Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

The Artistic Director for Solas Nua Rex Daugherty engaged us in a very interesting discussion about contemporary Irish arts and how his theater company aims to display how Irish culture matters. Also get all the details about the upcoming workshop production of his autobiographical play entitled "The Well," his unique presentation of the one-person show "The Smuggler" before COVID hit, and a sampling of upcoming productions and events at Solas Nua.

Actor and playwright Tyler Dobies chatted with us about how he became interested in a career in the theater, how he has changed his process for preparing for roles, what is on his "bucket list," and all the details about the upcoming production of "tick, tick, BOOM" presented by Monumental Theatre Company. Also find out about his process for writing plays, what kind of shows he writes and learn about the current show he is writing.

The Producing Artistic Director for the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) Peggy McKowen joined us in the studio to talk about their return to live theater and the exciting line up for summer 2022. Also learn how they choose which plays to produce, the history and mission of CATF, and an interesting insight she shared about the plays she has received for next year written in a post-COVID world. Also get tips on her process when designing costumes.

The Vice President for Government Relations for ArtSpace Stacey Mickelson joined us on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to talk about his organization's mission and its goal of developing affordable live/work space for artists, as well as performing arts venues for all types of arts genres. Find out how they decide which communities to go into, how artists are chosen to live in each project and more. Also get more details about their potential arts project in Arlington to include artists studios and a performing arts venue. Then put on your schedules their June 19th event at the Ambassador Theater in Baltimore that focuses on artists of color.

Visual artist Emily Shepardson joined us on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to talk about two unique forms of artwork - printmaking and collages. Learn about both processes, some techniques she uses, which unexpected  material she has used and her project with miniature houses. Also hear her views, as a middle school art teacher, how art helps students, and especially how it helped them cope during the COVID shutdown.

The Media Producer for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Josephine Reed chatted with us about her podcast "Art Works" - featuring interviews with creative thinkers about their work which they are passionate about. Who were some of her previous guests (including one very well-known theater personality), who is coming on the show soon, how does she choose guests and more. Also find out about the NEA, its mission and goals, how it got started, etc.

Alissa Maru, Exhibition and Program Manager at the new Mason Exhibitions Arlington gallery gives us all the details about this exciting new venue and flexible space that will feature not only visual art, but also dance, music, film, etc. Also learn about the current exhibition "Mother" - a photography show about motherhood, a June 2 artist talk with MasPaz, an upcoming exhibition showing calligraphy work from a Syrian artist and a very exciting Arlington Collective Art Walk on June 17th.

Visual Artist Victoria Truhn gives us a very interesting "tutorial" on ceramics making using a wheel. Learn all the tricks, what's involved, how mugs are made, how you can be a ceramics artist and much more. Also find out which retail establishments carry these art pieces, upcoming arts festivals, and how COVID positively impacted her and her artwork.

Ballet Nova's Artistic Director Matthew Powell returned to the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to give us all the details about the upcoming production of "The Sleeping Beauty" - a show that has been on the docket for 2.5 years. Hear the history behind the ballet, the story lie, and an interesting factoid about "Swan Lake." Also learn about a unique petite production they will be offering for younger audiences, as well as other events coming this spring and summer, including festivals, a June performance, a collaborative production with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and their diverse summer camp offerings.  

The Publisher at DC Metro Theater Arts (DCMTA) Nicole Hertvik joined us to talk about some BIG changes happening at the organization. Get all the scoop about these developments, along with her work with the CUNY Newmark Journalism School, the state of the theater industry in the DMV, her widely received article on the drastic impact the omicron variant had on theaters, changes to services provided by DCMTA and much more.