Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

You're about to meet and get to know a Hollywood trailblazer. Susan Silver is one of the first female sit-com writers, whose career began in 1971 at "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Her mentor was none other than the great Garry Marshall. Susan went on to write for "The Bob Newhart Show," "Maude," "The Partridge Family" and "Square Pegs." She was also the Casting Director for "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." Oh, there's more. Susan dishes about the highs and lows of both her comedy career and her love life in her memoir, "Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets and Sitcoms." This is one helluva conversation with one helluva creative woman!

Michelle Walshe finds herself in a unique category - one of the very few female filmmakers to direct a sports documentary. And what a documentary it is. "Chasing Great," follows 34 year old Richie McCaw, considered by many to be THE best rugby player ever, through his final season as captain of the All Blacks. "Chasing Great" happens to be the highest grossing documentary in New Zealand history and one of the top 100 highest grossing documentaries of all time. Michelle and her husband also happen to be the co-founders of the production company, Augusto. They're expanding their reach to include the U.S. - opening an office in New York City. In a word, Michelle is a dynamo!

When in a restaurant, how much attention do you pay to the outfits worn by the wait staff? Probably, not much. That's so not the case for Deirdra Jones. Along with her husband, they founded Jones of Boerum Hill, a high-end uniform and apron company to: "fill a void in the market for a workwear company to take a more fashion forward approach to uniforms and aprons." And have they ever! Their line can be found in top bars, restaurants and hotels all over the world. Meet and get to know yet another creative woman.

It's both an honor and pleasure to introduce Melissa Salguero: teacher, musician, role model, mentor and...2018 Grammy Music Educator Award winner! She joined the faculty of P.S. 48 Joseph R. Drake elementary school in New York's South Bronx neighborhood in 2010. In the years since, Melissa has built its music program from the ground up, raising more than $160,000, including the $50,000 she received on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Melissa combines science and musical concepts by transforming her classroom into a Mad Scientist lab. You're about to listen to one uplifting, inspiring, feel good conversation.

You're about to meet and get to know award-winning stage, film, television actress and playwright, Sharon Washington. Her eclectic career spans more than 25 years and with it a long list of credits.

She recently made her debut as a playwright with her highly acclaimed one woman-show, "Feeding The Dragon." It's set in the St. Agnes branch of the New York City Public Library. Why? Because that's where Sharon lived with her mother and father, the library custodian. Sharon takes us on her creative career path in this fascinating, honest, engaging conversation.

Jenifer Foote's resume in a word? Wow! She's a New York City-based actress, dancer, choreographer/associate director and teacher. Jenifer's Broadway credits include: "Hello Dolly!," "She Loves Me," "Holiday Inn," "On The Twentieth Century," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," "Follies," "Rock of Ages," "A Chorus Line" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Jenifer's also taught master classes in vocal performance, scene study and dance. You'll want to meet this creative woman, whose passion for her work is contagious!

Sophie Brooks got her Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and television from New York University in 2012. And not quite 5 years later, has made her feature writing and directing debut with "The Boy Downstairs." The romantic comedy stars Zosia Mamet (she played Shoshanna Shapiro in the HBO hit "Girls"), who, after a few years living abroad, moves back to New York City. Unbeknownst to her, she rents an apartment in her former boyfriend's building. Sophie talks about her motivation as well as the challenges she faced in making her first commercial film.

Clearly, mounting a Broadway show is a herculean task that requires the talents and expertise of a whole cast of characters, far beyond the actors you see on stage. One of those players is the Company Manager. Who? In case you didn't know, the job of a Company Manager is one of the toughest in the theater. You're about to find out why. Tracy Geltman began her career at Maine State Music Theater as an apprentice before coming to New York, where she worked on "Hairspray," "War Paint," "Fun Home" and "The Band's Visit," to name just a few Broadway hits. Listen in as she talks about her love of theater and what it's like to be the Company Manager.

Joan Kron in a word? Icon. This 90 year old creative, accomplished, trendsetter's career has spanned more than 50 years! Among her many accomplishments: Joan co-founded the New York Times Home section, was the first fashion reporter for the Wall Street Journal, an editor at Avenue and a famed columnist at Allure magazines, where she literally invented the plastic surgery beat. And than last year "Take My Nose...Please,!" the first film she wrote, directed and produced was released. Lots to talk about?? You bet!