Talking Backstage

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews performer David Kenny. After attending Saugus High School for two years, his family moved to Texas where he graduated from high school. In this episode David tells us about the different approaches to arts education in California versus Texas, his experiences touring the world with an assembly program, creating an a cappella group and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews Production Manager, Kamber Moen. After graduating from Valencia High School, she spent nearly ten years working in the Entertainment Department at Six Flags Magic Mountain as a performer and production coordinator before starting work at Universal Studios Hollywood. In this episode Kamber tells us about her experience as a theatre student at Valencia High School, how she helps lead the creative process for new guest experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood,  and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews musician PJ Bovee. After graduating from Saugus High School, PJ began studying jazz guitar performance at San Diego State University. He ultimately made the decision to leave school as he found a successful career playing in the orchestra pit for musical theatre productions. Not only is PJ an accomplished musician, but he is also a published author with his book "Guitar Chord Kick-Start" that helps teach introductory guitar chords. In this episode PJ tells us about the influence that his high school choir director had on his life, what it takes to be a professional musician playing for musicals, and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews Sierra Vista Junior High School Choir and Band Director, Brianna Mowry. After graduating from Saugus High School, Brianna earned a Bachelor degree in Music Education from California State University, Northridge. In this episode Brianna tells us about her experience as a choral student at Saugus High School, what her days look like as a music educator,  and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews actress Emma Howard. While Emma was attending Rio Norte Junior High School, Emma received the call that she would be part of the original cast of Matilda the Musical opening on Broadway. She made her return to California to attend the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts before being accepted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. In this episode, Emma shares with us what it is like to be performing at Broadway at such a young age, her experience attending schools dedicated to the performing arts, and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews special effects make-up artist Dan Gilbert. After graduating from Hart High School, Dan has worked for both Six Flags Magic Mountain as well as Universal Studios Hollywood as a performer. He credits the hours he spent in the make-up chair as a performer as having a lasting influence as an artist. Some of Dan's credits include work on American Horror Story, The Orville, How to Get Away with Murder, Penny Dreadful, Dark Waters and Doom Annihilation. His make-up talents were featured in the viral video "Old Man Strength at Muscle Beach" for Thrillist, which has over 80 million views on YouTube. In this episode Dan tells us about the art opportunities he had in the Newhall School District, the make-up he created called Mouth FX that has quickly become a standard mouth color effect in the make-up industry, and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews musician Michael Winter. After graduating from Hart High School, Michael earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. Since then Michael has played for the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, before being appointed to Third Horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops in 2012. In this episode Michael tells us about pursuing an advanced music education program in the Santa Clarita Valley, what the schedule is like for a professional orchestral musician, and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews theatre electrician Taylor Kozlowski. After graduating from Academy of the Canyons, Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatrical Design and Technology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Since then Taylor has worked on productions in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and now New York City. At the Public Theatre in New York, she has worked on the original Off-Broadway productions of Sweat, The Girl from the North Country, and productions of Shakespeare in the Park. In this episode Taylor tells us about her transition from majoring in nursing to technical theatre, what type of work an electrician does in New York City, what it means to be a woman in technical theatre, and offers advice to the next generation of students.

On this episode of Talking Backstage, our host Tom Lund interviews audio engineer/sound designer Daniel Barsky. After graduating from Valencia High School, Daniel earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatrical Design and Production from CalArts (also located in Valencia). Since then Daniel has worked for Six Flags Magic Mountain, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, various theatre companies in the Southern California area, the Disney Cruise Line, and is currently working for the Disneyland Resort. In this episode Daniel tell us about his experiences as a student at the local schools, some of his favorite projects he's worked on for Disney, the people who have influenced him along the way, and offers advice to the next generation.