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The First Your Creative Mind Table Read: What Changes When a Play is Heard?
Brian Cern’s Beautifully So: The creative shift—when a script moves from page to performance.
What happens when a script jumps off the page and into the voices of live actors? In this special episode of Your Creative Mind, we’re launching a brand-new series featuring table reads of original plays! You’ll hear a fresh script performed for the first time, experiencing the raw energy of actors bringing characters to life in real time. After the read, I sit down with the playwright and actors to talk about the creative process—how the words transformed, what surprised them, and what this experience meant for them. Whether you're a writer, performer, or just love great storytelling, this episode gives you a front-row seat to creativity in action. Plus, stay tuned for Monday’s interview with author Aaron Ryan and another play table read next Friday. Hit play and join the magic!
Brian Cern, Playwright
Brian Cern is a Twin Cities-based actor and playwright whose work has won numerous awards and contests throughout North America. A member of the Dramatists Guild, he received his training at Cardinal Stritch University, where his theatre and writing studies led him to a deep appreciation for the stories that unite us in the human condition. As parables, his work has been called “imaginative,” “beautifully soulful,” and “thought-provoking.” Of all the credits to his name, however, it is “Teaching Artist” for local children’s theaters that he treasures the most. He lives with his wife and son in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lela Olson as Emma
Lela Olson caught the acting bug in kindergarten when she played the peddler in a class dramatization of Caps for Sale. She's been acting ever since on various stages in the Minneapolis area as a pastime. Favorite roles have included Hero (Much Ado About Nothing), Betsy Linder/Lindsey (Clybourne Park), and Marilla Cuthbert (Anne of Green Gables). Away from the stage, Dr. Olson has worked as a teacher, school principal, and nonprofit leader. She also enjoys traveling internationally and serving her community as a volunteer civil mediator.
Alan Fessenden as Christopher
Alan Fessenden is a writer, performer, creator living in Brooklyn, New York. He has performed on stages all over the country as an improviser, actor and clown and now hosts the original award wanting podcast They Just Keep Talking an eclectic mixtape of conversation. Alan has written and performed three solo shows and most recently completed work on his first full length clown show The HelpFulls; Now and Forever. He’s also finished two novellas for a trilogy he’s working on and is developing his first full length play. (alanfessenden.com)
https://www.instagram.com/alanfessenden/
https://www.tiktok.com/@alan_fessenden
https://bsky.app/profile/tjkt.bsky.social
https://www.tiktok.com/@theyjust.keeptalk
Barry Wallace, Stage Directions
Barry Wallace has worked in Knoxville, TN community and professional theatre for over 30 years as a director, music director, actor and playwright. His original full-length play, THE SNALLYGASTER, is part of Tennessee Stage Company’s 2025 New Play Festival, and his short play, BLACK BALLOONS, won Best Screenplay at the 2022 "The Ten Show" Film Festival.
Social Media, etc:
Facebook: @Barry.Wallace1
Instagram: @barrywallace
NPX: https://newplayexchange.org/users/69726/barry-wallace
Ready to "wow" the people you speak with? Work with me.
This episode is brought to you by my favorite productivity and well-being app, Brain.fm*, my book on how to become a stellar communicator, Speak From Within, and this podcast's host, Podbean (Get a one-month free trial of Podbean with this affiliate link. https://www.podbean.com/CreativeSolutions).
Leave me a voice message.
==
Connect with Izolda
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/izoldat.bsky.social.
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)
URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**
Are you getting anything out of the show? I'd love it if you would buy me a coffee.
Listen on These Channels
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic |
View all episodes
By Izolda TrakhtenbergBrian Cern’s Beautifully So: The creative shift—when a script moves from page to performance.
What happens when a script jumps off the page and into the voices of live actors? In this special episode of Your Creative Mind, we’re launching a brand-new series featuring table reads of original plays! You’ll hear a fresh script performed for the first time, experiencing the raw energy of actors bringing characters to life in real time. After the read, I sit down with the playwright and actors to talk about the creative process—how the words transformed, what surprised them, and what this experience meant for them. Whether you're a writer, performer, or just love great storytelling, this episode gives you a front-row seat to creativity in action. Plus, stay tuned for Monday’s interview with author Aaron Ryan and another play table read next Friday. Hit play and join the magic!
Brian Cern, Playwright
Brian Cern is a Twin Cities-based actor and playwright whose work has won numerous awards and contests throughout North America. A member of the Dramatists Guild, he received his training at Cardinal Stritch University, where his theatre and writing studies led him to a deep appreciation for the stories that unite us in the human condition. As parables, his work has been called “imaginative,” “beautifully soulful,” and “thought-provoking.” Of all the credits to his name, however, it is “Teaching Artist” for local children’s theaters that he treasures the most. He lives with his wife and son in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lela Olson as Emma
Lela Olson caught the acting bug in kindergarten when she played the peddler in a class dramatization of Caps for Sale. She's been acting ever since on various stages in the Minneapolis area as a pastime. Favorite roles have included Hero (Much Ado About Nothing), Betsy Linder/Lindsey (Clybourne Park), and Marilla Cuthbert (Anne of Green Gables). Away from the stage, Dr. Olson has worked as a teacher, school principal, and nonprofit leader. She also enjoys traveling internationally and serving her community as a volunteer civil mediator.
Alan Fessenden as Christopher
Alan Fessenden is a writer, performer, creator living in Brooklyn, New York. He has performed on stages all over the country as an improviser, actor and clown and now hosts the original award wanting podcast They Just Keep Talking an eclectic mixtape of conversation. Alan has written and performed three solo shows and most recently completed work on his first full length clown show The HelpFulls; Now and Forever. He’s also finished two novellas for a trilogy he’s working on and is developing his first full length play. (alanfessenden.com)
https://www.instagram.com/alanfessenden/
https://www.tiktok.com/@alan_fessenden
https://bsky.app/profile/tjkt.bsky.social
https://www.tiktok.com/@theyjust.keeptalk
Barry Wallace, Stage Directions
Barry Wallace has worked in Knoxville, TN community and professional theatre for over 30 years as a director, music director, actor and playwright. His original full-length play, THE SNALLYGASTER, is part of Tennessee Stage Company’s 2025 New Play Festival, and his short play, BLACK BALLOONS, won Best Screenplay at the 2022 "The Ten Show" Film Festival.
Social Media, etc:
Facebook: @Barry.Wallace1
Instagram: @barrywallace
NPX: https://newplayexchange.org/users/69726/barry-wallace
Ready to "wow" the people you speak with? Work with me.
This episode is brought to you by my favorite productivity and well-being app, Brain.fm*, my book on how to become a stellar communicator, Speak From Within, and this podcast's host, Podbean (Get a one-month free trial of Podbean with this affiliate link. https://www.podbean.com/CreativeSolutions).
Leave me a voice message.
==
Connect with Izolda
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/izoldat.bsky.social.
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)
URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**
Are you getting anything out of the show? I'd love it if you would buy me a coffee.
Listen on These Channels
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic |