Podcasts about firebrand theatre

Julie Proudfoot interviews Jon Martinez, actor, director, choreographer and Associate Artistic Director of Firebrand Theatre.  Jon talks about his passion for choreography, his lifelong love for musicals, his gratitude for the work, and the questions raised about how theatre will move forward responsibly under the pressures of the pandemic.Get your ticket to our virtual world premiere production of GOODS today at artemisiatheatre.org!Written by Lauren Ferebee, directed by E. Faye Butler and starring Julie Proudfoot and Shariba Rivers.Support the show (https://artemisiatheatre.org/donate/)

A major contributor to the evolving landscape of musical theatre in Chicago, this week's podcast introduces Harmony France, the artistic director and founder of the first feminist musical theatre company, Firebrand Theatre. This Chicago-based company primarily focuses on creating more opportunities and roles for women in various areas of artistic production. Harmony is also a casting director at Bailiwick Chicago, a teacher at Actor’s Training Center, and an actress that has traveled the world with the Broadway National/International Tour of Sister Act. As she progressed in her career and examined the male dominated industry of musical theatre, Harmony began to question why, despite women far outnumbering men in the industry, musicals were produced, directed, and cast by men and heavily focused around male stories. Being aware of the lack of diversity and inclusion in the industry, Harmony launched Firebrand Theatre to promote the empowerment of women and showcase talented female artists and their stories.

Audrey & Andra talk Firebrand Theatre, "Caroline, or Change," and fun last-minute equipment fiascos. Check out Andra's website at andravs.com Music by Audrey Q. Snyder & Mike Craig 

Audrey & Andra talk Firebrand Theatre, "Caroline, or Change," and fun last-minute equipment fiascos. Check out Andra's website at andravs.com Music by Audrey Q. Snyder & Mike Craig 

Firebrand Theatre's production of “Caroline, or Change” playing at the Den Theater in Chicago is an emotionally charged story about the power of money and fear of change. Podcast by Reno Lovison, Executive Producer at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com and reviewer for ChicagoTheaterandArts.com Photo credit: Front, Rashada Dawan, Back left to right Emma Sipora Tyler and Tyler Symone. (Photo by Marisa KM)

Harmony France is the artistic director of the world's first feminist musical theatre company, Firebrand Theatre. She is a casting director, teacher, actress, singer, home-style guru, writer, activist, and Navy Veteran. Here are a few things we discussed in today’s episode: The TRUTH of what it's like to be an artist in Chicago The mission behind Firebrand theatre and why she started the first equity feminist theatre The fat shaming and harassment we've experienced in the theatre community The "is this why" rabbit hole The moment when she joined the navy that sparked her journey with body dysmorphia How we individually choose to show up as an artist every day The theatre experience that changed my life The power of not taking the easy way out Launching a company and having her dad pass away the same week The behind the scenes of launching a business and the mess along the way The path to happiness *hint* it's not what you expect The top 3 tool for tackling your to-do list

Co-founder and Artistic Director Harmony France joins the conversation to discuss Chicago's new Equity company, Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage. The company's launches their inaugural season this fall with a production of LIZZIE at The Den Theatre. Season 2 Episode 22 | Originally published August 10, 2017 

Gary welcomes 4-time Jeff Award winner Danni Smith to the Booth this week, in a lively discussion of her career,  growing up in Indiana, her recent lauded performances in Jesus Christ, Superstar, Man of La Mancha, and the currently-running Mamma Mia at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. Gary and Roscoe first encountered Danni at the Theo Ubique, where she was just marvelous in the role of Mary Magdalene. Not only was she a highlight of the show, she was also our table server at the intimate space. Oh, what fine actors do to make it in this business! Danni treasures the time she spent doing five shows at Theo Ubique. The "bolt of lightning" description is a quote from a Broadway World rave review of her performance in Man of La Mancha. Ever since playing a Munchkin in a grammar school performance of The Wizard of Oz, Danni has been smitten with the theatre. She attended Ball State University to study musical theatre. (Other Ball State alumni include David Letterman, Steadman Graham and John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's Pizza.) We chat about her inspirations, aspirations and dream roles. You can view a clip of Danni's performance in Mamma Mia here. The latest news in our recurring watch of the world's elephant community is about the cold weather sweeping across northern India and threatening the health and well-being of these gentle mammals at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center. Big-hearted local villagers have begun knitting giant sweaters to keep the pachyderms warm. These colorful new duds take about 4 weeks to create. But it's well worth the effort to keep these animals happy and comfortable, especially considering all the hardships they've been through. Click here to see great photos of the locals knitting with the elephants and some of the finished products. You can knit your own sweater and send it to them! Learn about other ways to help at http://wildlifesos.org/donate-2-2/. About a year ago, Danni co-founded, with Artistic Director Harmony France, a new Chicago theatre company called Firebrand Theatre, the first "equity feminist musical theatre company" committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage. The inaugural season includes 9 to 5 The Musical and Lizzie, a rock musical based on the true-life story of accused axe-murderess Lizzie Borden(!). Plus a kick-off benefit concert called Nothin' Like a Dame: A Celebration of Women in Musical Theatre. That February 27th performance featuring 28 singers was sold-out! Congratulations, Firebrand, and best of luck in your new exciting venture. Gary gives a shout-out to the Goodman Theatre's production of Uncle Vanya, adapted by Annie Baker and directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls. This is one of the finest examples of ensemble acting we've seen in some time, and beautifully captures the humor and existential pathos of Chekhov's brilliant play. Danni discusses her starring role in the independent feature Curtain, a horror thriller film from 2015, in which something sinister lurks behind the bathroom tiles in her shower, and things start to mysteriously disappear. Chaos ensues, of course.  You can also view the trailer here. In Episode 52, we wondered aloud whether Glenn Close might be awarded a second Tony for her performance in the new revival of Sunset Boulevard. Thank you to loyal listener Robbie Young for writing to let us know that one cannot win twice for the same role, even in different productions. Yul Brynner's 1985 Tony was awarded as a "special" honor and not specifically for his reprise as The King in The King and I. Perhaps the same situation will come up again at this year's ceremony. Most of the photos of Danni you see in these notes were taken during a portrait session with genius photographer Joe Mazza at Brave Lux. Gary and Roscoe have done a photo session with him and he is definitely a creative force to be reckoned with.