call and response podcast: Recent Episodes
Felicia Fitzpatrick
call and response, hosted by Felicia Fitzpatrick, explores the intersection of Blackness and performing arts.
Today is November 5, 2024, Election Day for the United States of America. As with every Presidential Election, we Americans are flipping the page, preparing to write a new chapter of this country’s history.
The musical Ragtime examines a certain chapter of American history through a handful of characters from three groups in the New York City area at the turn of the century: Mother, Father, and the rest of their white, rich family of New Rochelle; Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Sarah, and the Black residents of Harlem; and Tateh, his daughter, and newly arrived immigrants in the Lower East Side.
With the two-week revival for New York City Center’s gala presentation, the continued relevance of Ragtime has us asking “How much has America actually changed in the last 125 years?” with a renewed sense of urgency. We talk with Tony nominee Joshua Henry (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.), Nichelle Lewis (Sarah), Tiffany Mann (Ensemble), and podcast alum Destinee Rea (Ensemble) at their press preview about the power of listening to that ragtime.
Another season finale has arrived! For our final season six episode, we welcome director, actor, author, and Black Theatre United co-founder Schele Williams, who leaves us with gems of wisdom to carry us forward until we meet again!
She may be the first Black woman to direct a Broadway musical in 50 years, but she certainly isn’t interested in being the last. We talk about the power of mentorship and peer fellowship, her epic Broadway debut in Rent, and the rewards that came from helming The Wiz and The Notebook during her rookie year as a Broadway director.
This week we welcome Tony Award-winning costume designer Dede Ayite! You’ve seen her designs in Broadway shows like Appropriate, Days of Wine and Rose, Hell’s Kitchen, and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding—and that was just for this 2023-2024 season! We dive into why research is her favorite part of the design process, what she hopes audiences receive from her work, and what it felt like making history as the first Black woman to win the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Play.
This week we talk with Ambe J. Williams, a portrait and commercial photographer, director, and actor on sabbatical. We discuss the skills she relied on during her journey through the actor-to-photographer pipeline, the courageous cocktails that led to her film directorial debut, and the music videos that inspire her (when put on the spot).
This week we chat with The Theater Offensive’s executive director, Giselle Byrd. We dive into how liberation and community has always been at the center of her artistic philosophy—from her leadership beginnings in college as President of 3rd Act to building momentum as a talent manager to crafting her vision as the first Black trans woman leading a regional theatre in America.
This week we talk with writer, educator, and art critic Ricky Tucker. He is the author of And The Category Is…: Inside New York’s Vogue, House and Ballroom Community, for which he was a 2023 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Nonfiction. We explore the idea of social versus stage performance, misconceptions of art criticism, and how the sacred space of voguing and ballroom is like church.
This week we chat with actor, dancer, producer, creative director, and wellness enthusiast Leroy Church. The Chita Rivera and Antonyo Award winner shares his story, starting with his church dance beginnings at age 13 all the way to his current expansion into producing and creative directing, like he did with the renowned Dreamgirls production on Clubhouse in 2021. We discuss why he believes in the power of gratitude, how we can dismantle the gatekeeping of the Broadway industry, and what led to his signature catchphrase, “Thank you, Happy New Year.”
This week we welcome Tony winner Nikki M. James! We discuss the beautiful breadth of Black women she has played in her career—from The Book of Mormon’s Nabulungi (which earned her a 2011 Tony Award) to The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin’s Viveca to real-life investigative journalist Ida B. Wells in Suffs, her current role that earned her a 2024 Tony nomination. It feels like we only scratch the surface of James’ long and varied career, but we dive deep into what she learned from these characters and examine how the political landscape impacted their resonance with audiences.
This week we talk with the inaugural recipient of Vineyard Theatre’s Colman Domingo Award and the inaugural recipient of the John Singleton Screenwriter Award, playwright and screenwriter York Walker. We talk about the Disney kid to Broadway fan pipeline, his artistic philosophy as a playwright, and what he learned from working on his first professional production of his horror play Covenant.
This week we talk with Brooklyn McLain, the co-founder and COO of the first Black-owned Broadway merchandise company, “merch.” We chat about the musical that made him a self-described “theatre enthusiast,” why merchandising is so important to a show’s branding, and what it was like introducing the first durag to Broadway.
This week we chat with Thaïs Bass-Moore, who both as a kid and a theatremaker has done “everything and anything!” She is an actor, director, writer, mommy, wifey, Co-Founder and Director of University of Texas’ Fearless Leadership Institute, and author of A Syllabus for Black Women: 110 Life Lessons for Sistahs in College. We dive into the moment that made her realize how thrilling the theatre was, the undergraduate class that opened up her mind, and the impact that Texas Senate Bill 17 had on her career.
Content warning: This episode discusses misogynoir and police violence 12:41-16:13 and suicidal thoughts 17:49-18:00.
If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or explore more resources here.
This week, we talk with Broadway Inspirational Voices’ Artistic Director Allen René Louis, who also works as a music director, arranger, composer, lyricist, vocalist, instrumentalist, vocalist, actor, creative director, and producer. We dive into how his Haitian roots influence his musical approach, why he embraces imposter syndrome, and the artistic gifts that working on The Wiz revival gave him.
This week we welcome playwright, screenwriter, and former President of the Library Club, C.A. Johnson! We chat about the differences between collaboration for theatre versus television, how capitalism influences theatremaking, and what it was like seeing her play All The Natalie Portmans go from page to stage.
This week we chat with Nate Shelton, a self-described “general theatre person.” He’s worn many hats in the theatre space—from actor to company manager to TKTS employee to Actors’ Equity Association Contractual Business Representative. Throughout all of them, his joy and enthusiasm for the theatre has never wavered. We dive into how he joined the theatre department at Howard University, how he transitioned into arts administration from acting, and why he loves spreading the good word about theatre.
You’re gonna hear her roar! This week, we chat with Maya Boyd, the current star of &Juliet on Broadway! We discuss her experience of training in Russian ballet as a kid, how auditions helped her musical theater imposter syndrome, and what it was like making her Broadway debut in Merrily We Roll Along while she was still a senior at the University of Michigan.
10 years ago today, Holler If Ya Hear Me opened at Broadway's Palace Theatre and we are celebrating with a special episode! The musical's score featured songs from one of history's most influential rappers, Tupac Shakur. Though the production only lasted 17 previews and 38 performances, it impacted the Broadway landscape through its fearless integration of rap and hip hop with musical theatre and its addressing of social issues like gun violence in Black communities. Dive into the creation process of the musical with the people who were there: director Kenny Leon, book writer Todd Kriedler, music supervisor Daryl Water, music director Zane Mark, and company members Ari Groover, Christina Sajous, Jahi Kearse, and Jaime Lincoln Smith.
Get stretching because this week we are going behind the scenes of America’s most famous kicklines! Formerly a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and a Radio City Rockette, dancer Jacie Scott knows a thing or two about high-kicks. We dive into the similarities and differences of the two groups—from auditions to misconceptions to her experience as a Black woman. We also talk about dance team camaraderie, her journey of becoming the coach of NFL’s Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, and the journal-to-personal-essay writer pipeline.
And I say, “Hey! What a wonderful kind of day!” as we chat with actor, cosplayer, and content creator Lillian Hope! We talk about why she got into cosplay content creation, why the Millennial generation is so nostalgic, and why Black Nerds Matter.
This week, we talk with Kelundra Smith about the many writing hats she wears as a culture and theater critic, playwright, arts and culture journalist, and Managing Editor of American Theatre Magazine. We dive into what inspired her to write The Wash and Younger (a prequel to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun), how her Southern perspective informs her work, and which regions of the country are capturing her theatrical attention.
The 2024 WNBA season tipped off just last week, and we are celebrating with Criscia Long! She is the Senior Director of Entertainment for NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, the Long Island Nets, and WNBA’s New York Liberty. We dive into how she embraces commercial and concert dance, what she learned during her time as a pro NBA dancer, and what it was like orchestrating an epic halftime show in honor of The Wiz.
We are BACK IN THE HABIT, y’all! After three years away, we are kicking off season six with a catch-up episode. We highlight some of the incredible accomplishments of some podcast alums, as well as hear from four previous guests about how their lives have changed since their podcast episode aired. We chat with Marc J. Franklin (Episode 12), Vincent Jamal Hooper (Episode 16), Micayla Brewster (Episode 37), and Sharon Washington (Episode 24). Welcome back to call and response podcast!
Happy 30th Anniversary to Beauty and the Beast! 30 years ago today, Disney’s first musical premiered on Broadway and we are celebrating with a special episode. In honor of the milestone, we chatted with three Black actors who have played Belle: Briana Brooks from ZACH Theatre’s 2018 production (Austin, TX), Jade Jones from Olney Theatre Center’s 2021 and 2022 production (Olney, Maryland), and Ashley Blanchet from The Muny’s 2023 production (St. Louis, Missouri). It’s a tale as old as time, but how is it elevated with different identities? Be our guest as we dive into this fascinating discussion.
After a long hiatus, we are BACK for a special holiday episode! We take you inside the creation of Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, the jazz-steeped reimagining of the classic ballet that runs at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre this month. We talk with producers Ron Simons and Valencia Yearwood, conductor and pianist Harold O'Neal, and dancer Alicia Mae Holloway about their experience bringing this new adaptation to the stage.
For the season five finale of call and response, we celebrate FREEDOM. In a time where fear and scarcity feel wide-spread, how can we claim freedom, abundance, and liberation for ourselves? We talk with five artist-creators about what artistic freedom means to them. Hear from actor and multidimensional storyteller Ja'Michael De'Shawn, director Miranda Haymon, actor, musician, and singer-songwriter Tayler Harris, Broadway ad agency account executive Stevie Coleman, and Broadway photographer Marc J. Franklin.
For season 5's penultimate episode, we talk with artivist Britton Smith, who you’ve seen on Broadway in Be More Chill, Shuffle Along, and After Midnight, about how he learned to embrace his authentic self, what he’s learned from his work with Broadway Advocacy Coalition, and why he started his funk liberation band, Britton & The Sting.
We are so hype, so thrilled, and so excited that call and response podcast has hit of 100 episodes! To celebrate the milestone, we’re looking back at the previous 99 episodes, highlighting and reliving some of the best moments—the joy, the tears, and the thought-provoking conversations on what it means to exist at the intersection of Blackness and performing arts.
We talk with Gerald Caesar, soon to be seen in the Dear Evan Hansen movie adaptation, about making his Broadway debut in A Bronx Tale, performing with Choir Boy on the Tony Awards, and navigating social media pressures and nuances.
We talk with Tony winner Tonya Pinkins about what she learned from starring in Caroline, or Change, why she initially didn’t want to move to New York City, and how she grew from her experience as the writer-director-star of the award-winning socio-political horror film Red Pill.
We chat with Ain’t Too Proud star Jawan M. Jackson about how his support system encouraged him to pursue music, what his journey to New York City was like, and why he is committed to giving back.
We talk with the leadership team of the Obie-winning The Fire This Time Festival—executive director and founder Kelley Girod, producer Julienne Hairston, associate producer and director of TFTT New Works Lab A.J. Muhammad, and artistic director Cezar Williams—about how the festival has cultivated the feeling of family, why freedom of voice is essential for Black playwrights, and what has changed for them as an organization and as individuals in 2020.
We chat with Broadway performer Zurin Villanueva about what she gained from attending Howard University, how she felt performing in the musical adaptations of the iconic movies Clueless and Mean Girls, and why learning from Savion Glover in Shuffle Along changed her dance game.
We talk with The Lion King and Kiss Me, Kate star Adrienne Walker about studying vocal performance at Spelman College, fighting assumptions as a Black soprano, and launching her multimedia series 32 Bar Cut.
We chat with Ty Jones, the Producing Artistic Director of Classical Theatre of Harlem and an award-winning stage actor (NAACP, OBIE) about rebuilding the organization to make an uptown impact, finding inspiration for programming, and creating theatre that is all about the people.
We talk with Tony-nominated producer and recently named Global Producer of the Year Brian Moreland about the producer contributions to diversifying audiences, the need to break free of hamster-wheel conversations, and the necessity of rediscovering the North Star of Theatre.
We talk with The Muny’s Director of Education Tali Allen about when she fell in love with music education, what her Gen Z students have taught her, and why being “the only” can feel both exhausting, yet rewarding.
We chat with actor-musician and Howard University’s BFA Musical Theatre Coordinator Marty Austin Lamar about the dare that led him to musical theatre, the power of education in the pursuit of equity, and the lessons he brings from his acting career to the classroom.
We talk with award-winning playwright, author, and University of Texas professor Dr. Lisa B. Thompson about why theatre is like a postcard, the importance of intergenerational connections, and how her work in academia and the theatre world inform each other.
We chat with marketing executive and entrepreneur Khalilah Elliott about finding mentorship as Black women in the performing arts space, working at iconic institutions like the Apollo Theater and Disney Theatrical, and forming her own company, Gafford Communications.
We talk with talent manager and entrepreneur ChiChi Anyanwu about her game-changing experience at the McCarter Theatre, the origin story of creating her own management company, and the important three C-words that inform her work with her clients.
Welcome to the land of Kyle Taylor Parker! We talk about his liberating experience in Kinky Boots, infusing his truth into his work, and producing his solo album Broadway Soul, Vol. 2 during the time of the ‘Rona.
We chat with Jhanaë Bonnick about her journey to and life as a Broadway stage manager— the lighting cue that made her fall in love with it, three skills she recommends for success, and the important foundation she considered when building Slave Play's stage management team.
We talk with Memphis Symphony’s assistant conductor Kalena Bovell about finding her love of music by accident, inspiring the next generation of classical musicians, and collaborating with Rob McClure on the Ragtime-themed Conductor Cam music video.
After a tumultuous and unpredictable year that completely shook up the world, we’re back at the mic and looking to the future! The season five premiere episode kicks off with Nick Daly, a musical theatre and playwriting student at the University of Michigan and the winner of Playbill’s Search for a Star contest. We discuss his experience of performing in the first high school production of The Scottsboro Boys, rising to TikTok fame, and protesting in Kenosha this summer with a Gen Z perspective.
It’s call and response’s season four finale and we want the world to know! Kick off the final Friday of Black History Month with Candice Marie Woods. We chat about immersing themselves in queer culture, addressing misconceptions about trans and nonbinary folx, and navigating crossover appeal like their onstage counterpart in Ain’t Too Proud, Diana Ross.
Episode 81, go! In season four’s penultimate episode, we talk with Broadway production stage manager Cody Renard Richard all about stage management life—from his favorite part of putting up a show to what skills will help you succeed to what myth about the job he’d like to bust.
We talk with director-choreographer Raja Feather Kelly about why he started the feath3r theory, what he finds rewarding about his work at the intersection of theatre and dance, and what he’s accomplishing with We’re Gonna Die, currently playing at Second Stage Theater.
We chat with Stevie Coleman, an account executive at SpotCo! She breaks down what it’s like to work at a Broadway advertising agency, how she merged her two passions of theatre and marketing, and her most memorable opening night experience.
We’re kicking off Black History Month a day early with a THREEPEAT! For Call and Response’s third live show at BroadwayCon, we chat about the intersection of blackness and Broadway with Tina Turner Musical’s Destinee Rea, We’re Gonna Die’s Janelle McDermoth, Ain’t Too Proud’s Jelani Remy, Head Over Heels’ Taylor Iman Jones, and SURPRISE GUEST: Frozen’s Aisha Jackson!
Give five hurrahs and twelve hip-hips for Kevin Curtis! We dive into his experience (and the optics of) playing LeFou in Beauty in the Beast, his first two TV appearances on Pose and Younger, and how his Grandma inspired him to start performing.
We chat with actor-playwright Eboni Booth about feeling isolated as the only black woman in a space, transitioning from actor to Juilliard playwright fellow, and making her Off-Broadway playwriting debut with Paris, currently playing at Atlantic Stage 2.
Get tickets to Paris here: https://atlantictheater.org/production/paris/
We talk with award-winning actor-producer-writer-creative Eric Lockley about creating work that is meaningful, winning Apollo Theater Amateur Night (THRICE), and uplifting voices with The Movement Theatre Company and Harlem 9.
Kick off the new decade with a double-dose of Capricorn energy in this very special episode as Felicia lives out her fan-girl dreams with Ain’t No Mo’s Jordan E. Cooper! We chat with the award-winning playwright and actor about creating theatre as a kid in Texas, writing for television, and providing a hopeful space for black theatregoers. Plus, an exclusive performance of Ain’t No Mo’s powerful “Easy” monologue.
It's call and response's final episode of 2019 and the DECADE (but don’t worry, there’s more episodes for season 4 ahead!). We talk with musical storyteller Zeniba Now about her experience with Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal’s BARS Workshop at the Public Theater, the differences between the West and East coast, and her mystical epic The Loophole.
After a chance meeting outside of Broadway Dance Center, we chat with James Roberts IV about finding his way back to performance after majoring in marketing, creating his own content, and reenergizing yourself as an artist.
We chat with ART/NY’s Director of Operations and TedxBroadway alum Jim Joseph about his journey to theatre, the rewards and challenges of working in arts administration, and NFL’s Rooney Rule that inspired his TedxBroadway talk.
Before you go and dig those holes, listen to our latest episode as we chat with actor-entrepreneur Khleo Thomas about working on the iconic Disney movie Holes, transitioning to telling stories through music, and evolving into a multi-faceted identity.
We chat with Jasmine Cephas Jones about her favorite Hamilton memories, her childhood in the downtown theatre scene, and the lessons she learned returning to the stage in the musical adaptation of Cyrano, currently playing Off-Broadway.
We talk with Michael Benjamin Washington about transitioning from Texas to New York City, preserving black and queer history through his writing, and finding specificity for the 28 characters he plays in the revival of Anna Deavere Smith’s Fires in the Mirror, currently playing at Signature Theatre.
We chat with Marchánt Davis about the importance of finding abundance as an artist, the magic created in the Ain’t No Mo’ rehearsal room, and the dramaturgy for his role in The Great Society, currently running at Lincoln Center Theater.
Ready for some Big Virgo Energy?! We talk with director Miranda Haymon about investigating conclusions in the rehearsal room, operating in all-white spaces, and promoting Diversity with a capital “D.”
We talk with Susan Stroman Award-winning director and creator Whitney White about finding rhythms within scripts, code-switching within predominantly white spaces, and discovering the dynamics within for all the women who thought they were Mad, currently running at Soho Rep. Also check out the other show Whitney recently directed, Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, currently running at Second Stage.
The Phantom of the Opera is here! We talk with Derrick Davis, the titular star of Phantom’s national tour about the cosmic journey to fulfill his Phantom destiny, the nuances of playing Carousel's Billy Bigelow as a black man, and the importance of sharing truthful stories of black experiences.
Let us be glad and let us be grateful, because we are BACK for season four, y’all! For our premiere episode, we talk with Brittney Johnson about the nuances of making history as Wicked’s first black Glinda, the freedom in not limiting yourself, and the importance of finding a character's essence.
And like that, another call and response season is complete! For the season three finale, we talk with two-time Pulitzer Prize winner (and one of Felicia’s personal heroes) Lynn Nottage about approaching every play in a new way, ignoring the restrictions put on black women writers, and tapping into her musical roots for her current project, Secret Life of Bees, at Atlantic Theater.
For season three’s penultimate episode we talk with Jelani Alladin about originating the role of Kristoff in Frozen on Broadway, exploring identity through writing, and acknowledging an artist’s superpower to change the world.
Get ready, 'cause here they come! With just a week away from the 2019 Tony Awards, we got to celebrate the 12-time Tony-nominated Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. Hosted LIVE at Lululemon, we talk with Jarvis Manning Jr., Jahi Kearse, Edgar Godineaux, and Esther Antoine about bringing The Temps to the stage, navigating "cross-over appeal," and connecting moments from 1960s to now.
We talk with Glory about finding her way to stand-up comedy (and back again), embracing moments of failure, and pushing back against racism and sexism in the comedy industry through her shows Strawberry Milk and Pretty Funny Friends.
We talk with award-winning writer Chisa Hutchinson about fighting assumptions, working as Lynn Nottage’s assistant, and exploring her sense of duality in her new Audible-commissioned play Proof of Love, currently running at Minetta Lane.
Get ready for a full-circle moment that was eight years in the making! We chat with NYU Tisch New Studio on Broadway’s Founding Director and professor (who is also a full-time director!) Kent Gash about navigating between academia and the professional theatre world, creating a safe space for students in higher education, and examining (and humanizing) the world of incarceration.
This week, we chat our first director guest! Saheem Ali discusses what excites him when reading a script, why immigrating to America changed his perspective on theatre, and how a trip to London—and a production of Grease—changed his life.
You can read Saheem's essay about Grease in the New York Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/theater/grease-in-a-nairobi-high-school-saheem-ali-on-his-first-time-directing.html
We talk with Tiffany Denise Hobbs about acting in Donald Glover’s Atlanta on FX and Sara Bareilles’ Waitress on Broadway, overcoming the feeling of being an outsider as the only black student in ballet class, and accessing your ancestral home through art.
We chat with Lyric Danae about navigating the differences between dance genres—from Alvin Ailey’s Horton technique to pop musical Oscar at the Crown, performing on the Boston Celtics dance team, and finding home wherever you go.
Get ready, 'cause here she comes! We sit down with Obie winner and MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant recipient Dominique Morisseau to discuss being a student of playwriting, proactively diversifying audiences, and making her Broadway debut with Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations.
We talk (and laugh…a lot) with Mean Girls’ Rick Younger about how he discovered comedy (shout-out to Peanut), the genius and work ethic of comedians, and the insider scoop on his audition experience for the Tina Fey Broadway musical.
We chat with storyteller Bill Posley about his solo-show The Day I Became Black, currently running at SoHo Playhouse, the isolation that comes with being biracial, and the power (and vulnerability) of laughter.
We celebrate a big milestone (episode 50!) with a big talent: Jordan Donica! We breakdown his experience of being the first black Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, the lessons he learned from his Hamilton family, and the vulnerability that comes with making your own work.
We chat with Tori Sampson about seeing her first play at age 21, combining her sociological background with her writing, and exploring black beauty and womanhood through her play If Pretty Hurts Than Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka, currently running at Playwrights Horizon.
Nobody puts Baby in the corner, nor Charly Evon Simpson! We sit down with the playwright to talk about declaring the identity of “playwright,” elevating important stories of black women, and expanding her artistry as a teacher.
You get a double dose of Capricorn this week as we sit down with Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen, Paradise Blue, Invisible Thread, Blue Ridge) to talk about existing in all-white spaces, challenging the insecurity of “not feeling black enough,” and understanding that saying “no” as a black woman can mean sacrifices.
We chat with Atlantic Theater Company’s company manager Nzinga Williams about defining the role of a company manager (“I'm kind of like the bra...”), navigating predominately white workspaces, and discovering the fullness of being a black woman.
We talk with Obie-winning playwright Aleshea Harris about liberating the black body, navigating negative tropes, and ascending past the white gaze as a black female writer.
We get back into the swing of things as we chat with Lortel-winning playwright-performer Jocelyn Bioh! We chat about finding her comedic playwriting voice, navigating grad school programs, and reclaiming African narratives with School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play.
Happy Black History Month, y'all! Call and Response is BACK IN THE HABIT, and it's time to kick off our third season with our second live show at BroadwayCon! We get down and talk with King Kong’s Christiani Pitts, Once On This Island Tony nominee Hailey Kilgore, Mean Girls’ DeMarius R. Copes, and Be More Chill’s Britton Smith about their experiences as black performing artists.
In the season 2 finale, the script gets flipped! Host Felicia Fitzpatrick sits down in the interviewee chair as podcast alum Marc J. Franklin chats with her about her artistic journey, how she transitioned to Playbill social media, and why she started the podcast.
In season two's penultimate episode, we talk with Aladdin and Once on This Island actor Adam Hyndman about how studying anthropology has impacted his work as an artist, liberating your dreams, and viewing theatre as a totem for our society.
We talk with composer/lyricist and Broadway actor Douglas Lyons about the importance of visibility for black artists, why black artists shouldn’t need a label to exist, and a sneak peek of his latest work!
We chat with Waitress’ Jessie Hooker-Bailey about not letting others define your blackness, making diversity the new normal, and staying grounded when you achieve your dreams.
We talk with theatre-maker Amara Janae Brady about finding work that sustains you, validating everyone’s theatrical experiences, and creating art where black people exist as their own heroes.
We talk with Marathon Digital’s Account Manager Micayla Brewster about what it’s like to work on Hamilton’s social media team, her “theatergoing hair,” and boldly going after what you want.
We chat with Bronx Tale alum Gilbert L. Bailey II about learning from Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s Holy Trinity, writing multidimensional black characters, and “doing you to the fullest.”
We chat with comedian, actor, and writer Dewayne Perkins about finding his way to comedy, building jokes, and writing for The Break with Michelle Wolf.
We chat with Kinky Boots’ Kevin Smith Kirkwood about the universal messages of the Tony-winning musical, what it was like playing Huck Finn in Big River, and how (and why) he keeps the spirit of Whitney Houston alive.
We experience some serious #BlackGirlMagic as we chat with Amélie’s and BOLD’s Destinee Rea about her advice for someone’s first year in New York City, how to embrace they valleys and peaks of life, and what it’s like walking into an audition as the only black woman.
We talk with Scottsboro Boys’ Clinton Roane about creative teams who create safe rehearsal spaces, the differences between Broadway and London audiences, and self-care practices to stay connected with fellow company members.
We chat with Kinky Boots and Something Rotten! alum Nick Rashad Burroughs about falling into theatre, coming out, and getting Baptized by Broadway (and James Brown).
No his first name ain’t baby, it’s Kenney, Mr. Green if ya nasty! We chat with Kenney M. Green about working at the popular Marie’s Crisis, breaking down “types,” and music's role in shining a light on injustice.
We talk with Grammy winner and Lortel and Drama League nominee Nathan Lee Graham about finding the universal impact in specific stories, fighting for better written roles, and becoming the truest version of yourself as soon as you can, (plus some Sweet Home Alabama memories, just for 7th grade Felicia.)
We talk with Taylor N. Daniels about telling stories through dance, navigating national tours and non-equity life, and his approach to his artistry that’ll have you asking “who’s that guy?”
We head to Webster Avenue for the fourth time to chat with A Bronx Tale’s company manager, Kim Shaw! We chat about representation on the administrative side of the arts, the differences between working at a theme park and Broadway, and what it takes to be a company manager.
We talk with Morgan Siobhan Green about making your voice heard in the rehearsal room, liberating yourself from the black monolithic acting algorithm, and stretching to make room for the next generation.
Prepare for plenty of praise breaks as we talk with Kinky Boots star J. Harrison Ghee about the accessibility of and his strong connection to the Tony-winning musical, his discovery of drag performance as his personal ministry, and The Gospel according to J!
We talk with Lortel nominee and Audelco winner Sharon Washington about her recent writing debut of her autobiographical solo show, originating a role in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, and finding your truth-tellers.
In the premiere episode of season 2, we chat with A Bronx Tale’s leading lady, Christiani Pitts about the assumptions of playing “black” versus “white” characters, her Broadway debut, and the importance of period pieces.
For a special Black History Month episode, we celebrate the legacy of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Two of the esteemed company members, Glenn Allen Sims and Hope Boykin, reflect on what it's like to be a part of the world-renowned dance company.
LIVE from BroadwayCon, it's Call and Response! We chat with Hello Dolly's Christian Dante White, Frozen's Jelani Alladin, Aladdin's Major Attaway, and Great Comet Tony nominee Denée Benton about artistic journeys, industry trends, and what it means to be a black performing artist.
In the season 1 finale, we talk with Tony nominee Denée Benton about her epic Broadway debut turned Tony nomination as Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, her dramaturgical Black Princess Project, and her commitment to continuing the momentum of representation.
We head out of the studio this week to the opening night party of School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play at MCC Theater. We talk with cast members MaameYaa Boafo, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Nabiiyah Be, Zainab Jah, Tony-winning director Rebecca Taichman, and playwright Jocelyn Bioh about working with an all-black female cast, the universal reach of discrimination, and fragmenting the idea of a monolithic black experience.
In this episode, life is beautiful! We talk with AUDELCO nominee Larry Owens about the need for multi-dimensional characters, the freedom (and restrictions) that comes with creating work, and the new universality he created when he played Cabaret’s Emcee.
We talk with Felicia Boswell to talk about how she relates to all of the fierce, passionate characters she plays, why we should tell our stories in absolute truth, and how stories set in the past aren’t all that different from today’s reality.
With nod to our Austin, Texas roots, we talk with Vincent J. Hooper about the importance of creating narratives with nuance, the sanitization of art, and the responsibility we all have in creating authentic representation.
We sit down with Nick Reid, a young creative professional in the industry to talk about the importance of diverse voices in the room, the theatrical sunken place he experienced, and representation on Broadway red carpets.
We have a majestic episode for the King of the Jungle himself! We sat down with Alton Fitzgerald White, the actor who played Mufasa in The Lion King for 4,308 performances, to talk about his time on Pride Rock, his offstage racial profiling experience that informed his onstage work as Ragtime’s Coalhouse, and his new book “My Pride: Mastering Life’s Daily Performance.”
We talk with Zhailon Levingston about shaking up the theatre-making structure, the need for more imagination, and how art is inherently educational.
We sit down with Playbill’s staff photographer, Marc J. Franklin, to talk about his 360-degree, surround experience with theatre, what it's like to photograph Broadway stars, and our commitment to giving visibility to artists of color.
We again visit Webster Avenue to talk with Bronx Tale’s Janelle McDermoth about her journey with acappellamusic, finding points of synergy between passions, and how we can increase diversity in audiences.
We grande jeté over to American Ballet Theatre to talk with corps de ballet member Gabe Stone Shayer about breaking barriers as a black ballet dancer, immersing yourself into your passion, and how ballet is an art for everyone.
We have a giant episode for a giant performer with giant talent! We talk with Olivier nominee Kyle Scatliffe about expanding the idea of who gets tell which stories, grappling with imposter syndrome, and busting the myth of the monolithic black experience.
We talk with Kirsten Childs about creating new narratives for actors of color, exploring her life experiences through music, and increasing visibility for black musical theatre writers.
We welcome Nikki Renée Daniels to talk about the differences between the opera and musical theatre worlds, what it’s like to be a black soprano, and singing the iconic “Summertime.”
In the wake of Charlottesville, we discuss how black Broadway performers are always maintaining self-care. Hear from Frozen’s Jelani Alladin, Kinky Boots’ Nick Rashad Burroughs, A Bronx Tale’s Janelle McDermoth, Sweeney Todd’s John-Michael Lyles, The Lion King’s Chondra Profit, and The Scottsboro Boys’ Clinton Roane.
We talk with Tony nominee Brenda Braxton about working alongside Michael Bennett as the original Dreamgirls dance captain, what the old school New York theatre scene was like, and her advice for the next generation.
We sit down with composer-lyricist Michael R. Jackson (2016-2017 Dramatist Guild Fellow, 2017 Jonathan Larson Grant Winner, 2017 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist, and a recently announced Lincoln Center Theater Writer in Residence!) to discuss how we define diversity in musical theatre, the purpose of revivals, and the empathy that comes with a night at the theatre.
We take a trip to Webster Avenue as we talk with A Bronx Tale’s Bradley Gibson about a black actor’s double consciousness, the esteemed Ragtime performance on Ellis Island, and his legendary Cerulean suit.
We sit down with Tony nominee Adrienne Warren to talk about why she felt deeply connected to her Shuffle Along characters, why blackness is more than just a trend, and why art as education is necessary.
In the inaugural interview for the Call and Response podcast, Christian Dante White stops by to talk about what it was like to work on The Scottsboro Boys with an all-white creative team, his love for the Shuffle Along cast, and why we all need to tend to the (creative) garden.