The POTSCast

Welcome to Season 4! We're super excited to begin a new chapter with The POTSCast. You'll still hear from our beloved previous-hosts, but you'll also hear from, well... everyone! We're expanding The POTSCast to encompass a whole lot more, and we're excited to bring new voices to the table to talk about various topics that you won't want to miss.To start us off, Dave Landis and Ty Lenderman discuss our upcoming Season 55.Visit our website or call our box office at (901) 726-4656.

 Welcome back to Season 3 Episode 4 of The POTSCast! We spoke to the cast and crew of our spring shows! We sat down with new and familiar faces and had a great time! Check out all three discussions in this episode and then head on over to buy tickets!https://tickets.playhouseonthesquare.org/

Marcus sat down with Antonio Horne and Jared Thomas Johnson, the directors of "If Pekin is a Duck, Why am I in Chicago?" and "The Scottsboro Boys," to discuss their decisions to employ the  art form of black minstrelsy in the two productions.  Minstrelsy, and particularly for "If Pekin...," blackface minstrelsy, is a racist and stereotypical depiction of black life originating in the 1800s.  Although American Musical Theatre can trace its roots from this point in theatre history.  Reengaging in the art form could prove detrimental to our performers and patrons as we view theatre today.  Antonio, Jared, and Marcus, who is co-starring in "If Pekin...," take time to delve into the significance of the art to convey these specific stories and the nature and care they have put into ensuring everyone's safety.

 Welcome back to Season 3 Episode 3 of The POTSCast! This time around we talk with cast and crew members of our three January-February shows. We sat down with new and familiar faces and delved into the nitty-gritty about what it's like to put on these incredible productions. Check out all three discussions in this episode and then head on over to our website to get your tickets! 

Welcome back to Season 3 Episode 2 of The POTSCast! This time around we talk with cast and crew members of our three holiday shows opening in November and running through December 22nd. We sat down with new and familiar faces and delved into the nitty-gritty about what it's like to put on these incredible productions. Check out all three discussions in this episode and then head on over to our website to get your tickets!

Welcome to Season 3!  After a... Brief :) time away, Playhouse is back with a new format for The POTSCast.  Get ready this season for in-depth interviews with cast and crew members for the theatre's upcoming shows and programs.  There will also be special guests and surprise episodes down the pike!  This month we conclude discussions with cast members from the Season 54 opener, Shanktown. We talk to the cast of Something Rotten! and get serious with the director and cast member of Pass Over opening in September.  It's a jam-packed POTSCast!  We're back baby!!!

Join us at the POTSCast as we dig into a show from Playhouse's history. No holds are barred as we take a look at aspects of the production quality, the casting, and the content of the show itself. How did Playhouse handle the difficult issues involved with this piece? Was it worth it in the end? Should we remount the show next season? Join us as we head to Southeast Asia for this production of... Well, I guess you'll have to download the episode to find out!

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our October friends riffed on (Hint: What do you need to oil babies for?)!

October is Queer History Month and The POTSCast sits down with Playhouse on the Square alumnus Carly Crawford, Claire Rutkauskus, and Dennis Whitehead Darling, whose influence in Memphis queer theatre will be felt for years to come.  Listen as we educate the children. *Longer Episode

Welcome back to another season of The POTSCast! We have so many new things in store for us this season, including a new host, and a host of new exciting episodes for the next 10 months! Tune in and see what has been changing and what you have to look forward to on The POTSCast!

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our June friends riffed on (Hint: Are those squirrels... inbred...?).

For the finale of this season of The POTSCast, we say both hello and goodbye. Marcus sits down with then-future/now-current interns, Tempest Thomas, Hope Mohon, and Annie Davis to welcome them to the family; and gives co-founding-member and co-host Donald Sutton a warm goodbye. Or wait, perhaps a see you later? You'll just have to tune in to discover the roads that all these folks have taken. See you in the next season!

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our April friends riffed on (Hint: Soap is the least interesting choice).

Donald has a chat with past intern Rebecca Johnson. Wait, no, not just past intern; also, past POTS Resident Company Member! This one is a good one, folks, so let's jump right in.

Donald has a chat with past intern Katharine Hughen. Wait, no, not just past intern; also, past POTS Production Stage Manager! This one is a good one, folks, so let's jump right in.

Were y'all expecting the past interns episode right now? Expect the unexpected *cue sunglasses* *Cue The Who scream*. Instead! We got past POTSCast guest and current Managing Director of POTS, Whitney Jo, to come on and do some POTS trivia to prep us for the past interns episode. And also? Whoa, what is this? A SEASON REVEAL!? Surprise! Click play and jump on in, folks.

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our April friends riffed on (Hint: Not everyone knows Gaga).

You can't talk about Playhouse without talking about the interns, plain and simple, y'all. That said, it's a long and ever-evolving part of the story of POTS that simply can't be covered in one episode, SO, today we start our trilogy of Intern Talks with some of our current interns, Pedro da Silva, Haley Wilson, and Robert E. Williams, II. Next month, we chat with past interns, and the month after we will look toward the future (very Star Wars vibes amiright). But for now, hit play and let's have some fun!

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our March friends riffed on (Hint: Woosh!)

In today's episode of our theatre podcast, we tackle the topic of activism theatre with three local talents, Alice Berry, Dave Landis, and Lawrence Blackwell; and, ironically, we end up discovering that we're not talking with theatrical activists at all. Wanna know what we mean? Give it a listen to find that out and so so so much more. 

Fives points to whoever got the pun in the February episode titles. Playhouse's history is full to the brim with love stories, so what a better month to celebrate love in? Tune in for part two of a special episode where Marcus and Donald take a step back as interviewers and let the couples tell their own POTS love stories, uninterrupted. XOXO, kissy face emoji.

Playhouse's history is full to the brim with love stories, so what a better month to celebrate love in? Tune in for a special episode where Marcus and Donald take a step back as interviewers and let the couples tell their own POTS love stories, uninterrupted. XOXO, heart emoji.

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our January friends riffed on (Hint: Trifocals are for young folks, too)!

It's the first month of a new year, so what better time to look at all of the firsts in life? In today's episode, Marcus and Donald have a roundtable with Karin Barile, Tony Horne, and Whitney Jo and dive into the stories, thoughts, and experiences surrounding everyone's personal collection of firsts. Regardless of if you view them as friends, mentors, respected elders, or even Memphis theatre legends, these three definitely drop some wisdom and wit mixed in with a whole lot of love.

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our December friends riffed on (Hint: Ariana Grande deserves a second listen)!

"Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found." - James Russell LowellIt's the last month of the longest year ever. We've been handling a pandemic, political disarray, societal pains, and, at one point, murder hornets. Even through times of great struggle, however, we've rediscovered that creatives refuse to stop creating. In today's episode, Marcus and Donald talk with Isaiah Rosales (The HUB) as well as Michaela Tramuta and Grace Wylie (Dressing Room Talk) about the amazing content these past POTS people are out creating in the world. So pop in your earbuds and let's go, y'all!

How do we finish off our interviews? Our guests pick a number, 1-5, and go off for a full minute on a totally randomly chosen topic. Take a quick sec to hear what our November friends riffed on (Hint: Ghosts are idiots)!

“The theatre was created to tell people the truth about life and the social situation.” – Stella Adler"... just like The POTSCast." - probably also Stella AdlerThe guests are here and we're jumping right in. Marcus and Donald have a seat with Danny Crowe (Actor), Scott Ferguson (Director), Tim McNath (Scenic Designer), and Aubanita Kirk (Prop Designer) to chat about the impact COVID-19 has had on our industry, our lives, and our society. We dive into where we've been, where we are now, and where we may be going; so pop in your earbuds and let's go, y'all!

"The middle of the road is where the white line is - and that's the worst place to listen to the POTSCast." - Robbie FrostBefore the guests come on, let's get to know the hosts! Marcus and Donald go through some life stories and answer a few listener-submitted questions to shine a light on who exactly it is you're spending your time with.

Walking Shoes? Check.Earphones? Check.The POTSCast? Check.

Y'all, we're about to move into our newly refurbished studio space but thought we should put together a little something rough and ready for The Preview. Wanna know what The POTSCast is all about? Click play!