Enter Stage Left hosted by Yvette Monique Clark

"Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

🎭 From storyteller to actor, director, producer, educator, fundraiser and beyond.

On this episode of Enter Stage Left, I sit down with Kamilah L. Long, and we get into the many unexpected turns a life in the theatre can take.

Kamilah shares how a young woman from Montgomery, Alabama who planned to become a pediatrician found herself recruited into the theatre—and eventually discovered that theatre could take her places she never imagined. Pasted text

We talk about training, motherhood, finding your authentic voice, leadership, producing, directing, fundraising, and what happens when your career keeps calling you into rooms you never planned to enter.

And one of my favorite ideas from our conversation: sometimes the skills you thought might change who you are simply become another tool in your toolbox.

"Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Playwright and educator Jonathan G Galvez joins Yvette Monique Clark for a candid conversation about writing, representation, collaboration, and the realities of producing theatre.

Jonathan reflects on the first time he saw Asian performers onstage and realized, there’s a place for me here. He takes us inside his playwriting process, explains why he doesn’t believe a play is ever truly finished, and shares why hearing actors speak his words is an essential part of developing his work. Pasted text Pasted text

After 17 years of theatre festivals, he also breaks down the lessons that only come from actually putting the work on its feet—from creating productions that can work with limited resources to understanding the difference between a festival presenting your work and actually producing it. Pasted text

It’s a conversation about making the work, letting other people into the process, and realizing that sometimes the best thing you can give a new play is the freedom to experiment.

"Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Actor and singer Jonathan Studdard joins Yvette Monique Clark for a funny, open and thoughtful conversation about discovering theatre, walking away from it, and finding his way back.

Jonathan shares how growing up in Indianapolis as the son of two pastors shaped him, how Hairspray introduced him to musical theatre, and why he proudly describes himself as a “singer first, an actor, and then a mover.”

They talk about audition anxiety, representation and open-minded casting, bringing lived experience into a role, his connection to Lola in Kinky Boots, and why stepping away from performing ultimately helped Jonathan redefine his relationship with the stage.

It’s a conversation about knowing your strengths, honoring where life takes you, and realizing that being an artist doesn’t have to look just one way.

"Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Director Matt Lenz joins Yvette Monique Clark for a candid conversation about his journey from actor to director and the experiences that shaped the way he leads a rehearsal room.

From Beauty and the Beast and Aida to Hairspray and years of directing productions around the world, Matt reflects on learning by being in the room, working alongside some of theatre’s leading artists, and discovering that great directing doesn’t mean having every answer.

Matt and Yvette revisit their own Hairspray history, talk about developing young performers, collaborating with seasoned professionals, trusting an actor’s instincts, and Matt’s belief that “the best idea in the room wins.”

They also tackle self-tape auditions, the changing Broadway landscape, and why—even after decades in the business—Matt remains optimistic about the future of live theatre.

Enter Stage Left goes beyond the spotlight to talk with the people who make theatre happen—onstage, backstage, and under the stage.

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

What does it really take to be a triple threat—and still hold on to the thing that makes you you?

I sit down with actor, singer, mover and voice teacher Cameron Mitchell Bell for a conversation about growing up surrounded by church music, classical vocal training, discovering musical theatre, and building a career that has required him to be ready for just about anything.

Cameron talks candidly about the pressure on today’s performers to sing, act and dance, while questioning whether the industry is losing some of the individuality that once made theatre stars unmistakable. His philosophy? Develop every skill you can—but find your own voice.

And then there’s DRAG: The Musical. Cameron takes us inside the intimidating audition where he walked into a room filled with professional drag performers and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni—and made one BIG choice that helped him book the job. He went on to cover five tracks in the Off-Broadway production. His role as an understudy for five characters is also documented by the production.

This episode is funny, thoughtful, and a great look at what versatility really means in the theatre.

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Actor and singer Jason Pintar joins Yvette Monique Clark for a candid and funny conversation about building—and sustaining—a life in theatre. Jason traces his journey from small-town Michigan and an early appearance as The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the teenage trip to see The Lion King that made him realize performing could actually become his career.

They talk training, self-doubt, instinct versus technique, survival jobs, the feast-or-famine reality of performing, short regional rehearsal processes, and finding emotional truth in a character. Jason also reflects on the roles, collaborators and experiences that continue to shape him as an artist.

Funny, honest and unmistakably Enter Stage Left—theatre from onstage, backstage and under the stage.

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Obie Award-winning artist and arts educator James Jackson, Jr. joins Yvette Monique Clark for a conversation about teaching, performing, and the importance of bringing your authentic self into the work.

James shares the surprising story of never intending to become a performer—his original dream was to teach—and how his career onstage eventually brought him back to arts education. He discusses working with students on acting, song interpretation, auditions, and finding themselves in the material rather than copying performances they’ve seen before.

At the heart of James’ teaching is a simple but powerful philosophy: “Nobody does it like you.” From creating a safe classroom to helping performers recognize the power they hold onstage, James challenges artists to stop trying to be what they think the industry wants and start trusting what only they can bring to the room.

A thoughtful, hilarious, and inspiring conversation about finding your voice—and helping the next generation find theirs.

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

On this episode of Enter Stage Left, Yvette Monique Clark sits down with actor, director, writer, and educator Lisa Strum for a candid conversation about the craft—and the business—of building a life in the theatre.

Lisa traces her journey from growing up in Philadelphia and performing as a child to discovering theatre in college and pursuing intensive graduate actor training. Along the way, she reflects on typecasting, staying present onstage, continuing to develop your craft, and what it takes to navigate an industry that doesn’t always give artists enough time to fully explore their work.

They also talk about the increasingly short rehearsal process, the unpaid work actors often do away from the rehearsal room, creating your own opportunities, developing new work, and why artists have to remain curious enough to keep learning.

It’s a funny, thoughtful, and refreshingly real conversation about what happens when the love of performing meets the business of show.

And allegedly there's a purple trombone....

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

What does an arranger or orchestrator actually do—and why are they so essential to musical theatre?

In this episode of Enter Stage Left, host Yvette Monique Clark welcomes pianist, music director, arranger, and orchestrator Nick Perez for an engaging conversation about the creative process behind shaping the sound of live performance.

Nick explains how songs are transformed for different ensembles, the differences between arranging, orchestrating, and composing, and how instrumentation enhances storytelling. He also discusses writing for choruses, cabaret, and theatre, collaborating with composers and music directors, balancing musicians with singers, and making creative choices that elevate a score.

Whether you're a performer, musician, or theatre enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating look into one of the most important—and often overlooked—roles in musical theatre.

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Broadway performer, writer, composer, and lyricist Melvin Tunstall joins host Yvette Monique Clark for an inspiring conversation about discovering the artist beyond the performer.

Melvin reflects on his journey from rural North Carolina to Broadway, his training at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and the unexpected path that led him to co-create the award-winning Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical. Together, they explore the creative process of writing musicals, collaborating with fellow artists, embracing authenticity, and creating opportunities by telling stories that haven't yet been written.

Whether you're an actor, writer, or theatre enthusiast, this episode offers an honest and uplifting look at what it takes to build a lasting creative career in musical theatre.