Podcasts about lookingglass theatre

Listen to the Show Right Click to Save GuestsPenfold Theatre Company Ordinary DaysJaston Williams High Heels and Cowboy Boots  What We Talked About  Kiss of The Spider Woman Betty Gilpin David Schwimmer & The Lookingglass Theatre Eureka Day Dolly Hugh The Lost Boys The Performance Art Tax Parity Act (PATPA) Kane & Abel A Wonderful World to Close Thank you to Dean Johanesen, lead singer of "The Human Condition" who gave us permission to use "Step Right Up" as our theme song, so please visit their website.. they're good! (that's an order)

Paul goes behind the curtain with the multi-talented jazz artist Bryan Eng. Bryan grew up on the east coast but found his musical grounding at Northwestern University and Chicago where he worked as a street musician, performer at Marriot Lincolnshire, Lookingglass Theatre, and Drury Lane and went on to the great venues of Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland Jazz […]

Scott Silberstein, the co-founder and executive producer of HMS Media, talks about filming Lookingglass Alice, the signature work of Chicago's Tony-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company, and so beautifully capturing the circus-like energy of the live theatre experience. Scott reveals the importance of responding accurately and honestly to the story being told onstage; how his team are not only great technicians but also great improvisers; the inevitably of filming a concert on your phone and missing the experience not once but twice; how to keep the live element and not spoil the surprise; how you can stream Lookingglass Alice via the PBS Passport and Digital Theatre Plus streaming services; and the definitive answer to the question of whether it's more difficult to film live theatre or live sports. (Length 17:44) (PICTURED: Molly Hernandez as Alice [photo by Liz Lauren] in the Lookingglass Theatre production of Lookingglass Alice, directed by David Catlin.)

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with the new artistic director of Lookingglass Theater to talk about the company's plans for the future, after taking an almost year-long pause. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a play about the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous. Later in the show, Gary chats with the author of a new book that dives into the history Miles Davis' landmark album KIND OF BLUE. And we'll hear about an exhibit that celebrates a nostalgic piece of local history.

On this episode, I spoke to writer and co-director Kelly O'Sullivan, co-director Alex Thompson, and lead actor Keith Kupferer about their work on Ghostlight.  Another reminder for all movie lovers! Win a gift card to your favorite local cinema! Subscribe to Silver Screen Social on iTunes or Spotify, leave a rating/review, and DM us a screenshot on Instagram @jacksonvickery or @silverscreensocialpod for your chance to win!  A bit about the three… KELLY O'SULLIVAN (Writer and Co-Director): Kelly O'Sullivan is a writer, director and actor. She wrote and starred in SAINT FRANCES which premiered at SXSW and won a Special Jury Prize for "Breakthrough Voice" and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature. SAINT FRANCES, released by Oscilloscope Laboratories, is one of the most acclaimed independent films of 2020. Kelly received a Gotham Award nomination for Breakthrough Actor, a John Cassavetes nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards and was also named one of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film."  Kelly was recently seen in Cooper Raiff's acclaimed 2022 film CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH, and will next be seen in the independent films HANGDOG, directed by Matt Cascella and THE GRADUATES by Hannah Peterson. On the small screen Kelly has appeared in two seasons of "Sirens" as well as Hulu's "Battleground" and FOX's "The Mob Doctor." Her theater credits include THE SEAGULL at The Goodman and seven productions at the Steppenwolf including THE CRUCIBLE. Kelly recently made her debut behind the camera with the short film "My Summer Vacation." ALEX THOMPSON (Co-Director) Alex Thompson is a writer, director and producer based in Chicago. His debut feature, SAINT FRANCES, premiered at the '19 SXSW Film Festival and won the Grand Jury prize for "Breakthrough Voice" and the Audience Award. KEITH KUPFERER (Dan) Keith Kupferer's more recent stage credits include West Side Story (Lyric Opera) The Seagull and The Great Leap at Steppenwolf Theatre; The Cake, Cal in Camo (Jeff Award for Supporting Actor), American Wee-Pie, and 26 Miles at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble where he is a founding member; Sweat, Support Group for Men (Jeff nomination for Ensemble), God of Carnage, Passion Play, High Holidays at The Goodman Theater; Murder on the Orient Express at Drury Lane; The Mystery of Love and Sex (Jeff Nomination for Supporting Actor), and Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Wolf at Writer's Theatre; The Qualms, Good People, and Middletown, Of Mice & Men also at Steppenwolf Theatre; the world premiere of The Humans at American Theatre Company; Hillary and Clinton, Never the Sinner, and Appropriate at Victory Gardens; Gypsy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; The Legend of Georgia McBride at Northlight Theatre; Big Lake, Big City and Trust for Lookingglass Theatre. Film credits include Emperor of Ocean Park (currently filming); Ghostlight; Widows; Monuments; The Dilemma; Dark Knight; Public Enemies; The Express; Stranger Than Fiction; Road to Perdition; Finding Santa; Fred Klaus; The Last Rights of Joe May; and The Merry Gentleman directed by Michael Keaton. TV credits include Southside, The Big Leap, 61st Street, The Chi; Proven Innocent; Better Call Saul; Empire; Chicago P.D.; Betrayal; Crisis; Chicago Fire; and Detroit 187.

In this new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with the cast and playwright for Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon now playing at Lookingglass Theatre through July 16th. Joining the conversation are playwright/actor Matthew C. Yee (who plays Charlie), Aurora Adachi-Winter (who plays Lucy) and Wai Ching Ho (who plays Grandma and steals the show….in a good way!). […]

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with ultra-talented theater artist Matthew C. Yee. The west suburban-native is the writer, composer and star of the world premiere musical LUCY AND CHARLIE'S HONEYMOON, which just opened at Lookingglass Theatre. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to preview what they're most looking forward at the theater this summer. Later in the show, Gary chats with author Stephanie McNeal about her new book SWIPE UP FOR MORE. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at what its like to be an influencer and why the industry is still booming.

A light romp with a dark twist followed by a hasty, muddled ending wrapped up in a cloud of very good music all of which is performed by a remarkable cast of actor musicians. There's a lot of good stuff in Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago but also a few things that disturbed me. Listen to my review to learn more.

Matthew C. Yee (above) wrote the book and score for Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon, and plays one half of the titular couple in the Lookingglass Theatre world premiere. Joined by co-star Rammel Chan, the two actors discuss the show's origins; how they walk its tricky tonal lines; how a script with humble college beginnings became a full-fledged country western musical; the ways in which the characters are both inside and outside the law; the challenge of being not just the author and composer, but also an actor and musician; wonderful and unintended similarities to Harpo Marx; and the lasting questions of why there aren't more country western musicals? (Length 19:58)

Matthew C. Yee, the creator, writer and composer of the new musical "Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon" at Lookingglass Theatre joins the CONVERSATION to discuss the show and the collaborative process to bring it to the stage. Aurora Adachi-Winter and Yee star as Lucy and Charlie, two first generation Asian Americans who meet, fall in love and then decide to start a life of crime together. This episode includes a featured solo performance of "Bao's Song" from the show running at Lookingglass through July 11, 2023. Season 6 Episode 2 Originally posted May 31, 2023 

Playwright Sara Gmitter (In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story) returns to Chicago's Tony-winning Lookingglass Theatre for the world premiere of her adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel Villette – and returns to the Podcast to discuss how the production came to be and why the novel isn't as famous as Brontë's other work, Jane Eyre. Sara talks about the challenge of channeling Brontë's voice (in both language and staging); who to credit (or blame) for this adaptation; the joy of working with characters that demand to be brought to life; gratitude to directors and designers who help visualize the story; how the relationship between the protagonist and audience mirrors the one between an author and reader; the undeniable fact that Charlotte Brontë is funny; and the unassailable right of an unreliable narrator to keep some things to herself. (Length 20:35) (PICTURED: Debo Balogun, Mi Kang, Ronald Román-Melendez in the Lookingglass Theatre production of Villette, written by Sara Gmitter, directed by Tracy Walsh. Photo by Sandro Miller.)

'Tis the season for holiday shows! The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Mary Zimmerman is not only an instant Christmas classic, it's also one of the top theatre experiences of Melissa's life. Find out how this short, yet full play has won her heart and how Mary Zimmerman brought this Hans Christian Andersen story to life . . . without using any dialog. This is not just an interview, it's a master class in theatre-making.  In this episode, we discuss:How Mary decided to make The Steadfast Tin Soldier a dialog-less productionThe "Aha" moment when she realized that an Advent calendar was the perfect countdown to curtain Mary's rehearsal and creation process How much she changes with each remounted productionAnd more!Resources MentionedThe Steadfast Tin Soldier is playing at Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre through January 8, 2023. Learn more.  Read MetamorphosesRead The Arabian NightsRead The OdysseyMore plays by Mary ZimmermanAbout Our GuestMary Zimmerman is a playwright and director of theatre and opera based in Chicago. She is the 1998 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, the 2002 Tony Award and Obie for Best Director, and many Chicago Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Production and Best Director. She is a member of Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago, an Artistic Associate of the Goodman Theatre, and The Jaharis Family Foundation Endowed Chair of Performance Studies at Northwestern University. She specializes in the adaptation of classical texts for the stage. Works that she has adapted and directed include The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Treasure Island, The Jungle Book, The White Snake, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, Arabian Nights, Metamorphoses, The Secret in the Wings, an opera with PhiConnect with host Melissa Schmitz***Sign up for the 101 Stage Adaptations Newsletter***101 Stage AdaptationsFollow the Podcast on Facebook & InstagramRead Melissa's plays on New Play ExchangeConnect with Melissa on LinkedInWays to support the show:- Buy Me a Coffee- Tell us your thoughts in our Listener Survey!- Give a 5-Star rating- Write a glowing review on Apple Podcasts - Send this episode to a friend- Share on social media (Tag us so we can thank you!)Creators: Host your podcast through Buzzsprout using my affiliate link & get a $20 credit on your paid account. Let your fans directly support you via Buy Me a Coffee (affiliate link).

David Catlin is a founding Ensemble Member, actor, writer, director, and former Artistic Director of the Tony-winning Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago, and, whose adaptations and productions, which include Moby Dick and The Little Prince, “has sculpted the Lookingglass aesthetic.” David discusses the origins of Lookingglass Alice and the art of combining multiple skillsets; how the show is reshaped to the specific skills of its cast members; how David's less of a director and more of an air traffic controller; the challenge (and joy!) of creating theater that shatters boundaries and explores possibilities; a proposed title for a new reduced version of a Herman Melville classic; and how Lookingglass is one of several models of college kids forming a theater and making a go of it. (Length 23:57) The post Celebrating ‘Lookingglass Alice' appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Capítulo 034: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by writer, actor, singer and producer, Sandra Delgado. Listen in as we discuss reimagining Latin history on stage and creating  the Sandra Delgado Experience: "A big band music spectacular with a lil bit of dancing, a lil bit of storytelling and a whole lot of joy."Sandra Delgado is a Colombian-American writer, actor, singer and producer born and raised in Chicago. She is best known for her play La Havana Madrid, which enjoyed sold-out runs at Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre, and most recently in a co-production with Teatro Vista and Collaboraction. It was featured in the New York Times and CNN, received recognition as one of the best plays of 2017 by New City Chicago and Time Out Chicago, the Time-Out Audience Award for Best New Work, and the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists (ALTA) Award for Best Production.  Sandra is also a respected veteran of the stage, with a career spanning two decades. In addition to her work at artistic homes, Teatro Vista and Collaboraction, she has been seen on stages across Chicago including The Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens and About Face. Recent highlights include the titular role in La Havana Madrid, La Ruta at Steppenwolf and starring off-Broadway in the Public Theatre's production of Oedipus el Rey as Jocasta.  Sandra is a 2021 United States Artists Fellow, serves on the board of the Chicago Public Library, served on the City of Chicago's Cultural Advisory Council (2019-2021) and is a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists. She is an Illinois Arts Council Fellow in Literature, a recipient of the 3Arts Award, the Joyce Award, The Theater Communications Group (TCG) Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship in the Extraordinary Potential Category, a three-time Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events grantee, and a 3Arts 3AP Project Grantee, and received the 2017 Latina Professional of the Year Award from the Chicago Latino Network. Ms. Delgado is Goodman's Playwrights Unit and a TCG Young Leader of Color Alum. She is one of the twenty women of Chicago arts and culture honored in Kerry James Marshall's mural RUSH MORE on the facade of the Chicago Cultural Center.Her latest project, The Sandra Delgado Experience, a fusion of music and storytelling will premiere this spring. Follow Sandra:Website: https://www.sandradelgado.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosoysandradelgado/https://linktr.ee/ms.sandradelgadoOcu-Pasión Podcast is a heartfelt interview series showcasing the experiences of artists and visionaries within the Latin American/ Latinx community hosted by Delsy Sandoval. Join us as we celebrate culture & creativity through thoughtful dialogue where guests from all walks of life are able to authentically express who they are and connect in ways listeners have not heard before.Delsy Sandoval is the Host and Executive Producer of Ocu-Pasión. If you want to support the podcast, please rate and review the show here. You can also get in touch with Delsy at www.ocupasionpodcast.comFollow Ocu-Pasión on Instagram: @ocupasionpodcast www.instagram.com/ocupasionpodcastJoin the Ocu-Pasión Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/5160180850660613/Visit www.ocupasionpodcast.com for more episodes.https://linktr.ee/Ocupasionpodc

Capítulo 029: On this episode of Ocu-Pasión we are joined by Teatro Vista's Co-Artistic Directors Wendy Mateo and Lorena Diaz.  Listen in as we discuss pushing the boundaries of digital theatre, creating a safe space for artists to explore, and a sisterhood that has lasted over two decades. Teatro Vista, Theatre With A View is firmly committed to sharing and celebrating the riches of Latino culture with all Chicago theatre audiences. This commitment stems from the belief that there are as may similarities as there are differences, and that perhaps the answer to breaking down the walls of prejudice and stereotypes lies in understanding these differences. Ultimately, it is through this "view" that Teatro Vista intends to bridge the gap between Latino and non-Latino cultures in Chicago.Diaz and Mateo are a “multihyphenated jefa” comedy duo who have enjoyed their creative partnership for more than 20 years. They co-founded (with six other partners) their own content creation studio, Chicago4Real, and co-host their livestream show Bochinche at Nite on the studio's Twitch channel. They have co-written and directed several films including Good Mothers (official selection of HBO NY Latino Film Festival and the Chicago Latino Film Festival), Sunset 1919, written by J. Nicole Brooks in collaboration with Lookingglass Theatre, and Identified, produced by Full Spectrum Features. As Dominizuelan, they performed nationally for years and pursued several independent projects, including co-writing and starring in the comedy web-series Dominizuelan Consulate, created in collaboration with Fred Armisen, producer/director Alice Mathias and Mas Mejor Productions.Diaz (she/her/hers), a “Made in Chicago” hybrid of Peruvian Indigenous descent and American Latino swagger, has bounced between Chicago's theater and comedy scenes for 15 years. She is familiar to Teatro Vista audiences for portraying Carolina in the company's acclaimed 2018 world premiere The Madres by Stephanie Alison Walker. She subsequently co-directed Teatro Vista's 2019 premiere of Walker's sequel, The Abuelas. Her many other collaborations include work with Jo Cattell and Steppenwolf 1700 (Tumbao, a live radio play), iO Chicago (People in the City), Mike Oquendo Productions, Goodman, Playground Theatre and The Second City. She is most commonly known for her work over six seasons as the snarky Nurse Doris on Dick Wolf's Chicago Med, Fire and PD franchise.Mateo (she/her/hers) is a Chicago-based comedian, actor, writer, director and filmmaker. Mateo has been seen throughout the city's stages including Lookingglass Theatre, where she is an artistic associate, Steppenwolf 1700 and Playground Theater. Her directing credits include the 2018 play Not for Sale 2.0 by Guadalis del Carmen at UrbanTheater Company. On TV she performs in shows like NBC's Chicago PD, as guest star Chicago Med, and as “Ronnie” in the forthcoming Station Eleven on HBO. Aside from her focus on expanding representation in media, Mateo is also an equity, diversity, and inclusion consultant and facilitator with the Nova Collective and her own consulting company, Ina Consulting. Follow Lorena & Wendyhttps://www.instagram.com/itslorenadiaz/https://www.wendymateo.com/https://www.instagram.com/itswendymateo/ Follow Teatro Vistahttps://www.teatrovista.org/https://www.facebook.com/TeatroVista/https://www.instagram.com/teatrovista/https://www.youtube.com/user/TeatroVistaChicago 

SHUFFLE ALONG COMPOSER: Eubie Blake LYRICIST: Noble Sissle BOOK: F.E. Miller, Aubrey Lyles DIRECTOR: Walter Brooks PRINCIPLE CAST: Lottie Gee (Bessie), Aubrey Lyles (Sam), F.E. Miller (Steve) OPENING DATE: May 23, 1921 CLOSING DATE: Jul 15, 1922 PERFORMANCES: 484 SYNOPSIS: Sam and Steve are business owners who decide that they will both run for the Mayor of Jimtown, USA. Whichever one wins will appoint the other their chief of police. Complications arise when the two men are so busy squabbling they do not realize that a new candidate is ready to take on their corrupt administration. Shuffle Along was significant as an early Broadway revue written by and starring Black vaudeville artists that became a smash hit with Depression-era audiences. Jerrell L. Henderson outlines the ways the show proved Black musicals, Black love stories, and Black-lead productions could be successful in the United States with strong emphasis placed on creators Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, Flournoy Miller, and Aubrey Lyles, as well as the show's original performers including Josephine Baker, Adelaide Hall, Florence Mills, Fredi Washington, and Paul Robeson. An analysis of George C. Wolfe and Savion Glover's 2015 reexamination of the show, with cast members Audra McDonald and Billy Porter, is explored as well.  Jerrell L. Henderson is a Director and Puppeteer. Upcoming Puppet Short Films include, Hamlin: La Revue Sombre with Handmade Puppet Dreams and Diamond's Dream with Chicago Children's Theatre. He performed his signature puppetry piece, I Am The Bear, this fall with Chicago International Puppet Festival's Living Room Tours. His shadow play, 3 American Myths: A Riff in Shadow & Light in 3 Rhythmic Movements was a finalist for a 2019 Jim Henson Foundation Grant. Recent directing credits include Mlima's Tale with Griffin Theatre (Jeff Award Nomination for Direction and Best Play) and Thurgood with Walnut Street Theatre. Other credits include The River with BoHo Theatre, Untitled with Inis Nua (Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Play) and Something Like A War: A New Musical with 11th Hour Theatre. As an assistant director, Jerrell has worked with The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Lookingglass Theatre. He received an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University, is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab (2012), an Artistic Associate of Black Lives, Black Words, and a Henson Foundation sponsored participant at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center National Puppetry Conference (2020). SOURCES Carlin, Richard, and Ken Bloom. Eubie Blake: Rags, Rhythm, and Race. Oxford University Press, USA, 2020.  Gaines, Caseen. Footnotes: The Black Artists Who Rewrote the Rules of the Great White Way. Sourcebooks, 2021.   Kimball, Robert, and William Bolcom. Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake. Cooper Square Pub, 1973.    Miller, Flournoy, et. al. Shuffle Along. CreateSpace, 2015.   Rose, Al. Eubie Blake. New York : Schirmer Books, 1979.    Woll, Allen. Black Musical Theatre. Da Capo Press, 1991. Shuffle Along, Studio Cast, New World Records (1976) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, David and Joey chat with the newly appointed Co-Artistic Directors of Teatro Vista in Chicago, Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo, about shared leadership, how joy can be your currency, and their incredible 20+ year relationship. Lorena Diaz, a "Made in Chicago" hybrid of Peruvian Indigenous descent and American Latino swagger, has bounced between Chicago's theater and comedy scenes for 15 years. She is familiar to Teatro Vista audiences for portraying Carolina in the company's acclaimed 2018 world premiere The Madres by Stephanie Alison Walker. She subsequently co-directed Teatro Vista's 2019 premiere of Walker's sequel, The Abuelas. Her many other collaborations include work with Jo Cattell and Steppenwolf 1700 (Tumbao, a live radio play), iO Chicago (People in the City), Mike Oquendo Productions, Goodman, Playground Theatre and The Second City. She is most commonly known for her work over six seasons as the snarky Nurse Doris on Dick Wolf's Chicago Med, Fire and PD franchise. Wendy Mateo is a Chicago-based comedian, actor, writer, director and filmmaker. Mateo has been seen throughout the city's stages including Lookingglass Theatre, where she is an artistic associate, Steppenwolf 1700, and Playground Theater. Her directing credits include the 2018 play Not for Sale 2.0 by Guadalis Del Carmen at UrbanTheater Company. On TV she performs in shows like NBC's Chicago PD, as guest star Chicago Med, and as "Ronnie" in Station Eleven on HBO. Aside from her focus on expanding representation in media, Mateo is also an equity, diversity, and inclusion consultant and facilitator with the Nova Collective and her own consulting company, Ina Consulting. Connect with Lorena (she/her) https://www.instagram.com/itslorenadiaz/?hl=en Connect with Wendy (she/her) https://www.wendymateo.com/ https://www.instagram.com/itswendymateo/?hl=en Follow Teatro Vista https://www.teatrovista.org/ https://www.facebook.com/TeatroVista/ https://twitter.com/TeatroVista https://www.instagram.com/teatrovista/ https://www.youtube.com/user/TeatroVistaChicago Connect with David (he/they) http://www.davidmendizabal.com/ https://www.instagram.com/its_daveed/ Connect with Joey (they/them) https://www.instagram.com/mxjoeyreyes/ https://twitter.com/mxjoeyreyes Follow The Sol Project http://www.solproject.org/about-us.html https://www.facebook.com/solprojectnyc/ https://www.instagram.com/solprojectnyc/ https://twitter.com/solprojectnyc This episode was mixed and edited by Iris Zacarías (she/they) https://www.iriszdesigns.com/ https://www.instagram.com/irismarcelina/

Lindsay Knight manages CV's Platform, or the firm's “post-investment” team. She works directly with the firm's 50+ active portfolio companies on matchmaking talent; connecting into customers; marketing, communication and PR; and building community, content, and events to help scale up and skill up more efficiently. She's also a Kauffman Fellow, Class 23.Prior to joining Chicago Ventures, Lindsay spent time at Ocean Tomo, an intellectual property merchant bank, where she was part of the team that launched the industry's first live patent auctions. She later joined CHOUmedia as Vice President, where she worked with clients in the IP industry on marketing strategy and execution.We discussed:-Her early career in Marketing and Comms-The Platform Model in VC-Her daily workstreams at Chicago Ventures-Founding Chicago:BlendIn 2018, Lindsay launched the non-profit Chicago:Blend, a collaborative effort of venture capitalists in Chicago who know that diverse teams and inclusive environments are critical foundations for both the startups we invest in and our own venture firms. She's a former Chair of the VC Platform Global Community and serves on the Governing Board at Lookingglass Theatre, a Tony-award winning theatre that focuses on the spectacular and the physical. She graduated from the Miami University Honors Program with degrees in English/Journalism and Strategic Communication.

In this engaging conversation, Karen Rodriguez sits down with fellow actor, ensemble member and Half Hour host, James Vincent Meredith. Join these two friends as they share stories of stage fright, family, laughter, legacy, and proving their skeptics wrong by securing a sense of belonging within the Steppenwolf ensemble.Interview begins at 4:12.James Vincent Meredith received critical acclaim as John Proctor in The Crucible, his first role as an ensemble member. At Steppenwolf he has also appeared in Clybourne Park, The Hot L Baltimore, The Bluest Eye (also Off-Broadway at the New Victory Theater), The Pain and the Itch, Carter's Way, Doppleganger, The Tempest, The March, Between Riverside and Crazy, The Minutes, Hot L Baltimore, and Superior Donuts. Broadway credits include Superior Donuts (Music Box Theater) and Book of Mormon (Eugene O'Neill Theater— also 3 years, National Tour). Other selected Chicagoland appearances include Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting at Lookingglass Theatre, Lottery Day at Goodman, Radio Golf and Blues for an Alabama Sky at Court and Othello at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, as well as work at About Face Theatre, Writer's Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook and Piven Theatre Workshop, where he is a member of the company ensemble. Movie credits include Widows, Princess Cyd, and Knives and Skin. Television credits include Fargo, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, FBI, Empire, BOSS, and Exorcist, among others.Learn more at Steppenwolf.orgWant to get in touch? Email halfhour@steppenwolf.orgA transcript of this episode can be found HERE

The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked. This week Courtney sits down with Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo. They are critically acclaimed sketch comedy writers and actors. As Dominizuelan they've been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and TimeOut NY for their infectious chemistry and comedy. The duo co-created a web series with Fred Armisen (SNL) called The Dominizuelan Consulate. Lolo and Wendy wrote and directed their first short film “Good Mothers” in 2018, since then they have been focused on developing film and narrative content. Lolo and Wendy and directed 2 short films in quarantine, “Sunset 1919” and “Identified”. Diaz and Mateo have teamed up with 6 other partners to build a content creation company, Chicago4Real focused on creating live interactive entertainment on Amazon's Twitch platform. On your TV, you can catch Lorena in her recurring role as Nurse Doris on NBC's Chicago MED|FIRE|PD franchise. Wendy is an Artistic Associate of the Lookingglass Theatre and can also be seen on this season of Chicago Med. Facebook: Lolo and Wendy | Chicago4Real Instagram: @LoloandWendy | @itslorenadiaz | @itswendymateo | @Chicago4Real_on_Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/chicago4real Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at: www.courtneyrioux.com Find Courtney on Social Media: instagram.com/courtneyrioux ### Special thanks to: Erick Backus for editing and mixing this episode. Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work. Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/ Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/courtneyrioux/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/courtneyrioux/support

Variant Artists presents the audio play WHAT ABOUT THE MEYERS by playwright Kevin Douglas. Kevin is a member of, the Tony Award winning company, Lookingglass Theatre where his play Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure had its World Premiere which garnered him a BTA Award for best writing of a play. Kevin’s play Plantation! Directed by David Schwimmer had its World Premiere at Lookingglass and is currently being developed for the screen. He co-writes and performs with his better half in a web series on YouTube and IG titled The Tam and Kevin Show.Cast:Lisa Tharps as MaggieLeonard Roberts as ArnoldJoNell Kenned as BettyRobert Peters as Dave, Gerald, Police, Dog WalkerRyan Alexander Holmes as Eric, James, Police , DrunkSymera Jackson as RhondaEvan Alex as JohnnyDirected by:Amie FarrellOriginal Music by:Jonathan Sanford sanfordmusic.comSound & Editing by:Cam CaddellCore Collective:Maddy WagerTania VerafieldJoNell KennedySpecial Thanks:Evan Roberts

The play opened as the pandemic began, robbing Chicago audiences of the chance to see it. WBEZ will air the audio version Saturday at 2 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, Lookingglass Theatre ensemble member and artistic producer Philip Smith and Auditorium Theatre Chief Executive Officer Rich Regan join guest host Paul Lisnek to talk about how COVID-19 has impacted the artistic community and what needs to be done in order for the arts to survive the pandemic.

Welcome to the first episode! In this episode, we'll chat with talented theatre director Georgette Verdin about tons of things: being an artistic director, managing ADHD at home, communication in relationships, working through shame, structure vs spontaneity, etc. Check it out!   Georgette is a Chicago-based director, theater and speech educator and arts integration specialist. She is also the proud Managing Artistic Director of Interrobang Theatre Project, a critically-acclaimed storefront theater known for its gutsy productions, tackling socially-relevant topics. In 2019, Interrobang was honored with the prestigious Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award. Georgette has taught kindergarten through college in her hometown of New Orleans, as well as Chicago where she has resided since 2009. She was the founding theater teacher at Polaris Charter Academy - an Expeditionary Learning School in Chicago's West Humboldt Park neighborhood - where she taught full-time for eight years. Select directing credits include TRIBES (Nina Raine), Jeff Awards recommended productions of OUT OF LOVE (U.S. Premiere, Elinor Cook), GRACE, RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS (Craig Wright) and TIME STANDS STILL (Donald Margulies), as well as the 2013 & 2016 Yale Drama Series winners, STILL (Jen Silverman) and UTILITY (Emily Schwend). Georgette has also worked with Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Facility, and Chicago Dramatists among others. Upcoming projects include associate directing Mat Smart's world premiere, EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971 (Raven Theatre) and directing the world premiere of SEXBOT (Interrobang Theatre Project). Georgette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA and a Master in Directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She is an associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.   Check out Interrobang Theatre Project at www.interrobangtheatreproject.com     Original music for this trailer was composed by Christopher Aaron Knarr. You can find more of his work at www.ChristopherAaronKnarr.com. Podcast Artwork design by Joseph Ramski. For inquiries, please contact him directly at jramski3@gmail.com  

Actor, director, and playwright J. Nicole Brooks is the author and director of Her Honor Jane Byrne, which looks at the moment in Chicago history when its first woman mayor moved into the Cabrini-Green housing projects. Just three nights after it had its official world premiere opening at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre, the rest of the run was cancelled due to the restrictions being imposed around the world in the midst of this global pandemic. Brooks discusses how the play came together and how love letters to Chicago can be complicated; the value of Shakespearean echoes and wise fools; a fascination with corruption; shining light on haunted communities; getting laughs when you least expect them; decolonizing the space; losing revenue streams; surprising shout-outs to Shelley Winters in The Poseidon Adventure; and the brilliance of writing a dark comedy about kings and queens and guillotines. (Length 22:03) The post 692. J. Nicole Brooks appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The Lookingglass Theatre Company is currently hosting the incredible play Her Honor Jane Byrne. Lead actress Christine Dunford, playwright Nicky Brooks and WGN Radio's Walter Jacobson join Karen Conti to discuss the play and the incredible history of the Jane Byrne era.

Andrew White, the Director of Community Engagement for Chicago's Tony-winning Lookingglass Theatre, talks about their newly-formed Department of Curiosity, which cultivates creativity, expands access, and transforms classrooms and communities while codifying and formalizing the fundamental instinct that fuels our work. Featuring the cultivation of new audiences and new theatre creators, building community coalitions, creating context around new programming, how artists can be of service, the difficulty of saying “I don't know,” possible new titles for existing jobs and an expansion of imagination, and a special appearance from Rebecca Dumain, the program director of The Viola Project. Curiouser and curiouser! (Length 17:03) The post Episode 635. Department Of Curiosity appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

From www.theaterreviewsfrommyseat.com, Broadway and Off-Broadway reviews of plays and musicals (including The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago) from productions seen during the month of December 2018. This podcast includes five holiday themed shows and two outstanding and timely pieces, The Jungle and What the Constitution Means To Me.

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi is the artistic director and co-founder of The Actors Gymnasium, a physical theatre school with a huge emphasis on circus and telling stories through movement. A longtime collaborator with Chicago's Tony-winning Lookingglass Theatre, Sylvia created the underwater choreography for Lookingglass' current production of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and talks about how she creates her work and the value of her collaborators, the invaluable nature of literally growing up in the circus, questioning the value of not taking a risk, learning the language of physicality, getting actors to a different level, and the joy of watching a performer discover new skills and manners of expression. (Length 19:20)

Paul goes behind the curtain this week with director David Schwimmer (“Ross” from Friends) and Playwrite Kevin Douglas on his new hilarious play “Plantation,” currently playing at Lookingglass Theatre. They discuss the collaborative process of bringing this new work to the stage. Then, Paul talks with Book/Lyric writer David Zellnik about his play “Yank! A […]

Aerialist, circus performer and actor Javen Ulambayar visits Booth One this week with Gary and Frank, as we celebrate our 3rd Anniversary on the air! Javen is a native of Mongolia and emigrated to the United States when he was 17 with his parents. His mother is world-famous contortionist Oyunchimeg "Oyuna" Yadamjav, one of Mongolia's most decorated contortionists, winner of the Silver Clown Award at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. Javen became interested in the circus arts only after moving to the US, where he first studied at the famous Circus Juventas school in St. Paul, MN. After receiving a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota, Javen continued his training and has been hooked on circus performance ever since. Now a resident of Skokie, IL and a faculty member at the famed Actors Gymnasium in Evanston, Javen's specialties are the Straps and the Chinese Pole. He put both these skills to remarkable use while performing in the Lookingglass Theatre's production of Moby Dick. Javen was integral to incorporating circus arts into the production, working with Moby Dick's choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi and Lookingglass director, David Catlin. Sylvia and David have both been featured guests on Booth One. Gary and Frank discuss the new Antoinette Nwandu play Breach, which they just saw at Victory Gardens Theatre. Nwandu describes the play as "a love letter to black women." From the author of the recent Steppenwolf play Pass Over, Nwandu's Breach is a funny, moving and revealing look at the life of a young black woman as she navigates the ups and downs of relationships and life. With marvelous and memorable characters, she takes us along as Margaret "recovers from self-hate" (from the sub-title). Beautifully staged by director Lisa Portes, Breach cements Nwandu's reputation as one of America's best emerging playwrights. She recently won the 2017-2018 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award. This production runs through March 11 and is highly recommended. Listen to a great interview with Antoinette and Pass Over Director Danya Taymor on episode 59 of Booth One. Honorable mention goes to the August Wilson Monologue Competition, held at The Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. The regional competition is open to all students from Chicago Area High Schools. Producer Betsy Ingram reports that all 21 competitors were stellar! The number one and two finishers will be competing in the National Finals held at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway on May 7 and are open to the public. Best of luck to these two wonderful performers who will represent Chicago. Friend of the show and previous guest Robert Cornelius coached Chisom Chima, who finished second and he is ecstatic for her. We break out the Chat Pack for a couple of rounds of probing questions. Kiss of Death: Rick McKay, Who Documented Memories of Broadway. Mr. McKay recorded hundreds of hours of interviews with dozens of actors about their recollections of New York theater, turning them into the 2004 documentary "Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There". Click here to see the remarkable list of people he interviewed. McKay was a convivial, sympathetic interviewer, getting stars like Bea Arthur, Shirley MacLaine, Carol Burnett and Angela Lansbury to open up about their lives, always making it about them and their stories. Rick McKay was 62.    

Kevin Douglas' new play Plantation! is having its world premiere right now at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago, in a production directed by Lookingglass founding member David Schwimmer and starring eight phenomenal actresses. It's a family comedy that deals with race and legacy and family and atonement, and in addition to its many laughs, some of which are definitely uncomfortable, its ending takes audiences absolutely by surprise and bring them to tears. Kevin discusses his creative process, explaining why he decided to create a comedy in the first place, and features the danger of clinging, the benefit of listening to actors, the value of a spoonful of sugar, and how Kevin's next play will solve all the world's problems. (Length 25:05)

Lookinglass co-founder and director David Catlin, adapted the high-flying, critically-acclaimed stage version of the Herman Melville classic Moby Dick in 2015. With the show now returning to Chicago after a national tour, David Catlin joined the conversation to discuss his early influences and the fascinating collaborative process behind the company's ambitious and powerful production. Season 2 Episode 20 | Originally published June 29, 2017

In the first episode, Billy talks with longtime friend, actor, producer, and Co-Founder of Lookingglass Theatre, David Schwimmer.  Billy & David talk about the critical importance of the meal experience, drawing comparisons between shared moments in live theater and those over meals, they relive the incredible Peking Duck they shared in Beijing while covering the Olympics, to their late hotel hallway raiding of guest leftovers left out in Spain, and what they made from it before eating at 4a. David also shares the meal of his life, and how it made him convinced he could be an actor and director for the rest of his life.

Gary and Roscoe have Spring Fever, and it isn't even Spring! Full Lyrics They're frisky and spinning daydreams as we begin our second year of Booth One podcasts with two special guests this week. Firstly, on a sad note, erstwhile BFF of Gary's, Carly Fiorina (formerly Carlton S.), has laid her primary campaign to rest. After getting around 4 votes in New Hampshire, it was time to give up the ghost. Fortunately, someone found the perfect burial vault for her campaign .....an old HP copier!Now on to the heart of our episode - we welcome David Catlin Full profile, co-founder of the Lookingglass Theatre Info and Tickets in Chicago; and welcome back Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi read bio, whose interview on Episode 12 is a listener favorite! Sylvia is co-founder and Artistic Director of the Actors Gymnasium get more info here in Evanston, IL, a marvelous training center for circus and theatrical arts, and has had an amazing career as a world-class circus performer. David and Sylvia are appearing together in a new show at the Actors Gymnasium called Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Story Info and Tickets, written and directed by Chris Mathews of The House Theatre of Chicago read more. Marnie & Phil tells the story of a young aerialist and an aspiring clown as they seek to make their mark in the big time circus world. Their love-lorn tale unfolds through thrilling circus acts, clown routines, acrobatics, gorgeous music and moving dialogue. With a deft touch, writer/director Mathews reveals all the splendor, humor, pathos and sacrifice that being a successful circus performer entails, while subtly illuminating important aspects of the human condition. This show has Heart with a capital H! David and Sylvia tell how they met in 1993 and the various projects they have collaborated on through the years. We learn about their inspirations, the sources of their passion for performing, and how Marnie & Phil reflects their individual lives. Roscoe talks about his fascination with the Silks routines and wonders if one is ever too old to learn... We discuss a sequence in the show where 20 young performers encircle the stage on Unicycles and why the audience finds the sequence so emotionally moving. Sylvia and David tell us about how they have borrowed from the great performers, teachers and instructors over the years to create their own unique aesthetic and techniques. Roscoe proposes that one can't learn to be funny by watching Shecky Greene on TV! See Shecky on YouTube Huge congratulations are in order for Lookingglass Theatre, who this week received a monetary award of $1,000,000 from the MacArthur Foundation, one of 14 Chicago area theatres to be so honored by the "2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions". Full story David and Sylvia have contributed so much to Lookingglass and MacArthur's gift will enable this remarkable ensemble theatre to keep taking great theatrical risks! Sylvia discusses her family history getting into the world of  circus performance, and reminisces about her life in the Ringling Brothers traveling circus. Go here if you'd like to see Sylvia and the Hernandez Troupe in action from the nineties!   We talk about superstitions that circus performers have - no peacock feathers ever!; Never wear yellow on stage; A bird in the tent is bad luck; Never cut a loose thread with scissors - always tear it off. David and Sylvia reveal their pre-show ritual of wishing for a "Good, Fast, Safe Show - Rock the House" with each member of the cast. Too bad we can't show you the hand slapping routine that goes with it. It's quite the dazzling feat. As we do with most guests, Gary breaks out the Chat Pack get more info here and David and Sylvia are game to play along. Find out who their favorite teacher/best boss was, hear them describe encounters with wild animals+, and what was the most dangerous thing they've ever done. Roscoe relates anecdotes about Marina Oswald Porter and f...

Our very special guest, Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, Co-Artistic Director & Co-Founder of the Actors Gymnasium and choreographer of the Lookingglass Theatre production of Moby Dick, stops by for an in-depth interview about circus, performance, training and flying! We are so excited to have Sylvia as our guest on the show today. Gary and Roscoe have just seen the sensational Moby Dick, adapted and directed by David Catlin. Read one of the "through the roof" reviews here. Hedy Weiss. Here are a couple of quotes from that review we couldn't agree with more: "Lookingglass Theatre’s world premiere production of Moby Dick is a triumph of grand theatrical imagination, deep thought, superb acting and eye-popping, ingeniously deployed physical daring." AND "As a co-production with the Actors Gymnasium, it also is shot through with astonishingly original aerial choreography by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, and its fearless, acrobatic cast brilliantly captures the grueling and perilous labor of life aboard a whaling ship." Such beautiful and imaginative story-telling. Gary ran into friends who were at the show with their two young children (maybe 7 and 8?). This is an intense story and ran for 2.5 hours, but these kids were spell-bound. Sylvia's fabulous interview comes after a couple of brief opening segments. Gary found a fascinating article in The Week entitled, "Do Sharks Like to Eat Humans?" Why some meals are better than others for these monsters of the deep. Legendary silent film director F.W. Murnau's skull has been stolen (not for the first time) from a cemetery outside Berlin. Gary and Roscoe discuss this senseless vandalism. Could it be the work of occultists? Ross, who is a bit of a silent film expert, tells us about Murnau's films, such as Nosfaratu and Sunrise (cited as one of the greatest films of all time). He  says The Last Laugh starring Emile Jannings would turn even the biggest skeptic into a silent movie fan. Among other innovations, Murnau introduced the subjective point of view camera. His 1928 film, 4 Devils, was set in a circus.  Read more. Speaking of the circus, again, we are so happy to welcome Sylvia Hernandez-Distasi! Gary asks her to describe what it was like to tour with the professional circus and we hear about her adventures living on the train. She was a flyer for a teeter board act, landing on a chair resting on the shoulders of her four brothers. Sylvia told us about the various kinds of living quarters on the trains and said that walking through the circus train was like traveling through Europe. We talked with her about the evolution of Moby Dick from the first workshop at University of Chicago with Blair Thomas and House, through David's production at Northwestern and at Lookingglass. She told us about David Catlin's amazing collaborative process and the specific ways her choreography and the staging changed based the strengths of different cast members in the three productions. They talk about the dream/nightmare choreography featuring the amazing performances of Anthony Fleming III and Jamie Abelson. Gary describes "the dress" that becomes the sea. You really have to see it to believe it. We learn more about the Actor's Gymnasium in Evanston, a place where actors can build physical skills to enhance their repetoire - as well as a thriving school for adults and children who want to learn circus arts. They offer all kinds of cool classes. Roscoe and our producer are considering "Circus Arts Fitness." Gary wants to write a show with Sylvia. We'll keep you posted. Check out Actors Gymnasium Actor's Gym also develops their own productions. Winter Circus opens on February 13, 2016. Sylvia announces, for the first time on our show...that since it's the 20th anniversary of Actor's Gymnasium, she will be joining the cast of the show this year. Run don't walk. By the way, "Learn to Fly" is the tagline for Actor's Gymnasium. It's a great one. Kiss Of Death:

Barry Moltz, Author of "How to Get Unstuck: 25 Ways to Get Your Business Growing Again" & Host of Business Insanity Radio on AM560 WIND - Barry helps our listeners learn how to keep their business growing in tough times!Billy Dec - Billy Dec is an Emmy Award Winning Entertainment TV Personality and CEO/Founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, named one of Restaurant Hospitality's Top Multi-Concept Companies of 2014. As Chicago's premier hospitality & entertainment development company, Rockit Ranch specializes in the creation, marketing and management of some of the city's top venues including Rockit Bar & Grill, Underground, Rockit Burger Bar, Sunda, ¡AY CHIWOWA!, Bottlefork and The Duck Inn. Dec was chosen to be the Entertainment Contributor on ABC TV's “Windy City Live” (replacing the "Oprah Winfrey Show") every Thursday at 11am and most recently, appears on radio's 103.5 KISS FM. Dec's educational background includes the University of Illinois, Chicago-Kent College of Law & the Harvard Business School. He has received numerous awards including “Excellence in Business Award” from the State of Illinois, the Asian American Hall of Fame Award, the Cook County State's Attorney's Community Leadership Award, Chicago-Kent College of Law Alumni Professional Achievement Award and was recently appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Dec is also actively involved in philanthropic organizations like Make a Wish, Best Buddies, Lookingglass Theatre…and formerly served as the Director of Cultural Relations for the 2016 Olympic Committee

Isaac's Eye at Writers Theatre, Death Tax at Lookingglass Theatre by Dueling Critics

The Langham Hotel's Chef Tim Graham of Travelle, international architect Jordan Mozer,comedienne Susan Messing, Artistic Director of the Lookingglass Theatre, Andy White and host Elysabeth Alfano come together for the February 17th 2014 Dinner Party.

Catch the highlights/best of moments from the February 17th Dinner Party. The Langham Hotel's Chef Tim Graham of Travelle, international architect Jordan Mozer,comedienne Susan Messing, Artistic Director of the Lookingglass Theatre, Andy White and host Elysabeth Alfano come together for the February 17th 2014 Dinner Party.

Highlights of the February 17th Dinner Party: The Langham Hotel's Chef Tim Graham of Travelle, international architect Jordan Mozer,comedienne Susan Messing, Artistic Director of the Lookingglass Theatre, Andy White and host Elysabeth Alfano come together for the February 17th 2014 Dinner Party.

The Langham Hotel's Chef Tim Graham of Travelle, international architect Jordan Mozer,comedienne Susan Messing, Artistic Director of the Lookingglass Theatre, Andy White and host Elysabeth Alfano come together for the February 17th 2014 Dinner Party.

On this week's podcast, Anne Nicholson Weber interviews composer Andre Pluess and book writer and lyricist Andy White about their new musical, Eastland, which is currently being premiered at Lookingglass Theatre. They explain the process of developing the piece, its roots in Chicago history, and the nature of their collaboration.