Set the Stage

You asked and we answered! Here are all of the original, spontaneous theme songs from Season One, primarily by Jordyn Prince & Connor Wang - with a few special appearances by Margaret Baughman, Kimberly Sears, and Nick Wang. Happy New Year from all of us at Set the Stage!

The whole staff got together on Thanksgiving for holiday fun and podcast recording! Jordyn, Connor, Kimberly, and Margaret talk about what they’re going to request at Marie’s Crisis, lessons learned from Season One, and their favorite theatre moments of 2019. Connor’s brother Nick beatboxes for Connor to show off his FLS Academy skills in this improvisational rap theme song. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret are joined this week by director & stage manager Kalen Sierra Hughes to unpack what it means to double-concentrate at Marymount Manhattan College, the excitement of working with musical theatre actor-musicians, and the balance of working in the city while still in school. Connor takes Jordyn’s Once-inspired theme song to the next level. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret talk about holiday plans, unpack Marg’s definition of Dramaturgy, and try to figure out why ‘turgs aren’t included in all rehearsal rooms. Connor edits Jordyn’s smooth song into an easy-listening theme. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret talk to theatre-ish technician Spencer Batho about his journey to the Shedd Aquarium, why he loves working 9am-5pm, and his serendipitous whale song tattoo and Marg makes a Star Wars-related confession. Connor edits Jordyn’s probably-realistic aquatic sounds into a proper theme song. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret explore separating a production’s content from personal experiences, share a new Thanksgiving tradition, and question if we can be grateful for Verbs. Connor creates a smooth, jazzy feel to Jordyn’s spontaneous theme song. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO. CONTENT WARNING: This episode covers a few difficult topics. Future Jordyn will share the specific topics more in-depth at the very beginning of the episode. If these aren’t things you want to hear, skip this week’s episode and join us next week.

Jordyn and Margaret talk to Paola Sanchez Abreu about generously starting an eco-theatre company, why Paola is taking a break from the theatre regiment, and question if Elphaba receives paid facials. Connor edits Jordyn’s suave theme song inspired by Paola’s Instagram handle. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret chat about personal relationships in the rehearsal room, why accountants would be good to date for theatre professionals, & briefly reference Dirty Dancing. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s personal ad about Marg into a ping-y jingle. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret talk to writer-of-many-things-including-Oceanborn Morgan Smith about producing theatre for the first time in NYC, characters that are not cis men, and a writing process that can best be described as “fast.” Connor edits Jordyn’s spontaneous & theatrical theme song into a spooky intro for this spooky guest. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret check-in about their past experience seeing The Public Theatre’s production of “Hercules,” determine which character they would be, and give an overview of devised theatre. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s heroic attempt at a theme song. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn and Margaret bring in Zora Iman Crews to discuss the grad school life, the toss-up between New York & Los Angeles, and what it’s like to co-write and star in your own short film. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s theme song into what Zora thinks is a “veritable bop.” Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn checks in with Margaret about how three months of freelancing have been treating her, atrocious amounts of administrative work, and a fully-detailed update on Marg’s romantic life and the way it intersects, or doesn’t, with her career. Connor edits a 4-word theme song into a fun ditty. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret talk to immersive theatre-maker Lauren Fields about her favorite parts of creating & directing experiences in Chicago, emotional & physical consent, and whether she’d rather live in the McKittrick Hotel or ride the Haunted Mansion over and over. Connor Wang edits the episode and turns Jordyn’s seasonal rhyme into a funky pumpkin bop. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret get deep about Jordyn’s “why” behind moving to New York City, a scary-relevant tarot card reading, and a challenge presented while networking. In a surprising plot twist, Connor Wang edits a sweet tune from Margaret inspired by Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret chat with their Fellow artist friend, Ryan Dobrin, about being a producer, drinking too much coffee during networking coffee dates, and beating hearts. Connor Wang makes some magic out of Jordyn’s Harry Potter inspired theme song. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret kick off this episode with a personal confession, then chat about firing an actor, testing for culture fit of actors in a rehearsal process, and when something should be a teaching moment. Connor edits Jordyn’s Usher parody into a theme song. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret talk to college pal Madeline McCluskey about arts administration life, generational differences shaking up the workforce, and the real questions the world has been dying to know about Cats. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s most enthusiastic theme song to date. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret answer their first request about advice for college, reminisce about a time Marg thought her career was ending forever, and brainstorm drunk-Disney-themed shirts. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s original, spontaneous theme song into a real one that has great rhythm and rhyme. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret talk to their Sound Engineer for the podcast, Connor Wang, about making things louder on Broadway, sound team secrets, & discrimination in Iowa. He edits his own episode and Jordyn’s spontaneous theme song about her best friend into a bop. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret dig in on how new work gets funding in the many festivals of NYC, Jordyn defines immersive theatre, and Margaret raises big questions about the intersection of social justice and the theatre that promotes it. Connor edits Jordyn’s spontaneous and fun theme song into a real one & puts Future Jordyn into the episode. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret compare NYC, Chicago, & Cleveland theatre with temporarily-funemployed Abaigeal O’Donnell, discuss theatre education, and ponder a mysterious Google Calendar invitation. Connor Wang makes a bop out of Abaigeal’s spontaneous theme song about making quesadillas. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret shoot the shit about whether projects with exciting content or a hint of fame are more important, terrariums, and actively choosing to get over your fears. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s spontaneous theme song that sounds nothing like Whitney and a lot like Cher into a real one. Music under the end of the episode is “Fog” by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret talk with Isaiah Reynolds about harboring grudges for shows that don’t cast you, Boston, & playing a character whose story cuts a little too close to home. Connor Wang edits Jordyn’s spontaneous theme song about Isaiah’s future dog into a real one. Music at the end of the episode is "Fog" by DIZARO.

Jordyn & Margaret talk about what it takes to quit your day job as a young theatre artist, making rules for yourself, and whether Margaret should just go to law school instead of pursuing a life of theatre. Connor Wang edits in “Don’t be a Lawyer” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and turns Jordyn’s spontaneous theme song into a real one. Music under end of episode is "Fog" by DIZARO.