Podcast appearances and mentions of danya taymor

The new play "John Proctor is the Villain" earned seven Tony nominations, including Best Play and a Best Direction of a Play nomination for director Danya Taymor. Taymor, playwright Kimberly Belflower, and actor Amalia Yoo discuss the show, which follows a group of high school girls in rural Georgia grappling with the ways the Me Too movement has affected their own lives.

This month we talk to 2 Tony-nominated directors who specialize in new plays, and catch up with tireless critic Chris Jones for a recap of the Broadway season.

In this episode, we dive into the Broadway production of JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN at the Booth Theatre. We break down how Kimberly Belflower's play reimagines The Crucible for a new generation, exploring themes of youth, identity, and power. We talk about standout performances—especially Sadie Sink's—plus the direction by Danya Taymor and how the show's music and staging set it apart. We also debate the play's take on gender dynamics and why it's connecting with high school audiences. Join us for our review, character analysis, and thoughts on whether this show is a contender for the Tony Awards. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, and YouTube. Share your thoughts with us on JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN on our podcast cover post on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Pittman is a Mississippi native, Wagner College graduate, and winner of “The Search For Roxie.” Broadway: Chicago (Roxie & Annie), Back to the Future OBC (Ensemble) Regional: The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet), Damn Yankees (Lola). Emma is also a teaching artist, director, and choreographer. Her choreography credits include: On the Twentieth Century, Into the Woods, and The Cradle Will Rock. Danya Taymor is a New York based director and winner of the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for The Outsiders. She reopened Broadway with Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's Pass Over, the first play back after 18 months of darkness on Broadway (New York Times 10 best shows of 2021). Other recent work includes: Samuel Beckett's Endgame (Gate, Dublin), Will Arbery's Pulitzer Prize Finalist Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Obie Award, Callaway Award for Outstanding Direction) and Evanston Salt Costs Climbing (New Group), Jeremy O. Harris' "Daddy" (Almeida, London + New Group/Vineyard), Korde Arrington Tuttle's Graveyard Shift (Goodman Theater), Martyna Majok's queens (Lincoln Center), Danai Gurira's Familiar (Steppenwolf), and Brian Watkins' My Daughter Keeps Our Hammer and Wyoming (The Flea + Lesser America). Her world-premiere production of Pass Over was filmed in collaboration with Spike Lee, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is streaming on Amazon Prime. Recipient of the Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity from Lincoln Center. BA: Duke University.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Susanne Scheel is a New York-based casting director with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television from Boston University. Susanne has won three Casting Society of America Artios Awards for Excellence in Casting and has been nominated for nine more. Susanne has had the honor of collaborating with several visionary creatives including Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Frances McDormand, Barry Levinson, George Clooney, Kasi Lemmons, Ryan Murphy, Jim Mickle, Cherien Dabis, John Lee Hancock, Peter Chelsom, Celine Song, Dean Craig, Bjorn Runge, Xavier Manrique, Danya Taymor, Patrick Wilson, and Whitney White. She has worked for and with some of the industry's top casting directors including spending the last ten years and counting working with Ellen Chenoweth. As a casting director, Susanne's debut feature film “The Wife”, starred Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, Annie Starke, Max Irons, Harry Lloyd, and Elizabeth McGovern. More recently, Susanne co-cast Celine Song's “Past Lives” with Ellen Chenoweth. “Past Lives” premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival and also screened at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. In this episode, we talk about: • Her first casting internships in Boston and her first assistant role in LA • Vivid memory of working with the Coen brothers and asking her “What do you think?” • Going to LA for periods of time for a project and what coast she prefers • Why there are more female CDs then male CDs • Casting the Oscar-nominated film Past Lives and the challenges COVID and the time difference to Korea posed • How many actors get called in for an average day player role • Tips for actors for auditions Guest: IMDb LinkedIn SAG-AFTRA Foundation panel - Casting Directors for Oscar Best Picture Nominees Barbie, American Fiction, & Past Lives Host: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MentorsontheMic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MichelleSimoneMiller⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MentorsontheMic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MichelleSimoneM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook page:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.michellesimonemiller.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠www.mentorsonthemic.com⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like this episode, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Becoming... Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Schubert "Luke Cage," "Manifest," "House of Cards," "The Departed," "The Devil Wears Prada" --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-miller4/support

Music Credits:"Overture" from Dear World (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music by Jerry Herman | Performed by Dear World Orchestra & Donald Pippin"The Room Where It Happened" from Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) |  Written by Lin-Manuel MIranda |  Performed by Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton"On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada / Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" from Evita (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Written by Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber | Performed by Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Gunton, Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, Original Broadway Cast of Evita, Rene Weigert "My Strongest Suit" from Aida (Original  Broadway Cast Recording)  | Written by Elton John & Tim Rice | Performed by Women of the Palace, Sheri Rene Scott"What Comes Next" from Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda | Performed by Jonathan Groff

AP correspondent Margie Szaroleta reports on "The Outsiders" and "Stereophonic" winning at the Tony Awards.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted April June 17 at 8:30 a.m. CT: The United States is bracing for chaotic weather this week, as the South is set to experience another heat wave following a short respite from searing temperatures earlier this month. The National Weather Service expects some areas to reach temperatures so high they’ll hit new daily records. And it’s not just the U.S. Across the Northern Hemisphere, in Europe and Asia, extreme temperatures are causing deadly heatstroke and early wildfires before the start of astronomical summer. WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign says it's using a $50 million advertising blitz targeting voters in battleground states to highlight the “stark contrast” between Biden and former President Donald Trump following Trump's New York felony conviction.  The U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes. In a Monday opinion piece for The New York Times, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people.  BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders are gathering for a dinner summit to take stock of recent European election results and weigh nominees for the bloc's top jobs. The June 6-9 polls saw the European Parliament shift to the right. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean state media says Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in the country on Tuesday for a two-day visit.  In other news: Trump blasts immigrants for taking jobs as he courts voters at a Black church, MAGA event in Detroit. George Clooney and Julia Roberts help Biden raise $28 million at a fundraiser featuring dire warnings about Trump. Some hawking stem cells say they can treat almost anything. They can't. 2 killed and several wounded in shooting during a Juneteenth celebration in a Texas park. Stores are more subdued in observing Pride Month. Some LGBTQ+ people see a silver lining in that. 2024 Tonys hand big awards to Daniel Radcliffe, Jeremy Strong, Danya Taymor and Shaina Taub. An emotional win for theaters, Hollywood ‘Inside Out 2’ scores massive $155 million opening. Opal Lee gets keys to her new Texas home 85 years after a racist mob drove her family from that lot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolves War Cabinet that was steering war in Gaza, Israeli officials say. 80 countries at Swiss conference agree Ukraine's territorial integrity must be basis of any peace. Muslim pilgrims converge at Mount Arafat for daylong worship as Hajj reaches its peak. All eyes are on Kate as she returns to public view at a military parade honoring King Charles III. Bryson DeChambeau takes the US Open, the Red Sox withstand Aaron Judge's 26th homer, the Orioles clobber the Phillies, the Rays power past the Braves, the Mariners widen their division lead, the Brewers win with a defensive gem, the Dodgers get another shutout but lose a star and the Fever get a big game from Caitlin Clark. Correspondent Steve Carney reports. In this week's religion roundup, Pope Francis holds an audience of comedians, Southern Baptists oust a church over women pastors. —The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

Music Credits:"Overture" from Dear World (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music by Jerry Herman | Performed by Dear World Orchestra & Donald Pippin"Greased Lightnin'" from Grease (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |  Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey |  Performed by John Travolta , Jeff Conaway

Danya Taymor is a Tony Award-nominated director for her first musical work on Broadway in THE OUTSIDERS. She holds a multifaceted portfolio of work, directing Will Arbery's HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, Jeremy O. Harris' DADDY, Khat Knotahaiku's GRAVEYARD SHIFT, Antoinette Nwandu's PASS OVER, Danai Gurira's FAMILIAR, Martyna Majok's QUEENS and many more. Danya is a recipient of several awards and fellowships for her work, including the Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity from Lincoln Center, Time Warner Directing Fellowship at Women's Project, 2050 fellowship at New York Theatre Workshop, and the Lincoln Center Directors Lab. In this episode, Danya discusses building trust and creativity in a rehearsal room, looking for theater spirits in Ireland, and getting the stamp of approval from S.E. Hinton herself.    Tickets to THE OUTSIDERS Tickers to KISS ME KATE Watch Pass Over

Brent Comer caught the theater bug by accident in high school when he signed up for musical theatre class instead of a news casting class – and he hasn't stopped performing since. While it was cut short for a bit during the pandemic, his passion for performing did not waver. He opens up about his struggles as an actor during the lockdown, learning how to do self-tapes, and why it hurt his heart to see a Zoom musical because the whole magic for him was being present. Currently starring as Daryl Curtis in the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” he shares insights into his character, Danya Taymor's unique audition process, and the broader themes explored in the show. Growing up in a household of predominantly male family members, he reflects on the impact of his upbringing on his portrayal of Daryl, highlighting the character's struggle to communicate and be seen authentically. He reflects on the authenticity of human interactions in contrast to what he terms as "robotic pleasantries", and the importance of experiencing life and connecting with others to fuel artistic creativity. Brent Comer is an actor previously seen in the “Les Misérables” National Tour and in the La Jolla production of “The Outsiders”. He just made his Broadway debut as Daryl Curtis at the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” which was also recently nominated for 12 Tony Awards. Connect with Brent: Instagram: @_brentcomer_ Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul live from the New Dramatists 2024 luncheon at the New York Marriott Marquis honoring Tony-nominated director Michael Greif (The Notebook, Dear Evan Hansen and Rent to credit a few). All proceeds benefited New Dramatists' resident playwrights and their work. In this order, Broadway star guests talk what makes a great leader, kindness tips and more: Tony-nominated Stereophonic stars Will Brill and Eli Gelb, Tony-nominated Hell's Kitchen Choreographer Camille A. Brown and star Shoshana Bean, The Who's Tommy star Allison Luff, Tony-nominated Appropriate star Corey Stoll, Tony-nominated Suffs star Nikki M. James, Tony-nominated The Outsiders director Danya Taymor and star Brody Grant. Ps. this just so happens to be coming out on my dear sister Julia's birthday - happy birthday! Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick and Jeff Kuperman talk about their roles as choreographers for the Broadway production of "The Outsiders," diving deep into various aspects of the show's creation, from choreography and staging to its technical elements like sound and lighting. The two share how their collaboration with Danya Taymor began, their non-traditional theatre practices, and the story behind “The Outsiders” choreography, particularly the rumble scene. Apart from theatre and directing, Rick and Jeff share their other interests, such as Jeff's appreciation for Russian literature and Rick's fascination with philosophical introspection. With their success, the two reflect on the role of luck and how things aligned for them, the pride they take in their work, and the collaborative aspect of their job, highlighting the importance of teamwork, creativity, and dedication to storytelling. Rick and Jeff Kuperman is a directing and choreographing team with many projects that you've seen on stage and screen. Their recent highlights include co-directing and choreographing the immersive show from the producers of “Sleep No More”, choreographing a new musical adaptation of “The Outsiders”, which just opened, and choreographing “Alice by Heart” which won the Lucille Lortel Award, the Chita Rivera Award, and the Callaway Award for Outstanding Choreography. They've also worked on “Cyrano” with Peter Dinklage, Phish at Madison Square Garden, and choreographed the feature film, “Dicks: The Musical”, which you can find streaming online. Other camera work includes “Living With Yourself” with Paul Rudd, and “Silent Retreat”. Connect with Rick and Jeff: Website: kupermanbrothers.com Instagram: @kupermanbrothers Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first of many episodes for 'The Outsiders' takeover here on the podcast! Danya Taymor is a director who reopened Broadway with the play Pass Over, the first play back after 18 months of darkness on Broadway. Other work includes the out of town production of The Outsiders, Samuel Beckett's Endgame, Will Arbery's Pulitzer Prize finalist Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Evanston Salt Costs Climbing, and Jeremy O. Harris' Daddy . She is the recipient of the Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity from Lincoln Center. Her latest credit is the Broadway production of The Outsiders. Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Joel Crump is at the OPENING NIGHT of The Outsiders! He interviews producer and Academy Award Winner Angelina Jolie, cast members Brody Grant, Sky Lakota-Lynch, Jason Schmidt, Joshua Boone, and Daryl Tofa, creative team members LaChanze, Justin Levine, Danya Taymor, and Jamestown Revival, and VIP guests Mario Cantone, Lorraine Toussaint, and Julie Taymor! Joel also discusses what's happening this week on Broadway (Apr. 7-12)! Indulge in Broadway buzz like never before with "The Weekly Dose of Joel: Everything Broadway and More." This podcast, brought to you by the Broadway Podcast Network and Broadway Time, delivers the latest news, theater history, and exclusive interviews with Broadway stars, all in one podcast! Don't miss out on your front-row seat to the magic of Broadway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Vasquez/@itsryanvasquez is currently starring as NOAH in the new Broadway musical, The Notebook! He has been featured in Broadway productions of WICKED, WAITRESS (original Broadway cast) and HAMILTON, where he became the only actor to play all the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison on Broadway, after premiering the show in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He also originated the role of Man in Black in THE WRONG MAN at MCC Theater (directed by HAMILTON's Thomas Kail with choreography by Emmy Award-winner Travis Wall), for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination, as well as originating leading roles in the world premiere productions of THE NOTEBOOK (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directed by RENT and DEAR EVAN HANSEN's Michael Greif and Schele Williams, with music by Ingrid Michaelson), THE OUTSIDERS (La Jolla Playhouse, directed by Danya Taymor with a book by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Adam Rapp), and WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (Alliance Theater, directed by KIMBERLY AKIMBO's Jessica Stone), all opening on Broadway in 2024. Ryan returned to MCC this fall in the world premiere of WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE (music by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Gavin Creel). He has also appeared in film and on television, including roles in the THE GOOD FIGHT (CBS), CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO), THE CODE (CBS), and the film adaptation of TICK...TICK...BOOM! (Netflix), directed by Lin Manuel-Miranda, starring Andrew Garfield. His voice has also been featured in several films, including VIVO! and IN THE HEIGHTS. He has performed around the country in theaters and symphony spaces, at the St. Louis Muny, Music Theater Wichita, Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and others. As an organizer, Ryan founded the voter outreach organization Swing From Home, which made contact with hundreds of thousands of voters in the 2020 election cycle, bringing Broadway talent to the homes of people across the world during the pandemic, and raising nearly one million dollars for down-ballot races across America. He was also a founding organizer of Generation We, a community support organization for LGBTQIA+ candidates running for local office. The son of an educator, Ryan has also worked as a teacher at the elementary, pre-college, and university level. Proud Michigan Graduate. Try your own Broadway Fitness Program at no cost/no catch! www.builtforthestage.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Vasquez/@itsryanvasquez is currently starring as NOAH in the new Broadway musical, The Notebook! He has been featured in Broadway productions of WICKED, WAITRESS (original Broadway cast) and HAMILTON, where he became the only actor to play all the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison on Broadway, after premiering the show in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He also originated the role of Man in Black in THE WRONG MAN at MCC Theater (directed by HAMILTON's Thomas Kail with choreography by Emmy Award-winner Travis Wall), for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination, as well as originating leading roles in the world premiere productions of THE NOTEBOOK (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directed by RENT and DEAR EVAN HANSEN's Michael Greif and Schele Williams, with music by Ingrid Michaelson), THE OUTSIDERS (La Jolla Playhouse, directed by Danya Taymor with a book by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Adam Rapp), and WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (Alliance Theater, directed by KIMBERLY AKIMBO's Jessica Stone), all opening on Broadway in 2024. Ryan returned to MCC this fall in the world premiere of WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE (music by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Gavin Creel). He has also appeared in film and on television, including roles in the THE GOOD FIGHT (CBS), CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO), THE CODE (CBS), and the film adaptation of TICK...TICK...BOOM! (Netflix), directed by Lin Manuel-Miranda, starring Andrew Garfield. His voice has also been featured in several films, including VIVO! and IN THE HEIGHTS. He has performed around the country in theaters and symphony spaces, at the St. Louis Muny, Music Theater Wichita, Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and others. As an organizer, Ryan founded the voter outreach organization Swing From Home, which made contact with hundreds of thousands of voters in the 2020 election cycle, bringing Broadway talent to the homes of people across the world during the pandemic, and raising nearly one million dollars for down-ballot races across America. He was also a founding organizer of Generation We, a community support organization for LGBTQIA+ candidates running for local office. The son of an educator, Ryan has also worked as a teacher at the elementary, pre-college, and university level. Proud Michigan Graduate. Try your own Broadway Fitness Program at no cost/no catch! www.builtforthestage.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kara talks to playwright and TV/film writer Will Arbery about his day. Big moments include "gutting" the draft of his TV pilot, learning how to listen in the Succession writers' room, and his ideal creative practice.More about Will: willarbery.comPlays mentioned:Evanston Salt Costs Climbing directed by Danya Taymor, opening this fall with The New GroupCorsicana at Playwrights HorizonsHeroes of the Fourth Turning at Playwrights HorizonsBonus! I highly recommend watching this Zoom seminar with Will from April 2020, which taught me so much about organizing your writing life. Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of two motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor. Preorder Do It Today: An Encouragement JournalAmazon: https://amzn.to/3A3PKz1Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3vHt5pJ  Purchase Do It For Yourself: A Motivational JournalAmazon: https://amzn.to/3QnvDRN Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3vIYYyg  For more daily encouragement, subscribe to Kara's daily newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut Original artwork design by Tyler SpanglerOriginal music composed by Kristoffer Bjarke

As we bid farewell to 2021 and hope for better and brighter days in the new year, I felt it prudent to send this year off with some folly and Toddies!  I didn't want to do it alone. So I got one of my favorite people my Big Sister-Cuz, Bambi Jones, to come sit and chat for another good feels get down Holiday VM&M episode!    Last year was so much FUN that we decided to turn  the shenanigans all the way up this time! We get into not just what we have, and are currently, binge watching and how it makes us feel, but some heavier chat about the connection between what entertainment we consume and its relevance to our world. Speaking of which, Bambi clues us in on the historic moment that happened when Broadway reopened post pandemic lockdown in NYC. Did you know that seven Plays that were written by seven Black Playwrights, were a major part of that reopening? If not, get ready to be in the know! She gets all into it for us! And you can check out my Blog for additional links and info about all seven of the shows.   We had a lot to cover! So much so that this is going up in 2 parts!  Yes,we go deep here and there,but we bring more than enough love and laughter to the party as well. Don't believe me? Check out the VM&M Youtube Channel to see our version of "The 12 Days of Christmas!" featured in the Holiday Shenanigans Episode Preview video. You'll be glad you did! So grab those tasty hot beverages, preferable a Hot Toddie, and join us for some Holiday cheer! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Jannae       Vibes...Moods &  Moves - Podcast

As we bid farewell to 2021 and hope for better and brighter days in the new year, I felt it prudent to send this year off with some folly and Toddies!  I didn't want to do it alone. So I got one of my favorite people my Big Sister-Cuz, Bambi Jones, to come sit and chat for another good feels get down Holiday VM&M episode!    Last year was so much FUN that we decided to turn  the shenanigans all the way up this time! We get into not just what we have, and are currently, binge watching and how it makes us feel, but some heavier chat about the connection between what entertainment we consume and its relevance to our world. Speaking of which, Bambi clues us in on the historic moment that happened when Broadway reopened post pandemic lockdown in NYC. Did you know that seven Plays that were written by seven Black Playwrights, were a major part of that reopening? If not, get ready to be in the know! She gets all into it for us! And you can check out my Blog for additional links and info about all seven of the shows.   We had a lot to cover! So much so that this is going up in 2 parts!  Yes,we go deep here and there,but we bring more than enough love and laughter to the party as well. Don't believe me? Check out the VM&M Youtube Channel to see our version of "The 12 Days of Christmas!" featured in the Holiday Shenanigans Episode Preview video. You'll be glad you did! So grab those tasty hot beverages, preferable a Hot Toddie, and join us for some Holiday cheer! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Jannae       Vibes...Moods &  Moves - Podcast

As we bid farewell to 2021 and hope for better and brighter days in the new year, I felt it prudent to send this year off with some folly and Toddies!  I didn't want to do it alone. So I got one of my favorite people my Big Sister-Cuz, Bambi Jones, to come sit and chat for another good feels get down Holiday VM&M episode!    Last year was so much FUN that we decided to turn  the shenanigans all the way up this time! We get into not just what we have, and are currently, binge watching and how it makes us feel, but some heavier chat about the connection between what entertainment we consume and its relevance to our world. Speaking of which, Bambi clues us in on the historic moment that happened when Broadway reopened post pandemic lockdown in NYC. Did you know that seven Plays that were written by seven Black Playwrights, were a major part of that reopening? If not, get ready to be in the know! She gets all into it for us! And you can check out my Blog for additional links and info about all seven of the shows.   We had a lot to cover! So much so that this is going up in 2 parts!  Yes,we go deep here and there,but we bring more than enough love and laughter to the party as well. Don't believe me? Check out the VM&M Youtube Channel to see our version of "The 12 Days of Christmas!" featured in the Holiday Shenanigans Episode Preview video. You'll be glad you did! So grab those tasty hot beverages, preferable a Hot Toddie, and join us for some Holiday cheer! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Jannae       Vibes...Moods &  Moves - Podcast

As we bid farewell to 2021 and hope for better and brighter days in the new year, I felt it prudent to send this year off with some folly and Toddies!  I didn't want to do it alone. So I got one of my favorite people my Big Sister-Cuz, Bambi Jones, to come sit and chat for another good feels get down Holiday VM&M episode!    Last year was so much FUN that we decided to turn  the shenanigans all the way up this time! We get into not just what we have, and are currently, binge watching and how it makes us feel, but some heavier chat about the connection between what entertainment we consume and its relevance to our world. Speaking of which, Bambi clues us in on the historic moment that happened when Broadway reopened post pandemic lockdown in NYC. Did you know that seven Plays that were written by seven Black Playwrights, were a major part of that reopening? If not, get ready to be in the know! She gets all into it for us! And you can check out my Blog for additional links and info about all seven of the shows.   We had a lot to cover! So much so that this is going up in 2 parts!  Yes,we go deep here and there,but we bring more than enough love and laughter to the party as well. Don't believe me? Check out the VM&M Youtube Channel to see our version of "The 12 Days of Christmas!" featured in the Holiday Shenanigans Episode Preview video. You'll be glad you did! So grab those tasty hot beverages, preferable a Hot Toddie, and join us for some Holiday cheer! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Jannae       Vibes...Moods &  Moves - Podcast

[REBROADCAST FROM July 26, 2021] The play, "Pass Over," was written by Antoinette Nwandu whose work on the piece was partially in reaction to news coverage of George Zimmerman's trial in the wake of Trayvon Martin's death. Director Danya Taymor and actor Namir Smallwood join us to discuss the production. "Pass Over" is running on Broadway through October 10.

The play, "Pass Over," was written by Antoinette Nwandu whose work on the piece was partially in reaction to news coverage of George Zimmerman's trial in the wake of Trayvon Martin's death. Director Danya Taymor and actor Namir Smallwood join us to discuss the production, which begins previews at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre August 4.

Playwright-producer Antoinette Nwandu and director Danya Taymor on how they're doing things differently -- both onstage and behind the scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SDCF announced the honorees of this year’s Joe A. Callaway Awards, Gordon Davidson Award, and The Zelda Fichandler Award. The Awards were presented virtually on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 8pm ET. The Joe A. Callaway Awards was presented to Danya Taymor for her outstanding direction in Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Playwrights Horizons), and to Travis Wall for his outstanding choreography in The Wrong Man (MCC Theater). The finalists for this award are Knud Adams and Les Waters. The Joe A. Callaway Awards recognize excellence in directing and choreography in New York City and are the only awards given by peer directors and choreographers for work on a single production. The Gordon Davidson Award was presented to Seret Scott. The Gordon Davidson Award is bestowed annually by SDCF to recognize a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the regional theatre nationally. The Zelda Fichandler Award was presented to Kamilah Forbes. The finalists for this award are Carol Dunne, Seema Sueko, and Pirronne Yousefzadeh. The Zelda Fichandler Award is SDCF’s first award devoted to the regional theatre. With this award, SDCF acknowledges the profound impact the founders of regional theatre have had on the field, honoring their legacy through the recognition of the extraordinary directors and choreographers who are transforming the national arts landscape with their unique, creative work and deep investment in a community. The Breakout Award was presented to Jenn Rose.  The Breakout Award is given to a director or choreographer for a production or selection of work that signals a shift in a career and the beginning of critical recognition — a “rising star” moment. For 2020, the winner and finalists were chosen on the above criteria and directed or choregraphed digital work during the pandemic that made an impact.

"The war is coming, dude.” So says a central character in one of the most talked about plays of the year. Is she right? Could be, who knows. But if a civil war returns, Will Arbery is undoubtedly the right playwright to spin our basest impulses into high art. In this “backdrop eavesdrop,” Kevin and Will speak one-on-one only days after Will's play Heroes of the Fourth Turning landed on a heap of 'top 10' lists in 2019. They talk empathy, writing anxiety, and the obstacles in offering a political play in hyper-political times.  A highly acclaimed production of Heroes of the Fourth Turning directed by Danya Taymor was presented at Playwrights Horizons in the Fall of 2019. It was chosen as a New York Times Critics Pick and was named to its Top Ten of 2019 list. Read the New York Times review by Jesse Green: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/theater/heroes-of-the-fourth-turning-review.html Read the five star review by Helen Shaw in Time Out New York: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/heroes-of-the-fourth-turning Follow Will Arbery on Twitter at @willarbery and on Instagram at @warbery. Connect with us Follow Kevin Bleyer and Nella Vera on Twitter: @kevinbleyer / @spinstripes The Backdrop on Twitter and Instagram: @backdroppodcast  https://www.facebook.com/TheBackdropPodcast Email us with story ideas or feedback: BackdropPodcast@gmail.com Credits The Backdrop is hosted by Kevin Bleyer and produced by Nella Vera. The Backdrop artwork is by Philip Romano. Special thanks to Eva Dickerman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wardell Julius Clark and Regina Victor are stars who just keep growing in our Chicago theatre community. We had an amazing time talking with them recently about all of their adventures. They are work and life partners and as Gary said, "extraordinary creative artists and human beings." They also did a beautiful job introducing the show. Voice over agents, take note. Regina Victor works as a theatre director, producer, dramaturg, arts journalist, and mentor. Regina is a non-binary femme who grew up in Oakland, now residing in Chicago. Regina attended boarding school at Phillips Exeter, then studied theatre, religion, and dance at Santa Clara University. They have worked with and been mentored by, among others, Phylicia Rashad, Anna Shapiro, Raelle Myrick-Hodges, and Danya Taymor. Victor has helped develop world premieres by Antoinette Nwandu (Breach:...), Brett Neveu (To Catch A Fish), Sarah Ruhl and Morgan McNaught (A Persephone Pageant), and Loy Webb (The Light, His Shadow). Regina will be direct a world premiere of Pro-Am at Sideshow in May. They have recently been named to be the first Associate Producer ever at Court Theatre. Regina founded an arts criticism platform called Rescripted in 2017. Rescripted’s mission is "to reprogram the way we critically engage with each other using an empathetic lens, while cultivating critics and adding new voices to the field." It is a collective of artists who engage with each other's ideas and opinions openly. Regina mentors young critics through a program called The Key, which has produced some terrific new critics. It is produced in partnership with the Chicago Inclusion Project and is hosted by Steppenwolf Theater Company. Wardell Julius Clark was raised in Fairfield, Alabama, where he toured the country as a child with the amazing Sparkle Dance Company. Read about their mission and programs here. He went on to audition for DePaul University's acting program, which is extremely competitive. He got in to the program, didn't get cut, and has been working here in Chicago ever since. He was a very successful actor for the first 10 years of his career, then asked Ron OJ Parsons if he could assist him on directing Gem of the Ocean at Court. He tells a wonderful story about his first (triumphant) directing gig on Insurrection at Stage Left. Next up was Wardell's hugely acclaimed production of The Shipment. He has been booked as a director since... We recently saw and were blown away by His Shadow, which Wardell (with Sydney Charles) directed, with Regina serving as Dramaturg. It was truly not to be missed. The good news is it was recorded for the archives at Harold Washington Library, so you can see it there. Wardell is a company member at one of our all-time favorite companies, TimeLine, and is a member of their amazing Living History Education Program. Regina is working on a wonderful project at Lyric Opera called "Empower Youth". More to say about these upcoming projects, but can't wait to publish their episode. So come back to this site for updates.  

In Episode 10, Jeremy O. Harris and Danya Taymor discuss the origins of "Daddy", how they have grown as artists since their first meeting two years ago, the differences between working in the theatre and other mediums, and the personal and artistic relationships that shape their work today. Kevin Winebold hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from SXSW in Austin, I interview film director and writer Sama'an Ashrawi about life growing up in Texas as a first generation Palestinian-American, working with some of Hip Hop’s legends, and the glory of velour suits. Follow Sama'an on Twitter! @SamaanAshrawi| IG! @sam3an Follow Darian on Twitter! @dariansymone | IG: @darian Here's how you can contribute to the making of #AIATLA: d.rip/darian #AIATLA on iTunes: https://apple.co/2K11aH4 +1 SEGMENT: — Being comfortable with your Milly Rock — The glory of velour suits. — Passover, filmed on stage at the Steppenwolf in Chicago, film directed by Spike Lee, stage directed Danya Taymor, and written by Antoinette Nwandu. Footnotes: http://theseam.co/aiatla-podcast-samaan-ashrawi/

Gary interviews playwright Antoinette Nwandu and director Danya Taymor during rehearsals of Nwandu's play Pass Over, on site at the Steppenwolf Theatre. We are attending a press performance on June 13 and cannot wait! They share fascinating insights about the process of creating a world premiere, with Antoinette developing the script throughout the rehearsal period. These two are absolutely inspiring as artistic collaborators. So much mutual respect, affection, and humor. Booth One would love to be in the rehearsal room! Antoinette describes Pass Over: “At its core, this play asks us collectively to consider the value of black lives, specifically the lives of young black men who are not extraordinary, who are not entertainers, they’re not athletes, they’re not secret math geniuses. They're young men who might never get better, who might never be different. This play challenges us to envision a society that does not ask these young men to prove their worth.” Inspired in part by two young black men Antoinette taught in community college, she riffs on ideas and themes from both Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot and the Book of Exodus. The cast includes friend of the show, Jon Michael Hill; co-founder of Definition Theatre Company, Julian Parker; and Ryan Hallahan, from the acclaimed cast of Straight White Men, also at Steppenwolf. Ms. Nwandu tells us the Cinderella story about how this play came to be produced at Steppenwolf. Thrilling! Not only a great director, Danya is also a translator. Her story about the translating partners she works with is fascinating. Antoinette also tells us Danya has "world class knowledge of all theater." Our producer is wanting a trivia contest between Danya and Gary... A couple of our favorite quotes from the interview: Danya: "The truth of this play can shift on a dime." Antoinette: "I write with a lot of jagged tonal shifts." When asked who they would like to spend a month being mentored by, Danya chooses European director extraordinaire Romeo Castellucci. Antoinette chooses the remarkable playwright Caryl Churchill. Good calls! Danya and Antoinette are two theatre artists that are without a doubt "going places". Booth One is so excited to follow their skyrocketing careers.        

Lady Plays Live Episode (Episode 6) -- Live episode produced in collaboration with Letter of Marque Theater Company at Irondale Center in Brooklyn. Post Traumatic Super Delightful by Antonia Lassar, The Pull of the Moon by Paige Zubel, and Asking For It by Ellen Elizabeth Steves. Producers Kate O'Phalen & Lynde Rosario. Directors Angela Dumlao, Leese Walker, Danya Taymor. Actors Kate O'Phalen, Antonia Lassar, Meredith Cody, Jordin Rosin, Terry Greiss, Jeff Kissam, Marie Karcher, Ben Peterson. Sound recording & mixing Sound Haus Audio. Original music Theo Tasker.