Theatre with a Tea

Garrick Morgan, aka Garrick Vaughan, is part of the steering committee for the newly-formed Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia. He tells all about what BTAP is, what they do, and why their work is so important. Plus he shares some of his thoughts on how to create a more equitable theatre community. Please follow and donate to BTAP at www.blacktheatrephiladelphia.org.   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Meet the new Executive Director of Theatre Philadelphia, LaNeshe Miller-White! LaNeshe also works with Theatre in the X and the Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia. She tells us all about her amazing work to support BIPOC artists in Philly and what she hopes to achieve in her new role. If you are a theatre artist out of work in the pandemic, you can apply for emergency relief at www.theatrephiladelphia.org. Please consider donating to the Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia at www.blacktheatrephiladelphia.org and/or Theatre in the X at www.theatreinthex.com.   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

We invited Chad Parsons on to talk about his new podcast, Theatre with P.R.I.D.E., during Pride Month. But of course, the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests changed the conversation. We talked out our feelings about racism in America, and particularly in theatre, as well as what steps theatre artists can take to incorporate queer voices, people of color, and other minorities, and to make them feel welcome. Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Donna Romero is the Drama Department Chair at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. But she does more than put on middle school and high school plays. Her students learn the whole process, from choosing a show to building a budget, and she uses the content of the shows to educate her students about other topics. She tells us how she manages it all, and shares a few successes and fails of teaching theater during a pandemic   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Nell and Hallie are friends and now partners as the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre Horizon. They tell us all about Theatre Horizon’s virtual programming, how they strive to serve the unique community of Norristown, and how their life experiences and values have shaped their work.   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Robi Hager is our first guest who has been on the Great White Way. He tells us what’s different about acting in New York vs. Philadelphia and why he feels more at home in Philly. As a teacher and a composer, he also shares advice on how to keep learning your craft and talks about his latest projects. Check out Robi's work or take a master class with him at www.robihager.com.   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

TJ Walsh is a therapist for theatre artists and a visual artist himself. He explains why therapy is important for creative workers, how he helps reach people who have trouble affording therapy, and the good that can come out of what he calls “physical distancing” rather than “social distancing”.   More on TJ’s counseling services at tjwalshtherapy.com.   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

We’re kicking off season 2 with co-founder and resident director of 11th Hour Theatre Company, Megan O’Brien Perri. Over Google Hangouts to keep our social distance, Megan tells us some great stories from 11th Hour’s history and shares her thoughts on giving opportunities to young artists, creating space for representation in theatre, and how she’s coping at home with her two kids in the time of COVID-19. Brew up your tea and join us!   Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin Artwork by Frankie Rowles  Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

For a special holiday minisode, everyone switched roles! Michele and Vanessa are the hosts, and Anne Marie answers rapid fire questions.  Happy New Year from the Theatre with a Tea team! Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Director/choreographer Dann Dunn talks about his latest projects, his affinity for collaboration and his work as co-founder of Music Theatre Philly. Plus, the origin story of the two N's in his first name.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

On this day of giving thanks and eating turkey, we bring you a conversation with marketing aficionado, producer and educator Grayce Hoffman. She talks social media, choosing theatre as a form of entertainment and her work as co-creator of Paper Doll Ensemble, a local group that produces shows through a feminist lens.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Playwrights Julie Zaffarano and Keenya Jackson talk about their creative process, how to workshop your pages and network as a local playwright and how it's never too late to start pursuing the craft.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Happy Halloween! For our 11th episode, Dany Guy of 11th Hour Theatre Co. chats with Anne Marie about what exactly a managing director does, this year's Barrymore Awards Ceremony and the path to getting more women and people of color in directorial roles in local theatre. Plus, check out our new Q&A segment at the end of the interview!   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Amanda Pasquini is our guest this week. As Assistant Director of Education at the Walnut Street Theatre, Amanda talks about starting out in the Walnut's apprentice program, the direction of theatre education in Philly and finding a theatre community at Penn State.     Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Anne Marie welcomes Charlie Gilbert -- composer, lyricist, director and professor of theatre at the University of the Arts. They talk about Charlie's path as a teacher and creator, his passion for the Philadelphia theatre scene and about his new book, The SAVI Singing Actor.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Health Professional, Professor and Performance Artist Peter Danzig talks about training performers through his business Theatrical Trainer, as well as his academic focus on facilitating mental and physical wellness for performing artists. Plus, he comments on some recent drama involving Britney Spears.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

We're back! In this end-of-summer episode, Philadelphia Actors' Equity Liaison and actor Chris Sapienza talks about how he got his start on stage, as well as the ins and outs of the Actors' Equity Association.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Anne Marie chats with Philly theatre critic Cameron Kelsall about the importance of reviewing shows in all areas of the city, what arts criticism is and is not and why aspiring critics should just start writing and not wait for an invitation.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

On this July 4th, theatre educator, director and overall arts guru Christina May chats with Anne Marie about increasing theatre access to underserved communities, race relations in the local theatre scene and beyond, and tapping into our most authentic selves.    Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Lighting Designer Aly Docherty talks about what drew her to lighting after first pursing a path in acting, the subtlety and collaboration behind lighting shows and how kind and supportive the Philly theatre community can be.    Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Anne Marie and PR guru Bryan Buttler chat about what it takes to succeed in arts PR, some local theatres that are generating a buzz and racial representation in Philly theatre.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Anne Marie talks and laughs with Music Director Gina Giachero about making a living as an accompanist, having self-confidence as a creative and Gina's proclivity for belting show tunes.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Anne Marie chats with Properties Master Chris Haig about his background in theatre, advice he'd give to an aspiring theatre tech and how sets and props really make a production come to life.   Jingle by Chad Gorn Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin   Artwork by Frankie Rowles    Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture