Pipe and Drape: the Theatre for Young Audiences Podcast

I made my stage debut in the Philadelphia theatre scene 25 years ago today! To celebrate, I'm sharing a few of the stories and lessons I've learned as a theatre kid that I have since taken into my career as a theatre-maker. In this episode: Hedgerow Theatre Company Nagel Jackson 's A Christmas Carol INSTAGRAM:  ⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠ EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com Host:  ⁠Stephen Fala⁠ Show...

Ever wonder what it takes to create the spaces where pipe and drape scenery is set up? In this episode, consultant Michael Mell talks theatre design from gymnacafetoriums, to universities, to touring houses! We discuss lighting, acoustics, backstage spaces, and highlights from his book Building Better Theaters . Find Michael Mell: WEBSITE: https://www.theaterdesigninc.com/   Purchase his book Buil...

24th STreet Theatre Associate Artistic Director and Director of Latino Theatre Programs Jesus Castaños-Chima and Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director Jay McAdams discuss the organization's annual Día de los Muertos festival in this episode of the podcast! Play this episode to learn about the evolution of their community programming in Los Angeles. More information about 24th STreet Theatre:...

Leah Thomas is an Atlanta-based actor, choreographer, and teaching artist who has completed several tours around the Atlanta area. This pipe and drape story takes us on the road with Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank. Learn about Leah’s experience sharing this historical piece, her connection to the material, and stories from behind the pipe...

“Who do you want to be as an artist and what do you want to say to the world?” Gillian McNally combined her passion for social justice and love of theatre in a theatrical, academic career. In this episode, Professor McNally discusses her coursework at University of Northern Colorado, her recent research, and the ways theatre can be used as a springboard for class discussions about immigration, rac...

In this episode of the podcast, Hananya Allen discusses her interdisciplinary work on stage and screen as an actor, in the classroom as a teaching artist, and behind the table as a stage manager and casting assistant. The TYA, TVY, and theatre education practices at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA are covered in this interview, as well as hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the theatre field...

Actor and Artistic Director Matt Giles shares information about South Carolina Children's Theatre's upcoming 2024-2025 season, including new work and accessibility updates. Stephen and Matt discuss SCCT's upcoming immersive production of Listen , which is being created for a high school audience and performed by teen actors, and how Matt's multi-hyphenate title informs his leadersh...

Actor/Puppeteer Weston Chandler Long has performed on screens, streets, and stages for audiences of all ages. As a child, Weston wrote a letter to Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney, and he was then invited to meet him on the set of the children’s television program. Puppeteers like Spinney and John Tartaglia became his mentors and teachers and, eventually, coworkers. In this pipe and drape st...

In this pipe and drape story, The Growing Stage Founder and Executive Director Stephen L. Fredericks shares how he started the children's theatre of New Jersey, which is entering its 43rd season of entertainment in the fall of 2024! The company’s five-person staff, board, and team of volunteers have served three generations of theatre goers through tours, classes, community engagement, and pla...

At the intersection of theatre, education, advocacy, and West 42nd Street is Theatre For Young Audiences/USA Executive Director Sara Morgulis. Sara has been a leader in theatre education and creator of theatre for young audiences since she herself was a young audience member. In this pipe and drape story, Sara shares stories from the classroom, motherhood, and her position at the non-profit organi...

"What is the absolute minimum we can use to effectively share a story?" This is a question I hear often in the theatre for young audiences world. In this dinky episode, I explore the connection between TYA storytelling practices and the living habits I have adopted while working in the industry–like keeping everything I value most inside my backpack at all times. Music from this episode:...

The theatre is a space for ritual and celebration. This year, I'm celebrating the ten year anniversary of many of my show-related traditions! Play this episode to hear the stories behind my traditions (and elements of the podcast logo!) Music from this episode: "Tradition" - Fiddler on the Roof (Upper Darby Summer Stage cast, 2013) music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick EP...

Artistic Director Jeff Frank shares his experience putting the Rankin/Bass classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on stage for the very first time at First Stage in Milwaukee. Listen to this episode to learn how problem solving flying sequences in the world premiere of Peter and Wendy led to the key design elements of Rudolph and how getting every scenic and costume element just right down to the...

"The van changes people.” In this pipe and drape story, Stage Manager Mason Huse takes us on a journey from subletting apartments, to packing for small tours, dealing with bed bugs, learning about theatre ghosts, and other hilarious "horrors.” And wonderful things, too! You’ll hear more about his (really good!) experiences with ArtsPower National Touring Theatre in this episode! Find Mas...

Recent Drama Desk winner and Tony Nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot, Peter and the Starcatcher, Rocky, Frozen) shares his pipe and drape story in this episode of the podcast! Throughout Kevin’s career as an actor on Broadway, he has simultaneously written the books and lyrics for some of the theatre for young audiences industry’s most popular titles (Dog Man, Cat Kid Comic Club, Madagasca...

Director, teaching artist, and facilitator Jon Royal shares information about leading workshops and rehearsals with actors and government officials in this episode of Pipe and Drape! His pipe and drape story takes us from adaptation of classical text wtih Will Power to Youth at the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, to a conference with the Government Alliance for Racial Equity, to the new stage a...

We are diving into teaching artistry to celebrate the back-to-school season and National Arts in Education Week ! Teaching Artist Johanna Gorman-Baer leads groups of students through classes, camps, and residencies with The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis year-round. Her classes are focused on emotional literacy and filled with group activities, games, storytelling, and conversation....

Actor Robert Hooghkirk shares his experience bringing literature, math, and science to students and families by way of the Chamber Theatre of Boston. The company has been touring for over 45 years, prioritizing the original written words of novelists and thinkers that are taught in schools throughout the country. Robert's pipe and drape story is filled with anecdotes about character building,...

Get in the car and cue up the tape player, we’re going on a drive. The summer is heating up so it’s time for a road trip, and in this Dinky episode I’m talking about getting behind the wheel.  Music from this episode: "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - Sunshine on Leith by The Proclaimers EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/08/dinky-episode-10-driving.html...

In this episode, actor and teaching artist Leah Senseney shares how one audition at a theatre in Delaware led her make a life as a Philadelphia performer and teaching artist. She shares tales from several theatre for young audiences contracts, teaching artist positions, and what it's like to share a stage with her partner! Find Leah Senseney: INSTAGRAM: @sense_nonsense1 See Leah in Into the Wo...

Rebecca Russell shares her journey from University Interscholastic League, to vacation Bible school, to Off-Broadway. Rebecca is an actor and puppeteer who took on the sudden challenge of learning to assistant stage manage and swing a new show that would be her Off-Broadway debut in Rescue Rue—and she did it while living out of a suitcase. We cover everything from University Interscholastic League...

Actor/director/stage manager Ali Caiazzo takes us to Upper Darby, Pennsylvania for this pipe and drape story. Each summer, Ali returns to the summer theatre program of her childhood, Upper Darby Summer Stage, to lead dozens of magic-making young performers using the improv, puppetry, and management skills she picked up from working for Disney, Nickelodeon, and at the summer program itself! In addi...

Composer, music director, orchestrator, and choral conductor Deborah Wicks La Puma shares her pipe and drape story in this episode! During this conversation, Deborah shares stories about her musical background; writing process; collaborations with author and illustrator Mo Willems, the Kennedy Center, and HBO Max; and more! Join us to learn about the musician who is behind some of the most popular...

It’s been a big year! So I’m popping in with a Dinky summary of my 2022-2023 adventures before launching the third season of this podcast! I’m talking Theatre for Young Audiences/USA to Off Broadway. Listen to : Hey Playwright Podcast 064: 2023 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Recap Learn more about TYA/USA Read the New York Times review of Sesame Street: The Musical EPISODE TRANSCRIPTIO...

While sharing this pipe and drape story, Michael McClain and I reminisce over our shared experience performing Where the Red Fern Grows at Lexington Children's Theatre a few autumns back. We talk about everything from packing suitcases to what it’s like to grow into adulthood while playing children.  Check out Michael's podcast Pfeiffer Pfridays Find Michael McClain: INSTAGRAM: @michaeldmc...