Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

Listen to Theater Washington's Jan Du Plain as she shares stories of her early discovery of theater and the leadership she provides in making the Helen Hayes Awards ceremony shine! 

Husband, father, writer and director of Private Jones shares much about the inspirations in his personal life and artistry. Learn about the ten-time nominated musical Private Jones from Signature Theatre.

Noah Mutterperl shares his early experiences as a young actor in his parent's basement to his double nomination for Helen Hayes Awards acting credits in American Psycho and The Woman in Black.

You will be inspired by the talent of the Poetry Out Loud Competition. Listen to the Education Program Manager of the Poetry Foundation, a former national champion and the current representative from the Silver State!

Listen to the talent behind American Psycho from Monumental Theater. Listeners will be intrigued about the challenges of portraying a rampant serial killer on stage!

Listen to an energetic and inspirational interview with the artists behind She Persisted, a musical about the contributions of legendary women in the United States at Adventure Theater. The show has garnered eight Helen Hayes Awards nominations!

Listen to Rachel Cahoon, Nicky Kaider, and Leela Aviles-Dawson the talented actors nominated for their roles in The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, and Chorus Line. 

Listen to Broadway actress Meliss Errico, as she shares her artistry in creating The Story of a Rose: A Musical Reverie on the Great War.

Matthew Powell shares his early love for dance and his experiences as the Artistic Director of NovaBallet Center for Dance. He spotlights the company's upcoming production of Don Quixote.     

Listen to the director, creators, and lead actor of Professor Woland's Black Magic Rock Show.   

Learn about the Virginia Storytelling Alliance and the talents of Jeanna Lee and Sara Brady. Keep up with the Alliance's diverse storytelling talent and local performances. https://virginiastorytellingalliance.org/

Learn about ExPats Theater's newest production Testosterone, a biting satire about toxic masculinity. Director Karin Rosnizeck shares her journey into theater and her approach towards directing a modern take on a classic fable. Gary DeBreuil playing the role of the bad son, Raul, tranforms himself into the archetype of the thuggish male! Listeners of Embracing Arlington Arts Talks get 50% off their tickets with the code HALF. Don't miss this show!

Listen to an interview with Silhouette Stage's creative team for Kinky Boots including Director, Jeremy Goldman and Choreographer, Jeremy McShan. They share their early beginnings in the theater and their ability to deliver a show that leaves the audience dancing in the aisles. 

Internationally acclaimed playwright José Rivera directs his profoundly intimate tragicomedy that asks what it means to be human as we embrace the technology of our future – and it embraces us. Aislin needs constant support in her later years, and her care is placed in the hands of an AI robot-caregiver – designed to look and sound human – named Stacy. The unexpected relationship that blossoms between them sparks questions of what it means to have a soul, what defines humanity – and what happens when those definitions begin to shift.

Listen to Laura Connors Hull and Miss Kitty as they talk about love and loss and new beginnings with their debut show at Creative Cauldron--Steel Magnolias.   

Listen to Anthony Green the director of Gay Soul Food serve us a heavy helping of Gay Soul Food. Catch his latest production at Anacostia Arts Center!

Ink artist Andy Gomez Reyes shares his story about the love for body art that has driven his career. His artistry is showcased by Avant Bard in their production of The Margriad (or the tragedy of Queen Margaret after William Shakespeare), March 6-29, 2025 at Gunston Arts Center.

Eric Hissom spotlights his role in Job, Signature Theater's psychological thriller with a shocking and breathtaking ending that will leave audiences breathless. Don't miss the Off-Broadway sensation and New York Times Critic's Pick that skewers the insidiousness of the internet, the meaning of work, and the menace behind the social media smile. 

Encore Stage and Studio showcases young artists for Flip the Script with Jamila's Table--a show that follows the life of a young African American restaurant owner striving to bring success and pride to her family on the Columbia Pike corridor in Arlington, Virginia. We learn about the project through an entertaining and inspiring interview with Elizabeth Bell and John Monaco, two student artists and Madeline Langston, Programming Director of 20 years.  

Listen to the Artistic Director of Mosaic Theater as he invites theater lovers to their 10th Anniversary event--Spark! Reg Douglas provides insights about the current theater landscape, his training and mentorship in the theater, and he reveals some surprises for Spark.

GUAC is a deeply moving play about a father's love, activism, and passion to make a difference. The interview with Manuel Oliver will leave your spellbound and running to see the story of his son's tragic loss at Parkland High School. Fearless, funny, and pulling zero punches, GUAC is a tour-de-force theatrical experience about a father turned activist. 

Listen to the director of Theater Alliance's latest production The Garbologist, Shanara Gabrielle, and one of its cast members, Yesenia Iglesias. The show is a quirky comedy about the labor and laughs of a group of santitation worker buddies who discover there is more to life than trashing talking and trash pickups!   

Listen to Janet Kopenhaver as she bids farewell to Embracing Arlington Arts Talks with an interview by the new host Carlos Velazquez. Janet talks about her successes, hopes for the future of Embracing Arlington Arts, and her new work in Ashville, NC. We invite our listeners to send a congratulatory message to Janet at https://bit.ly/JanetKFarewell

The Managing Director of Signature Theatre returned to the show to give us all the details about the four remaining productions this season (including "Job," "In the Heights," and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"), as well as information on several different ticket offers and options. Additionally, hear her thoughts on how the theater industry has evolved and changed over the last 5-7 and specifically changes Signature made to its production schedule. This episode also marks Janet Kopenhaver's last as the host of "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" so it was so appropriate to have Maggie as the last guest since she was the absolute first guest in 2017. 

Author Raymond Goode joined us on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to talk about his new book entitled "Through Their Eyes" which is a collection of real-life stories he has collected over the years. He also gave us details about the unique way he brings these stories to life on stage using several different art genres. Also hear snippets of his own story, the many hurdles he has had to overcome, and what his next book will be about.

The Co-Founders of the non-profit organization Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) joined us to talk about how the ATA came about, its mission and vision, goals for the near future, membership benefits (including matching arts professionals with performing arts organization decisionmakers), and its very unique and user-friendly Calendar of Events. Also learn about how each of them ended up in the theater industry, background on the Attic Salt Theatre Company, and how supporters and patrons can help performing arts groups which have been hit so hard by the pandemic and recent hurricane in Western North Carolina.

Jason Tamborini, the Artistic Director of Prologue Theatre, returned to the show to catch us up to date on what the theater has been up to since COVID and share his thoughts on the state of the theater industry. He also gave us all the details about their upcoming premiere of "The Horse and Carriage" - a thought-provoking play that everyone will be able to relate to in some fashion. Find out who all the actors are (all of whom have been seen before on Prologue's stages), details about the unique immersive set, and some extra events scheduled to coincide with certain performances.

Horror story writer David Allen Voyles came on the show to tell us how his journey all began in the ghost world. Hear about his unique ghost tour company that brought visitors around in a hearse, how he gave his students immersive learning experiences when reading certain books, how he ended up writing horror stories and details about his own podcast. Also get all the details about his newly released book "Edgar: When Poe's Nightmares Began" that that asks what if Poe's stories all stemmed from actual experiences he had when he was 15, and his inclusion in the book of a listing of all the short stories referenced.

Actor Karen Covington-Yow came on the show to talk about her new show - "Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class" - a one-person show being presented at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. Find out how she got involved in the theater world, how her acting training helped her law career, what roles are on her "bucket list," how she prepares for a one-person show and much more. Also hear her thoughts on obtaining audience participation and how music helped her through the COVID shutdown.

The Associate Director of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts John Hall returned to the show to update our DC and Asheville listeners about their multifaceted and exciting upcoming season - just in time for "leaf peeper" season. From numerous exhibitions to diverse concerts to storytellers to a robust theater schedule, the Center has it all. Also get details about how their production of "A Christmas Carol" is so unique, what Tony-award winning show will be presented in 2025, and a listing of workshops and classes that includes something for everyone. 

Eric Rubio, the Director of Finance and Administration for The Washington Chorus was our latest guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast. He gave us the scoop on what Arts Management professionals do and how the industry has changed after COVID, as well as details about The Washington Chorus, its mission, upcoming season, importance and who to become a singing member. He also briefed us on his fellowship at the Sphinx Organization and its emphasis on arts advocacy, and explained why he wanted to join the Embracing Arlington Arts Board of Directors (which he did!).

Tessa Klein, who manages the "Creative Age" program at Educational Theatre Company (ETC) appeared as a guest on the podcast to talk about this very unique and wonderful program that greatly benefits seniors. The program has students telling their own stories and putting these stories into an original play, as well as them reading and acting out already publishd plays. Also hear why and how this program provides health benefits for older adults and hear one pretty insightful story from one participant. And we hear about Tessa's acting career and types of roles she tends to gravitate towards. 

Actors Jordyn Taylor and Kaeli Patchen joined us on the podcast to talk about the upcoming production of "American Gothic" being presented by Monumental Theatre Company. Get all the details about the show, including some pretty special seats you can reserve, what the show is about, and what they both particularly like about the show (it might surprise you!). Also find out how they both got into the theater industry, characters they like to play (and want to play), how they prepare for the roles, and whoat realy unique "day job" Kaeli has.

Asheville Visual Artist Brian Luzader appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to tell us about his very unique style of painting that he calls "Flow Paintings". Find out how he became an abstract professional visual artist, details about his style of pouring paint onto a canvas and leaving it overnight to create beautiful colorful art pieces, what interesting kitchen gadget he uses to avoid "over-working" a painting, and how painting became a type of therapy for him. Also hear his insightful words of advice and wisdom for folks who want to start painting. Then visit his studio in the River Arts District! 

Actor Thomas Walter Booker appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to give us all the details about his exciting new project - a movie called "Absent" about a young boy in DC learning to forgive his father and move on with his life that he wrote, is producing and will appear in. Find out what spurred him to write the film, why it is so important for folks to see, what is the timeline until release and how listeners can help support the project. Also learn how he ended up in the theater industry at a VERY young age and his serendipitous journey toward landing a role in "Fat Ham" at the Studio Theatre.

Dominion Stage's Director Jason Damaso and Actor Zach Kessel joined us on the show to talk about the company's upcoming production of "Rent." Get details about how the show will be presented, why they feel this show still resonates today, and some examples of unique ways this production has been presented in the past. Also find out how each of them got into the theater industry and roles/plays on their bucket lists.

We were so happy to invite the Artistic Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) Peggy McKowen back to the show to talk about the 2024 festival which includes three plays and an offering in two parts. From the supernatural to autism to HIV to the Holocaust, this year's experiences cover many tough topics and yet most will leave audiences uplifted as Peggy gravitated towards choosing ones that would powerfully touch people. Also hear about some unique collaborations with other organizations that she pursued this year, as well as information about the playwrights, themes, special events, talkbacks, ticket packages and much more. Wonderful destination vacation opportunity this July. 

Another episode in our "Behind the Curtain" series on the professionals working backstage to make theater happen has aired. This one features Costume Designer Casey Watkins. Learn what she is responsible for in a production, what is her process for designing costumes, how does she research period pieces and some interesting tricks about costume designs that directly influence an audience member's experience and feelings toward the characters. Also hear about her wonderful experience of bringing a show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Continuing our "behind the curtain" chats with those theatrical professionals who make theater happen backstage, we welcome to the show Sound Designer Bailey Gafeney. Find out what exactly a sounder designer is responsible for, the tricks and insight into "underscoring" a production, what is her process for designing sound and some of the more challenging projects she has worked on. Also learn about some positive changes she has seen in the industry so far in her career.

Actor and Chair of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts John Hall joined us on the show to talk about his unique journey into the theater world, the mission, background and upcoming events at the Center, and details about his role(s) in the regional premiere of "Popcorn Falls" (2 actors playing about 20 characters). Also get all the details about a truly immersive event coming in June at the Center - "Art in Bloom" - that melds art, floral arrangements and nature and includes garden tours of local houses, visual artists creating artwork at each house, gallery exhibitions and the opportunity to purchase the paintings made during the event. A true destination event!

Technical Theater professional Sylvia J. Pierce appeared as a guest on the podcast as part of our series on the "behind the curtain" magic that happens to make a theatrical production happen. She enlightens about what exactly a technical theater professional is responsible for, with particular insight into a props manager, how she got into the industry, what dramatic changes she has seen in the technical field over the last 46 years, and how she preparing props for the upcoming production of "Thurgood" at NC Stage. Also hear some very entertaining stories about her experiences working with CNN, Eurovision and SNL, as well as her next project - "Hilloween" - a truly immersive and scary experience coming this October to Spruce Pine, NC.

This is another episode featuring the "behind-the-scenes" theater professionals who are critical to bringing a production to the stage. This week we get the inside scoop on lighting and visual media design from CJ Barnwell. Find out how he ended up in this field, his process for designing, what exactly a lighting/visual media designer does and some challenges he has faced in the past. Also find out how the profession has evolved and changed over the years, as well as why the relatively new visual media component has become so important. Finally get all the details and particular challenges of lighting for the production he is working on now - a one-person show at NC Stage - "Thurgood." 

What an insightful and interesting interview we had with Actor Solomon Parker III who is appearing in Signature Theatre's upcoming production of "Hair." Why does he think this show is so important and relevant in 2024? Why does he believe the 1960's were so critical? How did he prepare for his role as the "President of the United States of Love" and how it contrasted to his previous role when he appeared in the production in Oregon? Answers to these questions as well as how he got into the theater industry and roles on his bucket list are some of the wide-ranging topics we discussed. And what does Solomon think would make this world a much better place?

Scenic Designer and Visual Artist Julie K. Ross appeared on the podcast as part of our educational shows about the professionals not on stage that are critical to bringing a show to the stage. Hear what a Scenic Designer does, how she ended up in this career, how the profession has changed (and where projections fit in), and a prop that many times ends up on her sets as an inside joke. Also hear about her work as a visual artist and where in Dollywood one can see her very large and unique murals. Finally get the scoop on "Thurgood" opening soon at NC Stage Company and some teasers about that set.

The Executive Director of Encore Stage and Studio Sara Duke returned to the show to talk about the exciting developments with their "Flip the Script" series. Hear how the students prepare and draft the play, background on the two previous productions (one focused on Arlington's first middle school integration and Green Valley) and the current one that will be all about the diversity of Arlington and its food trucks. Also hear what surprised the students in their research about Green Valley and some iconic sights in the neighborhood that are recreated on stage. Finally get all the details about the final two productions in this current season and the many different options for summer camps being offered this year.

Actor Jessica Phillips took time off the stage to join us on the podcast to talk about her new show "Penelope" being presented at Signature Theatre. How did she prepare for a one-person show and portraying Penelope - Odysseus' wife in the Odyssey? Get all the details about the show and why she thinks all audience members will be able to relate so well to her character. Also learn about how she ended up in the theater industry, what are some of the big differences and adjustments actors need to make when moving from television to the stage, and what her unique answer was to roles on her bucket list. 

Toni Andrews, Senior Program Director at George Mason University updated us on the new construction building at George Mason University and its inclusion of the arts including digital arts and a podcast studio, as well as other arts projects the university is working on. Also get all the details about her historical fiction book "The Road to Second Chance" that she just published, what the impetus was behind her writing of it, how writing helped her mentally and emotionally, and her words of wisdom and lessons learned about how to get a book published.

Actor Philip Kershaw was a guest on the podcast to talk about his travels to the artsy city of Asheville to perform in NC Stage Company's production of "Witch," Find out how he ended up in the theater industry and what led him to Asheville to appear in this production and direct their next play entitled "Thurgood." Also learn how he prepares for new roles, what is on his "bucket list," and his journey to becoming an equity actor. And what really surprising thing did he do his first week in Asheville?