Local with Laura Ekstrand

Dear Local with Laura Ekstrand listeners, we have some exciting news to share! While we take a short break from our regular episodes, we invite you to explore our new podcast, Jacqueline Goes to Film. Join Laura and Dave as they embark on a thrilling filmmaking journey, and discover the creative process behind their upcoming feature film. Subscribe now for behind-the-scenes insights, interviews, and more! Just search 'Jacqueline Goes to Film.' on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for your continued support!

In this episode of Local, Laura interviews Sydney Marie Fucito, a New Jersey-based actress with a passion for theatre and the arts. Sydney shares her journey, from earning a Theatre Arts degree at Centenary University to her current role as a Marketing Assistant at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.

Sydney discusses her experience in marketing, focusing on learning Adobe products and keeping up with social media trends to engage younger audiences. Highlighting her favorite acting roles, Sydney explains her affinity for characters that are vastly different from herself. She shares the transformative experience of playing an arsonist in "Marisol" and emphasizes the importance of honoring the larger story through acting.

Sydney reflects on the emotionally taxing production of "Twirl" and its ability to start conversations and hold a mirror to the world. She also sheds light on the fast-paced nature of New Jersey's regional theatre scene, with short rehearsal periods and the upcoming season at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, including her involvement in a reading of a new play Acts of Creation by Brianna Barrett.

Join Laura Ekstrand and Sydney Marie Fucito in this insightful episode as they explore theatre, marketing, and the arts in New Jersey.

In this episode of Local, Laura is joined by stage manager Amy Hadam-Rapp, the first stage manager to be featured on the show. Amy shares her experience working behind the scenes in the theatre industry and sheds light on the often-overlooked role of the stage manager. Laura and Amy dive deep into the art of stage management, discussing how it involves being an invisible character while also managing the logistical and creative aspects of a production. They also explore the challenges of being a middle manager, responsible for communicating the vision of the director to the cast and crew, and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Join Laura and Amy as they celebrate the unsung heroes of the theatre and learn about the vital role stage managers play in bringing a production to life.

Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd.

In this episode of Local, Laura is joined by the multi-talented Andrew Binger, a respected educator, actor, director, consultant, and arts administrator from Newark, NJ. Andrew shares his experience as the Producing Artistic Director of Yendor Theatre Company, which is dedicated to developing, producing, and celebrating works by Black and Brown writers. Laura and Andrew also chat about his latest directorial project, "Only Human: An Evening of Short Plays" at Vivid Stage this month, and the importance of using the arts to explore social issues. Additionally, Andrew shares his passion for working with young people and how he uses theatre to empower them to tell their own stories. Join these two artist as they share their love of the theatre and their commitment to creating meaningful change through their work.

For more on Andrew visit:

https://www.andrewbinger.com

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Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd.

This month, Laura talks with Vanessa Parvin, a singer and voice teacher who is also the longtime musical director for the Vivid Dreamers summer program. Vanessa talks about her early history performing (when she met her husband), and how she has developed a life as an arts entrepreneur. Hear about how her work as a teacher, a singer in Marquee Five and manager of a carolling business intertwine to satisfy her itch to both create and to lead. Vanessa also talks about trends in musical theatre sound, and how she helps her students find their most authentic voice while becoming healthy and versatile singers.

For more about Vanessa: www.thejunestudio.com

Join Laura for an incredible conversation with Summit NJ-based visual artist Yolanda Fundora. Entering the conversation with the big news of her work being sold and displayed at the Clinton offices in Harlem. Yolanda goes on to talk about her process of creating art, and her transformative experience drawing the Matterhorn. The conversation spans many topics, including meeting her wife, her former life as a musician, digital art, and her childhood in Cuba.

In the season premiere of Local season 5 Laura chats with the incredible young artist Darin F. Earl II. They talk about juggling multiple projects as a freelance artist, and the power in not finishing all projects right away. The conversation touches on reimagining choices around age, gender, and race in casting and the impact on theatre and storytelling. And the conversation gets intimate when Laura and Darin talk about the upcoming show Soft Animals and being vulnerable in the moment and in rehearsal.

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Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd

For the season finale, the tables are turned, and Laura Ekstrand takes her turn in the interview seat. Fellow Local producer Dave Maulbeck steps in to fill her interview shoes. These two friends have an enjoyable and fascinating conversation that is an absolute must-listen for every Vivid Stage fan! These two old friends discuss the dichotomy of living simultaneously as an Artistic Director and a Working Actress. The history of Vivid Stage, from formation to moving spaces, to raccoons falling from the sky. Her scariest role as an actress. Why improv is such a fun challenge and what she envisions in the next chapter of her life.

For more on Laura visits: 

https://www.lauraekstrand.com

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Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd

This month Laura sits down with, Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich. After moving from Massachusetts to the confusing land of New Jersey, Barbara joined a writing group with former Local guest Lia Romeo. Laura and Barbara talk about the art of playwriting and how writing IS rewriting. They discuss Barbara's inspiration from real-world events, as well as how impersonal the business of submitting plays can feel - especially juxtaposed against the very personal nature of writing plays.

For more on Barbara:

http://www.barbarablumenthalehrlich.com

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Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd

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Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd