Pull Back the Curtain: A Philly Theatre Podcast

On this final episode of the podcast, I talk to my dear friend Vida Manalang (she/they) - a theatre maker, researcher, and fellow Drexel student. We discuss devising, identity and pressure, and what the connection is between their lives in theatre and research. Follow Vida on Instagram @in_ikea to learn more about their work! Thank you to everyone who has listened and support this project!

On a very special episode, I talk to both KC MacMillan AND Meghan Winch of Tiny Dynamite! KC (she/her) is the Producing Artistic Director as well as a freelance director. Meghan (she/her) is the Artistic Associate as well as a freelance dramaturg. We discuss creating empowered spaces, keeping "the door "open to opportunities, and the importance of mentorship. You can keep up with Tiny Dynamite with @tinydynamite on Instagram or by joining their mailing list on their website: tinydynamite.org!

On this episode I talk to Lauren Tracy (she/her), a production manager and business owner of the scene shop Flannel and Hammer. We discuss what production management is, how her work has shifted during the pandemic, and the importance of negotiating your salary! You can always email Lauren at flannel@flannelhammer.com, check out their website at flannelhammer.com, and follow along on Instagram @flannel_hammer. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

This episode I speak with Jo Vito Ramírez (they/them), a non-binary performer and props designer! We talk about the importance of bold arts administrators, their favorite props, and what goes into their design process. Keep up with Jo's work as a company member of Shoe Box Theatre Collective @shoeboxtheatrecollective and their personal account @dubiousmood, or check out their website jovitoramirez.com. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

(TW: police brutality) This episode I welcome Tay Sconiers (she/her), a young arts worker who has already done a little bit of everything - including costume design, grant writing, stage management, and acting. Together, we talk about being young artists, biases in grant writing, and the importance of color-conscious casting. Tay is currently the Artistic Associate with Philadelphia Artists Collective (@philadelphiaartistscollective, philartistscollective.org) and you can follow her on Instagram @laughalottay. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

On this episode I talk to LaNeshe Miller-White (she/her), a cultural producer, marketer, and performer. LaNeshe is the new Executive Director of Theatre Philadelphia and is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Theatre in the X. We discuss the need to support artists, different barriers to access, being a "connector", and the general landscape of our community. Keep up with her work on Instagram with @theatrephiladelphia and @theatreinthex. Check out Theatre Philadelphia's micro-grants here: theatrephiladelphia.org/theatre-philadelphia-emergency-relief. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

On this episode I got to sit down with Eli Lynn (they/them), a trans non-binary performer, fight director, and intimacy coordinator. Together we talk about being an independent artist, physical storytelling, and perceptions of their work. You can follow Eli on Instagram @everinmotley and visit their website eliklynn.com. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

This week I talk with Jacqueline Goldfinger (she/they), a playwright-dramaturg based in Philadelphia. Together we discuss how they started playwrighting, issues around perspective and playwrighting, and dismantling systems in theatre. You can keep up with her work at jacquelinegoldfinger.com and check out the TED Talk they mentioned here: https://tinyurl.com/tglqhre. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

This week I talk with Jasmine Hammond (she/her), one of the Education Program Managers at the Kimmel Center. We discuss how she works with teaching artists, the importance of accessibility in arts education, and how we can better support artists of color. Follow along with her work at the Kimmel Center @kimmelculturalcampus, her personal account @heyjassyhey, and check out her personal website at jasminehammond.com. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

On this episode I got to talk to a Philly theatre icon, Pat Adams! Patreshettarlini (Pat) Adams (she/her) is the Resident Stage Manager at the Wilma Theater and an overall inspiring human. We talk about the surprising way she got into stage management, preserving brave spaces, and how stage managers engage in the creative process. You can keep up with Pat by checking out the Wilma's website at wilmatheater.org and following them on Instagram @wilmatheater. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj

(TW: sexual harassment) On this episode I welcome Grayce Hoffman (she/her), an administrator, PR consultant, performer, and producer. As the Director of Communications at 11th Hour Theatre Company and co-founder of Paper Doll Ensemble, we discuss the challenges of being a female artist, creating safe spaces, and her work in marketing. To check out more of Grayce, you can follow her on Instagram @ladygrayce and follow her work @11thhourtheatreco and @paperdollensemble on Instagram. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj!

For the first episode of the podcast, I talk with Pax Ressler (they/them) about identity, making music, and their reflections as a non-binary artist. Pax is a creator, composer, performer, designer, educator, and music director. To check out more of Pax's work, go to paxressler.com, follow their own Instagram @paxressler, and check out their work showcasing the non-binary community @GenderfunkPhilly. Help pay the artists involved: gf.me/u/zc6ufj!

Welcome to the first episode of "Pull Back the Curtain: A Philly Theatre Podcast"! In this short introduction, I explain the purpose of this podcast and what I hope to learn throughout the next 13 episodes. Support the artists involved in this project here: gf.me/u/zc6ufj and follow along on Instagram @pullbackthecurtainpod. Thank you for listening and supporting!