Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

The new President of the Association of Performing Arts Professional (APAP) Lisa Richards Toney tells of her enthralling and twisting career journey that led to her arts management expertise. From the Kennedy Center to the American Place Theatre to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to being called by Debbie Allen to help with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, she has had such an interesting path and offers lots of advice to young people starting or interested in a career in the arts. Also find out about APAP, its mission, services it provides members, dedication to diversity goals and its annual conference held each year for those in the industry. Plus hear Lisa's views on required changes to ensure that the arts is a safe space for all.

Theater J's Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr and Managing Director Jojo Ruf gave us details about their unique online classes for audience members to help them better enjoy their theater experiences. "How to Watch a Play" and "Inside the Rehearsal Room" are two examples of these one of a kind classes. Also learn about the history and mission of Theater J, their Yiddish Theater Lab, the DC theater scene, silver linings from this pandemic, what parameters they will use for reopening for live performances again and much more in this interesting chat.

The President and CEO of Washington Performing Arts (WPA) Jenny Bilfield updated us on the organization's exciting new digital season, with performances scheduled by Jazz musician Sean Jones and Brinae Ali, famed opera singer J'Nai Bridges, violinist Joshua Bell, and the Sphinx Virtuosi to name just a few. Also find out the history behind the founding of WPA, their phenomenal work with DC public school students, their emphasis on highlighting local talent, how they quickly responded to the pandemic shutdown and the details on their varied subscription packages and free events being offered in 2020-2021.

The Managing Director of Signature Theatre Maggie Boland gives us some teasers in this interview about the organization's tentative plans for next season. With strict adherence to safety protocols and practices, the theater is planning a full season of digital programming using high quality multi-camera filming of live productions. Also learn what they are hearing from their audiences about returning to live theater, their vast array of online productions being offered now, their revised ticketing and subscription structure that allows more flexibility, and some silver linings of the pandemic including more collaboration between theaters.

Alex Levy, the Artistic Director for 1st Stage caught us up on his theater in this podcast interview. Find out about their planned 2021 season, his priorities for offering live performances again, the organization's commitment to take action on the cultural equity front, their unique Logan Festival for Solo Performances and a lot more. Also find out why the theater was named 1st Stage. We applaud Alex and his staff for all their work on the theatrical and diversity fronts.

The Founder of Blackstage DC, Executive Director of Artomatic and Social Media "Phenom" Natalie Graves Tucker gives a wide ranging interview on so many interesting issues. Learn about why she founded Blackstage DC which highlights the successes and career of artists of color, the multicultural marketing services provided by her company NGT Consulting, the largest pop-up art festival in DC ARTOMATIC and her interesting career journey. Also find out which famous person show would like to portray.

The Producing Director of Creative Cauldron Laura Connors Hull updated us on all the exciting programming her theater is offering during the pandemic. From outdoor cabarets to online Learning Theater Program (with an interesting twist) to recordings of live music, there is a lot going on. Also find out the wonderful news about the original musical "On Air" and her unique views on a positive change in the DC theater industry due to the shutdown.

The Executive Director of the Bangladesh heritage group Prio Bangla Pryalal Karmakar imparts some historical information about the Bangladesh community in northern Virginia, as well as background on the organization he founded. What was his goal and mission for Prio Bangla? Why did so many Bangladeshis land in northern Virginia? What event from the annual multicultural festival might still be conducted this fall? Find out the answers and much more in this interesting interview.

Social Media Senior Manager Lyndsey McFail imparts tons of advice on running a successful social media campaign in this podcast. From film, TV, music and print media, Lyndsey has a multitude of experience. Hear about her successes on the Maury Povich show to ESSENCE Magazine to BET and so much more. Also hear about her phenomenal nomination for a Webby award for her "Emoji That Track" Youtube series. Plus learn about her DJing career and company. So many accomplishments already in her career!

The Artistic Director of Theater Alliance Raymond Caldwell joined our podcast for a wide-ranging interview. Hear how the theater inspires conversation about important social issues, how he picks shows for a season, his specific decision to use the theater to heal and respond to his community's needs during this pandemic, and how the Black Lives Matter movement might change the industry for good. Also get some scoop on the Theater's upcoming season, as well as a very entertaining story about Raymond directing himself in a one-man show. Definitely Raymond is an asset to the DC theater world!