Pause for Effect

Tess Talbot (Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, Wildfire, Inconceivable) is a Cincinnati based actress with a BFA in Acting from Wright State University. In today's episode, Tess sits down with Sawyer to talk about her WalMart scarf, clawing her way to the top, and how she always knew that what she wanted to do for a living. The two revisit the positive memories she has of theatre as a child, and after Sawyer gets distracted by her cats, Tess talks about her infatuation with Prince, which segues into a discussion about her time on the set of Extremely Wicked. To round out the episode, Sawyer challenges Tess to name her favorite performance to date, and she advises her past self to "relax". 

Tess's latest project, Fetus and the God, is an audio project presented by the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. It can be purchased by visiting https://www.knowtheatre.com/merchandise/. 

Facebook: @TheRealSawyerAS

Instagram: @therealsawyeras

Website: https://sawyerashafer.wixsite.com/writerdirector

Joey Logan is an actor, barista, and - according to his website - hopefully a future zumba instructor.  After graduating from Wright State University with a BFA in Acting, he relocated to Cincinnati, and has spent ample time with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s main stage seasons. On this episode of Pause for Effect, Joey sits down with Sawyer to discuss how the pandemic has affected live events, making videos for TikTok, and his complex exploration of King Lear through the lens of Restoration! in college. Sawyer asks Joey about his feelings toward theatres that are now streaming their productions for free, and Joey walks listeners through the struggle of mowing his neighbor's yard. After talking about his childhood best friend, feeling burnt-out, and reminiscing about his time in college, Joey offers a glimpse into what he hopes his life might look like five years from now.

Facebook: @TheRealSawyerAS

Instagram: @therealsawyeras

Website: https://sawyerashafer.wixsite.com/writerdirector

Steven Isaac Rise is an actor based in New York City. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Steven graduated from Samford University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Steven sits down with Sawyer to discuss the impact of the pandemic on New York City as a whole, his decision to move to NYC, and being able to finally pay the bills as a performer. The two recount their trip to see Sleep No More in 2017, as well as their time on tour with Mad River Theater Works' production of Everybody's Hero: The Jackie Robinson Story. The episode rounds out with the two discussing the importance of experiencing the world, diversity onstage, and talking openly about racism.

Facebook: @TheRealSawyerAS

Instagram: @therealsawyeras

Website: https://sawyerashafer.wixsite.com/writerdirector

As a freelance member of the entertainment industry, Sawyer's income has been negatively effected by the wide-spread impact of COVID-19. If you would like to commission a written piece from him, please reach out by emailing [email protected]. If you are interested in contributing to Sawyer financially for his work on this podcast, he can be found on Venmo @SawyerAS, or on Paypal by searching the email address above.

Caleb Gelatt is an aspiring author, pizza eater, potential government operative, and altogether unqualified to be a guest on this podcast…yet here we are. A graduate of Calvin University, Caleb sits down to talk with Sawyer about his time at college, how growing up in a multiracial religious household has influenced his outlook on life, and how everything in his life helped him become passionate about storytelling. The two discuss their shared interest for film, going in-depth on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the letdown that was Star Wars: Episode IX, and the importance of leading female characters in all forms of entertainment. To round out the episode, Sawyer poses the hardest question of them all: What are Caleb's opinions on the first female Doctor in Doctor Who?

Facebook: @TheRealSawyerAS

Instagram: @therealsawyeras

Website: https://sawyerashafer.wixsite.com/writerdirector

As a freelance member of the entertainment industry, Sawyer's income has been negatively effected by the wide-spread impact of COVID-19. If you would like to commission a written piece from him, please reach out by emailing [email protected]. If you are interested in contributing to Sawyer financially for his work on this podcast, he can be found on Venmo @SawyerAS, or on Paypal by searching the email address above.

Brant Sennett is a Stage Manager and a member of Actor's Equity Association based in New York City. Brant sits down with Sawyer (over Zoom, don't worry) to talk about his start as a California theatre kid and how high school shaped his never-ending pursuit of success in the industry.  After briefly touching on his time at Fairleigh Dickinson University, his work with Disney Theatricals, and the fact that he was a part of the social media team for Hamilton, Brant shares a story about the Production Assistant who worked on Turning 15 On the Road to Freedom before Sawyer joined the show in January 2019. The two then do a deep-dive into the wild experience they had working on a "touring production" of Stand By Your Man, and Brant shares his advice for someone just entering the field.

Facebook: @TheRealSawyerAS

Instagram: @therealsawyeras

Website: https://sawyerashafer.wixsite.com/writerdirector

As a freelance member of the entertainment industry, Sawyer's income has been negatively effected by the wide-spread impact of COVID-19. If you would like to commission a written piece from him, please reach out by emailing [email protected]. If you are interested in contributing to Sawyer financially for his work on this podcast, he can be found on Venmo @SawyerAS, or on Paypal by searching the email address above.

Anna Naderer is an Event Manager and a graduate of University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Stage Management program. A lifelong friend of Sawyer's,  the two discuss the similarities between the food industry and the world of theatre, the role of the stage manager during a production, and how she shifted from a childhood focused on STEM to work in the arts. Anna takes a moment to advocate for the importance of theatre and the arts in schools, after which she maps out exactly how she became a member of the Monster Jamily. To round out episode, Sawyer makes Anna his guinea pig in answering two questions that he hopes to ask all guests moving forward.

Facebook: @TheRealSawyerAS

Instagram: @therealsawyeras

Website: https://sawyerashafer.wixsite.com/writerdirector

As a freelance member of the entertainment industry, Sawyer's income has been negatively effected by the wide-spread impact of COVID-19. If you would like to commission a written piece from him, please reach out by emailing [email protected]. If you are interested in contributing to Sawyer financially for his work on this podcast, he can be found on Venmo @SawyerAS, or on Paypal by searching the email address above. 

It's an odd time in the world with COVID-19 putting us all in isolation, so I figured now is as good of a time as any to release a little bit of poor audio-quality stand up comedy! If you like what you hear, or you don't but you're excited for the resurrection of this podcast, feel free to head over to Facebook or Instagram and like or follow TheRealSawyerAS. 

Since I am an out-of-work artist at this strange moment in time, I am going to include that you can reach out to me if you would like to contribute to my Venmo at this time.  I won't link it here for privact reasons, so message me on Facebook if you are interested. If not, that's fine, as I believe that art should be accessible to all people at all times. 

Enjoy the set!

Using the Q&A format for the first time, Sawyer answers questions about the entertainment industry and offer advice for anyone who is willing to listen. From questions as simple as, "How do I start a play?" to "Do you think theatre and film are making strides towards being inclusive with people who have disabilities?", Sawyer attempts to make sense of the world of performing arts one answer at a time. 

Head to Facebook and search "Pause for Effect Pod" or "Sawyer A.S." to find more information on everything theatre that Sawyer is up to.

WWW.SAWYERASHAFER.WIXSITE.COM/WRITERDIRECTOR

Eric Thompson is a senior in the Musical Theatre program at Wright State University. Eric sat down with Sawyer in December 2018 to talk about how he was raised a musician and why he identifies more as a musician than an actor. After Eric explains his approach to theatre and the craft of different characters, the two analyze Eric's "type" and discuss his dream of being a Prince onstage. At the end of the program, Eric graciously agrees to play one of his original songs.

You can find more on Eric and his music at https://www.facebook.com/EricThompsonMusic/.