The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to Maryssa Wanlass, the Artistic Director of the Utopia Theatre Project (www.utopiatheatreproject.com), and an actor at Cal Shakes. She’s also a teaching artist at the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Cal Shakespeare Theatre. Maryssa talks about her experiences at Mills College, studying abroad in London, her work as a teaching artist at the California...

Episode 92: Deb Carriger Interviews Norman And Reg by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to Priya Guyadeen, who played Velvet in Four Men In Paris – and who will also be performing at the Plethos New Years Day 2019 celebration. We discuss politics and other issues, like Offset crashing Cardi B's performance and Pete Davidson not handling the breakup between him and Ariana Grande; the government shutdown and Defense Secretary Mattis' depart...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to Avi Jacobson, who will be in a new play, White Man On The Bus, playing at the Campbell Theater in Martinez, February 8 til March 3rd, 2019. Avi and I last shared the stage doing 110 In The Shade at the Douglas Morrison Theater. We talk about politics, Avi's growing up in Israel, and White Man On The Bus, a play that tackles race, class and cultural...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to one of our favorite actors, Melvign Badiola - I've worked with Melvign at Bindlestiff Studios and he's done work at the Magic Theater and he currently works at Brava (www.brava.org). We talk politics (Kevin Hart dropping out of the Oscars; John Kelly resigning as Trump's Chief of Staff; and Kansas City Chiefs ex RB Kareem Hunt accused of beating a w...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to Kieran Beccia (www.kieranbeccia.com), the director of a gripping and timely new play, SaRafael - a play that deals with sexual assault and the limitations of expressing trauma. At a time where even Neil DeGrasse Tyson was recently accused of rape (adding to the many other individuals accused of sexual assault), the play, written by Julius Rea, canno...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to Anna Joham, singer and actress, who I last shared the stage with when we did Candide at the DMT. We talk about the horrible air conditions in the bay area; Anna’s beginnings in Oregon, her opera training at the University of Oregon and Oklahoma State, and her acting career here. And we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday! We'll have our next...

On this episode, Norman and I welcome James Koponen, local actor, playwright and owner of the GibsonHouse Mystery Performers (www.gibsonhouse.com). We talk politics (the midterm election results, Trump firing Sessions and Trump's war of words with CNN reporter Jim Acosta and several black female reporters), James shares his theater origins and his current projects. SHOUTOUTS: Chasing Papeles (Bind...

On this episode of the Yay, I talk to Fallon Blaser, the owner of the Brooklyn Preserve, a former church now converted as a performance space for all artists in the Bay Area. (https://www.facebook.com/pg/BrooklynPreserve/posts/), @BrooklynPreserve. To donate to the Brooklyn Preserve, participate and shop using AmazonSmile (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4342415) We talk about politics, Fallon's tr...

On this episode of the Yay, we talk to Charley Lerrigo (charley@playwrightcentersf.org), the Production Director of the Playwright’s Center of San Francisco (http://playwrightscentersf.org. Norman, Charley and I talk about the current state of affairs in America today (like the recent alt-right bomber that was caught and the mass shooting that happened in a Pittsburgh synagogue), Charley's history...

Episode 83: Linda Amayo-Hassan by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

Episode 82: Adrian Deane by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to John Warren, educator who has worked at the Tamalpais High School and helped create the Conservatory Theater Ensemble, a theater company made solely of high school students. John's earlier projects include the John Walker Lindh project, which got a write-up by the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1779455.stm), Greensboro: A Requiem - focusin...

Episode 80: Kim Donovan by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I host Claudia Rosa and Guillermo Orneles, producers and creators of The Prida Project. The Prida Project is a glorious collage of the music, dance, theatre and poetry of Cuban American playwright Dolores Prida. We talk about the Kavanaugh hearings, Kaepernick and Nike (and the black police officers' association that backs the Nike ad); we also dive into the...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to Paige Rogers, the director of Uncle Vanya, which will open at the Cutting Ball Theater (at the Exit at Taylor) on September 21st. Norman, Paige and I also have a very special conversation about alcoholism - the importance of being honest, addressing the issue, and breaking familiar patterns in order to get well. Paige shares her life story, how she...

On this episode of the Yay (recorded yesterday), Norman and I welcome Cary Ann Rosko (http://caryannrosko.com/Site/Home.html), actress and singer and professional therapist. Cary has worked extensively with the Lamplighters Music Theatre and I shared the stage with her at the Playwright's Center of San Francisco showcase. We talk about: the politicization of crimes against women (the horrible deat...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I welcome Lisa Kang (www.lisakang.net), a local playwright who had her short play, House of Days featured in the Playwright's Center for San Francisco Showcase. We talk about the death of Aretha Franklin, Omarosa's book, surrealism, Lisa's upbringing, and her efforts to use her writings to bring attention to the environment. SHOUTOUTS: King of Cuba (Central W...

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I talk to Bridgette Dutta Portman, local playwright who has plays featured at the Playwright's Center Showcase and the upcoming SF Olympians IX Festival this November. Check out her personal website at www://bridgetteduttaportman.com We talk about: Sasha Baron Cohen duping several Republican figures, like Sheriff Arpario; the ongoing trial of Paul Manafort; a...

On this Friday episode of The Yay, Norman and I welcome Barbara Michelson-Harder, actress and co-owner of Off-Broadway West (and the wife of Richard Harder, who was on Episode 26 of the Yay). We talk about current events, like the 18 year old black woman killed on a Bart train, the US being the worst developed country for women giving birth, and Barbara's take on holding on to your faith in the ag...

On this early bird episode of The Yay, Norman and I entertain talented actress Gwen Loeb. We talk about politics - specifically California politics (we're hoping Gavin Newsom won't incite the wrath of right wing voters in the midterms by going too far left). Gwen also shares her background, growing up in Illinois and her experience as a working actress in the bay area since 1995. We also have a sp...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to Vonn Scott Bair, veteran actor, playwright and a member of the Playwright's Center of San Francisco. We talk about politics (like the British protest of Trump), the movie Sorry To Bother You (which has Wylie Herman in it - he is in Episode 54 of the Yay), and the concept of angry white men in films and television (like Walter White in Breaking Bad)...

On this post-Fourth episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to Danny Martin, veteran actor with whom I shared the stage with when we did 110 In The Shade. We talk about current events, like the children who still haven't been reunited with their parents on the border and the kids in Thailand trapped in the caves. Danny talks about his upbringing, his devotion to kids as an educator, and his life as...

On this pre-Fourth of July episode, it's just Norman and I (as it used to be a year ago, when we did our first seven podcasts). Norman and I talk about the actor thinking of him/herself as a business - where will you go in the future, what is your career path and what are you looking to get out of Bay Area theater. We also talk politics - Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement, Trump's domination of...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman Gee and I welcome Valerie Weak, actress and creator of the Counting Actors Project. Norman and I talk about the failed Zero Tolerance policy of the Trump Administration and the potential violation of the Flores Settlement. Valerie talks about her upbringing, her experience as an actress in the Bay Area since the 90's, and the Counting Actors Project - keeping Bay...