Pipe and Drape: the Theatre for Young Audiences Podcast

All aboard! In this episode we’re going on a magic carpet on a rail that never takes a rest. Becki Zaritsky's pipe and drape story is about her experience as the stage manager and company manager of the Polar Express train ride experience. Check out Becki's podcast Untamed Shrews : https://flagshakes.org/untamed-shrews/ INSTAGRAM: @untamedshrewspodcast Find Becki Zaritsky: WEBSITE: https:/...

Voting while away on contract takes some coordination, but it is possible and absolutely necessary! Every election season my hotel room becomes a social studies classroom as I research the candidates and policies I get to vote on. No election is too small! ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/ VOTER REGISTRATION/STATUS CHECK: https://vote.gov EPISODE TRANSCRIPT...

This pipe and drape story is about one of the most challenging art forms in the field: marionette performance. Tyler B. Quick had just a few training sessions before putting his skills to the test in front of an audience of children at the Columbia Marionette Theatre in South Carolina, and he has been performing with marionettes ever since! Check Out Tyler's Puppet Stuff: See Tyler in New York...

Philadelphia area teacher Peggy Fala incorporates nuance into her storytelling that captivates her students. She believes that honest storytelling and exposure to the arts are essential to the education of young minds. In this episode, Peggy covers the theatre for young audiences experience from the perspective of the teachers who bring their young students to see theatre. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: h...

In the blink of an eye, Alyssa Armstrong joined a team of six that toured Schoolhouse Rock, Live! through California and Arizona. Through dust storms, illness, and LA traffic, Alyssa entertained and educated thousands of children every week through song on a set that she drove from city to city with Childsplay . Read about Alyssa Armstrong and cast member Joshua Vern's story here Spamalot at A...

Stephen Gordon sailed from country to country flying high as Peter Pan in Disney Dreams with Disney Cruise Line, but it was not his first encounter with sea life. One summer, Stephen "swam" around the New York Aquarium in two short musicals John Tartaglia created for the Wildlife Conservation Society . And before that, he swam around his parents' kitchen in some oven mitts. But this...

It's been a couple of years since the theatre industry was ripped out from under us. I had to leave my theatre job with 48 hours notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and two years later I jumped back into the world of performing with 48 hours notice. In this dinky episode I share some things that I did during theatre's intermission, what it was like to return to the industry, and what I&#3...

Sarah Philabaum is known throughout the regional theatre community as a multi-hyphenate and theatre podcast host. She had her first experience performing theatre for young audiences while earning her BFA at Shenandoah, and she has since gone on to direct, choreograph, teach, and perform for children and adults all over the country. In this episode, Sarah shares her experience creating theatre with...

Chris Luner shares his duties as the production manager of Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas at the only Off-Broadway theatre dedicated to producing theatre for young audiences, The New Victory. Chris grew up with the desire to learn everything about the theatre business, and as a production manager he has been able to put his years of education to use by overseeing every depar...

Emmanuel's pipe and drape story covers the world of theatre from Shakespeare to children’s books while also literally covering the world. From his home in New York City to all of China, this jack-of-all trades performer has taken on new skills and cuisines while bringing theatre to everyone everywhere. See Emmanuel in Disney's Winnie the Pooh at Theatre Row in NYC through July 24, 2022: ht...

We’re kicking off Season 2 of Pipe and Drape with Broadway and Off-Broadway producer Sammy Lopez! Sammy started performing TYA at Syracuse University, and after devising shows and workshops for children in the Strand Bookstore and touring the country as a performer he began working behind the scenes to make theatre happen. Sammy shares his ongoing pipe and drape story about the work he is doing to...

Back from the dead: it’s that dramatic theory lecture you probably forgot about. In this sixth dinky episode I’m applying the six Aristotelean elements of drama to theatre for young audiences.  Read Aristotle's Poetics : http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/poetics.1.1.html EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/04/dinky-episode-6-elements-of-drama.html INSTAGRAM: @P...

In this “dinky” episode I briefly talk about the presence of puppetry in theatre for young audiences and the impact it has had on my career as a performer. Read "Study Finds Children with Autism Respond Well to Puppets" By Mike Cummings: https://news.yale.edu/2021/08/05/study-finds-children-autism-respond-well-puppets EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/0...

In this “dinky” episode I talk about the special “work buddy” bond that happens on the road—tour marriage. I talk a lot about my tour wife Dianne Kaye in this episode. You've probably seen her on billboards and television in the US, and she is currently back home in Australia living deliciously: https://www.diannekaye.com EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/02/...

In this “dinky” episode I share a basic overview of my nutrition and fitness habits that help me do my best work while on tour! EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2022/01/dinky-episode-3-fitness-and-nutrition.html INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

This is the Season 1 finale of Pipe and Drape! Scott Duell helps me wrap up this first season with a conversation about A Christmas Carol . This story is not usually something that comes to mind as an example of a pipe and drape theatre for young audiences show, but a majority of children’s theatre performers will at some point do a version of it to close out the calendar year, and most likely in...

The following snowy tale from the Finger Lakes is about the crossover between theater education and the performance. Rusty Allen worked onstage and in elementary school classrooms to weave creative writing and folktales into the New York State curriculum. In this episode you will get an inside look at the life of an actor/stage manager touring theatre for young audiences with The Rev Theatre Compa...

Puppetry is a major part of theatre for young audiences, and in this episode Arlee shares stories from her journey as a dancer to a Henson and Tartaglia puppeteer and freelance puppet builder. If you ever asked yourself "Who are those people in the cafeteria doing children's theatre?" you will find your answer in this episode! Find Arlee Chadwick: EMAIL: PuppetsByArlee@gmail.com YOUT...

Annah's pipe and drape story is all about the hidden magic makers behind theatre for young audiences: Stage Managers. From rehearsals, to load-ins, to safety, and quick decision making, the stage management team is responsible for facilitating a smooth production. The difficulty of their duties is magnified in the fast-paced world of theatre for young audiences, and you’re about get to get the...

This is the second “dinky” episode of Pipe and Drape . In this dinky episode I give travel tips for young artists (or anyone) spending time on the road in the finest or not so finest m/hotels North America has to offer. EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2021/10/dinky-episode-2-hotel-hopping.html INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com Host...

Jodi Snyder bridged the path from backyard games to performing in multiple shows Off-Broadway by touring children’s theatre out from a home base in New York City. In this episode you’ll hear all about theatre for young audiences from an Equity actor/assistant stage manager’s perspective. If you ever asked yourself "Who are those people in the cafeteria doing children's theatre?" you...

This pipe and drape story focuses on the challenge of adapting short stories for children into an hour long, small cast musical. Marcus Stevens directed and co-wrote a massive collaboration between some of his favorite writers for a new theatre for young audiences show to tour out of New York City. You’ll find out all about the writing and creating process for TYA in this episode! If you ever aske...

“You’re gonna need a bigger VAN.” In this episode you will get a sneak peek at the behind the scenes action of big arena spectaculars. Brianna Nicole Hill shares her experience traveling and performing with a children’s theatre tour that is as big as they come. You’ll hear all about brand integrity, self-care, and arena life! If you ever asked yourself "Who are those people in the arena doing...

This is Episode 5 and also it’s my birthday! Rather than Venmoing me $4,000, you can give me the gift of a review and rating on your podcast app, if APPlicable. Your stars and comments do something with the algorithm that helps future listeners find the show. Your gift would help me share these pipe and drape stories with a wide range of aspiring industry members, seasoned professionals, and curio...

This is the first “dinky” episode of Pipe and Drape . Every once in a while I will pop in with a short, “dinky,” episode to share information that is relevant to the topics that are discussed with my guests. In this dinky episode I briefly detail the process of signing up and participating in the theatre conferences that staff the theatre for young audiences industry in the United States. Popular...