As a multimedia artist, post-production professional and harpist Amanda Peckler is a dynamic creative who brings her phenomenal abilities to multiple arenas. This Skidmore College graduate has been involved in several documentaries, transmedia projects, narratives and podcasts. She is an accomplished member of The Post New York Alliance, The Blue Collar Post Collective, The Future NOW Media Foundation and AIR Media. In addition she is a mentee for the Alliance of Documentary Editors. Her vast experience has brought her to hands-on involvement in production and post-production roles on award-winning documentary film sets, edu-tainment teams, mutlimedia installation work and narrative television shows with HBO Max, Amazon, Apple TV+, and AMC. As the co-founder and the producer of the Pass the Mic series, she helped propel this cutting-edge multimedia platform and community forward into a bright destiny of empowering individuals with marginalized identities by giving them a voice on air. Once a fellow for the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative Institute, she embraced the opportunity to direct and develop an interactive website and living archive called Neshama: The Jewess Soul, which explored Jewish womanhood in the United States. Currently Amanda Peckler serves as a producer, editor and co-host of House of Neshama, a digital platform and podcast off-shoot of her documentary project. As harpist and poet, she performs at many events, bringing her beautiful skills to a diverse array of ambiances. Her talents shine in many various settings. I am delighted, honored and absolutely thrilled to have this spirited talent grace the airwaves of State of the Arts this week!

State of the Arts Episode 122 just published! My guest this week is Debbie Daum, a gemologist with a background in the jewelry industry who turned her passion into a career when she opened an all-purpose bead store in White Plains, New York. Bead Everything offers supplies for all beading needs, jewelry making classes, ready-to-wear pieces and even literature. From semi-precious stones to Swarovski crystals to Southwest Turquoise to Miyuki seedbeeds, one's eyes are met with a rainbow world of variety when entering this delightful store. The staff are all highly skilled at beading and teach many of the classes at this beautifully creative jewelry design paradise. A few of them were features in major beading magazines. Many guest artists come to teach specialty classes as well. This year Bead Everything is hosting its first Bead Retreat in May. This retreat will be a three day celebration with classes, raffles, giveaways, guest artists and food. I was honored to step into the enchanting world of beading for a fascinating interview with this brilliantly artistic entrepreneur.

This week's episode is an honorable tribute to late acting legend Dame Angela Lansbury who passed away tranquilly last year at ninety six. Dame Angela Lansbury was an Irish-British and American actress, dancer and singer whose extraordinary career graced the silver screen, prime time television and the stage. Her career had humble beginnings as she took small roles in classic low budget movies after signing a contract with MGM. Her breakout role was in The Manchurian Candidate (1962). This catapulted her into stardom and gave her an opening to branch out into Broadway. From Mame to Gypsy to Sweeney Todd to the King and I, she commanded the stage with star power. But, she was far from done with Hollywood as she gravitated toward sweet, matronly roles in children's films. She gained much notoriety as the voice of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Who can forget her magical antics in Bedknobs and Broomsticks? Anastasia, Nanny McPhee and Mary Poppins Returns are other family films she so beautifully acted in. Murder She Wrote, as we all know, was the television hit show that featured her as a widowed mystery writer who was also an amateur sleuth. Her impressive array of awards includes six Tony Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, six Golden Globes, a Laurence Olivier Award, an Honorary Academy Award, eighteen Primetime Emmy Awards and a Grammy. Peter Shaw was her producer husband whom she was married to for over fifty years until his passing. They had two children whom she had to rescue from the Charles Manson Cult and drugs when they hit their teenaged years. So charitable and loving, she was very active in AIDS awareness and in helping struggling artists get their big break. Along with my trusted co-host, good friend and performing arts connoisseur Anthony Bonilla, I pay an homage to the legacy of one of the most beloved actresses of all time.

The You Frontier is a startup that transforms unused buildings and commercial space into co-working, creative and community spaces. Their business model is similar to that of a gym offering people reasonably priced subscriptions for virtually unlimited access to their space. The You Frontier offers a way to make use of existing space, a physical social network and a chance for subscribers to have a stake in the company. On March 29th 2023 The You Frontier will be hosting talented artists who will be helping decorate their space at 25 Van Zant Street. This event is called "The YOU Frontier Art Extravaganza" and is coordinated by Catniss Locati with Catniss Art Ranch & WEB Realty Company Winthrop Baum. A group of talented artists will be creating paintings and competing for prize money while receiving a base pay for their work as well. There will be refreshments and three hours of unbridled creativity. Get your tickets now on eventbrite.com!

In this epic, larger-than-life episode of State of the Arts my co-host Anthony Bonilla and I give a rave review of the new adaptation of Tennessee Williams' legendary play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. This astonishing Off Broadway show is a Ruth Stage production directed by Joe Rosario. Matt de Rogatis of Ruth Stage, who was a guest on State of the Arts last year, owns the lead role of troubled alcoholic Brick Pollitt flawlessly. An all-star cast that includes Courtney Henggeler (currently renowned for her role in hit show Kobra Kai), Frederick Weller (known for his role in In Plain Sight and To Kill a Mockingbird), two-time Tony Award Nominee Alison Fraser, along with several other notable stars. This powerful team brings forth masterful performances in this controversial classic retold. The original Ruth Stage production of this show was the first time in history permission was granted by the Tennessee Williams estate for an Off Broadway Stage production. A key member of the productions team is Tony Award winning Broadway Producer Joseph Grano (Jersey Boys). With a whole crew of power-hitters behind the scenes as well this production is a must-see for any theatre lover. While the famous film version of this story, that starred Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, very careful to mask the controversial topics the storyline addressed, this modern day stage adaptation presents the issues head-on. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof focuses on many societal issues including homophobia, alcoholism, family dysfunction, emotional abuse, depression, sexism, infidelity and classism. Tennessee Williams' work was revolutionary for its time and he was a champion for LGBTQ rights. Hurry and get your tickets today before March 31st when its glorious run is over! The production takes place several times a week at the Saint Clément's Theatre in Manhattan. Go to ruthstage.org to get your tickets while you still can!                                 

This week storyteller, comedienne, actress, author and natural redhead Michele Carlo joins me in this enchanting podcast episode. A native New Yorker, she began her career in the entertainment industry on the eclectic stages of the city. She has appeared across the country in many shows including NRP with Latino U.S.A. as she is an artist of Puerto Rican descent. The Clearwater Music and Arts Festival, RISK!, Story Colliders, PBS's Stories from the Stage, MOTH's GrandSlams and Mainstage are other impressive feathers in her performer's cap. "Fish Out of Agua" is a book she authored which contains many of her early MOTH stories. She had roles in various indie productions and was with Sheria Mattis on Kelly Jean Fitzsimmon's "NO, YOU TELL IT!" for the 10th anniversary of the show. She will be in many more shows and on many other podcasts to come. These appearances include a storytelling at the "No Name Super Story Party" at the WordUp Community Bookshop. Also bringing her talents to the World Channel/WGBH, she was on Episode 11 of the "Stories from the Stage" series. A woman of many skills, Michele Carlo works as a professional face painter as well. I am delighted and honored to have this comedy extraordinaire, this brilliant wordsmith, this beguiling entertainer, this multi-faceted artist grace the airwaves of my podcast this week!