Someone's Thunder

Jonathan (Jonny) Silverstein joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about directing, developing new work, and the admin side of running a theater company. After over a decade as the Artistic Director of the Keen Company in New York, Jonny Silver is stepping down in June 2025 for his next adventure. To find out more about Jonny please visit his insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Julia Emily of East Village Hats joins Angela to talk about hat making, teaching, and adornment. Julia's 100% handmade hats have been showcased in multiple film and tv projects as well as being available for off the rack purchase or custom made for special events. To find out more about the shop and it's classes please visit their website and insta. Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

A re-release of our 2022 interview with Leo Coltrane. Please check out his newest project here.Leo Coltrane joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about making music, world travel, and counting quiet moments as art: "this too". As a Brooklyn native, born into an artistic family, Leo spent a decade in LA working on many music video sets before returning to New York. To find out more about Leo and his projects please visit leocoltrane.comLeo's song Silence closes this episode.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Lou Liberatore joins Angela and Stephanie to talk about and his career in the theater, taking risks and activism through art. Lou is an Tony-nominated actor  whose career began at Circle Rep and was forged in their mission of developing new plays. To find out more about Lou, visit his insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Vichet Chum joins Angela and Stephanie to talk about playwriting, collaboration and his recently released YA novel. Vichet is an award-winning playwright whose works have been performed at Steppenwolf, Ars Nova and the Alley to name a few. To find out more about Viceht, visit his website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Leslie Silva joins Angela to talk about acting, photography and the practice of being present. Leslie has an impressive theater resume, sometimes teaches and is currently working on a performance art self-portraiture photography project along with her extensive film credits. To find out more about Leslie, visit her website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Brooke Berman joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about playwriting, acting and the road to self-producing films. Along with playwriting and filmmaking, Brooke is an author and Juilliard grad. To find out more about her recent film Ramona at Midlife, and where to stream it, please visit their website. To find out more about Brooke, visit her website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Jamie Reynolds & Jake Joyce join Stephanie and Angela to talk about the work at UAP, being makers and the role of Public Art. UAP provides a complete package of services for artists, architects, designers and more with facilities that include design studios, robotics and innovation hubs, factories, foundries, and an international network of engineers, installers and suppliers, extending the full length of a project's development and lifespan. To find out more, please visit the company's website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

**due to technical difficulties the audio balance was affected for this episode - be ready to adjust your volume a bit and thank you for your understanding. We are so proud of the content despite this inconvenience.  Shakina Nayfack joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about manifesting, trans stories as the power of art. Shakina is a performer, writer, director, activist, and priestess. Most recently, Shakina received two Critics Choice Awards for her work as a writer and director on the NBC hour-long drama series, QUANTUM LEAP. You can hear her powerful acceptance speech mentioned in our episode here. To find out more about Shakina, please visit her website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Rachael Ziering joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about dogs, learning as you go and a bit of musical theater history. Muddy Paws Rescue is a private rescue and foster organization on a mission to build and support a thriving community of dog-loving humans dedicated to ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion dogs. Rachel is the founder of Muddy Paws and has created an amazing community "pack" including full time staff since 2015. To find out more, please visit Muddy Paws website and instagram.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Orly Gottesman joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about food, glove-trotting and expanding the business to meet demand in innovative ways. Modern Bread and Bagel has multiple locations, ships nationwide and has baking mixes! Thyme and Tonic is a gluten free and kosher fine dining restaurant in New York City.  Orly is the female founder and her husband is the master baker for these businesses. To find out more , please visit the insta for Modern Bread and Bagel, Thyme and Tonic and Orly herself.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

A quick thank you from the whole Thunder Team to our amazing listeners. We are honored to share some of your words about the show.  

Wayne Maugans & Kathleen Salazar join Stephanie and Angela to talk about theater for social good, grass-roots creation and wearing many hats. The Voyage Theater Company is now a decade old and has a mission to support new and unheralded plays and playwrights from around the world. Say Gay Plays is a piece of theater activism in response to increased legislative hostility toward the queer community in the United States. To find out more about the work and how to support Say Gay Plays, please visit the project website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Sam Mirpoorian joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about documentary film-making, the festival circuit and being inspired by the midwest. Sam is an award-winning film-maker who edits his work which often focuses on social issues. To find out more about Sam and find where to see his films. visit his website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Regina Manning joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about teaching, self-care and the beauty industry. Regina is a licensed esthetician, beauty blogger, and skin enthusiast. To find out more about more, visit her insta and the website for the Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Eli Marcus joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about motivation, networking and getting out of your comfort zone. Eli is affectionately known as the Mayor of Times Square and is a hospitality professional and podcaster. To find out more about more, visit his insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Courtney Romano joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about listening to your heart, switching mediums, and creating meaningful goals. Courtney is a filmmaker, writer, actor, producer and podcaster. To find out more about more, visit her website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Christa Scott Reed & Brian Letchworth of Occasional Drawl Productions join Stephanie and Angela to talk about their current production of Blood of the Lamb at 59E59 through Oct 20th, 2024 as well as the success and support they've created as a producing team. To find out more about the team, visit the Occasional Drawl insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Vivienne Benesch joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about her career directing, acting and her current experience as a Producing Artistic Director in her eighth full year with PlayMakers Repertory Company in North Carolina after over a decade as the Artistic Director for Chautauqua Theater Company and Conservatory. A proud NYU grad, Vivienne shares about some of her favorite teachers, and her own goals when teaching. To find out more about Vivienne, visit her insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Kelsey Rainwater joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about teaching, being a fight and intimacy director, and unexpected opportunities. Kelsey is an actor and current teacher for Yale. To find out more about Kelsey, visit her insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Heather Strickland joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about being a fight and intimacy director, collaboration and what consent looks like in rehearsal. Heather is a theater artist and former dancer working in North Carolina. To find out more about Heather and her work, visit the Theatre Raleigh website and her insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Stephen Burdman joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about accessibility, redefining classics and panoramic theatre. Stephen Burdman founded New York Classical Theatre in 2000 and is the vision behind the creation of Panoramic Theatre, and is celebrating their twenty-fifth season of providing free performances while inviting new audiences into green spaces. To find out more about Stephen and the company, visit the New York Classical Theatre website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Martin Platt joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about theater, music and breaking rules. Martin is a Tony Award winning producer, director, proud Carnegie Mellon alum and much more. To find out more about Martin, visit the Perry Street Theatricals website and Facebook.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Frank Gappa joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about music, gigging, and opting for physical media on his latest album. Frank is an indie musician and singer-songwriter. To find out more about Frank, visit his website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

In celebration of the recent 15th annual Jimmy Awards, we're re-releasing our interview with Rachel Reiner.Rachel Reiner joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about making connections, encouraging support, and being unapologetically multifaceted.  Rachel is the director of Audience Engagement at the Broadway League, the managing director of Resonance Ensemble, Executive Director of the Jimmy Awards and more! Rachel created the site careers.broadway and leads the Broadway Bridges program through the Broadway League.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Michael Rafalowich joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about music, collaboration and a love for the obscure. Michael is a musician, dj, writer and reporter; part of the power trio of The Golden Grass.  To find out more about Michael, visit his insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Jasmine Hirst joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about documentaries, hard times and healing with art. Jasmine is a filmmaker, photographer and artist originally from Brisbane who now lives in New York City.  To find out more about Jasmine, visit her insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Julia Knight joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about her experience as a birth doula, noticing and molding energetic environments, and auditioning while breastfeeding. Julia began her career in dance and has worked as a fight choreographer, personal trainer, and now a birth doula alongside making art.  To find out more about Julia, visit her insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Christopher Scott joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about directing, becoming a teaching artist, and bringing originality to every performance.  Christopher began his career as an actor both on and off Broadway before delving into directing and creating new works.  To find out more about Christopher, visit his website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Happy Spring! We are re-releasing a Someone's Thunder favorite Eliza of Wardrobe Boss. Eliza Parrilla joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about living authentically, survival jobs, and finding joy in self-expression. Eliza is a personal stylist and business owner who also has her own podcast.  You can find out more about Eliza at her website and instagram.Edited by: Oliver KleinOriginal Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Dani Martineck joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about gender-expansive performers, their short film and a bit of psychology.  Dani is a non-binary performer, writer and producer based in New York.  To find out more about Dani, visit their website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Allison Ward joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about treasure-hunting, all things vintage and composition.  Allison is the owner of Madame Fortuna (updated website coming soon) who started her career in photography.  To find out more about Allison and the upcoming vintage show she'll be a part of in New York City this Spring, visit her shop and the show on insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Seema Desai Maglio joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about the joy of writing, cultivating an audience and growing up in Queens. Seema is the CEO and founder of The Found Word  which specializes in creating content for Law Firms. You can find out more about Seema at the Found Word website.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Izaak Sunleaf and Jaron Young join Stephanie and Angela to talk about comedy, self-producing, and their show: Boyband Breakup: The Musical.  Izaak and Jaron met through the sketch comedy scene in New York and also share about stand up and parody writing.  Tickets to their March 1st performance at Caveat in in the Lower East Side can be found here. You can find out more about Izaak and Jaron on instagram.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Ned Morgan joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about the non-profit Water Compass, creativity in community messaging and the Statue of Liberty.  Ned is an expert in environmental management and shares with us about building solar-powered water supply systems in rural communities to provide a reliable and sustainable source of clean water -specifically Uganda.  You can find out more about Water Compass at their website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Kara Arean joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about song writing, devised plays and accent work.  Kara is an actor and singer/songwriter based in New York.  You can find out more about Kara at her website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Dennis Milam Bensie joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about wig design, playing with dolls, and a daily dose of art. Dennis is a designer, author and educator.  After twenty seasons with the Intiman Theater in Seattle, Dennis now teaches in the conservatory program at Webster University.  Dennis manages several instagram accounts:DennisMilamBensie - overall personalDennyMinni - daily art with Denny MiniDennis_Milam_Bensie_Wigs - Wig PortfolioDennis_Did_That_Play - All the ShowsDennisPlaysWithDolls - All the DollsOriginal Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

A quick note from all of us: Happy New Year and thanks for all the support!  We'll be back soon with our next interview.

Joshua Sterling Bragg joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about filmmaking, the digital media landscape, and inspiring stories from people living with rare diseases. Josh is the Senior Creative Director & Cinematographer for Believe Limited and the founder of Haunting Season.  To find out more about Josh visit his website or TikTok.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Darius Phelps joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about poetry, continuing education, and finding inspiration through grief.  Darius is a poet, illustrator, educator and activist.  You can find out more about Darius at his insta.  To find out more about classes and more at Brooklyn Poets, you can follow their insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Melissa Fitzgerald joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about service, hope and raising awareness through art.  Melissa is the Director of Strategic Engagement at ALLRISE, a non-profit advocacy organization for justice system innovation addressing substance use and mental health at every intercept point.  Melissa is also a producer, author and actress.  You can find out more about Melissa at her insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Rick Benjamin joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about music, preservation efforts, and finding your audience.  Rick is the Founder & Artistic Director of The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra which is an historic American music repertory ensemble which tours year-round throughout the United States and abroad.  Along with over 30 years with The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (which was founded when Rick was still a student at Juilliard), Rick conducts, arranges music, lectures and teaches Tuba and euphonium.  You can find out more about Rick at his website or The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra's website.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Yahya Jeffries-El joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about the dignity of being an artist, finding artistic nourishment, and being a native New Yorker.  Yah is a recording artist, DJ, film-maker, actor and original collaborator on Someone's Thunder!   You can find out more about Yah at his website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Rachel Reiner joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about making connections, encouraging support, and being unapologetically multifaceted.  Rachel is the director of Audience Enagement at the Broadway League, the managing director of Resonance Ensemble, Executive Director of the Jimmy Awards and more!   Rachel created the site careers.broadway and leads the Broadway Bridges program through the Broadway League.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Lizzie McGraw joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about tenacity, design, and instantaneous manifestation.  Lizzie is the owner of Tumbleweed and Dandelion and author of Creative Style: liveable loveable spaces.  You can find out more about Lizzie at her website and the store's insta. To participate in the special give-away of Lizzie's first book, reach out to us on Someone's Thunder instagram *while supplies last!Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

James Vasquez joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about directing, the landscape of regional theater, and how a dog person can also love Caturday.  James is a director, Resident Artist of The Old Globe Theatre and San Diego native.  You can find out more about James on his website and insta. Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Rachel Klein joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about directing, fostering community, and opulence on a budget.  Rachel is a director and choreographer whose work has been seen all around New York City.  You can find out more about Rachel on her website and insta. Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Brooke Leialoha joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about music, intuition, and exploring legacy.  Brooke is a multidimensional artist who creates visual art and music. She is also the author of several books, an entrepreneur, and  a psychic medium. You can find out more about Brooke on her website and insta. Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Izaskun Zabala joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about craftsmanship, intuition, and creating heirlooms.  Izaskun is a jewelry designer from Spain who has lived and worked around the world, including studying in Dublin and New York before creating her namesake brand. You can find out more about Izaskun on her website and insta. Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Andy Engel joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about the business of show, being a witness to history as a native New Yorker, and the rush of getting a laugh.  Andy is the founder of the Manhattan Comedy School and a stand-up comedy producer with thirty years experience at clubs including the famous spots Gotham and Carolines.  The child of two photographers (well known New York artists in their own right), Andy got 'pretty famous' calling into morning radio shows across the country with his impressions.  Find out more about Andy and Manhattan Comedy School at their website and insta.Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)

Alejo Vietti joins Stephanie and Angela to talk about building his career, collaboration, and getting married after over twenty years with his partner.  Alejo is an acclaimed costume designer who has worked on multiple Broadway premieres; he got his first US gig with legend Ann Roth after calling her from the phone book. You can find out more about Alejo on his insta. Original Music by: Yah Supreme (Yahya Jeffries-El)