Between Two Thrones

Ever wonder what it actually takes to build a theatre set? Spoiler alert: It's a lot more than some plywood, paint, and a prayer.In this special Halloween episode of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon welcomes longtime friend, musician, educator, and theatrical set builder Colin Smith to the other throne for a hilarious and surprisingly insightful conversation about the chaos, creativity, and craftsmanship behind live theatre.After 10 years of friendship and working together at Wonderland Academy, Allison and Colin have plenty of stories to tell. From building elaborate theatrical sets on limited budgets to surviving last-minute changes during tech week, Colin shares what really goes into bringing a director's vision to life.They dive into the world of theatrical set design, scenic painting, backstage safety, creative collaboration, and the importance of reusing materials without sacrificing the magic of a production.But what happens when a trap door doesn't work? What if a set piece fails during a performance? And why do directors think asking for "just one little change" the night before opening is perfectly reasonable?Colin also shares his experiences as a pianist, music educator, and composer, including how he and Allison have collaborated to turn children's books into original stage musicals.And because it's our Halloween episode, things get a little spooky and a lot ridiculous. We're talking haunted theatre stories, Harry Potter-inspired sets, floating candles, cursed green rooms, questionable backstage behavior, and some absolutely ruthless sentences in Theatre Court.Beyond the laughs, Colin shares an important lesson about working in the performing arts: Creating something extraordinary takes a village, and learning to ask for help is just as important as having the talent to do the work yourself.Whether you're an actor, director, stage manager, set designer, theatre educator, or just someone who loves discovering what happens behind the curtain, this episode is for you.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we sit with the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some, but not for us.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

Being a talented musician is one thing. Actually making a living doing it? That's a whole different performance.On this episode of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon welcomes singer, songwriter, musician, and music educator Audrey Broussard to the other throne to talk about what it really takes to build a career in music without leaving your hometown.Audrey is the creative force behind Monarch Lullaby, an independent music project that recently released *Here From the Garden*, an album inspired by the flora and fauna of Louisiana. Between recording music, performing live, teaching private lessons, and music directing, Audrey has found a way to turn her passion into a career.But making it as an independent artist isn't just about being talented.Allison and Audrey get into the realities of the music business, from finding gigs and handling rejection to networking, promoting yourself, surviving streaming royalties, and learning why being someone people actually WANT to work with might be more important than being the most talented person in the room.They also talk about songwriting, letting go of perfectionism, finding your authentic sound, and why success doesn't have to mean going viral or becoming famous.And because this is Between Two Thrones, there's plenty of nonsense along the way. We're talking forgotten lyrics, awkward stage banter, questionable song requests, performing arts crimes, and whether requesting Free Bird at an original music show deserves a life sentence.Audrey also shares her biggest lesson for aspiring artists: Say yes to opportunities that scare you a little. Sometimes the experiences that push you outside your comfort zone are the ones that help you grow the most.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we meet the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some, but not for us.+Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

Can you actually make a living in theatre, or is being an artist just a hobby?On Episode 4 of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon welcomes actor, director, and arts advocate Josiah Price to the other throne for a conversation about making a career in the performing arts, creating opportunities, overcoming fear, and why representation matters in community theatre.Josiah shares his journey from being a shy kid who cried because he didn't want to attend theatre camp to becoming an actor, director, and leader helping create opportunities for artists in Acadiana.They discuss the importance of Black Theater Experience, bringing diverse stories to the stage, his work with the Juneteenth Story, and why young performers need spaces where they feel safe enough to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.They also dive into the challenges of directing, the importance of understudies, rehearsal etiquette, Shakespeare, and Josiah's upcoming performance in Othello, set in the 1980s.And because this is Between Two Thrones, things get a little ridiculous. We're talking stolen witch boots, Beyoncé's pants, Theatre Court, actors peeing their pants before places, questionable rehearsal behavior, and some very strong opinions about what should happen to people who touch the soundboard without permission.But underneath the laughter is a message every artist needs to hear: You don't have to wait for someone else to give you an opportunity. Sometimes you have to create it yourself.And Josiah's biggest theatre non-negotiable? Don't half-ass your art. Even with limited resources, you can create something beautiful, intentional, and meaningful.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we sit with the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some, but not for us.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

What happens when a counselor, performer, first-time director, and lifelong theatre lover rolls up to the other throne in a pair of roller skates from 1983?On Episode 3 of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon sits down with Melissa Bowen for a conversation about theatre, directing, community, creativity, people pleasing, finding joy in the ordinary and why being capable of doing something doesn’t always mean you have the capacity to do it.Melissa opens up about directing Singin’ in the Rain: Senior, working with a cast largely made up of people new to theatre, and watching that cast become a genuine community.They also get into what actors need to understand about their directors, why performers should come to rehearsal prepared, actors directing other actors, audience etiquette, 16-bar audition cuts, pre-show nerves, community theatre, and why everyone should experience making theatre at least once.And, of course, there are 1983 roller skates, feather boas, Theatre Court, unpopular opinions, Too Much or Not Enough, Broadway trading cards, spontaneous singing, and some Jeremy Jordan slander.But underneath all the chaos is Melissa’s non-negotiable: theatre should bring freedom and joy. We work hard enough in the rest of our lives. The thing we love shouldn’t become another thing that makes us miserable.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we sit with the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some… but not for us.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

What happens when a band director, choir teacher, drama club sponsor, musician, music director, choreographer AND performer takes a seat on the throne?On Episode 2 of Between 2 thrones, Allison Barron Brandon sits down with Amy Williams to talk about what really goes into making performing arts happen and why being talented is only part of the equation.Amy shares what performers don't always see behind choreography, why she'd rather work with someone prepared than brilliant-but-late, the importance of vocal warmups, and why musical theatre performers need to tell the story instead of simply singing the song well. Plus, we're putting theatre crimes on trial, debating Cats, defending jazz hands, talking ensemble singing, opening the Sparkle Box, and answering the ultimate question: What's your non-negotiable in the arts?Amy's answer is simple: Be a team player.Welcome back to Between Two Thrones, where performing arts conversations are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe a little too much for some. But not for us.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every skit Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

Welcome to the very first episode of Between Two Thrones, the new Too Much Allison talk show where performing arts conversations get honest, insightful, and occasionally completely unhinged.Host Allison Barron Brandon sits down with her best friend and fellow theatre practitioner Sarah Gauthier, who has done a little bit of everything: acting, directing, producing, teaching, stage management, lighting, sound, set building, and more.They’re talking about the things theatre people actually want to talk about: why theatre education matters, what actors should understand about working behind the scenes, why leaving strike early is a CRIME, ensemble vs. lead roles, theatre pet peeves, community theatre, stage management, and the transferable life skills that come from making theatre.Plus: Theatre Court, unpopular opinions, Too Much or Not Enough, a hula hoop competition, Broadway trading cards, and the most important question of all: what is your theatre non-negotiable? Sarah’s answer? Leave the entitlement at the door.Welcome to Between Two Thrones. Come for the theatre. Stay for the chaos.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every skitConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts