KeyBARD

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Helen Hayes Award-winning actor, educator, and emerging playwright Frank Britton speaks on showing up fully to each character, to his fellow actors, and to the audience. After more than two decades as a professional actor in the DMV, Frank has built a career across classical and contemporary theatre, drama and comedy, LGBTQIA+ themes, TYA, hip-hop theatre, Greek tragedy, and so much more!

In this conversation, Frank and I talk about what it takes to keep growing as an artist when you've been doing the work for more than 20 years, and how staying curious, present, and open can keep the work alive.

We talk about:

• 🎭 Finding the actor within: Frank's decision at 19½ to pursue acting, his early training, and the first professional role that launched his career.
• 🔄 The art of transformation: How Frank approaches character from the inside out, combining research and script analysis with physical exploration in the rehearsal room.
• 🧠 Burnout and the auditioning life: The emotional and mental cost of constantly auditioning, and why Frank believes artists have to protect their ability to love the craft.
• ❤️ Resilience and the power of community: How surviving an act of violence in 2014 changed Frank personally and deepened his understanding of the human condition as an artist.
• 🎬 Never phoning it in: Why Frank considers giving anything less than his full attention to the work a betrayal to himself, his fellow actors, and the audience.
• 🌱 Teaching artists to find their uniqueness: Frank's belief that everyone is trainable, that possibilities are endless, and that artists have a responsibility to discover what makes them distinctive.
• 🏠 The DMV theater community: What it means to grow up in Washington, DC, build a career there, and eventually work alongside the artists who inspired you.
• ✍🏾 The power of Black playwrights: Frank's deep connection to the work of August Wilson, George C. Wolfe, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Robert O'Hara, and other Black playwrights, and why he wants to keep bringing their work to the stage.
• ⚖️ Putting your full weight on it: Why Frank approaches every role, from the smallest part to a bucket-list role like Richard III, with the same commitment.

About Frank Britton

Frank Britton is a Washington, DC-based actor and educator whose work spans more than two decades of professional theater performed across the country. His credits include classical and contemporary drama, comedy, TYA, hip-hop theatre, and the work of some of the country's most celebrated Black playwrights. He is also a teacher and coach committed to helping artists develop confidence, technique, and their own unique artistic voices.

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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Emmy Award-winning actor, director, educator, and mentor Scot Reese joins me for a conversation about his early career, television vs. theatre work, his creative process, teaching, leadership, racial battle fatigue, and more.

Questions on the Table:

1. What is your first memory of theatre, and what did it awaken in you?
2. What led you from pursuing a career as an actor to becoming a director and educator?
3. How has your creative process evolved from finishing your MFA at Northwestern to now?
4. As generational distance grows between young actors and the historical work they're asked to interpret, how do you bridge that gap in the rehearsal room?
5. What is Racial Battle Fatigue, and how has it shown up in your life?
6. After 30 years of teaching and leading at the University of Maryland, what do you want students and former colleagues to remember about you and your work?
7. What propelled you toward Black Theatre and Musical Theatre as areas of focus?
8. How has the Black Theatre and Dance Symposium impacted the DMV theatre community?
9. Myth or hard truth?
   •  Starving artist 
   •  American theatre 
   •  Racial Battle Fatigue 
   •  Mentorship 
   •  Auditions 
   •  Equity 
10. Now that you're retired, will you prioritize rest or find yourself getting pulled into more projects?

Scot is notoriously off-grid, so there are no socials to share. Enjoy the interview!

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with Broadway veteran, writer, composer, director, and educator Lee Summers for a powerful conversation about artistry, legacy, Black music, and intellectual property.

Lee made his Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, where he began studying what he calls “actor-proof” storytelling, which he describes as work that withstands changing casts and changing times. That early experience shaped a decades-long career spanning performance, writing, directing, and teaching.

His work highlights many genres of Black music, through his off-Broadway musical From My Hometown (now licensed across the U.S. and Canada -- bring it to your town!) to his funk-driven Broadway-bound project The Funkentine Rapture, to his tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, and so many more exciting projects.

He is also the creator of the album Soulriginals, a celebration of classic soul that reflects the musical DNA woven throughout his theatrical work.

• Learn more about Lee Summers and his work at his website
• Take a look at The Funkentine Rapture 
• Check out his album Soulriginals
• Follow Lee Summers on Instagram

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Thembi sits down with Dr. Dan Miller, The Copyright Detective, for a timely and practical conversation about copyright, authorship, and the quickly emerging relevance of artificial intelligence. As AI tools become part of everyday creative workflows, Dr. Miller helps break down what creatives need to know to protect their work.

Dr. Miller explains what “copyrightability” actually means, the difference between AI-generated and AI-assisted content, why “fair use” is often misunderstood, and one important action that creators should take within 90 days of completing an artistic work.

Dan Miller, PhD is known as The Copyright Detective. With a background in higher education and years of experience working with authors, publishers, and creatives, Dan helps demystify copyright law and intellectual property, particularly as it intersects with emerging technology and AI. He is a frequent speaker, educator, and advocate for creators learning how to protect and enforce their rights in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Resources & Links

• The Copyright Detective: copyrightdetective.com
• U.S. Copyright Office
• The Authors Guild
• Plagiarism Today 

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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This episode’s conversation is with Paige Hernandez, a critically acclaimed and award-winning  multidisciplinary creative whose work is rooted in inclusion, multicultural identities, youth development, and hip-hop culture. 

She’s a performer, director, choreographer, playwright, leader in the performing arts community, and just an all-out dope person!

Paige has traveled the world using performance as a tool of community-building, education, self-awareness, and joy for many different cultures.

In our conversation we talked about her artistic process, what it’s like to perform with her family members, how her identity informs her work, and what it means to be one of the most produced artists for Theatre for Young Audiences in the United States.

Learn more at Paige's Website

Purchase B-FLY Entertainment Gear

Connect with Paige on Facebook and Instagram

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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Dr. Albert Bramante is a New York-based talent agent, psychology professor, certified hypnotist, and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) practitioner whose new book, Rise Above the Script, challenges actors to overcome imposter syndrome and self-sabotage.

Connect with Dr. Bramante:

• Albert Bramante's Instagram 
• Albert Bramante's Linked In
• Purchase Rise Above the Script

Mentioned: Grit by Angela Duckworth

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Host Thembi Duncan speaks with JT Dorsey, former professional soccer player and founder of the JT Dorsey Foundation, about how the game of soccer has become a powerful tool for guiding young people toward greatness.

Coach-Mentor JT shares how an elementary school teacher first introduced him to the sport, and how that moment evolved into a lifelong commitment to youth development. 

He reflects on lessons in discipline, fatherhood, and consistency, and how the Foundation’s programs create lasting change by helping young people grow in academics, character, and community engagement.

Learn more about the JT Dorsey Foundation here: https://www.jtdorsey.org/

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Thembi sits down with Dr. Julie Donley, a leadership coach, award-winning author, and behavioral health expert with nearly three decades of experience helping people lead with empathy and purpose.

Dr. Donley shares insights from her latest book and opens up about how leaders can balance empathy with accountability, manage emotional labor, and navigate the rise of AI in the workplace without losing the human touch.

Dr. Donley's Books

Leading at the Speed of People: Strategies for Success in a Fast-Paced World

Does Change Have to be so H.A.R.D.? Eight Strategies for Making Change Easier

The Journey called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance

Get in touch with Dr. Donley

Dr. Donley's Linked In Profile

Dr. Donley's Website

Dr. Donley's YouTube Channel 

Online Course: Leading at the Speed of People

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with Karen Saxon, music educator, performer, and co-founder of Ansari Saxon Productions. 

Karen shares:

• Why she “tripped into” teaching and what keeps her in the classroom.
• The biggest lesson she’s learned from her students after over 25 years of teaching.
• What authenticity means in her work and in her life.
• The role of representation in her journey, from seeing Kathleen Battle on stage to co-founding a Black woman–owned production company.
• What freedom means to her...

...and so much more!

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of KeyBARD, Thembi sits down with the brilliant and beloved Jefferson A. Russell, a powerhouse stage actor and resident company member of Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD, USA. Jefferson’s path has taken him from law enforcement to the footlights, and his reflections on joy, grief, resilience, and the evolution of his artistry are profoundly moving.

They discuss:

• How childhood experiences shaped his artistic lens
• Navigating the American theatre landscape
• August Wilson's impact on theatre and Black actors
• The founding and importance of Galvanize DC
• What it means to live your dream

...and so much more!

Click here to learn more about Jefferson A. Russell

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast