Listen to Janet Kopenhaver as she bids farewell to Embracing Arlington Arts Talks with an interview by the new host Carlos Velazquez. Janet talks about her successes, hopes for the future of Embracing Arlington Arts, and her new work in Ashville, NC. We invite our listeners to send a congratulatory message to Janet at https://bit.ly/JanetKFarewell

The Managing Director of Signature Theatre returned to the show to give us all the details about the four remaining productions this season (including "Job," "In the Heights," and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"), as well as information on several different ticket offers and options. Additionally, hear her thoughts on how the theater industry has evolved and changed over the last 5-7 and specifically changes Signature made to its production schedule. This episode also marks Janet Kopenhaver's last as the host of "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" so it was so appropriate to have Maggie as the last guest since she was the absolute first guest in 2017. 

Author Raymond Goode joined us on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to talk about his new book entitled "Through Their Eyes" which is a collection of real-life stories he has collected over the years. He also gave us details about the unique way he brings these stories to life on stage using several different art genres. Also hear snippets of his own story, the many hurdles he has had to overcome, and what his next book will be about.

The Co-Founders of the non-profit organization Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) joined us to talk about how the ATA came about, its mission and vision, goals for the near future, membership benefits (including matching arts professionals with performing arts organization decisionmakers), and its very unique and user-friendly Calendar of Events. Also learn about how each of them ended up in the theater industry, background on the Attic Salt Theatre Company, and how supporters and patrons can help performing arts groups which have been hit so hard by the pandemic and recent hurricane in Western North Carolina.

Jason Tamborini, the Artistic Director of Prologue Theatre, returned to the show to catch us up to date on what the theater has been up to since COVID and share his thoughts on the state of the theater industry. He also gave us all the details about their upcoming premiere of "The Horse and Carriage" - a thought-provoking play that everyone will be able to relate to in some fashion. Find out who all the actors are (all of whom have been seen before on Prologue's stages), details about the unique immersive set, and some extra events scheduled to coincide with certain performances.

Horror story writer David Allen Voyles came on the show to tell us how his journey all began in the ghost world. Hear about his unique ghost tour company that brought visitors around in a hearse, how he gave his students immersive learning experiences when reading certain books, how he ended up writing horror stories and details about his own podcast. Also get all the details about his newly released book "Edgar: When Poe's Nightmares Began" that that asks what if Poe's stories all stemmed from actual experiences he had when he was 15, and his inclusion in the book of a listing of all the short stories referenced.

Actor Karen Covington-Yow came on the show to talk about her new show - "Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class" - a one-person show being presented at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. Find out how she got involved in the theater world, how her acting training helped her law career, what roles are on her "bucket list," how she prepares for a one-person show and much more. Also hear her thoughts on obtaining audience participation and how music helped her through the COVID shutdown.

The Associate Director of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts John Hall returned to the show to update our DC and Asheville listeners about their multifaceted and exciting upcoming season - just in time for "leaf peeper" season. From numerous exhibitions to diverse concerts to storytellers to a robust theater schedule, the Center has it all. Also get details about how their production of "A Christmas Carol" is so unique, what Tony-award winning show will be presented in 2025, and a listing of workshops and classes that includes something for everyone. 

Eric Rubio, the Director of Finance and Administration for The Washington Chorus was our latest guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast. He gave us the scoop on what Arts Management professionals do and how the industry has changed after COVID, as well as details about The Washington Chorus, its mission, upcoming season, importance and who to become a singing member. He also briefed us on his fellowship at the Sphinx Organization and its emphasis on arts advocacy, and explained why he wanted to join the Embracing Arlington Arts Board of Directors (which he did!).

Tessa Klein, who manages the "Creative Age" program at Educational Theatre Company (ETC) appeared as a guest on the podcast to talk about this very unique and wonderful program that greatly benefits seniors. The program has students telling their own stories and putting these stories into an original play, as well as them reading and acting out already published plays. Also hear why and how this program provides health benefits for older adults and hear one pretty insightful story from one participant. And we hear about Tessa's acting career and types of roles she tends to gravitate towards.