"I'm B.A.T.man" - Your Bay Area Theatre Podcast

Hello, friends! After a (way too long) break B.A.T. man is back with a new mobile mic, a new baby (I became a father), and a Happy New Year! My good friends, and long-time collaborators Staci Arriaga, and Scott Maraj join me to talk about my latest blog post titled A Case for Critique. We met up to talk about some of the issues I talked about at the tail end of our own very busy winters (unfortunately, due to production schedules, most of the shows we are working on at the time of recording have already closed by the time of this release). So enjoy the dishing, the thanksgiving dinner, the egos, and the honesty. Full Disclosure, Some deep thinking happens around the 39 min mark. See you in 2020 with some new episodes!

Keaton Wilkerson is off to a pretty good start in his journey in the BAT world. After finishing college and returning to his home in the East Bay last fall he has only had a handful of weeks where he wasn't in rehearsal or performance. Keaton and I met 5 years ago and, although he isn't much younger than me, I am taken by the familiarity of his struggles and successes in trying to break out from one community and break into a much larger world. I sat with Keaton between lessons (he teaches voice and piano) and we were able to discuss his journey, as well as his latest project: "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" at Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette.

Jennifer Perry has lived all her life working and creating art in East Bay. She is my employer at "Lareen Fender's Ballet School Performing Arts", where I teach. And she is my Director in the East bay Area Premiere of the East Bay Premiere of "Roald Dahl's Matilda - The Musical" at Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Where I am playing Harry Wormwood. I had a great time discussing with Jenny her background as a theatre professional in the area, balancing being an educator, business owner, and Mother, while creating resonant art for the area. We also discuss her unique approach to directing a story that is so well known to so many audiences, young and old.

After a (way too long) break I was finally able to record a new podcast with my friend Brian Watson. Brian is the Resident Scenic Designer and Painter for 42nd St. Moon in San Francisco. He is also a skilled actor, singer, and master of the arts. We talk at length about artistic inspiration, the logistics of making a living wage in the arts, "Hidden Mickeys", and some observations on the B.A.T. scene.

Bethany Deal is the Costume Shop Manager and Designer for Center Rep in Walnut Creek and their production of A Christmas Carol. She talked with me in between preview performances and talked about her journey from studying Pharmacology in Sacramento to being one of the many hard working Costumers designing and working in the Bay Area. We talk about the logistics of bringing a large Dickensian show to Walnut Creek, standing up for your rights and worth as an artist, and creative places to store a mic pack.

Dyan McBride has been working in the Bay Area since the mid 90's and has been a director, actor and professor. She is currently rehearsing Her third Production of "Scrooge in Love" at Lucky Penny Productions in Napa, opening Nov 30th. I joined her in her home and discussed her time in the area, working with 42nd Street Moon, commuting, as well as her love of Bruce Springsteen.

Neal Pascua and I have known each other for a long time (almost 20 years). We had the same friends, we went to the same school, and we have worked for the same places. But after all of this dancing around each other, we finally were able to have a one-on-one discussion together. We discuss growing up in Fairfield together, Alter-egos, dancing, the nature of social media celebrities, and the subtle intricacies of questionable rhyme schemes. Neal is… Performing in "Elton John and Tim Rice’s, Aida" at Broadway By The Bay in Redwood City through Nov 18th. and Teaching a "Neyoncé - Dance Masterclass" at the Performing Arts Studio in Walnut Creek on February 10th

I was able to grab some time with Josh Marx between his many projects and discuss the nature of the Immersive Theatre Scene in the Bay Area, as well as Blood Cannons, babies, and Pokemon evolutions. Click Here to visit Josh's Website

I sit down with founder of the "Other Other Theatre Company" Joel Roster and discuss his history in the Bay Area Theatre Scene, his new company and the exciting challenges of Producing and Directing one of Aaron Sorkin's most famous plays "A Few Good Men". https://www.otherothertheatre.com/