In the Green Room

Stephanie Fravel, host of “In the Green Room”, has a special announcement to make! For up-to-date information regarding future episodes of the show, follow “In the Green Room” and AUX on Facebook and Instagram.

This week, Stephanie steps back in time to a past life and talks theatre with actor Colleen Lafeber. Though the two recently met, their similar but different training backgrounds led to a beautiful discussion about connection, groundedness, and purpose. Listen in and learn about Shakespeare, healthy diets, and what it’s like to pretend to play sports.

When bassist Stacy McMichael walks into a room, the room knows. Whether it’s her bleach-blonde hair, piercing eyes, or the fact that she’s carrying a bass is up to the viewer. Stephanie gets the scoop on Stacy’s history as a performer, beginnings as a musician, and discovers they have more in common than either of the two originally knew.

A natural educator, Stacy drops knowledge on overcoming the symptoms of anxiety or nervousness, and what it’s like to both celebrate and diminish being a woman in the music business. Must we advertise that we are girls? Can we simply say “I’m a serious musician?” Why not advertise the music and show up in killer shoes and earrings anyway

Stacy McMichael is currently playing in the musical SIX, running now through August 4th at The Yard at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

In this episode, Stephanie talks to musician Aaron Williams (founder of the Homegrown Arts & Music Festival) about his career, early inspirations, pre-show attitudes, and so much more. Aaron has been a mainstay in the Chicago original scene for so long, and has many feelings and strategies that he wishes younger musicians would follow in order to keep the scene alive.

This conversation also happened on Cinco de Mayo, so everyone in the green room that day was enjoying neighborhood music drifting into the window...maybe you’ll hear some clips, too!

Despite Stephanie initially brushing off this week’s guest during their first meeting, vocalist Clinton Long graciously joined her in the green room for a very long Sunday session! Clinton also gave Stephanie a second chance after enjoying his Run Forest Run bandmate’s episode (episode 15 with Elianne Nascimento).

The two share a background in theatre, and understand that truth-telling as an artist sometimes means accepting your purpose as an entertainer who brings joy. Find out where Clinton’s charming hint of an accent comes from, and learn a little about growing plants in an urban setting!

This week, longtime friend, magician, and Ph.D. in math Tori Noquez joined Stephanie in the green room during a break from a very important math conference which brought her back to Chicago. Tori touches on what got her into performing magic, her membership to the elite Magic Castle in Hollywood, and what it’s like to be a woman in two fields highly dominated by men.

Because of her background in logic, Tori was able to talk about anxiety, and how our bodies respond from a different perspective than other guests, and offered good advice to Stephanie. The two talk about how nerves affect them pre-show, and that usually the trigger isn’t the show itself, but having to accept our human qualities we are afraid may show during the performance. Listen in and get a sneak peak of a math magic trick.

Once upon a time, Frave met Fraze, and was convinced they had to be friends. Life is full of fleeting moments, and Fraze is someone who makes the most out of all of them, as you’ll hear in this very candid green room session.

How do you fit in as an artist when your reputation is that of a jock? How do you know who your friends are when your whole life is a brand? How much hummus can four people eat in one sitting? Discover this and more as Stephanie and Fraze discuss all things under the sun.

One of Stephanie’s favorite people and “real life” green room friends Dave Ada came over to share cocktails and stories. Dave and his bass can be as simple or as complex as necessary at any given time, and this episode is layered with nostalgia as Dave highlights his early days in Chicago’s original band scene back in the early 2000s.

Having since toured all over Europe and recorded in fancy studios, Dave happily performs with cover bands Motown Nation, Scott DuBose, and occasionally the Boy Band Night.

Longtime friend and stagemate Mike Vinopal brought his dad over to the green room on a pleasant Sunday afternoon to hang out with Stephanie. The two talk about Mike’s beginnings as a guitar player and musician, and how life cycled around to bring him where he is today.

It’s an episode filled with cute cousin stories, and fun facts about growing up in a family where no one is shy about creativity and performance. Stephanie is very happy to share her twentieth episode with someone she loves so much, and with whom she has had so much history playing stages and tearing up green rooms.

It was the beginning of the long, dark hall of winter that is February, and Stephanie had just returned from a trip to sunny Italy. So, she brought over, comedian, actor, and host of Cheers to You, Elliot Lerner, to drink Aperol spritzes and trade podcast episodes.

Elliot might be one of Stephanie’s favorite guests, because he fits her perfect green room personality. He talks when she wants him to talk, and shares similar insecurities. Pour your own favorite aperitivo and listen as we learn of first performances (including first lines ever spoken onstage), warm-ups, and working through anxiety as a performer.