Let's Get Real Creative

Theatre writers, Women and Theatre Cofounders, intersectional feminists. To say that gender, race, and identity are touchy subjects in today's world is a vast understatement - so much so that many of us just avoid them altogether. How can we put our work into the world if it's not really representative of us or of others, or if we're afraid to talk about it? That's why it was such a breath of fres...

R&B music artist, singer, songwriter, Season 9 American Idol contestant Staying true to yourself is the journey we're all on, especially singer and music artist Jay-EL. He got started gracing the stages of the Apollo Theatre and American Idol, but that's only a little piece of his journey to finding out what he really wants to sing and write music about.  I hope this episode helps you remember tha...

A cappella arrangers, musicians, members of the BC Acoustics A.J. Singh and Jason Xue are members of the BC Acoustics, a co-ed a cappella group at Boston College that's earned a reputation for bringing powerful, dynamic song arrangements and performances to life year after year. I witnessed this myself, when I was a member of the Sharps, BC's female a cappella group, and was always in awe of the w...

Asian American pom pom jewelry artist and business owner Visiting Justine Pon's Etsy store or Instagram channel instantly brings a smile. Her pom pom jewelry and accessories inspired by Asian American food and culture are so cute and colorful that they make embracing culture a true joy. We talked about how her culture plays a role in her business, helping others connect with their loved ones, crea...

Musical theatre writer, composer, lyricist, vocal coach, and workshop / community leader I had so many things I wanted to ask today's guest Michael Radi that this interview feels to me like I was skipping and hopping all over the place with my enthusiasm for everything we covered in under 60 minutes. Michael (he/they) is a jack-of-all-trades in the musical theatre world, but some of the roles they...

I first came across Jessica on Instagram, where she was flinging paint on a rug in her studio because lots of people had just told her to be careful of the rug. And I thought, wow, I really need to talk to her about how she came to this point in her life where she can let everyone else's expectations go to the wayside and do what's right for her in the moment. We also talk about using the process...

If you're a performing or visual artist or creator of some kind, then you know the struggle of wondering whether the things you're putting into the world are any good. We're at the mercy of others, who decide whether we're deemed worthy enough for a job, a role, a gig. What if we could give ourselves the validation and the opportunities we need to keep going, keep growing, to reach our full potent...

I met Jennifer Witt Love while she was playing the role of the devil in a community theatre show, but I later found out she was not only a performer, but a painter, cartoonist, and radio play actress! She has also served as both President and Vice President of Hull Performing Arts. In this episode, we touched on the origins and the evolution of all of those interests, and why she loves creating th...

Danielle Larsen has done something many of us marvel at - she wrote and self-published her own memoir, "From Voiceless to Vocal," about her years with an abusive ex-husband.  Now, Danielle lives in Washington Heights and is an author, blogger, photographer, and member of the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme's Academy. I'm proud to share this interview about her radical transformation an...

Kristy Errera-Solomon is one of the most well-liked vocal instructors in my area, so I was thrilled to be able to take a deep dive into her career history, the beginnings of her music and theatre school, and how she manages a demanding teaching career with family (spoiler alert - it's a work in progress). Kristy shows us all how to let go, take things as they come, and live season to season. Here'...

One thing that really struck me about Tshana Jamara is how utterly resourceful she is. Whether she's directing a show, learning how to light a production, or crafting a particularly complicated prop, Tshana puts in the work and figures it out. I loved chatting with her about how her many interests in the arts, how she learned how to ask for help, and how she takes any opportunity to follow where h...

Denise Feeney is well-known in the community theatre world for her scenic art and props, but she's also an art teacher who runs her own business (encompassing painting parties, jewelry, and more!). It was fun to chat with Denise about what "creativity" really means, what it's like exploring different mediums with young kids, and how her schedule allows her to pursue many different business ideas....

In this third solo episode, I talk briefly about the many layers and effort that go into our creative projects, why it's our responsibility to understand that in others, and how empathy for other creators can lift US up too.

I've known Logan Pratt as a performer and stage manager since we were younger, and so I was super proud to hear how she transitioned to a photography career during the pandemic after New York's theatre and stage managing scene slowed. In this episode, Logan talks about starting a photography business from scratch, how her family has been a big influence and strong support system for her, and the i...

When I first learned that local actress and director Sheila Kelleher had written and staged her own original musical, I thought, "Wow, she did all of that by herself?" But talking with Sheila made it clear that her story is one of following detours, listening to herself, and trusting that things will turn out the way they're supposed to be. We chatted about her musical, losing and regaining her cr...

I was delighted when someone in my mother's group turned out to be a talented potter! Beth Bailey and I chatted while our babies were napping about the world of ceramics, how she found and created her own opportunities to get where she is today, teaching others about her art form, and doing a little each day. Here's what we talked about: The world of ceramics and pottery Finding opportunities thro...

Okay, you know you've got some lofty goals for 2022. It's a new year, after all. But what do you do when you realize that the only person making those happen is, in fact, you? How do you fit it all in? Today in my second solo episode, I talk about how I "did it all" in the year 2021 to have my second child, launch this podcast, and generally stay afloat doing a million different things. Maybe you'...

Ever wonder if there's more to being an accompanist than meets the eye (or rather, ear)? That's one reason Sarah Troxler prefers the term "collaborative pianist," a true partner with the other performers she works with to get the final product right. In this episode, we unearth the various layers of being a music director and collaborator, and really, any kind of artist. Here's what we talked abou...

Gene Ellis is a fiction and poetry writer, five-time NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) participant, soon-to-be-published author, performer, and did I mention, husband and father of two. Though Gene and I met in the theatre world, in this episode we talked about writing, the road through novel-writing and getting his publishing deal, the myth of life balance, gaining confidence in yourself,...

Says Casey Delbasso, "As a digital content producer, on-air host, lifestyle writer, and editor, I believe you can truly have AND do it all! Starting my career working in news production, it was then I realized my superpower was talking to people and sharing their stories." In this episode, Casey and I talked about all the different types of things she works on, creating the path that feels best to...

In my first solo episode, I talk about how creativity can feel "indulgent" and "selfish," especially around the holidays, and how we can reframe that for ourselves to keep it a priority. Here are some takeaways I'm trying to practice myself: Recognize what feels urgent, and what feels important on your physical or mental list of things to do. Try to make time for the important things first, includ...

I dare you to listen to Katharine Jordan's original song "Morbid O'Clock" and not laugh. She wrote it for her one-woman comedy show called "Yia-Yia Knows Best," a peek at her life and Greek culture from the eyes of her grandmother. Katie released her show online in 2021 after the in-person Chicago debut was cancelled in March 2020 due to the pandemic. I just had to ask her about the work and the g...

In this episode, we talk about: Following your passions The unpredictable nature of opportunities and evolving careers Forcing yourself to try and fail before you're ready Learning to see the magic in the everyday My husband's aunt introduced commercial illustrator Jerry Lofaro to me as "the guy who did the Aflac duck." His illustration work (full of both whimsy and darkness) is widely renowned bu...

In this episode, we talk about: Taking baby steps, and how they can evolve into a career Building and keeping confidence in yourself Originality vs. "Mainstream" Developing skills over time Growing your network in a new state Hallie Jade Leonard is a New England photographer now based in Vermont who thrives "somewhere in the middle" between a mainstream and unique style (though I would argue that...