Are Your Parents Proud Of You?

Matthew talks to actor Jonathan Goldstein. Best known for playing Walter on Drake and Josh, Jonathan also talks about his time on stage, teaching children, and the food in his fridge.

In a special episode, Matthew talks with Yasen M. Peyankov. Yasen is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre and the head of the Theater Department at UIC. They talk about teaching, Yasen growing up in Bulgaria, and how Matthew found out about Yasens mustache in A Dolls House Part 2.

It's a new episode!! Matthew talks with his ex-wife Melissa Crabtree who is an actor, director, and Mrs. Claus!!! Melissa is also in charge of An Actor Plans, a sticker company that features her cat! The company was mentioned in The New York Times. They talk about the holidays, cats, and Broadway Con!! We swear it's not that awkward!!!!!!

Matthew is joined by actor Benjamin Ortiz as they talked to actor and Columbia College, Professor Scott Olson. Having had Scott as a teacher, Matthew and Benjamin have a lot of stories. They also talk about nail polish, The National Theatre Conservatory, and Uta Hagen (which Matthew mispronounces multiple times!!!)

CONNAR IS BACK! And she is joined with Matthew as they talked to actor, playwright, theatre critic, and podcast host Aaron Lockman. They talk about astronomy, Aarons love of a sandwich, and PUPPETS!!!

Matthew and Connar talk to artist Lili Mac! Lili is a artist who works includes playwright, devised theatre, and musicals. They talk New Orleans, going to Columbia in high school for a summer, and wackadoo makeup!

Matthew is joined by actor and former podcast host Jake Jones to talk to Selena Lopez. Selena is the founder and artistic director of Three Crows Theatre. They talk about Selena going to school in Wisconsin and New York, the origins of Three Crows and how her goal along with the theatre is to tell honest, thought-provoking, and entertaining stories. ​

In this episode, Matthew sits down with Brian James Polak. Brian is a playwright whose play, Welcome To Keene, New Hampshire, is having its world debut at Strawdog Theatre. They talk about the inspiration of the play, growing up in New Hampshire, and pasta sauce. Brian is also the host of The Subtext and is the former artistic director of Jedlicka Performing Arts. Note: This episode was recorded b...

We are back!!! We missed you and can't wait to start our second season! In our premiere, we sit down with Will Pettway. Will is an artist of many talents ranging from directing to teaching young students safe sex. This season promises to be fun and informing and we hope you enjoy the ride!!

Happy Holidays from Are Your Parent's Proud of You?! In this holiday special, learn some behind the scene facts about the podcast. Curious to know how this podcast came to be? Want to know how anxious our co-hosts were to interview Anthony Field? How crazy is it to record at the Harold Washington Library? What is everyone doing for the Holidays? Is there a season 2? Take a trip behind the scen...

In this episode we talk with Stephanie Shaw. Fun fact: Matthew and Connar met during Stephanie's Realism class. We talk to Stephanie about growing up with her "tornado" of a dad, life at Columbia when she was a student, working with the Chicago Reader, her time at the Neo-Futurists, giving birth to dragons, Urinetown, and the role of theatre. It's a WILD time!

In this episode we talked with Raymond Cleveland/Coco Sho-Nell about the drag community, how Raymond learned to become a choreographer, costume designer, performer and more, Buddhism, our love for the Arts, and of course how Raymond's family took them coming out as gay, and a drag performer.

In this episode we talked with Amy Jesionowski, about her dancing and teaching career. Listen to how she got the groove to dance, and inspire her students...or how they inspire her! Did you also know she taught at the same High School Matthew attended, AND Matthew was in one of her pieces? Listen to our interview with Amy and follow us at @ parentsproudpodcast .

In this episode we talked with Lexi Saunders who is an actor, director, and devisor. We talk about the About Face Theatre's Youth Outreach and Engagement programs, studying abroad in the UK, coming out to their family, and why they have a B.S. in Psychology! Take a listen and learn more about About Face Theatre's Outreach here:  aboutfacetheatre.com/education/outr…-performances/ Follow us...

In this interview, we talk to Anthony Field, the blue Wiggle, about growing up, forming the band, and about their Party Time Big Show tour.

In a special episode, Matthew sits down with playwright and fellow Columbia College alumni, Keli Garrett. Keli's play Space deals with the connection of how the government deals with the Great Mississipi Floods of 1927 and how the government dealt with Hurricane Katrina. The show, which is directed by Columbia faculty member Brian Shaw, is part of the 2019-2020 mainstage production. Keli talks...