Applause: The Guthrie Talks Performing Arts

What do George Burns and Tyler Perry have in common? They've BOTH worked with our guest, Jeff Warren. From his early days in Grove City as a Plaidette, a band member, a thespian and big Guthrie Theatre Fan to his work on stage, screen and on the air, Jeff discusses the fun of growing up in Grove City and the journey he makes to his present career in the arts. 

We are so excited to release #11! We had to put off releasing this episode (it will be obvious) but Ric Ryder is nothing but awesome! We literally had a fabulous time interviewing Rick and we're so excited to have him on Applause. You will LOVE this interview with talented, expressive, interesting, funny Broadway actor and professional performance coach, Ric Ryder! Find out more about him on his blog and website:

https://ricryder.com/contact/

https://rydervoiceworks.com/my-story/

Hey, if you want to rent the Theatre, just send an email to: [email protected]

This episode's guests are very special: 3 of the cast and the Associate Director of the upcoming SRU musical "Making Melrose!" Last episode's guest was Aaron Galligan-Stierle- Actor, Master Teacher, Director and member of Slippery Rock University's Musical Theatre Faculty! Aaron and his SRU team got seriously creative and are ready to present their World Premiere: MAKING MELROSE

by Daniel M. Lincoln and Omri Schein

a new world-premiere musical comedy presented by the SRU Theatre Department, directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle

Impersonating someone often comes with consequences… SRU’s Theatre Department presents the world premiere musical MAKING MELROSE by Daniel Lincoln and Omri Schein. This digital age musical takes the Cyrano story, spins it, shakes it, blends it and turns it onto its silly, irreverent, modern social media smoothie head!

Performances will be virtually streamed on January 28, 29, and 30.

Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for non-SRU students. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes. Slippery Rock University Virtual Musical "Making Melrose" with the link to purchase tickets for online viewing. https://www.sru.edu/events?from&to&category=184&keyword&fbclid=IwAR2KvAzGGeZ_rJCbQ_1qZzawJYYAE2H4VuF1beIf0eLR-mg5ENZ_lL7JG6E

Meet the Cast and Associate Director:

Shawn Faroni (Milo Jacobson)

A Sophomore Musical Theatre major from Robinson, Pennsylvania. Shawn has appeared in the Slippery Rock University productions of Dogfight, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Home and Belonging, and Making Melrose. A few things Shawn enjoys are Pentatonix, quality time with friends, YouTube, free time, music, and piano. A few fun facts about Shawn are that he is a twin, he can sing two notes at once, and he has double jointed fingers.

Abigail Malczon (Cassidy Winters)

Abby Malczon is an actress and singer from Cromwell, Connecticut. She is a current freshman BFA Musical Theatre major at Slippery Rock University. In the past, she has performed in school and community theatre productions with roles such as Mother Superior in Sister Act, Scarlett in Clue, and Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!. She was most recently cast in the debut of Making Melrose: A Social Media Musical as Cassidy Winters. When she’s not performing, she is spending time with her friends and family.

Gwen Lillycrop (Imogene Holloway)

Gwen Lillycrop is a freshman at Slippery Rock University. There, she is a BFA Musical Theatre major with minors in Dance Performance and Special Education. She is originally from Westminster, Maryland, where she is currently residing. In the past, Gwen has performed with various theatre companies in her area. Some of her most recent roles include The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Judy Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at South Carroll High School. From 2019-2020, she served as Co-President of her high school drama club. She has also had nine years of dance classes and nine years of classical vocal training. When she is not in rehearsal, Gwen enjoys being outdoors, thrift shopping, volunteering with a local children’s group, and spending time with her family and two lovely cats.

AJ Sansonetti (Associate Director)

AJ is a sixth-year Theatre-Acting BA student at Slippery Rock University. He is an active member of the Musical Theatre Society at Slippery Rock University in which he has directed two full-length musicals: The Wedding Singer (2017) and All Shook Up (2019). He has also directed a few minor productions within both the SRU Theatre Department and The Musical Theatre Society at SRU. As well as directing, AJ has also appeared in SRU Theatre Department productions of Dogfight as Boland, Luna Gale as Cliff, Heathers: the Musical as Ram, and others.

Remember to support the Guthrie! https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/sessions/?siteToken=9v3ze20qencsen7cxr2c30esh0

So excited about this new year/new podcasts! We're starting off with episode #9: Aaron Galligan-Stierle- Actor, Master Teacher, Director and member of Slippery Rock University's Musical Theatre Faculty!  

Aaron Galligan-Stierle is an accomplished actor, director, and producer with critically-acclaimed work that ranges from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare. He is also a highly sought-after audition coach, providing exclusive workshops and one-on-one training for professionals in the Broadway community and at top universities across the country. With Aaron's wonderful credentials, you'll want to read them for yourself! https://www.aarongs.com/band

Be sure to check out the Slippery Rock University Virtual Musical "Making Melrose" with the link to purchase tickets for online viewing. https://www.sru.edu/events?from=&to=&category=184&keyword=

Remember to support the Guthrie! https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/sessions/?siteToken=9v3ze20qencsen7cxr2c30esh0

Art in the Time of Covid: Grove City High School's drama department tackles 2020 in their original monologues in one-act. 

This one act play is a collection of original monologues written by and about students at Grove City High School exploring themes of brokenness, loss and redemption in the year 2020. It has been devised entirely by the students in the drama department. From frustrating friendships to philosophical debates inside our own heads; from infuriating political realities to confrontations

with our own limitations, each monologue explores specific human needs, particularly as amplified by the pandemic and events of the past year, reminding us of what everyone would like, but cannot achieve: perfection.

Alex and Lisa had the opportunity to interview three of the production's participants: GCHS Drama Director Patrick McElroy, Student Director Makenna Isles, and senior actor/writer Mary Coulter. We couldn't have been more impressed with these artists' determination to tell their important stories during this difficult year! Clearly, this ensemble has crafted an original and thoughtful view of the struggles, pain, emotions and even humor in a world gone upside down! We're also excited that they have found a way to harness these times and create an original way for us to experience this. Art Always Finds a Way!

We encourage ALL our listeners to watch this production, starting this Thursday, November 19th, 7PM:

https://sites.google.com/gcas.../gchs-fall-theatre-2020/home

Also, during this time, if you are looking for unique opportunities to have a socially-distanced great event, what better plans than to rent the Guthrie Theatre? For information, contact: [email protected] 

Happy Listening!

Lisa & Alex

Lucky Number 7! This episode is amazing and features some fabulous theatrical arts teachers who are not just doing fabulous performing, they're sharing their talents with so many young people! I know that you want to find out what Alex and Lisa discovered:

- Gerald, as Education and Programs Director for Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, does amazing performing arts programs for youth that transform and inspire

- Brynn is a fabulous Broadway performer with a Pittsburgh connection that you won't believe (there's a hint in the picture)

- Both of them are wonderful with youth in the virtual Theatrical Arts Summer Camp!

Gerald Jordan

Education & Programs Director

Gerald is a Maryland native who attended both Hofstra University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has been an integral part of CCTA since 2013. Originally, he came to us as an instructor and now works as our Programs and Education Director. He works especially hard to build our Baltimore Outreach Program, and even performs as the lead in our Baltimore Residency Program as Jackie Robinson in Most Valuable Player: The Jackie Robinson Story. From his own personal experience, he knows how much of a difference the arts can make in someone’s life, and he works diligently to provide the best experience for everyone within our programs.

Brynn Williams

Professional Actor

Brynn Williams is a Maryland-raised, self-proclaimed theatre geek with a passion for storytelling. An entertainer from birth, Brynn started performing professionally at 6-years-old, and by twelve made her Broadway debut. She currently has of a total of 6 Broadway shows and a first national tour under her belt. Her favorite credits include—but are not limited to— SpongeBob SquarePants (Sandy/Pearl understudy), Bye Bye Birdie (Ursula Merkle), and 13 The Musical (Cassie) where she can be heard throughout the cast album and featured in the song “Brand New You.”

In addition to an impressive performance resume Brynn also boasts over 10 years of experience in the educational field teaching, coaching, and directing performers of all ages. When not onstage, Brynn is passionate about taking her first-hand experience in this ever-evolving industry and passing it along to the next generation of rising storytellers.

https://cctarts.org/

https://mdtheatreguide.com/.../theatre-news-brynn.../

Dance Like EVERYBODY'S Looking! Alex and Lisa discuss what's going on for the Crossroads Dance Academy in Slippery Rock while they're coping with COVID and yearning for the normalcy of dance, for the students as well as the instructors! Sarah DiFrischia, Robyn Hughes and Belle Hughes lead this extraordinary dance academy. These women have great personal inspirational stories as well as the desire to share the art of dance with the region. We discuss the teachers that motivate and inspire, Andrew Wilson (our guest from Episode 5) and his time at Crossroads, and what dance brings to everyone, regardless of age. Learn more about Crossroads Academy: http://www.crossroads-dance.com

Andrew Wilson has lived an extraordinary life; growing up in Grove City PA, Andrew shares his inspiration and memories on the road to Broadway. He talks about the people and events in his early life that inspired and challenged him. Alex and Lisa have some of those questions that we love to hear about: what is the life of a dancer? What inspires you, what gives you joy? Andrew generously shares many of the lessons of a life in the arts, This is a podcast you CANNOT MISS!

Andrew Wilson has a fantastic bio: Andrew lives in New York City, where he is a faculty member at the world-renowned Broadway Dance Center, teaching theater dance and acrobatics. He was recently seen on Broadway playing the role of Tumblebrutus in the Andy Blankenbuehler-helmed revival of CATS. He served as the dance captain and swing for the 1st National Tour of Newsies The Musical, and reprised his role of dance captain and featured Newsie in the live-capture of Newsies for Netflix and Disney+. Other touring credits include Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan, CATS 25th Anniversary International Tour and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. For Disney Cruise Line, he was in the opening casts of the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, as well as opening over 11 shows for them, including Toy Story: the Musical, Aladdin, Villains Tonight andDisney’s Believe. Regionally, he has worked at Casa Mañana, Pittsburgh CLO, the MUNY, Sacramento Music Circus, Riverside, TUTS, La Mirada and Disneyland. He has also performed on SNL, Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Access Hollywood, and has performed across the county for numerous corporate industrials. Other New York City credits include being a featured dancer for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, performing Peter Pan at Madison Square Garden and the dancing in the Disney On Broadway 25th Anniversary Gala at the New Amsterdam Theater. He has danced and acted in national commercials for CNN, FX, Gaiam and was the motion-capture “Mr. Peanut” for Super Bowl LIII commercial spots. 

Alex & Lisa talk with Spencer Folmar, an amazing artist, philanthropist and visionary film maker. Spencer is the owner of the Guthrie Theatre in Grove City, is a Hollywood director and an artist with a passion for Pennsylvania. Spencer talks to us about his journey to the present and the many turns it took to get there, including a stop at Grove City College, NYU, overseas and back again, and, of course Hollywood. He has some great insight into what the future of films and the Guthrie Theatre. 

Introducing Major Morgan, a wonderful local band who go by "No Rules, Why Not?" for their musical mission. Their Eclectic Americana style may be hard to pin down but there's DEFINITELY something for absolutely every music lover. AND they are the performers of our new theme song to Applause! We know you're going to love it as much as we do! Check back on 8-4-2020 for our podcast information or check your podcast platforms for the latest podcast.

Enjoy their eclectic covers and originals. They play everywhere from public venues like wineries and restaurants to private parties and weddings.

MEET MAJOR MORGAN:

You can find them at www.majormorganmusic.com

, https://www.facebook.com/majormorganmusic/ and Major Morgan on Instagram.