The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I welcome sound designer, lighting designer, and master electrician Daniel Hall. We geek out about lighting and sound tech in theatre, the issues we're having with AB5 (a recurring topic) and Daniel's views on Bay Area Theatre. We also have a poignant talk about Kobe Bryant and how we handle death. Daniel's next gig will be working with the New Conservatory T...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I welcome Amy Turningbrook (formerly Amy Crumpacker), an actress, director and playwright, who helps run Third Street Playhouse. We talk politics, her growing up in southern California, her time with Fantasy Theatre in the ‘80s and the future of theatre. You can find out more about Amy by visiting her page on Facebook and on the Third Street Playhouse Faceboo...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I bring on Sylvia Kratins as a guest. Sylvia is a veteran actress and costume designer who has worked extensively with Off-Broadway West and Central Works. Sylvia and I last worked on Life x 3. We talk politics, Sylvia’s history and her thoughts on bay area theatre and the ramifications of AB3 and its affect on local theatre. Sylvia can be contacted directly...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I welcome Melissa Momboisse, actress, singer and teacher at Pure Barre at Walnut Creek. Melissa and I shared the stage at the DMT doing Grey Gardens, where she played the younger Edith Bouvier. Melissa was also a Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor and was featured on the Pharmacy Podcast. Melissa talks about her journey in theater, her battle with cancer and her futu...

On the first episode of the Yay for the year 2020, I welcome Ely Sonny Orquiza, actor and director, who's last show was Driven, a Theatre Rhinoceros piece he directed. His next show will be Gloria, at ACT's Strand Theatre. Ely and I talk about his upbringing in Manila, his studies at UC Berkeley, the transition between acting and directing and his views on Bay Area theatre. You can find more infor...

Happy Holidays to all! Today, Norman and I welcome Rico Anderson, a veteran actor that is currently in LA, having been seen on multiple TV shows like Truth Be Told, The Rookie, S.W.A.T. and Rosewood. You can see Rico on the upcoming horror movie, Get Gone, coming out next year. You can find more information on Rico Anderson via his homepage: https://www.ricoanderson.com Also, please click on his I...

Happy Holidays to all! This is our 2nd Yay podcast for today – and we have a special guest, David Moschler, creator of Awesome Orchestra, a group that brings together Bay Area music-lovers for orchestral adventures. Norman, David and I talk about his upbringing in North Carolina, the difference between conducting for musical theatre as oppose to operas, the importance of understanding the language...

Happy Holidays to all! For our pre-holiday Yay, we’re giving out TWO Yays! Norman and I welcome our first guest, Michael Wayne Rice, a talented actor and director, who recently directed Othello at the Livermore Shakespeare Company this year. Michael talks about his growing up in the bay, his short stint in New York, his work as a director for Livermore Shakes and his former podcast, Cool As Hell T...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I welcome Percival Arcibal (Percy Neo Anderson RCbal), a veteran actor I’ve worked with at Bindlestiff Studios. Bindlestiff is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, bringing exciting theatre to the Filipino and bay area community. We talk about Percy’s migration to the US from the Philippines (escaping from the Marcos regime); his work at Bindlestiff and his view...

Happy Holidays to everyone! On this post-Thanksgiving episode of The Yay, I welcome Brian Bonham, a former member of Theatre Rhubarb, an actor and a comedian. Brian and I worked on The Marriage of Bette and Boo, back in 2001. Brian, his fiancee Tracy and I talk politics, the early days (late 90's) of the Bay Area, and how theatre is helping him in his current job as an occupational therapist. Norm...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I bring on Michael Barrett Austin. Michael is a local actor, singer and songwriter, who shared the stage with Norman in As You Like It. Michael shares his upbringing and acting in commercials as a youth, his training at Whitman College, finding his wife in the theatre and how theatre in the bay has treated him. You can learn more information and contact Micha...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I welcome playwright Lynn Aylward. Lynn has had her plays featured on The Playground and The Playwright’s Center of SF. Lynn talks about her upbringing in suburban Philadelphia, her artistic career in New York and her writings (Snow Da Goh and 12:25). You can directly connect to Lynn via Twitter: @lynnalyward SHOUTOUTS: Midsummer Night’s Dream (Arabian Shakes...

Racial diversity in the theatre. Appreciation and respect for women in the rehearsal space. Resisting the KFC Chicken sandwich craze ;) These and many other things Norman and I talk about with our good friend Radhika Rao, actor, director and educator who last graced our podcast on Episode 21. Radhika gives her perspective on how women are treated in theatre as actors and as directors (and we use c...

On this episode, Norman and I welcome Lindsey Marie Schmeltzer, a very talented actress, singer and musical director to the show. Lindsey is currently in tech with Norman for Midsummer Night's Dream, and Lindsey and I shared the stage when we did A Civil War Christmas two years ago. We talk politics as usual, especially the impeachment hearings, the inability to have decent conversations with diff...

Norman is back! He and I welcome a new actress in the Bay Area, Diana Lauren Jones - Diana is a longtime theatre actress from the east coast who is getting her feet wet in the Bay and has participated in readings at the Play Cafe. We talk about her life growing up in New Jersey, her theatre training at Rutgers and how Bay Area theatre life is treating her. You can find Diana via Facebook, LinkedIn...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman is back after directing Dracula and performing in As You Like It. We welcome actor and playwright Paul Harkness. Paul’s play, On Hallowed Ground, was featured in a staged reading two days ago at the Play Café. Paul talks about growing up in the Bay Area, working as an actor in the 70's and his current writings. You can contact Paul directly via Facebook. SHOUTOUT...

On this episode of the Yay, I welcome Marianna Wolff, a veteran musical director with whom I worked with doing Grey Gardens and 110 In The Shade at the Douglas Morrison Theatre. We talk about Marianna’s growing up in Alameda, her training at Cal State Hayward, her work at the DMT, and her views of the future of musicals. Norman is away on vacation, celebrating his birthday with his family. SHOUTOU...

On this episode of the Yay, Craig Dickerson (as a guest host while Norman is busy with As You Like It and directing Dracula) and I welcome local actress and singer Jamie Strube. I saw Jamie when she did Stage Kiss with Kim Donovan (Episode 80) and Alan Coyne (Episode 29). Jamie talks about growing up in the bay area, dealing with inappropriate directors, and balancing motherhood with theatre. Jami...

On this episode of the Yay, I interview Paul Plain, veteran actor who is currently rehearsing for Bright Star, which will open October 4 and run through October 27th at the Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Paul and I shared the Town Hall stage, doing Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Paul talks about growing in in Jersey City, New Jersey; how his mom took him to shows in New York, where he saw...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I welcome Marah Catanus Sotelo, a talented actress and opera-trained singer. I worked with Marah when we did Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown at the Town Hall Theatre. Marah’s next performance will be at the Ross Valley Players, along with Mountain Play, doing She Loves Me. We talk about Marah’s growing up in the Chicago suburbs, her four year experi...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I bring on Dave Garrett, veteran actor, singer and Senior Manager at the Children’s Creativity Museum, a wonderful place to bring your child where they can learn about arts and music – all at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. You can find out more about the Children’s Creativity Museum here: https://creativity.org. Dave talks about his growing up, his time...

On this episode, Norman and I entertain LaMont Ridgell, a veteran actor, who blessed the stage of Bindlestiff Studios, Town Hall Theatre (Angels In America) and Off Broadway West, where he was in the TBA Award winning Master Harold and the Boys. LaMont talks about growing up in Michigan, being in the bay in the early 90s working in the video game industry, and his take on Bay Area theater as of no...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I bring on sisters Sheila and Anita Viramontes. Both ladies are actresses and singers. Anita just finished doing Once On This Island at the Contra Costa County Theatre, and Sheila and I shared the stage (Town Hall Theatre) doing Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The Viramontes sisters talk about their upbringing, bellydancing, singing and acting arou...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I welcome Eiko Yamamoto, a local actress who will be playing Meiko in a new play by Jonathan Spector, Eureka Day. She’ll also be playing Ernestina in the DMT’s production of Hello Dolly! Eiko shares her experience in the theater, her upbringing and how theater life is treating her. You can follow or contact Eiko via Instagram (@EikoYH) or her website (https:/...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk with Letitia Duarte, talented actress who has worked with several bay area companies, like Central Works, Theatre of Yugen, Town Hall Theatre, Playground and Theatre Rhino. She’s currently working on Linda Amayo Hassan’s play Cheer! Story of a Dreamer. Letitia shares her story of an actress in the Bay Area and Los Angeles; we talk about racial diversit...