Today’s interview is with Jim Guy (he/him), legendary props wizard. Jim has propped an estimated 600 plays, musicals and operas. His work has appeared on and Off-Broadway, on tour, in print, on television, in museums and onstage. Jim was Properties Director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for 24 seasons. In his “retirement” he now freelances, teaches, consults and serves as Membership Co-Chair and Past President of the Society of Props Managers (S*P*M). We’re going to learn about his upcoming book “Firearms Safety for Stage”, finding fun, perspective, and personal connection in the workplace, and steeling yourself to rejection. 

One takeaway I can offer you already? Ask yourself ‘what did I learn from this?’ 

If you enjoyed this interview, find Jim online at @JimGuyProps. 

Transcript Available Here!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit. 

Today’s interview is with Stephanie Mae Richwell (she/her) visual artist and is one of Living Arts’ Resident Teaching Artist. With a community centered mindset and a heart for working in her purpose, Stephanie has been with Living Arts for ten years. We’re going to learn about art with a therapeutic lens, arts accessibility, and finding our own authentic process. One takeaway I can offer you already? Making art can just feel good. 

If you enjoyed this interview, find Stephanie online at @Mistakes_Are_Magic. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

There's some fuzz on a mic in this episode, we promise we're working on this issue for the future! 

Today’s interview is with Josh Weaver (he/him), an ad-man and former social media marketer at Zappos, Exploding Kittens, and a variety of start ups. We’re going to learn about being on reality television, conventional marketing, and finding the art in everything. 

One takeaway I can offer you already? Know your own Core Values. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Exploding Kittens

Marvel Unlimited

Noodlin’ with Josh

Hot Dad Radio 

If you enjoyed this interview, find Josh Weaver online at EatMoreTinyTrees on instagram. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit. 

Transcript Available Here!

Today’s interview is with Josh Simons (he/him), tabletop game designer, community manager, and digital marketing professional. We’re going to learn about creating a business, translating your skills, and how AI pales in comparison to lived experience. One takeaway I can offer you already? The creative process is what makes art worth it. For more, stay tuned: 

Hey folks, April for the Arts is UNDERWAY and Living Arts needs your help to stay financially viable during these wild times. Visit bit.ly/aprilforthearts to check out what livestream events and donation incentives we’ve got going on! Don’t miss our 25 Hour DANCEATHON event on April 25-26 either, it’s sure to be a chaotic and fun way to celebrate Living Arts’ 25th anniversary. For more on that event, or other ways to support Living Arts’ work, visit livingartsdetroit.org Now onto the show!

SHOW NOTES:

Mentioned in this Episode:

Paragons 

Broken Door Entertainment

If you enjoyed this interview, find Josh Simons online at https://www.joshuamsimons.com/

Submit your own community questions for our guests here!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

Don't forget about April for the Arts! Living Arts' big online fundraising event and the 25 Hour Drop In Dance-a-thon, our real life and online event! 

Today’s interview is with Miryam Johnson (she/her), award winning dancer, teaching artist, and Living Arts’ very own Out-of-School Arts Program Manager. In this inspiring and exciting conversation, we’re going to learn about finding your people, Black movement, and what’s being held in our spines. One takeaway I can offer you already? Listen to what your body is telling you. And wiggle. Right now. 

Don't forget about April for the Arts! Living Arts' big online fundraising event and the 25 Hour Dance-a-thon, our real life and hybrid event! 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Penny Godboldo

Collective Sweat Detroit

If you enjoyed this interview, find Miryam online at @miryamgjohnson.  

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

Today’s interview is with Mur Lafferty (she/her)! Mur is an author and podcaster who podcasts about writing and writes about podcasting. She also writes about murders in space, zombies, Minecraft and Han Solo. Mur’s writing and podcasting have resulted in numerous award nominations and wins, such as the Best Fancast Hugo Award, the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, and was an inaugural inductee into the Podcast Academy Hall of Fame. We’re going to learn about starting a new career in your 30s, writing for established IPs, and supporting developing writers. 

One takeaway I can offer you already? Getting rejected means you’re a working writer.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Michael A Stackpole’s The Secrets Podcast

Minecraft: The Lost Journals

Solo: A Star Wars Story Novelization 

I Should Be Writing Podcast

Ditch Diggers Podcast

The Midsolar Murders

If you enjoyed this interview, find Mur Lafferty online at https://murverse.com/. 

Submit your own community questions for our guests here!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit. 

Transcript Available Here!

Today’s interview is with Tom Pearl (he/him) production manager, management and theater consultant, and the current Producing Director at Steppenwolf Theater Company. We’re going to learn about the value of mentorship and mentoring, how much smaller these industries can be than we may think, and the ways that you can shape your role specific to your own skills.

Don't forget to check out bit.ly/aprilforthearts!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Berkeley Repertory Theater

The Power Broker by Robert Caro

99% Invisible Podcast

If you enjoyed this interview, find Tom online at tompearl2, or take his suggestion and follow the National Parks Instagram. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit. 

Transcript Available Here!

Season three kicks off NOW with a shiny new logo! Today’s interview is with Emilio Rodriguez (he/him), a theater artist, musician, and Living Arts Teaching Artist. We’re going to learn about onstage representation, some tips for navigating rejection, and the ways storytelling and folklore exist in the modern age. One takeaway I can offer you already? Never forget to play. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Culture Clash Theatre Group

Black and Brown Theater

If you enjoyed this interview, find Emilio online @EmilioWritesPlays. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

We met with former lawyer turned game designer Jason Cordova (he/him) for our first live streamed recording. We’re going to learn about Jason’s tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) writing process, running a successful crowd-funding campaign, and empowering other creatives and communities to play within your work. 

One takeaway I can offer you already? Give things time to find their legs. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Between

Brindlewood Bay

The Gauntlet Gaming Community

The Gauntlet’s Patreon

The Silt Verses Podcast

Jason’s Youtube

Monsterhearts

Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA)

Cthulhu Dark 

Final Girl by Brett Gillan Game and Actual Play with Claire!

For the Queen 

If you enjoyed this interview, find Jason online at gauntlet-rpg.com.

Submit your own community questions for our guests here!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

Today’s interview is with Tyler Manning (he/him) musician, producer, and co-founder of Boredom Fighters youth music and events organization. We’re going to learn about music in schools, the by-city chapter approach to a non-profit, and figuring out how to get your talented pals paid. 

One takeaway I can offer you already? Create more than you consume. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Boredom Fighters 

Gardenboi Sound 

Duncan Trussell

Rick Rubin

Broken Record Podcast

Song Exploder

The Instrument Garden

If you enjoyed this interview, find Tyler online at ThankfullyTyler. 

Submit your own community questions for our guests here!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.