PODCASTS

04/30/2024

Technical Theater professional Sylvia J. Pierce appeared as a guest on the podcast as part of our series on the "behind the curtain" magic that happens to make a theatrical production happen. She enlightens about what exactly a technical theater professional is responsible for, with particular insight into a props manager, how she got into the industry, what dramatic changes she has seen in the technical field over the last 46 years, and how she preparing props for the upcoming production of "Thurgood" at NC Stage. Also hear some very entertaining stories about her experiences working with CNN, Eurovision and SNL, as well as her next project - "Hilloween" - a truly immersive and scary experience coming this October to Spruce Pine, NC.

04/23/2024

This is another episode featuring the "behind-the-scenes" theater professionals who are critical to bringing a production to the stage. This week we get the inside scoop on lighting and visual media design from CJ Barnwell. Find out how he ended up in this field, his process for designing, what exactly a lighting/visual media designer does and some challenges he has faced in the past. Also find out how the profession has evolved and changed over the years, as well as why the relatively new visual media component has become so important. Finally get all the details and particular challenges of lighting for the production he is working on now - a one-person show at NC Stage - "Thurgood."

04/16/2024

What an insightful and interesting interview we had with Actor Solomon Parker III who is appearing in Signature Theatre's upcoming production of "Hair." Why does he think this show is so important and relevant in 2024? Why does he believe the 1960's were so critical? How did he prepare for his role as the "President of the United States of Love" and how it contrasted to his previous role when he appeared in the production in Oregon? Answers to these questions as well as how he got into the theater industry and roles on his bucket list are some of the wide-ranging topics we discussed. And what does Solomon think would make this world a much better place?

04/09/2024

Scenic Designer and Visual Artist Julie K. Ross appeared on the podcast as part of our educational shows about the professionals not on stage that are critical to bringing a show to the stage. Hear what a Scenic Designer does, how she ended up in this career, how the profession has changed (and where projections fit in), and a prop that many times ends up on her sets as an inside joke. Also hear about her work as a visual artist and where in Dollywood one can see her very large and unique murals. Finally get the scoop on "Thurgood" opening soon at NC Stage Company and some teasers about that set.

04/02/2024

The Executive Director of Encore Stage and Studio Sara Duke returned to the show to talk about the exciting developments with their "Flip the Script" series. Hear how the students prepare and draft the play, background on the two previous productions (one focused on Arlington's first middle school integration and Green Valley) and the current one that will be all about the diversity of Arlington and its food trucks. Also hear what surprised the students in their research about Green Valley and some iconic sights in the neighborhood that are recreated on stage. Finally get all the details about the final two productions in this current season and the many different options for summer camps being offered this year.

03/26/2024

Actor Jessica Phillips took time off the stage to join us on the podcast to talk about her new show "Penelope" being presented at Signature Theatre. How did she prepare for a one-person show and portraying Penelope - Odysseus' wife in the Odyssey? Get all the details about the show and why she thinks all audience members will be able to relate so well to her character. Also learn about how she ended up in the theater industry, what are some of the big differences and adjustments actors need to make when moving from television to the stage, and what her unique answer was to roles on her bucket list.

03/19/2024

Toni Andrews, Senior Program Director at George Mason University updated us on the new construction building at George Mason University and its inclusion of the arts including digital arts and a podcast studio, as well as other arts projects the university is working on. Also get all the details about her historical fiction book "The Road to Second Chance" that she just published, what the impetus was behind her writing of it, how writing helped her mentally and emotionally, and her words of wisdom and lessons learned about how to get a book published.

03/12/2024

Actor Philip Kershaw was a guest on the podcast to talk about his travels to the artsy city of Asheville to perform in NC Stage Company's production of "Witch," Find out how he ended up in the theater industry and what led him to Asheville to appear in this production and direct their next play entitled "Thurgood." Also learn how he prepares for new roles, what is on his "bucket list," and his journey to becoming an equity actor. And what really surprising thing did he do his first week in Asheville?

03/05/2024

Broadway Directors West Hyler and Shelley Butler appeared on the Embracing Arlington Arts Talks podcast to talk about the new works festival they founded in Greenville, SC - the South Carolina New Play Festival - after leaving New York City's Broadway during the COVID shutdown. Find out how they both ended up in the theater industry, why they both believe presenting new works is so important to both the theater personnel and audiences, their international work in both Bulgaria and Japan, among many other interesting topics. Also get all the details about the festival, how it is unique (one way is through the combination of using local talent and directors/actors straight from Broadway), the associated "Broadway Cabaret" on the closing night, and the great variety of productions that are offered, including a childrens' play, musical and drama, among others. Also as very established theatrical professionals, hear their thoughts on how the theater industry is doing in this post-COVID world and how patrons can help this still struggling industry.

02/27/2024

Actor Sebastian Newman offered us some insight into being a teen involved in theater, as well as told us how he became interested in theater and why he thinks it is important to have theater in our lives. He also embellishes on why theater training helps teenagers so much in terms of leadership, personality and during times of stress (like the COVID shutdown). Also hear details about two teen programs he is participating in - Synetic Theater's Teen Program which teaches students a very unique approach to acting on stage (i.e., movement theater) and Signature Theatre's Conservatory Program which teaches more traditional acting training based specifically on what the students say they need to learn. And get all the details about Synetic's upcoming production of "Romeo & Juliet."

02/20/2024

Music Director and Conductor Chris Zimmerman was a guest on the show to talk about the Fairfax Symphony and give us all the details about their upcoming concerts. Also find out how to audition for the Symphony, how he chooses which pieces will be performed each season and the many diversity programs they have initiated. Plus hear about their exciting recent concert featuring the renowned soprano Renee Fleming and some interesting factoids about how China is voraciously embracing Western classical music.

02/13/2024

Visual Artist Brenda Goerzen joined us to talk about the health benefits of painting for her during the COVID shutdown which impacted her mentally. Also learn about the unique materials she uses for her pieces, her #1 inspiration for creating art, and how she describes her particular type of art work. And then hear what very interesting fact she dropped on us halfway through the interview about how she exactly paints and how this technique would be such an entertaining show and explains why she does not teach!