Story-Power

I have been privileged to have so many wonderful students over my years of teaching at Cochise College in southern Arizona. David was a student who wanted to try acting after having a sports career in high school. I'm so happy he walked into my acting class. It was a pleasure to watch David's work on his scenes and in Twelfth Night. Since he graduated from Cochise College he's off to new adventures at a new college to finish up his degree. I hope you enjoy our lively conversation.

David Featherston is a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic. He is infatuated with movies and adventure. Some of his hobbies include basketball, and almost any other sport. But his favorite hobby is acting, which has a very special place in his heart. He plans to continue his acting education and perhaps one day make it his career.

David and I talked so long that I had to cut out a few segments, so if we refer to something you didn't hear previously in the conversation, it's because of the cuts to shorten the episode.

Plays and Movies

The Moors by Jen Silverman

Language Archive by Julia Cho

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Will Smith Movies and TV

Hitch (2005)

Seven Pounds (2008)

Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990 – 1996)

I am Legend (2007)

Independence Day (1996)

I Robot (2004)

Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

More Movies

Castaway

Mark Wallberg

Favorite Genres: Drama, Romantic Drama

Movie Resource: IMDb

Mission Impossible (1996)

Star Wars series

Avengers, MCU

Netflix Series and Movies

Love is Blind (2020)

All the Bright Places (2020)

Even More Movies

Sliding Doors (1998)

Othello by William Shakespeare

The Mountain Between Us (2017)

Star Trek: Beyond (2016)

Thor etc. as Heimdall (beginning in 2011)

Dark Tower (2017)

Intersteller (2014)

Cloud Atlas (2012)

Jordan Peele's Work

Us (2019)

Get Out (2017)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Invasion (1956, 1978, 2007)

Dracula (Original title 1958 Hammer Studios)

John Krasinski's Work

A Quiet Place (2018)

The Office (2005 – 2013)

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018 – present)

Suggestions

Bicentennial Man (1999)

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Die Hard (1999)

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Turner Classic Movies with Ben Mankiewicz

Christmas Movies by Jeremy Arnold

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories." ~ Roger C. Schank, Cognitive Scientist

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I have been privileged to have so many wonderful students over my years of teaching at Cochise College in southern Arizona. Melissa is one of them. I love her enthusiasm and drive to make her dreams come true. We had some internet issues in the beginning of the podcast. I hope you will excuse them and keep listening because Melissa had some unexpected suggestions for me, and you.

Melissa Villanueva was born and raised in a small Mexican town close to the US-Mexico border. She is 19 years old and a Musical Theater major. She came to the United States when she was 15-years-old and began her college education at 16. She currently works as a Freelance Illustrator and Concept Artist on Instagram and Youtube. She has taken singing, acting, and dance lessons, and plans on pursuing a bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre. She has played the lead roles in classical Shakespeare plays including Twelfth Night and Measure for Measure. Additionally, she has performed various musical, classical, and popular music numbers in singing recitals and choirs in diverse venues. She is currently building her musical theatre repertoire with songs that range from the classics including The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables to much newer musicals including Anastasia and Hamilton. She hopes to one day star in a Broadway Musical.

Disney Movies especially Anastasia, (1997) Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, Directors (animated)

Anime: Kicki's Delivery Service (1989) Hayao Miyazaki Director, Howl's Moving Castle (2004) animaated, Hayao Miyazaki, Director, Studio Ghibli animation company, 22 movies, 20 TV titles. The first: The Take of the Princess Kaguya, (2013) Isao Takahata

The Rainmaker (1956) by N. Richard Nash, both play and screenplay Joseph Anthony, director

Melissa's YouTube channel

Stage Musical Anastasia, Darko Tresnjak, Director

Classic movie with Ingrid Bergman, Anastasia, (1956) Directed by Anatole Litvak

Favorite song, "In My Dreams" from Anastasia, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Antigone by Jean Anouilh

The Midnight Gospel (Adult animated series directed by Mike L. Mayfield and Pendleton Ward)

The Caretaker – Everywhere at the End of Time – Stages 1 – 6 (Youtube, vvmtest)

Polish Artist and Sculptor, Zdzislaw Beksiński

Hammer Studios Horror of Dracula (1958) Terrance Fisher, director

A Quiet Place, (2018) John Krasinski, director

Get Out, (2017) Jordan Peele, director and screenwriter

The Blair Witch Project (1999) Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, Directors

Midsommar (2019) Ari Aster, Director

Good Night Mommy (2014) Severin Fiala and Veronica Franz, Directors

Alfred Hitchcock films

Bride and Prejudice (2004) Gurinder Chadha, Director Bollywood Films

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Randy Murray was born in rural Southern Illinois, the 5th generation on the family farm. He attended Graceland College (now university) in Lamoni, Iowa, where he received a BA in Theatre and Speech Communications, followed by a Masters of Fine Arts in Playwrighting at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

After college he began work in the early high tech industry as a training developer and instructor, followed by roles leading marketing departments and product management, and ultimately, business management. He capped his career as a business writing and communications consultant for large businesses and marketing agencies.

His play, Grimaldi: King of the Clowns, was performed after his graduation in the SIU main stage season in 1986 as well as preformed for the American College Theatre Festival. It has subsequently been preformed at Howard Payne University and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

His book, Writing Assignments, is available on Amazon.com.

Plays, Myths, and Stories Discussed in Part 2

Birthright a novel in progress by Randy Murray

Grimm's Fairytales (in original form)

Myths of Prometheus and Sisyphus

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

The Plague by Albert Camus

The work of James Thurber at The New Yorker

John McNulty at The New Yorker

The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland

This Place on Third Avenue by John McNulty

The Mists of Avalon and The Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Truman Capote

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, American Gods, and Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Orpheus and Eurydice on which the Broadway Musical Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell is based

The Brothers Grimm Fairytales, Demon Voices, and His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman

The Story Telling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gotshall

Shogun by James Clavell

The Master and Commander series (The Age of Fighting Sails) by Patrick O'Brian

Jane Austen's body of work

His Majesty's Dragon, The Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik

Poldark series by Winston Graham

Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell

Roots by Alex Haley

The Autobiography of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Aaron Mahnke podcast, "Lore"

Randy and I attended Graceland University, acted in plays together, and eventually both of us got theatre degrees. We haven't seen each other in many years, but we keep in touch via social media. I was excited to talk with Randy since he's a fellow writer. This is part one of a long conversation about our passion for stories.

Randy Murray was born in rural Southern Illinois, the 5th generation on the family farm. He attended Graceland College (now university) in Lamoni, Iowa, where he received a BA in Theatre and Speech Communications, followed by a Masters of Fine Arts in Playwrighting at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

After college he began work in the early high tech industry as a training developer and instructor, followed by roles leading marketing departments and product management, and ultimately, business management. He capped his career as a business writing and communications consultant for large businesses and marketing agencies.

His play, Grimaldi: King of the Clowns, was performed after his graduation in the SIU main stage season in 1986 as well as preformed for the American College Theatre Festival. It has subsequently been preformed at Howard Payne University and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

His book, Writing Assignments, is available on Amazon.com.

He remains active as a writer and playwright and is an avid ukulele player and performer. He lives in Westerville, Ohio, outside of Columbus, with his wife, Diane. His two adult daughters, one a musician, the other a painter, both have careers in the arts.

Plays, Myths, and Stories Discussed in this Episode

Greek Myths

Star Trek the original series

James Blish, author of Star Trek novelizations of the original Star Trek series, and Cities in Flight

War of the Worlds radio show by Orson Wells

The Federal Theatre Project

The Common Theatre Project

Plays by William Shakespeare discussed: Love's Labor Lost, Measure for Measure, and Twelfth Night

Patrick Stewart reading Shakespeare's Sonnets on YouTube

The Globe Theater in London

Hadestown Music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell developed with and Directed by Rachel Chavkin (Tony Winner)

Gilgamesh

The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer

Antigone by Jean Anouilh based on Antigone by Sophocles

Birthright a novel in progress by Randy Murray

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories." ~Roger C. Schank, Cognitive Scientist.

This is part two of my long conversation with my sister, Celeste Sage-Tate.

Story~Power is now available in the Apple, Google, and Spotify podcast apps.

"I have had the love of reading since 7th grade. I would spend hours after school just reading and seeing myself in the stories I read. I read many different genres. I do not limit myself. As a Life Coach I have read many books from Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and Marianne Williamson." ~Celeste Sage-Tate

Part Two

The Crucible – Arthur Miller, Movie, (1996) Nicholas Hytner, director

To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee, Movie, (1962) Robert Mulligan, director

Rise of the Guardians – (2012) Peter Ramsey, director

A Course In Miracles – New Christian Church of Full Endeavor

MCU movies, Kevin Feige, producer

Star Wars movies, George Lucas, creator

Star Trek series and movies, Gene Roddenberry, creator

The works of William Shakespeare

The works of Jane Austen

Avengers: Endgame (2019) Anthony and Joe Russo, directors

Iron Man – (2008) Jon Favreau, director

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Anthony and Joe Russo, directors

Black Panther (2018) Ryan Coogler, director

Dr. Strange (2016) Scott Derrickson, director

Thor (2011) Kenneth Branagh, director

Black Widow – Character in the MCU, movie projected release (2020) Cate Shortland, director

The Road Less Traveled – M. Scott Peck

Die Hard (1988) John McTiernan, director

The Shining – Stephen King, Movie (1980) Stanley Kubrick, director

Cujo – Stephen King, Movie (1983) Lewis Teague, director

Movies by M. Night Shyamalan

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Signs (2002)

Lady in the Water (2006)

The Village (2004)

Seat of the Soul – Gary Zukav

Back to the Future (1985), Robert Zemeckis, director

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen, Our favorite version – Mini-series (1995) Simon Langton, director

Now Voyager (1942), Irving Rapper, director

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories." ~Roger C. Schank, Cognitive Scientist

This is the first of an edited two hour conversation I had with my sister, Celeste Sage-Tate. When she and I get started, we talk about one story that leads to another—and another—linking themes and what we've learned from them.

Story~Power is now available on the Apple, Google, and Spotify podcasts.

Part One

"I have had the love of reading since 7th grade. I would spend hours after school just reading and seeing myself in the stories I read. I read many different genres. I do not limit myself. As a Life Coach I have read many books from Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and Marianne Williamson." ~Celeste Sage-Tate

Stories Discussed

To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee, Movie, (1962) Robert Mulligan, director

The Crucible – Arthur Miller, Movie, (1996) Nicholas Hytner, director

Go Set a Watchman – Harper Lee

Parable of the Sower – Octavia E. Butler

The Casual Vacancy – J.K. Rowling

Gladiator – (2000) Ridley Scott, director

Braveheart – (1995) Mel Gibson, director

Star Trek (all series and movies) Gene Roddenberry creator

Author of note: William Shakespeare

The Stand – Stephen King, Mini-series (1994) Mick Garris, director

Shawshank Redemption – Stephen King, Movie (1994), Frank Darabont, director

The Green Mile – Stephen King, Movie (1999) Frank Darabont, director

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen, Our favorite version – Mini-series (1995) Simon Langton, director

Dune – Frank Herbert, Movie (1984), David Lynch, director

Finding Nemo – (2003) Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, directors

Bruce Lipton non-fiction books

The Hunger Games Series – Suzanne Collins, Movies, (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015,) Gary Ross and Francis Lawrence, directors

A Return to Love – Marianne Williamson

Saving Private Ryan – (1998) Steven Spielberg, director

Wayne Dyer, Spiritual Teacher and Author

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories." ~Roger C. Schank, Cognitive Scientist

This is my first episode. We had a bit of trouble with the sound but Dave and I had a fantastic conversation. I asked Dave to be my first guest because I'm in awe of his knowledge about the Shakespearean and the Elizabethan time period. It's sad for both of us that his timeless work is not appreciated as much as we'd like it to be. If you've hated Shakespeare in the past, I hope after this podcast you'll consider getting better acquainted with his work.

Dave Dahl

Dave has loved theatre since his first performance in the Opera Carmen at age 6. Since then he teaches acting and has led actors workshops and founded The Northern Colorado Actors Studio. He also acts in his spare time. He recently directed Constellations, Orson's Shadow, Antony and Cleopatra, Comedy of Errors, Love's Labour's Lost, Chimes at Midnight, Twelfth Night, King Lear, As You Like It, and the regional premiere of Gloria. In his 30 years as an actor, favorite roles include: Mr.Paravicini in The Mousetrap, Alf in Peter and the Starcatcher, Edgar in King Lear, Horatio in Hamlet, Orgon in Tartuffe, Benjamin Franklin in 1776, and Theo Maske in The Underpants. Works by William Shakespeare we Discussed Measure for Measure Chimes at Midnight by Orson Wells (1965, available on Amazon Prime) Richard II Henry IV, parts I & II Henry V Hamlet Shakespeare's sonnets performed by Patrick Stewart (on YouTube) The Tempest All's Well that Ends Well Romeo and Juliet Macbeth Twelfth Night The Taming of the Shrew Much Ado About Nothing The term Dramaturg was discussed in this episode. For those who are unfamiliar with the word, a dramaturg is a special consultant who provides specific, in-depth knowledge and literary resources to a director, producer, or entire theatre company.

"Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories." ~Roger C. Schank, Cognaitive Scientist.