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Welcome to Storytime with Mr. Byrne
This is the daytime talk show I never knew I always wanted but never hosted.
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Wednesday, April 22, 11:00 AM - Arlington High School Class of 2019 - The Performers
https://meet.google.com/epr-mqhy-vig?hs=122&ijlm=1587423405471
“The Hills Of Tomorrow”
Episode #1
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Guests:
Will Davis-Kay ('19) is a first-year student at Skidmore College where he is pursuing a degree in Theatre. At AHS, Will appeared in Me and My Girl, Macbeth, Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Hello, Dolly!
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Ben Horsburgh ('19) is a first-year student at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee getting his BFA in musical theatre. At AHS, Ben appeared in Me and My Girl, Macbeth, Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Hello, Dolly! He also stage-managed during Student-Directed One-Acts
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Venice Mountain-Zona ('19) is a freshman working toward a BFA in Acting at CalArts. At AHS, Venice appeared in Me and My Girl, Macbeth, Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hello, Dolly! and A Christmas Carol. She co-directed Hidden in This Picture for Student-Directed One-Acts
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Aubrie-Mei Rubel ('19) is a freshman at Wagner College majoring in Theater Performance with a double minor in Dance and Holocaust and Human Rights Studies. At AHS, Aubrie-Mei appeared in Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, and Hello, Dolly! She helped to choreograph Wonderful Town and Crazy for You.
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Miles Shapiro ('19) is a freshman at Chapman University studying for a BFA in Screen Acting. At AHS, Miles appeared in Me and My Girl, Macbeth, Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Hello, Dolly! He co-directed Hidden in This Picture for Student-Directed One-Acts.
Devin Alice Wright ('19) is a first-year student at The Theatre School at Depaul University in Chicago receiving a BFA in Comedic Arts as well as a minor in Vocal Performance. Devin appeared in various plays and musicals throughout her four years at Arlington High School, such as Hello Dolly, Crazy for You, Macbeth, and Wonderful Town. She is also a four year veteran of Mr. Byrne's drama class.
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Friday, April 24, 11:00 AM - Arlington High School Class of 2019 - The Stage Managers
https://meet.google.com/epr-mqhy-vig?hs=122&ijlm=1587423405471
“Our Time”
Episode #2
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Guests:
Michael Graham-Green ('19) is a freshman at George Washington University studying Political Science and Public Policy. At AHS, he stage-managed Me and My Girl, Macbeth, Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Star Catcher, Hello, Dolly! and A Christmas Carol.
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Grace Biondi ('19) is a freshman at Barnard College majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior on the pre-med track. At AHS she worked on Me and My Girl, Macbeth, Wonderful Town, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hello, Dolly!, and A Christmas Carol.
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Maggie Horgan ('19) is a freshman at Vassar College double majoring in Education and Psychology with a minor in Greek and Roman Studies. At AHS, she worked on Me and My Girl, Macbeth, The Crucible, Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hello, Dolly!, and A Christmas Carol!
Monday, April 27, 11:00 AM - A Broadway Stage Manager: Katherine Shea
“Putting it Together”
Episode #3
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Guest:
Katherine Shea is a professional stage manager based in New York City. After completing her undergraduate degree in stage management at Brandeis University, she stage managed several shows at the American Repertory Theatre. New York credits include the off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Once, It Shoulda Been You (directed by David Hyde Pierce), Fiddler on The Roof, The Price (Starring Mark Ruffalo, Tony Shalhoub, Jessica Hecht and Danny DeVito), and Travesties.
Wednesday, April 29, 11:00 AM - Young Professional Theatre Artists, AHS Class of 2009
"Opening Doors"
Episode #4
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Guests:
Aaron Aptaker ('09) is an arts administrator and theatre-maker who lives in Chicago, IL. He is the Audience Experience Director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company where he oversees the theatre's hospitality, accessibility, and experiential marketing programs. As a composer and director, his work has been featured in the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, at Depaul University, and at Free Street Theater. Aaron's score for the short film, Joke's on You, was awarded "Best Original Score" in the Premiere Film Festival (2014), and people really seem to like the goofy songs he posts on Instagram. They get at least 40 views each! He has a BFA in Theatre Arts from DePaul University. At AHS, he appeared in The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Sound of Music, Much Ado About Nothing, Godspell, Hello, Dolly!, Scapin, Of Thee I Sing, and The Laramie Project.
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Luke Paulino ('09) Luke Paulino is a New York-based musician. He is known for his powerful and seamless two and a half octave vocal range, bridging the gap between tenor and countertenor. He is also a founding member of the chamber ensemble InfraSound and the organ/voice duo body Electric. Luke is pursuing a Masters of Music in Contemporary Performance as a countertenor at the Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of Lucy Shelton. At AHS, he appeared in Godspell, The Sound of Music, Hello, Dolly! and Of Thee I Sing.
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Lauren Zeftel ('09) creates with and for people whose perspectives are best communicated through the intertwining of language and visceral experience. Recent credits include directing the world premieres of Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin's CALL OUT CULTURE (Ars Nova) and Haleh Roshan's ...COLLECTIVE NOUN... (Corkscrew Theater Festival). Lauren served as Associate Director to Rachel Chavkin on both SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS (Signature; National Tour) and on INK (Under the Radar, the Met Museum). Drama League Rough Draft and First Draft Resident. LCT Directors Lab Alum. Williamstown Directing Corp. Playwrights Horizons Directing Fellow Alum. PLAYxPLAY resident director. BFA: NYU Tisch; MFA '22: Brooklyn College. She appeared in The Sound of Music, Much Ado About Nothing, Godspell, Hello, Dolly!, Scapin, Of Thee I Sing, and The Laramie Project. www.LaurenZA.me
Friday, May 1, 11:00 AM - Broadway Designer and Yale Professor: Shawn Boyle
“Color and Light”
Episode #5
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Guest:
Shawn Boyle ('99) has an undergraduate degree in lighting design from Rutgers University and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in Projection Design. He has taught at B.U., Northeastern, San Diego State University, University of Central Florida, and is currently on the faculty at the Yale School of Drama. He has designed at the Alliance Theatre, Yale School of Music, Yale Repertory Theatre, Cork Opera House, Berkshire Theatre Group, Grand Rapids Ballet, and Arlington High School. His Broadway credits as an Associate Designer include Wicked, The People in the Picture, Thurgood, Impressionism and national tours of Spamalot and Billy Elliot. He appeared in Oklahoma, South Pacific, and Fiddler on the Roof at AHS. http://www.sboyledesign.com/
Monday, May 4, 11:00 AM - Hey Mr. Producer: Justin Nichols
"You decide what's good..."
Episode #6
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Guest:
Justin Nichols is a NYC-based theatrical producer. He began his career as an intern for the Broadway productions of Wicked and Next to Normal before becoming an Executive Producing Assistant on Hamilton, among others. Justin is now producing a new musical re-imagining of Anne of Green Gables and is the Director of Operations for a Broadway adjacent media company: Broadway Brands. He has a BFA in musical theatre from Syracuse University. www.justinnicholsproduces.com
Wednesday, May 6, 11:00 AM - Film, TV and Broadway Actor: J. Smith Cameron
"Perpetual Anticipation"
Episode #7
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Guest:
J. Smith Cameron is an American actress best known for her supporting roles as Janet Talbot on the television series Rectify, Melinda on True Blood, and Gerri Kellman on Succession. Her Broadway credits include After the Night and Music, Tartuffe, Night Must Fall, Lend Me a Tenor, and Crimes of the Heart. Off-Broadway credits include Fuddy Meers, As Bees in Honey Drown, The Memory of Water, and Dear Elizabeth. She won an Obie Award for the Off-Broadway Drama Department production As Bees in Honey Drown (1997), which also earned her a Drama Desk nomination and Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, Outstanding Actress In A Play. Additional nominations include the Drama Desk Award for Sarah, Sarah (2004) and the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in the play Our Country's Good.
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Thursday,* May 7, 12:00* - Screenwriter of Love, Simon and This is Us: Isaac Aptaker
*SPECIAL DAY AND TIME
"Look, I made a hat"
Episode #8
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Guest:
Isaac Aptaker ('05) is an Emmy nominated writer and producer who works in features and television alongside his longtime partner, Elizabeth Berger.
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​Isaac and Elizabeth wrote the acclaimed comedy Love, Simon for which they won the Humanitas Prize. They are currently writing a new film based on Meg Wolitzer’s latest novel, The Female Persuasion, for Nicole Kidman to star.
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​In television, the two serve as co-showrunners and executive producers on the hit NBC drama This Is Us with series creator Dan Fogelman. They also created and executive produce the upcoming series Love, Victor which premieres on Hulu this spring. The duo continue to develop new projects via their 20th Television based production company, The Walk-Up Company.
Prior to This Is Us, Isaac and Elizabeth wrote for half-hour series such as Fox’s Grandfathered, NBC’s About a Boy, and ABC’s The Neighbors.
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​Isaac is a graduate of NYU's with a BFA in writing for screen and television. He lives and works in Los Angeles, California.
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Friday, May 8, 11:00 AM - Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theatre Director: Stephen Nachamie
"Every moment makes a contribution/Every little detail plays a part."
Episode #9
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Guest:
Stephen Nachamie is an award-winning stage and film director. His work has been seen on Broadway, in NYC, regionally and internationally. Stephen was the Associate Director to the Tony Award-nominated director Scott Ellis for the Broadway Revival of She Loves Me at Studio 54 starring Zachary Levi, Laura Benanti, and Jane Krakowski. She Loves Me was the first internationally live-streamed Broadway Show (Broadway HD). The production was shown in movie theatres across the globe and broadcast on PBS’ Great Performances. Olney Theatre Center their first Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Resident Musical.
SELECTED CREDITS:
Broadway: She Loves Me (Associate Director- 2016 Tony Winning Revival) and Great Perfomances/PBS.
New York: The Witness Project (First Person Holocaust Survivor Stories- UJA), Little Shop of Horrors – Reunion Concert – with Alan Menken, Carrie (NYFA), Small Town Confessions (with Alice Ripley and Daisy Eagan), Animals Out of Paper, Buyer and Cellar, My Name is Asher Lev, the premieres of Mr. Confidential and Foreverman (NYMF), Driving Miss Daisy, It’s a Wonderful Life, I Hate Hamlet, (Harbor Lights Theatre), Luck! (with Faith Prince), Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy (with Seth Rudetsky), Regional: Becoming Dr. Ruth, Tick, tick… BOOM!, Gutenberg! (New Rep), Cal in Camo (Denizen Theatre), Sex with Strangers, 4,000 Miles (Capital Rep), A Chorus Line (Olney Theatre – Helen Hayes Award), The Whipping Man (Omaha Playhouse), Lady Day … (WHAT), Camelot, 1776 (Olney), West Side Story (NC Theatre), Dreamgirls (WV Public). The Sunshine Boys and Almost, Maine (Barnstormers Theatre). www.stephennachamie.com
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Friday, May 8, 2:00 PM* Roz from Frasier: Peri Gilpin,
* SPECIAL TIME
"God, That's Good"
Episode #10
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Guest:
Peri Gilpin is best known for her portrayal of Roz on the long-running TV show Frasier. She has also appeared on Designing Women, Cheers, The Lionhearts, Desperate Housewives, King of the Hill, Modern Family, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Scorpion, and many other TV shows. She is the recipient of A Gracie Allen Award (Make it or Break It) and a Screen Actors Guild Award (Frasier). Peri grew up in Dallas, TX and studied at the Dallas Theatre Center, the University of Texas at Austin and London's British-American Academy.
Monday, May 11, 11:00 AM - Company Manager for Signature Theatre: Leah Mesh-Ferguson
"No strings, good times, just chums, company!"
Episode #11
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Guest:
Leah Mesh-Ferguson (’13) stage-managed A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Beauty & The Beast, A Christmas Carol, The Pajama Game, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Grease at AHS. Following high school, she spent one year in Ecuador as a Global Citizen Year Fellow. She graduated from McGill University in 2018 with a BA in Drama & Theatre Studies and Cultural Studies. During the 2018-19 season, Leah was the Company Management Fellow at Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley, CA) before landing the Company Manager role for their summer artist residency program for developing work, The Ground Floor. In 2019, she moved to NYC to begin her job as the Company Manager for the sold-out, off-off Broadway Get On Your Knees by Jacqueline Novak. While working that job, she also started her current Company Manager position at Signature Theatre.
Wednesday, May 13, 11:00 AM - Film, TV and Broadway Actor: Arian Moayed
https://meet.google.com/kyu-uzxm-jkr
Episode #12
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Guest:
Arian Moayed is a Tony-nominated actor, co-Founder and Board Chair of Waterwell - a civics-minded theatre company. He is an arts educator and an award-winning writer/director for film.
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In the theater, Mr. Moayed recently starred in the Tony Award-winning The Humans on Broadway, where he originated the role of Richard Saad. In the same season, Mr. Moayed won an Obie Award for Performance in the “Best New American Play”, Guards at the Taj, in a part written for him by Rajiv Joseph. He was nominated for a Tony award for his portrayal of Musa in Joseph’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. He has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious theaters including the Public Theater, Signature, Manhattan Theater Club, Steppenwolf, Mark Taper Forum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and many more. He is a proud recipient of the Theater World Award and Drama Desk Award.
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As a film/TV actor, Mr. Moayed has worked with Bill Murray, Alfonso Cuaron, Barry Levinson, Spike Lee, and Jon Stewart, to name a few. Notable projects: Succession, Madam Secretary, Rock the Kasbah, Appropriate Behavior, Rosewater, and an upcoming Netflix project.
As Producer of Waterwell, which he co-founded in 2002, he has helped devise over a dozen original productions including a dual-language Hamlet (played the title role), the forgotten war musical, Blueprint Specials, presented on board the Intrepid with a cast comprised of both civilian and veteran performers. Other notable Waterwell productions: Fleet Week Follies, GOODBAR (Public Theater), The|King|Operetta, Marco Millions, and The Persians.
As an educator, Mr. Moayed also administers public school arts programs with Waterwell Drama Program. With hundreds of students from all economic backgrounds, WDP offers 6-16th graders in New York City the highest quality theater training in the country absolutely free of charge. From acting to movement to clowning to devising, WDP brings world-class training to some of the brightest young stars.
As a filmmaker, Mr. Moayed is a partner of Waterwell Films, where he has written and directed numerous feature film and television projects. Currently, he is in post-production for his thriller web series The Accidental Wolf, featuring a cast with a combined 36 Tony nominations, including Kelli O’Hara, Laurie Metcalf, Denis O’Hare and Ben McKenzie. Waterwell Films is also partnering with AMC, Warner Brothers, and other studios on developing numerous future projects. He is a finalist for several film/TV writing competitions including Sundance Episodic Lab, AMC, Channel 4, and Script Pipeline.
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Friday, May 15, 11:00 AM - Broadway, Regional, Touring Actor: Michael Brian Dunn
"Pack up the Luggage Lalala"
Episode # 13
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Guest:
Michael Brian Dunn just returned from the First National Tour of Come From Away Broadway: Doctor Zhivago, The Life, Cats, Guys and Dolls, Big River, Baby, Sweeney Todd. National & International Tours: Amadeus, HMS Pinafore, If This Hat Could Talk, Stratford Festival Canada: HMS Pinafore, (Ralph Rackstraw), Nina and the Twelve Months, Tokyo (performed in Japanese). Off Broadway: Perfect Crime, Ensemble Studio Theater, Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Love In Two Countries, Lenny and The Heartbreakers & Death Of Von Richthofen both at New York Shakespeare Festival, Gifts of the Magi, Kennedy's Children. Regional Theaters: Cincinnati Playhouse, GEVA Theater, Baltimore Center Stage, Actors Theater of Louisville, Goodspeed Opera House, Walnut Street Theater Philadelphia, North Shore Music Theater, Repertory Theater of St. Louis, St. Louis MUNY, Pittsburgh CLO, San Bernardino CLO, Hartford Symphony, and South Coast Rep of CA (Drama Logue Award). Television: Law and Order: CI, Trial by Jury, Law and Order: S.V.U. Film: Julie & Julia (Ivan Cousins) starring Meryl Streep. He is also an educator who teaches through Broadway Kids Auditions www.broadwaykidsauditions.com
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Monday, May 18, 11:00 AM - Arlington High School Class of 2017
"Back again, only different than before"
Episode #14
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Zachary de Besche (‘17) is a sophomore Environmental Studies and Music (Voice) double major at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He has been in multiple plays and musicals on campus as well as two opera productions. He also recently performed in the ensemble of South Pacific with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. At AHS, he appeared in Crazy for You, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hello, Dolly!, A Christmas Carol, Shrek The Musical, Twelfth Night, Footloose, and Dead Man Walking. He also stage-managed Sure Thing for the Student-Directed One-Acts.
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Mary Elineema-kidela ('17) is a junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst pursuing a BBA in Operations and Information Management, a data analytics certificate, and a minor in African American Studies. Favorite AHS appearances include Dead Man Walking, Shrek the Musical, Twelfth Night, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Crazy for You. At UMass Amherst, Mary has had the privilege of participating in department shows and student-run shows. A memorable experience is having worked with Ifa Bayeza, a renowned playwright, debuting her original piece Infants of the Spring with her sister, the late Ntozake Shange, in the audience. Mary has had the time to grow as an actor and learn how to promote social justice initiatives in race and gender through performance activism.
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Reese Green ('17) is a rising junior at the University of Vermont, pursuing a dual degree in Neuroscience and Mathematics with a concentration in Applied and Interdisciplinary Maths. Some of her favorite AHS credits include Dead Man Walking, Twelfth Night, Peter and the Starcatcher, and A Christmas Carol. Reese recently returned from studying abroad at the University of Glasgow, where she was involved in the Shakespeare Society’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This summer, she will be a member of the Summer Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SNURF) at UVM.
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Clara Hevia ('17) is a rising senior at NYU studying music theatre. She has also studied with Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. and made her regional debut as Cordelia in King Lear this past summer with Saratoga Shakespeare Company. At AHS, Clara performed in To Kill a Mockingbird, Dead Man Walking, Twelfth Night, A Christmas Carol, Peter and the Starcatcher, Crazy for You, Shrek, Footloose, and Hello, Dolly!
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Wednesday, May 20, 11:00 AM - Theatre Administrator: Meridith Burkus
"If you keep your goal in sight/You can climb to any height"
Episode #15
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Guest:
Meridith Burkus has a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Directing Emphasis from the Boston Conservatory. She is the former Director of Individual Giving for The Public Theatre (original producers of Hair, A Chorus Line, Fun Home, and Hamilton, among many others). She was the Director of External Relations for NPR's StoryCorps and Managing Director of Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. She is currently the founder and principal consultant for In The Next. She has walked barefoot through Central Park with Amy Adams.
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Friday, May 22, 11:00 AM - Arlington High School Class of 2018
"A weekend in the country/is delightful/if it's planned"
Episode #16
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Katie Brigham ('18) is a sophomore at Sarah Lawrence College studying literature and queer theory. At AHS, she was in Hello, Dolly!, Peter and the Starcatcher, Crazy for You, The Crucible, and Wonderful Town. She also directed I Dream Before I Take the Stand. More recently, she has worked on sound design for various, devised projects at SLC and directed Christoper Durang's 'Dentity Crisis. Her focuses at school, at the moment, are stream of consciousness writing and working with trans youth.
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Bella Costantino-Carrigan (’18) is a Theatre major at Middlebury College focusing in Acting and Costume Design. At AHS, Bella appeared in The Crucible, Crazy For You, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hello, Dolly!, A Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night, and the one-act play Sure Thing. You can check out her more recent costume work at bellaricci.org.
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Olivia Graceffa (’18) is a dual major in Chemistry and Theatre at Williams College. In the summer of 2019, Olivia was selected by Williamstown theatre faculty to serve as an artist-in-residence in the STUDIO’62 summer immersion program, where she performed in short works by emerging playwrights in addition to writing and directing original pieces. In her theatrical studies, Olivia has had the opportunity to work with artists including Ellen Lauren (SITI Company Founding Member and Co-Artistic Director), Hit the Lights! (Ars Nova company-in-residence, 2018), and Kevin O’Rourke (Actor and Artistic Director). This summer, Olivia has received the Summer Science Research Fellowship in Chemistry at Williams. At AHS, some of her favorite performances included Wonderful Town, Twelfth Night, and Hello, Dolly!
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Wednesday, May 27, 11:00 AM - Chris Britt - magician, story-teller, motivational speaker
"Anything you do/let it come from you/Then it will be new/Give us more to see..."
Episode #17
Chris Britt ('02) a performer, meeting facilitator, and workshop leader who blends storytelling, hands-on magic, and improvisation. Companies including Time Inc, ABC LiveWell HD, Dell Technologies, EMC Corporation as well as industry leaders such as Try!Swift and Hypothes.is have trusted him with their brand. Chris offers tailored talks on themes including shifting perspective, creativity, mentorship, communication, managing depression, and finding inspiration. He is a graduate of Northwestern University. At AHS he appeared in Anything Goes, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Grease, and South Pacific. www.chrisbritt.com
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Friday, May 29, 11:00 AM - Howard Sherman - Arts Administrator, Advocate, Writer
"Half the fun is to plan the plan. All good things come to those who can wait."
Episode #18
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Howard Sherman is an arts administrator, advocate, and writer. In February 2015, he was named director of the new Arts Integrity Initiative at the New School for Drama, focused on creative and academic freedom in the arts.
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From 2013 to 2017, he was Interim Director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts in New York, dedicated to creating opportunities for artists of color and artists with disabilities in theatre, film and television.
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Since 2011, he has become an influential advocate for high school theatre, notably taking an active role in content challenges by school administrations in numerous communities nationally, and he writes extensively about intellectual and creative freedom in academic, community and professional theatre. He was named one of the “Top 40 Free Speech Defenders of 2014” by the National Coalition Against Censorship and he received the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund 2015 “Defender” Award for his work on artists rights and theatrical censorship.
Howard was executive director of the American Theatre Wing from 2003 to 2011. During that time, his varied responsibilities included serving as executive producer and occasional moderator of the television program “Working in the Theatre”; creating and hosting the audio program “Downstage Center”; incorporating SpringboardNYC, the Theatre Intern Group and The Jonathan Larson Grants into ATW’s programming; leading ATW’s utilization of the web and social media for distribution of and communication about its programs; conceiving the book “The Play That Changed My Life”; and serving on the Tony Awards Management and Administration Committees. In addition, he was instrumental in the development of ATW’s National Theatre Company Grants program, and secured the organization’s first-ever funding from The Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Immediately prior to joining ATW, he spent three years as Executive Director of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford CT, overseeing the Center’s educational and developmental programs, shepherding more than $1 million worth of physical plant upgrades, and re-branding The O’Neill through a coordinated communications initiative. Works developed during his tenure include August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, Lee Blessing’s Thief River and the musical Avenue Q. Sherman was Managing Director of Geva Theater in Rochester (1998-2000), where he completed a $6 million capital campaign and opened the company’s 135-seat Nextstage. He was the first General Manager of Goodspeed Musicals (1994-1998), working on 24 new and classic musicals, including the U.S. Premiere of Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s By Jeeves. As Public Relations Director of Hartford Stage (1985-1993), he represented 50 shows, from Mark Lamos’ productions of Hamlet and Peer Gynt with Richard Thomas to Marvin’s Room, Other People’s Money, and Our Country’s Good, the latter three prior to New York runs.
Howard has taught and/or guest lectured at the Yale School of Drama, Columbia University, Princeton University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Emerson College, Brooklyn College, Hartt School of Music, SUNY Purchase and University of Connecticut; was a corporation member of The Neighborhood Playhouse; on the National Board of Advisors of The Actors Fund; and was a board member of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He served for several years as an on-site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts.
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He has moderated artist conversations for public audiences for more than 30 years, having begun by leading post-performance discussions with such noted figures as Athol Fugard and JoAnne Akalaitis at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia. During his tenure at the American Theatre Wing, he was executive producer of the company’s long running television program “Working in the Theatre,” hosting 30 panel conversations among the more than 80 shows he produced, and as creator of the audio program “Downstage Center,” he interviewed 325 theatre luminaries in a seven-year span. More recently, he has moderated talks for, among others, BroadwayCon 2016, 2017 & 2018, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Mark Twain House and Museum, Writers Guild of America East, 59 E 59 Theatres and The Broadway League.
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As a speaker, he has delivered keynotes at the 2017 Florida Association of Theatre Educators conference, the 2015 KCACTF Region 2 festival, and the 2014 Educational Theatre Association’s National Conference; a public lecture on marketing the arts at Stockton State College in New Jersey; and has appeared on panels and led workshops at the KCACTF Region 1, 2 and 3 Festivals in 2016; the 2016 National Thespian Festival; 2015 Dramatists Guild National Conference; the 2015 Broadway Teachers Workshop; and at the 2015 New York International Fringe Festival, among others.
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In addition to consulting for arts organizations on management and communications, he currently writes a weekly column on U.S. theatre for The Stage in London and writes monthly for Stage Directions magazine. He has contributed articles to American Theatre Magazine, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal‘s “Speakeasy” blog, the Los Angeles Times‘ “Culture Monster” blog, The Guardian‘s “Guardian Culture Professionals” site, and HowlRound, the journal of the Center for Theatre Commons at Emerson College.
He has made two national television appearances: as a guest judge on Cupcake Wars and as a head juror on Law and Order: SVU.
Howard is a native of New Haven CT, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and resides in Manhattan.
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Monday, June 1, 11:00 AM - Erica Spyres - Actress, Singer, Musician, Coach, Voice-Over Artist
"I love you for your tears"
Episode #19
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Erica Spyres has performed on Broadway, National Tours, and concert stages around the world. She can also be spotted on national commercials, corporate videos, voiceovers, and jingles across the country. For her work on stage, she has been honored with an Elliot Norton Award and three IRNE Awards. She appeared on Broadway in the 2018 revival of Carousel, covering both Carrie and Julie and toured with Once. In Boston, she was seen in Light in the Piazza, Into the Woods, Avenue Q, Camelot, and Tribes (for which she won an Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress). She recently made her debut with the Boston Pops on their Gershwin tour. Erica played Clara in the French premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Passion (Théâtre du Châtelet). She coaches for My College Audition and can be seen and heard on commercials and voiceovers across the nation.
Erica grew up in the Ozarks singing, acting, and playing the violin (classical and bluegrass) alongside her family who was honored as the Most Musical Family in Missouri. http://www.ericaspyres.com/
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Wednesday, June 3, 11:00 AM - Ilyse Robbins - Actress, Director, Choreographer, Educator
https://meet.google.com/gdm-vmxd-rmh
"Who's the woman? I know her well"
Episode #20
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Ilyse Robbins is a Boston-based award-winning director, choreographer, actor, educator, and presentation skills coach. She is currently the Associate Artistic of Greater Boston Stage Company where some of her direction and choreography credits include She Loves Me, Dames at Sea, Mame, How to Succeed..., Thoroughly Modern Millie. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at The Lyric Stage of Boston, New Rep, Greater Boston Stage Company, Wheelock Family Theatre, and Reagle Music Theatre. She recently directed and choreographed the premiere of Swan Lake in Blue: A Jazz Ballet for Greater Boston Stage Company, winning an Elliot Norton Award (not her first) for outstanding choreography. Ilyse has taught at Wheelock, Brandeis, and Northeastern www.ilyserobbins.com
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Friday, June 5, 11:00 AM - Aaron Michael Ray - Actor, Singer, Dancer
meet.google.com/irs-ahnx-kob
"That is de-, have you/-licious, ever tasted, smell such/Oh my God, what perfect, more, that's Pies, such flavor/God, that's good!!!"
Episode #21
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Aaron Michael Ray was most recently in the touring company of Come From Away. He studied Musical Theatre at the Boston Conservatory. Boston appearances include The Scottsboro Boys and The Color Purple at SpeakEasy Stage, My Fair Lady and Sweeney Todd at the Lyric Stage of Boston, Shrek the Musical at Wheelock Family Theatre. In NYC he appeared in The Low Road at The Public Theatre and in Spamilton, an American Parody.
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In the Come From Away tour, he was dressingroom mates with our previous guest Michael Brian Dunn!
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Monday, June 8, 11:00 AM - Andrew Skeels - Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director
"Got the time and the place/And I got rhythm..."
Episode #22
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpRt0dPNvY
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Andrew Skeels is the artistic director of Skeels Danse Montréal. His work has been presented at Paris Opera’s Amphithéâtre de l’Opera Bastille, Grand Théâtre de Genève, TanzTheater International Festival Hannover, Palais des Festivals Cannes, Théâtre de Suresnes Jean-Villar, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Kansas City Ballet, Festival Quartiers Danses Montréal, Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, WestWave Dance Festival San Francisco, Colorado Ballet, and Festival Ballet Providence.
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His production for the Théâtre de Suresnes, Finding Now was the Grand Prize Winner for Best Show of the Year at the 2018 Grands Prix de la Critique in Paris. He is the winner of the 2015 Hannover Think Big Choreographic Residency Competition and received the 2013 Prix Coup de Cœur du Public from the Festival Quartiers Danses Montréal.
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He is a former dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and has performed works by Jiri Kyliàn, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Stijn Celis, Didy Veldman, Marco Goecke, Stephan Thoss, Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, and numerous other choreographers.
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Wednesday, June 10, 11:00 AM - Sheldon Henry - Singer, Actor, Performer
https://meet.google.com/gew-aeis-rbz
"When there's a pause, please/Lots of applause, please"
Episode #22
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Sheldon Henry has appeared on Broadway in The Prom and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Locally, he appeared in the award-winning The Scottsboro Boys at SpeakEasy Stage, A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre, and Show Boat at Fiddlehead Theatre. Regional credits include South Pacific a the Cape Playhouse, Memphis and Dreamgirls at Theatre Under the Stars, The Little Mermaid at Pittsburgh CLO, and Five Guys Named Moe at Arena Stage and Cleveland Playhouse. Sheldon has a BFA from the Hartt School of Music
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Friday, June 12, 11:00 AM - Kurt Crowley - Music Director, Conductor, Arranger
"I want to make things that count, things that will be new..."
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Kurt Crowley is originally from Helena, Montana, Kurt has been playing piano since the age of three, and has studied composition, arranging, music history and ethnomusicology. Currently the music director/conductor of Hamilton on Broadway, he has been part of Hamilton since early developmental stages at the Public Theater. As a conductor, his previous work includes Bring It On (Broadway), Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Off-Broadway), In The Heights (National Tour), and FLY (Dallas Theater Center).
For the new film adaptation of In The Heights (Warner Bros.). He was the vocal supervisor, working with all of the principal cast. He was the music supervisor, and contributed additional orchestrations, for the European tour of Carmen La Cubana, an Afro-Cuban version of Bizet’s Carmen, and was the original conductor of the workshop in Havana, Cuba. He was co-orchestrator and music director of the new musical One Thousand Nights and One Day (Off-Broadway), and wrote dance arrangements for Matthew Lopez’ Somewhere (Hartford Stage). Working with principal dancers from NYCB and ABT, he has been the music director for the Vail Dance Festival, performed as a pianist at Fall For Dance at NY City Center, and conducted Stravinsky's Apollo. He has also collaborated with Juilliard President Damian Woetzel at the Kennedy Center, performing in the DEMO series, as well as creating arrangements for the Kennedy Center Honors. In partnership with The Canales Project, he has served as music supervisor of Hear Her Song, a project that has commissioned forty new songs from female composers honoring women leaders, and premiered the new commissions at the National Gallery in Washington, DC. He has written arrangements and music directed for numerous Cabaret venues, including the New York ACLU Gala and Andrea Burns' Broadway Latin Party, and also has written music for Sesame Street. After studying Music and Comparative Religion at Harvard University, he received a Paine Fellowship to study classical and devotional music in North India. He composed the music for the Cuban short film La Maquina (“The Machine”), an official selection for the 2017 HollyShorts Film Festival. www.kurtcrowleymusic.com
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2010 - present
2010 - present