Podcasts about Manhattan Theatre Club

"Time spent traveling on trains, just staring out the window: I don't think that's lost time. That's when we have our best ideas." –Kim Krizan In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Kiki introduce their interview with Kim Krizan by talking about their own personal love of the movie Before Sunrise, and how they first experienced it (0:30); Kim talks about her early travel experiences in Czechoslovakia as a teenager, and in England in her twenties (14:30); how the low-information technological moment of travel in the 1990s doesn't exist anymore in the 2020s (23:30); how Kim became involved with helping Richard Linklater write Before Sunrise, and their creative process in working together (34:00); Kim's ongoing relationship to the movie, 30 years after it came out (44:00); and an "Easter egg" segment featuring Kiki reading Melissa Fite Johnson's poem "Before Sunrise on the VCR" (55:30). Kim Krizan (@kimkrizan) is the Oscar-nominated cowriter of the Before Sunrise movies, and the author of Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin. Kristen “Kiki” Bush is an actress, known for Paterno, Liberal Arts, Suits, Law & Order: SVU, and onstage performances at Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public, and Lincoln Center. Notable Links: 2025 Screenwriting in Paris class, with Kim Krizan (creative writing class) Paris Writing Workshops (summer learning-vacation classes) Before Sunrise (1995 movie) Before Sunset (2004 movie) Ethan Hawke (American actor and director) Julie Delpy (French actress and director) Richard Linklater (American filmmaker) Kristen "Kiki" Bush in People, Places & Things (2022 play at the Studio Theatre) Thoughts on watching the Before trilogy, 25 years on, by Rolf Potts (essay) BritRail (train pass in the UK) London A-Z (street atlas) Siouxsie and the Banshees (British rock band) Wembley Stadium (London venue) Continuous partial attention (behavior) Slacker (1990 film) Dazed and Confused (1993 film) Anaïs Nin (French-American diarist and novelist) Eurail Pass (train pass to 33 European countries) The Game Camera (trailer for 2025 short film made by Kiki and Rolf) Uncle Vanya (play by Anton Chekhov) Robert Falls (former artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theater) Melissa Fite Johnson (poet) The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel's 2017 album Lumber. Note: We don't host a “comments” section, but we're happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.

"Time spent traveling on trains, just staring out the window: I don't think that's lost time. That's when we have our best ideas." –Kim Krizan In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Kiki introduce their interview with Kim Krizan by talking about their own personal love of the movie Before Sunrise, and how they first experienced it (0:30); Kim talks about her early travel experiences in Czechoslovakia as a teenager, and in England in her twenties (14:30); how the low-information technological moment of travel in the 1990s doesn't exist anymore in the 2020s (23:30); how Kim became involved with helping Richard Linklater write Before Sunrise, and their creative process in working together (34:00); Kim's ongoing relationship to the movie, 30 years after it came out (44:00); and an "Easter egg" segment featuring Kiki reading Melissa Fite Johnson's poem "Before Sunrise on the VCR" (55:30). Kim Krizan (@kimkrizan) is the Oscar-nominated cowriter of the Before Sunrise movies, and the author of Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin. Kristen “Kiki” Bush is an actress, known for Paterno, Liberal Arts, Suits, Law & Order: SVU, and onstage performances at Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public, and Lincoln Center. Notable Links: 2025 Screenwriting in Paris class, with Kim Krizan (creative writing class) Paris Writing Workshops (summer learning-vacation classes) Before Sunrise (1995 movie) Before Sunset (2004 movie) Ethan Hawke (American actor and director) Julie Delpy (French actress and director) Richard Linklater (American filmmaker) Kristen "Kiki" Bush in People, Places & Things (2022 play at the Studio Theatre) Thoughts on watching the Before trilogy, 25 years on, by Rolf Potts (essay) BritRail (train pass in the UK) London A-Z (street atlas) Siouxsie and the Banshees (British rock band) Wembley Stadium (London venue) Continuous partial attention (behavior) Slacker (1990 film) Dazed and Confused (1993 film) Anaïs Nin (French-American diarist and novelist) Eurail Pass (train pass to 33 European countries) The Game Camera (trailer for 2025 short film made by Kiki and Rolf) Uncle Vanya (play by Anton Chekhov) Robert Falls (former artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theater) Melissa Fite Johnson (poet) The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel's 2017 album Lumber. Note: We don't host a “comments” section, but we're happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.

Chapters00:00Introduction and Connection02:26Real Estate Dreams and Retirement Plans04:48Adoption Story and Family Background07:27Understanding Sexuality and Identity09:54Coming Out and Family Dynamics12:35Spiritual Experiences and Past Lives15:07Reflections on Family Relationships17:59Life Lessons and Personal Growth21:52Adapting to New Environments23:34Pets and Their Needs24:21Relationships and Love25:22Career Transitions and Playwriting28:51The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Relationships31:55The Journey to Becoming a Playwright35:25Navigating the Film Industry38:35Upcoming Projects and Aspirations40:42Life Lessons and Philosophies43:42Reflections on Society and PoliticsSummary:In this episode, Stephen Druckman shares his personal journey from his early life in Boston to his successful career as a playwright. He discusses his family dynamics, coming out as gay, and the challenges he faced in his identity. Stephen reflects on his artistic philosophy, the importance of kindness, and his current projects, including a new play. The conversation touches on themes of love, acceptance, and the complexities of navigating life as an artist in today's world.Takeaways:Stephen's early life was marked by family challenges and adoption.He always knew he was different and gay from a young age.His journey into playwriting began as a way to express his identity.Stephen emphasizes the importance of kindness in life and art.He believes love is the core reason for our existence.His experiences in the theater have shaped his artistic philosophy.Stephen's new play explores themes of love and aging.He reflects on the impact of the AIDS crisis on his generation.The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in art.Stephen's insights on the current political climate reveal his concerns for the future.Bio:STEVEN DRUKMAN was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for his play Another Fine Mess (Portland Center Stage). His plays include Pru Payne (Arizona Theatre Company, SpeakEasy Stage in Boston, MA); Going to See the Kid (Merrimack Rep); Death of the Author (Geffen Playhouse, starring Austin Butler in his first stage role); The Prince of Atlantis (South Coast Rep); The Innocents (Asolo Rep); The Bullet Round (Arena Stage, Portland, OR); In this Corner (The Old Globe, winner of the San Diego Circle Best New Play Award); Going Native (Long Wharf Theatre); Flattery Will Get You (Connecticut Rep); and more. Drukman's work has been developed by the Mark Taper Forum, Manhattan Theatre Club, Intiman Theatre, Sundance Theatre Lab, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, and many others.  As a journalist, Drukman wrote for The New York Times for many years, as well as The Nation, The Village Voice, and International Herald Tribune.  He also served as the theatre reviewer for Artforum and WNYC-FM. As an actor, Drukman has been directed by Richard Foreman, Anne Bogart, Maria Irene Fornes and Arnold Wesker, and was a member of the Organic Theater Company in Chicago, where he won a Jeff Award. He received his Ph.D. from NYU, where he is an Associate Professor of playwriting.To contact Steven:To contact Wilkinson:  BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

During Mickey-Jo's most recent trip to New York, he had the privilege of sitting down to interview rising Broadway and Hollywood star Andrew Barth Feldman.Andrew made his Broadway debut in Dear Evan Hansen as a winner of the 2018 Jimmy Awards, and has since been seen on stage in Little Shop of Horrors and on screen in No Hard Feelings and Saturday Night.Andrew is currently appearing in WE HAD A WORLD at New York City Center, a critically acclaimed new play from Joshua Harmon presented by the Manhattan Theatre Club.Check out what he had to say about this emotionally revealing new play, the shows that brought him here, and his most iconic social media moments...•get tickets to see MickeyJoTheatre LIVE at the Phoenix Arts Club:https://phoenixartsclub.com/events/mickeyjotheatre-live/About Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 75,000 subscribers. Since establishing himself as a theatre critic he has been able to work internationally. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. He has also twice received accreditation from the world renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. He has been invited to speak to private tour groups, at the BEAM 2023 new musical theatre conference at Oxford Playhouse, and on a panel of critics at an event for young people considering a career in the arts courtesy of Go Live Theatre Projects. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre

In this Brush Pass episode of Brush Pass, Le Carre Cast and Barbican Station podcast host Jeff Quest, gives us the lowdown on two spy-related theatrical productions: 'Operation Mincemeat' and 'Dakar 2000'. Operation Mincemeat on Broadway John Golden Theatre   252 W. 45th St., New York, NY The stunning true story of a scheme every bit as dicey, daring, and ridiculous as opening a new musical on Broadway! The best-reviewed show in West End history is now on Broadway! 74 ★★★★★ Reviews and Counting! (which, according to our calculations, adds up to 370 stars) SYNOPSIS: It's 1943, and the Allied Forces are on the ropes. Luckily, they've got a trick up their sleeve. Well, not up their sleeve, per se, but rather inside the pocket of a stolen corpse. Equal parts farce, thriller, and Ian Fleming-style spy caper (with an assist from Mr. Fleming himself), Operation Mincemeat tells the wildly improbable and hilarious true story of the covert operation that turned the tide of WWII. SCHEDULE: March 25–30: Tuesday @7pm, Wednesday @2pm and 7:30pm, Thursday @7pm, Friday @7:30pm, Saturday @2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday @2pm Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission Dakar 2000 In Senegal on the eve of Y2K, an idealistic Peace Corps volunteer survives a mysterious car accident. An imposing State Department operative immediately takes command of the situation and his safety. Though they couldn't be more different, they form an unlikely relationship. But when it becomes clear that they both have secrets, the volunteer is roped into a darker side of public service – one he can't come back from. Unpredictable at every turn, this world-premiere thriller was commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club. Written by Rajiv Joseph (Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo; King James at MTC) and directed by May Adrales (Vietgone and Poor Yella Rednecks at MTC).   Have you watched Operation Mincemeat and/or Dakar 2000? What did you think? Let us know in the Spybrary community.

Joanna Gleason's career has been nothing short of legendary. Best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, she's graced Broadway in I Love My Wife, The Real Thing, Social Security, Nick & Nora, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Sons of the Prophet. Beyond the stage, her work spans film and television, with memorable roles in Boogie Nights, The Wedding Planner, Friends, The West Wing, and The Good Wife. But Joanna's artistry doesn't stop at performing—she's also a writer and director, drawn to storytelling in all its forms. In this episode, Joanna shares what brought her back to the stage in We Had a World, a deeply personal new play. She reflects on how her career has evolved, from shifting between stage and screen to stepping behind the camera as a director. We discuss the challenges of the industry, the changing role of social media, and why she believes in letting go of expectations. With humor and honesty, Joanna offers invaluable advice for artists at every stage of their journey, and we even play a fun round of "Plot in 60 Seconds" to wrap it all up. Joanna Gleason is a Tony Award-winning actress known for her iconic portrayal of the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, which also earned her Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. She has received multiple Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations throughout her career, with Broadway credits including I Love My Wife, The Real Thing, Social Security, Nick & Nora, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Sons of the Prophet. Her film and television work includes Boogie Nights, The Wedding Planner, The West Wing, Friends, and The Good Wife. In addition to acting, Joanna has expanded her creative career into writing and directing, with her feature film The Grotto winning awards on the festival circuit. She now returns to the stage in We Had a World, an intimate new play at Manhattan Theatre Club. Connect with Joanna: Instagram: @therealjoannagleason Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark-Eugene and David celebrate women in musical theatre, sharing their favorite writers and their impact. Later, David chats with Jennifer Ashley Tepper—acclaimed theatre historian, producer, and author—about her upcoming book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy That The History Books Left Out. Tepper, known for her work at 54 Below and productions like Be More Chill, highlights over 300 women who shaped Broadway, from Tin Pan Alley pioneers to today's trailblazers. She shares stories of icons like Betty Comden and Jeanine Tesori, as well as lesser-known but groundbreaking figures. Plus, Mark-Eugene and David tease an exciting partnership with Manhattan Theatre Club in the next episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen in as Jackson and Jacob discuss Sugar in Our Wounds by Donja R. Love. Love's play is both heart wrenching and beautiful. It's a moving portrait of vile oppression and meaningful love.   ------------------------------ Thanks for listening. Check out these other conversations on Sugar in Our Wounds:  Regina Victor's Review for Rescripted: https://rescripted.org/2019/10/28/sugar-wounds-fft/ Julinda D. Lewis' review: https://jdldancesrva.com/2022/05/23/sugar-in-our-wounds/ Footage from the Manhattan Theatre Club production with commentary from Stephanie Berry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1zTuKs3dt0 Post show interview at Manhattan Theatre Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aZzjtvmvoQ&list=PLVEQenvARs7GnhyKCoZ354NMCyfi4Vimt&index=10 ------------------------------ Please consider supporting us on Patreon. For as low as $1/month, you can help to ensure the No Script Podcast can continue.  https://www.patreon.com/noscriptpodcast  ----------------------------- We want to keep the conversation going! Have you read this play? Have you seen it? Comment and tell us your favorite themes, characters, plot points, etc. Did we get something wrong? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you. Find us on social media at:  Email: noscriptpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/No-Script-The-Podcast-1675491925872541/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noscriptpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/noscriptpodcast/ ------------------------------ Thanks so much for listening! We'll see you next week.

Listen: Lauren Class Schneider talks to Rajiv Joseph, playwright of Dakar 2000 premiering at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Rajiv Joseph. Credit – Rohit Chandra “Class Notes” actively covers New York's current theater season on, off, and off-offBroadway. Mia Barron and Abubakr Ali in Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere production of read more The post Class Notes: Rajiv Joseph “Dakar 2000” appeared first on BroadwayRadio.

This episode features a chat on the stage of Manhattan Theatre Club with playwright Jonathan Spector, and a check-in with Seattle Times arts writer Gemma Wilson.

Eureka Day is running on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through February 16th. Visit www.manhattantheatreclub.org for more information. Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.The Present Stage supports the national nonprofit Hear Your Song. If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org

Scott Killian has composed scores for Zvi Gotheiner (over 30 works), Shapiro & Smith Dance, Cherylyn Lavagnino, David Dorfman, Susan Marshall, Ralph Lemon, Bebe Miller, Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis. His works have been performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Limon Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, PACT Dance (South Africa), et al. Venues include The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, New York City Center, New York Live Arts, Jacob's Pillow, The Annenberg Center and many regional venues. As a dance musician, he is a regular accompanist at NYC's Gibney 890 Studios and NYU Tisch School of the Arts. As a composer and sound designer for theater, Scott has created works for over 120 professional productions in NYC and at many regional theaters. NYC theatrical venues include Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public Theater, New York Theater Workshop, MCC, Red Bull Theatre, Primary Stages and Rattlestick Theatre. Regional theatres include George Street Playhouse (over 25 productions); Berkshire Theatre Group (Resident Composer--over 50 productions), Alley Theatre (Houston), Shakespeare Theatre (DC), Seattle Repertory Theatre, A.C.T. (San Francisco). Cleveland Playhouse, Shakespeare and Company, Cincinnati Playhouse, Huntington Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Brad & Diego talk to long time friend, Actor, Musician, and Director of Production at The Manhattan Theatre Club about the ups and downs of giving it a go in Hollywood and how the rotten apple compares!Like our Podcast? Wanna Support with a Donation of any size?venmo - @BradAshtenWe thank you for your patronage & Keeping the arts alive!#actor #actress #director #producer #sound #lights #camera #action #directorofphotography #artists #musicians #hair #makeup #wardrobe #casting #castingdirector #models #stars #celebrities #music #performers #tv #film #radio #television #indiefilms #scripts #deadcelebs #toys #art #awards #sag #aftra #aea #unions #movies #theatre #arts #politics #mystery #thriller #drama #suspense #comedy #fightchoreography #stunts #universalstudios #warnerbros #dc #dccomics #comicbooks #writers #screenplay #hollywood #losangeles #california #newyork #industry #castingcouch #auditions #selftape #redcarpet #oscars #emmys #mtv #abc #nbc #sony #talk #chat #discuss #fun #energetic #unique #standup #comedians #dancer #soundmixer #nashville #europe #unitedstates #books #magazines #sports #athletes #magicians #poets #singer #famous 

How learning to apologize can upgrade your life.V (formerly Eve Ensler) is the Tony award-winning playwright, author, and activist. Her play The Vagina Monologues is an Obie award-winning, Olivier-nominated theatrical phenomenon that has been translated into 48 languages and performed in 140 countries. She is the author of numerous books, including the recently released bestseller Reckoning (2023), heralded by the Washington Post as “gutting and gorgeous.” Other best-selling books include The Apology (2019), translated into 20 languages, In the Body of the World, and The New York Times bestseller I Am an Emotional Creature. She starred on Broadway in The Good Body and, most recently Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club in the critically acclaimed In the Body of the World. She helped create That Kindness: Nurses in Their Own Words, presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music in collaboration with theaters across the US, as a tribute to nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. V is currently writing the story and co-writing lyrics for the musical Becoming (formerly WILD), which made its world premiere in December 2021 at The American Repertory Theater. She recently wrote This is Crazy, a play about mental illness commissioned by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Her film credits include The Vagina Monologues (HBO), What I Want My Words to Do to You (Executive Producer, Winner of the Sundance Film Festival Freedom of Expression Award, PBS), Mad Max: Fury Road (Consultant), and City of Joy documentary (Netflix). She is the founder of V-Day, the 26-year-old global activist movement that has raised over 120 million dollars to end violence against women, gender-expansive people, girls, and the planet—and founder of One Billion Rising, the largest global mass action to end gender-based violence in over 200 countries, as well as a co-founder of the City of Joy, a sanctuary and revolutionary center for women in the Congo who have survived sexual assault. She writes regularly for The Guardian. In this episode we talk about:V's 4-step process for making an apologyWhy she doesn't believe in forgivenessHer concept that the wound is the portalAnd much more. Related Episodes: What To Do When You're Angry | Matthew Brensilver, Vinny Ferraro, Kaira Jewel LingoSign up for Dan's newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/v-868See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Book a Free Consultation with Peter About Risa: For the past 4 decades Risa has worked consistently as a director, producer, casting director, writer, and teacher. She's had the great fortune to have collaborated with some of the most talented, passionate, and groundbreaking artists in the world. She's continued to move successfully from one arena to another – from theatre to film to television and back. With two feature films in her directorial body of work – the cult classic, 200 CIGARETTES, and more recently, THE CON ARTIST, made in Canada, Risa's also directed in television, including multiple episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE for the WB, and several shows for HBO, Lifetime, and Comedy Central. Risa's directed dozens of plays in New York (The Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club) and in Los Angeles. She calls The Ensemble Studio Theatre her original artistic home, where she's been a member in NY for over 40 years, producing and directing several years of the flagship festival MARATHON OF ONE-ACT PLAYS. And she founded EST-LA, a thriving Los Angeles theatre company. Some of her favorite director-playwright collaborations have been with Edward Allan Baker, John Shanley, Richard Greenberg, Bill Bozzone, Alan Zweibel, and Neil Cuthbert. In L.A. Risa founded and produced ACT ONE, a successful two-year festival of one-acts, in conjunction with Showtime Networks. As a founding Artistic Director of EST-LA, Risa worked with HBO, producing and directing a series of acclaimed one-acts for The Aspen Comedy Arts Festival. In her long association with HBO, starting in the early 80's as a talent scout for comedians, Risa co-produced two years of THE YOUNG COMEDIANS SHOW for the network. She was also a TV producer with The Carsey Werner Company.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Catherine Butterfield, author of the book, The Serpent and the Rose. Catherine was born in Manhattan but raised primarily in Minnesota and Massachusetts. (The Three M's) She was a skinny kid with miserable allergies and spent most of her youth indoors reading books. Her two biggest influences at that point were J.D. Salinger and Anne Frank. As an actress, she spent her early career acting regionally and then started writing for the stage. Her first break as a playwright came with the Manhattan Theatre Club production of JOINED AT THE HEAD, which she wrote and starred in, leading to other productions of her plays in the city and the beginnings of her TV career. Though relocated to Los Angeles, she never stopped writing plays; so far ten of them have been produced and published. During the pandemic she and husband RON WEST created over 60 short films for a series entitled LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN, which can be seen under her name on Youtube.  Recently, she has written her first novel, "The Serpent and the Rose," about the French queen Marguerite de Valois and her lifelong battle with her mother, Catherine de Medici. She lives in Santa Monica with Ron West and their cat, Pandita. Her daughter is the actress Audrey Corsa. In my book review, I stated that Marguerite began life as a French princess, became the Queen of Navarre through marriage, and chose to remove herself from that marriage as her husband became King of France. We follow Marguerite's life through journal entries, allowing us to see her dysfunctional family and the craziness of court life from her point of view. I loved that this was written in first person and in present tense - an unusual POV for a historical fiction novel - because I became quite attached to Marguerite and her quick wit and dry sense of humor. I typically do not care for books written about this period of time because I get slogged down in the details of a history I can't keep straight and names that mean nothing to me. However, Butterfield did an amazing job keeping readers engaged with salient facts, a quick tempo, and dashes of humor. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and a good laugh. You can follow Author Catherine Butterfield: Website: www.catherinebutterfield.com FB: @catherine.butterfield.129 IG: @catherine.butterfield LinkedIn: @Catherine Butterfield YouTube: @catherinebutterfield6347   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   #catherinebutterfield #theserpentandtherose #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

In this episode, we discuss the Tony nominated best play MARY JANE starring Rachel McAdams. Please note that this episode will contain spoilers about the show. If you haven't seen the show yet, you can catch MARY JANE playing at Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, and YouTube. Please share your thoughts on MARY JANE on our podcast cover post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we are joined by two time Obie Award winner, Brenda Wehle!  Brenda is currently starring in Mary Jane at MTC and has a long career not only in theater but tv and film as well.  We talk with Brenda about Mary Jane, her experience with the show and what she hopes the audience takes away from it.  We also talk to her about some of her career highlights, the importance of theater etiquette and much more!Don't miss seeing Brenda in Mary Jane at MTC until June 30th!

IT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR: Deutero-Fung, a mold spore with big ideas, attempts to rally his fellow mold spores into blooming immediately and take over the apartment-verse, but Hyphae-Fung, a mold spore with even bigger ideas, warns the community that blooming early will be a mistake. Look out! Cuz it's Happening in your Refrigerator! Written by Greg Kotis Directed by Jonathan Cook Performed by Sol Baird as "Deutero-Fung"; Brad King as "Hyphae-Fung"; and the cast of Urinetown the Musical at Le Chat Noir Theatre as the mold spore community. Intro/Outro music: JK/47 About the writer: GREG KOTIS is a two time Tony™ Award winning author of many plays and musicals including Urinetown (Book/Lyrics), The End of All Flesh, I Am Nobody, The Truth About Santa, The Sting (Lyrics), Lunchtime, Give the People What They Want, Michael von Siebenburg Melts Through the Floorboards, Yeast Nation (Book/Lyrics), Pig Farm, Eat the Taste, and Jobey and Katherine. His work has been produced and developed in theaters across the country and around the world, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, American Theater Company, The Apollo (West End), The Brick, the Eugene O'Neill National Theater Conference, The Geva Center, Goodspeed, Musicals, Henry Miller's Theatre (Broadway), Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Stage and Film, New Line Theatre, The Old Globe, Perseverance Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Soho Rep, South Coast Rep, The Saint James (Off West End), The Tank, and Village Theatre, among others. Future projects include ZM, an original musical about teenaged fast-food workers trying to survive a zombie plague. Greg co-founded Theater of The Apes with his wife Ayun Halliday (www.theater-of-the-apes.com), and is a member of the Neo-Futurists, the Cardiff Giant Theater Company, ASCAP, and the Dramatists Guild. He grew up in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, lives in New York City, and is the proud father of India and Milo. You can watch the full video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@GatherbytheGhostLight Gather by the Ghost Light merch is available at www.ghostlightpubs.com (Ghost Light Publications) If you would like to further support this podcast, please visit Gather by the Ghost Light is increasing public knowledge of emerging writers and actors (buymeacoffee.com) If you enjoy this podcast, please please please leave a rating on your preferred podcast app! For more info or if you wish to contact us, please visit www.gatherbytheghostlight.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doubt runs at the Todd Haimes Theatre on Broadway until April 21st. Find out more at www.roundabouttheatre.org.Brooklyn Laundry runs off-Broadway at City Center Stage I until April 14th. Find out more at www.manhattantheatreclub.com.  Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.The Present Stage supports the national nonprofit Hear Your Song. If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org

Hello and welcome to Season 13! This season is different because ½ of the 8 episodes are going to be focused on AI. However, there are a few episodes that aren't focused on AI including today's. While understanding AI is important, we also need the EQ that occurs in between skilling up and one of those huge skills is navigating difficult conversations. As Jennifer says, contact and context before content! This episode is the pep talk you perhaps didn't even know you needed. Jennifer empowers us to tackle our challenges head on, eliminate negative self talk,  and take care of ourselves throughout the process. We go through three real life examples and Jennifer talks through how she would handle them. These examples were submitted by real life listeners with their real life challenges. Jennifer Zaslow is an Executive Coach who believes that harnessing your full potential begins with finding your voice. She began her professional life in New York as an aspiring opera singer, an experience that led to a twenty year career as a leader and senior fundraiser in the non-profit sector.  Today, as Partner at Clear Path Executive Coaching, Jennifer's signature mix of intuition, directness and humor enables her to work successfully with clients ranging from CEO's to young leaders, helping individuals to reach their full potential, and organizations to achieve their strategic goals.   Jennifer has worked with leaders and teams from a wide variety of sectors, including higher ed (Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania), arts and culture (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Public Library, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, BAM, The High Line), sports/media/entertainment (The NFL, Sundance Institute, BuzzFeed, WNYC, KCRW) and tech/startups (Google, CHIEF, Angi, and TodayTix).   Prior to coaching, Jennifer held the chief development officer role at three New York City cultural institutions: Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City Opera, and The New York Public Library.  There, she successfully completed a $500 million capital campaign during the 2008 recession and grew the Library's endowment to over $1 billion.    Jennifer holds a B.A. cum laude from Wesleyan University and a CPCC coaching certification from CTI. She is certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, is a Gallup Clifton Strengths Coach and is a recipient of Harvard Law School's PON certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. She is also Director of the Floria Lasky Institute for Arts Leadership, sponsored by The Jerome Robbins Foundation.  She lives and practices in New York City. Resources: 1. Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury 2. Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen 3. Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory 4. How to Work with Anyone (even difficult people) by Amy Gallo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/devdebrief/support

Two great interviews on this episode of the podcast. First up, Top Gun and ER star, Anthony Edwards is back on Broadway in the new play Prayer For The French Republic. Tamsen catches up with Anthony at Manhattan Theatre Club. And later, Shaina Taub makes history. She's just the second woman ever to write the book, music, and lyrics, AND star in her own Broadway musical. Beth Stevens catches up with Shaina.

In this episode, we discuss Manhattan Theatre Club's production of PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, written by Joshua Harmon and directed by David Cromer. We dive into the show's compelling plot, the masterful direction, standout performances, and stunning design, sharing our personal experiences and delving into the show's marketing. Join us as we explore our final thoughts on this thought-provoking piece. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for all things theatre, and if you're interested in seeing the show, you can find tickets here. Support the show If you liked this episode, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review. Share your thoughts with us on this episode below: On Instagram: @halfhourpodcast On TikTok: @halfhourpodcast On our website: www.twoworldsentertainmentllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Jennifer chats with Kel Haney all about fundraising. Kel shares what led her from being a theater director in NYC to becoming a fundraising coach, consultant, and trainer. She gives insights on transforming the often uncomfortable process of fundraising into an opportunity for building meaningful relationships, empasizing that anyone can fundraise successfully, even without a background in sales or fundraising, by passionately sharing what they love. Kel offers tools on navigating the complexities of fundraising, including handling rejection, building genuine connections, leading from abundance and finding a comfortable stretch, and embracing the power of storytelling. They discuss the importance of leading from vulnerability, curiosity, passion, and confidence.  About Kel: Kel Haney is a Maine & NYC-based fundraising coach, consultant, & trainer. Before turning to fundraising full-time, she spent 20 years as a theater director and her fundraising methodology is based on how she led a rehearsal room: focusing on what makes each of us unique and engaging. She's personally made over 20,000 fundraising "asks" and trained non-profit orgs to raise over $15M (primarily in donations under $2K), which inspired her 5-Minute Fundraising Ask Training Program. Kel's work boils down to “Taking the Ick out of the Ask”: she's passionate about shifting fundraising conversations away from transactional encounters and toward relationship-building opportunities. Kel's worked with such organizations as: Berkshire Theatre Group, The Glimmerglass Festival, MCC Theatre, Signature Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, Marin Theatre Company, BroadwayUnlocked, American Composers Forum, and RIP Medical Debt. Kel's IG: @kelhaney Kel's LInkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney Download “8 Phrases NOT to use in Fundraising" Guide: www.kelhaney.com/freebie-8-phrases Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com

In this week's episode, we dissect the layers of Manhattan Theatre Club's "JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING". We scrutinize the plot's complex dynamics and expound upon its pertinence in the current theatrical sphere. Whitney White's direction is examined in detail; her skilled hand deftly animates Jocelyn Bioh's nuanced script. The performances of Brittany Adebumola, Maechi Aharanwa, Rachel Christopher, Kalyne Coleman, Somi Kakoma, Lakisha May, Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Dominique Thorne, and Zanzi Williams are spotlighted, their collective prowess significantly enhancing the production. We further extrapolate on the intended audience and the show's broader appeal. Whether you're a seasoned theatre-goer or just dipping your toes in, this episode is a trove of insightful commentary. Tune in and enrich your understanding of this compelling production. Support the show If you liked this episode, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review. Share your thoughts with us on this episode below: On Instagram: @halfhourpodcast On TikTok: @halfhourpodcast On our website: www.twoworldsentertainmentllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabriel Barre is an American director and actor. Best known for creating original musicals, his work has been seen on Broadway, throughout the United States, and across four continents internationally. Gabriel directed the Broadway production of Amazing Grace, which also toured the country and was a sit-down production at the new Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC in 2019. In New York City, he is known for his off-Broadway work: he directed the original production of Andrew Lippa's, The Wild Party at the Manhattan Theatre Club starring Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Brian Darcy James and Julia Murney. He was awarded the Calloway Award for Best Direction, and was nominated for five Outer Critics Circle Awards and thirteen Drama Desk Awards, both including Best Direction of a Musical. He directed the original production of John Cariani's Almost, Maine at the Daryl Roth Theatre, which has become one of the most frequently produced plays in the United States with over 4000 productions to date. It has been translated into a dozen languages and recently unseated Shakespeare as the most produced play in North American high schools. Other Off-Broadway productions include a new adaptation of Cyrano De Bergerac at the St. Clement's Theatre, using the Anthony Burgess translation, brought to life by a cast of only eight actors and featuring direction by Barre (who also appeared in the leading role), action direction by Rick Sordelet and an original musical score by Alexander Sovronsky, performed live, by the actor/musician cast.  He also directed the original productions of Summer of '42 at the Variety Arts Theatre, Honky Tonk Highway at Don't Tell Mama (winner of a MAC Award and Bistro Award for Best Review), Stars in Your Eyes at the Cherry Lane Theatre, Andrew Lippa's, john & jen at the Lamb's Theatre and Son Of A Gun at the Samuel Beckett Theater. Tricia Paoluccio is a multi talented actor, unique visual artist, and creator. Growing up on an almond farm in Modesto, CA, with an inventor as a father and school teacher mother, Tricia moved to NYC and sold her art on the street before she could make a living as an actor. Since making her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, she has worked consistently in NY theatre on Broadway and off, in television and film. As a visual artist, Tricia has been commissioned to create botanical designs for luminaries in the fashion, publishing, and music industries. As a creator she has created and produced an optioned web-series, and, during the pandemic, cowrote a show in which she will star, premiering this Fall of 2022, where she gets to play her lifelong idol: Dolly Parton. This show, entitled Here You Come Again, was approved by Dolly, who has given Tricia permission to play her and given the creative team the world wide grand rights to all of her music. She divides her time between her California farm and NYC, where she lives with her two sons and husband, director Gabriel Barre. She is passionate about prison reform, having spent a dozen years serving as a volunteer chaplain at Manhattan Detention Center. Bruce Vilanch is an American comedy writer, songwriter and actor. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winner. Vilanch is best known to the public for his four-year stint on Hollywood Squares, as a celebrity participant; behind the scenes he was head writer for the show. In 2000, he performed off-Broadway in his self-penned one-man show, Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous.

Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews  and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.Jaja's African Hair Braiding, a production of Manhattan Theatre Club, is running on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman  Theatre until November 5th. Find out more at www.manhattantheatreclub.org.The Present Stage supports the national nonprofit Hear Your Song. If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.The Present Stage supports the national nonprofit Hear Your Song. If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org

Liz Carlson (elizabethjcarlson.com) is an NYC-based creative producer and director committed to the development of new stories. Prior to stepping in as Interim Artistic Director, Liz produced and directed with NYSAF in various capacities over the past 15 years, notably as the full-time Artistic Producer for the past seven, supporting artists such as César Alvarez, Jaki Bradley, Lyndsey Bourne, Lily Houghton, Keelay Gipson, Jessica Huang, Melissa Li & Kit Yan, Don Nguyen, Brian Quijada & Nygel D. Robinson, Kirya Traber, Lauren Yee, and hundreds more. Liz also served as the Artistic Director for the new works incubator Naked Angels from 2013-2016. As a director, Liz has developed plays and musicals with Ars Nova, The Dramatists' Guild, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Flea, Keen Company, Manhattan School of Music, Manhattan Theatre Club, The New Group, Playwrights Horizons, The Playwrights Realm, Signature Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and more. Upcoming directing projects include a new-play workshop with Minita Gandhi at Berkeley Rep's The Ground Floor, and the final installment of a musical podcast with the Drama Desk-nominated folk band The Lobbyists. MFA The New School for the Performing Arts, Drama. Recipient of The Drama League Fellowship. 

Performance is as much science as it is art says this week's guest, Javier Muñoz. But Javier also knows that the Universe is vast and always looking out for him.  Javier is one of the kindest, most sincere people on Broadway and this conversation is filled with beautiful moments so don't miss a second. With stage credits that include the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival's off-Broadway show hit All Is Love, In the Heights, and of course Hamilton (where he took over for Lin-Manual Miranda and earned the title of “Sexy Hamilton”). TV and film credits include of course the 2021 release of In the Heights, Blindspot, Odd Mom Out, Shadow Vaults, Eureka!, Central Park, Quantico, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He is now starring alongside Jessie Mueller in My Heart Says Go, a musical concept album which is available for streaming now.  Connect with Javier on Instagram and listen to My Heart Says Go! Don't forget to catch the companion podcast Javier did on The Theatre Podcast With Alan Seales as well. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS: Although Javier is the youngest of three, he didn't reap the benefits of that position. From an early age, Javier recorded “Fame” and learned the dance moves and mashed them with popular music, and created his own music videos. In 5th grade, Javier went on his first camping trip and discovered a true night sky filled with stars and it fully changed him. From there his dream was Astro Physicist and study Astronomy. Science is just exploration, curiosity, and asking questions and that's exactly was a good actor does with a script. Javier was a first-generation college student. Mentors are, literally, everything! It took Javier a long time to become introspective and really look inside himself. In 2002 Javier got HIV and couldn't book a gig for anything so he quit the business and took a job at a high-end restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. He decided to do this one last show that his friend Josh has written and while in the rehearsal room, he meets someone who wants him to audition for In The Heights. He agrees to do two weeks at Manhattan Theatre Club. Unfortunately, his part in the show got cut and this lead to him taking over the lead after Lin-Manuel Miranda Next thing you know Lin-Manuel Miranda put Javier through “rap school.” When it came time for Hamilton, Javier and Lin teamed up again to create the character of Alexander Hamilton. Javier got a direct offer to do My Heart Says Go and he took it without even seeing the music and script. Whatever you chose is right, because you chose it. When things don't work out or go my way I really do trust that it's for a reason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The actor, director, teacher, and author, John Shepard, began his professional career at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he was a company member for 4 seasons. Subsequently moving to New York, he worked in regional theatres like The Long Wharf, Yale Rep, Barter Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and many others. Off Broadway, he performed at The Manhattan Theatre Club, Soho Rep, The Public Theatre, Lamb's Theatre, and others. On Broadway, he worked in American Buffalo with Al Pacino, in which he also toured the U.S. and played on London's West End, and John also appeared in A View from the Bridge.             Career highlights include the stage version of George Orwell's 1984, in which John played Winston Smith, at the Wilma Theatre, Kennedy Center and Joyce Theatre, and the world premiere of Eduardo Machado's Fabiola at the Theatre for a New City.            John spent time in L.A. pursuing TV and Film work, appearing in many episodic TV series including L.A. Law, Spenser: For Hire, Dallas, Quantum Leap and others. John's feature film credits include Sneakers and Patriot Games.             After receiving an MFA in Acting from Cal State University, Long Beach, John became a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and finally at Point Park University, where he taught for over 20 years and was the Theatre Department Chair for 10 years. John's book “Auditioning and Acting for the Camera” is used throughout the country. Backstage Magazine named it one of “11 Amazing Books for the On-Camera Actor.”            John remains active in the Pittsburgh theater and film community, appearing in many plays for The REP, City Theatre, Quantum, PICT and the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Highlights include playing Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman for the REP, (for which the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette named him Performer of the Year), and Ralph in A Christmas Story at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre.             John has also directed numerous productions, including August Osage County for Point Park's professional theatre company, The REP, and Tamara for Quantum; both were named best productions in their respective years by the Post-Gazette.            While in Pittsburgh, he's appeared in TV shows like: A League of Their Own and The Chair, and in Films like The Race, Fathers and Daughters, Homemakers, and The Deliverance directed by Lee Daniels.

Alex Brightman is a two-time Tony-nominated actor for his performances in Beetlejuice the Musical and School of Rock. Other Broadway credits include Matilda, Big Fish, & Glory Days. Most recently, Alex was seen on stage in Lewberger's The Wizard of Friendship as Ketih's Dad. You can also hear him on the upcoming cast recording of The Wizard of Friendship as Flim Flam the Sausage Man. Alex can be seen on the current (and final) season of The Blacklist on NBC as forensic analyst Herbie Hambright. Other TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Documentary Now!, The Good Fight, Blue Bloods, and Important Things w/ Demetri Martin. Alex is the voice of Pugsley/Temeluchus on the acclaimed Netflix animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park. Other cartoon credits include Helluva Boss, Teen Titans Go!, and the upcoming Scooby Doo and the Haunted High Rise. As a writer, Alex has developed series with NBC, Universal Studios, 20th Century, and Warner Brothers. He is currently developing Cleaners, an animated musical comedy, with his writing partner (and Spamalot cast mate) Nik Walker, and Singular, a New York romantic comedy, with 20th Century Studios. Alex's play, Everything Is Fine, recently received a developmental reading/workshop at Manhattan Theatre Club (directed by Cynthia Nixon), and is expected to have its world premiere in 2024. Alex lives in New York City and has a dog named Kevin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyna Majok was recently nominated for a Tony award for her riveting, profound and funny play "Cost of Living." The play delves into the lengths we go to care for others and what it means to fight for ourselves. Presented by Manhattan Theatre Club, "Cost of Living" was nominated for five Tony Awards and has already won a 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Martyna's work, which also includes the plays "Sanctuary City," "Queens" and "Ironbound," has been performed in theaters around the world. Martyna is currently writing a musical adaptation of "The Great Gatsby," with music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews  and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.King James is playing off-Broadway at New York City Center Stage I, a production of Manhattan Theatre Club. Find out more at www.manhattantheatreclub.org.If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.The Present Stage supports the national nonprofit Hear Your Song. If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org

After a long hiatus, we return with an interview with veteran stage, TV, and film actor: Reed Birney! Since his Broadway debut in 1976, Reed has graced many a stage and screen. He won a Tony award in 2016 for his portrayal of the dad, Erik Blake, in Stephan Karam's The Humans. You've seen him in one of his many roles on Broadway and off. Or perhaps in his more recent film work, including: The Menu and Mass.In this episode, Rachel & Reed talk about:the three times Reed has tried to leave the businessthe challenges that came with his "big breaks" early onand advice he'd give to his younger selfIf you're craving more conversations about theater, check out Rachel's conversations with the artists over at Manhattan Theatre Club; most recently with Rajiv Joseph. ---Intro music by: David HilowitzSupport the show

Actor, producer, and current Co-Artistic Director at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago Glenn Davis joined us to talk about Rajiv Joseph's "King James," directed by Kenny Leon. The play is having its New York debut as Manhattan Theatre Club presents Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Center Theatre Group's "King James” off-Broadway at City Center.

The 76th Annual Tony Awards will be given on June 11 and friend of the station Jessica Hecht is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her portrayal of Alice in Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn's “Summer, 1976.”

Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews  and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.Summer, 1976 is playing on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Find out more at www.manhattantheatreclub.comIf you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org  Follow The Present Stage on Instagram at @thepresentstageThe Present Stage: Conversations with Theater Writers is hosted by Dan Rubins, a theater critic for Slant Magazine. You can also find Dan's reviews on Cast Album Reviews and in The New Yorker's Briefly Noted column.The Present Stage supports the national nonprofit Hear Your Song. If you'd like to learn more about Hear Your Song and how to support empowering youth with serious illnesses to make their voices heard though songwriting, please visit www.hearyoursong.org

On Season 3, Episode 5 of The Art Career Podcast, Emily McElwreath interviews Jeremy Blocker, director of New York Theatre Workshop. Jeremy Blocker began his tenure at New York Theatre Workshop in 2014 and has overseen more than thirty productions, stewarding the growth of NYTW's annual operating budget and significantly increasing the Workshop's reserve funds to secure the financial future of the organization. He also led the effort to create NYTW's most recent strategic plan which has seen an expansion of the season to five productions, a 200% increase in artist compensation over the five year plan, the launch of a paid, year-long 2050 Administrative Fellowship, and the renovation of NYTW's 4th Street Theatre.  Prior to arriving at NYTW, Jeremy served as the first Managing Director of Ars Nova, New York's premiere hub for new talent, where he produced six world premiere productions including the Obie Award-winning Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, seven festivals, and dozens of concerts, readings and workshops. He has also previously served as Director of Individual Giving at Manhattan Theatre Club, Development Associate for Capital Projects at Atlantic Theater Company, and Producing Director of Babel Theatre Project, which he co-founded. Jeremy is an Assistant Adjunct Professor of Theatre Management and Producing at Columbia University's School of the Arts and holds a BA from Harvard University and an MFA from Columbia. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit ⁠⁠⁠BetterHelp.com/TAC ⁠⁠⁠today and get 10% off your first month. ⁠⁠⁠theartcareer.com⁠⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠@theartcareer⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jeremy : ⁠⁠@jwblocker Follow New York Theatre Workshop: ⁠@nytw79 Podcast host: ⁠⁠⁠@emilymcelwreath_art⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠@lilap3arl⁠⁠⁠ Music: Chase Johnson Editing: ⁠@benjamin.galloway

BiographyJennie helps people find their voice. Whether in a corporate or studio setting, customized group workshops, or one-to-one coaching sessions, she empowers her clients to discover, create, and deliver magnetic messages. She has worked with professionals across a wide range of industries, from executives and their safety teams at a steel manufacturer in the Midwest to global nonprofits working to tell the stories and change the lives of those they serve to technologists leading innovation in Silicon Valley. She uses her years of experience as a professional actor and coach to identify clients' core strengths, teach vital communication skills, refine essential content, and utilize all to enable conversations that unite speakers and listeners. She is a graduate of the 2021 Applied Compassion Training, part of the CCARE program at Stanford, and is certified as a Print coach and Crucial Conversations trainer, valuable resources which influence her work. Jennie works with global leaders and teams both virtually and in face-to-face sessions. Representative clients include SAP, Mercedes Benz Research and Development North America, Steel Dynamics Inc., Americas' SAP Users' Group (ASUG), JLL, Heartland Alliance, Gads Hill Chicago, Women in Bio, Public Communications Inc. (PCI), Dominican University, speakers for TEDx, and the School, Institute of Design at Stanford. As an actor, Jennie has worked extensively on stage, film, and television. In New York, she acted at Manhattan Theatre Club, Second Stage, and Minetta Lane. In Chicago, she has performed at Steppenwolf, the Goodman Theatre, and Victory Gardens. She has done numerous commercials, episodic television shows (Law and Order, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med), and independent films. She has taught actors at Acting Studio Chicago, Victory Gardens Theatre, and Act One Studios.LACC: Contact@LACCinc.com Innovative SimSolutions Your turnkey solution provider for medical simulation programs, sim centers & faculty design.Innovative SimSolutions.Your turnkey solution provider for medical simulation programs, sim centers & faculty design.

Tony Award Winning Playwright Itamar Moses stopped by Playwright's Spotlight. Chock full of humorous moments, Itamar shares his experience adapting the cherished animated film An American Tale for the stage, children's ability to suspend disbelief, and avoiding dumbing down the material for a younger audience. We also discuss when it's time for a table read and recognizing when the pace is slowing down during the developmental process. In addition, we talk about the impact of Tony Kushner's Angels in America in Itamar's playwriting career, his journey through NYU and pathway to the Tony's, craft vs voice and ambition, how to make something work, and the importance of always getting the story right first. We close the conversation with getting commissioned and what it entails as well as the death of theatre. I hope you enjoy this latest episode with Itamar Moses.Itamar Moses is the Tony-winning author of the full-length plays OUTRAGE, BACH AT LEIPZIG, CELEBRITY ROW, THE FOUR OF US, YELLOWJACKETS, BACK BACK BACK, COMPLETENESS, and THE WHISTLEBLOWER, the evening of short plays LOVE/STORIES (OR BUT YOU WILL GET USED TO IT), and the musicals NOBODY LOVES YOU (with Gaby Alter), FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE (with Michael Friedman), and THE BAND'S VISIT (with David Yazbek). His work has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway and elsewhere in New York, at regional theatres across the country and in Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Venezuela, Turkey and Chile, and is published by Faber & Faber and Samuel French. He's received new play commissions from The McCarter, Playwrights Horizons, Berkeley Rep, The Wilma Theater, South Coast Rep, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, and The Goodman. He holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU and has taught playwriting at Yale and NYU. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and is a New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect. To view the video format of this episode, visit the link below -https://youtu.be/XX_jOKvh3lgLinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - Children's Theatre Company -https://childrenstheatre.org/NYU -https://www.nyu.eduHangar Theatre -https://hangartheatre.orgPortland Center Stage -https://www.pcs.orgManhatten Theatre Club -https://www.manhattantheatreclub.comPlaywrights Horizons -https://www.playwrightshorizons.orgBerkley Rep -https://www.berkeleyrep.orgSloan Foundation - https://sloan.orgDrama Book Shop -https://dramabookshop.comWebsites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's SpotlightPunk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show

Today I'm joined by legendary character actor William Fichtner. I had him on the show to discuss his latest film 88. Having appeared in a wide range of films along with television and theater roles over the course of his career, William Fichtner continues to carve out a distinctive reputation as one of our most versatile and talented actors, whether in comedy or drama, action or character study. He is one of Hollywood's most distinct and familiar faces. Fichtner can next be seen in the Robert Rodriguez feature film Hypnotic alongside Ben Affleck and Alice Braga, and in 88 directed by Thomas Ikimi. Other recent films include The Birthday Cake, co-starring Ewan McGregor and Val Kilmer; The Space Between, opposite Kelsey Grammer and directed by Rachel Winter; Jack & Josie directed by Sarah Lancaster; Armed, written and directed by Mario Van Peebles; Finding Steve McQueen with Forest Whitaker, and opposite Jeffery Wright in the indie feature O.G. directed by Madeleine Sackler that premiered on HBO. Fichtner also starred alongside Jon Voight in the indie feature American Wrestler: The Wizard; Krystal directed by William H. Macy, and produced and starred in the indie feature The Neighbor. Pivoting to the other side of the camera, Fichtner directed, produced, co-wrote, and starred in his feature film Cold Brook shot mostly in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. Segueing between television and feature films, Fichtner led an ensemble cast in the original first 2 seasons of the international crime series Crossing Lines. He recurred on HBO's Entourage from 2009-2011 and played ‘FBI Agent Alexander Mahone' for three seasons on Fox's hit drama series, Prison Break. William recently played Adam on CBS's hit show Mom opposite Allison Janney, from creator Chuck Lorre. William can now be seen in the Peacock limited series Joe vs Carol where he stars alongside Kate McKinnon and John Cameron Mitchell. Other feature films include 12 Strong for producer Jerry Bruckheimer; Independence Day:Resurgence directed by Roland Emmerich; Paramount's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; director Gore Verbinski's The Lone Ranger and Neil Blomkamp's Elysium. He also co-starred in writer-director Paul Haggis' Academy Award-winning Crash. For his performance in that film, he shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a Feature Film. Other film credits include Drive Angry for director Patrick Lussier; Shawn Levy's Date Night; Blades of Glory with Will Ferrell; Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight; the remake of The Longest Yard; the comedy The Amateurs with Jeff Bridges; Rodrigo Garcia's Nine Lives; Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down; What's The Worst That Could Happen; Wolfgang Peterson's The Perfect Storm; Drowning Mona; Ultraviolet and Equilibrium, both for writer-director Kurt Wimmer; Armageddon directed by Michael Bay; Michael Mann's Heat; Robert Zemeckis' Contact; Doug Liman's Go; Strange Days directed by Katherine Bigelow; Passion of Mind; Steven Soderbergh's The Underneath; Agnieszka Holland's Julie Walking Home and The Settlement with John C. Reilly, among many others. As a member of the Circle Repertory Theatre, Fichtner won critical acclaim for his role in The Fiery Furnace, directed by Norman Rene. Other stage credits include Raft of the Medusa at the Minetta Lane Theatre, The Years at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Clothes for a Summer Hotel at the Williamstown Theatre festival and Machinal at The Public Theatre. 88 is currently available on VOD. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/followingfilms/support

Brinda Dixit is an exciting multi-ethnic young actress whose work spans mediums, continents, and languages. Best known for her roles as Sarah Jane Patel in Hallmark's Redemption in Cherry Springs, Brinda has played key roles in the Amazon Prime India pilot Breakfast in Bangalore, James Franco's Sleepaway Slasher, and can be seen in the upcoming Magic Hour starring the dashing Miriam Shor.Her stage work includes the world premieres of Manhattan Theatre Club's India Pale Ale and Mike Lew/Rehana Mirza's Bhangin' It in New York City.Born in California and a graduate of the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts drama program, she was hand-selected to take part in London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts' Shakespeare in Performance and NYU Florence's Commedia Dell'Arte programs where her strong yet soft, playful yet focused work received numerous accolades.She is fluent in Spanish and Hindi, and regularly performs Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance-drama of which she is a 4th generation practitioner. She just minted her first NFT, a music video she sang and acted in.#mmfcpodcast #brindadixit

Tracy Brigden is the Senior Artistic Producer at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. She has over 20 years of experience in off-Broadway and regional theater as a dynamic artistic leader with an extensive knowledge of the new play development and production process, as well as strong, long term relationships with major American and international playwrights, composers, actors, directors, designers and other theatre artists. As a director she has a demonstrated history of creating world-class, acclaimed and notable productions, particularly new plays and musicals, including numerous world premiere productions. Tracy served as Artistic Director at City Theatre Company in Pittsburgh for 16 years, leading the company to its prominent and respected place as a major incubator and producer of new plays and musicals. As a freelance director, she has worked around the country, principally on new plays. Prior to City Theatre, Tracy served on the artistic staffs of Manhattan Theatre Club and Hartford Stage Co. She studied theatre for her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing from Point Park University. 

In this episode, Adam and Budi speak with the Head of the Drama Division at Juilliard, Evan Yionoulis.Evan Yionoulis, an Obie award-winning director and nationally-recognized teacher of acting, is  Richard Rodgers dean and director of Juilliard's Drama Division.  Before that, she served twenty years on the faculty of Yale School of Drama, where she was a professor in the practice of acting and directing and a resident director at Yale Repertory Theatre, as well as Lloyd Richards chair of the department of acting from 1998 to 2003. She has directed new plays and classics in New York and across the U.S., enjoying collaborations with major American playwrights, including Adrienne Kennedy and Richard Greenberg. She directed the critically acclaimed world premiere of Kennedy's He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box for Theatre for a New Audience, where she previously directed her Ohio State Murders (Lortel Award for Best Revival) and the Off-Broadway premiere of Howard Brenton's Sore Throats.  She opened Manhattan Theatre Club's Biltmore Theatre (Broadway) with Greenberg's The Violet Hour, directed his Everett Beekin at Lincoln Center Theater, and received an Obie Award for her direction of his Three Days of Rain at Manhattan Theatre Club, having directed the premieres of all three at South Coast Repertory.   At Yale Repertory Theatre, she directed Cymbeline, Richard II, The Master Builder, George F. Walker's Heaven, Brecht's Galileo, Gozzi's The King Stag (which she adapted with her brother, composer Mike Yionoulis and Catherine Sheehy), Caryl Churchill's Owners, the world premiere of Kirsten Greenidge's Bossa Nova, and numerous other productions including Kiss, by Guillermo Calderón. Other credits include productions at the Mark Taper Forum, the Huntington, NY Shakespeare Festival, the Vineyard, Second Stage, Primary Stages, Dallas Theatre Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Denver Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and many others.  She directed Seven, a documentary theatre piece about extraordinary women from across the globe who work for human rights, in New York, Boston, Washington, Aspen, London, Deauville, and New Delhi. Her short film, Lost and Found, made with Mike Yionoulis, premiered at Cleveland International Film Festival.  Their most recent collaborations are the multi-platform project Redhand Guitar, about five generations of musicians across an American century, and The Dread Pirate Project, about the malleability of identity between the digital and natural worlds.She has received a Princess Grace Foundation Fellowship, Works-in-Progress Grant, and the foundation's prestigious Statuette. She serves as president of the executive board of SDC, the labor union representing stage directors and choreographers. Support the showIf you enjoyed this week´s podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. To submit a question: Voice- http://www.speakpipe.com/theatreofothers Email- podcast@theatreofothers.com Support the Theatre of Others - Check out our Merch!Show Credits Co-Hosts: Adam Marple & Budi MillerProducer: Jack BurmeisterMusic: https://www.purple-planet.comAdditional compositions by @jack_burmeister

This week we bring you the Broadway and Pop music conversation featuring a deep dive into Manhattan Theatre Club's "The Collaboration". New pop albums: Sam Smith's "Gloria" and Ava Max's "Diamonds and Dancefloors" and lastly, the long-anticipated music video for Taylor Swift's "Lavender Haze." Our POP MUSIC DROP playlist has also been updated. Please follow the playlist here. If you liked this episode, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review. Share your thoughts with us on this episode below:On Instagram: @halfhourpodcastOn TikTok: @halfhourpodcastOn our website: www.twoworldsentertainmentllc.com

The transcript for this episode is available here. Ryan J. Haddad is an actor, playwright, and autobiographical performer based in New York. His acclaimed solo play Hi, Are You Single? was presented in The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival and continues to tour the country. Other New York credits include My Straighties (Ars Nova/ANT Fest), Noor and Hadi Go to Hogwarts (Theater Breaking Through Barriers), and the cabaret Falling for Make Believe (Joe's Pub/Under the Radar). Regional theatre: The Maids, Lucy Thurber's Orpheus in the Berkshires (Williamstown Theatre Festival), and Hi, Are You Single? (Guthrie Theater, Cleveland Play House, Williamstown Theatre Festival). He has a recurring role on the Netflix series "The Politician." Additional television: "Bull," "Madam Secretary," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." Haddad is a recipient of IAMA Theatre Company's Shonda Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting Commission and Rising Phoenix Repertory's Cornelia Street American Playwriting Award. His work has been developed with The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Noor Theatre, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Primary Stages, and Pride Plays. His writing has been published in the New York Times, Out Magazine, and American Theatre. Ryan is an alum of The Public Theater's Emerging Writers Group and a former Queer|Art Performance and Playwriting Fellow, under the mentorship of Moe Angelos. @ryanjhaddad and ryanjhaddad.com. Related Links: Ryan's Website Dark Disabled Stories at The Public Theater Tickets and Information Hi, Are You Single? Woolly Mammoth Theatre Trailer The Politician on Netflix For 2023, we're inviting our listeners to participate in Ask Judy in a new way. We want you to send us voice memos with messages and questions for Judy that we'll feature in an episode of The Heumann Perspective. If interested, please send yours to media@judithheumann.com Check out the video version of this episode on Judy's YouTube channel.  Intro music by Lachi. Outro music by Gaelynn Lea.

Katie checks in with arts marketer (The Vineyard Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Premiere Consulting Group China), Bella Wang.

Sheldon Epps was artistic director of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse for two decades, and still acts as artistic director emeritus for the playhouse. Previously, he was associate artistic director of the Old Globe Theatre. Sheldon directed numerous plays and musicals at many of the country's major theatres, including the Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club, the Guthrie, Playwrights Horizons, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre and the Goodman Theatre. He conceived and directed the highly acclaimed Broadway musicals “Play On!” and “Blues In the Night,” which both received Tony Award nominations. “Blues in the Night” also was nominated as Best Musical for the prestigious Olivier Award in London. He co-directed the Tony-nominated production of “Baby It's You!” Sheldon has had a busy career as a television director, helming episodes of shows such as “Frasier,” “Friends,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Girlfriends” and many others. He is a longtime board member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers and is the chair of the SDC Foundation Board of Trustees. BUY SHELDON'S BOOK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anjali Bhimani recently joined host Elias in the cave! You can see Anjali as Auntie Ruby on Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. Anjali is well known to audiences for her roles as Symmetra in Overwatch, Rampart in Apex Legends, Kala in Indivisible, Yasmin Choudhury in Fallout 76, Nisha in Fallout 4, and Mira in Rival Speak. Tabletop gamers will know her as the proud and feisty Miriam on UnDeadwood, a limited series by well-known media company Critical Role, and as the strong-headed sniper Stingray in We're Alive: Frontier on the popular YouTube channel Geek and Sundry. Anjali recently released her first book entitled I Am Fun Size, and So Are YOU: Thoughts from a Tiny Human on Living a Giant Life. The book concept is based off her YouTube series of the same name, where Anjaliinterviews other well-known performers to share experiences and personal lessons from their own journeys. She is also a founding member of What The Vox, a collective of accomplished female voice actors looking to impact change within the voice over industry through meaningful conversations. She also recurs in Season 2 of Netflix's Emmy-nominated comedy series Special. Other notable credits include roles as Nina Patel on Modern Family and Joya in Alex, Inc., as well as roles in The Loud House, Casagrandes, S.W.A.T., Crazy-Ex Girlfriend, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Silicon Valley, NCIS, The Sopranos, Law and Order: SVU, Glitch Techs, Big City Greens, Criminal Minds, Grace and Frankie, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, It's Pony, and more. Anjali earned her degree in theatre from Northwestern University's highly acclaimed theatre school, with a certificate in musical theatre, and spent years performing across the country in top organizations such as Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Goodman Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The McCarter Theatre, The Huntington Theatre Company and more. She was an original cast member of the Tony-nominated Metamorphoses on Broadway, which won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. You can watch this interview on YouTube  https://youtu.be/wKHXNaT4_nY Have a question? Email us  themccpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Social Media for the latest show updates  www.twitter.com/themccpodcast www.instagram.com/themccpodcast www.facebook.com/themancavechroniclespodcast www.themccpodcast.com  www.youtube.com/c/TheManCaveChronicleswElias    

Asking for money can be intimidating. But if you are a non-profit or if you are an entrepreneur who needs funding for your business, asking for money is a necessity. Asking for money can feel icky, but if you apply these strategies you will feel more confident and you may have more positive results. What is outbound fundraising? Outbound fundraising is looking at fundraising from inside your business out into your community. How can you take the ick out of the ask when asking for money as a business seeking investors, as a non-profit seeking a donation, or even on a sales call? Kel is interested in helping her clients lead from a place of humanity and empathy, and doesn't subscribe to the idea of separating professional from personal. She values getting to know people and having interactions can help heal scars from our past. Doing so can help us move forward in a healthy way. Taking the ick out of asking for money is very personal. It is important to recognize scenarios or situations in which you felt icky - either the way someone asked you for something or when you had to ask for something. Looking at things from the individual perspective is a great way to start. We all have different emotions and responses to experiences. However, money mindset challenges are common when asking for money. How can you fund your business? Are there generalizations that apply when people are asking for money to fund their business or for donations? There is always a need for financial support when starting a business or if you are a non-profit. Strategies that you can implement to overcome generalizations about asking for money include? To always be closing is icky. It shows you are just trying to get to the person's wallet versus getting to know the person. Instead, start a conversation to get to know the human being. Relating to each other as individuals shows genuine interest and will help with building relationships. Relationships go farther than asking for money. Find a commonality between yourself and the person you are asking. Be the host of the conversation. Always be the person who is in control. What is the ARC of conversation, and how is it going to look and go? When asking for money it is important to be personal and candid and know what is a comfortable ask. As you get to know the person you are speaking to, set the amount that you want to ask for. Set this amount before you begin the conversation, but allow it to change as you do research during the conversation. The ask strategy and what to say "It would be really great if we could count on you for this amount", then give them a moment to think about it. Separate what the amount of money means to you versus what it might mean to someone else. It is all scalable. Truly if you separate yourself from the meaning of the amount you can ask for any amount. Find the comfort to ask and you will be able to ask for any amount. Blue Jeans Theory - no matter what you know about people, you never really know what their relationship with money is. It's hard enough to figure this out for ourselves. Someone who makes $30K a year may invest $300 in a pair of jeans while someone else who makes $ 300K per year won't invest more than $30 in a pair of jeans. Therefore, it's impossible to figure out what someone's perspective on money is. Instead, ask "what do you think". Don't ask for a yes or no. Really make space for a gray area and keep it light. Say things like "I'm going to shoot for the moon and see if you can do this much." "I was thinking, could you give this amount, what is your initial instinct about that?" See if these open a deeper conversation. Additional tips for taking the ick out of asking for money when fundraising as a non-profit or seeking investors Start from a place of curiosity. It will help you relax more and prevent you from going into a place of judgment. Getting curious will also help build trust. Trust determines buying practices so it is important to build it. Likewise, getting personal is a great way to help you relax and let your guard down as well. When you come from a place of passion, you can really tap into a positive energy source that will help navigate you to a yes, people will want to support you when they feel your passion. Kel encourages vulnerability during conversations that involve asking for money because it demonstrates strength as opposed to appearing vulnerable and I need your support and I'm pulling on your heart strings. Instead of thinking always be closing, think always be candid. In a world where there are many scams related to asking for money, being candid can help disarm people. Honesty is key. People can sense your honesty and integrity with your ask. Share that asking for money is the least favorite part of your job but that you are excited to connect. Share your emotions and feelings as a way to connect. These suggestions will help with so many aspects of your business including sales calls. The more human we are the more genuine we seem and the more likely we are to convert people. When you are genuinely yourself, they will see you as someone they want to support and be with. Think about the other person also having these what-if or anxious thoughts as well so if you let your guard down, you will help them let theirs down also. How can you cater the ask to the person whether fundraising for a non-profit or seeking investors for your business? Use their name. Try to strengthen the relationship and they will invest in you. It may take a bit of time, or they may not have the resources themselves but they may be able to connect you to others who do. If you don't ask, the answer is an automatic no. When you have negative thoughts, your feelings are going to be of doubt, and you will lack confidence and you will not ask. If you flip the switch on the thoughts in your head, you will have more confidence and take more action, and more results. One step of action will lead to more motivation, more progress, and more momentum. This is working with an abundance mentality. If you are in a place of lack, take a break, get fresh air, and change your perspective. Donors give and investors invest. Use this perspective when going into an ask. Check out Episode 175 - What you need to know to find financial resources to fund your business with Diane Tarshis. Brooke Castille's CTFAR model. Book recommendation: Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz About Kel Haney Kel Haney is an NYC & Maine-based fundraising expert with 15 years of experience specializing in Outbound Fundraising. Her work boils down to “taking the ick out of the ask." Kel believes that we can create fundraising conversations that are relationship-building opportunities as opposed to transactional encounters. A few companies Kel has worked with include MCC Theatre, Signature Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and many more. Kel spent twenty years as a theater director. Her fundraising methodology is based on how she led a rehearsal room. She focuses on what makes each of us unique and engaging. Likewise, she empowers artists, art administrators, & board members to be fundraisers. How? By using skills that they already possess, such as empathy, candor, vulnerability, enthusiasm, and storytelling. In addition, throughout her fundraising career, Kel has helped arts organizations raise approximately $12M, primarily in donations under $1.5K each. When Kel is not coaching clients you will find her seeking artistic experiences, taking nature walks with her rescue pup, and playing extremely intricate board games. She may also be in the kitchen attempting to recreate the fabulous meals she & her husband, Michael Grew, have enjoyed during their travels. Learn more and connect with Kel Haney: Website for Kel Haney Email Kel for a free 30-minute call: kell@kelhaney.com Kel Haney on Instagram Kel Haney on LinkedIn Learn more about Donorly If you are starting a business or looking to scale your business and are tired of spinning in circles and doing it all alone, let's connect. Book a free consult with me by clicking here.