New Trier Performing Arts Stories

In Part 2 of our tribute to Shakespeare productions at New Trier, Tim, Laura and I talk about theater preferences (and why Shakespeare was better in a smaller theater), and then I get to answer one of my standard questions for all of my guests ... and finally, I get to tell one of MY New Trier Performing Arts stories, involving our guests and what was literally THE funniest moment of my life! Enjo...

Shakespeare was a special part of the New Trier Performing Arts Department. So special, that it takes not one but TWO weeks ... AND not one but TWO former thespians to talk about it. This week, professional stage actor Tim Walsh and professional musician Laura (Ebert) Brenner talk about their New Trier experiences in general, as well as their specific memories of working with the late, great Dr. R...

During the show I started to tell a story about driving Chris to the 1983 WNTH Awards Banquet, after the show, I told Chris what happened AFTER I dropped her off, and then we chatted about what she's up to today, as well as some of additional memories we had of our time at WNTH. Enjoy!

Welcome to the show "CP"! In the late 70s and early 80s, WNTH was still very much a male dominated place, and there were things that girls just didn't do ... until Christine (Polydoris) Webster showed up. WNTH's first female rock jock (and later, its first female Music Director) joins our show this week to talk about smashing the Glass Ceiling on the 5th floor at New Trier.

I have discovered that sometimes the conversation which takes place after an interview is fun and/or worth sharing too .. so I've started recording those moments as well. Here are some highlights of my post-interview conversation with Suzanne Adams.

In Part 4, we talk about how Suzanne managed the difficult task of providing feedback AND guidance in a positive way. We also talk more about casting, including the frankly incredible amount of reading she had to do on a weekly basis as she helped her students become the characters that they were playing. And finally, I get to tell Suzanne what I remember, and for all of us, say thank you.

Today, in part 3 of my SPECIAL "Four Days of Christmas" interview with Suzanne Adams, we talk about Suzanne’s extraordinary life AFTER New Trier, from saving forests to her current work teaching dyslexic children. We’ll talk about how the events of her life informed her views at New Trier, and we might get her to share a few favorite memories along the way.

Day 2 of our "Four Days of Christmas" Special Interview with Suzanne Adams! In this episode, Suzanne talks about how she approached teaching the art of acting, her encyclopedic knowledge of plays, and you MIGHT catch why I released this interview at Christmas .....

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from New Trier Performing Arts Stories! This is the podcast that you've ALL been waiting for! Join us each day from now until Christmas for our extended interview with Suzanne Adams.

Welcome to the show Janet Van De Graaff! Janet is a star of both stage and screen. She spent five years with one of the most prestigious comedy troupes in the world (Second City) and starred in the Canadian TV series "History Bites". But it all began at New Trier, when she first appeared on stage with a writer who now does some kind of podcast .....

Audu Paden (Class of 81) is a TWO time Emmy award winner, as well as a Peabody and Gemini award winner. Join us as Audu tells us about his truly incredible early life in sub-Saharan Africa, and how his time and experiences at New Trier led him to the extraordinary and successful career that he's had.

In this first episode of New Trier Performing Arts Stories, we spoke with John Gion about the history of the program and how and why it has produced so many successful people.

New Trier Performing Arts Stories will begin December 1, 2022!