The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

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.

In this Fourth of July episode of The Yay, I interview Jeannie Barroga (www.jeanniebarroga.com), acclaimed playwright, as we talk about her techniques in playwriting, her growing up as a Filipina American, and how she views theater in the Bay Area. Enjoy!

It's another double double for the Yay! While Norman Gee is still out on vacation, I interview talented actor Benjamin Couch. We talk about the fantastic community of Bindlestiff Studios, acting techniques and life as an actor in the Bay! Happy Fourth, everybody!

In this episode of The Yay, I speak with one of the founders of Bindlestiff Studio and its resident playwright, Conrad Panganiban - we talk about his many plays he's written about Filipino life in the Bay Area, what theater means to him and we talk a bit about today's politics. Norman Gee is on vacation with his family and will be back on July 7th. Enjoy!

In another double-double, I interview husband-wife team Christine U'Ren and Gene Moscy - both are writers, actors and producers. Christine has a talent for writing plays in the style of the Victorian Age (her work, Lady Susan, is an adaptation of Jane Austen's writings), and Gene writes plays about zombies and the undead. Gene is also a video game developer. I shared the stage with both of them as...

In another double-double Yay Podcast, Norman and I talk about Johnny Depp's "assassination" comments and how some liberals are learning some of the bad lessons from the conservatives. Norman also plugs Tender Napalm, a play by Philip Ridley, which will be playing at the Temescal Arts Center from July 14 - August 5.

Our second Yay podcast this week has me interviewing Scott Munson, a playwright of works such as WWJD, Charley's Aunt '66, a 50's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband, and Dearest Frank Lights a Cigar. Scott and I talk about his upbringing during the turbulent late 60's, his concept on playwriting, and a surprising talk about religion and faith. It's a fascinating interview and I hope you...

This week, you get two Yays! Norman and I talk about the shooting at the Congressional Baseball practice field earlier this week and the UPS shooting in San Francisco and how you can never lose control - both in life and on stage. Norman talks about breaking down Polonius in Shakespeare's Hamlet and we talk about how to prepare yourself for musical auditions. Later on, I'll interview Scott Munson,...

In today's episode, we talk with stage actor, photographer and voice actor Colin Hussey. We talk about David Mamet's book True or False, the flow of dialogue in scripts, Colin's latest project (Sundita) and us being blue collar artists. We give a special shout out to David Stein and Ragged Wing, who is fundraising for their Spring season - please donate at www.raggedwing.org. Norman gives a shout...

This week, Norman and I welcome Craig Souza, actor, director and one of the board members of Theater Rhinoceros, which celebrates 40 years doing theater in the Bay Area. Craig talks about his experiences as a director; we share old stories of the now defunct Eastenders Repertory Theater and the late Chuck Polly; Norman promotes Hella, the story of Henrietta Lacks, the black woman with a special ge...

This week, we bring in Will Hammond, local recording artist and actor. Norman, Will and I talk about what Memorial Day means to us, Youtube channels, crazy Sheriff Clark and any past regrets. Norman and Will share their first time acting in New York, and Will shares a touching story of his grandmother. Please give us feedback and the question of the day: if you're an actor, what's your day job?

While Norman is out visiting family, I bring on Jerome Joseph Gentes, the producer of the Musical Cafe and playwright of Or: Or the Play Of Light, part of the PlayGround series, playing at the Potrero Theater in San Francisco.

Norman and I talk about fake news, handling small roles, and self promotion. We give a shout out to Elizabeth Carter, who will be in The Commons at the Utopia Theater; Norman talks about Emmitt & Ava and I promote The Musical Cafe. This Friday, we'll have Jerome Gentes, the producer of the Musical Cafe.

In this episode, Norman and I take an odd turn and talk about relationships and honest communications - I reference an article from the New York Times about Open Relationships (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/magazine/is-an-open-marriage-a-happier-marriage.html) and a Slate artlcle on how marriages change when you have children (http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2017/05/happy_mother_s_d...