Joseph Siravo was born on March 11 and on the day of his birth, we celebrate his life with a re-release of our tribute to him. Thirty people from Joe’s life joined forces for this special episode, originally recorded in 2021. They share their memories of Joe, talk about the influence he had on their lives and, collectively, they tell his story. A magnificent actor best known for his work in The Sopranos, Carlito's Way and American Crime Story: The People vs. O. J. Simpson, Joe was also ...

Conductor Kwamé Ryan is the final guest for Season 2 of the podcast. Mr. Ryan's international career includes holding the position of General Musical Director of Freiburg Opera, Musical and Artistic Director of the National Orchestra of Bordeaux and Musical Director of the National Youth Orchestra of France. As a guest conductor, he has worked with the Paris Opera, Belgian National Opera, English National Opera and many more. In 2011, he was inducted as an officer in the Order of Arts and Let...

Kimberly Vaughn is a performance coach, teacher, actress, producer, director and dramaturg. One of the things she focuses on at the Kimberly Vaughn Performance Studio is releasing her students’ need to be perfect and "get it right the first time” so that they can be improvisational beings and bring their own unique humanity to the stories they tell. This episode is centered on that idea. Kimberly and Denis also discuss the challenges of the audition waiting room, why she tells her students "y...

Will Burrard-Lucas is a prolific British wildlife photographer. He is known for developing innovative devices such as the BeetleCam and camera traps. Some of his projects include The Black Leopard, Land of Giants, Ethiopian Wolf and Year in Zambia. Will discusses safety, conservation, commitment, his relationship to Africa, the different purposes of photography and how he found his passion. Denis' conversation with Will inspires him to think about depth of experience versus breadth of experie...

Darian Sanders is about to step into the role of Simba in the National Tour of The Lion King, make his New York debut in Songs for a New World at New City Music Theatre on August 26 and he starts work next week on recording his first album. Denis sits down with his friend to discuss his inspiring and unconventional path to being a busy professional performer. Darian started late in life and never expected to be on a musical stage. Darian talks about how having a strong purpose in life g...

Joseph Siravo was a magnificent actor who passed on earlier this year. Best known for his work in The Sopranos, Carlito's Way, American Crime Story: The People vs. O. J. Simpson and the original Broadway productions of Oslo and The Light in the Piazza, Joe was also a profoundly gifted teacher and an extraordinary human being. Thirty people from Joe’s life contributed to this special tribute episode. They share their memories of Joe, talk about the influence he had on their lives and, collecti...

Martine Kei Green-Rogers is a freelance dramaturg, theatre educator and author. Her credits include the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Goodman Theatre, Kennedy Center and Court Theatre. She is the Past President of the Literary Managers and Dramturgs of the Americas and is currently the Interim Dean of the Division of Liberal Arts at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Martine obtained her Ph.D. from the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. De...

Stephanie Pope's career as a performer is over 35 years long and includes over 10 Broadway shows. Stephanie worked directly with Bob Fosse on Sweet Charity and Big Deal, in addition to performing his material in many shows after his passing. She now teaches Fosse rep for The Verdon Fosse Legacy as one of their legacy teachers. Stephanie talks about the significance of Fosse's work in her life and why it's important to her to protect its integrity as she passes it on to the next generation. Sh...

David W. Connolly is a Canadian director and educator and the Associate Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment, where he has helmed over 30 productions. He also happens to be a double below-knee amputee. As an advocate deeply committed to disability inclusion in the arts, David shares his thoughts about the true goal for disabled representation and what he believes needs to happen in order for positive change to occur. David and Denis also discuss the healing nature of musical theatre, wh...

k. Jenny Jones is a fight master, fight director, actress and a professor of acting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). She also served as Board President for the ground breaking organization Intimacy Directors International (IDI) and is a passionate advocate for consent culture. In this episode, she discusses intimacy, the relatively new position of the intimacy director and coordinator, its connection to the #metoo movement and how this work improves so many...

Devin Shacket is an on-camera acting coach, actress and casting professional. Devin talks about auditioning for TV and Film, what she focuses on in her on-camera classes and how her experience in casting has influenced her approach as a teacher. Devin shares how and why she created the New York Drama Center and gives insight into the work of some of the acclaimed faculty at the Center, including Jim Calder and Olympia Dukakis. Devin and Denis also debate the term "master teacher", discuss the...

Enrique Martínez Celaya is an artist, author and former scientist whose work has been exhibited and collected by major institutions worldwide. His work is held in over 50 public collections internationally, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His book On Art and Mindfulness, based on workshops he taught at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, moved Denis greatly. This episode explores many ideas in the book includin...

Aneesh Sheth, a singer, actress and activist in New York, speaks about visibility and what it means to her. Aneesh and Denis also discuss her journey with Shakespeare, her background in classical music, representation in the theater industry, finding your own path and the significance of some of her career highlights including playing Gillian in the third season of Jessica Jones and Carly in Southern Comfort at the Public Theatre. Aneesh Sheth: Website: www.aneeshsheth.com Instagram: @anees...

Karl Bury is a New York based actor and the founder of the Karl Bury Studio. Denis sits down with his longtime scene study teacher to ask him about some of the ideas he returns to often in class. They chat about why Karl encourages his students to stay with one role for a long time, what the purpose of his class warm up is, how resistance interferes with progress and why he doesn't pretend to have all the answers. Karl Bury: TKBS: www.thekarlburystudio.com IMDB Photo: Hannah Thomson Denis:...

Nathaniel J. Hall (It's a Sin) is an award-winning theatre-maker, performer, writer and activist based in Manchester. Nathaniel talks about putting his own life onstage in his play First Time and how it helped him confront stigma and shame both in his own life and the lives of people in his audiences. Nathaniel and Denis discuss the unique power of autobiographical storytelling as well as its unique challenges. They also chat about the miniseries It's a Sin and the huge contribution it has ma...

Kimberly Marable, a Hadestown original cast member and one of the co-founders of Broadway Serves, talks about forging a path for herself in the industry. Kimberly tells a story from her time in The Lion King and Denis and her unpack the lessons behind it. Kimberly also talks about how being of service brings her joy and about why it's important to learn how to advocate for yourself and to develop a strong business sense. Kimberly Marable: Instagram: @misskimizzo Twitter: @misskimizzo Faceboo...

Emmy and Tony Award winning set designer Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, A Soldier's Play) chats with Denis about his design process. Derek reveals a memorable obstacle in his career and breaks down several of his sets in detail. He talks about how he learned to never settle and why he believes a lot of set design is the study of character. Derek McLane: Website: www.derekmclane.com Instagram: @derekmclane Twitter: @derekmclane Photo: Monique Carboni Denis: Website: www.denislamber...

Amy Jo Jackson, the recipient of the 2019 Denovan Fellowship in Cabaret, is a popular and brilliant cabaret performer who has performed at every major cabaret venue in New York City. Amy Jo breaks down the process behind some of the shows they have created, talks about what makes cabaret work for them and has a fun discussion with Denis about a sometimes misunderstood art form that they both adore. Amy Jo Jackson: Website: www.amyjojackson.com Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/AmyJoJackson Insta...

Callie Holley is a junior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and one of the subjects of the Netflix documentary Giving Voice, which follows high school students competing in the annual August Wilson Monologue Competition. Callie and Denis discuss what August Wilson's work means to her, her passion for producing, where she wants to be in 5 and 20 years and why the competition helped give her the courage to be herself. Callie Holley: Instagram: @callieholley Twitter: @callieholley Facebook: /call...

Jessica Wu is a New York City based writer, director and songwriter whose works include "You, Me, I, We" and the upcoming "Poupelle of Chimney Town". Denis talks to Jessica about how she made the transition from being an accomplished Broadway performer to being a full time creator of new work. Jessica shares why she feels motivated to write and reveals why young people give her hope that the arts industry might actually change in the ways it needs to. Jessica Wu: Website: www.jessica-wu.com...