Art is Life

This weeks episode Russell finally gets a chance to chat with fellow UNCG acting cohort class member Jessica Hirsh on the importance of staying prepared and not waiting for the moment to be seen pass you by.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.Jess is the Head of Musical Theatre at the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts in Salt Lake City Utah. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Thesis: Fabiana Aziza Cunningham in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot), a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Youngstown State University (Magna Cum Laude, Senior Project: The Witch in Into The Woods), a Shakespeare Certificate from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and a Musical Theatre Certificate from the Open Jar Institute in New York City. Jess was a two-time Irene Ryan Acting Competition nominee and was a semi-finalist for Musical Theatre Initiative in 2017 at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

In Russell's very first dual interview he talks with two friends and fellow artists in the acting & directing space & husband and wife pair Chris Gilly-Forrer & Tiffany Gilly-Forrer as they discuss the importance of supporting each others artistic endeavors as well as finding their own way artistically.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.Tiffany Gilly-Forrer (she/her) is an actor, acting instructor, and playwright with an MFA from Louisiana State University. She is certified in Seven Pillars Acting and will be leading three workshops at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in March 2023, as well as producing a two-person cabaret in NYC. Check out more of her work at www.tiffanygillyforrer.com and stay tuned for upcoming performances!Chris Gilly-Forrer is a director and theatre educator currently teaching at Utah Tech University. He received his MFA from UNC Greensboro and is a proud alumnus of the PCPA—Pacific Conservatory Theatre directing internship. Chris firmly believes in the transformative power of theatre and seeks to produce work in conversation with current socio-economic and political events. Favorite credits include Macbeth, Peter and the Starcatcher, Dealer's Choice, and The World on a Hill. -- 

Today's episode Russell speaks with fellow cohort class member from UNCG and Theatre for Young Audiences Directing student Hayley Greenstreet on the importance of impacting young people in theatre in a positive way.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.Hayley Greenstreet comes from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She earned her BA in Theatre with Honors from Wake Forest University in 2015. After graduating, she worked as a year-long Education Resident Professional Intern at Lexington Children's Theater in Kentucky. In 2016, she moved to Omaha Nebraska to work as a Teaching Artist Fellow at The Rose Theater. After her fellowship year, Hayley continued working at The Rose as a full time Teaching Artist! In this role, Hayley wore many hats; she served the children and families of Omaha as a teacher, performer, director, and mentor. Starting in fall 2020, Hayley attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for her MFA in Theatre for Youth. While at UNCG, she directed The Arkansaw Bear by Aurand Harris and Round Pegs, Square Pegs by Mary Hall Surface, and the North Carolina Theatre for Young People's first ever TVY piece: Wake Up, Brother Bear! Since graduating, she has been teaching in the School of Theatre at UNCG, as well as a Teaching Artist for Drama Kids of The Triad. Throughout all of her endeavors, Hayley strives to work with young people as collaborators, using their voices and ideas to fuel the work that will ultimately be shared with other young minds.

This weeks episode Russell sits down with Wing Chun Grandmaster Sifu Steve of Cloud Forest Martial Arts Greensboro and they talk about the importance of martial arts in not only a use of defending oneself but also the benefits of using the skills learned in everyday life as well as other art forms such as acting.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.Sifu Steve McGowan-is the founder and head instructor of Golden Harvest Wing Chun (CFMAG). He began his study of martial arts with Japanese Go Jyu Ryu Karate at the age of eight. A year later, when his new neighbor, Chan Kau Mo moved in next door, he was introduced to Wing Chun. From the Age of nine to 18 Steve intensively training under Sigung Chan. After graduating high school, Steve enlisted in the US Army and became a special force operative. He carried combat missions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the world. After serving for seven years, he decided to join the Honolulu police force. Steve served as an officer for 3 years, and then moved to Kansai, Japan. After moving to Japan in the mid 1990s, he decided to open one of Japans first Wing Chun Kung Fu schools in the heart of Osaka, in 2007. As the leading instructor of Golden Harvest, Steve McGowan has taught over one hundred students the art of Wing Chun, self defense techniques, weapons techniques and competitive fighting techniques. Since his childhood encounter with Sigung Chan, Steve McGowan has had an undying passion for martial arts. In addition to Wing Chun, he has also studied and practiced many styles of Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese martial arts. He has 42 years of experience in Wing Chun and has trained hundreds of students. He is a dedicated teacher and mentor who focuses on the art of simplicity.

In the Season 3 Premeire Russell sits down with UNCG's musical theatre professor and director Erin Speer as they discuss the similarities as well as differences between directing musical theatre compared to theatre itself and the impact it has on artists and audiences alike.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share & Subscribe.Erin Farrell Speer – Erin is a musical theatre director, educator and filmmaker. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Director of Undergraduate Studies – School of Theatre at UNC Greensboro. She earned her MFA in Directing for the Musical Theatre from Penn State where she studied under the mentorship of veteran Broadway director, Susan H. Schulman. Erin is also a proud graduate of The University of Michigan, holding a BFA in Acting. Erin made her Broadway debut in 2018 serving as the Assistant to Tony winning director Christopher Ashley on Escape to Margaritaville, the Jimmy Buffett musical. She also served in that capacity on the pre-Broadway tour. She made her off-Broadway debut in 2022 as the Associate Director for Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road at the York Theatre. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Erin's creative work has taken her all around the United States. Regionally, Erin has worked at Center Theatre Group/the Mark Taper Forum, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Heritage Repertory Theatre, Sierra Repertory Theatre and the North Carolina Theatre among others. In 2022, Erin directed both The Spongebob Musical and The Scarlet Pimpernel. In Spring of 2023, she will direct The Bridges of Madison County at Elon University and Rock of Ages at UNCG. Favorite Direction credits include: The Spongebob Musical, Pippin, American Idiot, Sweet Charity, and many, many more.

In the Season Finale, Russell sits down with one of his favorite teachers at UNCG the Flan Man aka Micheal Flannery as they talk about the ins and outs of acting and teaching for the camera as well as some pretty important people Micheal has got to rub shoulders with during his journey.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart, Like, Review, Share & Subscribe.Michael received his MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also holds a professional acting degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and a Bachelor of Science from Wake Forest University. His professional work includes numerous film and television credits. He is a member of SAG, EQUITY, and AFTRA.https://vpa.uncg.edu/home/directory/bio-michaelflannery/

Russell is joined today by the UNCG School of Theatre Director and Professor Natalie Sowell, as they discuss the overall importance of theatre creation in connection to more diversity and inclusion within the school of theatre department not only at UNCG but campuses across the country.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart, Like, Review, Share & Subscribe.Sowell has taught and served in administrative roles at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts for the past 16 years where she founded the Child Drama and Community program. Sowell currently serves as Dean of the School for Interdisciplinary Arts and Dean of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. Specializing in applied theatre for social change, creative drama, critical literacy, and oral storytelling, Sowell is a trained Theatre of the Oppressed practitioner having studied with Augusto Boal, Julian Boal, TOPLAB New York, and the Center for the Theatre of the Oppressed NE. Sowell has conducted applied theatre workshops, classes, and artist residencies in schools, prisons, community centers, and churches throughout the United States and in Nigeria. She has worked as the Artistic Director of UJIMA YOUTHEATRE and Associate Managing Director of Manbites Dog Theater, and has served on many arts organization boards. Sowell has directed dozens of socially conscious plays for young audiences and adult audiences and is a consultant on issues of diversity, inclusion, and access for several organizations. She currently serves as an Arts Ambassador for the Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education and is the faculty consultant for Five Colleges Inc.'s Doors to the World: Global Children's Literature for Critical Multicultural Literacies project. Sowell received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Creighton University, and an MFA in Theatre for Youth from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.https://vpa.uncg.edu/home/directory/bio-natalie-sowell/

In this weeks episode, Russell talks with the head of the MFA acting program at UNCG Jim Wren about the importance of teaching actors and inspiring them to make strong choices for themselves.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart, Like, Review, Share & Subscribe.Jim received his BA in Psychology/Communication and Theatre Arts from Heidelberg College and his MFA in Acting/Directing from The University of Florida. Tenured in the Department of Theatre and Dance at UF in 1990, he defied conventional wisdom by leaving one month later for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he currently serves as the Coordinator of the Performance Program and MFA Acting Advisor. He also serves as the Resident Fight Choreographer for Triad Stage. Jim teaches both undergraduate and graduate acting classes, and serves as Artistic Director of THTR 232 – the annual summer theatre festival co-produced by UNCG Theatre and Triad Stage. As Artistic Director of UNCG Summer Repertory Theatre prior to the new festival, Jim produced over seventy plays in his sixteen years of leadership. In 2001 he received a Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for Excellence in Theatre Education, and in 2005 was named Outstanding Teacher of Acting in the Southeast serving as mentor to the acting students at the National Festival. In 2006 he directed the Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes at the Kennedy Center. Directing credits include THE BLUE MARTINI (Kids with Guns at the NYC International Fringe Festival and Fringe Encore), THE NEW HOPEVILLE COMICS (Commander Squish Productions, Chernuchin Theatre, NYC), MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS (Hippodrome State Theatre, Gainesville, FL), THE SANTALAND DIARIES (Triad Stage), and CINDERELLA (Casa Manana, Ft. Worth, TX), in addition to over thirty productions for UNCG Theatre. His production of THE REVENGER'S TRAGEDY (co-authored with Joe Sturgeon) was selected for performance at the Kennedy Center as part of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in 2009. He and Joe have also written three musicals for young audiences- UNCLE ULYSSES AND THE MYTHIC SWORD, REDBEARD'S REVENGE, and KOKO KARATE AND THE KUNG FU KITTENS- all produced by THTR 232. A member of Actors' Equity, he has appeared onstage in numerous roles including OUR LADY OF 121st Street here at UNCG and THE LITTLE FOXES at Triad Stage.https://vpa.uncg.edu/home/directory/bio-jimwren/

Russell chats with Music Director and UNCG professor Dominick Amendum about his music career when he was apart of the Broadway musical "Wicked" as well as receiving a Grammy nomination for "The Prince of Egypt" and also finding balance between his teaching profession in the UNCG Musical Theatre department and his family life.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart, Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.DOMINICK AMENDUM served for nearly a decade as Associate Music Supervisor of the International Mega-Hit Musical Wicked, also having Conducted and Music Directed Wicked on Broadway, in Los Angeles, and in cities across the U.S. on the First National Tour. Additionally, Dominick was the Arranger and Music Supervisor for the Broadway musical First Date (starring Zachary Levi). Other credits include:  Heathers (Off Broadway- New World Stages); Gigantic (Off Broadway- The Vineyard); The Blue Flower (Off Broadway- SecondStage); The Kid (Off Broadway- The New Group); The Romance of Magno Rubio (Off Broadway- DR2 Theatre); Cabaret (National Tour); Oliver! (National Tour); Moonshine (Dallas Theatre Center); LMNOP(Houston TUTS); Elf (Paper Mill Playhouse); Secondhand Lions (Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre). As part of his continuing collaboration with Stephen Schwartz, Dominick is the Arranger and Music Supervisor of The Prince of Egypt, currently running at the Dominion Theatre in London's West End. The Prince of Egyptwas developed at Fredericia Teater in Denmark and TheatreWorks in California. Dominick received a GRAMMY nomination for his production of The Prince of Egypt Original Cast Recording. He also produced the First Date Broadway Cast Recording and the Studio Cast Album of the world premiere musical Secondhand Lions.  Additional recordings as Producer include Stephanie J. Block (“This Place I Know”); Carrie Manolakos (“Echo”), Will Van Dyke (“Chasing The Day”) and Paul Loesel and Scott Burkell (“Sorta Love Songs”).  In the studio, Dominick has collaborated with the likes of Dolly Parton, Rupert Holmes, Andrew Lippa, Stephen Schwartz, and Marvin Hamlisch.   Dominick is the Smart-Tillman Artist in Residence at his alma-mater, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. At UNCG, he serves as Coordinator of the Musical Theatre Program, Professor of Musical Theatre Performance, and resident Music Director. He also continues to work professionally around the globe developing new musicals.https://vpa.uncg.edu/home/directory/bio-domamendum/

Russell sits down and chats with his newly hired movement teacher at UNCG Robi Arce-Martinez and they talk about the benefits of movement as an artist as well as the importance of mime training.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.Puerto Rican director, actor, educator and mask-maker. Robi holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from Dell'Arte International and a BA in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico.  With more than 15 years of experience, Robi has performed, toured, and lead workshops in México, Venezuela, Argentina, Italy, Puerto Rico, and several cities in the U.S. He taught theatre in Puerto Rico at a high school level and for many years has toured with theatrical, educational and circus shows throughout his career. He has collaborated with companies as Y no había luz, Teatro del Sesenta, The Dell'Arte Company, Escena Latina and Lucky Productions. His work is diverse, created through a fusion of styles and fueled by social justice and change. His passion is to explore the poetry of movement, where actors shape the space with their bodies to create a physical, dynamic and poetic theatre that connects with people as sports connect with fans. For the past 3 years, Robi has collaborated with numerous theatre companies in Portland, including: Oregon Children's Theatre (actor and teaching artist), Milagro Theatre(actor and director), Profile Theatre (character coach and choreographer) and Hand2Mouth Theatre(teaching artist). Currently, Robi is focusing his efforts to serve and empower the underrepresented Latinx diaspora in Portland, OR. He works as an on-site interpreter for medical appointments and collaborates with Hand2Mouth Theatre as a teacher for their educational program where he focuses on empowering the youth to tell their own stories through different mediums.Instagram: @robi.artemarFacebook: @Robi Arce Martinez

This Episode Russell sits down with fellow UNCG grad Thomas Mendolia to discuss his filmmaking process and his thesis film "Mr This for That" being picked up by a major company to create a feature film.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Review, Share, & Subscribe.Thomas Mendolia is a filmmaker born in Brooklyn, but raised in North Carolina. He graduated from the UNC Greensboro's BFA Acting Program, then later attended USC's School of Cinematic Arts. Thomas has directed several short films such as OVERNIGHT (2019 Flyway Film Festival “Best Student Short”), WHEN TREES FALL (2018 Semi-Finalist Los Angeles CineFest) and LETHE AVENUE (NYC New Filmmakers Festival). His most recent project, MR. THISFORTHAT, is a psychological thriller currently on the festival circuit, and is being developed by a studio into a feature film to be directed by Thomas. He resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife, Cheryl, and his best-friends (dogs), Murphy and Maggie.Instagram: @thomasmendolia

Welcome Back Guys, to the Season Premiere of Season 2!!! It's been a long time coming.For the second season Russell sits down with some of his fellow classmates and teachers down at UNC Greensboro where he was finishing up his MFA.Up first on the list is directing student Karen Sabo. Karen and Russell discuss a little bit about the theatre directing process as a student as well as the importance of theatre education not only in the theatre but in everyday life also.Brought to you by Real Creative Heart. Like, Share, Review & Subscribe.Karen Sabo (she/her) is a director, teacher, writer, and actor. She has been a member of three resident acting companies, including the Barter Theater in Virginia where she was also a resident director, dialect coach, and eventually, director of education. Karen studied with the American Conservatory Theatre, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, the Saratoga International Theatre Institute, and Shakespeare & Company. She has a B.A. from Hampshire College, an M.A. from East Tennessee State University, and an MFA in Directing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her plays have been produced in New York, New Mexico, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia, and she has had dozens of articles published in regional publications in the Southeast, including American Theatre and Southern Theatre Magazine. She is a 25-year member of Actors' Equity, and belongs to SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society), and to VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association). She is grateful to currently teach in the wonderful theatre program at Missouri State University. www.karensabo.com Instagram: @kabbasabesFacebook: @Karen Sabo

On the season finale of this week's special Black Friday episode, I sit down with another mentor/teacher friend and fellow actor Verneice Turner as we discuss the art of honoring the totality of one's self outside of just the art itself. Make sure you tune in this Black Friday and catch the season finale of Art is Life.Presented by Real Creative Heart.Audio by Yemi.Like review, share, rate, subscribe. Enjoy and we'll see back next season.You can follow Verneice @verniceturner on Instagram and @Vernice Turner on Facebook                      Verneice Turner, Artie award winning actor & a director, started out the African American Cultural Center of Buffalo NY, under the direction of Malcolm Enie. Continued her study of the performing arts at SUNYAB. Having performed in many productions here in WNY & beyond, including Off Broadway,, she is thankful to & for all who contribute to her growth & development as an artist, a person, especially late husband, Douglas H. May & daughter, Jasmine L.May. Her motto - "God is Good!" . Plays performed in includes The River Niger, Westside Story, Antigone, From The Mississippi Delta, Our Town, Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Ain't Enough, Skeleton Crew, To Kill A Mockingbird, Branches of The Same Tree, No N****rs, No Jews, No Dogs, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, Black Girl In Search of God & many others.

This weeks episode I sit down with friend and barber Jason Lape aka Jay and we discuss his journey from working in the fitness and corporate world and transitioning into his passion for art through the world of barbering. We'll also talk about the importance of being a part of a strong community. You keep in touch with him on Facebook @Jason Lape.Audio by Yemi. Presented by Real Creative Heart.Jason LapeNYS Licensed Master barber.Owner/operator of “Jays Barbershop”,located in the village of Hamburg, NY.Jay is a well versed barber, and highly skilled in his trade.Because of a desire to always learn and perfect his craft, Jay has apprenticed with a myriad of top barbers throughout the country, in 19 different states.Jay offers an exceptional premium barbering experience. He's is a student to his craft, and above all, a friend to his customers.Jay is your neighborhood barber.‘Jays barbershop' is a local hidden gem.The barbershop is a hip space with an exclusive club like feel. It's only marketing scheme is word of mouth.Jay manages an ‘appointment only' shop, with a schedule that's booked weeks in advance.Above all, Jay is an approachable guy, just looking to freshen your style, exceed your expectations and brighten your mood, before sending you away.

This weeks episode I sit down with my sister from the same mister, my older sister Makeda Holt-Devonshire as we discuss what it means to be a nurse and be of service to others while also creating her own business and being a boss on her terms with her body contouring company Nubian Resilience. We also discuss why it's important to always be flexible and adapt to change when it comes your way. Make sure you like, rate, review, share, and subscribe. For more Information on Makeda's company check it out on Instagram @nubian_resilience or @Makeda_nubianresilience as well as her website nubianresilience.comAudio by Yemi Presented by Real Creative Heart.Makeda Holt- Devonshire, BSN, RN, MPH. Is a Registered Nurse also known as The “Snatched Queen” owner & founder of Nubian Resilience body studio, where they have provided over 100s of women with getting their confidence back through their non invasive body contouring services such as laser lipo, cavitation, detox sauna treatments, wood therapy, skin tightening and body wraps to name a few. They also recently added Vaginal wellness products, services such as Yoni steaming and Vaginal rejuvenation. They specialize in the body “bounce back” which allows women to regain and maintain their dream body.

This weeks episode I sit down with friend/cousin David Wells aka Davie Dave and we discuss the art of bodybuilding and how important it is to be disciplined while trusting the process. Also how important it is to continue pushing forward even when things might not go as planned as you will find out with some technical difficulties we had to overcome during this interview. Be sure to like, rate, review, share and subscribe.Audio by Yemi. Presented by Real Creative Heart. David Wells is a NPC top six nationally qualified competitor. He's been training for several years now. Of course the goal is to become a professional IFBB pro bodybuilder but for now the game plan is to improve this off-season and take full advantage of it and what it has to offer. Follow him on Instagram @iamdavidwells and Facebook @Davey Dave

This weeks episode I sit down with make-up artist Cassandra Lyons as we discuss the basics of what goes into being a make-up artist and what got her into the world of make-up in film. We also talk briefly about Cassie's time working on the new Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, out today Friday October 29th. Make sure you, Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share. Audio by Yemi. Presented by Real Creative Heart.Cassandra is an IASTE 798 makeup artist local to Buffalo, NY. She has been an industry makeup artist for 10 years. Her work ranges from working on film sets, commercial sets, and print. Cassandra enjoys the uniqueness of each production and loves meeting new people. 

In this week's episode I sit down with actor, director, teacher and my mentor/friend Stephen McKinley Henderson as we discuss the art of acting and the art of self-revelation. We also chat about what it means to be a teacher and the importance of art in the world, as well as his upcoming projects including the highly anticipated film "Dune" which premieres today October 22nd. So sit back, enjoy and make sure you like, review, subscribe and share.Audio by Yemi.Henderson's work appears in five Oscar nominated films including Denzel Washington's, Fences, for which Stephen received a Virtuoso Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival; Greta Gerwig's, Lady Bird; Steven Spielberg's, LINCOLN; Kenneth Lonergan's, Manchester by the Sea and Stephen Daldry's, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. This season he can be seen in theatres and on HBO Max in Denis Villeneuve's, DUNE and Halle Berry's directorial debut, BRUISED on Netflix. Noteworthy television work includes the FX/HULU series, DEVS; WU TANG: An American Saga; AMC's Fear of The Walking Dead; HBO's, THE NEWSROOM; and HBO Films' Everyday People. His six Broadway shows include two Tony winners for best Revival of a Play, A Raisin in the Sun, and Fences, for which Stephen received a Tony nomination. His OBIE and LUCILLE LORTEL awards are for his work in Stephen Adley Guirgis' Pulitzer Prize Winner, Between Riverside and Crazy.

Live from Buffalo, NY. Real Creative Heart presents in this very First Episode of the Season in the Series Premiere of the "Art is Life Podcast" Actor Russell C. Holt sits down with Producer MJ aka Mike Jones and they discuss his role as a producer in Hollywood and what the art of producing means to him being a black man navigating through as well as his involvement in the upcoming film Cabrini filmed locally in Buffalo. So sit back, relax and enjoy. Audio by YemiMichael “M.J.” Jones has been involved with films for over 25years. After graduating from West Los Angeles College with an AA Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Film Production, he started his career in casting on movies such as: Set it Off”, ‘Boyz in the Hood ‘and “ Menace to Society” Television Shows such as “Hoops”, “ Living Single and “ Martin”. He left the movie industry to start a family. After a long and productive career in the public sector, he returned to the Film Industry as an Associate Producer on the film “Marshall” starring Chadwick Boseman, Kate Hudson, Josh Gad, Sterling K. Brown and Dan Stevens