Maria Manuela Goyanes, the Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, talks about her career in arts management. Speaking directly to young listeners, she offers unique advice about the industry, insight into this job choice, joys and hurdles of running a theater and whether she recommends an arts management career. Also learn her views on progress made on diversity both on and off the stage. This interview is part of a five-part "Artistic Director STEAM AHEAD" podcast series airing this winter.

Virginia Humanities Board Member Mark Habeeb and Project Advisor Mary Hynes gave an interesting interview about a grant given to Arlington from the Kellogg Foundation entitled "Changing the Narrative on Racism." Several projects were included in this grant including making cigar box instruments and middle school students creating new lyrics to traditional Piedmont blues songs. Also discussed was a theater production by high school students about the County's racial history and what surprised them the most.

Playwright/Podcaster/Filmmaker/Director (and much more) Patrick Flynn sat down with Embracing Arlington Arts President Janet Kopenhaver to talk about the many hats he has worn during his career. How exactly does one write an adaptation of a children's book? What is the unique story about Peter Pan adaptations? What does he have guests talk about on his podcast "The Original Cast?" Plus learn more about "The Velveteen Rabbit" that he wrote and is being presented by Adventure Theater.

The talented Chris Urquiaga was a guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast. Among the many interesting stories he told was about his first public performance, why his mother was convinced he would be an entertainer instead of a traditional concert pianist and what is on both his career and personal bucket list. Also get the inside scoop on the musical he is composing entitled "Mr. Manhattan." He has accomplished so much in such little time - he certainly has a long and prosperous career ahead.

The Artistic Director of the National Chamber Ensemble Leo Sushansky was the latest guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast. Learn about their upcoming concert series, as well as the find out who the winners are from the latest piano young artists competition. Also find out who the very special and unique guest musician at the Benny Goodman concert in February will be. And how does Leo pick all the pieces to be performed in a season?

Learn more about the Educational Theatre Company's Main Stage Program for elementary students from staff members Katie McCreary and Nigel Rowe. What do teachers say about their students after they complete the ten-week program? What is the process for these students to write the entire script and all the songs? Why is theatre so important for our students of all ages? Find out the answers to these questions and more during this podcast. Wonderful program to help build confidence among the participants.

The Artistic Director of the Crescendo Youth Chamber Music Program - Elizabeth O'Hara Stahr - was a guest on the podcast talking about this unique program for young talented musicians. Find out about the audition process, the difference between a viola and violin, contrasts between performing in a symphony vs. a quartet, and what this classical musician listens to while driving. Also get her take on whether today's youth are more talented than their predecessors. Very interesting interview overall.

The "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast this week features the Artistic Director of Ballet Nova Matthew Powell. A former professional ballet dancer, Matthew regales us with some of his most memorable moments on stage, as well as the changing trends in ballet training. Also hear details about their upcoming production of "The Nutcracker," a special guest performing in that show and his goals for the next five years for the organization.

The President of Opera Nova Miriam Miller and the organization's Treasurer David Ryan talked with Embracing Arlington Arts Chair Janet Kopenhaver about the organization and specifically how they are making opera fun for children while nurturing in them a love for this musical genre. Learn about all their exciting productions throughout the year, as well as their proactive efforts on exposing young audiences to social justice issues while listening to music and having fun.

Dominion Stage is presenting "Last Summer a Bluefish Cove" - a play written by Jane Chambers about feminism, lesbianism, relationships and so much more. Find out about the characters from one of the actors (Judy Lewis), the plot summary, marketing tips from AJ Campbell, and some historical discussion about the feminist movement happening at the time when this play was written. Some plays stand the test of time, and this is one of them.