Pipe and Drape: the Theatre for Young Audiences Podcast

Rebecca Russell shares her journey from University Interscholastic League, to vacation Bible school, to Off-Broadway. Rebecca is an actor and puppeteer who took on the sudden challenge of learning to assistant stage manage and swing a new show that would be her Off-Broadway debut in Rescue Rue—and she did it while living out of a suitcase. We cover everything from University Interscholastic League, to learning new skills on the job, to "zooming out!"

Find Rebecca Russell:

https://www.rebeccalynnrussell.com/

INSTAGRAM: ⁠@rebeccal.lynn.russell

TIKTOK: @have.a.heckin.good.day

See Rebecca’s puppetry work in Sesame Street: The Musical at Theatre 555 in NYC: https://www.sesamestreetmusical.com/tickets.php

Check out the Rescue Rue series:

INSTAGRAM: @rescuerue

TIKTOK: @rescuerue

Learn more University Interscholastic League (UIL): https://www.uiltexas.org/theatre

This weeks Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Spearnana Mintberry Winternapple” from the cast album of StinkyKids, The Musical

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/07/episode-25-rebecca-russell.html

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: ⁠⁠⁠Stephen Fala⁠⁠⁠

Artwork: ⁠⁠⁠Stephen Gordon

Actor/director/stage manager Ali Caiazzo takes us to Upper Darby, Pennsylvania for this pipe and drape story. Each summer, Ali returns to the summer theatre program of her childhood, Upper Darby Summer Stage, to lead dozens of magic-making young performers using the improv, puppetry, and management skills she picked up from working for Disney, Nickelodeon, and at the summer program itself! In addition to producing quality, affordable theatre for young audiences, Upper Darby Summer Stage is known for teaching its performers how to become fun, creative young adults who graduate from the program to become everything from politicians to professional actors. Listen to this pipe and drape story to learn about the ways Ali encourages individuality and positivity in every one of her productions.

Find Ali Caiazzo:

INSTAGRAM: @ali.caiazzo

Ali Caiazzo in PAW Patrol, Live! At Home on Paramount Plus

Behind the scenes look at Ali’s 2022 production of How I Became A Pirate

Click here to purchase tickets for Disney’s Finding Nemo, Jr. at Upper Darby Summer Stage

Learn more about Upper Darby Summer Stage:

WEBSITE: https://summerstage.udfoundation.org/

FACEBOOK: @UDSummerStage

INSTAGRAM: @udsummerstage

TIKTOK: @ssmagic76

Music from this episode:

"Magic Up Our Sleeve" by Harry Dietzler and Mary Anne O'Brien Dietzler

This weeks Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Finale - The Big Blue World (Reprise)” from the 2007 recording of Finding Nemo: The Musical

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/07/episode-24-ali-caiazzo.html

INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠⁠

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: ⁠⁠Stephen Fala⁠⁠

Artwork: ⁠⁠Stephen Gordon

Composer, music director, orchestrator, and choral conductor Deborah Wicks La Puma shares her pipe and drape story in this episode! During this conversation, Deborah shares stories about her musical background; writing process; collaborations with author and illustrator Mo Willems, the Kennedy Center, and HBO Max; and more! Join us to learn about the musician who is behind some of the most popular shows being produced today.

Find Deborah Wicks La Puma:

WEBSITE: https://crunchynotes.com

INSTAGRAM: @dwlapuma

SINGERS check out Deborah's Vocal Workout!

Music from this episode created by Deborah Wicks La Puma:

“Final Scene” - The Knuffle Bunny (Original Cast Recording)

“I Never Get To Do Anything” - Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

“Let Me Drive The Bus!” - Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

“Lucky to See You” - Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!” The Album

“Time To Get Dressed” - Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience

This week's Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/07/episode-23-deborah-wicks-la-puma.html

INSTAGRAM: ⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: ⁠Stephen Fala⁠

Artwork: ⁠Stephen Gordon

It’s been a big year! So I’m popping in with a Dinky summary of my 2022-2023 adventures before launching the third season of this podcast! I’m talking Theatre for Young Audiences/USA to Off Broadway.

Listen to : Hey Playwright Podcast 064: 2023 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Recap

Learn more about TYA/USA

Read the New York Times review of Sesame Street: The Musical

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/06/dinky-episode-9.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Show Logo: Stephen Gordon

QUOTED IN THIS EPISODE:

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

- The SpongeBob Musical, book by Kyle Jarrow

“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way”

- Disney’s Mary Poppins, lyrics by the Sherman Brothers

“When you find something precious, gather it up and keep it safe.”

- The Pa'akai We Bring by Moses Goods and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth Ensemble

“We are in the business of provoking thought, of affirming identity, and nursing possibility.”

- Julia Flood

"The world is new when we turn to the young."

- Mahogany L. Browne

“Trust young people. Trust them to have big conversations and think big things.”

- Caitlyn McCain

“Be brave be bold, don’t wait for a sign…The time is now.”

- Brittny Bush, Brave Little Company

“You just keep going love who you are, perhaps you already are a star.”

- Sesame Street: The Musical, lyrics by Helen Park and Nate Edmondson

“If chocolate’s good once, twice makes it better.”

- The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, authored by Thelma Lynne Godin, adapted for the stage by Gloria Bond Clunie

While sharing this pipe and drape story, Michael McClain and I reminisce over our shared experience performing Where the Red Fern Grows at Lexington Children's Theatre a few autumns back. We talk about everything from packing suitcases to what it’s like to grow into adulthood while playing children. 

Check out Michael's podcast Pfeiffer Pfridays

Find Michael McClain:

INSTAGRAM: @michaeldmcclain

TWITTER: @michaeldmcclain

LETTERBOXD: @michaeldmcclain

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/10/episode-22-michael-mcclain.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Artwork: Stephen Gordon

All aboard! In this episode we’re going on a magic carpet on a rail that never takes a rest. Becki Zaritsky's pipe and drape story is about her experience as the stage manager and company manager of the Polar Express train ride experience.

Check out Becki's podcast Untamed Shrews:

https://flagshakes.org/untamed-shrews/

INSTAGRAM: @untamedshrewspodcast

Find Becki Zaritsky:

WEBSITE: https://www.beckizaritsky.com

INSTAGRAM: @beckzarit, #becksidestory

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/10/episode-21-becki-zaritsky.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Artwork: Stephen Gordon

Voting while away on contract takes some coordination, but it is possible and absolutely necessary! Every election season my hotel room becomes a social studies classroom as I research the candidates and policies I get to vote on. No election is too small!

ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/

VOTER REGISTRATION/STATUS CHECK: https://vote.gov

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/10/dinky-episode-8-voting-on-contract.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Artwork: Stephen Gordon

This pipe and drape story is about one of the most challenging art forms in the field: marionette performance. Tyler B. Quick had just a few training sessions before putting his skills to the test in front of an audience of children at the Columbia Marionette Theatre in South Carolina, and he has been performing with marionettes ever since!

Check Out Tyler's Puppet Stuff:

See Tyler in New York City October 4th at The Windjammer!

Tyler also performs with the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park!

Find Tyler B. Quick:

WEBSITE: tylerbquick.com

INSTAGRAM: @tylerbquick

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/09/episode-20-tyler-b-quick.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Artwork: Stephen Gordon

Philadelphia area teacher Peggy Fala incorporates nuance into her storytelling that captivates her students. She believes that honest storytelling and exposure to the arts are essential to the education of young minds. In this episode, Peggy covers the theatre for young audiences experience from the perspective of the teachers who bring their young students to see theatre.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/09/episode-19-peggy-fala.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Artwork: Stephen Gordon

In the blink of an eye, Alyssa Armstrong joined a team of six that toured Schoolhouse Rock, Live! through California and Arizona. Through dust storms, illness, and LA traffic, Alyssa entertained and educated thousands of children every week through song on a set that she drove from city to city with Childsplay.

Read about Alyssa Armstrong and cast member Joshua Vern's story here

Spamalot at Arizona Broadway Theatre Fall 2022

Find Alyssa Armstrong:

INSTAGRAM: @alyssaarmstrong_

EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/08/episode-18-alyssa-armstrong.html

INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories

EMAIL: [email protected]

Host: Stephen Fala

Artwork: Stephen Gordon