I made my stage debut in the Philadelphia theatre scene 25 years ago today! To celebrate, I'm sharing a few of the stories and lessons I've learned as a theatre kid that I have since taken into my career as a theatre-maker.
In this episode:
Nagel Jackson's A Christmas Carol
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Show Logo: Stephen Gordon
Ever wonder what it takes to create the spaces where pipe and drape scenery is set up? In this episode, consultant Michael Mell talks theatre design from gymnacafetoriums, to universities, to touring houses! We discuss lighting, acoustics, backstage spaces, and highlights from his book Building Better Theaters.
Find Michael Mell:
WEBSITE: https://www.theaterdesigninc.com/
Purchase his book Building Better Theaters
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Spiffin’ up Ziggy’s” from Captain Louie
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
24th STreet Theatre Associate Artistic Director and Director of Latino Theatre Programs Jesus Castaños-Chima and Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director Jay McAdams discuss the organization's annual Día de los Muertos festival in this episode of the podcast! Play this episode to learn about the evolution of their community programming in Los Angeles.
More information about 24th STreet Theatre:
WEBSITE: https://www.24thstreet.org/
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at 24th STreet Theatre every year on November 2nd!
See Pascal & Julien through October 27, 2024: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pascal-julien-tickets-972530363497?aff=oddtdtcreator
INSTAGRAM: @24thST #DDLM24thST
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “First Day” from Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Leah Thomas is an Atlanta-based actor, choreographer, and teaching artist who has completed several tours around the Atlanta area. This pipe and drape story takes us on the road with Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank. Learn about Leah’s experience sharing this historical piece, her connection to the material, and stories from behind the pipe and drape in this episode of the podcast.
Find Leah Thomas:
WEBSITE: leahthomas.net
Leah’s website designer Kate Cunningham: @katewcunningham
INSTAGRAM: @lleahthomass
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “13/Becoming a Man” from 13
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
“Who do you want to be as an artist and what do you want to say to the world?” Gillian McNally combined her passion for social justice and love of theatre in a theatrical, academic career. In this episode, Professor McNally discusses her coursework at University of Northern Colorado, her recent research, and the ways theatre can be used as a springboard for class discussions about immigration, racism, gender identity, and gun violence.
Content Warning: brief discussion of mass shootings from 15:55-19:18
Find Gillian McNally:
EMAIL: gillian.mcnally@unco.edu
Facebook: Gillian McNally
More information about University of Northern Colorado:
WEBSITE: https://arts.unco.edu/theatre/
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “I’m Just a Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
In this episode of the podcast, Hananya Allen discusses her interdisciplinary work on stage and screen as an actor, in the classroom as a teaching artist, and behind the table as a stage manager and casting assistant. The TYA, TVY, and theatre education practices at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA are covered in this interview, as well as hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the theatre field and Hananya's off-stage talents.
Find Hananya Allen:
INSTAGRAM: @hananyaballen
More information about the short film PA:
INSTAGRAM: @pashortfilm
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29780607/
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Entr'acte/Imaginary Land” from Imaginary
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Actor and Artistic Director Matt Giles shares information about South Carolina Children's Theatre's upcoming 2024-2025 season, including new work and accessibility updates. Stephen and Matt discuss SCCT's upcoming immersive production of Listen, which is being created for a high school audience and performed by teen actors, and how Matt's multi-hyphenate title informs his leadership practices. In each job, Matt has ensured that "creating joy" a core value!
More about South Carolina Children’s Theatre:
WEBSITE: https://scchildrenstheatre.org/
INSTAGRAM: @sc_childrenstheatre
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “We Deserve” from Fashion Academy
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Actor/Puppeteer Weston Chandler Long has performed on screens, streets, and stages for audiences of all ages. As a child, Weston wrote a letter to Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney, and he was then invited to meet him on the set of the children’s television program. Puppeteers like Spinney and John Tartaglia became his mentors and teachers and, eventually, coworkers. In this pipe and drape story, Weston shares his how his puppetry skillset that was honed during his work in children’s media led him to play Off-Broadway’s most blood-thirsty plant, Audrey II, in Little Shop of Horrors.
Find Weston Chandler Long:
WEBSITE: http://www.westonlong.com/
INSTAGRAM: @westonclong
Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway: https://littleshopnyc.com/
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Storm” from The Storm Whale
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/07/episode-35-weston-chandler-long.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
In this pipe and drape story, The Growing Stage Founder and Executive Director Stephen L. Fredericks shares how he started the children's theatre of New Jersey, which is entering its 43rd season of entertainment in the fall of 2024! The company’s five-person staff, board, and team of volunteers have served three generations of theatre goers through tours, classes, community engagement, and play reading festivals, encouraging each to “play, laugh, and grow.” Play this interview to learn about Stephen’s early days as a performer, influence from Arizona State University’s Dr. Don Doyle and Lin Wright, and efforts to challenge audiences and creators through storytelling.
More about The Growing Stage:
WEBSITE: https://growingstage.com/
INSTAGRAM: @thegrowingstage
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “The Jitterbug” from The Wizard of Oz.
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/07/episode-34-stephen-l-fredericks.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
At the intersection of theatre, education, advocacy, and West 42nd Street is Theatre For Young Audiences/USA Executive Director Sara Morgulis. Sara has been a leader in theatre education and creator of theatre for young audiences since she herself was a young audience member. In this pipe and drape story, Sara shares stories from the classroom, motherhood, and her position at the non-profit organization that is shaping the future of theatre for young audiences: TYA/USA.
More about TYA/USA:
WEBSITE: https://www.tyausa.org/
INSTAGRAM: @tyausa1965
FACEBOOK: TYAUSA
We’d love you to check out:
This TYA Today article: Most Produced TYA Plays and Artists of the 2023-2024 Season
Five by Sara Morgulis and Brooke Boertzel
The LEAD Conference
Actionplay: https://actionplay.org/
Milo Imagines the World at Children's Theatre Company
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Animal Heart” from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
Connect with Pipe and Drape:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/06/episode-33-sara-morgulis.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
"What is the absolute minimum we can use to effectively share a story?" This is a question I hear often in the theatre for young audiences world. In this dinky episode, I explore the connection between TYA storytelling practices and the living habits I have adopted while working in the industry–like keeping everything I value most inside my backpack at all times.
Music from this episode:
“Backpack, Backpack!” - Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon Records)
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/03/dinky-episode-12-care-to-unpack-that.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Show Logo: Stephen Gordon
The theatre is a space for ritual and celebration. This year, I'm celebrating the ten year anniversary of many of my show-related traditions! Play this episode to hear the stories behind my traditions (and elements of the podcast logo!)
Music from this episode:
"Tradition" - Fiddler on the Roof (Upper Darby Summer Stage cast, 2013) music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/12/dinky-episode-11-traditions.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Show Logo: Stephen Gordon
Artistic Director Jeff Frank shares his experience putting the Rankin/Bass classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on stage for the very first time at First Stage in Milwaukee. Listen to this episode to learn how problem solving flying sequences in the world premiere of Peter and Wendy led to the key design elements of Rudolph and how getting every scenic and costume element just right down to the specific colors of polkadots brought the “homespun, hand crafted” feeling of the holiday special that we love to the stage. Jeff shares some of First Stage's core values in this interview including the ways that the organization raises community artists!
More about First Stage:
WEBSITE: https://www.firststage.org/
INSTAGRAM: @first.stage
See a regional production of Rudolph:
At Northwest Children’s Theatre and School (Portland, OR): https://nwct.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0S6T00000preupUAA
The Coterie (Kansas City, MO): https://thecoterie.org/2023-2024/rudolph-2023/
Childsplay (Phoenix, AZ): https://www.childsplayaz.org/rudolph23
and touring everywhere in between: https://www.rudolphthemusical.com/tour
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: "The Happy Elf" from Harry for the Holidays by Harry Connick, Jr.
Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here!
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/11/episode-32-jeff-frank.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
"The van changes people.” In this pipe and drape story, Stage Manager Mason Huse takes us on a journey from subletting apartments, to packing for small tours, dealing with bed bugs, learning about theatre ghosts, and other hilarious "horrors.” And wonderful things, too! You’ll hear more about his (really good!) experiences with ArtsPower National Touring Theatre in this episode!
Find Mason Huse:
INSTAGRAM: @masonhuse
LinkedIn: Mason Huse
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Cupid’s Ball” from Zombie in Love
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/10/episode-31-mason-huse.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Recent Drama Desk winner and Tony Nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot, Peter and the Starcatcher, Rocky, Frozen) shares his pipe and drape story in this episode of the podcast! Throughout Kevin’s career as an actor on Broadway, he has simultaneously written the books and lyrics for some of the theatre for young audiences industry’s most popular titles (Dog Man, Cat Kid Comic Club, Madagascar) and children’s television (Emmy Award-winning series Peg + Cat, Blues Clues & You, Wonder Pets!) Hear how Kevin went from penning Off-Broadway's Altar Boyz to juggling Broadway, film, and tv in this episode!
Find Kevin Del Aguila:
INSTAGRAM: @kevinoftheeagle
See Some Like It Hot on Broadway through December 30, 2023: https://somelikeithotmusical.com/
See Kevin's work on the road via TheaterWorksUSA: https://twusa.org/shows-artists/on-tour-2/
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: "Robo-Dance Party" from Dog Man: The Musical
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/10/episode-30-kevin-del-aguila.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Director, teaching artist, and facilitator Jon Royal shares information about leading workshops and rehearsals with actors and government officials in this episode of Pipe and Drape! His pipe and drape story takes us from adaptation of classical text wtih Will Power to Youth at the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, to a conference with the Government Alliance for Racial Equity, to the new stage adaptation of India Hill Brown's The Forgotten Girl at First Stage in Milwaukee.
Find Jon Royal:
INSTAGRAM: @jon.royal.003
LinkedIn: Jon Royal
See Jon Royal's production of The Forgotten Girl at First Stage, fall 2023: https://www.firststage.org/events-tickets/2023-24-season/the-forgotten-girl/
Learn about Will Power to Youth at Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles: https://www.shakespearecenter.org/wp-to-youth
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Put You in Your Place” from The Lightning Thief
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/09/episode-29-jon-royal.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
We are diving into teaching artistry to celebrate the back-to-school season and National Arts in Education Week! Teaching Artist Johanna Gorman-Baer leads groups of students through classes, camps, and residencies with The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis year-round. Her classes are focused on emotional literacy and filled with group activities, games, storytelling, and conversation. The program at CTC is designed for every kid, not just aspiring performers!
Learn more about The Children's Theatre Company:
INSTAGRAM: @childrenstheatrecompany
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Entr'acte” from A Year With Frog and Toad
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/09/episode-28-johanna-gorman-baer.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Actor Robert Hooghkirk shares his experience bringing literature, math, and science to students and families by way of the Chamber Theatre of Boston. The company has been touring for over 45 years, prioritizing the original written words of novelists and thinkers that are taught in schools throughout the country. Robert's pipe and drape story is filled with anecdotes about character building, truck driving, and life from the road!
Find Robert Hookghkirk:
INSTAGRAM: @robert.hooghkirk
See Robert in Sweeney Todd August 30-September 9, 2023 at Winnepesaukee Playhouse: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=154040
See Robert in Corduroy October 20-29, 2023 at Winnepesaukee Playhouse: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=154029
Learn more about the virtual programming from Chamber Theatre: https://www.chambertheatre.com/encore-virtual
Read about Robert Breen and his introduction of chamber theatre style: https://findingaids.library.northwestern.edu/agents/people/1031
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “I Can Be Anything” from Freckleface Strawberry The Musical
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/08/episode-27-robert-hooghkirk.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon
Get in the car and cue up the tape player, we’re going on a drive. The summer is heating up so it’s time for a road trip, and in this Dinky episode I’m talking about getting behind the wheel.
Music from this episode:
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - Sunshine on Leith by The Proclaimers
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/08/dinky-episode-10-driving.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Show Logo: Stephen Gordon
In this episode, actor and teaching artist Leah Senseney shares how one audition at a theatre in Delaware led her make a life as a Philadelphia performer and teaching artist. She shares tales from several theatre for young audiences contracts, teaching artist positions, and what it's like to share a stage with her partner!
Find Leah Senseney:
INSTAGRAM: @sense_nonsense1
See Leah in Into the Woods this fall at The Candlelight Theatre: https://candlelighttheatredelaware.showare.com/event-performances.asp?evt=32
Learn more about The Theatre School at Walnut Street Theatre: https://walnutstreettheatre.coursestorm.com
This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: "Lucille, Camille, Chenille" from Junie B. Jones The Musical
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2023/08/episode-26-leah-senseney.html
INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories
EMAIL: PipeAndDrapeStories@gmail.com
Host: Stephen Fala
Artwork: Stephen Gordon