Local with Laura Ekstrand

In this first episode of Season 3, actor, singer, arts administrator, and advocate Deonté Griffin-Quick joins Laura. Hear Deonté discuss how he made his way into arts administration, how he uses his voice to advocate for diversity and equity in the arts, and how important it is for him to continue flexing his creativity as a performer. We're so excited to share this conversation between Laura and...

In the final episode of season 2, Laura is joined via Zoom by George Marriner Maull, Artistic Director of the Discovery Orchestra. Maestro Maull is a conductor, violist, television host, and music educator. Laura and Maestro Maull have an illuminating conversation on a range of topics, including   how he founded the Discovery Orchestra and why the orchestra is so committed to teaching audiences th...

In this episode of Local, Laura turns to Zoom for a conversation with her college pal Steve Harper. Steve is a producer on the CBS show God Friended Me, a co-producer on the HBO Max series Tell Me Your Secrets, and writer and creator of the original web series Send Me. They discuss his work acting, writing, networking, and building connections and brand. They delve deep into the differences betwee...

This month Laura sits down with Julian Blake Gordon, an actor, classical pianist, and writer. Hear how Julian went from despising theatre to being a professional actor, how he experiences being a musician versus being an actor, and the importance of finding   community and collaboration as an artist.   Connect with Julian on Instagram .   -- Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd

Laura sits down with Nicole Callender—stunt coordinator, stuntwoman, intimacy coordinator, and actor—for a fascinating and inspiring conversation. Hear how the past 25 years have led Nicole to this unique moment in her career and family life, how she shows up for all aspects of her life—and how acting feels like coming home.     Learn more about Nicole at http://www.ncallender.com -- Music by Jeff...

Jeff Ertz is a NJ-based singer-songwriter, who has been featured on ABC's 'A Million Little Things,' NPR's 'Reveal,' as well as right here, because he composed the theme song for Local. In this episode of Local, Jeff tells the story of his music, and how he found his way into a creative and technology-driven career in post-production. He wears many hats and has gained experience and expertise in a...

Emaline Williams is a charming, smart presence you can find in theaters all over New York and New Jersey, including at Dreamcatcher Rep and Centenary Stage Company, as well as in film and commercials. Hers is a face you see around Dreamcatcher Rep a lot — helping us run smoothly behind the scenes and lighting up our stage in some of this season's upcoming programming. Learn more about her story as...

On the season 2 premiere of Local, Laura sits down with powerhouse of the New Jersey theatre scene Betsy True. Betsy talks her love of working on new plays, the importance of respect and trust in artistic collaboration, and all of the many ways her artistic expression comes to life, now and throughout her career -- directing, teaching, singing, writing, and more. Don't miss this thoughtful, intima...

On the season 2 premiere of Local, Laura sits down with powerhouse of the New Jersey theatre scene Betsy True. Betsy talks her love of working on new plays, the importance of respect and trust in artistic collaboration, and all of the many ways her artistic expression comes to life, now and throughout her career -- directing, teaching, singing, writing, and more. Don't miss this thoughtful, intima...

For the Local Season 1 finale Laura is joined by two guests, Lia Romeo and Erin Mallon, both of whom are NJ playwrights. This three-woman conversation is a fun exploration of the play creation process, being a mom and an artist, and what led them both to the artform.   For more on Lia Romeo:   www.liaromeo.com  For more on Erin Mallon:  www.erinmallon.net   Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd

This month on Local - Laura sits down with her good friend, Clark Carmichael. They talk about his acting and directing methods, casting adventures, and raising a family. It's a fasinating peek into the world, art and industry of working actors. For more on Clark Carmichael:  https://clarkcarmichael.wixsite.com/clarkscottcarmichael Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd

Laura welcomes longtime Dreamcatcher company member Dave Maulbeck for a chat about his many artistic talents: acting, improv, comic books, and getting paid thousands of dollars to eat a hot dog. Dave explains the impetus for co-creating The Kinetix, a comic book series centering around teenage superheroes with disabilities, and he talks how his love of visual art influences all that he does, inclu...

Visual artist Jessica Joyce joins Laura Ekstrand for a conversation about making art through the lens of Synaesthesia, a neurological condition that for Jessica means she can hear sound and also see the line and shape of its tambour. Hear how this sensory experience of the world affects Jessica's art, including the story of her amazing collaboration with dancers at UNRULY Collective. See Jessica's...

Listen to Laura's conversation with the multi-talented Michael Aquino, a musician, actor, and creative audio producer from Northern New Jersey -- and don't miss Aquino perform an original song at the end of the episode.   Find Aquino at michaelaquino.com -- Music by Johnny Ripper

Hear Laura's conversation with New Jersey actor, improviser, and small business owner Lulu French. Lulu shares what it takes to teach and perform improv comedy -- to children, to adults, and to businesses -- and she brings out some of her go-to comedic characters. Find Lulu at lulufrench.com and her business at rocketimprovcomedy.com -- Music by Johnny Ripper

This month Laura sits down with playwright James McLindon to talk about his dark comedy  Dead and Buried, which the Detroit Free Press calls "funny, sad and heartwarming, often at the same time." McLindon discusses some of the inspirations for his play, as well how he thinks about his work as a playwright and theater in general.   Here's more on the study Laura mentions about theater and the synch...