Everything Theater Podcast

Actors’ Equity Association just announced their new Open Access Policy, allowing anyone who has worked in professional theatre to join the Union immediately. We have brought together a fantastic panel of Union and Non-Union artists to discuss the Open Access Policy and the benefits and drawbacks of joining the Union. Our guests include Sue Caputo (Equity Representative), Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill (Producing Artistic Director at Capital Repertory Theatre), Jean-Remy Monnay (Artistic Director at Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York), and Tony Pallone (Equity Actor and reporter).

Actress Kelly Glyptis joins us to talk about Opera, Musicals, and creating your own opportunities as a storyteller and performer. Don't miss her beautiful performance of "Hope" by Jason Robert Brown.

Victoria Montalbano, a Chicago based actress/storyteller, joins us to talk about her experience developing her one-woman show, "The Princess Strikes Back: One Woman's Search for the Space Cowboy of her Dreams", which will be performed live AND live streamed this July. 

Benita and Ellen read audience's responses to the question: "When you're onstage and something takes you out of the play (something goes wrong onstage or your mind starts wondering, thinking about what you're going to have for dinner that night).... what do you do to snap yourself back into the scene?" Spoiler alert... it's all about listening. The ladies also chat about the upcoming Broadway season. 

Laurie O'Brien joins us from the West Coast to chat about theater on the other side of the country while also giving us a crash course in voiceovers as she discusses her work playing Baby Piggy on Muppet Babies.

Benita and Ellen discuss working on set for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", the joy of nose swabs, and the statements theater companies make with their shows.

Dina Janis, Artistic Director of the Dorset Theatre Festival, joins us to discuss this exciting time for theatre as companies are announcing seasons and restructuring their programming to reach new audiences.

As an audience member, are you ready to go back to the theater after a year and a half of the theaters being closed for the pandemic? Would you sit in an audience filled to 100% capacity? Benita and Ellen read responses from our listeners.

Broadway is ready to reopen in September after over a year and a half of being dark! Producer Elliott Masie (The Prom, Allegiance, Kinky Boots, etc) joins us to talk about the future of Broadway and how this pause will bring about many exciting changes. And then we speak to Broadway actress Ali Ewoldt (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miz, West Side Story, etc) about projects that came out of the pause and opportunities on the horizon. And she sings for us! This MEGA double-length episode shows us what an exciting time it is for theatre.

Ellen and Benita read listener's comments about what comfort level everyone has returning to the stage. Would you only work with a fully vaccinated cast? Do you need masks on during rehearsals? Are you willing to kiss anyone onstage this season? There's lots to unpack here.