call and response podcast

This week we talk with the inaugural recipient of Vineyard Theatre’s Colman Domingo Award and the inaugural recipient of the John Singleton Screenwriter Award, playwright and screenwriter York Walker. We talk about the Disney kid to Broadway fan pipeline, his artistic philosophy as a playwright, and what he learned from working on his first professional production of his horror play Covenant.

This week we talk with Brooklyn McLain, the co-founder and COO of the first Black-owned Broadway merchandise company, “merch.” We chat about the musical that made him a self-described “theatre enthusiast,” why merchandising is so important to a show’s branding, and what it was like introducing the first durag to Broadway.

This week we chat with Thaïs Bass-Moore, who both as a kid and a theatremaker has done “everything and anything!” She is an actor, director, writer, mommy, wifey, Co-Founder and  Director of University of Texas’ Fearless Leadership Institute, and author of A Syllabus for Black Women: 110 Life Lessons for Sistahs in College. We dive into the moment that made her realize how thrilling the theatre was, the undergraduate class that opened up her mind, and the impact that Texas Senate Bill 17 had on her career.

Content warning: This episode discusses misogynoir and police violence 12:41-16:13 and suicidal thoughts 17:49-18:00. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or explore more resources here.

This week, we talk with Broadway Inspirational Voices’ Artistic Director Allen René Louis, who also works as a music director, arranger, composer, lyricist, vocalist, instrumentalist, vocalist, actor, creative director, and producer. We dive into how his Haitian roots influence his musical approach, why he embraces imposter syndrome, and the artistic gifts that working on The Wiz revival gave him.

This week we welcome playwright, screenwriter, and former President of the Library Club, C.A. Johnson! We chat about the differences between collaboration for theatre versus television, how capitalism influences theatremaking, and what it was like seeing her play All The Natalie Portmans go from page to stage.

This week we chat with Nate Shelton, a self-described “general theatre person.” He’s worn many hats in the theatre space—from actor to company manager to TKTS employee to Actors’ Equity Association Contractual Business Representative. Throughout all of them, his joy and enthusiasm for the theatre has never wavered. We dive into how he joined the theatre department at Howard University, how he transitioned into arts administration from acting, and why he loves spreading the good word about theatre.

You’re gonna hear her roar! This week, we chat with Maya Boyd, the current star of &Juliet on Broadway! We discuss her experience of training in Russian ballet as a kid, how auditions helped her musical theater imposter syndrome, and what it was like making her Broadway debut in Merrily We Roll Along while she was still a senior at the University of Michigan.

Happy 10th anniversary, Holler If Ya Hear Me!

A decade ago, today, a musical featuring a score from one of history's most influential rappers, Tupac Shakur, opened at Broadway's Palace Theatre and we are celebrating with a special episode.

Though the production only lasted 17 previews and 38 performances, it impacted the Broadway landscape through its fearless integration of rap and hip hop with musical theatre and its addressing of social issues like gun violence in Black communities.

Dive into the musical's creation process and legacy with the people who were there: director Kenny Leon, book writer Todd Kriedler, music supervisor Daryl Waters, music director Zane Mark, and company members Ari Groover, Christina Sajous, Jahi Kearse, and Jaime Lincoln Smith.

Get stretching because this week we are going behind the scenes of America’s most famous kicklines! Formerly a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and a Radio City Rockette, dancer Jacie Scott knows a thing or two about high-kicks. We dive into the similarities and differences of the two groups—from auditions to misconceptions to her experience as a Black woman. We also talk about dance team camaraderie, her journey of becoming the coach of NFL’s Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, and the journal-to-personal-essay writer pipeline.

And I say, “Hey! What a wonderful kind of day!” as we chat with actor, cosplayer, and content creator Lillian Hope! We talk about why she got into cosplay content creation, why the Millennial generation is so nostalgic, and why Black Nerds Matter.