call and response podcast

We chat with storyteller Bill Posley about his solo-show The Day I Became Black, currently running at SoHo Playhouse, the isolation that comes with being biracial, and the power (and vulnerability) of laughter.

We celebrate a big milestone (episode 50!) with a big talent: Jordan Donica! We breakdown his experience of being the first black Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, the lessons he learned from his Hamilton family, and the vulnerability that comes with making your own work.

We chat with Tori Sampson about seeing her first play at age 21, combining her sociological background with her writing, and exploring black beauty and womanhood through her play If Pretty Hurts Than Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka, currently running at Playwrights Horizon.

Nobody puts Baby in the corner, nor Charly Evon Simpson! We sit down with the playwright to talk about declaring the identity of “playwright,” elevating important stories of black women, and expanding her artistry as a teacher.

You get a double dose of Capricorn this week as we sit down with Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen, Paradise Blue, Invisible Thread, Blue Ridge) to talk about existing in all-white spaces, challenging the insecurity of “not feeling black enough,” and understanding that saying “no” as a black woman can mean sacrifices.

We chat with Atlantic Theater Company’s company manager Nzinga Williams about defining the role of a company manager (“I'm kind of like the bra...”), navigating predominately white workspaces, and discovering the fullness of being a black woman.

We talk with Obie-winning playwright Aleshea Harris about liberating the black body, navigating negative tropes, and ascending past the white gaze as a black female writer.

We get back into the swing of things as we chat with Lortel-winning playwright-performer Jocelyn Bioh! We chat about finding her comedic playwriting voice, navigating grad school programs, and reclaiming African narratives with School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play.

Happy Black History Month, y'all! Call and Response is BACK IN THE HABIT, and it's time to kick off our third season with our second live show at BroadwayCon! We get down and talk with King Kong’s Christiani Pitts, Once On This Island Tony nominee Hailey Kilgore, Mean Girls’ DeMarius R. Copes, and Be More Chill’s Britton Smith about their experiences as black performing artists.

In the season 2 finale, the script gets flipped! Host Felicia Fitzpatrick sits down in the interviewee chair as podcast alum Marc J. Franklin chats with her about her artistic journey, how she transitioned to Playbill social media, and why she started the podcast.

In season two's penultimate episode, we talk with Aladdin and Once on This Island actor Adam Hyndman about how studying anthropology has impacted his work as an artist, liberating your dreams, and viewing theatre as a totem for our society.

We talk with composer/lyricist and Broadway actor Douglas Lyons about the importance of visibility for black artists, why black artists shouldn’t need a label to exist, and a sneak peek of his latest work!

We chat with Waitress’ Jessie Hooker-Bailey about not letting others define your blackness, making diversity the new normal, and staying grounded when you achieve your dreams.

We talk with theatre-maker Amara Janae Brady about finding work that sustains you, validating everyone’s theatrical experiences, and creating art where black people exist as their own heroes.

We talk with Marathon Digital’s Account Manager Micayla Brewster  about what it’s like to work on Hamilton’s social media team, her “theatergoing hair,” and boldly going after what you want.

We chat with Bronx Tale alum Gilbert L. Bailey II about learning from Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s Holy Trinity, writing multidimensional black characters, and “doing you to the fullest.”

We chat with comedian, actor, and writer Dewayne Perkins about finding his way to comedy, building jokes, and writing for The Break with Michelle Wolf.

We chat with Kinky Boots’ Kevin Smith Kirkwood about the universal messages of the Tony-winning musical, what it was like playing Huck Finn in Big River, and how (and why) he keeps the spirit of Whitney Houston alive.

We experience some serious #BlackGirlMagic as we chat with Amélie’s and BOLD’s Destinee Rea about her advice for someone’s first year in New York City, how to embrace they valleys and peaks of life, and what it’s like walking into an audition as the only black woman.

We talk with Scottsboro Boys’ Clinton Roane about creative teams who create safe rehearsal spaces, the differences between Broadway and London audiences, and self-care practices to stay connected with fellow company members.

We chat with Kinky Boots and Something Rotten! alum Nick Rashad Burroughs about falling into theatre, coming out, and getting Baptized by Broadway (and James Brown).

No his first name ain’t baby, it’s Kenney, Mr. Green if ya nasty! We chat with Kenney M. Green about working at the popular Marie’s Crisis, breaking down “types,” and music's role in shining a light on injustice.

We talk with Grammy winner and Lortel and Drama League nominee Nathan Lee Graham about finding the universal impact in specific stories, fighting for better written roles, and becoming the truest version of yourself as soon as you can, (plus some Sweet Home Alabama memories, just for 7th grade Felicia.)

We talk with Taylor N. Daniels about telling stories through dance, navigating national tours and non-equity life, and his approach to his artistry that’ll have you asking “who’s that guy?”

We head to Webster Avenue for the fourth time to chat with A Bronx Tale’s company manager, Kim Shaw! We chat about representation on the administrative side of the arts, the differences between working at a theme park and Broadway, and what it takes to be a company manager.