Good Morrow: An Inner City Shakespeare Podcast

In this final episode of season one, I sit down with Genevieve Richards. She is a powerful multifaceted woman who will leave you speechless. She is determined to cultivate meaningful change in her community, and she is dedicated to the truth. I am pleased beyond belief to end this season with her as the final episode. Enjoy, and I'll see you next season, on Good Morrow. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

Neiman is an incredible costume designer with ambition! He made me laugh, and he opened my eyes to how I should be dressing, and why dressing characters is such an important role in the story telling process. Enjoy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

A writer, actor, director, father and mentor -- Phil does it all! In this episode of Good Morrow we dive into what helps the actor decide to leave the craft, and what brings him back. We talk about healthy boundaries with acting, and how the arts can cultivate love and open communication. This is not one you'll likely want to miss! Enjoy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

An alumni of Inner City Shakespeare, a member of it's board, and an overall incredible human -- Sam Christian does it all. She acts, she dances, and she represents people as a union employee. I learned more than I thought I could in one hour with Sam, and I believe you will too. Her empathic and poignant perspective on all the topics we discuss is refreshing and revitalizing. Enjoy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

This episode I sit down with Ben White, another uber talented up and coming actor and writer. Ben continues to push himself, and seeks inspiration in all the best places, while keeping an optimistic outlook when the artistic process proves difficult. I had too much fun doing this interview, and I know you'll enjoy it too! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

Every person who has come onto this podcast owes Dr. Andrews thanks. She takes people, and shows them what they're capable of. This episode, captures just a few of those voices, saying thank you, and wishing Dr. Andrews a very special Happy Birthday. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

This episode I get to sit down with Juvanie Hildreth, and like many of my guests, his eclectic experiences make for numerous topics of conversation. This is not an episode you'll want to miss. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

Grahame is a man of many talents. In this episode we dive into American history, comedy, what the artist needs to do to be their own boss, and much more. You're not gonna wanna miss all the insight that this writer, actor, and producer brings to the table. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

From Broadway, to HBO, to Black is King -- Uyoata is a talent worthy of admiration. This episode we dive into his faith, his family, and the importance of educating yourself on black culture and history. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview, and know without hesitation Uyoata will change the world, whatever stage or screen he's on. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

On this episode of Good Morrow I sit down with Steven Meyer, a man who is always working to curate art and make that art accessible to all. Steven has been an actor, director, and has given himself the title of artistic maintenance at HelMel Studios, the studio owned by Val Kilmer. Steven and I talk about the importance of the arts, how knowledge is needed now more than ever, and the power of theater. This is not one you want to miss. Full of laughs, and full of truth, sitting down with Steven Meyer is a pleasure. As always, here is a link to Inner City Shakespeares website for more information about what we're up to! https://innercityshakespeareensemble.org/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

This episode is a follow up bonus episode that coincides with the conversation I had with Dr. Mary Shuttleworth. If you haven't listened to that episode, it is well worth your time. This episode helps to define the universal human rights we all share, and aims to educate anyone like myself, who did not know what many of those rights are. I hope you learn from this information as I did, and enjoy the process of understanding your rights as a human being. If you'd like to do further reading, research, or want to get involved with the Youth For Human Rights organization, here is a link to their site. https://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

This episode on Good Morrow I bring you the incredible Dr. Mary Shuttleworth . Born and raised in apartheid South Africa, Mary Shuttleworth saw firsthand the devastating effects of discrimination and a lack of basic human rights. As a teenager, she traveled extensively throughout Europe. During her studies and travels, she saw further discrimination and realized that issues of human rights violations reached far beyond the borders of her own country. Certain that education was the long-term solution to improving conditions, Shuttleworth earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University. The mother of two children and a proud grandmother, she started her first nonprofit corporation and private school in Los Angeles in 1998. Three years later, in 2001, she formed the nonprofit corporation Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI). The purpose of YHRI is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To rapidly expand the organization and reach youth around the globe, she has collaborated with like-minded individuals, groups, and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. The organization now has hundreds of groups and chapters in over 100 countries around the world. Believing in meeting with people in their own countries to observe the issues they face and to encourage their efforts, Dr. Shuttleworth circled the globe annually since 2004, visiting over 70 countries. Meetings were held with top-level dignitaries, including Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and United Nations officials. The Mayor of Los Angeles proclaimed Youth for Human Rights Day for the City of Los Angeles and other mayors have followed his example. Dr. Shuttleworth is the Executive Producer of the multiple award-winning UNITED music video, followed by the Youth for Human Rights Educator’s Guide and other literature. Her actions in forwarding the cause of human rights have been covered by local, national and international media, including radio, press and TV. Through her efforts she has reached millions of people across cultural and geographic boundaries, inspiring leadership through education. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

This time on Good Morrow I get to interview Neil Dickson. Neil was a mentor to me, and others, during Inner City Shakespeares most recent Zoom production of Romeo & Juliet. An incredible actor with over 119 credits to his name, Neil shares with me about his journey up to this point, and points out what the actor needs to stay motivated and afloat. This episode is packed with good stuff, so give it a listen, and learn as much as I did! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

This episode I sit down with Ben Horwitz. He most recently played Paris in Inner City Shakespeares Zoom Production of Romeo and Juliet. We talk about what he pulls from Shakespeare, his acting journey, and dreams for the future. As always, if you'd like to know what Inner City Shakespeare is up to, check us out at https://innercityshakespeareensemble.org/mission --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

On this episode of Good Morrow, I have the privilege of sitting down with Saint Ranson, an up and coming actor. Saint has an incredible story, and I believe his success will inspire others to stay the course of their dreams, no matter the storms along the way. Saint has persevered loss, poverty, and pain. But instead of those things slowing him down, they only inspired him to work harder to achieve his goals. I hope this episode will inspire you to do the same. As always, don't forget to check out Inner City Shakespeare at https://innercityshakespeareensemble.org/mission --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

Rebecca is an actress, writer, and social media consultant for Inner City Shakespeare Theater Company. In this episode we'll dive into what she learned from performing Shakespeare, her aspirations, and what we as a country need from comedy. From learning the hard way what "special skills" means on an audition, to the lessons she took away from her dad, this episode has something in it for everyone. Check out her website, http://www.rebeccadelsesto.com/ for more information. Also, as always, take a look around Inner City Shakespeares Website at https://innercityshakespeareensemble.org/mission. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

On this episode of Good Morrow, I get to sit down with Brad Koepenick. Brad is a teacher, producer, writer, actor, and advocate for the arts. Brad has extensive experience working with a broad spectrum of kids and adults, and he brings all of that insight into this episode. A true joy to interview, and a well of knowledge, this is an episode packed with opportunities for everyone. We cover a multitude of topics, and a link to each of those topics and artistic opportunities for those who seek them are right here. Enjoy!  Inner City Shakespeare: http://innercityshakespeare.org/ SparkRise: https://www.sparkrise.com/ Actors For Autism: https://www.actorsforautism.org/ Twain Mania Foundation: https://twainmaniafoundation.gvng.org/ Gvng: https://www.gvng.com/ Get Lit: https://getlit.org/ I'm Your Huckleberry: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-your-huckleberry-val-kilmer/1134359275;jsessionid=6C3AB77CA09A150465987CA80CF6369D.prodny_store01-atgap17?ean=9781982144890 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

Artur Lago Varjapetian is a survivor of the collapse of his country and a civil war as a child and a young adult. However he still considers himself blessed, because he bore witness to the power of human kindness and support in the darkest of times. He has also said dance and a sense of community has helped him to stay inspired and hopeful. At the age of 21, he took a chance and moved to the United States of America alone. With $2000 that his parents could give him and his passion for dance and theater, he started his American journey. After picking up part time jobs and learning English at Evans Adult School, he managed to earn a few educational scholarships and received his AA in Dance and Liberal Arts from Santa Monica College. In Spring of 2015, after 6 years of magic, madness, injuries, surgeries, depression, and recovery, he finally received his BFA in Dance and Theater from CSULB. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support

Dr. Andrews is one of the founders of Inner City Shakespeare Company. She has a presidential medal for the arts and community service, has taught all ages Shakespeare, and continues to inspire young people with the empowerment of theater. Dr. Andrews makes sure that the value of each person who walks into her company remains center stage. You can check out what Inner City Shakespeare is up to on Instagram, Facebook, or at their website at https://innercityshakespeareensemble.org/mission --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stefan-m-vandenkooy/support