Podcast appearances and mentions of trinity rep

A local artist poses the question “WTF Can Artists Do During a Fascist Takeover?” - that's the title of a new web comic by Providence-based artist, educator and organizer Jordan Seaberry. He joined me in the studio to talk about the inspiration of the comic and his advice for artists. Plus: The latest plays on now at Trinity Rep and the Gamm Theatre.

There are two plays on now in Providence that start with a work of Shakespeare and then take it in a new direction: “Fat Ham” at the Wilbury Theatre Group, and “La Tempestad — The Tempest” at Trinity Rep. Artscape producer James Baumgartner spoke with the plays' directors for this week's show.

Looking at the names on the marquees, it may seem like almost all the sound designers on Broadway are men. But there are many women who have been working in the industry for years and it's time to shine a light on them! This is another installment of Good Show's Women in Sound Series. Today's guest is Joanna Lynne Staub. Joanna Lynne Staub is a New York City based Sound Designer & Audio Engineer. She has over two decades of experience on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theatre, Concerts, Television, Corporate, Podcasts, & Multi-Media Events. Joanna's experience as a producer and audio engineer for Television, Sporting Events, Concerts, Studio Engineering, Podcasts, Corporate Events, and Multi-media projects allows her to generate expansive ideas and ​innovative outlooks for any project.​ ​Her award-winning sound designs and original music have been heard across the United States in such places as La Jolla Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Public Theatre, Seattle REP, ​The Alliance Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Trinity Rep, Geva Theatre, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.​ She has worked as an engineer and associate sound designer on over three-dozen Broadway Shows & National Touring Companies - Both Musicals & Plays. With a background as a classically-trained musician, coupled with extensive technological, logistical, and acoustical training, she brings a unique view ​to both artistic and technical design. www.jlssound.com Connect with GOOD SHOW! Instagram: @goodshowpodcast  Tik Tok: @goodshowpodcast   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 LitArts RI started in 2018 as a shared creative workspace for writers. Since then, the nonprofit has grown to offer events, workshops, and other support to Rhode Island writers and readers.  They recently announced their new executive director, Christina Bevilacqua, who has been a part of the literary world of Rhode Island for a while now at the Providence Athenaeum, Trinity Rep, and the Providence Public Library.

The end of the year is a busy time for arts administrators, packed with holiday campaigns and fundraising deadlines. With so much happening, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So today we're taking a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our “why.”  In this episode, we revisit a popular Boot Camp 2024 conversation with CI President Priya Iyer Doshi and Terri Freeman, President of The Lewis Museum, about purpose-driven leadership and the resilience of our industry. Then, we ask arts administrators to reflect on their year and what's fueling their passion in 2025. It will leave you feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to tackle what's ahead. CI to Eye with Terri Freeman (1:30) - Live from Boot Camp 2024, CI President Priya Iyer Doshi sits down with Terri Freeman, President of The Lewis Museum. Together they discuss purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and navigating uncertainty with clarity. It's a timely conversation and a powerful reminder of the importance of our work. Ask The Industry (59:30) - Dan takes his microphone to the Boot Camp floor to ask arts administrators about their year in review. They share their excitements, challenges, and what's keeping them inspired as we roll into 2025. Listen for familiar voices from Acadiana Center for the Arts, ArtOps, ArtsWave, Ballet BC, Carnegie Hall, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Charleston Gaillard Center, Cincinnati Arts Association, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Houston Ballet, Huntington Theatre Company, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Madison Symphony Orchestra, New York Theatre Workshop, Paper Mill Playhouse, Proctors Collaborative, Signature Theatre, Trinity Rep, University Musical Society, YoungArts, and ZACH Theatre.

On this episode, contributor Steph Machado has a wide- ranging interview with Michelle Wilcox, who this year rose to President and CEO of the State's largest provider of housing for the homeless -- Crossroads Rhode Island. Then, Rhode Islanders have long flocked to Trinity Reparatory Company for their annual performance of a Christmas Carol. But this year – there's a twist. Producer Isabella Jibilian takes us behind the scenes to see how costume designerAmanda Downing Carney is giving Scrooge and his ghosts a new look. Finally, we revisit producer Isabella Jibilian's story on toy designer Khipra Nichols – one of the designers behind such iconic toys as Mr. Potato Head and My Little Pony.

Send us a textFriends of Adrian Hall's Will Cornwall joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his concerns about how a potential expansion of Trinity Rep could impact a downtown skatepark and public space.Support the show

If you want to know something about Rhode Island's Latino community, ask Marta Martinez. Marta is the executive director of Rhode Island Latino Arts and the founder of the Latino Oral History Project of Rhode Island. She's spent decades collecting the stories of Spanish-speaking pioneers, leaders, and community members. Now, her oral history collection is the inspiration behind La Broa' — a new play at Trinity Rep. We talk to Marta about the play and her work capturing the history of Rhode Island's Latino community. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Actor and Poet Rudy Cabrera talked about his work at Trinity Rep called 'La Broa'. 'La Broa' is a play that highlights and honors the history of the Hispanic community in Providence, Rhode Island. Rudy talks about Broad Street being the epicenter of cultural richness, Dominican culture being so vibrant in Providence, his acting history, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sparkupod/support

“La Broa' (Broad Street)” is a new, original production inspired by the stories of Latinos in Rhode Island, collected through local oral history project Nuestras Raices. The show takes place at the fictional Doña Rosa's Market on La Broa', where we hear the stories of Latino immigrants from Providence and Central Falls. Morning Edition host Luis Hernandez spoke with the director of the play, Tatyana-Marie Carlo.

Kate Hamill stops by the show to talk about Dracula, one of her many stage adpatations. This conversation is a full meal on taking risks, making writing fun, advocacy, and feminism.In this episode, we discuss:How Kate became a playwright on a bet with her friendThe dramatic question she crafted for Dracula and some of her other worksIntentionally writing fun characters and feminist playsAdvocacy, unions, and surviving toxic behavior in the industryAnd more!Resources MentionedDracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, ReallyDracula is playing through December 24, 2023 at Portland Center Stage About Our Guest Kate Hamill is an actor/playwright and she was the 2017 Wall Street Journal Playwright of the Year. Her work includes her play Pride & Prejudice, at Primary Stages / HVSF, Sense & Sensibility at Bedlam; Vanity Fair at the Pearl Theatre, Mansfield Park at Northlight , Little Women at Primary Stages and the Jungle Theatre, Dracula at Classic Stage Company, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B at Kansas City Rep, Emma at the Guthrie, and The Scarlet Letter. Her plays have been produced off-Broadway, at A.R.T., the Guthrie, Seattle Rep, PlayMaker's, Folger, OSF, Trinity Rep, Pittsburgh Public, Dorset Theatre Festival, Shakespeare Theatre of DC, Dallas Theater Center, Kansas City Rep, Long Wharf, A.C.T., Actors Theater of Louisville, & others. Her play The Little Fellow (or: The Queen of Tarts Tells All) is currently at the Cygnet Theater, and Emma at the Denver Center next year. She is currently developing a new adaptation of The Odyssey, a Christmas play called Scrooge for Senate; and several original plays including The Piper and The Light and The Dark. Kate has been one of the most-produced playwrights nationwide every season from 2017-2023. Connect with Our Guestkate-hamill.comTwitter/X InstagramConnect 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).

This week on Artscape, two plays: a conversation with the playwright of “2216: The Remix of a Global Experiment,” making its worldwide debut at the Wilbury Theatre, and a review of “Becky Nurse of Salem,” a dark comedy now playing at Trinity Rep.

This week on Artscape, two plays: a conversation with the playwright of “2216: The Remix of a Global Experiment,” making its worldwide debut at the Wilbury Theatre, and a review of “Becky Nurse of Salem,” a dark comedy now playing at Trinity Rep.

Sweeney Todd is a challenging show for directors and actors to recreate on stage. It's a show with dark themes but if done right, it should be really funny. The latest iteration is playing at Trinity Rep.

Sweeney Todd is a challenging show for directors and actors to recreate on stage. It's a show with dark themes but if done right, it should be really funny. The latest iteration is playing at Trinity Rep.

The latest play at Trinity Rep is called “The Inferior Sex,” a comedy that takes place in the office of a feminist women's fashion magazine in the early 1970s.

The latest play at Trinity Rep is called “The Inferior Sex,” a comedy that takes place in the office of a feminist women's fashion magazine in the early 1970s.

On this episode, we head to Newport where Michelle San Miguel takes a look inside the Breakers' Gilded Christmas.  Then we visit Trinity Rep. in Providence to profile the theatre's annual adaptation of a Christmas Carol. Then, a second look at pop culture treasure hunter, Travis Landry.  Finally, with the holidays upon us, we hear from Rhode Island-based toy designer Khipra Nichols with his take on toys.  

Thom Jones, a dialect coach for Hollywood stars, who used to work for Trinity Rep and Brown University, explains the mystery of Rhode Island accents and teaches our producer how to sound like a local. Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Describe the Night" at The Gamm Theatre and "The Inheritance" at Trinity Rep are both hugely ambitious plays that cover decades and generations.

"Describe the Night" at The Gamm Theatre and "The Inheritance" at Trinity Rep are both hugely ambitious plays that cover decades and generations.

Ryan shares information about the upcoming Broadway Week(s) and all participating productions. He also shares information about Trinity Rep having auditions for A Christmas Carol...did someone say Christmas? We may go off on a tangent.

We have two items to feature in this week's Artscape: Rhode Island PrideFest and "Fairview" at Trinity Rep

We have two items to feature in this week's Artscape: Rhode Island PrideFest and "Fairview" at Trinity Rep

We are excited to bring you a new podcast series, Choreographers in Conversation. This series will allow choreographers to interview other choreographers whose work excites them as a way to learn more about their craft and preserve the stories of these exciting artists in our industry. In this episode to kick off the series, Dan Knechtges interviews Twyla Tharp. The two cover everything from Twyla's legendary work including MOVIN' OUT to her book THE CREATIVE HABIT and discuss how the legacy of her craft lives on. Learn more about Twyla Tharp at the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation website.   Twyla Tharp: Since graduating from Barnard College in 1963, Ms. Tharp has choreographed more than one hundred sixty works: one hundred twenty-nine dances, twelve television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows and two figure skating routines, she has also written 4 books. She received one Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, 20 honorary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President's Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize, and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor. Her many grants include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Learn more about Twyla Tharp and her legacy through her foundation website.   Dan Knechtges: Broadway – Lysistrata Jones (Direction & Choreography), Xanadu (directed by Chris Ashley, Tony nomination, Drama Desk nomination), Sondheim on Sondheim (directed by James Lapine), 110 in The Shade (starring Audra McDonald) and The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee (directed by James Lapine.) Off-Broadway – TAIL! SPIN! (starring Rachel Dratch), The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee at Second Stage, which earned him a Lucille Lortel Award nomination, Merrily We Roll Along for Encores! at City Center (directed by James Lapine), Vanities at Second Stage and Lysistrata Jones for the Transport Group, My Favorite Year (York Theater). International credits include Der Schuh Das Manitu (Berlin, Germany). Regional theatres include – The MUNY, Goodspeed, Dallas Theatre Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Trinity Rep,  Pioneer Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Baltimore Centerstage, Theatreworks Palo Alto, Hangar Theatre. Indianapolis Opera, Opera Illinois, Surflight Theatre.  TV/Film credits include Palindromes, Dark Horse and White Collar, and the 2011 TV Land Awards with Liza Minnelli. Dan also choreographed FatboySlim's #1 music video “It's a Wonderful Night.” Dan is a member of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab and holds a BFA in theatre from Otterbein College.

In this episode, the SDCF 2021 Zelda Fichandler Award Winner, Mark Valdez is interviewed by Michael John Garcés and they discuss everything from the most beautiful theater and how art can influence policy to rethinking the need for traditional performance spaces and leavening heavy themes with silliness and surprises. This podcast took place in early February 2022, Mark is now the current Artistic Director for the Mixed Blood Theatre. The Zelda Fichandler Award recognizes directors and choreographers who have demonstrated great accomplishment to date with singular creativity and deep investment in a particular community or region. The award was named after Zelda Fichandler who was the founding artistic director of the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. You can find this year's recipient and finalists here.   Mark Valdez is an LA-based director, writer, and cultural organizer. His work has been seen at community venues and professional theatres across California, including a tomato field in Grayson, a de-commissioned Catholic cathedral in downtown LA, as well from the stages of La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley to the stages of Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood for a Center Theatre Group produced production. Nationally, Mark has worked at theatres such as the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, where he created A Road to a Dream, a community collaboration along a 10-mile stretch of the Buford Highway, to shed light on the toll our nation's broken immigration policies have on families and communities; Arizona's Childsplay Theatre where he adapted and directed Gary Soto's book, Chato's Kitchen, about a low-rider gato from East LA; and Trinity Rep in Providence, where he directed A Christmas Carol that included 85 community choirs. His play Highland Park is Here, won the Audience Award at the Highland Park Film Festival and will be featured in Re:Encuentro, the national Latina/o/x Theater Festival. He is a current Board member of Double Edge Theatre and Cornerstone Theater Company, and a former Board member of TCG. Mark is currently working on The Most Beautiful Home…Maybe, a multi-city project that aims to influence housing policy utilizing performance, cultural organizing, and creative community development strategies.

In today's special Who To Watch episode, we are joined by Jennifer McClendon the Producing Director of Rhody staple Trinity Rep. Jennifer, Nick, and Sascha discuss her journey from computer engineering to stage management, and coming to the smallest state from Chicago where she is implementing big change for the community. Have fun learning more about Jennifer and her work to make theater more inclusive, getting through the pandemic and her hopes for the production of 2022 stage performances.

This week Shay and Elise take listeners through a few Rhode Island Christmas traditions/traditional storylines. You'll hear about Tony "The Dancing Cop" Lepore, Trinity Rep's (and Westerly's Granite Theater) A Christmas Carol, and finally the State House Christmas/Holiday Tree debacle. Not mentioned, but equally important: the real RI holiday tradition of not “really” working between Thanksgiving and New Years.Mentioned, but not equally important: meat bread.As always, #StaySalty

In this episode, we discuss A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep in Providence and American Utopia (46:02) on HBOMax. And also, this is probably our final podcast! (For Christmas Carol streaming info, go here: https://www.trinityrep.com/show/a-christmas-carol-2021/)

In this episode we spoke with the absolutely brilliant Artistic Director at Trinity Rep, Curt Columbus. Curt chatted with us about how his job as an artistic director has changed throughout the pandemic, starting out in Chicago, and fostering a creative community. We had such a wonderful time talking with Curt, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Modern-day Renaissance woman Yolanda Rabun ’90 is joined in conversation with Holly Tente ’23.  Their inspirational conversation covers a lot of ground.  With their shared passion for social justice, they speak about how Holy Cross inspires them to work hard and make change in their own communities. Interview originally recorded on February 24, 2021. Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interviews in season 2 are recorded remotely. --- Yolanda: ... always pursue excellence in the sense that you are not afraid to try something new and you are not afraid to push the envelope to really be your authentic self and deliver all that you possibly can. Not only for yourself, but also for the school, because now you're helping the community. And that's what this is all about. That's what I think Holy Cross is all about. It's about preparing us to go out in the world to help each other become the best that we can be. Maura: Welcome to Mission-Driven, where we speak with alumni who are leveraging their Holy Cross education to make a meaningful difference in the world around them. I'm your host Maura Sweeney from the class of 2007, director of Alumni Career Development at Holy Cross. I am delighted to welcome you to today's show. In this episode, we hear from Yolanda Rabun from the class of 1990, a modern day Renaissance woman. Yolanda is a person of many talents: lawyer, executive, speaker, wife, mom, actor, recording artist, producer, and many more to come. She currently works as senior corporate counsel for IBM and credits Holy Cross for sparking her interest in computers and coding. She is also an executive sponsor for Black Girls Code, where she works to inspire the future generation of leaders. Maura: She's joined in conversation by Holly Tente from the class of 2023. Their conversation is nothing short of inspirational and offers a good boost to help you get out of bed each morning. They speak about pushing the envelope and pursuing opportunities that will cause you to change and grow into the person that you are meant to become. They share advice for how to hold onto your dreams and persevere during hard times. With their shared passion for social justice, they speak about how Holy Cross inspires them to work hard and make change in their own communities. Yolanda's personal journey offers a wonderful example of the difference that you can make when you don't wait for things to happen to you. Instead, happen upon things. Holly: Hello, everyone. Welcome to Mission-Driven. My name is Holly Tente and I'm joined by Yolanda Rabun. Yolanda, how are you doing? Yolanda: I am fantastic Holly. It's so good to talk to you. Holly: It's great to talk to you too. Oh my gosh. I don't know about you, but this week has been quite the week. It's been incredibly busy and I think that I'm really starting to suffer from not having a spring break soon. My goodness. Have you been finding that too with your work? Yolanda: I have been finding that this week has been a challenge, but I think it might be because we are close to spring, and not far enough away from winter to appreciate either of the two, because they're both great seasons to be in. I think our entire lives are run in seasons and each one has its purpose and we're probably both in the middle trying to get from one to the next and as a result, it just presents challenges. So the good news is we just have to get through them, figure them out. Holly: Exactly. How would you say that you stay motivated as we go through this transition? Yolanda: Part of my motivation is being alive. I think in the times that we live in having such a high number of people who have left this earth you are constantly reminded of the preciousness of life and that's my motivation. It is that I need to take advantage of every single moment that I have been blessed to live and not squander it on wishing for what is completely out of my control. And or hoping for something that is just not mine or ready for me to have. Holly: Yes. I've been trying to live through that as well, especially I'm one of those students that's been remote for a very long time now. And I've found that with the lack of a social life, I've definitely been feeling kind of down at certain points, especially during a dreary month like February. So I really appreciate those words, Yolanda and speaking of Holy Cross, have you found that your motivation and your own mission has been influenced by what Holy Cross taught you? Yolanda: Oh, yes. When I came to Holy Cross, I was 17 years old and I was in a moment of figuring out who Yolanda is, but also extremely excited about who Yolanda could become and extremely excited about just doing something different and new, because I was from Atlanta and I've never been to Massachusetts and I've never been a wealth of snow that was pretty calm or even been in a colder climate. I had never been in an atmosphere where everything was hilly and that you would get your exercise just walking from one side of the campus to the other, all these things were new. And so I think I was intrigued by the newness of what was before me, but also slightly curious and maybe even potentially afraid of what I didn't know. Holly: Right. Well, I definitely can feel that, I'm just a sophomore right now and I very clearly remember what it was like when I did arrive on the hill. Thankfully it was under more normal circumstances, but that experience was definitely a very different one for me, even though I am from a similar climate. There were a lot of new things that I had to take on very quickly and I think... Yolanda: So that is Holy Cross, right? If you think about what is Holy Cross, you have along with your classmates experienced an amazing opportunity to embrace change and it didn't have to do with your age or your culture or your background. It had to do with a life circumstance. And I can't say that in any generation you just can't wait for that big thing to happen. But when it does, what a beautiful time I feel it is for you to be in school where you can learn how people adapt and learn how people do not adapt and figure out new ways to make it work for you. And in a sense it's global, right? Because it is an opportunity not only for Holy Cross to really step up to its mission of teaching and allowing you to learn in the most diverse environment you can learn in. Yolanda: But what an experience it is to be able to almost be in a safe place. And I feel like my experience at Holy Cross was exactly that. I didn't have that monumental life circumstance, maybe the World Series was won in Boston when I was there and that was a pretty big deal. But for all intents and purposes, I just remember being in a space where I was given an opportunity to figure out how to grow up and I felt safe in the sense that Holy Cross gave me an amazing teaching environment and also an amazing group of people that were diverse, that I can learn from and then all these other great things that I can get involved in that. Yolanda: I think that's probably why I got so involved at Holy Cross because I was learning, I came in being a cheerleader because I had been a cheerleader all my life following the purposes. So I knew what that was. And I went in to do what I normally do. And the story is that when I auditioned, I didn't make it. And so that was a huge first life lesson for me to not make that squad, but also to ask the question, why? To learn from that experience to really understand how to be patient in a moment where I knew what I knew and then I didn't. Holly: I remember when you shared the cheerleading story, I was at your event that was hosted by Women in Business recently. And I was just so taken aback because the lesson that you drew from it was that it's important to be kind and patient, but also to respect others and to not become arrogant, I think was what lesson you were trying to have us draw from that. And as someone who I believe is as accomplished as you are Yolanda, I'm sure... Not, I'm sure, but I think that hearing that from you was just really amazing because I think that it's a lesson that we all overlook because we're all working towards something bigger than ourselves. And I think that it's important to stay humble and, yeah. So I really appreciate you sharing that. And I think that we can talk about that lesson as we get into your career a little later, but before we move on, I'd really love to hear about what else you were involved in during your time on the hill. Yolanda: Okay. So when I was at Holy Cross, I was a cheerleader. I was an RA as well as a head RA and I was a senior interviewer. I was in a group called SPUD. I'm not sure if it's there anymore. Holly: SPUD is still very much alive, still very much going. Yolanda: Yeah. I loved SPUD and then I was... I'm going to say this and it may sound crazy, but I was a part of work study. And the reason why I look at it as something being involved in is because my work study job and I had several of them, but the one that I loved the most was, I was a clerk for the audio visual department. And it was there that I actually found my love for computers and my love for coding. And it is eventually what led me to the realization that IBM is where I was supposed to be. So I think I hold that job near and dear to me. And then I am a member of the Honors Program. So I graduated with honors from Holy Cross having been a student in the Honors Program and writing a thesis for my graduation. Holly: Right. And what was that thesis on? I think if I remember correctly, it was quite a unique thesis. Yolanda: So my thesis was on Black women in the 19th century and the politics of race, sex, and class. And my approach in doing the thesis was to come from a political science perspective, that was my major. But also I had the benefit and the joy of having B. E. McCarthy is one of my advisers. And so from an English perspective and also he was in charge of the African-American history program that we had at the time. I kind of had him as one of my advisors. I loved that project because it was really mission-driven to who I became and what my purpose was on the campus. And it was, I felt congruent with Holy Cross's purpose, right? Because Holy Cross said that it was in the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning and in research. And so part of becoming Yolanda was researching who Yolanda is, and I was and still am an African-American woman. And I wanted to know more about me. Yolanda: I didn't learn a lot in high school from that perspective because I went to a school of the performing arts. And so I was heavily in my arts when I was in high school. So when I came to college, it was a perfect time to find out my own history and to figure out how to insert my history in every single class I could possibly insert it in to understand how I fit in. And so when it came down to doing the thesis or what topic I would pick, I thought there's some Black girl magic before it was even created in the U.S. later. There's some Black girl magic in knowing these women who came before me who studied politics, who had to deal with the issues of race, sex and class. And so I chose that topic. And then with my background in the performing arts, I not only wrote the thesis, but I also wrote a play from the thesis that was presented as a part of my presentation. Holly: Do you remember any of the students that acted in that play? Are you friends with any of them now, still? Who was in it? Yolanda: I do remember some of the folks as a matter of fact, they're dearest friends of mine now, Jacqueline Abercrombie, Lorraine Lane, Tonya Baskin. I had members from the football team who were in my play. And I had friends who were in the audio visual department who helped me because a part of it was a multimedia presentation. Not only was there acting, and I sang throughout it but I also narrated it. I also had film, so we had film going on and so some of my actors were actually recorded as a part of the presentation. I think we introduced multimedia entertainment way ahead of it's time. Holly: You should have trademarked it. It sounds like you were so ahead. I'm from Rhode Island and I've been to shows that the Gamm and Trinity Rep, and they've just started to really make their shows like that and use film and overlay slides and stuff. Wow. And you were doing that in 1990. Yolanda: So three years ago we introduced audio visual. And part of that was the beauty of Holy Cross, because I dreamed that big. And instead of saying to me, no, no, no, we only do it this way, or we've never done it that way. They said, what do you have? And that's probably why I'm near and dear to Holy Cross as I am, because it was at a time when I was growing up, when I was finding myself that I was not given limitations. And I think any institution that has any value to who it is and what its purpose is to any individual in this world, it is to make sure that they don't squander away creativity or prohibit really things to unfold as the universe designed them to unfold. Holly: I think as a current student, I can speak to that and I think Holy Cross has maintained that mission that you just outlined. I'm studying history, obviously it's my major, but I'm doing a CIS minor in film right now. And I've found that even though I'm one of about five people that do the film studies minor every year at the school, there are so many different resources. And if there's something that Holy Cross cannot provide for me directly, there are so many places that they put me in the direction of. And I know I got in touch with Connor who put me in touch with you, and here we are right now. Yolanda: No, really, because we talk all the time and I love that. And you just reminded me that when I was preparing for my thesis, I asked Holy Cross to help me really just find other sources of information outside of what was in the library to understand about Yolanda, Black Yolanda, Black history. And Holy Cross sent me to a retreat that I will never forget for as long as I live, because at that retreat I met Betty Shabazz, who is Malcolm X's wife. I met her in person. I met Sonia Sanchez who is a poet. And that was really important because a part of my poem or presentation was in the form of a poem. Although it was written in script form, it had verse in it. And so Sonia Sanchez being close to her, listening to her speak and her feel moments, I thought I had won the lottery to be honest. Yolanda: And I got the privilege of talking about me and teaching other people about me. And it was because Holy Cross gave me that opportunity. So I always encourage other students of color, especially. And I think I had some influence perhaps on the classes that came behind me to always pursue excellence in the sense that you are not afraid to try something new and you are not afraid to push the envelope to really be your authentic self and deliver all that you possibly can, not only for yourself, but also for the school, because now you're helping the community. And that's what this is all about. That's what I think Holy Cross is all about. It's about preparing us to go out in the world to help each other become the best that we can be. Holly: Well, that was really amazing to hear. And I think that you truly did have an effect on classes to come, especially with building a legacy. And I think even speaking for myself, one of the reasons we got in touch was because Conner class of '92 put me in touch with you, because we were putting together a little event called The Good Trouble Series, which has now kind of taken off at the college. And if you haven't seen The Good Trouble Series, it was an initiative started by myself and another student in the history department and is currently being co-organized by members of SGA and then the two current chairs of the BSU, Jordyn Shubrick and Meah Austin. And we really wanted to have an event which focused around Holy Cross' racial history. And we wanted to do this through as early as the school's history dates back. And that's why we had professor Doughton as our keynote speaker to talk about our native American history, in addition to our racial, Black history specifically. Holly: And then we were able to have Art Martin and Ted Wells come on and talk about forming the BSU. And then we had Yolanda as well, and she was talking about her experience in the late 80s, early 90s. And it was just a really amazing event. And I think that if not for so many strong voices on our campus, we wouldn't have gotten to the place that we are today. And I think that it speaks volumes to Holy Cross, that we're able to come together. And obviously many institutions right now are having conversations about anti-racism and improving climate so that everyone feels welcomed. But I think that we're able to have opportunities on campus where we have those conversations, but we're able to have initiatives that actually accomplish something. And I know I'm incredibly grateful for that. Yolanda: Well, that's what I love about you, Holly. And also the class that you're in, which is why I want to encourage you when you go through a February that appears to be dreary or any other days that are going to come your way, that you stay focused on what the bigger purpose is. And I think when you do that, then you will lend yourself even more freely to social justice, to racial justice, to just justice in general. I know that it was an honor to be a part of that program. And I remember gravitating to you afterwards and saying, I like you, you should stay connected, but you said the same thing. Right? Holly: I did. It was definitely mutual. I've really enjoyed this connection and what we've been able to chat about. And you're a very good friend of mine now. That's what I'll say. So obviously we've talked a lot about Holy Cross and your experience on campus and the lessons you learned. I have a question for you just about IBM and where you are now. So how would you say the principles that you developed at college helps you when you enter the workforce and how you got to where you are now? Yolanda: So, Holy Cross for me was a learning field to understand different personalities, from men, women, northerners, southerners, just every walk of life diversity wise. And I take all of those experiences with me to work every day. And I literally, when I see a person respond a certain way, I'll go, Oh, that was Tom back in the day. I'll put in my brain, really who that personality reminds me of and how I responded at Holy Cross or how someone else responded and notably if I liked their response or not, or what I would do differently. And then I navigate through the issue, or maybe even the joy of the moment. So I feel like Holy Cross gave me an opportunity to study people. And it sounds perhaps a little bit facetious to say so, because obviously you can do that anywhere. But the uniqueness of Holy Cross is the diversity of people that were on the campus. And I always employ new students and anyone who will hear me that as you enter college, take advantage of really what is before you, which is this beautiful microcosm of people that are not necessarily like you. Yolanda: And even if they are like you, find out what's different, find the difference, find the variety and then learn from it. Because when you do that, you not only will take that skillset with you to adjust through college, but you take it with you into life. And if it doesn't apply to you, you may apply to someone you know. So I've often found myself even in the company at IBM seeing a scenario and knowing I had never experienced that personally, but I've seen it. So let me tell you what I've learned from where I've seen that and how you might address that situation. And it doesn't even have to be with race or deal with sex as far as male, female. You could just be a simple someone raising their voice and you don't like how that scenario turned out, but I've seen exactly that somewhere before. Let me tell you what I saw and what you could think about, that's what I learned from Holy Cross. And that's what I take with me from Holy Cross. And I value it. Holly: I definitely understand what you mean on the diversity of just anyone and everyone. I've met all sorts of people in my time at Holy Cross. And perhaps I met people like them even before I was at the college. And it's really interesting when you're moving forward in life and you're chatting with these people in the future. And you're like, Oh, this is someone that I knew from my monster rock class or something. I think it was a different curriculum when you were a freshmen, but it's just, I totally understand what you mean in that sense. And I think with IBM, my next question for you would be about 2021 and what projects you're working on and what you have coming down the line right now. Is there something that you're especially excited for? Yolanda: The project that I'm working on at IBM, I am actually serving as an executive sponsor for Black Girls Code, which is a non-profit organization that was dedicated to advancing opportunities and experiences for young Black women in the area of coding, whether it is in websites or mobile applications and what have you. And right now we're working on a project where we're introducing the opportunity for young girls to go through design thinking exercises, to come up with a problem that might address issues related to climate control and also racial justice issues. And so I'm pretty excited about that, especially because last year in 2020, I got involved in an open source project and actually contributed to an open source project on an application called Five Fifths Voter, that was designed to bring information to anyone who might've been disenfranchised ever, understand better their rights to vote and where to vote and why that vote is so important. Yolanda: So for me, that's a social justice issue that affects not just people of color, but the elderly, the poor. And again, if you think about it, that goes right back to what we are about at Holy Cross, which is helping our society connect to each other so that we are dealing with some of the, I don't know, inhumane conditions that we've created for ourselves that don't necessarily have to exist. So at IBM, as much as I'm involved in the law and quantum computing and artificial intelligence and many transactions with large universities. And I manage a team as a matter of fact, at IBM, who is responsible for all the contracts that come out of our research division. I think what gets me excited is that opportunity to give back to the community and give back through the auspices of the talent we have at IBM and the ability hopefully to train our future bosses in tech to come and join us. Holly: I mean, that's all you can really ask for. And it sounds like the initiative that you're forming, even though it's IBM, it's still sounds grassroots. And it sounds like it has really amazing core values, which I think is all you can ask for when you start a movement like that. And I think what I would wonder, and perhaps people listening are wondering about how perhaps when you don't have a platform where you're running a project, can you get involved with an idea, how do you get started in making change? Yolanda: I think the best way to get started is to apply yourself to the opportunities that you have. And what do I mean by that? I mean, when you come to college, you have an opportunity to pick courses and in different areas that you might want to study in, pick them with some sense of passion, that the subject matter intrigues you and then do the work, do it well, because what happens is when you are focusing on you and doing the work, those opportunities, those ideas, they come to you. Remember I said earlier that it was doing work study, that I started getting introduced to coding and computers, and that got me excited. It was a work study job. And yet this thing that came out of that exposure got me excited. So that over the course of time I have taken that thing that gets me excited and applied it. Yolanda: And the joke in IBM for me is that I have been involved with Black Girls Code for some time now, but it was probably about five years before I was in a position to say, let's do this. And in a sense that not only did I say let's do it, I said, I'll drive. I've been around long enough to know a little bit about that organization to know about IBM. And so how can I help us both meet our goals? I think that's strategic thinking. And I think that strategic thinking comes from my experience at Holy Cross of not only getting the opportunity to study in different areas, but then taking that information, that data and applying it to a larger cause and getting it done that's, I feel something I learned at Holy Cross and I've taken with me in life. Holly: I don't know anyone else listening is feeling this way, but I feel like I'm just getting the best, I don't know, pump up but it's midweek right now when we're filming this but I have just had the most slow, crazy day coming into this. And every time Yolanda and I chat, when we're not being recorded, I guess, I think that I always leave a conversation with Yolanda feeling as though I've learned a valuable lesson. And I truly mean that. And I hope that people listening right now feel the same way, because there's so much in terms of advice. There's so much in terms of just general enthusiastic language that Yolanda is putting out there for everyone right now. And I know personally, when you really do try to tap into your passions, good things happen. Holly: And I know personally, this past semester I was actually doing New York Semester Program, obviously remotely due to COVID, but I was a sophomore during the program. I was the first ever they accepted into the program and I was able to produce a documentary on reconstruction and I met Yolanda right as I was working on the doc. And I don't know, it's just, if you really want to achieve what you desire in the future, and if you really want to better the lives of others, it's possible. And if you have a home sense of justice like Yolanda does. And like, I think I have then you can really achieve anything. Yolanda: I 100% agree with that. And I think that the lesson is when you come into Holy Cross or while you're at Holy Cross, that you never lose sight that you are in a learning environment and that you never, if you can get a sense of entitlement, that someone owes you something, because I don't know that that is true, that the college owes you anything except the environment, the positive environment to learn, the positive environment to teach others about who you are and the positive environment to research and find out more than you've ever known before. Yolanda: If you go with that mindset that you want to grow, that you're not waiting, this is what I always tell people, that you're not waiting for things to happen to you. You're happening on things. When you go with that particular mindset, you're always going to win. I came into Holy Cross looking for Yolanda and I left Holy Cross knowing Yolanda better than I knew before. And I left Holy Cross with a community of Black friends, I had never known before who taught me about Yolanda. And I left with a community of friends that taught me how to navigate the world. And that is priceless. Holly: I think that you're completely right Yolanda. I would love to talk about theater in a moment, but before we move on, what advice would you have specifically for students that are currently attending Holy Cross? So for all students, regardless of class year, I mean, if you have a specific message for seniors versus freshmen versus sophomores or juniors, then definitely go right ahead. But I know at least for myself, it's been really difficult getting through these past couple of weeks and we're tired. And I think that it's starting to show. Yolanda: I think I would say to you to hold on to your dreams and what I mean by that is in the process of your uncertainty, whether it's a new freshmen and you don't know what's ahead of you or a senior, and you don't know what's ahead of you that you remember what sparked you to come to Holy Cross in the first place and what sparked your interest while you were at Holy Cross. So that even if in your now you're not living that dream, that you don't let it go. And rest assured that the seasons will change in life, but your dream will not. If it's a seed that's been planted in your soul, it's not going to leave you. What you must remember to do is to not leave it. And the way you basically do that is hold on to it and make plans on how you could possibly get back to that thing that you love. Yolanda: I left Holy Cross to go to law school because I was going to be a lawyer. And while I was at Holy Cross, I was also extremely active in the performing arts because I had done theater. And as you know, in my thesis we created this entire play with music and dance. And when I left Holy Cross, I went to become a lawyer and said, I shall put those things behind me. I am now going to be the lawyer that I am. And what I learned in my first year of law school is that when I abandoned part of me, when I let go of part of those dreams that were part of who I am, I lost part of me. And that's something I hope for no one. If there's a life lesson that I had it is, always bring your entire self to the table. And if your entire self doesn't fit at the table, ask for another chair, so that you can at least have a place holder for it until it's time for you to use your gifts. Holly: That's so great. And I definitely have had to pull up chairs a couple of times in my life. Yolanda: It's okay. It's actually okay. I think some people feel that the table has been set and that it cannot be changed. And I challenge this generation to believe that you actually can bring the chair to the table. You don't have to ask someone to bring it. You don't have to be upset because the table wasn't set the way you thought it should be set. Go get the chair and make space for your life. You asked the question, what would I want to really impart with a Holy Cross student, no matter where you are in your career at Holy Cross, I would tell you to become a life cheerleader. And what that means I believe is learn how to not only cheer others on to be the best that they can be, but cheer yourself as well. And the cheer to the extent that your life is valuable. Every moment, every mistake, every triumph, your life is valuable and never stop praising, never stop praising about who you are and who you can become. Holly: And that's how I get out of bed tomorrow morning. So thank you Yolanda. Oh my goodness, I don't know if anyone else needed that, but I needed that in that moment. So thank you very much. So obviously I can knock it into every single production that you've done, Yolanda. I know that you've also done some amazing commercials too, but that's for another day. I think I'm going to move on to my closing question, which has to do with musicals and if you need a moment to think about it, that's all right. My final question for you Yolanda is, you've often been described as a modern day Renaissance woman, and it's clear through our conversation and through your life, you've just built so many different legacies that continue to grow and continue to flourish. Holly: So I recently got into Hamilton after not wanting to get into Hamilton, because I didn't know if it would... it was the mainstream hype. I just didn't know if it would be worth it, but I did. And I do think it's great. The song, "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" is one that I think about a lot in my own life. And I'd asked you, how would you like people to remember Yolanda Rabun? Yolanda: In all of the thinking, I don't know if I've ever thought about that. What will people say at my funeral? I think I would like for people to know that Yolanda Rabun believed in love and in life and in the idea that anything can happen, if you let it. I think that our opportunity to excel is limitless. And I want people to know if they ever met me, if they ever heard my voice, if they ever even heard of me that they might be inspired to know that they can be anything they put their minds to, they can be anything that they believe that they can be. Yolanda: I believe that we all have a fingerprint that has been given uniquely to us. No one else has it. And that if we truly believe that and lived out our purpose, lived out our calling that this world will be a different world. I read something the other day that said, you don't have to explain to anyone or help them understand your calling because it wasn't a conference call. And that hit me because I feel if people understood that each of us has a purpose and we followed through with that purpose, our world will be a different place, it would be. Holly: And I think that I thought about this question and thank you very much. Obviously you're going to be around for a very long time after this. But that was really wonderful, thank you. Yolanda: No, I didn't feel my demise, that's okay. I didn't feel like, Oh gosh, I'm leaving us. I didn't feel that. But I think I hadn't thought about it because it's one of those things where I'm still in it, but life is just not, life is not promised. Time is not going to stand still because you say so. It's a wheel in constant motion rolling us along, telling us where to be, when to be, why to be. And we have to be episode careful to appreciate that if we manage time and stop letting it manage us, and we take advantage of today and live our lives today, as opposed to allowing other people to live through us or tell us how we're supposed to live or who we're supposed to be. If we stopped doing that. Oh gosh, okay, I get excited because we will be open now when a group of people. Yolanda: And I have to tell you when I was at Holy Cross, I felt that. I felt that moment a number of times when I was in the flow of life and I felt freedom to create, freedom to learn. I remember when I got that first A what it felt like. And I remember saying do that again. That's a freedom. That's a flow of just living life and knowing that what we can accomplish as students at Holy Cross is limitless if we apply ourselves, and we just do the work. Holly: Now for some speed round questions just before we close out. Yolanda, what was your favorite class at Holy Cross? Yolanda: History of sex. Holly: What is your favorite color and why? Yolanda: Purple, because it stands for royalty. And also because it was the school color. Holly: I love purple too. And who was your favorite professor during your time at Holy Cross? Yolanda: E. McCarthy for sure. Holly: What's the best restaurant in Worcester in your opinion? Yolanda: Sole Proprietor Holly: What is your go-to hype up song? Yolanda: Be Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness. Holly: This far in life, what has been your greatest achievement? Yolanda: My children. So I have two boys and I had them both naturally, which meant no drugs and that was huge. That was an achievement. Afterwards I asked myself, what have I done? Not picking the epidural and everything else, but believe it or not, my concept was that my four mothers did it without an epidural, so I will do, and I survived. So that was a huge achievement. Holly: Wow. So second to last question. What were your new year's resolutions or what was your new year's resolution? Yolanda: So I don't do new year's resolutions and that's just because I feel that whatever I'm going to decide for my intention for the year is not going to be subject to frivolity of what everything, the world says we should do. But what I do do, and I did do in 2021 is I designated it as my year of promise. As I have in past years, I allow words to come to me and feed me about how I feel my life is going to flow. And 2021, the word promise came. And as a result of that, much of my focus is around that concept. Holly: Well, wow. And now for the very last question of the chat, what have you learned today from this podcast? Yolanda: I have learned that I love Holy Cross way more than I talk about it. Holly: We'll put it in an ad for the school. Yolanda: No, it really is true. I believe that the pandemic has been a blessing to me because as much as I love Holy Cross and influenced by it, I don't think I've talked about it a lot. And what this allowed me to do is to reconnect and remember, and reflect more on how much of an influence Holy Cross has been in my today. And I love that and I love that I love Holy Cross. Holly: And I mean, so far I'm loving it too. And I think I'll continue to after this, we'll see. It's all good. It's all been really good so far. Well, I think that that is everything I had to ask you tonight. Yolanda, thank you so much for joining me on Mission-Driven. Yolanda: Thank you. Holly: Thank you very much for letting me host as well, Maura. This has been so much fun. Yolanda: Yeah, this has been great. Thank you for having me and take care and I can't wait to finish watching your journey. Holly: And I cannot wait to continue to see how yours unfolds and I can't wait to chat even more about the future. Yolanda: You got it. We're connected. Maura: That's our show. I hope you enjoy hearing about just one of the many ways that Holy Cross alumni have been inspired by the mission to be people for and with others. A special thanks to today's guests and everyone at Holy Cross, who has contributed to making this podcast a reality. If you or someone you know would like to be featured on this podcast, then please send us an email at alumnicareers@holycross.edu. If you like what you hear, then please leave us a review. This podcast is brought to you by the office of Alumni Relations at the College of the Holy Cross. You can subscribe for future episodes wherever you find your podcast. I'm your host Maura Sweeney and this is Mission-Driven. In the words of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, “Now go forth and set the world on fire.” Theme music composed by Scott Holmes, courtesy of freemusicarchive.org.

This week we hear from four incredible individuals who have navigated their way through their journey as artists in very different ways. While their voices are unique, the thread that runs through will be recognized by anyone who strives to live a life versus just make a living.  Resilience, authenticity, courage and allyship are all on stage within this two-hour episode.Matt Seiiji Ketai is Japanese- American writer and actor originally from Abq, New Mexico. As an actor, Matt’s New York credits include: Abingdon Square (reading, WP Theatre), LIAR (workshop, dir. Tamilla Woodard), Oedipus (La Mama), La Ruta (workshop, Working Theatre), Xander Xist […] (premiere, wr. Jeremy O. Harris), Mom Play (premiere, wr. Sarah Delappe), among others. Regional credits include: Hot Cross Buns (workshop, Seattle Rep), Regretfully, So the Birds Are (reading, Ojai Playwrights Conference), Dracula (Williamstown Theatre Fest), A Christmas Carol (Trinity Rep.), Ideation (New Rep), among others. Film/TV: Egg Day, Start Up, Startup. As a writer, Matt's work has been produced throughout New York and New England (most recent productions include: Blue. (PrideFest 2019– New Wave) and God’s Game (Brunch Theatre - 2020). He was a semi-finalist in the ATX television pitch competition (2021) and his screenplay From Top to Bottom was a quarterfinalist in the 2020 WeScreenplay TV competition, among others. He has written for the web-series “Love In NY” and for Bad Guru Productions (Start Up, Start-Up). And in 2019 his  solo show Spiral. was a Critic's Pick at the United Solo Festival and was featured at the FGP 2019 anti-gala. Training:  BFA Boston University, MFA Brown University. Instagram/Twitter: @mattketai www.mattketai.comAlexis Green (she, her)  is a professional actor and director living in Chicago. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Alexis earned a BA in Theatre Arts from Arizona State University and an MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. Since graduating, Alexis has traveled acting and directing for various theatres around the country. Most recently, Alexis was awarded the Chason Directing Fellowship at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Alexis is currently the Senior Program Coordinator for artEquity and she serves as the chair of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access committee for Notch Theatre Company. David Samuel is a Brooklyn-based actor, musician, writer, and producer. He received his MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. He has performed as an actor around the U.S. in musicals, new plays, and Shakespeare. He recently submitted his documentary, "Niguse and The Red Terror" to several film festivals. Go to www.kingofaxum.com for more. Julia Atwood (she/her) is an actor based in New York City. She received her BA in Classics & Psychology from Wheaton College (MA) and her MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. Recent theatrical credits include: Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) at Trinity Rep. Television credits: The Good Fight, Bull. Julia premiered her one-woman show At Home with Fleetwood Mac at Dixon Place in January, 2020. She has narrated for Penguin Random House Audio and Capstone Publishing and voiced the commercial for the 2019 Calvin Klein Watch & Jewelry Campaign.  Website: juliaatwood.com  Lastly, in anticipation of the November 2020 Election, Matt Ketai and fellow actor/activist, Julia Atwood, partnered in launching Energize the Vote: a digital, grassroots organization dedicated to voter education and voter turnout (@energizethevote) Support the show (https://donorbox.org/the-courage-campaign-1)

Brian McEleney's adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Tale Of Two Cities" is on now at Trinity Rep. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talks with Chuck Hinman about where the production succeeds and where the play falls short. We also have a preview of two contemporary dance productions you can see this weekend.

The Bartholomewtown Podcast Holiday Special featuring RI Governor Gina Raimondo, RI Lt. Gov Dan McKee, Chef Frank Terranova, Trinity Rep's Michelle Cruz, NAACP Providence President Jim Vincent, The Public's Radio's Scott MacKay, WPRO's Steve Klamkin, Cat Country/studio 10's Ben DeCastro and singer/songwriter/artist Dan Blakeslee!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bartholomewtown?fan_landing=true)

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to callers to hear their thoughts on Trump’s choice to not comply with House impeachment proceedings. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed three LGBT descrimination cases that the Supreme Court heard on Tuesday. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed President Trump’s decision to pull troops out of northeast Syria, as well as the latest on the House impeachment inquiry. WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen reviewed Trinity Rep’s production of “Prince of Providence,” as well as “Homer at the Beach,” a gallery of Winslow Homer paintings on display at the Cape Ann Museum. Listeners phoned in to discuss whether cell phones have any place in theaters and schools. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed his latest piece, which bemoans a new interior design trend:  Judging books exclusively by their covers and using them as decorative objects. Listeners phoned in to give their thoughts on reading in 2019.

Veteran Projo reporter and author Mike Stanton talks Cianci, media, Rhode Island politics, journalism classrooms and much more!Mike Stanton is an author, investigative reporter and associate professor of journalism at the University of Connecticut. He worked for years as a sports writer and investigative reporter for The Providence Journal, where he shared a Pulitzer Prize, and is the author of the New York Times-bestselling The Prince of Providence, a biography of the late felonious ex-mayor, Buddy Cianci, and the author of Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked WorldSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bartholomewtown?fan_landing=true)

It is one of the great food towns that most people don’t know about. We’re going to entice you with Providence Rhode Island. Check out Pat Cruz's site: www.patcruzevents.comAnd this site for all events in Providence: https://www.goprovidence.comHere is the Providence Performing Arts Center: https://www.ppacri.orgAnd Trinity Rep: https://www.trinityrep.com/I was fortunate to graduate from Providence College in Providence Rhode Island. I also was a reporter and anchor at WPRI in Providence. So over the years I have spent a lot of time there. It has a salty reputation from back in the 70s as a home for The New England mafia. In fact, I was there as the feds were cracking down on the Patriarca crime family. Providence also had its political characters like former mayor, and convicted felon, the late Buddy Cianci. In fact, there is a play coming up – on buddy’s life -- at Trinity Rep – one of the great playhouses in the US – you should take in if you visit the Ocean State.Providence has its own New England accent. Unless you lived in New England you would have a difficult time differentiating it from a Boston or a New York accent. Providence also has its own language. A milkshake there is called a cabinet.In Rhode Island and in Providence, it’s a quahog – not a clam. And while driving, a rotary is known as a round-about.Providence is also a rebuilt city that is a joy to visit with a great waterfront on Narragansett Bay. It’s food culture comes from the mix of Italian and Portuguese immigrants who make up a lot of providence and Rhode Island throughout the 20th century. To help us explore the culinary experience in Providence, let me bring in an expert.Pat Paolino Cruz is a Rhode Island resident. She runs Pat Cruz events. She puts on a number of events like the taste of Rhode Island.She has a long list of great things to try. Listen in.

This Friday and Saturday, Mixed Magic Theatre presents “Night's People” at Trinity Rep. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley tells us how he was first inspired by the night 35 years ago. Plus new kinetic sculptures coming to New Bedford and RI Pride Fest in Providence.

This Friday and Saturday, Mixed Magic Theatre presents “Night’s People” at Trinity Rep. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley tells us how he was first inspired by the night 35 years ago. Plus new kinetic sculptures coming to New Bedford and RI Pride Fest in Providence.

Joe Wilson, Jr. is a theatrical actor and activist, who is Coordinator Of Activism Through Performance and Resident Acting Company Member with Providence's Trinity Repertory Company, described as "one of the most respected regional theatres in the country"Our conversation included Mr. Wilson's journey as an artist and political activist, including his origins in the deep south, and stints in New York City.However, the core of our discussion focused on many critical social justice and creativity fertilization issues facing Rhode Island and beyond.How do we measure the impact that arts have on students, municipalities and society at large, when hard data is so often unable to quantify the intangible benefits that art provides?And how does Providence, and Rhode Island as a whole stack up against other regions when it comes to using the arts as a springboard for ideas and development?follow on Twitter @billbartholomew + IG @bartholomewtownpodcastSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bartholomewtown?fan_landing=true)

TEN YEARS LATER. . .we review the shows we saw like, a month (or more) ago: An Iliad at Trinity Rep, The Revolutionists by Epic Theatre Company, and the national tour of School of Rock at PPAC. Maybe we'll explain why this took so long next time!

Mike Stanton joins the Tara Granahan Show to discuss his book The Prince of Providence about Buddy Cianci being turned into a play by Trinity Rep.

Mike Stanton joins the Tara Granahan Show to discuss his book The Prince of Providence about Buddy Cianci being turned into a play by Trinity Rep.

We're back! Today we're talking about two Russia-based musicals, the touring cast of Anastasia and the sorely missed Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Also, why Trinity Rep would be the best place for a regional Great Comet production. (Seriously!!) Links to Russian kitten Instagram accounts tomorrow. . .

Kim Kalunian is an anchor and reporter for WPRI channel 12 television in Providence, RI, where she has emerged as a signature talent on the station's roster.Ahead of pursuing a full-time broadcasting career, which launched with radio work, and a stint at Providence news-talk station WPRO, Kim was a full-time stage actress, performing nationally and locally, including at Trinity Rep.  I identified with Kim's journey as an artist, making bold choices to pursue her dreams - and fulfil her purpose - and her application of The Artist's Life to news media.I'd wondered what it was that made Kim decide to shift from the stage to the newsroom, and how her life's journey informs her approach to delivering news to the WPRI audience.We discussed some key commonalities between fine art and journalism, including the idea that, at the end of the day, artists and journalists are each charged with the pursuit of examining, trying to make sense, and report back on the human condition.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bartholomewtown?fan_landing=true)

Trinity Rep's Spectrum Theatre Ensemble, a leader in accessibility programming, is building a canon of new work for neurodiverse performers and audiences.

LEAPS OF FAITH AND OTHER MISTAKES From the company behind Exile 2588 comes a re-envisioning of Almanac's acclaimed tale of sublime human idiocy, isolationist seafarer cults, & the absurdity of believing too hard. Breathtaking acrobatics & earnest theatricality combine with brand new live music. What do people do when they find themselves lost at sea? ABOUT ALMANAC DANCE CIRCUS THEATRE Called “The little dance theatre troupe that could” by Philadelphia's City Paper, Almanac was founded in 2013 by Nick Gillette and Ben Grinberg, graduates of the Pig Iron School for Advanced Performance Training, with Adam Kerbel, a graduate of the Headlong Performance Institute. The company pursues present performance at the edge of what is possible, through playful honesty. Since its founding, Almanac has performed for tens of thousands across eleven states and in Mexico, from street fairs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, elementary school assemblies to private parties and events. They were selected as 2013-2014 Fresh Tracks Artists at New York Live Arts, were the first resident company at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, and are artists-in-residence at Mascher Space Co-Op. Their work has been presented by FringeArts, NYU Skirball Center/Circus Now!, Trinity Rep, the International Festival of Contemporary Dance of Mexico City, the Faux/Real Festival, Colgate University, Reading Terminal Market, Bearnstow, Pig Iron Theatre Company, the University City District, Automatic Arts, and New York Live Arts, among others.

Production Manager Ruth Sternberg is the primary facilitator in executing a stage production within its given financial parameters. She discusses with the director and designers what they want to achieve and provides staffing and resources for each play. After 10 years at Trinity Rep with Oskar Eustis, they both moved to the Public Theater where they work on 6 stages, "Shakespeare in the Park" at the Delacorte Theater, and off-site productions such as "Passing Strange", "Hair", "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson", and "The Merchant of Venice" on Broadway. Sternberg loves that her job always brings a new challenge, such as the one seen here for "Kicking a Dead Horse".

Production Manager Ruth Sternberg is the primary facilitator in executing a stage production within its given financial parameters. She discusses with the director and designers what they want to achieve and provides staffing and resources for each play. After 10 years at Trinity Rep with Oskar Eustis, they both moved to the Public Theater where they work on 6 stages, "Shakespeare in the Park" at the Delacorte Theater, and off-site productions such as "Passing Strange", "Hair", "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson", and "The Merchant of Venice" on Broadway. Sternberg loves that her job always brings a new challenge, such as the one seen here for "Kicking a Dead Horse".

Join Candidly Candace as she talks with actress and playwright Christina Chan about the challenges of Asian-American women. Ms. Chan's work focuses on Asian-American women and immigration issues. In 20022, she was the Somerville Artist Fellow and the Artist in residence at the Boston Center for the Arts. She graduated from Simmons and the Trinity Rep. Conservatory. Her first solo piece "Unbinding Our Lives" shatters the exotic, subservient China Doll image. Listeners are encouraged to call 347-996-3381 with questions or comments during our live broadcast. There will also be a fifteen minute chat following the broadcast.

Director Anne Bogart discusses the formation of her SITI Company and why, after 16 years of existence, they're only now staging their first New York season at Dance Theatre Workshop. She also talks about her family's heritage in the Navy and how theatre played a role in her life as she moved from school to school (including two years in Japan), and why theatre and the Navy are alike; her "All About Eve"-like assumption of the direction of her first show, while in high school in Rhode Island; the profound effect of seeing "Macbeth" at Trinity Rep; her journey through four colleges over five years on her way to a degree; her early work in New York, including sit-specific theatre on a shoestring; her time running the Experimental Theatre Wing at NYU, including her acclaimed production of "South Pacific" set in a veterans' mental institution; her "great and horrible" year as artistic director of Trinity Rep; how the SITI Company married the teachings of Tadashi Suzuki and the "Viewpoints" system of performance; and why she sees Violence, Terror, and Eroticism as central to the task of directing. Original air date - October 26, 2009.

Director Anne Bogart discusses the formation of her SITI Company and why, after 16 years of existence, they're only now staging their first New York season at Dance Theatre Workshop. She also talks about her family's heritage in the Navy and how theatre played a role in her life as she moved from school to school (including two years in Japan), and why theatre and the Navy are alike; her "All About Eve"-like assumption of the direction of her first show, while in high school in Rhode Island; the profound effect of seeing "Macbeth" at Trinity Rep; her journey through four colleges over five years on her way to a degree; her early work in New York, including sit-specific theatre on a shoestring; her time running the Experimental Theatre Wing at NYU, including her acclaimed production of "South Pacific" set in a veterans' mental institution; her "great and horrible" year as artistic director of Trinity Rep; how the SITI Company married the teachings of Tadashi Suzuki and the "Viewpoints" system of performance; and why she sees Violence, Terror, and Eroticism as central to the task of directing. Original air date - October 26, 2009.