The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

Episode 55: Thandiwe Thomas De Shazor by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode, Norman and I talk to Wylie Herman, actor and filmmaker who is in Bartlett (now on Amazon Prime and Vimeo on Demand) and is in The Toll (https://www.facebook.com/thetollfilm.scifi/). As always, we talk about today's politics (including the flu epidemic, Trump's State of the Union Address, and Stormy Daniels). Wylie shares his upbringing in Arizona, how he got into theater and into...

On this Wednesday's episode of The Yay, Norman and I bring back Scott Munson (who was previously on Episode 13) - we talk about the conviction of Larry Nasser to 40 to 175 years in prison; the Aziz Ansari scandal; and how young playwrights are being educated and what opportunities are out there for new playwrights in the Bay Area.

On this episode, Norman and I welcome Deb Carriger, actress and director. Deb was a former member of Eastenders and an ACT MFA graduate. Norman, Deb and I talk about current events (the 2018 Women's March, outgoing Senator Flake's calling Trump "Stalin", and Betty White's 97th birthday) - and Deb shares her background and how she feels about the state of the world and theater in the bay.

On this episode of The Yay, we bring on EJ Gibson, company member of Ubuntu Theater (http://www.ubuntutheaterproject.com). EJ talks about his growing up in both Hollywood, Oakland, and North Carolina and dealing with racism in the Deep South. Norman, EJ and I get into a spirited conversation about Oprah's possible 2020 run, the H&M "monkey t-shirt" controversy and racism in the 21st century.

In our first episode in 2018, Norman and I talk to the Artistic Director of Plethos Productions, Karin Richey. Plethos is a new theater company in Castro Valley and Karin talks about Plethos' 2018 season and its two featured productions: Lin Manuel Miranda's musical In The Heights, and my full length play, Four Men In Paris. We also talk about Karin's theater background, what she thinks of the sta...

On our last episode of The Yay for 2017, we interview the Artistic Director for Footloose Presents, Mary Alice Fry. On the show, Norman and I look back at 2017 and talk about the new theaters that opened and what to look for in the future. We take a moment to mourn the loss of a great actor, Terry Lamb, whom I worked with for a show Linda Ayers-Frederick wrote for the Fringe in 2015. Mary Alice ta...

Episode 48: Richard Talavera by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode of The Yay, we speak to Morgan Pavey, talented actress who plays Raz, Louis Payne, and Mary Surratt in A Civil War Christmas. Norman and I also talk about: the amazing victory for Doug Jones, the new US Senator for Alabama; and we celebrate the life of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. Morgan talks about her love for theater, her job at Bay Area Theater Sports, and where theater is takin...

Episode 46: Alicia Von Kugelgen by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

On this episode, Norman and I talk to Khary Moye, a gifted actor who shares the stage with me at Town Hall Theater, where we're doing A Civil War Christmas. Khary, Norman and I talk about the ongoing sexual harassment cases popping up, the state of Bay Area theater, and how Khary migrated from Brooklyn NY to the bay. Shows to look out for: This Wide Night by Chloe Moss - Anton’s Well - Dec 1-17 (w...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I welcome singer and actress Marla Cox, who will be playing Fastrada in Pippen at the Marin Musical Theater in January 2018. Marla played Nia in my mini musical Nia. Marla, Norman and I get into a spirited conversation about sexual harassment, male entitlement, black theater in the bay and Marla's own personal life. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

On this Episode, we talk to the talented Nick Mandracchia, a dynamic actor who appeared in the Musical Cafe (Pickpocket) and who will be starring with me (Reg Clay) in A Civil War Christmas at the Town Hall Theatre (https://www.townhalltheatre.com). We talk about Nick's background and how he got into theater, and we have a hearty conversation about using social media in promoting theater and how d...

On this Veteran's Day episode of The Yay, we speak to Dan Wilson, playwright and actor - he'll be John Wilkes Boothe and other characters in the Town Hall Theatre's A Civil War Christmas. Dan talks about how he got into theater, we talk about beats and methods of acting and we talk a bit about current events, such as the sexual allegations of Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K. and who may be next.

It's been a while but the Yay is back! Norman and I welcome Kathleen Antonia Tarr, actress, lawyer and a lecturer at Stanford University, focusing on writing and rhetoric. We get in depth on the subject of the Marin Theater's recent production of Thomas & Sally and the issue of misappropriating history. This is a podcast that deals heavily with race relations, the relationship between actor and co...

On this episode, we have Tom Reilly, a veteran actor who I shared the stage with several times, doing Grey Gardens and Candide at the DMT. Norman and I talk about the #metoo phenomena and what men's roles should be - we also talk about Trump's response to the wife and mother of Sgt. LaDavid Johnson. We dive into the life of Tom Reilly - his upbringing in Washington DC and New York, his coming to t...

In this episode, we talk to the wonderful Michaela Greeley, who has worked with many companies, most recently with New Conservatory Theater - she has been nominated many times by TBA for best actress - arguably her best role was of Maria Callas in the Master Class. We all talk about the controversy with Harvey Weinstein, how Michaela got into theater and the state of theater today. We have numerou...

On this episode, we talk to an incredible actress Celia Maurice - a veteran actress who studied with Meisner and won the 2015 TBA Award for best actress. Along with learning about Celia's upbringing and her foray into the theater world, we talk about the NFL protest, the state of the Bay Area theater, and her working with the Pear Theater (www.thepear.org). Birthday shoutouts: Joe Besecker; John F...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to David O. Stein, actor and director - affiliated with Ragged Wing and Wily West Productions. We talk about the Equifax hacking situation, David's pathway to theater from his upbringing in Delaware and we have a spirited discussion about AEA and whether unions are helping or hurting Bay Area actors. Birthday shout outs: John "The Hutch" Hutchinson and...

On this special Wednesday Yay podcast, we host actress, writer and poetess Anju Hyppolite Nakhumicha. We talk about current events like Ivanka Trump's admission on Dr. Oz of postpartum depression after having her kids - we're sure that wasn't meant to deflect after most folks have for her father; we also talk about Anju's upbringing in Brooklyn, NY, her move to the Bay Area and her future endeavor...

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to Ruben Grijalva, filmmaker and resident playwright at the Playground (http://playground-sf.org), located at the Potrero Stage. We talk about politics (like the Jemelle Hill ESPN controversy), Franklin Pierce (the 14th President), and climate change. Ruben also shares how he got involved in theater and some of the projects he's been working on.

On this episode of The Yay, I speak with Cecilia Palmtag, Artistic Associate of Velocity Circus (http://www.velocityartssf.com) - she's also a former member of Ragged Wing and Off Broadway West. Cecilia and I talk about balancing parenting and theater, and the unsettling misogyny happening in this country. We also talk Cecilia's background and training. You can see Cecilia at The Speakeasy (https:...

On a special episode of The Yay, I talk with longtime stage manager Jennifer Daly - also a longtime member of Eastenders, whom I've worked with many times. Jen talks about the life of a stage manager, some of the history of Eastenders, her own personal journey and what theater means to her. Jen recommends the Fisher King, which happens to star a mutual friend of ours, Wylie Herman; she also recomm...

On this episode of the Yay, we bring back Jeannie Barroga, writer of plays like Buffalo'ed, Aurora and Wall. We have a spirited discussion about the need for companies to support other companies and the need for better communication, especially among casting directors and actors, can prevent any bad feelings or disrespect. We also talk about the dismantling of DACA and Betsy DeVos's attempt to wat...

This week, we have Linda Ayers-Frederick, the owner and founder of the Phoenix Theatre (www.phoenixtheatresf.org), a theater that has been in existence for 32 years. Along with talking about her upbringing, Linda, Norman and I talk about Hurricane Harvey and the pros and cons of giving to the Red Cross; the business of owning a theater house and how Linda balances being a playwright, a director an...