Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

The Artistic Director of the National Chamber Ensemble Leo Sushansky returned to the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to update us on how the group "pivoted" in response to the pandemic and shutdown by recording their concerts. Get all the details about two upcoming shows rounding out this current season, sneak peek into next season's productions, and how to get access to the three concerts already aired (Tribute to Beethoven, Holiday concert and Russian Valentine show). Also get his take on performing without a live audience and how that impacted the concerts.

Synetic Theater has introduced a new streaming website with both archived content of previously produced shows, as well as new original filmed work and licensed pieces. Get all the details in our podcast with the organization's Managing Director Jason Najjoum and Associate Producer J.P. McLaurin. Also find out about their upcoming hybrid season of productions, subscription packages available, and the latest on their first expected live performance back in their theater "Servant of Two Masters."

Actor and newly named Director of Education at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts Natalie Cutcher taught us a lot about the Italian theater acting genre of "Commedia dell'Arte" - the highly physical and improvisational style of acting with roots in the 1500's. Also hear her entertaining story about her first foray into acting during her elementary school days, what is happening at the Conservatory, and her role in the sci-fi podcast entitled EOS10.

The Executive Director of The Arcanists Quill Nebeker chatted with us about his evolving thinking about theater productions which led to his founding of The Arcanists. He sought to change the typical (and frustrating) DC theater production model to one that stresses actual dialogue with the audience and is labeled "creative, non-fiction." Hear about previous productions of "The Tarot Reading" and get details on the exciting upcoming events called "SHRINES' which is an interactive and socially-distanced series of activities throughout town.

Visual Artist Sherry Trachtman chatted about her unique form of artwork called "collage assemblage" which is wall-hung sculptures using obsolete materials that are headed for the garbage. Find out what objects she has been using, her material driven creative process, details about her exhibit at the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art, and some of the current series of art pieces she is working on. Also learn the first "object" she fell in love with, as well as how the pandemic has impacted her work.

Visual Artist Jenny Wu enlightens us in this podcast about her unique style of artwork - sculptured painting. Learn about her process, what final products look like and how she evolved into this style as a professional artist. Also get all the details about her duo exhibit at the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art, what obsolete object is featured in her pieces and why young children will especially appreciate her work. And what amusing point did a couple of patrons tell her about her brightly colored paintings?

Pianist and Music Conductor Leigh Delano and Actor Wyn Delano joined "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" for a chat and told us such a wonderful and heartwarming serendipitous story about how they ended up together as a DC Theater couple. Truly a story worthy of being a play or movie. Also find out how each of them have been staying busy and working during the shutdown, the silver lining of the pandemic for theater professionals, how it felt to perform in person at a Cabaret this past summer and some very insightful words of wisdom for all their fellow actors and theater personnel. Loved chatting with them both.

The duo members of the band Luna Valeria Stewart and Kathleen Huber were guests on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" to discuss the origins of their band, how they ended up focusing on performing folk (with a touch of jazz) music, details on their recently released EP "The Alchemist's Journey" and future songs coming soon. Also hear about the visual arts and singing/songwriting contest they organized for local high school students in order to build a better community through the arts.

Playwright AJ Campbell and Actor Cameron Lee Conlan joined us to talk about the new collective formed after the COVID shutdown called the "Quarantine Players." Find out how to get involved (both playwrights and actors), the mission of the group, past play reading themes and future ones coming soon (including "Settlements" about former Theater J Artistic Director Ari Roth and how they uniquely work with playwrights on their plays. Also find out how Cameron had to acclimate to performing online. This group is doing wonderful work for playwrights during the pandemic.

The Artistic Director of Opera Nova Jose Sacin appeared on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" for a discussion about the group's emphasis on introducing children to opera. From "Monkey See, Monkey Do" to "The Barber of Seville" Jose attempts to show children that they already know opera songs and makes opera more accessible to them. Also the group is releasing a concert a month for the next five months: Holiday Songs (December); Songs for Seniors (January); Highlighting African American Singers (February); Children's program (March); and Three Peruvian Baritones (April). Kudos to Opera Nova for making opera available to both children and seniors during this shutdown.