On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore the stories, artistry, and leadership behind two of Central Indiana’s most influential performing arts forces: Central Indiana Dance Ensemble (CIDE) and the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT). The episode opens with the origins of CIDE and its companion school, the Central Indiana Academy of Dance, founded over 25 years ago by former Sacramento Ballet dan...

In this in-depth conversation, podcast host Tom Alvarez sits down with Los Angeles–based composer, conductor, and orchestrator Dan Redfeld to explore his wide-ranging career and his newest major project: Jo , a cinematic new musical based on Little Women . Redfeld shares how his lifelong passion for music began at an early age, shaped by classical training, film scores, and musical theater, and ho...

In this wide-ranging podcast conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with Nancy Heck, Communications Director of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and Davis Brooks, Concertmaster and Butler University professor, to explore the orchestra’s rich history, evolving role in the community, and its home at the Palladium. They discuss the power of live music, the unique responsibilities of a concertmaster,...

In this episode of  On the Aisle , host Tom Alvarez speaks with veteran lighting designer and production manager  Laura Glover , celebrating her 35-year career with Dance Kaleidoscope and her wide-ranging impact on Indiana’s performing arts community. Glover reflects on her journey from early training in theater and lighting to formative collaborations with mentors like David Hochoy, her...

Host Tom Alvarez sits down with veteran performer Craig Meyer, best known for his acclaimed Elton John tribute show, in a lively podcast that begins with Meyer calling in from a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic. Meyer shares his journey from Southern California to Carmel, Indiana, where his passion for theater and music took shape, leading to a career spanning Broadway, TV, film, and inte...

In this conversation, we dive into the magic and evolution of the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s beloved A Christmas Carol , from its imaginative Tom Haas staging—where actors and minimal props bring Dickens’ world to life on a snowy, sloped stage—to the behind-the-scenes realities of trap doors, rehearsal challenges, and mountains of fake snow. Former director Richard shares the pressure and pride o...

Part 1 -- Tom welcomes back singer and songwriter Anthony Nunziata to highlight his December 13 holiday fundraising concert at Broadway United Methodist Church, benefiting Actors Theatre of Indiana, Kids Dance Outreach, and the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus. They reflect on Anthony’s many Indiana performances and his growing connection to the city’s arts community. Anthony shares what he admires...

In this episode, Tom sits down with conductor Lorenzo Lopez for a rich conversation that spans culture, music, and the surprising paths that shape an artist’s life. Calling in from Cleveland, Lorenzo shares his Honduran–Puerto Rican roots, growing up in a multicultural household, and how food, family, and community helped shape his identity. He talks about his time in Indianapolis while earning hi...

Part 1 In this podcast episode, the host interviews Scott Osborne, a Carmel-based sculptor and owner of Brown Hound Studio. Osborne shares his journey as a visual artist, discussing his work in sculpture, painting, and pottery, including his innovative kinetic painting projects and commissions like the Monarch Butterfly sculpture at the Monon and pieces for local businesses like an olive oil shop....

In this in-depth conversation, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra CEO James M. Johnson reflects on the evolution of the orchestra in a digital world — from embracing streaming and social media to expanding access for diverse audiences. He and the host discuss the power of live performance in an AI-driven era, the ISO’s collaborations with th...

From Broadway to Beef & Boards!  Actor  Jonathan Cobrda  joins the podcast for a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious conversation about life on stage, the importance of the arts in turbulent times, and finding common ground through laughter. He shares post-pandemic reflections on theater’s healing power, stories from the road (including  Annie  and  Kinky Boots...

Speaking from his Brown County home, Reverend Peyton of Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band shared his deep passion for music as a universal language, describing how audiences worldwide, even in countries where English isn’t spoken, connect with American roots music. He reflected on the rich, multicultural origins of American music—from West African vocal traditions and Celtic rhythms to Hawaiian guit...

Join host Tom Alvarez for an inside look at the fascinating world of Broadway through the eyes of Sam Arce, aka “Broadway Sam,” a passionate theater investor, collector, and longtime fan. From his early days hustling through odd jobs to supporting his children’s education, Sam shares his journey into Broadway, the stories behind his favorite shows, and the incredible people he’s met along the way....

Cabaret couple Roger Schmeltzer and Lucinda Phillips  sit down with host  Tom Alvarez  for an intimate conversation about life, art, and the mentors who shaped their creative journey. Roger shares how his relationship with legendary cabaret icon  Marilyn Maye  transformed his approach to performing - and to living with purpose, connection, and gratitude. Together, he and L...

Join Tom Alvarez as he sits down with Broadway producer Michael Lamon, whose journey from small-town Minnesota to New York and London’s West End is nothing short of inspiring. From performing in Oklahoma! to navigating early career challenges, Michael’s path blends persistence, creativity, and bold risk-taking. Today, he produces hit shows like Evita, Heather’s the Musical, and the upcoming Figaro...

Join Emmy-winning filmmaker and arts commentator  Tom Alvarez  as he sits down with  Stephen McCoy , executive director of the  Indianapolis Men’s Chorus (IMC) , to explore the transformative power of music. From Pride parades to classical performances, Stephen shares how music builds community, gives purpose, and even saves lives. Tom:  “It’s amazing how music brings peop...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with Broadcasting pioneer, author, educator, playwright, and Brown County Playhouse Foundation Board Member, Lyn Letsinger-Miller. In this episode, Lynn discusses her long-standing friendship with Tom, their shared broadcasting history, and their mutual connections with legendary figures in television. They recount personal stories from their careers,...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with Opera singer, songwriter and music producer Ashley Nicole Soprano. They discuss her stage name's origin, her journey as a coloratura soprano, and her background in both piano and voice. Ashley shares her experiences performing with the Gregory Hancock Dance Company and explores her training and career choices, including her education at Butler Universi...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with Cindy Collins, co-founder of the Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI). Cindy discusses her journey from New York City to Indiana, detailing the inception and growth of ATI. She shares insights into her artistic collaborations with Judy Fitzgerald and Don Farrell, and her personal evolution in the theater world. Cindy also reflects on her experiences in thea...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with Jeff McDermott, the President and CEO of the Allies Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. They discuss Jeff's transition from a 30-year law career to leading a prominent arts center, the impact of supportive families and community pioneers, and the successful programming and diverse offerings of the center. Highlights include the upcoming 15th anni...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with Maestro Dr. Eric Stark, a distinguished figure in the American choral scene. Dr. Stark shares his background, from growing up in Columbus, Indiana, to studying at Wabash College and Indiana University's renowned Jacobs School of Music. He delves into his experiences living in Europe, his discovery of a passion for choral music, and his journey through...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, Chief Executive Officer of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center, who reminisces about her multifaceted career in the performing arts. From her Cuban immigrant roots and early love for ballet to holding executive roles at prominent arts organizations across the US, Tania shares her journey. She discusses her significant cont...

On this two part episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" in a heartfelt interview with renowned pop and jazz artist Ann Hampton Callaway. The discussion covers her collaborations, including a special project with Melissa Manchester and the Diva Jazz Orchestra. Ann shares insights about her recent works, such as her CD 'Tapping Through Life', a tribute to Maurice Hines, and her upcoming show 'Finding Beau...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with LaKesha Lorene, the founder of the Naptown African American Theater Collective (N-A-A-T-C). She speaks with Tom about her journey, her vision for the organization, and the significance of their work in the Indianapolis theater scene. Lakesha shares how N-A-A-T-C evolved from a conversation in 2021 and has quickly become a cultural hub reflecting the co...

On this episode, Tom goes "On the Aisle" with with David Murray, reminiscing about their first meeting in Indianapolis in 1992 and tracing David's impressive career journey. They discuss David's initial job at a fraternity headquarters, his roles at WFYI, PBS, and his current position at Columbia University. David recounts his formative years in Indianapolis, his active involvement in the arts, an...