SCERA Spotlight Podcast

It's so good to be back ... With another podcast episode, AND another recognition of standouts in the community who keep the arts moving forward. 

On this episode, we talk to Tara Eyre of the World Folkfest, Sheryl Dowling of The Dance Club, and Jeanette Bennett of Utah Valley Magazine!

Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson

Photos:

Rachael's artistic photography overlooking the dinner from the SCERA balcony

Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow at the podcast booth, with photobomb by creepy doll in display case

Tara Eyre of Springville's World Folkfest

Sheryl Dowling of The Dance Club

Jeanette Bennett of Utah Valley Magazine

What the meal looked like

Photography by Rachael Gibson

Spamalot opens this weekend at the SCERA Center for the Arts, and organizing that circus is Michael Carrasco, director of Newsies and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, also at SCERA. Michael is the podcast guest this week, and tells why this show is so outlandish and perfect.

We also take some time this episode to talk about the remarkable David Whitlock, former artistic director at SCERA, who passed away earlier this year. 

Guest: Michael Carrasco, Director, Spamalot

Hosts: Quin Swallow, Rachael Gibson and Kendall Bowman

Michael Carrasco, Director, Spamalot

The cast and crew of Spamalot

David Whitlock

In part two of our focus on SCERA legend Jerry Elison, you'll learn more of what Jerry was like in his personal and family life - most delightfully his sense of humor ad the joy he found in simple things.

Bonus treat: Listen at the end to hear Jerry tell a hilarious story in his own words.

Guests: Adam Robertson, Lesa Pulham, April Berlin, and Chase Elison

Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson

Enjoy these favorite photos of Jerry!

Jerry Elison was supposed to be around forever. That was the plan every time one of his shows closed and his casts and friends looked ahead to what he would do next. When he passed away in December 2019, it hardly seemed real.

Even though we miss Jerry, his impact on the arts in our community and in the lives of people was VERY real.

This is Part 1 of 2 on the magic and love brought to our neighborhood by The Legendary Jerry Elison.

Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson

Guests: Adam Robertson, Lesa Pulham, April Berlin and Chase Elison

Jerry adds his touch in the SCERA scene shop

Jerry and Lesa Pulham

Jerry with his grandson, Chase Elison

In Part 2 of our episodes on this year's Star Awards, meet:

• Brodee Ripple and SCERA's Acting Up cast
• Choreographer Jason Celaya
• Photographer Willie Holdman
• One Voice Children's Choir director Masa Fukuda and his wife, Alyssa
• 2020 Star Award winner and Utah governor Gary Herbert

Guests: Brodee Ripple, Jason Celaya, Willie Holdman, Masa and Alyssa Fukuda, Governor Gary Herbert

Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson

Evening of Stars guests walked into a theater ... and into a jungle!

Photo op with a witch doctor

Acting Up's Brodee Ripple and SCERA President and CEO Adam Robertson

The cast of Acting Up!

Quin Swallow and Marc Gibson (Rachael's husband) at the podcast station during dinner

Dancer and choreographer Jason Celaya

Photographer Willie Holdman (center) visits with Star Awards guests

The timing was SO close to disastrous ... but just a week before a global pandemic shut-down the SCERA Center along with other arts facilities everywhere, we were able to honor eight individuals and groups whose contributions to the arts are stellar in every way.

Featured on this episode: dōTERRA (Friend of the Arts), The Utah Cultural Alliance (Advocate of the Arts), Jan and Andrew Hunsaker (Theatre), and T.C. Christensen (Lifetime Achievement). 

Guests: McKay Brown, Crystal Young-Otterstrom, Jan Hunsaker, Andrew Hunsaker, T.C. Christensen

Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

We can't get enough of April and Lesa, so here is more of our conversation with two talented and dedicated women who really demonstrate what SCERA is all about. Here more great stories, and learn why there is no place like SCERA in the community.

PLUS: Listen at the beginning of the episode for information on our special episode on The Legendary Jerry Elison, and how you can contribute! (To leave your own message about Jerry for inclusion in our next episode, call ‪(385) 429-2787‬, or join us at the SCERA Center on Tuesday January 21 at 6 p.m. in Room 201.

Guests: April Berlin and Lesa Pulham

Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

No one knows SCERA better than Lesa Pulham and April Berlin. You may never see them on a stage, and not too often in the lobby, but they are here, working their magic in our corporate office, making sure all the pieces of SCERA fit neatly into place. On this episode (the first of two), April and Lesa talk about: 

• The building, and its 80 years of history
• Meeting famous SCERA visitors, including Charlton Heston, Debbie Reynolds, and artist Arnold Friberg
• The groundbreaking and construction of the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre
• The addition of the south wing of the building, and the start of indoor live performance seasons
• The busy, busy days at SCERA during Disney’s Mermaid, Beauty, Aladdin and Lion King golden age in the 1990s
• Stories about notable performers  … and interesting things that have happened during their stay

Guests: Lesa Pulham and April Berlin

Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

Lesa Pulham, left, and April Berlin remember their years at SCERA, and all the remarkable things they've seen

When Brittney Wallace is performing as Junie B. Jones, it's easy to accept that she's really starting her first-grade year in elementary school. Truth is, Brittney knows all about adulting, at home and on the stage.

On this episode, we have a very casual conversation with Brittney about Junie B., theater, SCERA, marriage and kids- and how it all somehow fits together!

Guest: Brittney Wallace

Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

Brittney Wallace as Junie B. Jones

Joseph is a local favorite, and it isn't hard to see why: A large cast, great songs with amazing variety for a single show, a healthy dose of humor, and of course ... a great message.

This episode features a conversation with stage manager Ellie Powell and cast member Brynn Hartley who explain what a singular show this is, and why all the effort is worth it.

But first, we want you to meet two SCERA guests who brought incredible street dancing skills with them from Europe to Utah. Meet Thomas Hergenroether and Manuela Bolegue, and learn why their art form, while tons of fun, is something to be taken seriously.

View the video version of the podcast on YouTube!

Guests: Ellie Powell, Brynn Hartley, Manuela Bolegue and Thomas Hergenroether

Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

Dancing duo Thomas Hergenroether and Manuela Bolegue

Joseph cast member Brynn Hartley and stage manager Ellie Powell

The cast of SCERA's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat