These are magic words at our theater: Directed by Laurie Russell. Specializing in comedies and musicals, Laurie has directed many of Civic’s biggest shows in the last couple of decades. Her directing style isn’t always easy for cast and crew—but Laurie fosters an atmosphere in which drama stays on-stage, lifelong friendships develop off-stage, and cast and crew become part of her family.

Say the name “Beetlejuice” three times to summon the entire cast of Beetlejuice Jr., a musical adaptation of the beloved 1988 film. This is a cast with a collective level of theater experience that borders on the supernatural! For this episode, the cast interviewed each other, writing most of their own questions, exploring their characters, sharing of themselves freely (just as they do on stage), and even being reflective, contemplating how their participation in Civic Theatre is changing them in the real world.

Theater is the mirror we hold to nature… and ourselves. Theater is empathy training—which makes it an incredibly valuable tool for changing the world… for actors, crew, and the audience, too. Benji Braswell discusses how Shakespeare is best on stage and why working with kids is so meaningful.

If you want to do community theater and be really good at it, what’s the best way? Kyle Brown, actor, crew member, stage manager, director, and playwright, shares advice. And John Collier reflects on how Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, Indiana, has evolved during the last 40 years and discusses the challenge of casting a show.

Welcome to the official podcast from Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, Indiana! Most community theater actors live their real lives, with their families and day jobs, and act during evenings and weekends. Raquel Lopez, our theater's producing artistic director, lives an inverse life—her "real life" is an act. Learn how "Steel Magnolias," the first MainStage show of our 2025-2026 season, is finally enabling Raquel to be her true self.