ACE Interviews

Jay sits down with the talented singer/songwriter Olivia DaPonte to talk about her career in music and as a student/artist. Listen in to hear how a scholar balances life, art and grades

Jay sits down with Anna Smith, the most decorated performer in ACE history, on how her career began and what it takes to make it in the world of theatre.

Find more at: annacatherinesmith.com

Jay talks with Jed Diamond, Associate Acting Professor at University of Tennessee and head of the Graduate Acting Program. Jed was a late-comer to theatre, but his resume is quite extensive, from grad school at prestigious NYU, to Shakespeare in the Park and now a long-standing and respected acting teacher at University of Tennessee. He story is fascinating and his advice to young actors is invaluable.

Chelsea LeValley is a diverse theatre professional. She has worn almost every hat, from actor, director, writer, and stage manager. She is based in Seattle, but has performed all over the country. She is most known for being in the original production of Come From Away. Jay sits down to talk career advice and the importance of having diverse skills in theatre.

Find more at chelsealevalley.com

Kim Martin-Cotten is an award winning actress having appeared in theatres across the country, from Broadway to Chicago, LA to Louisville, to many places in between. Listen to her fascinating story, including one in which she got to put Al Pacino in his place (in character, of course).

hangatale.org

Matt Lytle, a former student of Jay’s, has had an extensive career already at the young age of 31. He is a graduate of Boston University Conservatory and has a graduate degree from Brown University. Along the way he has been all over the country playing roles – some of which are Shakespeare’s greatest characters.mattlytleactor.com

Courtney Lucien is a Midwest-based actor, singer, and voice-over artist (and Jay’s former student). She has an extensive list of credits with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and is a graduate of Indiana University. courtneylucien.com

See this interview on video at aceknox.com

Alan Gratz is an Asheville-based Knoxville native and UT grad who has written sixteen books for young readers, including Samurai Shortstop, The Brooklyn Nine, and Refugee which spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list. alangratz.com

See this interview on video at aceknox.com

Jay gets the scoop on life in Musical Theatre with four talented actors at four different stages of their careers: A high school lead, a college Freshman, a college Senior and a professional.

See this interview on video at aceknox.com

Kate Arrington has been an ensemble member of the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 2007. She has appeared on Broadway in Our Mother’s Brief Affair, Grace, and The American Plan. Kate’s recent film and television credits include the Amazon Original film Brittany Runs a Marathon and Martin Scorcese’s The Irishman, as well as Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, The Blacklist and many others. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the creator of Steppenwolf’s 88-Seat Project which brings ensemble members together with teens across Chicago for a weekend each summer.