What a conversation.
Dive into the hot new career in theater and film with the phenomenal Ann James.

What is intimacy choreography?  How do you define intimacy in entertainment?  What are the steps involved when you're in a production that requires (or needs!) it? 

Enter Ann James.  5 years of directing 60+ productions in China.  Creating a company and advocating for change in our profession/passion.  Deciphering what an Intimacy Choreographer is -- and what an Intimacy Director, and Intimacy Coordinator are.   Insights on discipline, traveling, and Black Joy.    With all this and more, Ann James brings you an inspiring, beautiful episode on her journey that will motivate you as you dive into your theatrical adventure.

Not only is Ann James worldly (41 countries!), experienced (directing at the Alley, Steppenwolf, Dallas Theatre Center, and Hartford Stage and Cherry Lane), and educated (Lincoln Center Director's Lab, Loyola Marymount University, and more), but she's also a change-maker: she founded Intimacy Coordinators of Color and is an advocate for "making both stage and screen safer places for Black, Indigenous and People of Color to practice their craft" (https://intimacydirectorsofcolor.com/)

Check out Ann's next talk on @theblacktheatrecaucus this Wednesday, February 24th at 4pm PST. 

Enhance your resume (union or non-union!) with the Intimacy Captain Certificate training on April 4th.  This is an exciting chance to dive into this new element within theatre communities and to put a real skill on your resume (rollerblading is cool and all...but this is better!) Sign up here.

Ann James is a delight.  You can follow her @intimacycoordinatorsofcolor and @icic_annandcarl.  Catch her chat on Clubhouse (@intimacypro1). 

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes, and you can sign up for acting lessons, career coaching, and speaking sessions at [email protected]  

This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions are immensely appreciated.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast  

Please thank Ann James for sharing her story on I Love Theatre Now What

And....we're back!

Welcome to Season 2 of the podcast that explores what to do with your love of theatre.  

Since Season 1 ended, we have experienced a pandemic that has turned our theatrical world upside down.  It's a time to reflect, refocus, and rethink how we do the arts.  Subscribe and hear from the people who are making waves and leading us forward!

“It’s time to get back to the work.” –Jason James

How to Continue Your Craft with Jason James

Jason James is Artistic Director and Founder of The Actors Establishment (www.theactorsestablishment.com) With online trainings, master classes and courses, Jason James is an advocate for continuing to train, improve and harness your acting skills. 

You can follow The Actors Establishment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with @actorsestablishment You can contact him at [email protected] 

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her for acting lessons, business coachings, and inspiration.  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing to [email protected]  

This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast  

“You have to get out of your way.”  –Joseph H Johnson Jr.

How to be a Screen Actor with Joseph H Johnson Jr

Joe Johnson is a SAG-AFTRA actor and writer in Los Angeles.  Originally from Flint, Michigan, Joe moved to the West Coast to be an actor.  Hear why he says you need to "find your tribe," tips for working on set, and how to let yourself succeed.

Hear from Joe Johnson about:

·         A D&D edition on the Youtube Channel, Handlebar TV

·         His family’s connection to the entertainment industry;

·         Booking the TV show Criminal Minds;

·         Costar versus Guest star credits;

·         How an agent helps you;

·         What doing stunts can be like;

·         Tips on how to advocate for yourself on set;

·         What an entertainment lawyer can do for you;

·         Joining SAG (Screen Actors Guild);

·         Commercial work;

·         What Taft-Harltey is (read about it here); ·         Residual checks – getting paid;

·         Keeping fit for the job;

·         Branding yourself;

·         How to make life in LA work for you, and more.

You can keep up with Joe on Facebook and on Instagram: @blackneto_  Here is his IMDB

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing to her.

This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  

Support the show (http://www.stephnewman.com/podcast)

“I've held a girl whose pelvis was broken by her grandfather's lust; held a teenager who was forced to carry her father's baby to term; held a mother as we watched her beloved baby float lifeless in her womb. Now I hold a camera to give them voice.” –Shannon Ivey [from filmfreeway.com/shannonivey]

Shannon Ivey works as a writer, director, actress, and CEO of Theatre For Change-a 501c3 committed to linking social injustice to film and theatre in North America. Shannon has devoted her life to arts for social change and continues to give voice to victims of human trafficking, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, childhood cancer, foster children, and immigrants along the Texas border.

Founded by Shannon Ivey and Stephen Ivey, TFC aims to weld the weakest links in the community by producing, and creating works of theatre, film, and new media that encourage awareness, compassion, and a call to action.  Their latest film, Ruth, has become an award-winning sensation, including awards such as:

·    Best Original Screenplay @ Florence Film Awards

·    Best Director, Narrative Short- Platinum @ International Independent Film Awards

·    Best Short Film, Remi Award, World-Fest Houston

·    Best Drama Short, Best Original Score, @ Independent Short Awards, Gold

·    Best Director, Best Woman Short @ Independent Short Awards, Platinum

·    Best Women Short, Best Editor, Best Director Female, Best Composer, Best Costume Design @ Indie Short Fest

·    Best Woman Short, Best Woman Director @ IndieX Film Festival

·    Best Drama Short @ IndieX Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement Award

·    And tons of nominations

Hear from Shannon Ivey about:

·    Movie making, as she’s an award-winning filmmaker and writer;

·    Her death (yep: “I flat-lined for three minutes”);

·    The debate about changing your name mid-career;

·    Producing work to serve justice for the under-represented;

·    How to connect theater to non-profits to create magic for both;

·    The impact of her company, Theatre for Change;

·    How she shifted from acting to producing;

·    Why she veers towards producing film;

·    How stereotypes affected her career path;

·    The great debate about abortion (yep, we go there: it’s ok to talk about it);

·    Connecting students with real business opportunities;

·    Working for Texas Lutheran University

·    How to remain unbiased in our storytelling;

·    How her faith plays in her career and her life; and

·    Exciting news about Stephen Ivey and Shannon Jarrell-Ivey’s next venture.

You can follow Theatre for Change on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vimeo. Learn more and connect at Theatre for Change

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing her.  

This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love. Thanks for helping to cover costs.

“The American theatre is one community.” –Scott RC Levy

Scott RC Levy is an award-winning and acclaimed artistic director, producer, director, actor and educator of Theatre. He has been the Director of Performing Arts & Producing Artistic Director of the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company in Colorado Springs since 2011. Under his leadership, the FAC Theatre Company has become the largest and most acclaimed professional theatre in Southern Colorado. At the FAC his productions have won numerous Henry (including outstanding season by a Theatre Company in the state of Colorado) & Pikes Peak Arts Council Awards, and is consistently named the best Theatre Company in the Springs in both the Colorado Springs Independent and the Gazette newspapers. For the FAC, his directing credits include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Barnum, Shakespeare in Love, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (PPAC Winner), Intimate Apparel (PPAC Winner), Annie, Man of La Mancha (Henry Award & PPAC Winner), Shear Madness, Driving Miss Daisy, Wait Until Dark, Guys & Dolls (PPAC Winner), 4000 Miles (PPAC Winner), Mary Poppins (PPAC Winner), and Other Desert Cities amongst others. 

As a performer, he has appeared on the FAC stage in A New Brain, Matilda (Henry Award Nomination), Bye Bye Birdie, Putting It Together, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, and The Drowsy Chaperone (PPAC Award), and the upcoming 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Levy was the Producing Artistic Director of the Penobscot Theatre in Maine from 2005-2011. He has produced, directed and/or performed on, off and off-off Broadway, for the New York International Fringe Festival, at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, and in over 60 cities across North America. He has taught for several institutions including: University of Colorado, New York University, the Playwrights Horizons Theater School, the Guggenheim Museum and the University of Maine. Levy is the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships and other recognitions including a 2018 True West Award (with his wife). Additionally, Levy serves on national grant and adjudication panels, presents regularly at conferences, and has been profiled in such publications as 5280 and The Denver Post. Levy holds a BFA in Acting and a Master’s in Educational Theatre, both from New York University. He is a member of Actor’s Equity Association.

Hear from Scott RC Levy about:

·         Embracing the digital world for theatre and the wider arts world

·         The life of a director of a performing arts center

·         What people can take from his career as a regional theatre artistic director

·         What he valued when making theater in New York City

·         The ways his company is producing opportunities for patrons and artists

·         How he views American theatre

·         And so much more

Follow Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College on Facebook.  Find them on Twitter and Instagram with @fineartscenter. Learn more at https://fac.coloradocollege.edu/theatre/

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people. Contact her

Special shout out to longtime listener Jonathan Pardon: Happy Birthday!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast  

“I need to leave a legacy.” –Erin Cronican

Erin Cronican is the Executive Artistic Director of The Seeing Place Theater in New York City.   (www.seeingplacetheater.com) Erin joins “I Love Theatre Now What” from the East Village, where The Seeing Place Theater has been spending a decade infusing classic, masterful texts with the current truths of our society.  Engaging audiences with immersive experiences and deepened connections, Erin and her team at The Seeing Place have been dedicated to “returning theater to its rightful name: the place we go to see ourselves.”

Hear from Erin Cronican about:

·         How nonprofits versus for-profits differ with finances

·         What producing your own work is like

·         How she differs from her co-founder, Producing AD Brandon Walker

·         How this theater crafts their seasons

·         What producing in NYC is like versus everywhere else

·         The 3 questions that are a MUST for choosing plays

·         The strong connection she was with Margaret Edson’s play, Wit

·         How you can get cast or involved at The Seeing Place Theater

·         Great advice on how to make a real connection professionally

·         How actors can treat themselves like a business

·         Characteristics that mean you might be a leader

You can follow The Seeing Place Theater on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with @theseeingplace  You can see more about Erin at www.erincronican.com

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing to [email protected]  

This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast  

Gabriel Luna Show Notes

How to be a Movie Star with Gabriel Luna  (Alternate Title: How to be the Terminator!)

Gabriel Luna is an Austin born movie star and award winning actor who joins “I Love Theatre Now What” from his home in Los Angeles, fresh off his worldwide press tour of Terminator: Dark Fate.  Playing Terminator Rev-9 is just one of his exciting roles: he has also starred as Robbie Reyes / Ghost Rider on ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Bravo on Matador, and Paco Contreras on Wicked City.  On the big screen, you have seen Gabriel Luna in Bernie, Hala, Transpecos, Balls Out and more. Full of great approaches to acting – and life!- Gabriel shares insights on Hollywood, pursuing your passion and the steps that lead to success.

Hear from Gabriel Luna about:

·         His path toward becoming an actor

·         The training at St. Edward’s University (in Austin)

·         The techniques that cross over from theatre training to film/screen acting

·         Landing Romeo in Romeo & Juliet

·         The physical training involved with action movies

·         Collaborating with industry greats like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise and so many others

·         His face on a mural in Austin (what?!)

·         Meeting his wife, actress Smaranda Luna

·         How he approaches roles and his work

·         What projects he would like in the future

·         The physical training to be in action movies

·         And so much more

You can follow Gabriel Luna on Facebook and Instagram.  We are SO PUMPED he joined us; please thank him for sharing his time!

A special shout-out to Jason Newman, playing in the hilarious true-crime comedy Arden of Faversham at The Hidden Room Theatre in Austin, Texas  http://hiddenroomtheatre.com/what-will-be/   Thank you, Jason; break all the legs.

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing to Steph  

I Love Theatre Now What is a creation by Steph Newman and Travis Newman.  This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast  

“It is a human experience.  It’s about being passionate, empathetic, supportive and present.” –Michael Jenkinson

How to be a Director/Choreographer with Michael Jenkinson

Michael Jenkinson is a director/choreographer with an extensive resume of hit blockbuster shows, including his choreography work with Scott Schwartz (A Room with a View, The Old Globe; Next to Normal, The Alliance Theater; Next to Normal, Geva Theatre Center; My Fairytale, PCPA).  Michael is a proud SDC and AEA member with decades of work at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre; Phoenix Theatre; Sacramento Theatre Company; Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre; PCPA and many more theaters.  Just off of a gig doing Kiss Me, Kate! in Montana, Michael takes time to share insights into his life as a director/choreographer (and performer).  

Hear from Michael about:

·         Life as a director/choreographer

·         Choreographing versus doing both the dancing and direction

·         How to balance life when constantly traveling for work

·         The different seasons in the industry, personally and professionally

·         How to work with talents of all levels and personalities

·         What to do about conflict when it arises

·         His communication style that has been so effective

·         The exceptional Oregon Cabaret Theatre www.oregoncabaret.com 

·         River City Theatre Co in Sacramento (a terrific place for youth) http://www.rctcweb.org/ 

·         The Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre company that he enjoys https://www.utahfestival.org/

·         Phoenix Theatre Company www.phoenixtheatre.com

·         Intermountain Opera Bozeman (where Michael just did Kiss Me, Kate!)

·         The glorious PCPA on California’s central coast: www.pcpa.org 

You can contact Michael Jenkinson via www.michaeljenkinson.com You can find him on Facebook and Instagram.

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing to Steph

I Love Theatre Now What is a creation by Steph Newman and Travis Newman.  This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast  

“Build relationships with decision makers.” –Erik Stein

How to be a Casting Director with Erik Stein

Erik Stein is the Casting Director for PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre and the Recruitment Coordinator for Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s Professional Actor Training Program. On Broadway, Erik performed with Roddy McDowall, Hal Linden, Jim Dale, and Frank Langella. He appeared as the Ghost of Christmas Present opposite Tim Curry in the Broadway production of A Christmas Carol directed by Susan Stroman. Off-Broadway, Erik created the role of Stephens in Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of Captains Courageous starring Treat Williams and Norm Lewis. Erik is a founding member of The Alaska Shakespeare Festival and The California Cabaret Theatre. He has had the fortune to work across the country with more than 30 Regional Theaters including several award-winning theaters such as The York Theatre Company, Goodspeed Opera House, The Utah Shakespeare Festival, Pioneer Theatre Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Geva Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, and PCPA. Erik teaches Audition Techniques and the Business of Being an Actor for Pacific Conservatory Theatre, he has directed for several training programs and regional theaters, and he has lead Audition and Acting the Song workshops all over the country. Erik is the author of No Caution! A Step by Step Guide to Preparing Auditions for Universities, Colleges, Conservatories, and Beyond. As a playwright, Erik has written a few plays including Under the Boardwalk, Ho,Oh,No! A Christmas Show!, Mouth Pictures, and The Key. Erik lives with his beautiful wife Jax and their two wonderful cats on the Central Coast of California.

Hear from Erik about:

·         How this career works and unfolds

·         How The Red Eye Grill in New York City has been part of Erik’s Broadway ups and downs

·         What a casting director does (how his job works)

·         What can be frustrating for a casting director (the energy you actors DO NOT want to bring into the room!)

·         Tips to make your auditions amazing!

·         How to market yourself and build relationships

·         Feeling stuck in a “type?” How to break out of it and be seen differently

·         How to change your thinking from an actor’s perspective to a decision maker’s

·         What makes PCPA so special (and how to audition for them…NOW!)

·         The odds of males versus females at auditions for Erik

·         The conservatory at PCPA: www.pcpa.org (click on “Conservatory” for videos and info)

·         Must-know tips for video submissions from Erik! (this is HUGE!)

·         His audition tip book, No Caution! And how it can help you succeed in the audition room

You can contact Erik Stein at [email protected]  and find him on Facebook

You can order Erik’s book, No Caution!: A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Auditions for Universities, Colleges, Conservatories, and Beyond GET IT NOW

You can also share this episode on social media, write a review, and/or email Steph before March 1, 2020 and one lucky winner will receive a free copy of Erik’s audition tip book!

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!

“We want to feel like our life had impact on more people than just ourselves.” –Kathy Hsieh

How to be a Theatre Artist with Kathy Hsieh

Kathy Hsieh is an award-winning actor, writer and director, most recently seen in The Brothers Paranormal with Pork Filled Productions, Washer/Dryer with SIS Productions & Pratidhwani, Gambatte at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center in Portland, M. Butterfly at ArtsWest, The White Snake with ReAct and ASL Midsummer Night’s Dream with Sound Theatre. She received Footlight and Gypsy Awards for acting in Chinglish at ArtsWest and was nominated for an Ellie Award for the same role with CATS in Nevada City, and received the Gregory Award for Sustained Achievement in 2017. She has also worked with the Seattle Rep, Book-It, ACT, Intiman, Taproot, The 1448 Projects, Freehold, Living Voices and more. Her most recent project is a reading of Black Santa at Solo and Copious Love last December.

Hear from Kathy about:

·         Her extensive traveling in life

·         How immigrant parents influenced her love of drama

·         How being shy and introverted can work with theatre

·         What the Seattle theatre world is like

·         What a high school teacher told a woman of color about theatre (and how Kathy took that)

·         How she paid her way through college by acting

·         How she went from roles onstage to roles in life

·         What diversity and inclusion can do for theater

·         How she balances projects for herself versus projects that serve others

·         How she bought a house from her acting income

·         What it’s like being a funder for the arts

·         How she gets to influence diversity and inclusion with theatres and their audiences

·         Women and ageism in the arts and our society

You can follow @KathyHsieh on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Your host Steph Newman is a theatre pro who helps people.  Contact her!  You can share your questions, dreams, failures and successes to get tips, tricks and ideas by writing to [email protected]  

I Love Theatre Now What is a creation by Steph Newman and Travis Newman.  This podcast is on a mission to share the real stories that lead to real jobs (in the arts and beyond).  So if you're curious to know where that love of drama can lead, listen up!

This is a labor of love.  Your contributions lead to better equipment and interviews.  Contribute at www.stephnewman.com/podcast