The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

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...

On this episode, I interview John Fisher, the artistic director of Theatre Rhinoceros (www.therhino.org), the longest running queer theater in the world. John and I talk about the history of Theatre Rhino, his upbringing, his views on today's politics and the state of theater in the Bay Area. Plugs: The Transgendered American Veteran's Association (www.transveteran.org) would love your donation to...

On this episode of The Yay, we welcome a fantastic and very busy actor, Alan Coyne, whom I've worked with at the Douglas Morrison Theater (DMT) and with the Musical Cafe. We talk about the atrocities at Charlottesville, Alan's upbringing and his introduction to theater. Norman and I also talk about the TBA article on race and casting. Check out the DMT website (www.dmtonline.org) to get tickets to...

On a Saturday episode of The Yay, I sit down with Terry Alabata (www.terryalabata.com) who is an eco-friendly make up artist, who I knew while acting at Bindlestiff Studios. Terry and I talk about: the issues with women of color and makeup (i.e. the lack of products for women of color); the ideology of beauty - is it for women to please men, or for self expression? Also, Terry talks about her upbr...

In this episode, Norman and I talk about a topic not normally discussed - actors dealing with depression, whether it be handling rejection or the letdown after a show ends. Norman gives advice on the importance of having a balanced life outside of theater and we share anecdotes of how we've handled letdowns. Also, singers of all types are welcome to attend the Musical Cafe auditions (www.musicalca...

On this episode, Norman and I talk to the artistic director and co-founder of Off-Broadway West, Richard Harder. We talk about the decline of education in our schools and how theater can enrich the vocabulary and presentation skills to kids in schools; Richard shares with us how he came into theater; and we talk about the ten year success of Off-Broadway West (http://www.offbroadwaywest.com).

In an early version of the Yay, I talk with Craig Dickerson, veteran actor and former member of Eastenders. Craig and I talk about the state of theater and how he came into theater. We also talk about the fine line between exploitation and bold choices by directors and how actors need to protect themselves - in the 56:04 mark, Craig talks about a play where he played a character who is raped - and...

Episode 24 - Gary Graves by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

Episode 23 - Susan E. Evans by The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

We talk to the Program Director at Theatre Bay Area (www.theatrebayarea.org), Dale Albright - we three have a spirited discussion about how Theatre Bay Area works, how it helps producers of all sizes get grants and the benefits of the TBA Generals. We also talk about diversity in casting, equal gender pay and how Dale got involved in theater. Shout Outs: Central Works is playing Winter, directed b...

On a special episode of the Yay, I interview the beautiful and talented Radhika Rao (www.radhikarao.org), actress and director who is acting in SF Shakes' production of Hamlet. In this special interview we talk about the very serious issue of inappropriate handlings of women in rehearsals and unequal pay for women. We also talk about her trainings at Harvard and some of her other projects. It's a...

Yay! Norman is back! Norman and I have Robert Estes as a guest - he's the founder of Anton's Well Theater Company (www.antonswell.org) and the director of Tender Napalm, playing at the Temescal Arts Center (511 48th Street in Oakland). The show runs from July 14 - August 5. We also talk about the difficulties of marketing a show and how Robert learned directing from some of his mentors.

It's another double-double for The Yay! Last week, I interviewed Adam Simpson, actor and member of Off-Broadway West. Adam and I talk about acting, politics and life in the Bay Area.