SHOP TALK

William Shakespeare was undoubtedly one of history’s greatest playwrights, which is why there’s still so much to say about his works 400 years later.

Over the next three episodes, our panel of experts talk about their experiences with the Bard, from their first introductions to directing and performing his works; and they discuss why the works of William Shakespeare continue to resonate today.

This time, we’re talking about directing for theatre, and we’re assembling (remotely) a great panel:

- Kate Neubert Lechner, Executive Director of the Erie Playhouse

- Dr. Brett Johnson, Artistic Director, Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture, and Director of the Mercyhurst Theatre program

- Rev. Shawn Clerkin, Co-Director of the School of Communication and the Arts at Gannon University and Dramashop Director Emeritus

Hosted by Nicole Lossie and featuring Dramashop Artistic Director Zach Flock, SHOP TALK LIVE! is recorded live in front of a (virtual) studio audience, featuring conversations with local theatre experts and members of the Dramashop community. The live recording will be edited for time and content and posted as an episode of our podcast.

Sponsored by Gannon University's Schuster Theatre.

Dramashop artistic director Zach Flock and SHOP TALK producer Nicole Lossie sit down with the cast of GLORIA on opening night - just minutes before curtain - to talk about the implications (and benefits) of a short rehearsal period, why actors return to Dramashop and what you can expect from jumping off a diving board without goggles.

Originally released: February 2019

Family dysfunction at a holiday gathering. Parents treating their adult children like kids. Adult children treating their parents like kids. Secrets kept, secrets revealed, and, crap, where did grandma go? For the Blake family of Pennsylvania, Thanksgiving in Manhattan throws the family into turmoil, and as the play unfolds in real time, things may never be the same. Laughter, tears and enough wine to make it through a family gathering are just a few of the things you’ll see on stage in THE HUMANS.

Originally released: January 2019

In this episode, Zach talks to Alaina Manchester and Shawn Clerkin about Gannon University's bold, captivating original production, APE/ESSENCE. From a novel by Aldous Huxley to a treatment by Clerkin and finally, an ever-evolving devised piece by Manchester and cast, the result is a dangerously relevant theatrical experience.

Originally Released: January 2018

Zach Flock, Alaina Manchester and Michael Haas discuss our production of MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY, what influenced the production, the evolution of storytelling, the death of Homer Simpson, the journey of devised theatre, masks and much. much more.

Originally Released: March 2018

Dramashop artistic director Zach Flock talks with associate artistic director Alaina Manchester about Dramashop's THE LARAMIE PROJECT and TROJAN WOMEN at Gannon University's Schuster Theatre.

Originally Released: September, 2018

Real vs. absurd, what is HIR (and hir), and humanity's complete inability to communicate. On this episode, Nicole Lossie talks with HIR director Megan Hamm and Dramashop associate artistic director Alaina Manchester about gender identity, a little bit of politics and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Originally released: November, 2018

In our second remote episode during quarantine, Zach brings together the cast of Dramashop's very first production - Neil LaBute's Reasons to be Pretty: Alaina Manchester, Dom Del Greco, Evan O'Polka and Jess Flock.

Shawn, Alaina, Zach and Nicole talk about things that go wrong on stage, the importance - and beauty - of ensemble work in theatre, undergarment preferences while on stage and what we're missing due to the current pandemic. Join us.