Whole Backstage Live!

Ajia Jones is a newcomer to the Whole Backstage who has also been heavily involved with Arab Musical Theatre and The Lighthouse Theatre Company. Recently starring as Lucy in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", she is a motivational performer and a genuine team-minded cast member. John Everett Brewer makes his second appearance on the show as a WBS Board member and performer. He most recently lit up the WBS stage as Snoopy in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and as Cinderella's Prince in "Into the Woods". We talk about what drives culture in a theatre and backstage, incredibly quick scene transitions, missed opportunities, and how Ajia became involved as an assistant director at AMT.    WBS Socials Episode and commercial mixes by Denton Gillen

Andrea Oliver and Claire Richards are members of the WBS Board of Directors and both plan events and parties as part of their professional lives. We talk about what to expect for the Gala celebrating the 50th consecutive season at WBS, how to purchase tickets, and the significance of celebrating this milestone for an organization that has been such a fixture for the community and for all who have been positively affected by the arts.  Buy Gala Tickets WBS Socials

Britt Burns is an artist and musician who has played in several bands and works as a videographer and photographer. You may have seen him on our stage in shows like Grease, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and as "Sweaty Eddie" in Sister Act! We talk about moving to Texas for a job with just a few days' notice, being drawn to creative spaces, his videography career, and more. Connect with WBS to stay current on what's coming as we prepare to celebrate our 50th consecutive season as YOUR community theatre!   WBS Socials   Episode Music:  Bumper mix by Denton Gillen

Denton highlights upcoming shows and shares insight into what benefits come with WBS Patron membership as we prepare to open Patron registration and kick off our 50th consecutive season as YOUR community theatre. There will be exclusive Patron events and great opportunities to celebrate our 50th anniversary as a community. Stay tuned to hear what shows will be coming next season and to find out how to be first in line for tickets and preferred seating. Lots of new Patron perks coming your way! See you at the theatre.   WBS Socials

Aniah Havis is an exceptionally talented performer who is a treasured member of our Whole Backstage family. You may have seen her in shows like Bye Bye Birdie, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sister Act! She graduated from Guntersville High School in 2022 and is now attending The City College of New York and pursuing performance opportunities in New York City. In this episode we hear about her philosophy "You're going to be alright", the opportunity to take chances on yourself, her experience playing Deloris in Sister Act!, and being truly happy with yourself if you get to do what you love. Connect with WBS to stay up to date on what's coming!   WBS Socials   Episode music: Intro and Outro mix by Denton Gillen Bliss by Luke Bergs | https://soundcloud.com/bergscloud/ Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Aniah Havis is an exceptionally talented performer who is a treasured member of our Whole Backstage family. You may have seen her in shows like Bye Bye Birdie, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sister Act! She graduated from Guntersville High School in 2022 and is now attending The City College of New York and pursuing performance opportunities in New York City. In this episode we learn about how she became interested in theatre, her theatrical experiences across the country, her perspective on embracing opportunities to grow, and her detailed work ethic. Catch part 2 of our conversation coming soon, and connect with WBS to stay up to date on what's coming!   WBS Socials   Episode Music:  Intro and outro mix by Denton Gillen Good Vibes by Luke Bergs & LiQWYD | https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Journey by Roa | https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/  

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. A lively fiddle and dancing feet can be heard when passing the Harrison Cemetery. Jane Kohl tells of how Grancer Harrison's zest for life and dancing persists near his final resting place near where his dance hall was located.  Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations Song: Soul's Departure - Darren Curtis Song: Devil's Dream - Martha's Music Academy Song: Appalachian Folk Music Song: Devil's Dream/Mason's Apron - frontporchradio Song: The Haunted House - Fergal Scahill

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. After a well digger is tragically buried alive, it is said that his spirit appears pleading to be rescued at the bare spot where the well was located.  Voiced and produced by Johnny Brewer Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations Song - Alone With Your Voices

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. Julie Oliver voices the circumstances around which the suicide of a troubled and lonely young woman provides the back story for the haunting of Pratt Hall at Huntingdon College.  Produced by Johnny Brewer Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. Kate Griffith tells how the murder of an innocent man under false accusations fuels a ghostly compulsion. The guilt of these events catches up with his executioners. Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations Song: Gathering Darkness - Kevin MacLeod Song: Ghost of the Mountain - Justin Johnson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvqJGBopcwc    

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. Bad business dealings and a failed prison escape lead to the death of a disgraced business man. Tony Wildfong reads this unfortunate account.  Produced by Johnny Brewer Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations  

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. The ghost of an old salty sea captain makes its presence known, and even has a characteristic odor, as Thomas Darnell describes the man's lonely existence on Mobile's State Street. Produced by Johnny Brewer Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. An angry mob seeks their idea of justice after their county courthouse burns. Thomas Breland relays the history of how the likeness of a man's tortured face was permanently imprinted on an upper room window pane.    Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. Evelyn Carter's casket spent months under the stairs in the cold dark cellar of Gaineswood before she could be properly buried. Kristen Gillen tells of how her unquiet spirit disturbed guests of the house with haunting piano and wandering footsteps.  Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations Scotland the Brave on Piano: patreon.com/monsieurjack Caledonia - Piano Cover - Scottish Song by Dougie MacLean Song - "Anxiety" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Beautiful Dreamer · Jon Sarta - Stephen Foster Piano Collection

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. Josh Hood relays the events surrounding what was arguably the "greatest tragedy in Alabama's river history". The night the Eliza Battle sank below the cold water of the Tombigbee was a very dark night indeed.  Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations Calliope Music  

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. This specter is of unknown origin and purpose. Penny Snapp voices the happenings in and around antebellum Cahaba which led to several unsettling encounters in Colonel Pegues' maze.  Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. Laura Snapp brings us into the setting at Carlisle Hall, where a young woman pines for her lover away at war, and waits to receive news of his fate in battle.    Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. This episode is read by Mandy Moore Broadhurst and tells of a 19th century home in Tuscaloosa which gives a red glow from its tower, as if it were coming from flaming candles.   Produced by Denton Gillen Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations    

Whole Backstage Live! brings you 13 Days of Halloween featuring stories from Kathryn Tucker Windham's “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey”. This episode is voiced by Rich Resler. Formerly located in Lawrence County, Rocky Hill Castle no longer exists; but it was home to more than one ghostly visitor in its day.    Produced by Denton Gillen Song: The Blackest Crow - Artist: Brittany Haas Social Links www.wholebackstage.com/wbslivepodcast 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey Wikipedia 13 Alabama Ghosts Locations  

Part 2 of my conversation with comedian Patrick Sisk. Patrick lives in Orlando and is on a mission to spread joy with comedy after taking a 10-year break from sharing his talents. Listen to Part 2 for insights on balancing a full time day job and comedy, filtering unsolicited advice, and whether young me had a shot at an NFL career. Stay tuned for part 3 coming soon. Patrick will be at the Whole Backstage November 18, 2022 to headline our Laugh at the Lake comedy night. Check our socials at the link below for updates and announcements.   Social Links  https://www.instagram.com/patricksisk_comedy/

Part 1 of my conversation with comedian Patrick Sisk. Patrick lives in Orlando and is on a mission to spread joy with comedy after taking a 10-year break from sharing his talents. Listen to Part 1 for a quick catch up on the evolution of his career in comedy, the club scene in and around Orlando, deep fried peanuts, having support from his family, camel burgers?, and his philosophy of “letting comedy happen”. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 coming soon. Patrick will be at the Whole Backstage November 18, 2022 to headline our Laugh at the Lake comedy night. Check our socials at the link below for updates and announcements.   Social Links  https://www.instagram.com/patricksisk_comedy/  

This Bonus episode is an impromptu discussion with Whole Backstage performer and board member John Everett Brewer. He was born into the WBS family and has since graced our stage in many productions including Charley's Aunt, Noises Off, A Christmas Carol Radio Play, Little Shop of Horrors, and Guys and Dolls. Our informal conversation touches on the value of theatre in a community, collaborative participation, and even thrift store fashion shows.  WBS Socials  

Adam Carboni is a WBS alum and Guntersville native who is currently working in the film industry as a cinematographer. With experience as a director, film maker, and cinematographer Adam has worked on a wide range of projects that have taken him all over the world to film. You will hear Adam's perspective on formative theatre experiences, the magic of stagecraft, film industry careers, working with celebrities, filming from precarious positions, traveling the world, documentaries vs narrative film projects, film incentives in southern states, and the technical aspects of filming different projects. Connect with WBS to keep up with what's coming.  Socials Link adamcarboni.com

Producer John Harvey joins WBS Live! to give an inside look at the production process of the highly acclaimed album "Big Band of Brothers: A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band". Released in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band's debut album, the project is a 10-song collection of jazz interpretations of Allman Brothers Band favorites. At its release, BBoB debuted at #2 on the Billboard jazz charts. This music is imaginative and exciting, and John covers the whole process from concept to distribution. Go to bigbandofbrothers.com for more on the album. Songs featured in the episode: Hot 'Lanta, Les Brers in A Minor, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Statesboro Blues, It's Not My Cross to Bear, and Stand Back.  Big Band of Brothers WBS Socials  

Denton catches up with WBS alum Grant Lackey. We cover how to see Broadway shows for cheap, Grant's experiences at the Whole Backstage, Auburn University theatre experiences, Grant's vocal coaching business, moving to NYC during a pandemic, his extensive Broadway Playbill collection, best pizza and bagels in the City, vocal warm ups, what advice he has for aspiring performers with big dreams, how good theatre challenges you personally, and what shows Grant would like to see at the WBS. This is a very fun conversation with a WBS treasure and extremely engaging personality. Connect with all our socials to stay up to date on new episodes. Social Links Enjoy!

Episode 2 is a short trip into the world of Sea Shanties. Denton looks into the origin and development of a few of the more well known shanties and offers some examples of memorable recordings. Links for the recordings shared in the episode can be found below. Follow our socials for updates and don't forget to subscribe and enable notifications for our episodes! The following link will provide all our info. Social Links   The Longest Johns: Randy Dandy-O - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0rae6h3lXU The Fisherman's Friends: John Kanaka & South Australia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmE87g9li5c Nathan Evans: The Wellerman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLiNQhQr4G4    

Johnny Brewer and Denton Gillen get together at the historic Whole Backstage Theatre in beautiful Guntersville, AL to talk about Johnny's smash hit Black Tie musical revue series which includes Black Tie Broadway, Black Tie America, and Black Tie Christmas. We cover early versions of similar ideas that evolved into the Black Tie series. Johnny talks about his creative process, his vision for each version of the show, and what plans he has to further develop the series in the future. Follow our socials for updates and don't forget to subscribe and enable notifications for our episodes! The following link will provide all our info. Social Links