Christmas for Hallmark Channel and Sam and Cat for Nickelodeon. Cindy’s stage credits include the national tour of Grease playing Miss Lynch, the national tour of Deathtrap with Elliot Gould, The Female Odd Couple with Joanne Worley, Steel Magnolias as Ouiser Boudreaux and, in 2007, she made her Broadway debut in the role of Mrs. Tottendale in the award-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. She also appeared as Rev. Mother Mary Regina in Nunsense and Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show. Cindy appeared in Menopause: The Musical in Las Vegas for three years, then reprised her role at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. She also co-starred in the premiere of Middletown with Don Most, Didi Conn and Adrien Zmed at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas and at The Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Cindy has enjoyed the privilege of working with extraordinary directors. Her first film was for Roger Corman in GAS-S-S-S with Talia Shire and Ben Vereen. She appeared in Travels with My Aunt with Maggie Smith, directed by George Cukor, and The Conversation with Gene Hackman, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Next, she co-starred with Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford in American Graffiti directed by George Lucas, a low-budget film that went on to become a box office smash and film classic. Among her favorite honors are her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her TV Land award for Fan Favorite as well as winning Best Actress at the L.A. Comedy Film Festival for the Indy film Stealing Roses. Cindy also garnered a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) nomination for best supporting actress in American Graffiti. Unfortunately, she was beat out by Ingrid Bergman. Cindy still wonders how the heck that happened. Cindy’s book Shirley, I Jest!: A Storied Life was released to much critical acclaim and is available in paperback. Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

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The national tour of Oklahoma! runs through April 3 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. About the Guest Patrick Clanton - National Tours: School of Rock, Sister Act. Regional: Flat Rock Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Casa Mañana, North Shore Music Theatre, Ivoryton Playhouse. BFA: Elon University. Thanks to the Oklahoma! team, The Price Group, Jamesha, and Jameson. Links https://www.dpacnc.com/ (DPAC) https://oklahomabroadway.com/ (Oklahoma Tour Page) http://patrickclanton.weebly.com/ (Patrick Clanton's Web Page)

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For more information on Agape Theatre Project's production of Front Porch Society, visit About the Guest Melda is a passionate playwright. Her first play, Front Porch Society, delves into the complex and connected lives of four elderly black women in rural Mississippi Delta on the eve of the 2008 presidential election. What is the significance of our country’s first Black president to women who have lived through Jim Crow, The Civil Rights Act, and the senseless killings of Black boys? The play enjoyed a world premiere at The Ensemble Theatre in Houston, TX (2017), and most recently, a mainstage production at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC (2019). The play is traveling across the country gathering rave reviews. Her second play, Coconut Cake, was accepted into the New Works Reader’s Series at the 2017 National Black Theatre Festival and had a 2017 staged reading during ReadFest in Houston, TX. Her most recent stage play, Thirty, is an explosive look at a generation of Black women trying to make sense of family secrets. Melda was commissioned by The Ensemble Theatre for their 2021-2022 season. Her upcoming short film, Cupcake, chronicles the divide mental illness creates between a mother and her daughter. In addition, Melda is an author of two books and freelance contributor to Black Masks magazine. Her first book, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976562413/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 (My Soul to His Spirit: Soulful Expressions from Black Daughters to Their Fathers) won the 2006 National Fresh Voices Award. It is a diverse and cathartic compilation of non-fiction writings by black women from across the United States. Her debut novel, https://www.amazon.com/Lime-Melda-Beaty/dp/1475090714 (Lime), is hailed as “America’s Next Top Model” meets “Burning Bed.” Both books are available on Amazon.com. For more information visit https://meldacreates.com/ (https://meldacreates.com/). Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

My Soul To His Spirit: Soulful Expressions From Black Daughters To Their Fathers

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Links https://youtu.be/0sHzA-Fn-08 (Ivy Park Rodeo Campaign Video) https://www.ixwindsranch.org/ (Camp Gid-D-Up)

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About the Guest Ken Cerniglia is dramaturg and literary manager for Disney Theatrical Group, where he has developed over fifty shows for professional, amateur, and school productions, including Freaky Friday, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Peter and the Starcatcher, Newsies, High School Musical, Tarzan, and The Little Mermaid. Recent freelance projects include Hadestown (New York Theatre Workshop), Bud, Not Buddy (Kennedy Center), Passion Trilogy (Fisher Ensemble), and Bridges (Berkeley Playhouse). Ken holds a PhD in drama from the University of Washington and is president of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas. Links https://hadestown.com/ (Hadestown Website) https://www.nycgo.com/broadway-week/ (NYC Broadway Week)

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Shereen Ahmed has been recognized as the first woman of color to play Eliza Doolittle in Broadway & West End history. She was recently seen on NBC’s hit show New Amsterdam as Shenaz Shetty, and starred Off-Broadway in the Irish Repertory Theater’s virtual holiday production Meet Me in St. Louis as Esther Smith. Shereen was spotlighted as one of ‘40 Under 40’ accomplished Arab Americans in the United States by the https://www.arabamerica.com/arab-america-foundation-announces-40-under-40-awardees/ (Arab America Foundation), and was invited as a guest speaker for the United Nations 14th Conference of States Parties on ‘Disability, Diversity and Inclusion: The Broadway Masterclass.’ She has studied human rights at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology & Anthropology with a Concentration in Criminal Justice from Towson University. For more information visit https://shereenahmed.com/ (https://shereenahmed.com/). Links https://www.myfairladyontour.com/ (National Tour Site) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

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About the Guest Chryssie Whitehead's career of 20 years started as a Rockette and got her first start in film as a dance double in Save the Last Dance with Julia Stiles. Chryssie then went on to schooling in New York at The American Musical Dramatic Academy (AMDA) where she majored in musical theatre/performing arts. After the Rockettes, Chryssie began her first touring job in the 1st National tour of Fosse, followed by an International tour as one of Paul McCartney’s dancers. Chryssie can be seen in the hit documentary, Every Little Step, where she was featured landing her Broadway Debut in the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line as Kristine, heard also on the cast album in "Sing" with Tony-nominated actor, Tony Yazbeck (On the Town). Chryssie would go on to work in the performing arts in Los Angeles in theatre, television, film and in New York on Broadway as an actress, dancer and singer sharing the stage with stars such as Neal Patrick Harris, Patti Lupone, Stephen Colbert,Mel B and Sir Paul McCartney. Her last role on Broadway was Kitty in CHICAGO where she went on to perform the lead role of Velma as an understudy. One of her favorite New York theatre role's included Kathy in Company opposite Neal Patrick Harris, as Bobby, at Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic Orchestra (Now on DVD in PBS's Great Performances). She is also the co-founder of the Broadway Arts Community. https://chryssiewhitehead.com/ (https://chryssiewhitehead.com/). Links https://www.broadwayartscommunity.com/ (Broadway Arts Community) http://artistsforafricausa.org/ (Artists for Africa)

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About the Guests Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director for the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), the organization that leads the Smart Start network across the state. In this role, she has led a network-wide rebranding effort and created and implemented fund development strategies for the organization. Prior to joining NCPC in 2013, Heather was the Director of Communications for the NC Department of State Treasurer where she oversaw all communications, branding, and marketing strategies for the agency, including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, the State Health Plan, and the Local Government Commission. Heather also served as the Marketing Director for Carolina Ballet, one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. Heather has over 15 years of extensive experience and success in developing organizational strategy and branding, fundraising, and cultivating engagement for nonprofit and public service organizations. She has been involved with RLT since 2005, starting as a volunteer and stepping into the roles of director, teaching artist, and board member over time. Heather has also worked as a director, actor, and dance/fight choreographer. She is a member of ArtEquity’s first cohort of National Board Leaders and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Communications from Flagler College. Patrick Torres is RLT’s Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has been seen at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Round House Theatre, The Source Festival, and the Hangar Theatre among others. In 2003, he was selected as a Drama League Directing Fellow and in 2005 was named a Young Leader of Color by the Theatre Communications Group. He has an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Candis Cox is a Gender and Sexuality educator, lecturer, and advocate for the LGBTQ community in Raleigh NC, where she lives with her husband, and throughout the country. Originally from Syracuse NY, she relocated to Raleigh to attend NC State University where she obtained a BA in Sociology. Originally scheduled to attend Campbell law school, she instead chose to focus on becoming her authentic self, completing her gender transition in 2003. Candis serves on the Board of Directors for EqualityNC, works with HRC (Human Rights Campaign), and works by speaking at events, businesses, schools, and other organizations to educate on Gender and Sexuality. Candis has been featured in a number of http://www.candiscox.com/category/press/ (news specials), has been interviewed by news networks across the globe, and is, to date, the only transgender person to have met with the current http://www.candiscox.com/press/in-meeting-with-north-carolina-gov-mccrory-lgbt-equality-advocates-demand-repeal-of-anti-lgbt-law/ (Governor Pat McCrory) to discuss his anti-LGBT “bathroom bill” H.B.2. Links https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

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About the Guest Dr. Alisa Hurwitz earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Brandeis University, and her Master of Science and Doctor of Psychology degrees in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. Dr. Hurwitz completed her APA accredited internship at Mercy First Home in New York, providing psychological assessments for male adolescents in residential treatment and individual and family therapy for court-referred female adolescents in a group home setting. In addition, Dr. Hurwitz’s training has focused on cognitive-behavioral and family therapy at Schneider Children’s Hospital, as well as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at North Shore Hospital. Dr. Hurwitz joined The Counseling Center of Nashua in the spring of 2010. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Division of Family Psychology, and the Asperger’s Association of New England. Dr. Hurwitz provides cognitive behavioral therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as family therapy. Her clinical areas of interest include diversity and identity, spirituality, trauma, and LGBT+. Her specialty areas include providing individual cognitive behavioral therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults on the autism spectrum, structural family therapy, and providing therapeutic support for transgender individuals who are in/wanting to begin the transition process. For every client, Dr. Hurwitz employs aspects of positive psychology in order to utilize individual strengths in treatment and views the person as a whole being who is more than the sum of his/her problems. Dr. Hurwitz has a passion for musical theater and writes a blog about the intersection of theater and psychology, which you can find at http://www.drdrama.com/ (www.drdrama.com). Resources/Links Mentioned in this Interview https://www.amazon.com/Everybodys-Talking-About-Jamie-Harwood/dp/B09C16134L (Everybody’s Talking About Jaime) https://theprommusical.com/tour/ (The Prom (National Tour)) https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247 (Disclosure (Netflix)) https://jaggedlittlepill.com/resources/ (Jagged Little Pill Action Plan)

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About the Guests Patrick Torres is RLT’s Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has been seen at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Round House Theatre, The Source Festival, and the Hangar Theatre among others. In 2003, he was selected as a Drama League Directing Fellow and in 2005 was named a Young Leader of Color by the Theatre Communications Group. He has an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director for the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), the organization that leads the Smart Start network across the state. In this role, she has led a network-wide rebranding effort, and created and implemented fund development strategies for the organization. Prior to joining NCPC in 2013, Heather was the Director of Communications for the NC Department of State Treasurer where she oversaw all communications, branding and marketing strategies for the agency, including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, the State Health Plan, and the Local Government Commission. Heather also served as the Marketing Director for Carolina Ballet, one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. Heather has over 15 years of extensive experience and success in developing organizational strategy and branding, fundraising, and cultivating engagement for nonprofit and public service organizations. She has been involved with RLT since 2005, starting as a volunteer and stepping into the roles of director, teaching artist, and board member over time. Heather has also worked as a director, actor, and dance/fight choreographer. She is a member of ArtEquity’s first cohort of National Board Leaders and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Communications from Flagler College. Links https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre)

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At 9:26 a.m. on September 11th, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration shut down U.S. airspace forcing 4,000 planes to land immediately. Thirty-eight of those planes containing 7,000 passengers landed in Gander, Newfoundland, a small town with a population (at the time) of about 9,000. The events that happened in Gander in the days following 9/11 inspired the musical COME FROM AWAY. The characters in that show are based on interviews with real people, including the character Kevin T. Kevin Tuerff was on the second plane to land in Gander on 9/11. He was traveling with his partner (also named Kevin) from Paris to the United States when their Air France flight was diverted to Newfoundland. Much of his video footage was used in the documentary "You Are Here." He wrote "Channel of Peace" in response to audience interest and desire to learn more about the kindness of people in Gander, Newfoundland. About the Guest Kevin Tuerff is a social entrepreneur, author, and speaker with 25 years of experience in marketing communications. He has co-founded a college radio station, America Recycles Day, an international kindness initiative, and a certified B Corporation environmental marketing company. He is passionate about finding solutions for global climate change, immigrants and refugees. After spending most of his life in Austin, Texas, he moved to New York City. He is also an Ambassador for the Charter of Compassion. For more information visit https://www.channelofpeacebook.com/ (https://www.channelofpeacebook.com/). To watch my follow-up interview (post-pandemic) with Kevin T. https://beltlinetobroadway.org/2020/04/01/live-chat-come-from-aways-kevin-tuerff-reflects-on-the-similarities-between-covid-19-and-9-11/ (click here). Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Resources: https://actorsequity.org/resources/diversity/ (Actors Equity Diversity and Inclusion Retrofit) Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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About the Guest Robert J. Sherman is a London-based songwriter, bookwriter and producer. Musicals include: Love Birds and Bumblescratch. A Spoonful of Sherman is a musical revue created by Robert J. Sherman, celebrating a century of Sherman family songwriting. A Spoonful of Sherman enjoyed its UK/Ireland tour in 2018 traveling to 25 cities across the British Isles. Born in Los Angeles in 1968 to Joyce and Robert B. Sherman, Robbie is the youngest of four siblings. Stemming from a long line of songwriters and composers, at 16, Robbie became one of the youngest songwriters ever invited to join BMI and is an alumnus of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. At 18 he wrote songs for the musical A Christmas Held Captive (Beverly Hills Playhouse). Subsequently, Robbie has written songs and/or scripts for various film, stage and TV productions. Projects include: The Adventures of Amazon Jack (Columbia Tristar), The Magic 7 (Pulse Entertainment), The Penguin Pirate and Inkas the Ramferinkas (an animated musical film). He oversaw and served as editor of Moose: Chapters From My Life, his father, Robert B. Sherman’s posthumously released autobiography. He also provided the voice and composed the music for the Moose audiobook. Robbie is the CEO/President of Music World LLC and MusicWorld UK. He is also the general manager of Music World LP which oversees the Robert B. Sherman family estate and archives and includes one-half of the Sherman Brothers and Al Sherman estates. Sherman resides in London England. For additional information visit http://www.shermantheatrical.com/ (Sherman Theatrical Entertainment) or follow https://www.instagram.com/shermantheatrical/ (@shermantheatrical). Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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About the Guest Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj is a Milwaukee-based, multi-disciplinary, American Theater Artist and Advocate. Mr. Maharaj was hailed in The New York Times for his award-winning play Little Rock, was selected as a New York Times Critics Pick. He is currently the Associate Artistic Producer of Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Mr. Maharaj’s playwrighting residencies include the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, New Orleans Writer’s Residency, Alliance Theater, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Crossroads Theater, Amas Musical Theater, Triskelion Arts, the 2020 Resident Playwright of the Letter of Marque Theatre, is a member of Theater Now’s 2021 Virtual Musical Theater Writer’s Group, a 2021 Season Finalist in The Downtown Urban Arts Festival in New York City, the inaugural playwright for the Theatre Raleigh New Works Reading Series, and a finalist for the 2021 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Mr. Maharaj has been honored with many awards for his body of work in the American Theater including the prestigious Woodie King Jr. Award, four Vivian Robinson AUDELCO Awards, Barrymore Award, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Theatrical Moment of the Year, The New York International Fringe Festival Overall Excellence Award, Theater Communications Group Directors Grant and Playwriting Grant, Recipient of the 2020 National Alliance for Musical Theater Fifteen-Minute Musical Theater Challenge Award, he was a semi-finalist for the 2021 Blue Ink Playwriting Award Competition presented by American Blues Theater. He has been featured in numerous articles and interviews in notable industry publications such as The American Theater Magazine, The New York Times, The Yale School of Drama / Repertory Theater Review, The Dramatist, The Uptown Magazine, Playbill, Broadway World, The Daily News, The New York Post, The New York Beacon, The Philadelphia Sun, Time-Out New York, Harlem News, Amsterdam News, and The Stage Directors and Choreographers Journal for his work as a theater practitioner and leader. As a storyteller, Mr. Maharaj has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and at many of our nation’s top Regional Theaters including the Bernard B. Jacobs, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, The Public, Second Stage Theatre, Soho Playhouse, Classical Theater of Harlem, New Federal Theater, New World Stages, Nuyorican Poets Café, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Lark Play Development Center, Theatre Row, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Portland Stage, Actors Theater of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare, Signature Theater, Theater Works, Goodman Theater, The Kennedy Center, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Perseverance, and New Freedom Theater. After his graduate studies at Brooklyn College, Mr. Maharaj was awarded a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from Brooklyn College. Mr. Maharaj is a proud alumnus of the Actors Studio Playwrights and Directors Unit, Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab, and Theater Communication Group’s Rising Leaders of Color in the American Theater. He has served as the Artistic Director of New Freedom Theater in Philadelphia as well as the Artistic Director of Rebel Theater. Mr. Maharaj founded the Voices at the River, an African and Latino American Playwrights New Works Festival hosted at Arkansas Repertory Theater. Mr. Maharaj is represented by Michael Moore of Michael Moore Agency Literary and Creatives. Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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About the Guest A true Broadway presence, Antoine L. Smith made his Broadway debut in Memphis. has also been featured in the Broadway casts of The Color Purple, Cinderella, Miss Saigon, and Carousel. Later this year, he can be seen in MJ the Musical! Follow him on Instagram @antoinelsmith32. Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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About the Guest Aaron Harrington is a native of Durham, North Carolina. Theater credits include Audrey II/Voice of the Plant; Off Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors, Tom Collins; RENT 20th Anniversary Natl Tour, Robert King; Johnny & The Devils Box (Workshop), A Christmas Carol and Assassins (Theatre in the Park) and Rent (NRACT). For more information about Little Shop of Horrors, visit https://www.littleshopnyc.com/ (https://www.littleshopnyc.com/). Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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About the Guests Mike Wiley - Acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley has spent the last decade fulfilling his mission to bring educational theatre to young audiences and communities across the country. Through his performances, Wiley has introduced countless students and communities to the legacies of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown, and more. His recent works include a one-man play based on Tim Tyson’s memoir ‘Blood Done Sign My Name’ and ‘The Parchman Hour,’ an ensemble production celebrating the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders who risked their lives to desegregate Southern interstate bus travel in 1961. Wiley has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the 2010 and 2014 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to his numerous school and community performances, he has also appeared on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, and National Geographic Channel and has been featured in Our State magazine, PBS’ ‘North Carolina Now,’ and WUNC’s ‘The State of Things.’ For more information visit: http://mikewileyproductions.com/ (http://mikewileyproductions.com/.) Howard L. Craft is the author of two books of poems: Across The Blue Chasm (Big Drum Press 2000) and Raising the Sky (Jacar Press 2016). His poetry also appears in Home is Where: An Anthology of African-American Poets from the Carolinas, edited by Kwame Dawes. His essays have appeared in The Paris Review and have been included in The Routledge Companion to African American Theatre (Routledge Press 2019). He is the author of several plays including, FREIGHT: THE FIVE INCARNATIONS OF ABLE GREEN, a New York Times Critic Pick for March 2015; CALYPSO AND THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS, ORANGE LIGHT, and THE JADE CITY CHRONICLES VOLUME I: THE SUPER SPECTACULAR BADASS HERALD M. F. JONES. He is the creator of the first African-American superhero radio serial: The Jade City Pharaoh. THE FIRE OF FREEDOM will open at Theatre Raleigh on June 18th. For ticket information visit: https://theatreraleigh.com/ (https://theatreraleigh.com/). Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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Be sure to vote for Beltline to Broadway in Indy Week's Best of the Triangle Reader's Poll (Best Facebook Page). https://indyweek.com/indy-weeks-best-of-the-triangle/best-of-the-triangle-2021/ (Click this link to vote for all your favorite businesses and organizations.) Episodes Mentioned in this Podcast https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-1-burning-coals-artistic-director-jerome-davis-on-ashe-in-johannesburg-and-theater-as-a-vehicle-for-social-change/ (Episode 1: Jerome Davis) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-9-theater-criticism-with-theater-critic-roy-dicks/ (Episode 9: Roy Dicks) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-24-talking-about-theater-for-young-audiences-with-noah-putterman/ (Episode 24: Theater for Young Audiences) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-52-sensory-friendly-performances-and-a-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time/ (Episode 52: Michael Larson) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-16-disability-inclusion-and-representation-onstage-with-eric-woodall-betsy-ludwig-doug-kapp-and-djgeoyio/ (Episode 16: Eric Woodall) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-63-can-the-gig-economy-survive-a-pandemic/ (Episode 63: Heather Strickland) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/podcast/ep-4-a-life-in-the-theater-with-theatre-in-the-parks-ira-david-wood-iii-and-ira-david-wood-iv/ (Episode 4: Ira David Wood III (Life in the Theater)) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/2020/03/29/live-chat-virtual-talk-back-with-emmy-award-winner-antoine-l-smith/ (Live Chat with Antoine L. Smith)

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About the Guest Andre Jordan is making his Broadway debut in DIANA. National Tours: SHREK THE MUSICAL (Donkey), LEGALLY BLONDE (Carlos), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Zebulon). Regional: WORKING, MAMMA MIA, and AIDA. Web Series: THE QUEENS PROJECT (YouTube). Twitter: @cinnabonzjordan. Instagram: @manchair5. Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode https://dctheatrescene.com/2020/07/23/when-will-dc-audiences-return-what-changes-do-they-support-shugoll-research-revisits-its-audience-survey/ (Shugoll Research Audience Survey (DC)) https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-05-15/broadyway-body-theater-fatphobia (LA Times Article (Fatphobia and Sizeism)) https://thedianamusical.com/ (Diana, the Musical)

DIANA will premiere on Netflix on October 1st and open on Broadway in November 2021. Be sure to vote for Beltline to Broadway in Indy Week's Best of the Triangle Reader's Poll (Best Facebook Page). https://indyweek.com/indy-weeks-best-of-the-triangle/best-of-the-triangle-2021/ (Click this link to vote for all your favorite businesses and organizations.) Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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It was just a few weeks ago that I had the chance to walk into the Duke Energy Center for the first time in 14 months. I wasn’t there for a show, but I was there to chat with its Director Kerry Painter and take a tour. Just this month, the complex opened its doors to patrons with in-person symphony and pine cone music performances starting up again for the first time in just over a year. And while patrons returning to the venue will experience the same caliber of great performances they have come to expect from the building’s resident companies and guest artists, there have been some notable changes to all of the facilities that are just a sign of the times. Even since Painter and I spoke, the governor has issued new guidelines, which not only removes the mask mandate but also allows facilities to open at 100-percent capacity. While the Duke Energy Center continues to strongly encourage the use of face masks, certain events may still require them along with a wellness screening upon entry. And some events may still operate at a reduced capacity to accommodate pod seating. In those cases, ticket purchasers will be notified in advance and that information will be notated on the Duke Energy Center website. For additional information visit: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/ (https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/). Be sure to vote for Beltline to Broadway in Indy Week's Best of the Triangle Reader's Poll (Best Facebook Page). https://indyweek.com/indy-weeks-best-of-the-triangle/best-of-the-triangle-2021/ (Click this link to vote for all your favorite businesses and organizations.) Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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In honor of GODSPELL's 50th anniversary, Lauren Van Hemert interviews original cast members from the musical's first production at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Hear stories from all those who are alive today: Peggy Gordon, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Sonia Manzano, Gilmer McCormick, and Stephen Nathan. Also joining them will be the original music director Stephen Reinhardt. Links: https://caroldegiere.com/the-godspell-experience/ (The Godspell Experience (Carol de Giere)) https://www.youtube.com/user/larkluster (Peggy Gordon's YouTube Channel) https://youtu.be/R48pnaTk70A (Beltline to Broadway's Live Chat with the Original off-Broadway Cast)

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About the Guest Robert Kaplowitz has spent the last twenty-five years designing sound and composing music for theater, and has been honored with an Obie for Sustained Excellence in Sound Design and a Tony for Fela! His musical Minors premiered at the Lantern Theater in Philadelphia; he also creates installation art, runs Nine Hostage Arts in Philly, teaches at Princeton, is an ambassador for the Prague Quadrennial, and loves his family more than anything else. Links https://www.cfrt.org/ (Cape Fear Regional Theatre) https://ninehostagearts.com/rob/ (Rob Kaplowitz Sound Sampler)

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For many of us, it is difficult to comprehend the overwhelming enormity of the Holocaust and the 6-million Jews who were murdered by the Nazi regime during WWII. The historical trauma that impacted generations of displaced people and their families following the Holocaust, is the subject of the film WHERE CAN I GO? executive produced by Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services in partnership with The Justice Theater Project. The film is the culmination of a year-long program, Kesher, which utilized creative arts therapy to improve mental health and reduce the social isolation of five Holocaust survivors living in North Carolina and sheltered in place during the pandemic. Collectively, they teach us the importance of connecting, understanding, and remembering. About the Guests Tobi Dicker was born in a displaced person camp in Furth, Bavaria, Germany on May 3 1947, to two survivors of the Holocaust awaiting quota from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) to send them to Israel. Unfortunately, Tobi became ill and needed hospitalization which caused them to miss their quota. After 15 months of recovery and waiting they received new orders to go to the United States, where they arrived in May of 1950. Tobi grew up in New York and moved to North Carolina in 1994. North Carolina is Tobi’s home, her love. She always strives to remind people of the atrocities of the world. The Kesher program is a wonderful vehicle for which she feels a lot of gratitude. Tobi hopes by viewing this film you will keep in the forefront of your mind we can never be complacent or believe catastrophes can never happen again in the form of discrimination, anti-Semitism, and other forms of hatred. Marianna Miller was born in Presov, Czechoslovakia on August 8, 1925. She was brought to England at the start of the war to keep her safe. Both her parents were killed by the end in Banksa Bystirica where there is now a memorial for those who were murdered. Marianna came to the United States in 1954 and had a successful career as a social worker working with families. Marianna moved to North Carolina a few years ago to be closer to her daughter. She enjoys the climate and beautiful landscape as well as the people and their new perspectives. She hopes by viewing this film people will understand her experience and connect it to how we treat refugees and children. She wants people to understand what can happen if we are less than decent to each other. Harry Rubinstein was born on December 19, 1930, in Cologne, Germany. His family was split up by Nazi immigration rules just before the war. In September 1939, with the help of a special U.S. visa, he gained passage to America with his family. After a successful career as Dean of Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, he moved with his wife to North Carolina and spend retirement closer to their children. Living in North Carolina has allowed them to be part of a vibrant Jewish community and participate in the lives of their children. Harry is a member of the JFS Kesher group and he wants people to see this film to understand the impact of national socialism and Nazism on European Jewish life. Judy Stevens was born in Gyöngyös, Hungary on June 22, 1946. Before her birth, her mother was in Auschwitz and her father in a labor command in Siberia. Most family members did not survive the war. In fear of another wave of anti-Semitic persecution during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, Judy and her parents escaped the country as refugees to Vienna, England, and then finally to Canada. Judy came to the United States in 1988 and moved to North Carolina in 2017. Living in North Carolina allows Judy to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She is an active member of her synagogue and within the Wake County Jewish community. Until the pandemic, she participated as an active volunteer in the community teaching students who were learning English as a second language. The Kesher program inspired Judy to...

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Back in December, Congress passed a $2.3 trillion spending bill that included more than $900 billion in pandemic relief. This was known as Save Our Stages and those monies were to be distributed by the Small Business Association. But no sooner did the SBA portal open on April 8, it shut down, leaving venues frustrated and confused, to say the least. The situation seems ever-changing and fluid and to help us make sense of where we go from here, I spoke to Arts North Carolina’s Executive Director Nate McGaha. About the Guest Nate McGaha has served as the Executive Director of Arts North Carolina, the statewide advocacy organization for the arts, since 2017 where he works for public funding and policy for the arts and arts education. He helped to create the Joint Caucus on Arts and Arts Education at the NC General Assembly, shepherded the NC Arts High School Graduation Requirement into law, and has led several statewide initiatives for relief, reopening, and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his work in advocacy, Nate was the Executive Director of Carolina Ballet in Raleigh for five years with Artistic Director Robert Weiss. Before coming to the Raleigh area he was the Director of Operations at Charlotte Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride for seven years after serving as that company’s Resident Lighting Designer since 1996. Nate was also the Production Manager and Lighting Designer for the Chautauqua Ballet Company in the summer months from 1997 through 2009 and toured internationally with Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson’s Complexions Dance Company. He is a graduate of UNC School of the Arts where he received a BFA in Design and Production with a concentration in Lighting Design. Resources / Links https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant (Small Business Association) https://artsnc.org/ (Arts North Carolina (Arts NC)) https://www.nivassoc.org/ (NIVA) https://sbtdc.org/erfc/ (SBTDC) https://www.americansforthearts.org/ (Americans for the Arts)

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About the Guest Thao Nguyen is an Actor/Singer who is comfortable on both the operatic and musical theatre stage. Nguyen is acclaimed by critics for his "velvety baritone and his ease and grace on stage." Most recently: Off-Broadway, The English world premiere of Tropical Angels with Musical Theatre Factory and the Taipei Cultural Center in Taiwan. As a champion of new music in the classical world, Nguyen was delighted to be a part of the evolution of opera in this first-of-its-kind "Zoom Opera” Fortune's Children by David Wolfson with Hartford Opera Theater. He is likewise thrilled to be invited back to rejoin the cast in its sequel, Changing Fortunes, which is now streaming on BroadwayOnDemand. Noted musical theatre roles include Bobby (COMPANY), Thuy (MISS SAIGON), and Donkey in the multi-Broadway World Award-winning production of SHREK. As an in-demand vocalist, Nguyen can frequently be seen on stage as a soloist in symphony concerts and as a guest artist in pop concerts. Also active in Film and TV, Nguyen can be seen in the indie short Just a Body, Unmasked and the upcoming 2022 feature film NEMESIS ETERNA, directed by award winning director Stephen Van Vuuren. Nguyen is represented by The Brock Agency for Film/TV/Commercial. A graduate of UNC School of the Arts, Nguyen is currently based in Winston Salem, NC where he maintains a private voice studio. You can follow Thao on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @thetaoofThao andhttp://www.thaotnguyen.com/ ( www.thaotnguyen.com) for further information. Links/Resources (Mentioned in this Episode) https://beltlinetobroadway.org/category/torn/ (TORN: Theater on Racist Negativity) http://ma-yitheatre.org/ (Ma-Yi Theater Company) http://www.aapacnyc.org/#:~:text=The%20mission%20of%20AAPAC%20(ASIAN,on%20New%20York%20City's%20stages. (Asian American Performers Action Coalition)

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Beltline to Broadway is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of RDU on Stage must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/rdu-on-stage/campaigns/3999 (Make an Online Donation to Beltline to Broadway now.)

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About the Guest Ashlee Latimer is a producer and writer based in New York City. Co-producing projects include: The Inheritance (Broadway), Once On This Island (Tony Award), The Jungle (West End), and Be More Chill (Broadway, Off-Broadway). In addition to her work with Hunter Arnold's production company, TBD, Ashlee has assisted artists such as Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) and Tim Federle (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series); worked with major NYC theatre companies in various capacities, including Roundabout Theatre Company, Disney Theatrical Group, and Broadway Across America; and most recently was the Brand Strategist for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Through her work with UpLift (Hunter Arnold’s underrepresented producer initiative), as a co-producer on the Broadway revival of Once On This Island, in 2018 Ashlee became the first openly genderfluid person to win a Tony Award. To connect with Ashlee and find out about her upcoming writing projects, visit her https://www.patreon.com/AshleeLatimer (Patreon Page). Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobroadway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.beltlinetobroadway.com)

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When Mike Anthony moved to New York City to become an actor, he’d imagined being under the bright lights of Broadway, living a life full of fame and fortune. Instead, he took a job not on stage for a Broadway show, but behind its bar, and found a life full of meaning. Hear what Anthony has to say about his experiences at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York and just how transformative theater can be. To purchase a copy of Anthony's book, https://amzn.to/2Q7Rd2R (click here). Be sure to subscribe to this podcast, https://www.patreon.com/beltlinetobroadway (become a patron), or visit us online at www.beltlinetobroadway.org.

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Carlita Victoria was last seen on stage in the North Carolina Theatre production of Kinky Boots just over a year ago. She is a singer and dancer who has performed all over the world. But behind her captivating smile and infectious laugh, she has struggled like so many with us with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. And that is why she founded Darkness Rising, which helps Black performers begin conversations with family, coworkers, and friends about mental health and emotional well-being. About the Guest https://www.carlitavictoria.com/ (Carlita Victoria) is a Raleigh, North Carolina native, she attended The University of NC at Greensboro (BFA Dance Performance & Choreography, K-12 Dance Education). A committed mental health advocate, Carlita founded https://www.darknessrisingproject.org/ (Darkness Rising) Nonprofit for Black mental health to create a safe space and mental health resources for the Black community. Carlita has performed nationally and internationally with Chuck Davis & The African American Dance Ensemble, Madagascar Live: China, Circus Conelli Switzerland, The Glee Project Promo featuring Darren Criss, Off-Broadway with Broad Comedy, as well various regional shows. Carlita’s heart is always with North Carolina Theatre, where she’s performed in Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray, In The Heights, and Kinky Boots! Carlita is an active performer, certified personal fitness instructor, and mental health advocate. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Earlier this year it was announced that in addition to his busy schedule running a successful business, as well as renovating a historic home, that North Carolina native Robert Hartwell would also be taking on a key role with North Carolina Theatre. Hear what he has to say about coming home, reframing history, and finding his calling. About the Guest Robert Hartwell is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Broadway Collective where he is training the next generation of Broadway. As the only African American CEO in the professional musical theatre education space in NYC, his passion lies in making Broadway stages more diverse and inclusive starting at the educational level. Robert holds a high school diploma from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts: School of Drama and a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan where he graduated with summa cum laude honors and the Willis Patterson Diversity Award. He has performed in five Broadway shows and two national tours: Dreamgirls, Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Cinderella, Motown, and Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler. He has performed on the Tony Awards three times and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade twice. Regionally he has performed at The Muny, Sacramento Music Circus, Hangar Theatre, Music Theatre Wichita, and the Fulton Opera House. As a Director/Choreographer his work has been seen at Lincoln Center, Music Theatre Wichita, North Carolina Theatre, Naples Performing Arts Center, and The University of Michigan. He is the creator of Broadway Quick Change, Hello Broadway - Broadway’s Online Academy, Gathered NYC, Prescreen Prep, and Hello Broadway Live. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and the Tony Award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices. He recently served as the Assistant Director on the National Tour of the Tony Award-winning revival of Once On This Island. He is featured in Pharrell and Jay-Z's latest hit single - Entrepreneur. Links https://nctheatre.com/ (North Carolina Theatre) https://bwaycollective.com/ (Broadway Collective) https://blackmanwhitehouse.co/ (Black Man White House)

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RDU on Stage is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of RDU on Stage must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/rdu-on-stage/general_support (Make an Online Donation to RDU on Stage now.)

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About the Guest Brian Westbrook was born and raised in Henderson, NC. He studied piano, voice, theatre, and dance at Appalachian State University. From 2000 – 2009 Brian worked and performed with Shadowbox Live in Ohio. Since returning to North Carolina he has directed and performed with many theaters in the area including Henderson Rec Players, Raleigh Little Theatre, North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, and Theatre in the Park. Westbrook lives in Durham. Resources http://www.delanceystreetfoundation.org/ (The Delancey Street Foundation) https://healing-transitions.org/ (Healing Transitions) https://www.llfnc.org/ (Lavare Leith Foundation) http://www.oxfordhousenc.org/ (Oxford House of North Carolina) http://www.aanc32.org/ (North Carolina Alcoholics Anonymous) https://www.fellowshiphall.com/ (Fellowship Hall) https://www.trosainc.org/ (TROSA) https://www.samhsa.gov/ (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) https://www.aa.org/ (Alcoholics Anonymous) https://al-anon.org/ (Al-Anon)

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Want to color? Join us for our next virtual community coloring night, which is February 10th. The event is free but registration is required. For more information visit our https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-hamiltines-coloring-night-tickets-139009534259 (event page). About the Guest Andrea Koehler is known by many names – That Coloring Lady, the Asker of Hard Questions, the Singer of Show Tunes – but, by far, her favorite is the Creator of Transformational Spaces. She is on a mission to create a world where everyone knows how powerful they are and, to that end, she lives to create spaces for self-awareness and transformation. As the founder ofhttp://www.thecoloringproject.com/ ( The Coloring Project) andhttps://www.facebook.com/coloringbroadway/ ( Coloring Broadway), she opens the backdoor to self-discovery using coloring as a tool for mindfulness, helping people quiet their inner critic so that they can access their inner “artist”, and sharing show tunes as a way to express our emotions when words fail. As a leadership coach and trainer, she will be kind and understanding, she will listen and reflect, AND she will ask you those “pointy” questions that make you want to flip her off but also make you think, ponder and step into your own power. She’s hilarious and witty – at least in her own head – and when not coloring, you can find her at the theater watching a musical or on the Salsa floor dancing her feet off! Connect with Us Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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About the Guests Jeff. A. R. Jones has served as Resident Designer for Carolina Ballet for 17 years where he designed sets and/or costumes for many of the company's original works beginning with the company’s first new work, Dancers in a Gypsy Style, and continuing with such shows as Messiah, The Kreutzer Sonata, Carmen, Cabaret and Des Images. He created the scenery for Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Firebird, Tempest Fantasy, Dracula and The Little Mermaid among many others. He has designed throughout the southeast at theatres including Playhouse on the Square, Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo Conservatory Theatre, and TheatreWorks. As a Fight Director, he has staged fights for ballet, dance, theatre, opera, film, and television over the past 20 years. He has taught classes at Florida State, Asolo Conservatory, Duke University, and is currently faculty at Elon University and William Peace University. He holds the titles of Fight Director, Certified Teacher, and Instructor of Theatrical Firearms with the Society of American Fight Directors. Mr. Jones has a Bachelor’s degree from William & Mary and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director for the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), the organization that leads the Smart Start network across the state. In this role, she has led a network-wide rebranding effort and created and implemented fund development strategies for the organization. Prior to joining NCPC in 2013, Heather was the Director of Communications for the NC Department of State Treasurer where she oversaw all communications, branding, and marketing strategies for the agency, including the North Carolina Retirement Systems, the State Health Plan, and the Local Government Commission. Heather also served as the Marketing Director for Carolina Ballet, one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state. Heather has over 15 years of extensive experience and success in developing organizational strategy and branding, fundraising, and cultivating engagement for nonprofit and public service organizations. She has been involved with RLT since 2005, starting as a volunteer and stepping into the roles of director, teaching artist, and board member over time. Strickland has also worked as a director, actor, and dance/fight choreographer. She is a member of ArtEquity’s first cohort of National Board Leaders and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Communications from Flagler College. Tara Nicole Williams is an actor, educator, and combat artist raised, right here, in Raleigh, NC. She has trained with the https://safd.org/ (Society of American Fight Directors) for the last 10 years, specializing in German Longsword and high fantasy choreography. She has also facilitated the introduction of intimacy choreography to the Triangle community; organizing workshops and special events. Currently, she is pursuing her Intimacy Director status with https://www.teamidi.org/theatre (Intimacy Directors International). Along with her own training, she manages the https://www.facebook.com/stagecombatacademync/ (Stage Combat Academy of North Carolina), assisting Fight Director Jeff A.R. Jones. Tara also teaches stage combat, acting, and movement with universities, schools, and organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. Her work focuses on empowering actors to own their unique physicality – using movement to tell intricate stories. Most recently she has appeared on stage in Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, for which she won a Cantey Award as Suzette. Tara is currently in Honest Pint Theatre’s production of THE METROMANIACS as Lucille. Her previous fight/intimacy choreography credits include: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE (Honest Pint...

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On December 27th, President Trump signed H.R. 133 (Save Our Stages) into law, which provides billions of dollars of relief to arts venues, organizations, museums, and cinemas. There is significant relief for the arts contained in the bill including an extension of Federal Pandemic Unemployment programs (with an additional $300 to all weekly benefits), $284 billion for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans (allowing many apply for a second loan), and $15 billion in relief grants for entities and individuals operating live performance venues, performing arts organizations, museums, independent movie theaters, and talent agencies plus an increase of $5.2 million each in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities ($167.5 million each in FY2021). Last week, the Small Business Association (SBA) issued some clarification on Save Our Stages. First, the actual name of what we know as Save Our Stages is the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant or (SVOG). The Small Business Association also released a new priority structure for SVOG. Now applicants with more than 50 employees will not receive grants for the first 60 days. Since there are still some unanswered questions about the SVOG rollout, I would suggest you bookmark the Small Business Association website. This March, Arts North Carolina is hosting its first online arts day conference, which will connect the community, arts advocates, and lawmakers. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the nuts and bolts of arts advocacy in our state. Resources https://artsnc.org/ (Arts North Carolina) https://www.americansforthearts.org/membership?gclid=CjwKCAiA_9r_BRBZEiwAHZ_v1_jpixAtrUZcCjIWm8ohmzp9lwExKyFls1rI0-GZ8Y3ej4GLLTk22xoCNZoQAvD_BwE (Americans for the Arts) https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant (SBA Information for Shuttered Venue Operators) (SVOG) https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program (PPP Loans)

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About the Guest Ed Asner has been an enduring presence in television, film and stage for 60 years. Developing his craft in Chicago and New York, Ed established himself as a solid and versatile performer, regularly featured in roles on the big screen and in such landmark television series as “The Outer Limits”, “Gunsmoke”, “The Wild Wild West”, “Ironside”, and “Mission Impossible”, totaling more than 100 television credits. In the ’70s, his role as Lou Grant in the long-running hit sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” catapulted him to stardom. He then cemented himself as an “actor’s actor”, perpetuating his character in the dramatic series “Lou Grant”. Asner is the only actor to have won an Emmy for the same role in both a comedy and a drama (five total as Lou Grant). He went on to win two more Emmy Awards for complex roles in the mega-hit miniseries “Roots” and “Rich Man, Poor Man”. In addition to his celebrated work in television, he turned in unforgettable performances in films such as “JFK”, “Elf”, and “Pacific Edge”. He returned to Broadway in “Grace”, and toured the country with his one-man show “FDR”, portraying President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He also served two terms as President of the Screen Actors Guild, protecting the rights of professional working actors. For more information visit: http://www.amanandhisprostate.com/ (http://www.amanandhisprostate.com/) https://www.templeshows.com/ (https://www.templeshows.com/) https://edasnerfamilycenter.org/ (https://edasnerfamilycenter.org/)

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About the Guest Riley Hough is an actor from Raleigh, North Carolina who has been chasing his career professionally since age 10. His recent credits include roles in Vice Principals, The Resident, and Yes God Yes, and completed a BFA Acting track at UNCG. He also spent a summer training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. For more information visit www.rileyhough.com. Connect with Us Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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About the Guest Luca Molinari started London Theatre Review in 2018 with the idea of sharing reviews, news and interviews. For more information visit https://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk/ (https://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk/). Resources https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ (The National Theatre) https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/ (Nimax Theatres)

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Prageeta Sharma and Kate R. Morris' play ON THE ROOF, IN THE TOMBS is available to view virtually through September 30th. For more information visit https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-on-the-roof-in-the-tombs/ (https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-on-the-roof-in-the-tombs/). About the Guests Kate R. Morris is a playwright currently at large between Montana and Mexico. Her plays and performances have been hosted at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago’s RhinoFest, the Mid-America Theatre Conference, the Old Marquer Theater in New Orleans and with BetweenTheLines Theatre in Missoula, MT. Her writing can be read in Funny Looking Dog Quarterly, Present Tense Pamphlets (Northwestern University Press) and at Infinity’s Kitchen, among others. Prageeta Sharma is the author of the poetry collections https://wavepoetry.com/products/grief-sequence (Grief Sequence) (Wave Books, 2019), Undergloom (Fence Books, 2013), Infamous Landscapes (Fence Books, 2007), The Opening Question (Fence Books, 2004), which won the 2004 Fence Modern Poets Prize, and Bliss to Fill (Subpress, 2000). She is the founder of the conference Thinking Its Presence: Race, Creative Writing, Literary Studies and Art. A recipient of the 2010 Howard Foundation Award, she has taught at the University of Montana and now teaches at Pomona College. Hear what the other 19th Amendment Project playwrights have to say to RDU on Stage about this collective of plays. https://rduonstage.com/events/the-19th-amendment-project/ (Ep. 72: Hannah Benitez and Tamara Kissane) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/18/ep-73-carrie-knowles/ (Ep. 73: Carrie Knowles) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/19/ep-74-a-conversation-with-playwright-elaine-romero/ (Ep. 74: Elaine Romero) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/23/ep-75-a-conversation-with-inalienable-rights-playwright-deb-margolin/ (Ep. 75: Deb Margolin) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/24/ep-76-behold-colored-and-woman-inconceivable-a-conversation-with-mj-perrin/ (Ep. 76: MJ Perrin) https://rduonstage.com/2020/09/01/ep-77-light-upon-a-candlestick-a-conversation-with-ruth-margraff-and-kamala-sankaram/ (Ep. 77: Ruth Margraff and Kamala Sankaram) https://rduonstage.com/2020/09/07/ep-78-jennifer-natalya-fink-talks-bitter-flower/ (Ep. 78: Jennifer Natalya Fink) Ep. 80: Ariel Zetina

NOTE: RDU on Stage producer, editor, and host Lauren Van Hemert has been nominated for Best Podcaster, Social Influencer, and Woman of the Year in WRAL Voters' Choice Awards. To nominate RDU on Stage or your favorite businesses and non-profits, visit: https://www.wral.com/voters-choice-awards/17382552/ (https://www.wral.com/voters-choice-awards/17382552/). Thank you for your support! Connect with Us Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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About the Guest Ariel Zetina is a Chicago based artist, focusing in music, deejaying, and writing. Plays include Pink Milk, Mechanisms of Fidelity, and British Honduras Fantasy [honorable mention on Kilroy List 2016 and Steppenwolf’s Mix list 2018]. She released her fourth EP “MUA’s at the End of the World” on the label Femme Culture in 2020, is a resident DJ at the legendary Chicago club Smartbar, and is thrilled to be working with Burning Coal Theatre. GERRYMANDERIA is available to view virtually through the end of September. For more information visit: https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-gerrymanderia/ (https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-gerrymanderia/). Zetina's EP "MUAS at the End of the World" is available to stream now on Amazon Music, Apple Music, or Spotify. For more information visit: https://ffm.to/ariel-zetina-ep (https://ffm.to/ariel-zetina-ep). NOTE: RDU on Stage producer, editor, and host Lauren Van Hemert has been nominated for Best Podcaster, Social Influencer, and Woman of the Year in WRAL Voters' Choice Awards. To nominate RDU on Stage or your favorite businesses and non-profits, visit: https://www.wral.com/voters-choice-awards/17382552/ (https://www.wral.com/voters-choice-awards/17382552/). Thank you for your support! Connect with Us Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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In 2017, Adrienne Earle Pender’s play “N” premiered at Theatre in the Park. Inspired by the true story of her distant cousin, Charles S. Gilpin, and his relationship with Eugene O’Neill, the play chronicles the relationship with two men who, according to Pender, were “brilliant, temperamental, opinionated, and alcoholics.” Pender’s play inspired a movie, The Black Emperor of Broadway, which premieres this week on video on demand. Ian Bowater wrote the screenplay and appears in the film. Hear what Pender and Bowater have to say about reclaiming history and the significance of sharing Gilpin’s story now. "The Black Emperor of Broadway" will be available to view on video on demand September 15th. For more information visit: https://www.theblackemperor.com/ (https://www.theblackemperor.com/). About the Guests Adrienne Earle Pender began her writing career in 2001. Her first play, The Rocker, was a finalist in the Dayton Playhouse Future Fest 2002 Festival of New Works in Dayton, Ohio. The Rocker made its world premier in February 2004 at Theater in the Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her play, Stone Face was a selection in the Reader's Theater at the 2003 National Black Theater Festival, and was an alternate selection for the 2004 Edward Albee 12th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska. Her short play, The Murder of Love was selected for the Short Play Lab at the same conference. Additionally, Banana Split Lady made its debut at the 1st Annual Great Plains Theatre Conference in Nebraska. Her play, Somewhere In Between, had a staged reading at the Drama Book Shop in New York in 2010; a staged reading at Wordsmyth Theater in Houston, TX in May, 2014; and Somewhere In Between received a full production from Theater in the Park in Raleigh in September 2014. Her most recent play, "N," about African-American actor Charles S. Gilpin, was a finalist in the Dayton Playhouse 2016 Future Fest competition. "N" received a workshop and a staged reading at the Eugene O'Neill Festival in Danville, CA in September 2016, and made its world premiere in February 2017 at Theatre in the Park in Raleigh, NC. Pender received a Tao House Fellowship by the Eugene O’Neill Foundation in September 2015. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University, and is a member of the Dramatist Guild. Ian Bowater is an actor, writer and director. He began in Theatre-in-Education and later became Associate Director at http://www.stratfordeast.com/ (Theatre Royal, Stratford East) in London. Moving to the https://www.shaw-theatre.com/ (Shaw Theatre) in London he was its director for five years. Another move took him to L.A. where he spent twenty-four years working in the film industry. He was Director of Creative Affairs at Odyssey, before plying his trade as a screenwriter. He has written over thirty screenplays for producers in the U.S., England, France, Germany and the Netherlands. including https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGNEbaQFFGk (“Murder On The Cape”) which will be on Netflix next year. Since relocating to Chapel Hill five years ago, he’s worked with http://littlegreenpig.com/ (Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern), the Arts Center Carrboro and http://www.theatreinthepark.com/ (Theatre in the Park). Connect with Us Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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About the Guest Jennifer Natalya Fink is the author of five acclaimed novels, including the Doctorow Prize-winning Bhopal Dance. She is the author/deviser of 30+ performance works. Her long-running collaboration with Julie Laffin in “Toxic Tango” and “Underbelly” has been produced internationally. Fink is a Professor of English and affiliated faculty in Theater and Performance Studies at Georgetown University, where she is Director of the Program in Disability Studies. Her disability memoir, All Our Families: Finding Our Disability Lineages, is forthcoming from Beacon Press in 2021. Fink received her PhD in Performance Studies from NYU and her MFA in Performance from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. http://jennifernatalyafink.com/ (jennifernatalyafink.com) For more information visit: https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-bitter-flower/ (Burning Coal Theatre) https://www.gilberttheater.com/ (Gilbert Theater)

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Ruth Margraff and Kamala Sankaram's opera, LOST MUSIC FROM THE HEART OF EVERYTHING (a suffrage aria for Amelia Himes Walker), will be available to view virtually through the end of September. For more information, visit https://burningcoal.org/ (Burning Coal Theatre’s website) or https://www.ncopera.org/ (North Carolina Opera). About the Guests Ruth Margraff wrote 6 critically acclaimed martial arts operas with the late composer Fred Ho for the Apollo, Guggenheim Museum, LaMama, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Her recent writing includes: Mirror Butterfly her jazz opera for climate refugees with Afro Yaqui Music Collective at New Hazlett Theater (Pittsburgh), Kennedy Center Millenium Stage (DC), National Ensemble Theater plenary (Tucson), 1st Mesopotamian Water Forum (Kurdistan, Iraq), and released on Innova Records at Red Rooster/Ginny’s and the National Jazz Museum (Harlem); Temptation of the Fresh Voluptuous for the Nisville Jazz Teatrski Festival (Serbia), Red Tape/Art Institute Ballroom (Chicago), Coe Marquis Series Sinclair Stage (Iowa); and haiku for Bella Gaia with NASA holographic imagery. With her Café Antarsia Ensemble she wrote Previously Blue, Three Graces, Wellspring, Judges 19: Black Lung Exhaling which have toured all over the US and internationally. Ruth has received awards from Rockefeller, McKnight, NEA, and Fulbright foundations, etc. She is a tenured Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. https://bakerartist.org/node/23709 (https://bakerartist.org/node/23709) Kamala Sankaram, composer, has received commissions from Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, the PROTOTYPE Festival, Opera on Tap, Opera Memphis, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, among others. She is the recipient of a Jonathan Larson Award from the American Theater Wing. She is currently working with Opera on Tap and librettist Jerre Dye on The Parksville Murders, the first opera written for virtual reality. Episode 1 is now available on SamsungVR. Her other operas include Taking up Serpents, Thumbprint, Miranda, and The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace. Connect with Us Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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About the Guest MJ Perrin’s plays have been produced throughout the United States. She’s a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awardee for Playwriting and a former member of the New Perspective Theatre’s Women’s Work Short Play Lab in New York City where her short play, Stepping Through Blood, was produced. Perrin received her MFA in Theatre Arts from Towson University, where she is an Adjunct Professor III. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Resources https://burningcoal.org/ (Burning Coal Theatre) (The 19th Amendment Project) https://www.theatreinthepark.com/ (Theatre in the Park)

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Hear Lauren’s interviews with the other 19th Amendment Project playwrights: https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/17/ep-72-the-19th-amendment-project/ (Ep. 72: Hannah Benitez & Tamara Kissane) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/18/ep-73-carrie-knowles/ (Ep. 73: Carrie Knowles) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/19/ep-74-a-conversation-with-playwright-elaine-romero/ (Ep. 74: Elaine Romero) https://rduonstage.com/2020/08/23/ep-75-a-conversation-with-inalienable-rights-playwright-deb-margolin/ (Ep. 75: Deb Margolin)

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What would you do if you were met in a voting booth by a mysterious stranger from the past? That is the crux of Deb Margolin’s short comedic play INALIENABLE RIGHTS. This play is being co-produced by Raleigh Little Theatre as part of THE 19th AMENDMENT PROJECT. Hear what Margolin has to say about her work, collaborating in a time of COVID, and the evolution of women's theater. Resources https://burningcoal.org/ (Burning Coal Theatre Company) (Inalienable Rights / 19th Amendment Project) https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) http://dixonplace.org/performances/deb-margolins-with-my-mother/ (Dixon Place Theater (Just Give Me One Half Hour with My Mother))

About the Artist Deb Margolin is a playwright, actor, and founding member of Split Britches Theater Company. She is the author of numerous plays, including Imagining Madoff, Turquoise, Critical Mass, and Bringing the Fishermen Home, as well as 11 solo performance plays which she has toured throughout the US. OBIE award for Sustained Excellence of Performance, the Kesselring Prize for Playwriting, a Helen Merrill Distinguished Playwright award, and the Richard H. Broadhead Prize for teaching excellence at Yale. https://www.debmargolin.com/ (https://www.debmargolin.com/) Connect with Us Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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The Justice Theater Project, is co-producing Elaine Romero's play A Sentiment, as part of The 19th Amendment Project. The play opens virtually August 22nd and runs through September 30th. For more information on The 19th Amendment Project, visit https://burningcoal.org/the-nineteenth-amendment-project/#more-9577 (Burning Coal's website). For more information about The Justice Theater Project, visit http://www.thejusticetheaterproject.org/ (http://www.thejusticetheaterproject.org/). About the Guest Elaine Romero is an award-winning playwright who has had her plays presented at the Alley Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Kennedy Center, across the U.S. and abroad. Recent commissions: Ford’s Theatre (Modern Slave), Arizona Theatre Company (Title IX), Goodman Theatre (Playwright’s Unit, A Work of Art), NNPN/Kitchen Dog Theater (Ponzi, Edgerton New American Play Award). This past season new productions included Like Heaven (Arizona Repertory Theatre), Undocumented (Cal State Dominguez Hills), Revoluciones (Latino Theatre Company with Foro Shakespeare/Mexico), and Bloody River (Union College). Her war tetralogy includes Graveyard of Empires (Blue Ink Playwriting Award), A Work of Art, developed as part of the Goodman Theatre Playwright’s Unit, and the upcoming Rain of Ruin. Graveyard of Empires (16th Street Theatre) and A Work of Art (Chicago Dramatists/Goodman Theatre) premiered in Chicago, and Revoluciones (LATC). At Headlands Center for the Arts, Elaine began the final play of the project, When Reason Sleeps. Modern Slave was featured at the 2017 Seven Devils Playwrights Conference. It received readings at ACT (Seattle), Victory Gardens (Chicago) and the Road Theatre (LA). Connect with Us Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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For more information on The 19th Amendment Project, visit https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-ladies-are-waiting/ (https://burningcoal.org/the-19th-ladies-are-waiting/). For more information on North Carolina Theatre, visit https://nctheatre.com/ (https://nctheatre.com/). About the Guest Carrie Knowles has published four novels, (Lillian’s Garden, Ashoan’s Rug, A Garden Wall in Provence, and The Inevitable Past), a collection of short fiction (Black Tie Optional) a memoir (The Last Childhood), and a writing workbook (A Self-Guided Workbook and Gentle Tour on Learning How to Write). She writes a regular personal perspectives column for Psychology Today: Shifting Forward. She was the 2014 North Carolina Piedmont Laureate in Short Fiction. https://www.cjanework.com/ (https://www.cjanework.com/) Connect with Us Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Burning Coal Theatre presentsThe 19th Amendment Project, a collection of short plays written by some of the most accomplished women and/or non-binary playwrights working today, writing on the passage of the 19th Amendment 100 years ago and its ongoing impact. The League of Women Voters of Wake County is co-producing this project. For a complete schedule of events and ticket information visit https://burningcoal.org/ (https://burningcoal.org/). About the Guests Dianna Wynn joined the League of Women Voters in 2014 and has served on the LWV-Wake Board since 2015. In addition to serving as LWV-Wake’s president, she co-chairs the Communications Committee, co-chairs the Redistricting Committee, co-chairs the 100th Anniversary Committee, co-facilitated the development of LWV-Wake’s strategic plan, and is a member of several other LWV-Wake committees. Dianna is a communication consultant, textbook author, and a former college professor. For over 30 years Dianna provided communication skills training and assisted in developing strategic messaging strategies for corporate clients and nonprofit organizations. In addition, she has provided advocacy training to litigators, Department of Justice employees, college students, and citizen activists. She has an MS in Communication and Public Address from the University of North Texas and a BA in Speech Communication with a minor in Political Science from California State University Fullerton. Dianna previously served on the Board and as President of the ACLU of North Carolina. She also previously served on the Board of Artspace in Raleigh. Jerome Davis is Burning Coal Theatre Company’s founding artistic director. He has worked at Trinity Repertory Company (Providence), People’s Light & Theatre Company (PA), New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Phoenix Theatre (SUNY/Purhchase), Wellfleet Harbor Actors’ Theatre (Cape Cod), Columbia University, and Soho Rep, New Dramatists, Avalon Rep and MINT Theatre (NYC). Originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he studied in New York with Uta Hagen, Nikos Psacharapolous and Julie Bovasso. He has presented more than two dozen world premieres, providing Raleigh audiences with stimulating new works by local, national and international playwrights and is the recipient of the 2018 Raleigh Medal of the Arts. Hannah Benitez is a writer, actor and musician managed by Writ Large (LA) and represented by Elaine Devlin Literary Inc (NYC). Upcoming Feature Film (Screenplay & supporting character): El Baptismo with Vanguardia Films in Puerto Rico. Upcoming Playwright Productions: GringoLandia with Zoetic Stage, End of the Exodus with New Mexico State University, and The 19th- Burning Coal Theatre. Other recent productions of Hannah’s plays: Dike - developed with The New York Theatre Workshop as Director Tatiana Pandiani’s 2050 Fellowship Project & developmental production with Urbanite Theatre. Ashe In Johannesburg- commission and premiere Burning Coal Theatre. Adaptive Radiation-world premiere Denizen Theater New Paltz, NY. Novel in development: Trains to Hell Go Faster. As an actor/musician Hannah’s select credits include The Album (Tectonic Theatre Project; NYC development, directed by Moisés Kauffman ), Humira-Commercial (Lead-Drummer), Indecent – GableStage, A Fiddler On The Roof – freeFall Theatre, Dogfight - Slowburn Theater, Loves Labor’s Lost - Montana Shakespeare, among others. She’s the recipient of the Playwright Development Grant Program, New Plays on Campus Award, and featured in American Theatre Magazine as one of "6 Theatre Workers You Should Know”. She is a member of Actors Equity and the Dramatist Guild. @hannahbenitezzz Tamara Kissane is a theatre-creator, actor, director, playwright, workshop leader and coach. She is a podcaster for Artist Soapbox, and a founding member and writer...

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Jose Solís is a Honduran theatre critic based in NYC. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Backstage, American Theater, America Magazine, and TDF Stages. He is the co-creator and co-host of Thttps://tokentheatrefriends.com/ (oken Theatre Friends). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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About the Guest Kristin Cooper is honored to serve as First Lady of North Carolina, the state she has called home for nearly three decades. As first lady, Kristin is using her voice and her platform to champion the well-being of children in North Carolina. As a mom, attorney, and guardian ad litem for many years, she is primarily focused on the issues of foster care, child abuse and neglect, childhood hunger, early childhood development and literacy, as well as access to the arts and nature for children’s overall health and wellness. She hopes that her attention to these causes highlights their individual challenges, opportunities, and successes, while underscoring the intersectionality among them. She and Governor Roy Cooper raised their three daughters here in North Carolina. Each of them is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For more information on the #athomewithFLONC videos mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.facebook.com/KristinCooperFLONC/ (https://www.facebook.com/KristinCooperFLONC/). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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For Carly Prentis Jones, music and artivism are just part of her DNA. Hear what she has to say about the intersection of art and activism, music, colorism, and more. About the Guest Raleigh native, Carly Prentis Jones, is a theatre artist and vocalist performing on stages throughout the Triangle. She is a versatile performer - spanning opera, musical theatre, classic and contemporary theatre. Some of her most favorite performance credits include: Orange Light (Bulldog Productions); Camila in In The Heights (North Carolina Theatre); Justice in Rock of Ages and Nettie in Carousel (Theatre Raleigh); Lady In Green in For Colored Girls..., and Dorothy in The Wiz (Burning Coal Theatre); Colleen/Marge in Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play and Baba Yaga in The Fairytale Live of Russian Girls (Manbites Dog Theatre); Rachel in The How & The Why (Triangle Women’s Theatre Festival); Nettie in The Color Purple, Sarah in Ragtime, and Lily in The Secret Garden (Justice Theatre Project). As a classically trained singer, Carly also enjoys performing as an active recitalist. She received her training at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she earned degrees in Vocal Performance and Black Music History, and a minor in arts administration. Carly believes that the arts can be used as a unique tool to cultivate empathy and bridge divisions throughout our diverse country. Stay tuned for her next projects: http://www.carlyprentisjones.com/ (www.carlyprentisjones.com). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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About the Guests Mac and Judy McCord create puppets and train actors to be puppeteers in theatrical productions throughout North Carolina. For more information visit www.tanglewoodpuppets. Karen Topham is the owner of https://chicagoonstage.com/ (ChicagoonStage.com). She has a long history with Chicago, having graduated from Northwestern in 1978 with a BA in English. (with some theatre thrown in for fun). She also has a Masters in Teaching. and Directing from Roosevelt. She taught high school English, Creative Writing, and Drama for almost four decades. She was the first transgender teacher to transition in place in America. When not watching plays (or spending hours driving to the city to do so), she hangs out with my husband or my cats, talks to my grown children, or writes. For more information visit http://karentopham.com/ (http://karentopham.com/). Resources: https://pflag.org/ (PFLAG) https://www.glaad.org/ (GLAAD) https://blacktrans.org/ (Black Trans Advocacy Coalition) https://www.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org/ (LGBTQ Center of Durham) https://www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/ (LGBTQ Center of Raleigh) https://equalitync.org/ (Equality NC)

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In 2016, Mia Self's play TEA WITH AGATHA premiered during https://theatre.arts.ncsu.edu/ (NC State University Theatre's) TheatreFest. Sadly, TheatreFest this summer has been canceled, however, NC State's University Theatre has announced its season for next year. Celebrate the centennial anniversary of Agatha Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, and all things TheatreFest, by listening to a reading of Self's play, TEA WITH AGATHA, followed by a virtual talkback with Self and Gus Allen Sunday evening, April 19th at 7 pm on Facebook Live. Special thanks to https://www.facebook.com/thesweetestthingsnc/ (The Sweetest Things) for their support. https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Final-Ballot/gallery/226131827 (RDU on Stage has been nominated for three Indy Week Best of the Triangle Awards: Best Local Blog/Website, Best Local Podcast, and Best Twitter Feed. Click here to vote for all of your favorite businesses and organizations.) About the Guests Mia Self (Playwright and Agatha) is the Assistant Director of Acting, Directing, and Academics at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has an MFA from the University of Mississippi and a BA from Catawba College with an emphasis in performance and directing. Mia works as a director, actor, voice and text coach in addition to her periodic jaunts into writing and devising. Tea with Agatha was written to celebrate the 2016 TheatreFEST season devoted to Agatha Christie. She’s slated to direct Small Mouth Sounds with Honest Pint at the end of summer and Almost, Maine at NC State at the top of the fall semester. Gus Allen, originally from Minnesota, has acted in over 50 productions across the Triangle as has written and directed for several others. Gus has been a lifelong Agatha Christie fan, always leaping at the chance to act in her plays. So far he's gotten to be in six of them and will continue to do as many as possible. Gus was an avid reader Christie novels and Sherlock Holmes stories as a teenager and considers himself lucky to bring life to those same characters on stage years later. Credits http://zapsplat.com/ (ZapSplat Sound Effects) https://freesound.org/ (Freesound Sound Effects) https://freesound.org/people/scriotxstudios/sounds/348749/ (Running in High-Heels on Tile) by https://freesound.org/people/scriotxstudios/ (scriotxstudios) | License: Attribution https://freesound.org/people/CyrileneRossouw/sounds/407564/ (Girl walking in heels.wav) by https://freesound.org/people/CyrileneRossouw/ (CyrileneRossouw) | License: Attribution Noncommercial https://freesound.org/people/NebbiaOne/sounds/408238/ (Newspapers.wav) by https://freesound.org/people/NebbiaOne/ (NebbiaOne) | License: Attribution Noncommercial https://freesound.org/people/Glaneur%20de%20sons/sounds/104970/ (Boite a musique 02 (Hawaian Waltz).ogg) by https://freesound.org/people/Glaneur%20de%20sons/ (Glaneur de sons) | License: Attribution https://freesound.org/people/notKlaatu/sounds/166078/ (Page Turn) by https://freesound.org/people/notKlaatu/ (notKlaatu) | License: Attribution

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Amanda Bearse and Teresa Ganzel, TV royalty, were just beginning rehearsals for The https://judsontheatre.com/ (Judson Theatre Company )production of THE ODD COUPLE when COVID-19 shut everything down. Bearse played Marcy D’arcy, the Bundy’s neighbor in the hit sitcom MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, and Ganzell spent ten years working with Johnny Carson on THE TONIGHT SHOW. Hear what these funny ladies have to say about theater, comedy, television, and timing. About the Guests Amanda Bearse played Marcy D’Arcy on over 250 episodes of Fox’s Married…With Children during its 11-season run, and co-starred in the cult horror film Fright Night opposite Chris Sarandon. After graduating the Neighborhood Playhouse under Sanford Meisner, Bearse began her professional acting career in New York on All My Children. Directing episodes of Married…With Children launched her episodic tv directing career, and she went on to direct episodes of many other series including MADtv. Reba, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, The Jamie Foxx Show, Dharma & Greg, and Jessie. After over three decades in entertainment, Amanda made her off-Broadway directing, as well as acting, debut in 2018 at New York City Center with Party Face starring Hayley Mills, coming full circle with her work in theater. Teresa Ganzel is perhaps best known to audiences everywhere from her 32 appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; for playing Jackie Gleason’s wife in The Toy starring Richard Pryor; and for starring opposite Jeff Goldblum in Transylvania 6-5000. She also appeared opposite Bill Paxton in the comedy mini-series Fresno starring Carol Burnett. Teresa was a series regular on The Duck Factory with Jim Carrey, Roxie with Andrea Martin, and Teachers Only with Lynn Redgrave and Jean Smart. She has made dozens of memorable guest appearances on beloved shows including Three’s Company (as Greedy Gretchen), Coach, Mama’s Family, Alf, Newhart, Love Boat, Hotel, and Married…with Children. Game show fans may remember Teresa as a celebrity player on The $25,000 Pyramid and $100,000 Pyramid tournaments as well as Super Password and Hollywood Squares. Teresa’s distinctive voice can be heard in blockbuster films like Despicable Me 3, Toy Story 3, Monsters University, Monsters Inc., Up, Wall-E, Horton Hears a Who!, and Cars. Her recent theatre credits include Harvey starring French Stewart at Laguna Beach Playhouse; Heartbreak Help with Melissa Peterman and Marisa Jaret Winokur; the national tour and Off-Broadway production of Viagara Falls; and Meet & Greet with Vicki Lewis. Morgan Sills s a Producer/Director with Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theatre credits. In the past five years, he has produced or directed eighteen shows in theatres in New York and around the United States. On Broadway, Morgan was a producer of the Tony-nominated 2014 revival of Of Mice and Men as a partner in Piedmont Productions (with fellow North Carolina producer Bruce Long). Of Mice and Men starred Oscar and Emmy nominee James Franco (Spider-Man), Chris O’Dowd, Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester, Tony winner Jim Norton, and True Blood’s Jim Parrack. The show recouped its capitalization in the twelfth week of its eighteen-week limited engagement and was the first-ever Broadway show taped for broadcast by Britain’s National Theatre Live. Morgan is in his eighth season as Executive Producer of Judson Theatre Company in Pinehurst, NC, the recipient of NCTC's 2016 George A. Parides Professional Theatre Award for excellence in professional theatre in North Carolina. https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Final-Ballot/gallery/226131827 (RDU on Stage has been nominated for three Indy Week Best of the...

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About the Guest A Raleigh native, Charles Phaneuf has over 15 years of experience in arts management. His career began in management at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. before serving as the Managing Director at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier, Maryland and then at RLT as Executive Director since 2012. Charles is admired across the Triangle arts community for his leadership, vision, commitment, and participation. He succeeds Eleanor Oakley, who retired after serving the United Arts Council for 18 years. https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Final-Ballot/gallery/226131827 (RDU on Stage has been nominated for three Indy Week Best of the Triangle Awards: Best Local Blog/Website, Best Local Podcast, and Best Twitter Feed. Click here to vote for all of your favorite businesses and organizations.) Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com) https://www.bonfire.com/store/rdu-on-stage/ (RDU on Stage Merch) (proceeds benefit the NC Artist Relief Fund)

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Hear what North Carolina Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Eric Woodall has to say about the short and long term effects of this pandemic on theater companies big and small. NC Theatre recently announced its schedule for the remainder of this season as follows: Memphis: July 28-August 2, 2020 The Sound of Music: October 13-18, 2020 Edges: November 6-15, 2020

Next season will begin with Sister Act in February 2021. For more information visit the NC Theatre website at https://nctheatre.com/ (https://nctheatre.com/). https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Final-Ballot/gallery/226131827 (RDU on Stage has been nominated for three Indy Week Best of the Triangle Awards: Best Local Blog/Website, Best Local Podcast, and Best Twitter Feed. Click here to vote for all of your favorite businesses and organizations.) About the Guest Eric Woodall is the Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre. In addition to his NC Theatre directorial credits including Gypsy, Mary Poppins, Jesus Christ Superstar, Steel Magnolias, Woodall has worked locally in the Triangle directing for companies like Theatre Raleigh and PlayMakers Repertory, as well as traveled the country putting his spin on shows like West Side Story, Big River, and On Golden Pond at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, Texas and Amadeus at the Memphis Playhouse on the Square. Prior to joining NC Theatre full time in November as producing artistic director, he spent 16 years in New York City working as one of the top casting directors at Tara Rubin Casting. For more information visit: http://ericwoodall.com/ (http://ericwoodall.com/). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com) https://www.bonfire.com/store/rdu-on-stage/ (RDU on Stage Merch) (proceeds benefit the NC Artist Relief Fund)

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June Guralnick spent the last two years working on her 15th play LITTLE WOMEN. However, her premiere staged reading was thwarted by COVID-19. Hear what she has to say about the play, the state of playwrighting in North Carolina, and gender parity in the theater industry. About the Guest June Guralnick is an award-winning playwright. For four decades, she's created plays, performance projects, and multi-media installations, as well as directing new works, classic plays, and developing community cultural programs. Her works have been performed at venues including the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Abrons Arts Center/Henry Street Settlement Theatre (N.Y.), Spirit Square (N.C.), Equity Library Theatre (N.Y.), Popular Theatre (Cal.), Burning Coal Theatre (N.C.), Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (N.C.), AS220 (R.I.), North Carolina Museum of Art – and beamed to the Space Station. Visit https://juneguralnick.com/ (https://juneguralnick.com/) for more information. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web – http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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A candid conversation with local theater producers on how COVID-19 is affecting their bottom line. About the Guests Timothy E. Locklear, Managing Artistic Director, http://www.nract.org/ (NRACT) David Henderson and Susannah Hough, Co-Artistic Directors, https://www.honestpinttheatre.org/ (Honest Pint Theatre) Patrick Torres, Artistic Director, https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) Lauren Kennedy Brady, Producing Artistic Director, https://theatreraleigh.com/ (Theatre Raleigh) Johannah Maynard Edwards, Executive Director, https://www.womenstheatrefestival.com/ (Women's Theatre Festival) Melissa Zeph, Executive Producer, http://www.thejusticetheaterproject.org/ (The Justice Theater Project) Peggy Taphorn, Producing Artistic Director, https://www.templeshows.com/ (Temple Theatre (Sanford)) Gavan Pamer, Marketing/Development Director, https://www.templeshows.com/ (Temple Theatre (Sanford)) Malissa Borden, Educator/Military Outreach, http://www.cfrt.org/ (Cape Fear Regional Theatre)

Resources https://www.northstardurham.com/artistrelief (Durham Artist Relief Fund) https://vaeraleigh.org/artist-relief-fund (NC Artist Relief Fund) https://www.gofundme.com/f/orange-county-arts-relief-fund (Orange County Arts Relief Fund)

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Enloe Magnet High School is the first school (and regional/community theater) to produce Jack Murphy and Frank Wildhorn's musical WONDERLAND anywhere. The Enloe Magnet High School production of WONDERLAND is postponed TBA. For more information visit the https://enloetheatre.wixsite.com/enloetheatre/current-production (Enloe Theatre website). About the Guests Koko Thornton - After graduating from the Wake County Public School System in 1993, Miss Thornton received the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship to UNC-Charlotte where she received her BCA in Theatre Education and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1997. While in college, she worked as an actor and professional costumer including being a dresser for the National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. After teaching theatre at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte where she was the recipient of an NCTC award for Outstanding Direction, Miss Thornton returned home to Raleigh and served on the NC Department of Public Instruction’s committee to rewrite the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Theatre Education. The 2018-2019 school year marks her 19th year teaching Theatre at Enloe Magnet High School. Some of her directing credits include: SWEENEY TODD (2007 Capital Award for Outstanding Musical), LITTLE WOMEN (2008 Capital Award for Outstanding Direction), ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (2013 TRS Award for Best Musical), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (2014 TRS Award for Best Ensemble), MISS SAIGON, INTO THE WOODS (2016 TRS Award for Best Musical), and RAGTIME (2018 TRS Award for Best Musical). She is double certified in theatre and music and is a certified mentor teacher. She loves to sing, play the piano, bake, and serve at her church. In what little free time she has, she may be found hanging out with her 18 nieces and nephews at Lake Gaston and riding a jet ski. Miss Thornton is the immediate past President of the North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators and the Arts Department Chair at Enloe Magnet High School. She is also the North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators 2017 Teacher of the Year. Lauren Kennedy is the Producing Artistic Director at Theatre Raleigh, where she has directed such shows as DRIFT, TRUE WEST, VANITIES, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE WOLF and more! As an actress, Lauren appeared on Broadway in SPAMALOT (Lady of the Lake), LES MISERABLES (Fantine), SIDESHOW (Daisy Hilton, original cast), SUNSET BLVD. (original cast). Off-Broadway: VANITIES (Mary/Second Stage), GOOD OL’ GIRLS. National Tour and London: SOUTH PACIFIC (Nellie Forbush), SUNSET BLVD. (Betty Schaefer). Favorite Original Work: THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Cathy), THE RHYTHM CLUB (Petra/Helen Hayes Award nom. for Best Lead Actress), WHITE CHRISTMAS (Judy Haines), and ZELDA (Barrymore Nomination for Best Actress/Flat Rock Playhouse/LENAPE). Recordings: VANITIES, SOUTH PACIFIC (Original London Cast), SUNSET BLVD, GOOD NEWS (with The London Symphony), THE PAUL SIMON ALBUM (Varese Sarabande). Ms. Kennedy’s solo recordings are available on the PS Classics. Visit laurenkennedy.com The Theatre Raleigh production of BUD, NOT BUDDY runs March 13 through March 29 at The Kennedy Theatre. The Theatre Raleigh production of BUD, NOT BUDDY has been canceled. Chloe Calhoun is a senior at Enloe Magnet High School. Indy Week Award Nomination Links Click any of the links below to help RDU on Stage make the shortlist of nominees in Indy Week's Best of the Triangle 2020 contest. https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/og/0942cb52-bfc1-4c57-b189-8b8be1726b79/gallery/217735061 (Best Local Podcast) https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/og/0942cb52-bfc1-4c57-b189-8b8be1726b79/gallery/219932064 (Best Local Facebook Page) https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/og/0942cb52-bfc1-4c57-b189-8b8be1726b79/gallery/219931690 (Best Instagram Account)...

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The Southeastern Theatre Conference's annual convention was in February in Louisville, Kentucky. Lauren Van Hemert reports live from the convention floor. https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Nominations/gallery/217735061/ (Click here to vote for the RDU on Stage podcast in Indy Week's Best of the Triangle contest.) Links https://www.setc.org/ (SETC) https://www.usitt.org/ (USITT) https://www.broadwaygreen.com/ (Broadway Green Alliance) https://www.cincyplay.com/ (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) http://codyclarkmagic.com/ (The Magic of Cody Clark) https://www.actorstheatre.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1-3yBRCmARIsAN7B4H2auLMeyGg1BOtcqTdYvckTaWWYyUMu1LzKWi6x2doXW0mIwLexAW4aAsfcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds (Actors Theatre of Louisville)

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https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Nominations/gallery/217735061 (Click here to nominate the RDU on Stage podcast for Indy Week's Best of the Triangle Podcast.) About the Guest Originally from Oakland, CA, Laura Heywood began working as a commercial actor and print model as a young teenager, appearing in campaigns for Nintendo, Apple Computers, Constellation Brands, GTE Mobile Net, and the infamous Dove Campaign For Real Beauty. Laura attended college at the University of Puget Sound in Washington, where she studied Theatre Arts and writing and was active in LGBT causes and student media. In 2005 she was recruited to New York City for the launch of Sirius Satellite Radio’s MAXIM channel, based on the popular men’s magazine, as both a producer and co-host. In 2009, Laura created the Twitter account @BroadwayGirlNYC, to document her love of New York Theatre. 2010 saw the launch of “At the Stage Door with @BroadwayGirlNYC,” Laura’s weekly column on BroadwayWorld.com about life as a Broadway fan. Laura’s reveal as the force behind @BroadwayGirlNYC came in February of 2015 when she was invited to speak onstage at TEDxBroadway. The public “merging of her two lives,” as Laura put it, allowed her to launch a new company, Laura Heywood Media, to focus on both social media consulting and live appearances as a Broadway expert. Visit Laura online at http://www.lauraheywoodmedia.com/ (www.lauraheywoodmedia.com). https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_heywood_practicing_happiness (Hear Laura's TEDxBroadway talk on Practicing Happiness.) Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web – http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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https://indyweek.secondstreetapp.com/2020-Best-of-the-Triangle-Nominations/gallery/217735061 (Click here to nominate the RDU on Stage podcast for Indy Week's Best of the Triangle Podcast.) About the Guest Ian Finley is the former Director of Education for Burning Coal, having headed its WillPower (now Fuse) residency programs, its Summer Theatre Conservatories, New York & London tours, and many other programs. He is author of 1960 (Burning Coal, 2009), Green Square, Suspense, Nightengale Song, and The Nature of the Nautilus (winner of the Kennedy Center’s Jean Kennedy Smith Award), as well as Burning Coal’s Oakwood cycle of plays. As an actor, he has performed in Burning Coal’s Twelfth Night, KidsWrite ’08, Inherit the Wind, 1776, Pentecost, The Taming of the Shrew, Accidental Death of an Anarchist and James Joyce’s The Dead. He holds an MFA from the NYU Tisch School of Arts and is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. He was also named the NC Piedmont Laureate in Playwriting in 2012. He has taught at Southern Methodist University, as well for the OLLI programs at NC State University and Duke University. He currently serves as Chair of Fine Arts at Research Triangle High School. Ian’s play NATIVE is playing March 24 at Whirligig Stage in Greensboro. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web – http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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When the North Carolina Theatre production of KINKY BOOTS opens this week, it won’t be the first time that Joseph Anthony Byrd puts on the red high-heeled boots as Lola. In fact, Byrd made his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots and was featured in the first national tour as Lola’s Understudy. Byrd, who graduated from Carnegie Mellon, told me that it’s another Carnegie Mellon alum, Billie Porter, who originated the role of Lola in Kinky Boots, who he has really looked up to and learned from over the years. Hear what he has to say about the show, his middle school drama teacher, and finding his joy. The North Carolina Theatre production of KINKY BOOTS runs February 11 through 16 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. For more information visit the https://nctheatre.com/shows/kinky-boots%20 (NC Theatre) website or the https://rduonstage.com/calendar-5/ (RDU on Stage Calendar Page). About the Guest Joseph Anthony Byrd will star as Lola/Simon, the fabulous drag queen, and performer who befriends Charlie. Byrd boasts previous KINKY BOOTS credits, as he starred in the original Broadway cast and the first national tour (Lola U/S). He previously performed in the Las Vegas production of MAMMA MIA! and the national tour of THE LION KING, in addition to numerous regional productions including Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, and more. Byrd was also seen on the hit HBO show, BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web – http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Michael Larson, star of the https://raleighlittletheatre.org/shows/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Patrick Torres, Artistic Director of Raleigh Little Theatre, have to say about the role community theater has in opening hearts and minds. About the Guests Patrick Torres is RLT’s Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has been seen at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Round House Theatre, The Source Festival, and the Hangar Theatre among others. In 2003, he was selected as a Drama League Directing Fellow and in 2005 was named a Young Leader of Color by the Theatre Communications Group. He has an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Patrick will be directing the http://playmakersrep.org/show/native-gardens/ (PlayMakers Repertory Company) production of Native Gardens in April 2020. Michael Larson is a junior in high school. Some of his previous performances include: Into the Woods as Jack, Once Upon a Mattress as the Jester, Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Elf the Musical as Buddy, Thoroughly Modern Millie as Ching Ho, Urinetown as Officer Barrel. He is ecstatic to have the opportunity to play the role of Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He has performed in choir throughout school and has taken music lessons at Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts for even years. He plans to study performing arts in college. Zara Van Hemert (Co-Host) is a senior in high school. She is a competitive gymnast and hopes to be an elementary school teacher. Resources https://artsaccessinc.org/ (Arts Access) Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web – http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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In 1999, two high school seniors went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 13 people and wounding 20 others before turning their guns on themselves. Since the Columbine shootings, over 200 people have been killed in school shootings in the United States. Tammy Matthews was a teacher working at a nearby elementary school when the Columbine shooting occurred. Little did she know then that nearly twenty years later another school shooting, this one in Parkland, Florida, would be the catalyst for the creation of the ensemble group Social Justice Theater of the Carolinas. Their inaugural production, columbinus, premiered a year ago in Pittsboro and is now touring the Triangle through March. For more information and a performance schedule, visit https://www.pittsboroyouththeater.com/social-justice-theater (https://www.pittsboroyouththeater.com/social-justice-theater). About the Guests Tammy Matthews has over 50 years of experience in theater. She attended the prestigious Goodman School of Drama and holds a BA in both theater and elementary education. She also has a Masters degree in Education. “Miss Tammy” is the co-owner and artistic director of Pittsboro Youth Theater, The Social Justice Theater of the Carolinas and Chatham Community Players. She worked in theater in Chicago in various capacities before becoming a teacher. Since then, she has staged many performances in schools, camps and after-school programs across the country and can now be found directing at least 15 shows a year in Pittsboro! Jacqueline Anthenien was born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. She moved to North Carolina in 2006. She has been interested in theater for a long time, but only recently in an official capacity. She has been a part of the Technical Theater Crew at Northwood High School since her freshman year. As a sophomore she won the part of the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods at Pittsboro Youth Theater. She caught the bug. Since then, she has portrayed MacDuff in Macbeth, Mary in The Crucible (both at Northwood), and been a part of The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Hobbit at PYT. She can currently be seen as Eric Harris in columbinus and will appear in Baskerville,also at PYT, and in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Northwood. She is in her senior year and is looking forward to what college has to offer. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web - http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Students from the Sanderson High School Theatre Ensemble in Raleigh are on their way to Louisville to represent the Triangle at the https://www.setc.org/ (Southeastern Theater Conference). Their production of Oliver Lansley's play ERNEST AND THE PALE MOON is one of two productions selected to represent the state of North Carolina next month at the national competition in Kentucky. But as you will hear, this opportunity is just the icing on the cake for these students who have discovered who they are through the theater program. The students will present an encore production of ERNEST AND THE PALE MOON on January 30th. Proceeds from this production will benefit their trip. For more information or to support the Sanderson Theatre Ensemble, visit http://shstheatreensemble.weebly.com/ (http://shstheatreensemble.weebly.com/). About the Guests Peter Comperatore is an artist, educator, award-winning director, and improviser. He has been the theater teacher at Sanderson High School since 2010. He has also directed several shows at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre (NRACT) since 2008. Camden Trimmer is a junior at Sanderson High School and has been involved in Sanderson Theatre and local community theatre for the past three years. Lissa Pope is a senior at Sanderson High School and is planning on pursuing a major in acting in college. She has been involved in Sanderson Theatre for four years. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage

Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Raleigh Little Theatre's Executive Director Charles Phaneuf, Education Director Meredyth Pederson Cooper, and Women's Theatre Festival Executive Director Johannah Maynard Edwards talk about the evolution and importance of sensory-friendly performances and the upcoming production THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. About the Guests Charles Phaneuf is a Raleigh native who returned to the area and to RLT in 2012. He was previously Managing Director of Joe’s Movement Emporium, a multidisciplinary performing arts center located outside of Washington, DC, and Associate Managing Director at Shakespeare Theatre Company during the expansion into the Harman Center for the Arts. Charles is a founding member of the Capital Fringe Festival and Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, both in Washington. He is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumni, a board member of the Friends of the Gregg Museum at NCSU, and serves on the Dix Park Master Plan Advisory Committee. Charles was named “40 Under 40” by the Triangle Business Journal in 2014 and “Tar Heel of the Week” by the News & Observer in 2018. Meredyth Pederson Cooper joined the staff of Raleigh Little Theatre as the Director of Education in March 2017. Prior to moving to North Carolina, Meredyth served as the Associate Education Director at Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky where she focused on creating meaningful partnerships with schools and creating engaging arts education experiences for youth and families. Meredyth holds her M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Theatre from American University in Washington, DC. Meredyth is also currently the Managing Editor of TYA Today, the top trade publication for the field of Theatre for Young Audiences in the United States. Johannah Maynard Edwards is the Executive Director of the Women’s Theatre Festival based in Raleigh, NC. Johannah began making theatre when she was 15 and co-founded her first company, p.i.e., when she was 19. She has directed, devised, and produced countless theatrical productions in NYC, Minneapolis, and the Triangle. A passionate arts educator, Johannah has been a teaching artist at Raleigh Little Theatre for the past ten years and has taught at Arts Together, Sterling Montessori, LearningSpring, NC Governor’s School, through the America Reads program in NYC public schools, and most recently as the Interim Theatre Program Director at Longleaf School of the Arts. Johannah is a Chief Rep for PAAL, the Parent Artist Advocacy League for the Performing Arts and serves on the Arts Learning Community for Universal Access through the Office of Raleigh Arts. She’s an outspoken advocate and consultant for access and inclusion in theatre and has created a resource guide for presenting sensory-friendly theatre. She’s a contributor to RDU Onstage and is developing audio content for theatre practitioners and producers. Johannah is a graduate of NYU/Tisch School of the Arts/Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

The Raleigh Little Theatre production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” opens January 17. RDU on Stage's Lauren Van Hemert will be moderating a talkback with the cast after the January 26 performance. There is also a sensory-friendly performance scheduled for February 9. For more information visit https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (https://raleighlittletheatre.org/).

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It’s hard to believe, but it’s been a year since we launched RDU on Stage. Between us, we have reviewed over 90 shows in the Triangle (and beyond). Hear which shows and performances stood out to us over the past year in our first RDU on Stage Year-End Review. About Us Lauren Van Hemert is a native of Miami, Florida. Her love of musicals started at the age of six when her dad took her to Radio City Music Hall to see a revival of the movie THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Prior to graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington, she hosted her own weekly talk show on Public Radio WDNA Miami and worked as a production intern for ‘As The World Turns.’ As the former Contributing Editor for Broadway World Raleigh, she covered over 50 shows in the Triangle. In January, she launched the RDU on Stage website to expand coverage of the Triangle theater community. She also hosts the weekly RDU on Stage podcast. Lauren is a proud member of the American Theatre Critics Association. Kim Jackson moved to Raleigh with her family just over two decades ago, and she has loved her life in the Triangle. When her children were younger, she made the rounds of family-fun events at the museums as well as kept busy with hockey, gymnastics and Irish dance. Now, her kids are in college (Go Pack!), one has graduated (Elon), and she has the opportunity to pursue other interests, like theater. Kim majored in history and English, also receiving advanced degrees in both, and held jobs where she wrote for various in-house publications. She is also a member of the American Theatre Critics Association. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

For a complete listing of the shows mentioned in this podcast episode, https://rduonstage.com/2020/01/04/2019-year-end-review/ (click here).

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On this episode, I'm doing something a bit different. I am chatting with two different artists about two different princess stories, one steeped in Raleigh theater history, and one working its way to becoming a holiday panto tradition. First up, I’m talking to Garrett Clayton who plays The Huntsman in the Lythgoe Family Panto production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS. A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS runs through December 8th at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. For more information visit: https://nctheatre.com/snow-white-christmas (https://nctheatre.com/snow-white-christmas). Next, I'm chatting with Music Director Joanna Li. Li has been working with Raleigh Little Theatre's production of CINDERELLA for the last three years. This year marks the 36th year for the family production. The show runs December 6th - 22nd. For more information visit: https://raleighlittletheatre.org/shows/cinderella/ (https://raleighlittletheatre.org/shows/cinderella/). About the Guests Garrett Clayton is best known for his leading role in the hit Disney Channel movies “Teen Beach Movie,” and “Teen Beach Movie 2." Clayton starred as Tanner, the sun-bleached surf star of a classic teen beach movie "Wet Side Story," where two kids from the present find themselves mysteriously trapped. He recently made a dramatic shift to take the lead role opposite James Franco and Christian Slater in King Cobra, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2016. Following that he took the lead in the thriller, Don’t Hang Up and joined the all-star cast of Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth and Martin Short for NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” He recently finished up work on the drama, Reach, which will be released in 2018. Clayton has also recently found his way back to the stage, starring opposite Al Pacino and Judith Light in God Looked Away. The show premiered at the Pasadena Playhouse and is expected to make its way to Broadway later this year. He is currently working on a musical version of the popular film The Breakfast Club, which will open summer 2017. Past work includes a lead role in the musical version of Almost Famous. An actor, singer, and dancer, his television credits include a recurring role on the hit ABC Family series “The Fosters,” and guest-star roles on series such as Lifetime’s “The Client List,” and Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" and “Jessie.” Clayton also led a talented cast in the Lifetime TV movie "Holiday Spin," opposite Ralph Macchio. Raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Clayton performed in regional theater productions of "High School Musical 2," "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," "Peter Pan" and "Beauty and the Beast.” Joanna Li earned her Bachelors of Music from Baylor University and her Masters of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Since then, she has music directed across the United States, including local organizations such as Theatre Raleigh, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, Temple Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, and her own newly-formed company Two-Way Street Theatre, all while serving as the organist for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Why is representation on stage so important? If you’ve followed this podcast, you know that is a question I frequently ask. And perhaps nobody has given me a more insightful, personal answer to that question than North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Timothy E. Locklear. Tim and I sat down to talk about the history of LGBTQ theater in this country from Mae West’s play THE DRAG to this season’s THE INHERITANCE. Hear what he has to say about that, the importance of honoring the past, and his personal account of why representation onstage is so important. About the Guest Timothy E. Locklear has been the Managing Artistic Director of North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre (NRACT) since 2014. As NRACT's Managing Artistic Director, he has directed THE TALE OF THE ALLERGISTS' WIFE, DOGFIGHT, SPRING AWAKENING, NEXT TO NORMAL, and the world premiere of GAY CARD. He also directed the acclaimed Raleigh Little Theatre production of MOTHERS AND SONS. Originally from McColl, South Carolina, Tim currently resides in Wake Forest. For more information visit http://www.nract.org/ (http://www.nract.org/). Links https://rduonstage.com/2019/11/25/feature-list-of-top-25-essential-lgbtq-plays/ (List of 25 Essential LGBTQ Plays) https://rduonstage.com/2019/11/25/feature-20-essential-lgbtq-musicals-everybody-should-see/ (List of 20 Essential LGBTQ Musicals) Upcoming Productions https://nctheatre.com/shows/kinky-boots (February 2020 - Kinky Boots - NC Theatre) https://theatreraleigh.com/subscribe/ (June 2020 - Fun Home - Theatre Raleigh) Connect with RDU on StageFacebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Alton Fitzgerald White is the only black actor who has played in a lead role in five hit shows on Broadway; John in MISS SAIGON; Ken in SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE (he originated the role in London's West End); Coalhouse Walker Jr. in RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL; Mister in THE COLOR PURPLE; and King Mufasa in THE LION KING. Hear what he has to say about his humble beginnings watching variety shows on television, the incident during RAGTIME that changed his life, and the lessons he learned from playing Mufasa onstage over 4,000 times.

About the Guest

Alton Fitzgerald White made his Broadway starring debut as John in MISS SAIGON. Demonstrating his vocal versatility Alton then moved on to the more aggressive role of The Hawker in THE WHO'S TOMMY. Next was the popular Broadway show SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE where White dazzled theatergoers with dynamic renditions of Leiber and Stoller classics. His commanding performance reached new heights as he sang and danced the romantic pas de deux “Spanish Harlem,” to stunning applause. This performance lead to his West End debut in the original London company of the smash hit. White then landed the coveted starring role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL. The journey began with the pre-Broadway original company in Toronto opposite six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, the critically acclaimed national tour and ultimately Broadway, opposite Tony Award-winner LaChanze. After an exceptionally blessed 5 1/2 years of continuous 8 shows a week on Broadway, White took a year off for TV (episodes of “Law and Order”), Film (The Invention of Lying, directed by and starring the brilliant multi-award winning comedian, Ricky Gervais), concerts around the world, voice-overs and commercial work. Very soon after, Disney invited Alton to re-create the role of Mufasa for a record-breaking, sit-down company at The Mandalay Bay in Viva Las Vegas. After a phenomenal year in Vegas, he was again invited back into the Broadway company. October 2012 marked the release of his critically acclaimed, smash-hit CD, "Disney My Way." After a record-breaking 4,308 performances as King Mufasa in The Lion King, White added author to his growing list of titles with his recent book release titled MY PRIDE: MASTERING LIFE'S DAILY PERFORMANCE, a best selling inspirational biography filled with secrets to fulfillment and joy in work and life, published by Disney Editions. He has also become an in-demand motivational speaker at BrightSight Group and has been a Keynote Speaker for clients like Seasons Healthcare Management, Americans For The Arts, The Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Youth First Partnership to name a few. His popular TEDx Talk can be found on YouTube. White has made guest star appearances on the hit series MINDHUNTER (NETFLIX), MADAM SECRETARY (CBS), BULL (CBS), THE BLACKLIST (NBC), THE GOOD FIGHT (CBS.com) and CODE BLACK(CBS) and THE GOLDFINCH playing opposite Nicole Kidman. He was also featured in RENT LIVE for The FOX Network. Visit https://altonfitzgeraldwhite.com/ (https://altonfitzgeraldwhite.com/) for more information. Links https://www.thenation.com/article/ragtime-my-time/ (The Nation, "Ragtime, My Time," September 23, 1999) Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Did you know, that the RDU on Stage podcast is nominated for a https://wral5.secondstreetapp.com/2019-WRAL-Voters-Choice-Awards/gallery/193006845?fbclid=IwAR3CA1XhvDrv6e9NmEXKtVQn5fHwnM82s1V_FhOirTt7y0Q1WWaKlEaHiUE (WRAL Voter’s Choice Award)? While this kind of recognition is really flattering, this podcast is the result of a lot of hard work and preparation week after week. And while I don’t consider myself to be a podcasting expert by any means, I have learned a few things along the way (some the hard way) and was thrilled to be asked to share some of that knowledge with my friends and colleagues at the American Theatre Critics Association at our national conference in New York City earlier this month. If you are interested in jumping into podcasting, I hope this presentation will inspire you (or give you a reality check on the time needed to develop a well-presented podcast). To access the links mentioned in this podcast, visit https://tinyurl.com/y55hn2lc (https://tinyurl.com/y55hn2lc). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Alan Campbell has had anything but a predictable career. He’s done everything from television to film to Broadway, including starring opposite Glenn Close in the musical Sunset Boulevard, a role for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. This month, North Carolina audiences can see him star in the https://judsontheatre.com/ (Judson Theatre) production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. But that Pinehurst stage is a far cry from his first big acting break on the Three’s Company spinoff Three’s a Crowd starring the late John Ritter. Hear what he has to say about that, one of his favorite theater memories working on Broadway in Mamma Mia!, Agatha Christie, and the secret to sustaining such a long career in the entertainment industry. For more information about Witness for the Prosecution, visit https://judsontheatre.com/ (https://judsontheatre.com/) or visit the https://rduonstage.com/calendar-5/ (RDU on Stage Performing Arts Calendar). About the Guest Alan Campbell received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Joe Gillis in the original Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard. He has also appeared on Broadway as Sam in Mamma Mia! and in Susan Stroman’s Contact. Television audiences know Alan from his five seasons as Derek on Jake and the Fatmanwith William Conrad; from co-starring with John Ritter on the Three’s Company sequel series Three’s a Crowd; and from appearances on Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Homicide: Life on the Streets, and Matlock. Alan’s feature films include Universal’s A Simple Wish with Martin Short, Mara Wilson, and Kathleen Turner; Weekend Warriors directed by Bert Convy, and the recently completed Uncle Frank with Paul Bettany. Visit https://www.alancampbell.net/ (https://www.alancampbell.net/) for more information. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Mickey Rowe was the first autistic actor to play Christopher Boone in the Tony Award-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Talleri McRae is a theatre artist, educator, disability scholar and inclusion/access specialist on a mission to change the nation’s’ narrative about disability culture. The pair were in town to participate in the Universal Access and the Arts Day sponsored by the Office of Raleigh Arts last July. I have a feeling they will be back next year when the City of Raleigh hosts the https://education.kennedy-center.org/education/accessibility/lead/conference.html (Kennedy Center’s Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD®) conference). About the Guests Talleri McRae is a theatre artist, educator, disability scholar and inclusion/access specialist based in Louisville, Kentucky. While completing her Master of Fine Arts in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities in Austin, Texas, McRae researched how casting choices apply to perceptions of theatre and disability with young people. Now, as an independent contractor working regionally, nationally and internationally, McRae has worked with StageOne Family Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Kentucky Arts Council, Indiana Repertory, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The American Alliance for Theatre and Education and the International Inclusive Arts Network. In addition to her work as a teaching artist for elementary through high school students, McRae is the co‐founder and co-executive director of National Disability Theatre. With a mission to create fully accessible, world-class theatre and storytelling’ change social policy and the nation’s narrative about disability culture and serve as a guiding model in accessibility for the arts and cultural sector, National Disability Theatre’s advisory company is a who’s who of disability theatre artists, including Tony Award winner Ali Stroker and Greg Mozgala. Visit McRae online at https://tallerimcrae.wordpress.com/ (https://tallerimcrae.wordpress.com/). Mickey Rowe was the first autistic actor to play Christopher Boone in the Tony Award-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and one of the first autistic actors to get to play any autistic character. He has been featured in The New York Times, PBS, Teen Vogue, Playbill, NPR, CNN, Huffington Post, Salon, has keynoted for a variety of organizations including Lincoln Center, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Yale School of Drama. Mickey is the founder and co-executive director of National Disability Theatre, which is currently partnering with La Jolla Playhouse and Chicago’s Goodman Theater to develop and present new productions by Pulitzer Prize-finalist and disabled playwright Christopher Shinn. Cast as Mozart in Syracuse Stage’s upcoming production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award-winning play Amadeus, Mickey has worked with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Opera and Seattle Shakespeare Company, among others. Currently completing his MFA in Artistic Leadership, Mickey is also a juggler, stilt walker, unicyclist, hat manipulator, and acrobat. Visit Rowe online at https://www.mickeyrowe.me/ (https://www.mickeyrowe.me/) Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Broadway stage veteran Gayle Turner says she’s proud to bring HAVING OUR SAY: THE DELANY SISTERS' FIRST HUNDRED YEARS, a tale of divine sisterhood to the https://nctheatre.com/ (North Carolina Theatre) stage, especially since the Delany Sisters’ story is woven into the fabric of Triangle history. Sadie and Bessie Delany were civil rights pioneers who were born to a former slave. For over a century, the pair bore witness to decades of American history from their family’s post-slavery years through the Civil Rights Movement right up to the time they died in the 1990s. Their story inspired a biography: https://books.apple.com/us/book/having-our-say/id721185552?mt=11&app=itunes&at=1001lRry&ct=1001lRry (Having Our Say – Sarah L. Delany, A. Elizabeth Delany & Amy Hill Hearth). Hear what she has to say about that, her time working on Broadway in THE WIZ and her secret to sustaining a long career in the entertainment industry. About the Guest Gayle Turner went from graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to making her Broadway debut at the Majestic Theatre in THE WIZ as the understudy to Stephanie Mills in the role of Dorothy for three years. Turner was nominated for the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for her role as Geneva Lee Brown in “1940’s Radio Hour” directed by Bev Newcomb Madden at the Arvada Center. She has also worked with musical director David Nehls and director Bill Castellino (SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, ABYSSINIA, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS). She is a multi-award-winning actress with the cast of CONSTANT STAR, written and directed by Tazewell Thompson. International audiences will remember her performances in the Richard Allen Center’s production of BLACK NATIVITY in Rome, Italy (co-directed by Morgan Freeman) and the New York Harlem Singers 2010 Asian Concert Tour with Philip Boykin (director). She is a new member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices with founder Michael McElroy. Turner is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She has a BA degree from the College of New Rochelle and a Master of Arts degree in Media Studies from the New School. She is proud to have a (recurring role) as Officer Dominguez on NBC’s “Law and Order SVU”. For more information visit: http://www.thelovelygayleturner.com/ (http://www.thelovelygayleturner.com/). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Anyone who has beat out Heart and Soul on the piano, fell in love with the soundtrack to “Sleepless in Seattle” or can remember Ray Charles singing Georgia on My Mind is familiar with Hoagy Carmichael’s music. His song Stardust has been recorded over 2000 times and was selected for inclusion in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2004. For the last six years, Carmichael’s son Hoagy Bix, Tony-nominated director Susan H. Schulman, and choreographer Michael Lichtefeld have been developing a new musical featuring songs from Carmichael’s catalog called STARDUST ROAD. Hear what they have to say about that, Hoagy Carmichael's legacy, and more. https://rduonstage.com/2019/10/20/podcast-transcript-the-birth-of-the-new-musical-stardust-road-with-hoagy-bix-carmichael-tony-nominee-susan-h-schulman-and-michael-lichtefeld/ (To read a transcript of this episode, click here.) About the Guests Hoagy Bix Carmichael is a film, television, and theatrical producer. He worked as assistant director for Hecht Hill Lancaster of such films as “The Rabbit Trap” (Universal Pictures), “Elmer Gantry” (Columbia Pictures), and ”Separate Tables” (Columbia Pictures). While at WGBH/TV in Boston, he co-produced many productions including “On Being Black,” “The Music Shop” and “The Advocates” for PBS. He was the managing director/producer for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Mr. Carmichael co-manages the Hoagy Carmichael music catalog, and was the Artistic Producer of the “Hoagy Carmichael Centennial Celebration.” A founding member of AmSong, Inc., an advocacy organization for American songwriters, Carmichael served as its president for three years. https://www.hoagy.com/ (https://www.hoagy.com/) Susan H. Schulman’s Broadway credits include the Tony Award-winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN as well as its highly successful national tour, the revival of SWEENEY TODD at the Circle in the Square, for which she received a Tony Award nomination, the revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Tony nomination for Outstanding Revival) and LITTLE WOMEN, the musical and its successful national tour. For her direction of the highly acclaimed musical VIOLET, winner of The New York Drama Critic’s Circle Award for Best Musical, Schulman received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Director. She received an Obie Award for directing MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the York Theatre a production which also received the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Revival, as well as several Outer Critics and Drama Desk nominations. For the prestigious Stratford Festival of Canada, she has directed nine productions and her many regional and national tour productions are SUNSET BOULEVARD with Petula Clark and the premiere of HEARTLAND. Schulman is a member of the executive board of SDC, a graduate of the Yale Drama School, Hofstra University, and New York’s famed High School of Performing Arts. Michael Lichtefeld choreographed six Broadway musicals including, LITTLE WOMEN, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE SECRET GARDEN, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES and LAUGHING ROOM ONLY. He worked off-Broadway choreographing eight musicals and 10 national/international tours. For the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, he choreographed nine musicals and directed/choreographed SOUTH PACIFIC and MY ONE AND ONLY. He has also been nominated for the Drama Desk Award and three outer Critics’ Circle Awards. This summer he will travel to Australia for the 25th Anniversary remount of THE SECRET GARDEN with Susan H. Schulman. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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The unlikely friendship of black community activist Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, the Exalted Grand Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, brought together to co-chair a series of meetings about the desegregation of Durham Public Schools in 1971, seems extraordinary. And it must have seemed that way also to writer Osha Gray Davidson who documented Ann and CPs story in his book THE BEST OF ENEMIES: RACE AND REDEMPTION IN THE NEW SOUTH published by The University of North Carolina Press. Davidson’s book inspired the movie and a play written by Mark St. Germain. Davidson was in Durham to see the https://www.nccu.edu/news/index.cfm?ID=7BA8409D-B0F1-1EF1-5039730D5B7BAAE0 (North Carolina Central University Theatre) production of the play. It was his first time seeing it live and said the fact that he got to see it in Durham, just over a mile north from where the community meetings to desegregate Durham’s Public School took place. He called the experience pretty mind-blowing. “I miss Ann and C.P.,” he told the cast in a talkback afterward. “So, seeing them together was emotional because they’re real people to me.” Davidson’s book https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-best-of-enemies/id1245739291?mt=11&app=itunes&at=1001lRry (The Best of Enemies) is available from https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-best-of-enemies/id1245739291?mt=11&app=itunes&at=1001lRry (Apple Books) or Amazon. About the Guests Osha Gray Davidson is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and photographer. He has written six books of non-fiction, including “The Best of Enemies” which was a finalist for the NYPL’s Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism. The film adaptation of “Best of Enemies” starring Sam Rockwell and Taraji Henson was released in April of 2019. Davidson’s work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, National Geographic, Mother Jones, and Rolling Stone. Ruby Christmas is a Durham native who says she knew Ann Atwater and worked with her on several boards in Durham including, Operation Breakthrough, Head Start, and the Sickle Cell Foundation. She attended one of the first community meetings in Durham about desegregating Durham Public Schools in 1971. Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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It’s always so much fun to sit down with Ira David Wood III (David) and Ira David Wood IV (Ira), mostly because the father-son pair have such good stories to tell. I’m also never quite sure where the conversation is going to go with these two, and that’s exactly what happened when I sat down with them to discuss DRACULA. We ended up talking about a sequel to A CHRISTMAS CAROL, FROZEN 2 (which features Wood's daughter Evan Rachel Wood), and of course, DRACULA, which Ira stars in and David directs. David also adapted Bram Stoker’s classic story for the Theatre in the Park stage. For more information on DRACULA or the public sale of tickets to this year’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, visit https://www.theatreinthepark.com/ (https://www.theatreinthepark.com). About the Guests Ira David Wood III is the founder and artistic director of Theatre in the Park, an institution that has often been credited with raising the bar of theatrical excellence in the Triangle area. David has managed to accumulate impressive film and television credits, having appeared on-screen with such stars as Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Neil Patrick Harris, Cliff Robertson, Matthew Modine, James Earl Jones, Burt Reynolds, and Louise Fletcher. Though his list of acclaimed theatre roles is unrivaled in our area, he is probably best known and loved for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in his own musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. With three international tours to its credit, as well as having played to over one million people over the past 44 years, the production is now cited as “one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theater history.” David is also the author of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ILPG5A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000ILPG5A&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=f68f1994dc00d593312351c62c7bb9ef (A Lover’s Guide To The Outer Banks), https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1613467672/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1613467672&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=3ce07b72a48bf7a948a120267be8a536 (Confessions Of An Elf), and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1528900863/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1528900863&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=411bfbe1fe93127bb8e86ab867591f7a (The Russian Galatea). Ira David Wood IV made his first stage appearance as an infant in his father’s 1984 production of A Christmas Carol. Since then he has been seen on television (including as an accomplice on Punk’d), as well as in feature films. Ira taught acting at the prestigious acting studio “The Shop” in North Hollywood, California. His directing credits for Theatre in the Park include Romeo and Juliet, starring his sister Evan Rachel Wood. Noises Off, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Psycho Beach Party. In 2010, Ira played Old Tom, a leading role in the Tony Award-winning show The Lost Colony. While his father was recovering from open-heart surgery in 2010, Ira stepped in the role of Scrooge. He now alternates playing the role with his father. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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There have been many studies on the links between creative people and drug and alcohol abuse. And while many of these studies are somewhat outdated or inconclusive, the fact is that in the state of North Carolina, about 233,000 individuals aged 12 or older abuse illicit drugs each year. So, to help me unpack what abuse and recovery look like, particularly in the performing arts community, I reached out to Beau Clark. Beau, who attended the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music or CCM, was a member of this theater community and was last seen in NEXT TO NORMAL at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre last year. Hear what he has to say on this episode of the RDU on Stage podcast about abuse, addiction, and his journey to the other side. About the Guest Beau Clark’s life prior to Delancey Street was a whirlwind of drugs, alcohol and reckless behavior. As a professional theater actor turned singer in a rock band – Beau found immediate and pervasive access to party culture and he took advantage of that access to an excessive degree. His selfish, manipulative and morally bankrupt lifestyle led him to homelessness, heroin addiction and complete reliance on others for even rudimentary survival. He sat on the bench at The Delancey Street Foundation’s New York facility a broken husk of a man, with no sense of personal responsibility, accountability or boundaries. After his graduation from Delancey Street in 2014, Beau remained intimately connected with both the organization and the people who taught him to live a life with character, honesty, and integrity. As a result, he has found success in both business and philanthropic tropes. Professionally, Beau became Service Coordinator for the prestigious “Faust Harrison Pianos” in New York City and was able to grow a small, mostly outsourced team into a profitable and renowned staff of piano technicians. Outside of work, he carried the Delancey Street philosophy of “A helps B, and A gets better” long after his graduation. He led the charge for A Doorway to Hope’s Angel Tree Project, coordinating Christmases for over 100 underprivileged children each year. Additionally, he volunteered regularly with the Food Bank, The Croton Falls Fire Department, Sonorous Road Theater, North Raleigh Arts Creative Theater, The Walkabout Chorus, Activate Good and Unchain Durham. Beau was happy with his life and assumed he would retire in the piano industry and continue volunteering his free time– until he learned of the magic happening in Salt Lake City. His love of the process he learned at Delancey Street led to a curious visit to The Other Side Academy. Over the course of that weekend, it became abundantly clear to Beau that this is where he belonged. Resources https://www.theothersideacademy.com/ (The Other Side Academy) http://www.delanceystreetfoundation.org/ (The Delancey Street Foundation) https://healing-transitions.org/ (Healing Transitions) https://www.llfnc.org/ (Lavare Leith Foundation) http://www.oxfordhousenc.org/ (Oxford House of North Carolina) http://www.aanc32.org/ (North Carolina Alcoholics Anonymous) https://www.fellowshiphall.com/ (Fellowship Hall) https://www.trosainc.org/ (TROSA)

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A year ago, I interviewed Kristin Chenoweth in advance of her concert in Boone, North Carolina. So, with the release of her seventh album https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VRFYDQV?pf_rd_p=183f5289-9dc0-416f-942e-e8f213ef368b&pf_rd_r=5QSNC2JF9Z294G6V3KBG (For the Girls), I reached out to her once again to see if I could broadcast our conversation on this podcast. Not only did she say yes, but the record company also shared with me several tracks from the album to share with you. This archived recording was not originally intended for broadcast, so there are some sound glitches, but I think overall you will find Kristin to be, as I did, just a girl from Oklahoma with a voice that is truly as big as her heart. https://rduonstage.com/2019/09/23/qa-kristin-chenoweth/ (To read a transcript of my conversation with Kristin Chenoweth, click here.) About the Guest Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth’s career spans film, television, voiceover and stage. In 2015, Chenoweth received a coveted star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, she received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in “Pushing Daisies.” In 1999, she won a Tony Award for “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and she was also nominated for her original role of Glinda the Good Witch in “Wicked” in 2004. Chenoweth has been nominated for two Emmy Awards and for a People’s Choice Award for her role on “Glee.” Chenoweth released “The Art of Elegance,” her album of American Songbook classics. She also returned to the Broadway stage in her limited engagement MY LOVE LETTER TO BROADWAY. In 2014, she released a CD and DVD of her own live concert performance, “Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home.” Last December, she performed with iconic The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra in their annual Christmas concert. The concert will air on PBS and BYUtv in December 2019. In 2015, Chenoweth earned a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for her lead role in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s “On the Twentieth Century.” She also earned nominations for a Tony Award and a Drama League Award. Notable television roles include appearances in “The West Wing,” Disney’s “Descendants” and “The Muppets.” In film, Chenoweth voiced the role of Gabi in the hit animated film “Rio 2” and Fifi, Snoopy’s beloved French poodle in “The Peanuts Movie.” She starred in the indie teen drama entitled “Hard Sell” and additional film credits have included “The Boy Next Door,” “Deck the Halls,” “Twelve Men of Christmas,” “Four Christmases,” “RV,” “Bewitched,” “The Pink Panther,” “Hit & Run” and “Family Weekend.” She also starred in NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” as Velma Von Tussle in December 2016. She voiced the role of Princess Skystar in Lionsgate/Hasbro’s “My Little Pony: The Movie,” and can also be heard in the Sony Pictures animated film “The Star.” Upcoming, Chenoweth will star alongside Scott Wolf in the holiday film “The Christmas Song,” which is slated to debut on Hallmark Channel (2019) and the film “Holidate” which will premiere on Netflix in 2020. Her newest album “For the Girls” is a heartfelt tribute to the great female singers throughout history. Guest artists include Ariana Grande, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Hudson and Reba McEntire. Music Credits “When I Fall in Love” – Words and music by Edward Heyman and Victor Young, used with permission by Concord Records. Performed by Kristin Chenoweth. “I Will Always Love You” – Words and music by Dolly Parton, used with permission by Concord Records. Performed by Kristin Chenoweth and Dolly Parton. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Last week, Bill Maher made a comment, “Fat-shaming needs to make a comeback.” As an actor, educator, and combat artist, Tara Nicole Williams, has experienced fat-shaming and bullying and has a lot to say about body image, typecasting, and representation on stage. About the Guest Tara Nicole Williams is an actor, educator, and combat artist raised, right here, in Raleigh, NC. She has trained with the https://safd.org/ (Society of American Fight Directors) for the last 10 years, specializing in German Longsword and high fantasy choreography. She has also facilitated the introduction of intimacy choreography to the Triangle community; organizing workshops and special events. Currently, she is pursuing her Intimacy Director status with https://www.teamidi.org/theatre (Intimacy Directors International). Along with her own training, she manages the https://www.facebook.com/stagecombatacademync/ (Stage Combat Academy of North Carolina), assisting Fight Director Jeff A.R. Jones. Tara also teaches stage combat, acting, and movement with universities, schools, and organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. Her work focuses on empowering actors to own their unique physicality – using movement to tell intricate stories. Most recently she has appeared on stage in Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, for which she won a Cantey Award as Suzette. Tara is currently in Honest Pint Theatre’s production of THE METROMANIACS as Lucille. Her previous fight/intimacy choreography credits include: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE (Honest Pint Theatre), BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY (Raleigh Little Theatre), JULIUS CAESAR (William Peace University), CARMEN (NC Opera), THE MIRACLE WORKER (Seed Art Share), and SHE KILLS MONSTERS (Meredith College). She will be revisiting SHE KILLS MONSTERS this month with the University of Nebraska. For more information visit https://www.taranicolewilliams.com/ (https://www.taranicolewilliams.com/). Links https://youtu.be/Ax1U04c4gaw (James Corden’s Response to Bill Maher’s Fat-Shaming Comments) https://howlround.com/body-shaming (Howlround: Body-Shaming, the Epidemic Plaguing Collegiate Theatre Programs)

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Ethel Waters was a pioneer who broke down barriers on Broadway, in films, and on television. She was the first to sing the song “Stormy Weather” at the famed Cotton Club in 1933. In fact, her recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame nearly 70 years after she recorded it and in 2004, The Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry. But behind Waters’ soft smile, was pain and sadness. Phyllis Morrison and Kenneth Hinton introduce us to the woman behind the music. Morrison is playing Waters in the Agape Theatre Project production of ‘Sweet Mama Stringbean, the Life and Times of Ethel Waters’ which Hinton is directing. About the Guests Kenneth Hinton is an educator, actor, stage and video director, and playwright. He directs plays at Shaw University, NCCU and community theatre. Mr. Hinton has won three national CASE awards for his documentary television work in 1988, 1989, and 1991 from Ford Motor Company. Mr. Hinton is an expert directing multi-camera video productions. Directing credits include: “You Ain’t My Daddy” by Ken Hinton, Chris Glover, “Homegirls” by Karen K.D. Evans,” and “Steal Away” by Romano King, “The Amen Corner” by James Baldwin, “Anatomy of a Woman Abused” by Jaison McMillian, “Ceremonies in Dark in Old Men” by Lonne Elder, and “Trouble in Mind” by Alice Childress. Acting Credits: Mr. Roberts, “The Watsons go to Birmingham,” Alphonso in the staged reading of Samm Art-Williams’ play, “Last of the Line,” Ozelle Graham in the play “Wise Ones,” Rev. Luke Roberts in the play “A Heart Divided,” Gerald in the Robin Armstrong play “Smoldering Embers,” and Randolph in the Sam Art-Williams play “Dance on Widow’s Row” at the Raleigh Little Theatre. Mr. Hinton is on the Board of Directors of the Durham Regional Theatre. He is currently the owner of The Media Group video productions and Artistic Director of Agape Theatre Project. Phyllis (Pia) Morrison is a relative newcomer to the theater. Although her list of acting credits isn’t extensive, she is making her mark on the stage. You may have seen her in “Sister Act” (as Deloris Van Cartier – Gallery Players – Burlington, NC), “Curve of Departure” (as Linda – Bulldog Theater Company – Durham, NC), or “You Ain’t My Daddy” (as Judge Jocelyn Beckett – Agape’ Theater Project) to name just a few. Phyllis’ passion is singing. She wrote and co-wrote several tunes that were performed in the Ovens Auditorium (Charlotte, NC), The Carolina Theatre (Durham, NC) and North Carolina Central University for the stage play, “Butterfly Wings.” This singer/songwriter/actor is most excited to now be the front person for her own R&B/Soul performing band, PM Groove. Phyllis studied and graduated from Georgia Southern University (Bachelor of Science degree in Education); North Carolina Central University (M.A. Educational Media); and East Carolina University (M.A. Ed Instructional Technology). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

Music Credits ‘Saint Louis Blues’ – Words and music by William C. Handy and Rosamond Johnson, Handy Bros. Music Co. Inc., ASCAP, used with permission. Sung by Phyllis Morrison. ‘Supper Time’ – Words and music by Irving Berlin, Irving Berlin Music Corp., ASCAP, used with permission. Sung by Phyllis Morrison. ‘Taking a Chance on Love’ – Words and music by Vernon Duke, Ted Fedder, and John Latouche, EMI Miller Catalog, Inc. and Taking a Chance on Love Music Company, ASCAP used with permission. Performed live by Ethel Waters, Armed Forces Radio Service, Jubilee!, July 17, 1945.

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The story of The Scottsboro Boys, which began in 1931 and evolved over the course of 80 plus years, has inspired books, documentaries, songs, movies, and even a Broadway musical. But the significance of this case transcends pop culture and speaks to racial injustice in this country in a way that feels timely and relevant for right now. About the Guest Moses T. Alexander Greene is an unconventional playwright, cultural arts producer, performer, and artistic director whose commitment to the arts and creative scholarship continues to impact a myriad of landscapes. A sixth-generation New Yorker (Long Island), he is a double graduate of Syracuse University with a Master’s in New Media Management and a dual Bachelor’s in African American Studies and Writing for Television, Radio, and Film. He has served as Chief Communications Officer/Assistant Professor of Media & Film at Saint Augustine’s University. In 2013, he was one of 20 educators nationwide named as a Fellow of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (EMMY) Foundation. As an arts advocate, Greene currently serves Raleigh in several capacities: vice-chair of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, chair of the Commission’s Racial Equity, Access and Inclusion Task Force and board member of the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County. He is also the visionary behind Nia Kuumba, a special audition that provides singers and actors of various ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and gender identities as well as performers with disabilities with an opportunity to audition for over 30 local and regional professional and community theatres at one time. After two years serving as director of the African American Cultural Center at NC State, Greene recently resigned to pursue producing cultural arts programs full-time, including serving as artistic director of Li V Mahob Productions, a Raleigh-based theater company he founded in 2018. As artistic director of https://www.facebook.com/LiVMahobProductions/ (Li V Mahob), he is committed to uplifting narratives of the diverse experiences of African Americans and African diasporic cultures through performance art. The first production of the company, a work written by Greene called POOLED, held its world premiere that February at the Kennedy Theater of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. The National Black Theatre Festival named POOLED as “one of the best 25 black theatre productions of the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Caribbean” and selected it as a main stage production. Greene is also the dramaturg and historian for Theatre Raleigh’s production of ‘The Scottsboro Boys’. Resources and Credits https://www.archives.gov/files/publications/prologue/2014/spring/scottsboro.pdf (National Archives: The Scottsboro Boys, Injustice in Alabama) https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/scottsboro/ (American Experience: Scottsboro, An American Tragedy) https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2017/09/06/The-real-life-Scottsboro-Boys-A-Timeline-of-Injustice/stories/201709060008 (Pittsburgh-Post Gazette: The Real Life Scottsboro Boys, a Timeline of Injustice) https://scottsboroboysletters.as.ua.edu/ (University of Alabama: To See Justice Done, Letters from The Scottsboro)… http://www.africanamericanarts.org/ (THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS: What You Need to Know Before You Go)

Photo: Juanita E. Jackson visiting The Scottsboro Boys, January 1937, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Visual Materials from the NAACP Records, LC-USZ62-116731. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web www.rduonstage.com

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Erin Sullivan’s admiration for Marilyn Monroe began five years ago when she was chosen by Tony Award-winning playwright Mark Medoff to originate the role of Marilyn in his last play MARILEE AND BABY LAMB: THE ASSASSINATION OF AN AMERICAN GODDESS. Sullivan dove into the role and connected with Marilyn on such an emotional level that she penned her own one-woman show. WITH LOVE, MARILYN. Hear what she has to say about becoming Marilyn, conspiracy theories, and more. About the Guest Erin Sullivan built her career playing the favorite blonde bombshells of the musical theatre repertoire. Sullivan performed around the country in the National Tours of HAIRSPRAY as Amber Von Tussle in over 300 performances, as Frenchy in GREASE, and in THE WEDDING SINGERand SHREK. She recently appeared in the developmental lab of a new musical HAZEL: A MAID IN AMERICAdirected by the legendary Lucie Arnaz and choreographed by Chet Walker. Sullivan developed and originated the role of Marilyn Monroe in a new play by Tony Award-winning playwright Mark Medoff entitled MARILEE AND BABY LAMB: THE ASSASSINATION OF AN AMERICAN GODDESSwhich had its premiere at the Rio Theatre in Las Cruces, NM. In 2014, she released her first book entitled ‘Theatrical Baggage’ – a manual, workbook, and bible on how to survive a National Tour and Other Gigs. Sullivan attended the esteemed American Musical and Dramatic Academy and is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

Music Credits ‘I Wanna Be Loved By You’ – Words and music by Herbert Stothart, Harry Ruby, and Bert Kalmar, BMG/Firefly, Morris Edwin H. & Co., Ruby Harry Music Co., and Warner Bros., Inc., ASCAP, used with permission. ‘Bye Bye Baby’ and ‘Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend’ – Words and music by Jule Stein and Robin Leo, Music Sales Corp, ASCAP, used with permission. Resources https://rduonstage.com/2019/04/30/video-erin-sullivan-remembers-tony-award-winning-playwright-mark-medoff/ (Video interview with Sullivan about Tony Award-winning playwright Mark Medoff.) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnENWU9Ki4xsTDLwkiathnw (Samantha McLaughlin’s YouTube Chanel, All About Marilyn (mentioned).)

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Recording artist and actor http://www.yolandarabun.com/ (Yolanda Rabun) considers Nina Simone, a mentor of sorts. Last summer she had the opportunity to sing at the icon’s childhood home in Tryon, North Carolina as the https://savingplaces.org/places/ninasimone?gclid=CjwKCAjw7uPqBRBlEiwAYDsr1wRDy_G0E4zFyAcC08ocxKujbONbWYmU0a-NKq9dL1Aci4z79Od63RoC9SUQAvD_BwE#.XVn4BehKjD5 (National Trust for Historic Preservation) designated it a National Treasure. Before that, she played the role of Nina Simone in a short play Howard L. Craft was commissioned to write by the https://stonecenter.unc.edu/ (Sonja Haynes Stone Center at UNC-Chapel Hill) to accompany an art exhibition. Now Yolanda is reprising her role as Nina Simone in Howard’s one-woman play NO FEAR AND BLUES LONG GONE. This production is being directed by Kathryn Hunter-Williams. Hear what Hunter-Williams, Rabun, and Craft all have to say about the show, the music, and the legacy of the High Priestess of Soul. About the Guests Yolanda Rabun exploded onto the jazz scene first on Stanley Baird’s 2007 Traffic Jam hit single, “I Want 2 Love You,” and, in 2011, released her debut CD project, “So Real,” on which she co-wrote several songs, including the title song. In 2012, Rabun infused Soul, R&B, Gospel, Folk, Smooth and Traditional Jazz on her sophomore solo album, “Christmastime,” and followed in 2013 with the Adult Contemporary single, “Hold on To Your Dreams.” This rich-voice chanteuse has opened for and sung with such iconic artists as Jennifer Holiday, Howard Hewitt, Ron Isley and the Isley Brothers, R&B singer KEM and the world-renowned iconic drummer, Sheila E. Yolanda has also performed with the NC Opera, the Durham Symphony, and the Raleigh Symphony Free Spirits; she appeared on a number of TV and radio programs. A proud equity-actor, Yolanda has performed on a number of regional theatre stages, including PlayMakers Repertory Company (VIOLET), Theatre Raleigh (BEEHIVE: THE MUSICAL), and North Carolina Theatre (NEWSIES). Howard L. Craft is the author of two books of poems: Across The Blue Chasm (Big Drum Press 2000) and Raising the Sky (Jacar Press 2016). His poetry also appears in Home is Where: An Anthology of African-American Poets from the Carolinas, edited by Kwame Dawes. His essays have appeared in The Paris Review and have been included in The Routledge Companion to African American Theatre (Routledge Press 2019). He is the author of several plays including, FREIGHT: THE FIVE INCARNATIONS OF ABLE GREEN, a New York Times Critic Pick for March 2015; CALYPSO AND THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS, ORANGE LIGHT, and THE JADE CITY CHRONICLES VOLUME I: THE SUPER SPECTACULAR BADASS HERALD M. F. JONES. He is the creator of the first African-American superhero radio serial: The Jade City Pharaoh. Kathryn Hunter-Williams PlayMakers’ company member. Recent and highlights include LIFE OF GALILEO, SKELETON CREW, LEAVING EDEN, TARTUFFE and many more. She has also worked with Living Stage, The Negro Ensemble Company, Manhattan Class Company and New Dramatist. Kathryn is currently on the faculty of UNC Dept. of Dramatic Art. Connect with RDU on Stage •Facebook – @rduonstage •Twitter – @rduonstage •Instagram – @rduonstage •Web www.rduonstage.com

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Hear what North Carolina Theatre's Elizabeth Doran (President/CEO) and Eric Woodall, Producing Artistic Director, have to say about NC Theatre’s the decision-making process, as it pertains to licensing, casting, and building an entire season from scratch. For more information about NC Theatre, visit https://nctheatre.com/ (https://nctheatre.com/). About the Guests ELIZABETH DORAN joined NC Theatre in March 2017. With over 15 years of experience as an arts leader and theatre producer, Elizabeth has successfully led several arts organizations serving as the CEO of San Diego Theatres, executive director of The Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, and as managing director of The Actors’ Gang. Along with producing theatre internationally in Europe and South America, Elizabeth has worked on the development side of major Broadway-bound shows such as JERSEY BOYS and ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, and has presented many Broadway touring shows including PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and THE LION KING. Beyond her depth of experience in producing and presenting the arts, Elizabeth’s focus on education, audience development, and diversity and inclusion have attracted millions of dollars of funding to support programs which break down barriers by merging the arts into schools, universities, prisons, underserved and new-immigrant neighborhoods, and businesses. Elizabeth has an MBA in strategy and entrepreneurship from Rensselaer (RPI). ERIC WOODALL has a long history with NC Theatre; as an actor, teacher, and director. As a high school student, he performed in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and GEORGE M! at NC Theatre. After successful years on stage and television, Eric returned to NC Theatre in the late ’90s to direct and help cultivate the existing Summer Theatre Arts School program into the NC Theatre Conservatory. For the past16 years, Eric worked as one of New York’s top casting directors in the office of Tara Rubin Casting. Through casting and developing new musicals, Eric has been lucky enough to work alongside Stephen Sondheim, Cameron Mackintosh, William Finn, Sir Richard Eyre, Stephen Daldry, Susan Stroman, Stephen Schwartz, Casey Nicholaw, James Lapine, Phyllida Lloyd, and Hal Prince. A few of his Broadway casting credits include SUNSET BOULEVARD, ALADDIN, FALSETTOS, LES MISERABLES, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, BILLY ELLIOT, MARY POPPINS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and MAMMA MIA! (Broadway, National tour.) Past NC Theatre directorial credits include GYPSY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, MARY POPPINS, BILLY ELLIOT, DRIVING MISS DAISY, and STEEL MAGNOLIAS. Other directing credits include NEXT TO NORMAL, WEST SIDE STORY, BIG RIVER, ON GOLDEN POND (Casa Manana); BIG FISH, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, PARADE, AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY and VIOLET (Theatre Raleigh); AMADEUS (Memphis’ Playhouse on the Square), and HAY FEVER (Playmakers Repertory.) As a guest lecturer, Eric has taught at universities and training programs around the country including NYU, Baldwin Wallace, and Elon. Internationally, Eric was invited to lead workshops in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia through Actors Equity of Australia. Last year, American Theatre named Eric one of the “People You Should Watch” in its “Role Call: Six Theatre Workers You Should Know” series. Eric is a drama graduate of Carnegie Mellon-University and is a member of SDC and CSA. He is grateful to be “home” at NC Theatre. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Jason Robert Brown has to say to about his music, shows, and Hal Prince, the man he called a role model and friend. About the Guest The New York Times refers to Jason as “a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical.” Jason’s score for THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY received two Tony Awards (for Best Score and Orchestrations). HONEYMOON IN VEGAS opened on Broadway in 2015 following a triumphant production at Paper Mill Playhouse. A film version of his epochal Off-Broadway musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS was released in 2015, starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan and directed by Richard LaGravenese. Other major musicals as composer and lyricist include: 13, PARADE (Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best New Musical, Tony Award for Original Score); and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, a theatrical song cycle directed by Daisy Prince, which played Off-Broadway in 1995. Future projects include a new chamber musical created with Daisy Prince and Jonathan Marc Sherman called THE CONNECTOR; an adaptation of Lilian Lee’s FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE, created with Kenneth Lin and Moisés Kaufman; and a collaboration with Billy Crystal, Amanda Green, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel on a musical of MR. SATURDAY NIGHT. For the new musical PRINCE OF BROADWAY, a celebration of the career of Harold Prince, Jason was the musical supervisor and arranger. Other New York credits as conductor and arranger include URBAN COWBOY the MUSICAL on Broadway; DINAH WAS, off-Broadway and on national tour; WHEN PIGS FLY off-Broadway; William Finn’s A NEW BRAIN at Lincoln Center Theater; the 1992 tribute to Stephen Sondheim at Carnegie Hall (recorded by RCA Victor); Yoko Ono’s NEW YORK ROCK at the WPA Theatre; and Michael John LaChiusa’s THE PETRIFIED PRINCE at the Public Theatre. Jason orchestrated Andrew Lippa’s JOHN AND JEN, Off-Broadway at Lamb’s Theatre. Additionally, Jason served as the orchestrator and arranger of Charles Strouse and Lee Adams’s score for a proposed musical of STAR WARS. As a soloist or with his band The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, Jason has performed concerts around the world. For the past four years (and ongoing), his monthly sold-out performances at New York’s SubCulture have featured many of the music and theater world’s most extraordinary performers. His newest collection, “How We React and How We Recover”, was released in June 2018 on Ghostlight Records. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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According to The New York Times, the https://ncblackrep.org/nbtf-info/ (National Black Theatre Festival) is one of the most historic and culturally significant events in the history of black theatre. The event brings together black theater companies from around the world and celebrates the contributions of African American artists. This year, the festival chose 25 plays to represent the best in black theater from the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. One of those plays selected to make its national debut as one of the festival’s main stage productions was the gospel musical drama, POOLED, written by Moses T. Alexander Greene. Hear what he has to say about the healing powers of POOLED and what it means for our community to have this work validated on a national stage. About the Guest Moses T. Alexander Greene is an unconventional playwright, cultural arts producer, performer, and artistic director whose commitment to the arts and creative scholarship continue to impact a myriad of landscapes. A sixth-generation New Yorker (Long Island), he is a double graduate of Syracuse University with a Master’s in New Media Management and a dual Bachelor’s in African American Studies and Writing for Television, Radio, and Film. Since May 2017, he has served as director of the NC State University's African American Cultural Center and leads its mission to cultivate the critical examination and exploration of African American and other African Diasporic cultures. Before that, he served as Chief Communications Officer/Assistant Professor of Media & Film at Saint Augustine's University. In 2013, he was one of 20 educators nationwide named as a Fellow of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (EMMY) Foundation. As an arts advocate, Greene currently serves Raleigh in several capacities: vice-chair of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, chair of the Commission's Racial Equity, Access and Inclusion Task Force and board member of the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County. He is also the visionary behind Nia Kuumba, a special audition that provides singers and actors of various ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and gender identities as well as performers with disabilities with an opportunity to audition for over 30 local and regional professional and community theatres at one time. In 2018, he founded and became the artistic director of https://www.facebook.com/LiVMahobProductions/ (Li V Mahob Productions), a Raleigh-based, professional theatre company committed to uplifting narratives of the diverse experiences of African Americans and African diasporic cultures through performance art. The first production of the company, a work written by Greene called POOLED, held its world premiere that February at the Kennedy Theater of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. The National Black Theatre Festival named POOLED as “one of the best 25 black theatre productions of the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Caribbean” and selected it as a main stage production. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Puppetry is one of the oldest types of performance art in the United States. Within the last five years, there has been a renaissance of puppetry happening across the world. Puppets are appearing on television, in movies, and onstage. In fact, just last month, Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company received a Special Tony Award for the technical design of the 20-foot, 2000-pound puppet featured in the musical King Kong. Closer to home in, Donovan Zimmerman and his team are putting the finishing touches on http://paperhand.org/ (Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s) 20th annual production entitled WE ARE HERE, which opens next month in Chapel Hill. Lauren Van Hemert met up with him at his studio in Saxapahaw, which is adjacent to the Haw River Trail in Alamance County. As you will hear, Donovan is deeply connected to nature and his environment. So it seemed fitting we record this episode outside at a picnic table next to the river. Hear what Donovan has to say about art, discipline, and shifting the status quo one giant puppet pageant at a time. About the Guest Donovan Zimmerman is the co-founder and director of Paperhand Puppet Intervention. After graduating from the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati, he traveled to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and India before moving to Oregon where he started the Sticks and Stones Theater puppet company. After taking part in the http://hawriver.org/events/haw-river-festival/ (Haw River Festival) for many years, Donovan met his wife Lea. The pair settled down in Saxapahaw. He and his longtime friend and collaborator Jan Burger have been working together on Paperhand for seven years. This year marks Paperhand's 20th annual production. Connect with RDU on Stage - The Podcast for Triangle Theater People Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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When you look at the scope of Vivienne Benesch’s career thus far, she certainly has an impressive resume, from actress to director to the Producing Artistic Director of http://playmakersrep.org/ (PlayMakers Repertory Company). In fact, it was recently announced that Vivienne will make her Broadway directorial debut next year, directing Debra Messing in Noah Haidle’s play BIRTHDAY CANDLES. But when you speak to Vivienne, it becomes very clear that what is most important to her is building connections and nurturing relationships. Hear what Vivienne has to say about that, the role theater has in strengthening community, and her full-circle journey back to Broadway, this time as a director. About the Guest Vivienne Benesch is in her fourth full season as a theater maker and company member and Producing Artistic Director here at PlayMakers in Chapel Hill. For 12 seasons, she served as Artistic Director of the renowned https://chq.org/chautauqua-theater-company (Chautauqua Theater Company and Conservatory), presiding over the company’s transformation into one of the best summer theatres and most competitive summer training programs in the country. She directed over 15 productions at CTC including an acclaimed re-imagining of ROMEO AND JULIET featuring the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Theatre, Opera and Dance companies. She brought CTC’s production of AMADEUS performed with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic, to the Virginia Arts Festival featuring PlayMakers company member Ray Dooley. She has helmed productions of LIFE OF GALILEO, THE MAY QUEEN, THREE SISTERS, LOVE ALONE, RED and IN THE NEXT ROOM for PlayMakers, directed extensively for The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and directed THE HEIDI CHRONICLES for Trinity Repertory Company. As an actress, Vivienne has worked on and off-Broadway, in film and television, and at many of the country’s most celebrated theatres. She has appeared with Gene Wilder, Al Pacino and Blythe Danner, performed with Maggie Smith in the London revival of Edward Albee’s THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, and received an OBIE Award for her performance in Lee Blessing’s GOING TO ST. IVES. Vivienne is a graduate of Brown University and NYU’s Graduate Acting Program. As an educator, she has directed for and served on the faculty of some of the nation’s foremost actor training programs, including The Juilliard School, UNC-Chapel Hill’s Professional Actor Training Program, Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Program and at her alma mater, NYU’s Graduate Acting Program. She is the 2017 recipient of the Zelda Finchandler Award given by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba (CONTACT) has to say about music, dance, her first Broadway show, A CHORUS LINE, and of course, the North Carolina Theatre production of ANNIE. About the Guest Karen Ziemba received the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in CONTACT at Lincoln Center Theatre. For some of her other NYC and regional appearances, she’s garnered three Tony Award nominations, the Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle, the Bay Area Theatre Critics, and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards. Select theatre credits: PRINCE OF BROADWAY, STEEL PIER, CURTAINS, CRAZY FOR YOU, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, NEVER GONNA DANCE, AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND, KID VICTORY, 110 IN THE SHADE, DO I HEAR A WALTZ, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, GYPSY, SWEENEY TODD, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, OTHER PEOPLES MONEY, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. TV: MADAM SECRETARY, ELEMENTARY, THE GOOD WIFE, LAW AND ORDER, THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, and PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES. Resources https://nctheatre.com/ (NC Theatre) https://www.karenziemba.com/ (Karen Ziemba Webpage)

Credits Musical excerpts used in this episode are from the 2010 North Carolina Theatre production of ANNIE, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Today’s podcast is divided into two parts, two conversations with two theater-makers who couldn’t be more different. But the commonality that ties these two together is the subject of representation both on stage and in the theater industry. First up, I chat with Triangle theater-maker Jesse Gephart who is directing the upcoming Theatre Raleigh production of Doug Wright’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play I AM MY OWN WIFE. Based on a true story and inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright over several years, this play tells the story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, who managed to survive both the Nazi onslaught and the repressive East German Communist regime while living openly as a transgender woman. Following my conversation with Jesse, I interview Susan Steadman, a playwright based in Wilmington who has spent a lot of time researching and writing about feminism and the theater. Her upcoming play, (ANTI-)MATERIAL(ISM) is being produced as part of the NC 10 by 10 Festival, which features 10 short plays by North Carolina playwrights. About the Guests Jesse Gephart has been performing in the Raleigh-Durham area since 1998 and has been seen in over 35 productions. He has been fortunate enough to have been cast in many different types of roles, from working in the ensembles of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUES IN TEXAS AND ROBBER BRIDEGROOM; supporting parts in DISTRACTED, AVENUE Q, AND AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY; to leading roles in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, SLEUTH, and SIGNIFICANT OTHER. Since 2007, he’s directed over 20 productions, including the recent production of GODSPELL at Theatre in the Park. After the Theatre Raleigh production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, Gephart begins work on the North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre production of BE MORE CHILL. Susan M. Steadman, a longtime Dramatists Guild member, has written for and about the stage for several decades. Her 15 produced and/or published plays include THE THING WITH FEATHERS, a finalist in the LaBute Festival, performed at the St. Louis Actors Theatre (2014) and slated for the Eden Prairie Players in September 2019; (ANTI-)MATERIAL(ISM), taking stage in NC 10 x 10 in summer 2019; THE CINDERELLA CHRONICLES (YouthPLAYS), produced in six countries, and WHAT DOESN’T KILL ME…, three one-acts examining women’s roles in society, staged in both metro-Atlanta and Wilmington, NC (2014). She has also contributed to and shaped the production COMMON PLACE, UNCOMMON ENCOUNTERS, which included short work by several playwrights in 2017; penned two audience participation murder mysteries, coauthored with her daughter; and spearheaded several partially devised touring shows for children. In addition, an excerpt from the full-length LOVE IS A SEVEN-LETTER WORD, performed in GA in 1993, was published in BEST SCENES FOR KIDS (2015), and there have been many performances of her ten-minute plays, both fully produced, including NEW AGE FAREWELLS and MUCH MUCH LATER at Onion Man Productions (GA), and in staged readings. Susan has directed over 70 productions and headed two improv troupes. Author of the critically lauded reference work, DRAMATIC RE-VISIONS, which examines theatre and feminism, she has contributed to journals, magazines, and books. She holds a Ph.D. in theatre from LSU and currently serves as Executive Director of the Port City Playwrights’ Project in Wilmington, NC. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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The 1930s and 1940s were the Golden Age of Radio. Today’s watch parties were yesterday’s listening parties, as families would gather around the radio to hear their favorite serial, variety show, or drama. In fact, at the time BBC was producing twice as many plays for the radio as London’s West End, and the notable radio playwrights of the time included Caryl Churchill, Tom Stoppard, and Harold Pinter. But with the advent of television, shows like these lost their audience. That is until now. Streaming media presents new opportunities for artists to share their stories. Hear what Tamara Kissane has to say about challenging the way traditional theater is made and the comeback of the audio play. About the Guest http://tamarakissane.com/ (Tamara Kissane) is a Triangle theater maker, creative coach, and podcaster for Artist Soapbox. Locally, she’s worked with Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern, Manbites Dog Theater, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, Duke Theatre Studies, Transactors Improv, Summer Sisters, Archipelago, and both hands theatre company. Tamara is a co-founder of http://curioustheatrecollective.com/ (Curious Theatre Collective). Her plays, The New Colossus and Master Builder were commissioned and performed by Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern in 2016 & 2018. She is working on two audio dramas to be released via Artist Soapbox in 2019. For more information visit: https://tamarakissane.com/ (https://tamarakissane.com/). https://rduonstage.com/2019/06/28/guest-blog-post-an-audio-drama-is-born/ (Read what Tamara Kissane writes about the birth of MASTER BUILDER and the tips she has to share about creating an audio drama.) Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Noah Putterman (Theatre Raleigh's WHERE WORDS ONCE WERE) has to say about theater for young audiences in the United States and abroad. About the Guest As the Director of Theatre for Youth at Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, TX (’13 – ’18), Noah directed over thirty productions, including in-house and touring productions for families and young audiences in the acclaimed Apprentice Program. His original show, SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL, premiered at Casa Mañana and has thus far received subsequent productions at South Carolina Children’s Theatre and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Additional directing credits include Lyric Stage (Dallas, TX), Circle Theatre (Fort Worth), and the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis). Acting credits include work with the Acting Company of NYC (Off-Broadway/national tours), Guthrie Theatre, Alpine Theatre Project, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Casa Mañana, North Carolina Theatre, and Theatre Raleigh. Currently based in California, Noah hails from Raleigh and graduated from Enloe High School. He is a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts and a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program. Local Resources The following theater companies have a family series, family productions included as part of next season, or routinely have family offerings. https://theatreraleigh.com/family-series/ (Theatre Raleigh (Family Series)) https://raleighlittletheatre.org/announcing-the-2019-2020-season-now-then/ (Raleigh Little Theatre (Family Series)) http://www.nract.org/shows (North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre) (FREAKY FRIDAY) http://caryplayers.org/ (Cary Players) (SHREK THE MUSICAL) https://www.theatreinthepark.com/ (Theatre in the Park) (A CHRISTMAS CAROL, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS) https://www.aggregatetheatre.com/ (Aggregate Theatre) https://seedraleigh.org/ (Seed Art Share)

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Hear what six-time Tony Award-winner Costume Designer William Ivey Long, has to say about his North Carolina beginnings, TOOTSIE, BEETLEJUICE, DIANA: THE MUSICAL, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, activist, and professor he affectionately called Uncle Paul (Paul Green). About the Guest William Ivey Long is a six-time Tony Award-winning costume designer. He most recently designed costumes for A CHRISTMAS STORY, LIVE! for the FOX Television Network. He also designed THE PRINCE OF BROADWAY for legendary director Hal Prince, and the revised stage musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN in London’s West End for Mel Brooks, having previously designed the original production on Broadway in 2009. Recent Off-Broadway designs include THE PORTUGUESE KID by John Patrick Shanley, and BIG NIGHT by Paul Rudnick. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on GREASE: LIVE for the FOX, and designed the re-imagination of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (starring Laverne Cox and Tim Curry) - also for FOX. He is currently represented on Broadway with TOOTSIE, BEETLEJUICE, and CHICAGO, now in its 23rd year. Other Broadway Credits include: ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, CABARET (2014 and 1998 revivals), BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA (Tony Award), BIG FISH, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER, HUGH JACKMAN: BACK ON BROADWAY, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, PAL JOEY, 9 TO 5, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, CURTAINS, GREY GARDENS (Tony Award), THE PRODUCERS (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, THE BOY FROM OZ, HAIRSPRAY (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), CONTACT (Hewes Award), THE MUSIC MAN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, SWING, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, CRAZY FOR YOU (Tony, Outer Critics Circle Awards), GUYS AND DOLLS (Drama Desk Award), A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, LEND ME A TENOR (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), and NINE (Tony, Drama Desk, Maharam Awards). Long has designed costumes for 75 Broadway productions and has been nominated for over 15 Tony Awards. In addition, he is the Production Designer for North Carolina’s oldest running seasonal outdoor drama, THE LOST COLONY, which was the 2013 recipient of the Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. He's the recipient of the Morrison Award (1992), the UNC Chapel Hill Playmakers Award (1994), the National Theatre Conference “Person of the Year” award (2000), the Order of the Long Leaf Pine (2001), the Distinguished Career Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference (2002), the Raleigh Medal of Arts (2010), and the 2004 North Carolina Award presented by Governor Easley. For more information, visit: http://www.williamiveylong.com/ (http://www.williamiveylong.com/). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Carol de Giere, the author of DEFYING GRAVITY, Stephen Schwartz's biography, has to say about the evolution of PIPPIN, Schwartz's experience working with Bob Fosse which was recently dramatized in the mini-series ‘Fosse/Verdon,’ and more. About the Guest Carol de Giere is the author of two books that provide behind-the-scenes stories on popular musicals. The first book Defying Gravity takes readers into the world of the award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz known for the musicals WICKED, PIPPIN and other Broadway shows and films. The second book The Godspell Experience: Inside a Transformative Musical records the history and song-by-song details for GODSPELL. Both books serve as historical records in addition to offering insights on the creative process for fans of musicals, working writers, and performers. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheSchwartzScene/?ref=br_rs (The Schwartz Scene) https://www.musicalwriters.com/ (Musicalwriters.com) http://musicalschwartz.com/ (MusicalSchwartz.com) http://www.caroldegiere.com/ (CaroldeGiere.com)

Credits https://robinhoodradioondemand.com/podcast/leonard-lopate-at-large-stephen-schwartz-carol-de-giere/ (Special thanks to Leonard Lopate for allowing RDU on Stage to use an excerpt of his podcast interview with Stephen Schwartz. To hear Leonard’s complete interview with both Carol and Stephen on the Leonard Lopate at Large podcast, click here.) Special thanks also to Patrick Torres, Artistic Director of Raleigh Little Theatre (RLT) and Director of the 2019 RLT production of PIPPIN which runs through June 16th. On the Right Track, music/lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, performed by Deanna Richards and Jesse Farmer from the Raleigh Little Theatre 2019 production directed by Patrick Torres. Magic to Do, music/lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, performed by the cast of the Raleigh Little Theatre 2019 production. Corner of the Sky, music/lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, performed by Jesse Farmer from the Raleigh Little Theatre 2019 production. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Jonathan Keebler and Ryan Korell have to say about the world premiere of their new musical GAY CARD and more. About the Guests RYAN KORELL is a musical theatre composer based in New York City. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, he ventured first to Nashville to earn his bachelor’s degree in music composition at Vanderbilt University, and then to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for his master’s degree in musical theatre writing. To further his education, Ryan worked on Broadway as a copyist and music assistant for Jason Robert Brown on projects including THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and THE LAST FIVE YEARS film. Also an alumnus of the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony, Ryan was honored as a Finalist for the Jonathan Larson Grants. His music has been featured at Feinstein’s/54 Below, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and on the radio, receiving high rankings on the US AC chart. He is a proud member of ASCAP and the Dramatists Guild. Ryan’s musicals include GAY CARD (NYU, Agile Formations, Piccolo Spoleto Festival), THE DAWN OF EDEN (Johnny Mercer), GROUNDED (Vanderbilt), and WORLDS APART (UCI NY Satellite Program). For more information visit: https://ryankorell.com/ (https://ryankorell.com/). JONATHAN KEEBLER is a lyricist and book writer originally from Delray Beach, Florida, who now resides in New York City. He has an MFA in musical theatre writing from NYU Tisch and a BA in theatre arts with concentrations in directing and performance from Rollins College. Jonathan first started writing book and lyrics for musicals in college when he and Jamie Lee Jacobs wrote THE SOPHOMORES which premiered at Rollins College in 2011. Two years later, Jonathan began collaborating on two new musicals at NYU Tisch: THE GOOD CHILD, with music and Korean lyrics by Insoo Oh, and GAY CARD with music by Ryan Korell. GAY CARD was developed further as part of Agile FORMations and will receive its premiere production at the College of Charleston in April 2016 and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in May 2016. Ryan and Jonathan continue to develop new pieces, including THE DAWN OF EDEN, which they worked on as part of the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. Jonathan is also developing a new show, TRUTH OR LIE, with music by Bob Kelly which is being produced by Hajjar Entertainment and received its first reading in April 2016. Jonathan has worked on a number of short musical projects. One, A MOST AVERAGE MUSICAL, was a movie musical with lyrics by Jonathan, music by Bob, and screenplay and direction by Talia Berger. A stage adaptation of it was presented at Sound Bites 4.0. Another, WORLDS APART, written with Ryan, was a fifteen-minute piece created for and presented as part of the University of California Irvine’s 4@15 program. Jonathan was a finalist with Ryan for the 2016 Jonathan Larson Grant. For more information visit: http://www.jonathankeebler.com/ (http://www.jonathankeebler.com/). Credits Prologue, What It Feels Like to Belong, and Starting Now, music by Ryan Korell, lyrics by Jonathan Keebler, performed by Sean Doherty, from the studio cast recording of the musical GAY CARD used courtesy of Ryan Korell and Jonathan Keebler. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.c)

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For the Honest Pint production of Matthew Lopez's THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, Director Susannah Hough enlisted the help of Vivica C. Coxx, Durham’s Drag Diva, to coach the cast (Matthew Hager and David Henderson) on the art of drag by putting them through drag queen boot camp. Hear what Coxx, Henderson, Hager, and Hough have to say about drag, being the best version of yourself, and finding your logical family. About the Guests Vivica C. Coxx brings beauty, comedy, and social justice to a head in the most beautiful way. Crafting a nightlife culture AND making drag accessible to everyone, she has made a name for herself and keeps growing! Vivica seeks to create an open and inclusive drag community where love and entertainment are most important. If you’re not having fun, she’s not interested. Most often, her shows are amateur-centered and about giving young performers the opportunity to become something more. With a B.S. in Medical Anthropology and Gender Studies from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and an M.Ed. from North Carolina State University, she is focused on progressing social justice efforts in Durham and the surrounding community. For more information visit: http://www.vivicaccoxx.com/ (http://www.vivicaccoxx.com/). David Henderson is the Founder and Co-Artistic Producer of Honest Pint Theatre Company. He is a Morehead Scholar graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. Most recently, he was seen in Honest Pint’s one-man show, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY. Prior to that, he played Doc in THE NIGHT ALIVE and played the title role in HAMLET, which earned him the Broadway World award for Best Actor in a Play. He also starred as Sweeney in SWEENEY TODD at Raleigh Little Theatre and understudied for the role for Playmakers Repertory Company. For the past 23 years, he has had the pleasure of playing Jacob Marley in Theatre in the Park’s annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Susannah Hough is the Co-Artistic Producer of Honest Pint. She hails from Los Angeles but has called the Triangle home for many years now, and is a veteran of numerous stage and film companies here. Some of her favorite Honest Pint roles are ANNAPURNA (Honest Pint Theatre Co.), THE NIGHT ALIVE (Director), and THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY (Director). She has appeared in the short films Righteous (Bombshell Studios), Endings (Turnip Films), and Katie’s Dog (Carbon Footprint), as well as numerous commercials, industrial videos, and TV. She coaches actors for auditions and teaches acting classes, as well. For more information visit: http://www.susannahhough.com/ (www.susannahhough.com). Matthew Hager is an actor, children’s musical theatre composer, and theatre educator based out of Raleigh, NC. He is a graduate of UNC School of the Arts (high school – drama) and UNC Chapel Hill (BA Dramatic Arts), with additional training at DePaul University, Shakespeare & Co., and Michael Howard Studios. Matthew has performed with many theatre companies in the Triangle, including North Carolina Theatre, Bulldog Ensemble Theater, Manbites Dog, Deep Dish, and Burning Coal (for whom he has been a company member since 2012). In 2017, Matthew founded https://www.aggregatetheatre.com/ (Aggregate Theatre Company) with the mission of developing a younger theatergoing audience in the Triangle. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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When we talk about Latinx theater in the United States, we are not talking about a trend that started with In the Heights or Hamilton. We are talking about a movement that effectively began in the fields of central California with El Teatro Campesino. And that’s what we are talking about today, Latinx theater, with Patrick Torres, Artistic Director of https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) (RLT). About the Guest Patrick Torres is RLT’s Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has been seen at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Southwest Shakespeare Festival, Round House Theatre, The Source Festival, and the Hangar Theatre among others. In 2003, he was selected as a Drama League Directing Fellow and in 2005 was named a Young Leader of Color by the Theatre Communications Group. He has an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Resources & Credits Click any of the links below to find out more about Latinx theater OR learn more about the theater companies Patrick mentioned in this episode. https://howlround.com/latinx-theatre-commons (Latinx Theatre Commons) http://elteatrocampesino.com/ (El Teatro Campesino) http://en.galatheatre.org/ (Gala Hispanic Theatre)

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Bring It On, Hamilton, the most recent revival of CATS, the revival of Falsettos, and this season’s Head Over Heels are just a few of the credits my guests today have on their impressive resumes. Shonica Gooden made her Broadway debut in 2012 in the musical Bring It On and three years later replaced Ariana DeBose as ‘The Bullet’ in the ensemble of Hamilton. Earlier this month, she was seen on the Damn Yankees episode of the TV miniseries Fosse/Verdon. Ellenore Scott was a finalist and All-Star on the TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance? and is the Associate Choreographer for this season’s larger-than-life Broadway musical King Kong. Both women started out as concert dancers but found their way to Broadway. And this month, they find themselves in Fayetteville working on the Cape Fear Regional production of the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis. Memphis is loosely inspired on the story of Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s. Shonica stars as Felicia in this production, which Ellenore is choreographing. Also notable about this production is that for the first time in the history of the show, the character of Delray is being played by a woman. Hear what Shonica and Ellenore have to say about that, their work on Broadway, on television, and of course, working here in North Carolina. About the Guests Ellenore Scott is a New York City-based choreographer and performer. Scott was a finalist and All-Star on the hit television show, So You Think You Can Dance? She was the Associate Choreographer for Head Over Heels on Broadway and is also the Associate Choreographer for King Kong: The Musical. Ellenore was the Assistant Choreographer for the Broadway Revivals of Cats and Falsettos. She also choreographed Off-Broadway’s Pride and Prejudice at the Cherry Lane Theater. She is also directing the revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. She is the Artistic Director of ELSCO Dance, a contemporary dance company. For more information visit: https://www.ellenorescott.co/ (https://www.ellenorescott.co/). Shonica Gooden toured and made her Broadway debut with the high flying cast of Bring It On: The Musical. Throughout the past eight years, Shonica has had the privilege and honor of being a part of other critically acclaimed shows such as Hamilton: An American Musical (The Bullet; Broadway), CATS (Rumpleteazer; Broadway Revival), Cinderella (Broadway), and Matilda”(1st National Tour). Shonica is spreading her wings in the film and Television industry, as well, co-starring this past summer in NBC’s Manifest. She can also be seen in The First Purge, Ted 2, and on the TV miniseries Fosse/Verdon. For more information visit: https://www.shonicagooden.com/about-me (https://www.shonicagooden.com/). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Today we are taking a field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. This place, this shrine of music, is so much more than cowboy boots and Cadillacs. It’s a tribute to all the jazz, blues and bluegrass artists, who are interwoven into country music’s origin story. And nestled in the 5th Avenue lobby of this incredible building, is another not-to-be-missed hidden gem called Hatch Show Print, a historic letterpress print shop that is as much a part of Americana as country music itself. So why talk about Hatch here on this podcast? Well, it turns out that there’s a thread of southern hospitality that ties this small print shop in the heart of Nashville to our very own Durham Performing Arts Center. About the Guest Celene Aubry is the Associate Director at Hatch Show Print, one of America’s oldest surviving letterpress show poster and design shops. In addition to overseeing the staff and operation of a vibrant 140 year old letterpress print shop, Aubry is also guiding the development of additional Hatch Show Print programs and activities that leverage a classroom and gallery—two spaces that are still relatively new to the shop—while still carrying on the shop’s tradition of preservation through production, making posters for the customers whenever time allows. And, when the day’s work is done, Celene enjoys pursuing her quest to bring together the two outmoded processes of letterpress printmaking and hand-printed photographs. For more information about Hatch Show Print visit https://hatchshowprint.com/ (https://hatchshowprint.com/). Resources https://countrymusichalloffame.org/ (The Country Music Hall of Fame) https://www.opry.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2018_Search_Brand_BMM&utm_term=%2Bgrand%20%2Bopry%7cb&utm_content=291642335994&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2fmy1Yby4QIVg8DACh1fbwBNEAAYAiAAEgJ60vD_BwE (The Grand Ole Opry) https://www.ryman.com/ (Ryman Auditorium) https://rduonstage.com/2019/04/28/gallery-a-virtual-peek-into-hatch-show-prints-nashville-studio/ (Photo Gallery (Hatch Show Print))

Photo courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Eric Woodall, the Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre, Betsy Ludwig, Executive Director of Arts Access, and Doug Kapp, a local actor who also happens to be legally blind have to say about disability representation on stage. Towards the end of the podcast, I also talk with George Yionoulis (aka DJGeoYio). George is a 10-year-old music maker and filmmaker. In fact, he composed the music heard in this episode. He also made a video about autism that has been viewed over one million times on YouTube. About the Guests Eric Woodall is the Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre. In addition to his NC Theatre directorial credits including Gypsy, Mary Poppins, Jesus Christ Superstar, Steel Magnolias, Woodall has worked locally in the Triangle directing for companies like Theatre Raleigh and PlayMakers Repertory, as well as traveled the country putting his spin on shows like West Side Story, Big River, and On Golden Pond at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, Texas and Amadeus at the Memphis Playhouse on the Square. Prior to joining NC Theatre full time in November as producing artistic director, he spent 16 years in New York City working as one of the top casting directors at Tara Rubin Casting. For more information visit: http://ericwoodall.com/ (http://ericwoodall.com/). Betsy Ludwig has been with Arts Access for eight years, originally hired as Program Director. She has a BA in Social Work from Salem College, an MS in Therapeutic Recreation from UNC-Chapel Hill and Course Work in Arts Administration from NYU. She has worked as a Social Worker, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Inclusion Specialist/Trainer, and Program Administrator for Group Homes, Day Programs, Hospitals, Public Schools and Community Non-Profits. For more information visit: https://artsaccessinc.org/ (https://artsaccessinc.org/). Doug Kapp was already active in Raleigh’s theatre community before he decided to earn a degree in theatre from UNCG in 2010. He has appeared in independent films, UNCSA student films, and in the feature film Patch Adams. He was most recently cast in Pippin at Raleigh Little Theater and will be performing at A Series of Fortunate Events on April 27th. His dream roles include someday playing The Wizard (Wicked/The Wizard of Oz), The Cowardly Lion (The Wizard of Oz), and King George (Hamilton). George Yionoulis (aka DJGeoYio) is a fifth grader who loves to make music and movies. Encouraged by his fourth-grade teacher, George and his parents (Lisa Jolley and Mike Yionoulis) created a video to explain his autism to his classmates. The video went viral and has been viewed over one million times on YouTube. He just submitted his most recent music composition Reh Vow Loo Shun to the NAFME Electronic Music Composition Competition. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/georgeautism/ (DJGeoYio’s Facebook page). Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

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Hear what Playwright Jason Odell Williams has to say about faith, gun control, and his play CHURCH AND STATE. About the Guest Jason Odell Williams is an award-winning playwright and Emmy-nominated television producer. His plays have been performed Off-Broadway at New World Stages and The Westside Theatre as well as in theatres across the country. His play Church & State was a 2016 NNPN Rolling World Premiere, nominated for a BEST NEW PLAY AWARD by the Off-Broadway Alliance, three L.A. Ovation Awards including Best Playwriting for an Original Play, and named one of Huffington Post’s TOP TEN Theatre Productions of 2016. Church & State was recently optioned by Gigi Films (The Art of Getting By, The Winning Season). Jason was hired to adapt it into a screenplay with his wife and collaborator Charlotte Cohn. Jason’s first play Handle With Care was a New York Times Critics’ Pick when it ran Off-Broadway starring Carol Lawrence. Other plays include Someone Else (World Premiere, NC Stage); Baltimore in Black & White (the cell theatre) and The Science of Guilt (the Daryl Roth 2). His newest play The Whole Shebang was recently named a Semi-Finalist for the 2019 National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. The play was also named a Finalist for the 2018 InterAct Theatre Company’s New Play Development Award and was one of three plays selected for a workshop reading in Florida Studio Theatre’s 2018 New Play Reading Series. In his other life, Jason works as a writer and producer on such TV shows as “Brain Games” on Nat Geo, “60 Days In” on A&E, “Homicide Hunter” on Discovery ID (seasons 2 and 9), and the new hit Netflix Original Series “Brainchild. Jason lives in Manhattan with his wife, their daughter (a budding actress-singer-graphic novelist), and their rescued dog who loves chasing squirrels. For more information visit: http://www.jasonodellwilliams.com/ (http://www.jasonodellwilliams.com/) . Resources https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/ (Sandy Hook Promise) https://everytown.org/ (Everytown for Gun Safety)

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Hear what Carol de Giere, author of The Godspell Experience, has to say about the evolution of the show, the music, and Stephen Schwartz. About the Guest Carol de Giere is the author of two books that provide behind-the-scenes stories on popular musicals. The first book, Defying Gravity The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, is now in its revised and updated Second Edition. This career biography that takes readers into the world of the award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz known for the musicals Wicked, Pippin, and other Broadway shows and films. The second book, The Godspell Experience: Inside a Transformative Musical, records the history and song-by-song details for Godspell and features a Foreword by Stephen Schwartz. Both books serve as historical records in addition to offering insights on the creative process for fans of musicals, working writers, and performers. Ms. de Giere is also the founder of several online websites: https://www.facebook.com/TheSchwartzScene/?ref=br_rs (The Schwartz Scene) (now on Facebook) https://www.musicalwriters.com/ (Musicalwriters.com) http://musicalschwartz.com/ (MusicalSchwartz.com)

For more information visit https://caroldegiere.com/ (https://caroldegiere.com/) . Carol’s de Giere’s Books https://amzn.to/2D7rRIU (The Godspell Experience) https://amzn.to/2IngvUA (Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked)

Credits Special thanks to Theatre in the Park (TIP), TIP Music Director Diane Petteway, and https://www.startheatreco.com/ (Star Theatre Company in Oceanside, California). All Good Gifts, written by Stephen Schwartz and performed on piano by Theatre in the Park’s Music Director Diane Petteway. All for the Best, written by Stephen Schwartz and performed by Davitt Felder and Michael Casabianca, Star Theatre Company, Oceanside, California, 2013. Light of the World, written by Stephen Schwartz and performed on piano by Theatre in the Park’s Music Director Diane Petteway. Connect with RDU on Stage Facebook – @rduonstage Twitter – @rduonstage Instagram – @rduonstage Web http://www.rduonstage.com/ (www.rduonstage.com)

The Godspell Experience: Inside a Transformative Musical

Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (Applause Books)

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https://rduonstage.com/transcript-of-ep-14-kahei-shum-mcrae-on-art-costume-design-and-the-chaos-where-all-beautiful-work-is-birthed/ (To read a transcript of this episode, click here.) As Wake County’s first artist-in-residence, Kahei Shum Mcrae, also known as Ketti, has spent the last year working with theaters across the Triangle designing costumes for such shows as Raleigh Little Theatre’s Measure for Measure and the upcoming Theatre in the Park production of Godspell which opens in April. Ketti is originally from Hong Kong, where her passion for art was nurtured through Chinese painting and calligraphy classes. About the Guest Kahei Shum (Ketti) is a Costume Designer and Art Department Artisan. She received her MFA in Costume Design and her BFA in Production Design/Art Direction in Filmmaking from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She also holds a BA in Theatre and Drama from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Shum is originally from Hong Kong, where her passion for Art was nurtured through Chinese painting and calligraphy classes. She started reading plays and writing stories when she was in secondary school and fell in love with the story-telling process. During her undergraduate years, Kahei was introduced to all areas of design which set a foundation for her well-rounded atheistic. Kahei started working professionally as a Costume Designer while pursuing her MFA. Her costume design work has been seen at Theatre Charlotte, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, UNC Charlotte, Davison College, The Barter Players, Wake Forest University, the Triad Stage, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Ash Lawn Opera, Peppercorn Children’s Theatre and the Orlando Repertory Theatre. She is the first Wake County Visiting Artist and has spent the last year designing for theaters around the Triangle and presenting workshops and master classes. For more information about Shum, visit https://www.kaheishumdesigns.com/ (www.kaheishumdesigns.com/). Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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https://rduonstage.com/2019/03/24/transcript-lauren-gunderson-on-science-and-storytelling/ (To read a transcript of the RDU on Stage interview with Lauren Gunderson, click here.) Note: The music used in this episode was written by https://www.jennygiering.com/ (Jenny Giering) for the play Silent Sky. About the Guests Lauren Gunderson is a playwright, screenwriter and short story author from Atlanta, GA. She received her BA in English/Creative Writing at Emory University and her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch. She was named the most produced playwright in America by ‘American Theatre Magazine’ in 2017, was awarded the 2016 Lanford Wilson Award from the Dramatist Guild, the 2016 Otis Gurnsey Award for Emerging Writer, and was awarded the prestigious 2014 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for her play, I and You. By my count, she has written or co-authored 20 plays, including The Revolutionists, Emilie: La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight (https://sonorousroadrep.org/emilie (Sonorous Road), March 29th – April 14th), and Silent Sky (https://burningcoal.org/ (Burning Coal), April 2020). She has been commissioned by South Coast Rep (3 times), San Francisco Playhouse (2 times), The Denver Center Theatre Company, Crowded Fire, CentralWorks, The Kennedy Center, The Alliance Theatre’s Collision Project, Marin Theatre Company, Actors Express Theatre, Dad’s Garage Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, City University of New York and Synchronicity Performance Group. Gunderson lives in California with her husband (a scientist) and two children. Egla Hassan is an accomplished director and professor of theatre whose 34-year career at Western Illinois University included heading the Master of Fine Arts in Directing program and helping young theatre artists to find their own voice. She has spent most of her adult life engaged in some form of theatrical pursuit. Whether that was exploring the relationship between religion and drama during her time at Christian Theological Seminary, performing with a small theatrical group in Pennsylvania, or writing plays for special audiences, Hassan says that she has always looked for the ways in which theatre speaks about the human condition. Hassan is now retired from teaching but still works as a freelance director. In 2017, Hassan directed Sonorous Road’s production of Straight, White, Men.' Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Hear what Cara Rawlings, who is not only a Certified Stage Combat Instructor with The Society of American Fight Directors but also a certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors International, has to say about the evolution and importance of intimacy directing and creating a culture of consent on stage and screen. About the Guest Cara Rawlings is an Associate Professor of Movement and Acting in The Department of Theatre and Cinema at Virginia Tech. Rawlings has worked professionally as a teacher, fight director and dance choreographer in Chicago, Washington D.C., New York and abroad in Greece and Austria. Rawlings is a Certified Stage Combat Instructor with The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). As Intimacy Choreographer with Intimacy Directors International (IDI), she is focused on creating safer spaces for performers by acting as their advocate and responsibly guiding them through the process of staging choreographed moments of Intimacy in performance. She is a member of the Association of Theatre Movement Educators (ATME) and has served on the board of Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). Ms. Rawlings holds a Master of Fine Arts in Movement Pedagogy and Fight Direction from Virginia Commonwealth University. Resources https://www.teamidi.org/ (Intimacy Directors International) https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/924101_2e8c624bcf394166bc0443c1f35efe1d.pdf (The Pillars of Intimacy Directing (Rehearsal and Performance Practice)) https://rduonstage.com/2019/01/17/director-rebecca-blum-talks-about-the-raleigh-little-theatre-production-of-measure-for-measure/ (Interview with Rebecca Blum, Director of RLT’s ‘Measure for Measure’)

Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Many people know Roy Dicks as a theater critic writing for 'The News & Observer' for nearly two decades. But he also became the purveyor of North Carolina theater history. Hear what Dicks has to say about the long history of this dynamic creative community starting back in the 1970s when he first moved to Raleigh. He also refers to a running list of Triangle theater companies and presenters he has been keeping. He so graciously shared that list with RDU on Stage and it is now available on the website (link below) in the sidebar on any of the website pages. https://rduonstage.com/podcast/ep-9-theater-criticism-with-theater-critic-roy-dicks/ (Be sure to listen to Episode 9 wherein Roy talks about theater criticism, the evolution of arts coverage in both print publications and online, and what’s next for him.) About the Guest Roy C. Dicks has undergraduate degrees in English and in Drama from East Carolina University and a Masters of Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. His theater background includes performing in 65 productions at area university, community and dinner theaters, as well as directing 34 productions in the Triangle for those same theaters, including productions for Raleigh Ensemble Players, the theater company he co-founded and was co-artistic director for from 1982 to 1992. He wrote theater reviews for Raleigh’s weekly 'Spectator Magazine' from 1978-1986 (250 reviews) and was performing arts writer for the daily Raleigh 'News and Observer' from 1997 to 2018 (1,200 reviews, previews and interviews). He currently writes theater reviews for the online website, 'Classical Voice of North Carolina' (CVNC). Roy also has written for 'Opera Quarterly,' 'American Record Guide,' 'Dance Magazine' and 'Pointe Magazine.' He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America and the American Theatre Critics Association Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Last month, in an article for ‘Fast Company,’ Jed Gottlieb wrote about being the last critic standing at a major Boston newspaper and why that even matters. In that article, Gottlieb writes that critics not only concretely bolster arts and culture but arts writers also provide a historical record of their beat like no other reporter. And here in Raleigh, it might be said, that nobody has bolstered the arts, theater, classical music, opera, and dance, more so than Roy Dicks, who wrote theater criticism for the ‘News & Observer’ for over 20 years. Although he retired from the newspaper last summer, Roy is still writing. Hear what he has to say about the role of the theater critic and reviews, the evolution of arts coverage in print and online, and what’s next for him. https://rduonstage.com/podcast/ep-10-47-years-of-north-carolina-theater-history-theater-critic-roy-dicks/ (Be sure to also listen to Episode 10 wherein Roy walks us through 47 Years of Triangle Theater History.) About the Guest Roy C. Dicks has undergraduate degrees in English and in Drama from East Carolina University and a Masters of Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. His theater background includes performing in 65 productions at area university, community and dinner theaters, as well as directing 34 productions in the Triangle for those same theaters, including productions for Raleigh Ensemble Players, the theater company he co-founded and was co-artistic director for from 1982 to 1992. He wrote theater reviews for Raleigh’s weekly ‘Spectator Magazine’ from 1978-1986 (250 reviews) and was performing arts writer for the daily Raleigh ‘News and Observer’ from 1997 to 2018 (1,200 reviews, previews and interviews). He currently writes theater reviews for the online website, ‘Classical Voice of North Carolina’ (CVNC). Roy also has written for ‘Opera Quarterly,’ ‘American Record Guide,’ ‘Dance Magazine’ and ‘Pointe Magazine.’ He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America and the American Theatre Critics Association Resources https://www.cvnc.org/ (Classical Voice of North Carolina) Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Since 2011, the Theatre Development Fund, also known as TDF, has presented more than 15 autism-friendly shows on Broadway, starting with Disney’s landmark musical ‘The Lion King.’ Beyond Broadway, TDF works with theatres across the country to help create environments that are accessible to all, including working with Arts Access in training some of the staff at Raleigh Little Theatre in advance of their performance of ‘Alice @ Wonderland’ last spring. This season Raleigh Little Theatre is offering one sensory-friendly performance of each one of their family series productions, as well as their production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,’ in which they will not only be offering a sensory-friendly performance, but they will also be casting an autistic actor in the title role. Hear what Raleigh Little Theatre’s Executive Director Charles Phaneuf and Arts Access Executive Director Betsy Ludwig have to say about what goes into producing these sensory-friendly shows. For more information, click on the links below: https://raleighlittletheatre.org/ (Raleigh Little Theatre) https://artsaccessinc.org/ (Arts Access) https://www.tdf.org/nyc/40/Autism-Theatre-Initiative (Theatre Development Fund Autism Initiative) About the Guests Charles Phaneuf is a Raleigh native who returned to the area and to RLT in 2012. He was previously Managing Director of Joe’s Movement Emporium, a multidisciplinary performing arts center located outside of Washington, DC, and Associate Managing Director at Shakespeare Theatre Company during the expansion into the Harman Center for the Arts. Charles is a founding member of the Capital Fringe Festival and Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, both in Washington. He is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumni, a board member of the Friends of the Gregg Museum at NCSU, and serves on the Dix Park Master Plan Advisory Committee. Charles was named “40 Under 40” by the ‘Triangle Business Journal’ in 2014 and “Tar Heel of the Week” by the ‘News & Observer’ in 2018. Betsy Ludwig has been with Arts Access for eight years, originally hired as Program Director. She has a BA in Social Work from Salem College, an MS in Therapeutic Recreation from UNC-Chapel Hill and Course Work in Arts Administration from NYU. She has worked as a Social Worker, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Inclusion Specialist/Trainer, and Program Administrator for Group Homes, Day Programs, Hospitals, Public Schools and Community Non-Profits. Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Hear what Playwright Mike Wiley has to say about his play PEACE OF CLAY, the American dream, and the one historical figure he’s learned the most from. ’Peace of Clay’ is being produced by Theatre Raleigh next season. For more information visit the https://theatreraleigh.com/subscribe/ (Theatre Raleigh) website. https://rduonstage.com/podcast/ep-6-part-one-with-playwright-mike-wiley-nothing-beats-a-failure-but-a-try/ (To listen to the first part of my interview with Mike Wiley, Ep. 6, click here.) About the Guest Acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley has spent the last decade fulfilling his mission to bring educational theatre to young audiences and communities across the country. Through his performances, Wiley has introduced countless students and communities to the legacies of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown and more. His recent works include a one-man play based on Tim Tyson’s memoir ‘Blood Done Sign My Name’ and ‘The Parchman Hour,’ an ensemble production celebrating the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders who risked their lives to desegregate Southern interstate bus travel in 1961. Wiley has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the 2010 and 2014 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to his numerous school and community performances, he has also appeared on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, and National Geographic Channel and has been featured in Our State magazine, PBS’ ’North Carolina Now,’ and WUNC’s ‘The State of Things.’ For more information visit: http://mikewileyproductions.com/ (http://mikewileyproductions.com/.) Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Hear what Mike Wiley has to say about the role theater has in moving the conversation about race in this country forward, the people who influenced him throughout his life, and what he’s learned about failure. https://rduonstage.com/podcast/ep-7-part-two-with-playwright-mike-wiley-talking-about-peace-of-clay/ (To listen to the second part of my interview with Mike Wiley, Ep. 7, click here.) Mike Wiley's play PEACE OF CLAY is being produced by Theatre Raleigh next season. For more information visit the https://theatreraleigh.com/subscribe/ (Theatre Raleigh) website. About the Guest Acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley has spent the last decade fulfilling his mission to bring educational theatre to young audiences and communities across the country. Through his performances, Wiley has introduced countless students and communities to the legacies of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown and more. His recent works include a one-man play based on Tim Tyson’s memoir ‘Blood Done Sign My Name’ and ‘The Parchman Hour,’ an ensemble production celebrating the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders who risked their lives to desegregate Southern interstate bus travel in 1961. Wiley has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the 2010 and 2014 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to his numerous school and community performances, he has also appeared on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, and National Geographic Channel and has been featured in Our State magazine, PBS’ ‘North Carolina Now,’ and WUNC’s ‘The State of Things.’ For more information visit: http://mikewileyproductions.com/ (http://mikewileyproductions.com/.) Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Hear what Broadway veteran Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot, Les Miserables), her husband Charlie Brady (South Pacific) and Eric Woodall, Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre have to say about their history together, Mamma Mia! and what makes this show work. To hear the music of Mamma Mia! referenced on this episode, including ‘Under Attack,’ ‘Dancing Queen,’ ‘Take a Chance on Me’ and more, check out the original cast recording https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016A10YI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0016A10YI&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=672612f84e1132b7bf7a2a56fec9f943 (here). About the Guests Eric Woodall is the producing artistic director of North Carolina Theatre. He served as the Resident Director of the Broadway, Las Vegas, and national touring companies of Mamma Mia!. In addition to his NC Theatre directorial credits including Gypsy, Mary Poppins, Jesus Christ Superstar, Steel Magnolias, Woodall has worked locally in the Triangle directing for companies like Theatre Raleigh and PlayMakers Repertory, as well as traveled the country putting his spin on shows like West Side Story, Big River, and On Golden Pond at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, Texas and Amadeus at the Memphis Playhouse on the Square. Prior to joining NC Theatre full time in November as producing artistic director, he spent 16 years in New York City working as one of the top casting directors at Tara Rubin Casting. Lauren Kennedy is the producing artistic director for Theatre Raleigh, where she has directed and starred in numerous productions. She is also known by Raleigh audiences for her 30-year association with NC Theatre where she starred as Eva in Evita, Annie in Annie Get Your Gun, Fantine in Les Misérables, and Diana in Next To Normal. She appeared on Broadway as The Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Fantine in Les Misérables, Daisy Hilton in Side Show, Sunset Boulevard (original cast) and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific at The Royal National Theatre in London. For more info on Theatre Raleigh’s upcoming season visit: http://www.theatreraleigh.com/ (http://www.theatreraleigh.com.) Charlie Brady is best known for starring in the original Broadway cast of South Pacific at Lincoln Center, with other credits including North Carolina Theatre’s productions of Next to Normal and Les Misérables, and the Off-Broadway production of The Burnt Part Boys. Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Hear what Theatre in the Park's father-son duo Ira David Wood III and Ira David Wood IV have to say about working together, acting, and the things that can go wrong when you are putting on a live show. About the Guests Ira David Wood III is the founder and artistic director of Theatre in the Park, an institution which has often been credited with raising the bar of theatrical excellence in the Triangle area. David has managed to accumulate impressive film and television credits, having appeared on-screen with such stars as Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Neil Patrick Harris, Cliff Robertson, Matthew Modine, James Earl Jones, Burt Reynolds, and Louise Fletcher. Though his list of acclaimed theatre roles is unrivaled in our area, he is probably best known and loved for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in his own musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. With three international tours to its credit, as well as having played to over one million people over the past 44 years, the production is now cited as “one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theater history.” David is also the author of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ILPG5A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000ILPG5A&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=f68f1994dc00d593312351c62c7bb9ef (A Lover’s Guide To The Outer Banks), https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1613467672/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1613467672&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=3ce07b72a48bf7a948a120267be8a536 (Confessions Of An Elf), and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1528900863/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1528900863&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=411bfbe1fe93127bb8e86ab867591f7a (The Russian Galatea). Ira David Wood IV made his first stage appearance as an infant in his father’s 1984 production of A Christmas Carol. Since then he has been seen on television (including as an accomplice on Punk’d), as well as in feature films. Ira taught acting at the prestigious acting studio “The Shop” in North Hollywood, California. His directing credits for Theatre in the Park include Romeo and Juliet, starring his sister Evan Rachel Wood. Noises Off, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Psycho Beach Party. In 2010, Ira played Old Tom, a leading role in the Tony Award-winning show The Lost Colony. While his father was recovering from open heart surgery in 2010, Ira stepped in the role of Scrooge. He now alternates playing the role with his father. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007DK0OQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0007DK0OQ&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=df3e509c22788f6b50f9573d7f5d5bfe (To check out the book David mentions during the podcast, Downwind of Upstage by Michael Green, click here). Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

Downwind of upstage;: The art of coarse acting

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Charly Evon Simpson's play Jump explores the themes of grief, suicide, mental illness and how we connect with each other. PlayMakers’ Producing Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch calls Playwright Charly Evon Simpson and Director Whitney White a dynamic duo, part of an amazing pipeline of women’s voices in theatre. Towards the end of this episode, you’ll hear what Playwright Charly Evon Simpson has to say about her writing process and the process of bringing a new play from page to stage. But first, I sat down with Director Whitney White to talk about the joys and challenges of directing a new play, the theatricality of Jump, and the importance of gender parity in the theatre. About the Guests Charly Evon Simpson’s plays include Jump, Scratching the Surface, form of a girl unknown, it’s not a trip it’s a journey, and more. Her work has been seen and/or developed with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Ars Nova, The Lark, Page 73, Chautauqua Theater Company, Salt Lake Acting Company, National New Play Network through its NNPN/Kennedy Center MFA Playwrights Workshop and National Showcase of New Plays, and others. Jump is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere with productions at PlayMakers Repertory Company (Chapel Hill, NC), Milagro Theatre in a co-production with Confrontation Theatre (Portland, OR), Shrewd Productions (Austin, TX), and Actor’s Express (Atlanta, GA) in 2019. Behind the Sheet is premiering at Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City this month. She’s currently a member of WP Theater’s 2018-2020 Lab, The New Georges Jam, The Amoralists 18/19 ‘Wright Club and she’s The Pack’s current playwright-in-residence. Charly is a former member of SPACE on Ryder Farm’s The Working Farm, Clubbed Thumb’s Early Career Writers’ Group, Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Youngblood, and Pipeline Theatre Company’s PlayLab. She is currently an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Purchase. For more information visit, http://www.charlyevonsimpson.com/ (http://www.charlyevonsimpson.com.) Whitney White is 2018 recipient of the Susan Stroman Directing Award. She is currently in residency with Ars Nova as part of their 2018 Makers Lab, where she is developing Definition an original concert-play, and The Drama League as part of their Next Wave Residency where she is developing an original adaptation of Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters, with music. She is an Associate Artist at Roundabout Theatre Company and was a 2050 fellow at New York Theatre Workshop. White directed the critically acclaimed What to Send Up When it Goes Down by Aleshea Harris (The Movement) last fall. For more information visit: https://whitney-white.com/ (https://whitney-white.com/). Connect with Beltline to Broadway: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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Hear what Honest Pint Theatre Company’s Co-Artistic Directors David Henderson and Susannah Hough have to say about Rory Kinnear’s The Herd, reconciliation, and the irresistible pull of family. About the Guests David Henderson is the Founder and Co-Artistic Producer of Honest Pint Theatre Company. He is a Morehead Scholar graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. Most recently, he was seen in Honest Pint’s one-man show, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. Prior to that, he played Doc in The Night Alive and played the title role in Hamlet, which earned him the Broadway World award for Best Actor in a Play. He also starred as Sweeney in Sweeney Todd at Raleigh Little Theatre and understudied for the role for Playmakers Repertory Company. For the past 23 years, he has had the pleasure of playing Jacob Marley in Theatre in the Park’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. Susannah Hough is the Co-Artistic Producer of Honest Pint. She hails from Los Angeles but has called the Triangle home for many years now, and is a veteran of numerous stage and film companies here. Some of her favorite Honest Pint roles are Annapurna (Honest Pint Theatre Co.), The Night Alive (Director), and The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey (Director). She has appeared in the short films Righteous (Bombshell Studios), Endings (Turnip Films), and Katie’s Dog (Carbon Footprint), as well as numerous commercials, industrial videos, and TV. She coaches actors for auditions and teaches acting classes, as well. For more information visit: http://www.susannahhough.com/ (www.susannahhough.com). For more information about Honest Pint Theatre Company visit: https://www.honestpinttheatre.org/ (https://www.honestpinttheatre.org/). Connect with RDU on Stage: Facebook – www.facebook.com/beltlinetobroadway Twitter – www.twitter.com/beltlinetobway Instagram – @beltlinetobroadway Web www.beltlinetobroadway.org

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In 1973, tennis champion Arthur Ashe competed in the South African Open. Hear what Jerome Davis, the artistic director of Burning Coal Theatre, has to say about Hannah Benitez’s new play, ASHE in JOHANNESBURG, theater as a vehicle for social change, and why it is important to tell this story right now. About Jerome Davis Jerome Davis is Burning Coal Theatre Company’s founding artistic director. He has worked at Trinity Repertory Company (Providence), People’s Light & Theatre Company (PA), New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Phoenix Theatre (SUNY/Purhchase), Wellfleet Harbor Actors’ Theatre (Cape Cod), Columbia University, and Soho Rep, New Dramatists, Avalon Rep and MINT Theatre (NYC). Originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he studied in New York with Uta Hagen, Nikos Psacharapolous and Julie Bovasso. He has presented more than two dozen world premieres, providing Raleigh audiences with stimulating new works by local, national and international playwrights and is the recipient of the https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/news/content/CorNews/Articles/PRecArtsOfficeOfRaleighArtsAnnounces2018MedalofArtsRecipients.html (2018 Raleigh Medal of the Arts). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439189048/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439189048&linkCode=as2&tag=rduonstage-20&linkId=0aeaf192a97f349166d88e651ea023c4 (For more information on Arthur Ashe or to read an excerpt from the biography, Arthur Ashe: A Life, which includes more information on Ashe’s visit to Johannesburg, click here. ) Connect and Follow! Website: www.beltlinetobroadway.org Twitter: @beltlinetobway Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rduonstage (@)beltlinetobroadway Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rduonstage (@)beltlinetobroadway

Beltline to Broadway: Recent Episodes

Lauren Van Hemert