TIMEOUT w Brodrick

This is a conversation that I had with a beautiful friend of mine and the author of Lord, I Don't Want To Die A Christian, Chandrika D. Phea. Chan talks about her book and the process she took in writing the pages and discovering herself. As always please like and follow for more episodes. Chandrika D. Phea is living in empowerment-of herself and others. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Chandrika never dreamed that she would become a teacher. Teaching English at SIAS University in China to the future generation was life-changing. This experience opened Chandrika's mind to travel the world doing what she has been empowered, mentored, and equipped to do.As a student at Langston University, majoring in Management Information Systems, she also enrolled in ministerial courses at the Judah School of Ministry in OKC to obtain her license in ministry and was ordained. Phea received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Beacon University, in Columbus, Georgia. While working toward her degree at Beacon, she became a substitute teacher for Muscogee County School District. She also served as a Young Life leader for Columbus Young Life Urban and volunteered in serving girls' homes as well. Chandrika joined Mission Columbus in 2007, conducting neighborhood Bible studies, building relationships with community members, and creating Vacation Bible Schools in the urban areas of Columbus. This partnership with the community proved as preparation for the position she would later hold in China.The experience of living abroad changed Chandrika's life, giving her the desire to explore the world beyond church ministry. Since returning to the states, her newly found curiosity has led to a new passion in physical fitness, wellness coaching, and the outdoors, where she experiences more of Earth's glory.

I have been sitting on this conversation for 5 months now. I was so honored to talk with Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, Executive Director of Theatre for Young Audiences - USA. We talked about his role as Executive Director, spotlighting voices of BIPOC artists, Teaching Artists, Administrators and Collaborators. It was really thrilling for me to hear how his work has influenced his parenting and vis versa. We also did a little digging into some family history. Any conversation that I have with Jonathan is filled with warmth and love, this one is no different. I hope you enjoy his wisdom as much as I have. As always, like, follow and subscribe for future content and info.

I am so happy that I got to have the warm and vibrant conversation with Johamy Morales. She is the current Educational Director at Seattle Children's Theatre and my boss and mentor. Johamy has a way of welcoming you in without overloading you. My guard was all the way down during this conversation as I leaned in and just absorbed all of the amazing stories that she shared. At her core Johamy is a story teller and it makes me extremely happy to be able to share her story with all of you. As always like and follow for future content. Johamy Morales holds an MFA in acting from The Ohio State University, with a specialization in outreach and devising new work, and a BA in Theatre from San Diego State University. Johamy currently serves as the Director of Education at Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) and as a Trustee for Theatre Communication Group (TCG). Johamy has served on the theatre panel for Colorado Creative Industries, TCG’s Rising Leaders of Color, Creede Pride Committee and Theatre for Young Audiences/USA webinar series. Prior to working with SCT, Johamy served as the Education Director for Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede, Colorado and directed the Comparative Arts Department and the Junior Musical Theatre Program at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan. Johamy has worked with Arena Stage in Washington D.C. and the La Jolla Playhouse through their education programs as a teaching artist. Johamy is an alumnus of the Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship at Arena Stage and the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England, where she studied Contemporary & Classical works with Deborah Warner and Fiona Shaw. Johamy toured with the cast of New World Jukebox where she performed in the 2006 Grahamstown National Arts Festival, in Grahamstown, South Africa and with San Diego State University in, Carnaval de Calaveras, with performances in Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Mexico D.F. in 2004. In February of 2017, Johamy collaborated with the US State Department, the US Embassy & Consulate and several NGO’s to promote awareness of domestic and gender violence in Kolkata and Ranchi, India. As an educator, artist, and director Johamy has worked with various schools and nonprofit organizations both nationally and internationally including Hope College, Fort Lewis College, University of San Diego, Esperanza Charter School, Wexner Center, Dennos Museum, Students in Transition Empowerment Program, Traverse City Continuation School, Blackbird Arts and Columbus Refugee & Immigration Services.

I sat down with 5 amazing humans who are spearheading BIPOC inclusivity work in TYA/USA (Theatre for Young Audiences). Khalia Davis (she,her), Artistic Director at Bay Area Children's Theatre, Tiffany Maltos (she,her), Associate Director of Education at Seattle Children's Theatre, Rudy Ramirez (they/them), Brooklyn-Based Multidisciplinary Artist, Director, Deviser, and Arts Educator. Marisol Rosa-Shapiro (she,her), Performer, Director, Teaching Artist, Clown, Group Facilitator, and Creator of Original Works of Theater. Shavonne Coleman (she/her/they), Teaching & Performing Artist, Writer, and Educator.

During this episode, I sat down with Khalia Davis, Davied Morales, and Justin Ellington who are all a part of the creative team for A Kids Play About Racism. Khalia adapted this script from Jelani Memory's book, A Kids Book About Racism. Davied is the lead actor and lyricist on this project and Justin is the composer and sound designer. Like always, like, follow, and subscribe for future content. More info about the artists below. Khalia Davis(she/her) is a bicoastal multidisciplinary artist splitting her time between the San Francisco/Bay Area and New York. Directed and devised new works with prominent theaters such as Bay Area Children’s Theater, Atlantic Theater Company’s Atlantic for Kids, New York City Children’s Theater, Spellbound Theatre and more. Ms. Davis recently served as the Director of Inclusion and Education with Brooklyn Children’s Theatre restructuring their children’s musical theater programming through an anti-racism lens and currently teaches with New York City Children's Theater, the Atlantic Acting School, and for Disney Theatrical Group leading music and movement workshops and facilitating audience and community engagement. She is also an Artistic Associate for the nationally-known arts education organization The Story Pirates. As a performer, she has worked regionally and toured nationally on both coasts. Recently awarded the 2019 Emerging Leader Fellowship with TYA/USA and the NYCCT Leader Fellowship for 2019/2020. BA in Theater Arts from the University of Southern California. To learn more about Ms. Davis, check her out at www.khaliadavis.com. Davied (he/him) is an actor and rapper born and raised in the Bay Area. Last year he released an album called "Light Hearted" on all music platforms, starred in SF Playhouse's White Girl's Guide to International Terrorism as Gabe, and recently branched out into film where he was an Elf on Nickelodeon's show "Top Elf" as Zippy Twinkles. Mr. Morales received most of his training through Foothill College where he earned his AA in Theatre Arts and featured in many of their productions. Since then he has worked for companies such as City Lights Theatre Company where he played Nelson in The Siegel, and Anthony in I and You., Shotgun Players where he played Tray in Brownsville Song (B-side for Tray). Morales has also understudied at TheatreWorks in their production of Calligraphy and Proof, and at A.C.T. in their production of Gloria. Throughout the week Davied works at The Red Ladder Theatre Company, teaching improv workshops in prison. Justin Ellington, Composer and Sound Designer, (he/him) Broadway Credits include: Other Desert Cities Off-Broadway credits include: Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Playwrights Horizons); The Rolling Stone, Pass Over, Pipeline (Lincoln Center); Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie (ArsNova); The House That Will Not Stand, Fetch Clay Make Man (New York Theatre Workshop); He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box, The Winter’s Tale (Theatre for a New Audience); Familiar (Steppenwolf); Father Comes Home From the Wars, How to Catch Creation, Until the Flood (Goodman Theatre); Floyd’s, Trouble In Mind (The Guthrie); and Kill Move Paradise (Wilma Theatre). International credits include As You Like It (Stratford Festival) and The American Clock (The Old Vic). www.justinellington.com

During this episode, I sat down with Michael J. Bobbitt, the current Artistic Director at New Rep Theatre to discuss the current social climate in America and how the Black Lives Matter movement has helped to shed some light onto the systemic racism and oppression that happens in the world of the theatre. Michael talks about his history in theatre and some of the practices that New Rep Theatre is putting into place. Like always, like, subscribe, and follow for future content. Michael J. Bobbitt is the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre. He is an arts leader, director, choreographer, and playwright. Prior to New Rep, he served as Artistic Director for Adventure Theatre-MTC in Maryland, where he led the organization to be a respected theatre/training company in the DC region and a nationally influential professional Theatre for Young Audiences. He led the company through a merger, increased the organizational budget by more than 600%, expanded audiences by 400%, commissioned 40 new works by noted playwrights, transferred two shows Off-Broadway, transferred one show internationally, built an academy, and earned dozens of Helen Hayes Award Nominations including eight wins. Bobbitt has directed/choreographed at Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Center Stage, Roundhouse Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Opera. His national and international credits include the NY Musical Theatre Festival, Mel Tillis 2001, La Jolla Playhouse, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Jefferson Performing Arts Center, and the Olympics. As a writer, his work was chosen for the NYC International Fringe Festival and The New York and Musical Theatre Festival. He has two plays published by Rogers and Hammerstein Theatricals. He trained at Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program, Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell and other top leadership programs. He earned the Excel Leadership Award (Center for Nonprofit Advancement) the Emerging Leader Award (County Executive’s Excellence in the Arts and Humanities), and Person of the Year Award (Maryland Theatre Guide), among others.

After a great friend of mine connected me with her uncle, Ted Swindley, I invited him to sit down with me and have a very open, very candid discussion about his success writing "Always...Patsy Cline" and a new work that he had recently finished titled "Rebel Yell." Ted and I share experiences and excitement about his new work and I shared with him how "Honky Tonk Angels" really made me fall in love with a different aspect of theatre. Ted is an old soul, he's gentle and very understanding. It was extremely refreshing to cross-generational borders with him during this conversation. Please like, subscribe, and follow for future content. Thank you. As Playwright and Director, Mr. Swindley created the hit musical ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, which has been produced all over the world. Mr. Swindley has served as dramaturg on numerous new plays which had their premiere at Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston. Internationally, he has directed touring productions in the UK and Australia. Mr. Swindley is the Founding Artistic Director of Stages Repertory Theatre, the second-largest theatre in Houston, Texas. There he implemented such diverse programming as the Texas Playwrights’ Festival, for which he won national recognition in 1986 from the Wall Street Journal and Backstage magazine. Jules Feiffer’s CARNAL KNOWLEDGE had its World Premiere at STAGES. Although it had been originally written as a play, Mike Nichols produced and directed the film adaptation. However, the Feiffer play had never been produced until Swindley contacted Jules Feiffer. Both at STAGES and later at Pasadena Playhouse, Jules Feiffer was in residence working with Swindley each day. Feiffer said years later, “It was the best creative collaboration of my career.”

I was so honored with the opportunity to sit down with Will T. Travis and discuss his process of finding is footing in the world of theatre. Will shares some truths about what it was like for him to audition for Hamilton, and how changing his mind set about auditions helped to change his feelings of being in the room. Will is a force of nature and a positive ball of inspiration. Will's positive look on life and his genuine spirit is so infectious. I hope that you all enjoy listening to this episode as much I did recording it. As always like, share and follow for future content.

I sat down and had a very open and honest conversation with one of the warmest humans I have ever met in my entire life. Pilar Adara is a writer, actor creator and in my book an activists. Grab a drink and join the conversation as we talk about being POC navigating through theatre from college to professional careers. Like always be sure to like and subscribe to get notifications for future content.

This is my experience dealing with mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) particularly after the passing of my best friend Matthew. I am not a mental health physician, this is just me sharing me experience. I am still working on me and still processing everything that happened after Matthew's passing. If you feel triggered or emotional about about this information I would advice coming back to listen when you are in a better place to do so. Grab a drink, join the conversation and as always thank you for your support.

I sat down with Quad and discussed how he discovered mixology and what his childhood was like growing up in the south with a notable islamic name and being a person of color. In this episode you'll hear a person of color speak their truth of what it really means to be an ally and how the things that people say to us when we're young affect of even as adults. Grab a drink, join the conversation and thank you for listening.

I sat down with four artists; Tierney Breedlove, James Dixon, Thaddeus Fitzpatrick and Porsche Kemp Jenkins and ask them questions about navigating through their art careers, what some of their experiences are being an artist of color, and how COVID-19 has affected the arts community. Like good soul food and a great beer, there is something special when people of color sit down together and share their experiences. This is part 2 of a 2 part series. I hope you enjoy, thank you for your support.

I sat down with four artists; Tierney Breedlove, James Dixon, Thaddeus Fitzpatrick and Porsche Kemp Jenkins and ask them questions about navigating through their art careers, what some of their experiences are being an artist of color, and how COVID-19 has affected the arts community. Like good soul food and a great beer, there is something special when people of color sit down together and share their experiences. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. I hope you enjoy and I promise that part 2 will not disappoint.