Evil Thespian

Dougie Robbins is a director and choreographer who is giving me life right now now! Dougie really brings enthusiasm, sincerity, and impeccable energy to the floor. In this episode, we discuss how drama is expressed through Dougie’s directorial framework, and, in parallel, talk about two 45 minute plays he’s currently working on.

Topics include: good lighting, code switching, furniture arranging, and so much more!

Follow Dougie today! IG: @dougie.robbins

TORITO x IF I CLEANED EVERYTHING will be at the Gene Frankel Theatre May 21st - May2...

Jeremy Wechsler is Theater Wit's Producing Artistic Director. On this episode, Jeremy joins us to discuss his direction of Prayer for the French Republic by Joshua Harmon, co-produced with Northlight Theatre. The play, set in 1944 and 1945, during the Vichy Government's fall, and in 2016 and 2017, delves into the complexities of personal relationships to their Jewish identity and the challenges of navigating cultural expectations. Throughout the episode, Jeremy and I discuss the play's themes of safety, belonging, and individual choices in the face of uncertainty.  Don’t miss the Chicago premiere of this powerful play, blending sharp humor and profound drama in...

Frank Mosley is an actor and filmmaker from Texas, now living in Los Angeles. He is an alumnus of the 2015 Berlinale Talents, the 2017 NYFF Artist Academy at Lincoln Center, and Black Factory Cinema’s 2016 Auteur Workshop led by Abbas Kiarostami in San Antonio de los Banos, Cuba. He participated as an actor in the 2016 Austin Film Society Artist Intensive under the direction of Charles Burnett.
Most notably, Frank is also the curator for Required Reading, a staged reading series in Los Angeles that highlights new work from both emerging and established playwrights.
In this episode, we talk ab...

Jersey City Theater Center is producing CRIMES OF THE HEART in collaboration with Motherfather productions. Presented by Jersey City Theater Center.

In this episode, we are joined by actor Audrey Rose Arnold and international film and theater director Albert Rudnitsky to discuss this play, in all of its paradoxes, and complexities.

GET TIX HERE

A RED UMBRELLA IN THE CRYSTAL WHITE SNOW is a play written by Jack Dyville. Two different people from two different generations and two different walks of life form a friendship that transcends life itself. Challenged by declining conditions, the story is a testament to the resilience of human connection. In this episode, we are joined by director and producer Julia Genoveva, actors Candice Brown, Gus Ferrari, and stage manager Katy Fuller to discuss this truly wholesome play!

GET TIX HERE

PERFORMANCES

FRI 3/21, 6PM

SAT 3/22, 6...

Leah is an Irish actor!

Leah's is playing the role of "yellow" in Dakota Silvey's The Maker: A Play on Words directed by Dougie Robbins. It's a new absurdist play about labels, the way we perceive them, and society at large, which often prescribes them to us. It follows characters who represent a spectrum of three colors, assigned to them by an omnipotent "Maker". As the play progresses, they navigate labels amongst themselves, each other, and they explore what makes them unique and what unifies them and come to a realization. The Maker : A Play on Words...

She also wears her heart on her sleeve in Dakota Silvey’s The Maker: A Play on Words which opens on January 23rd at the AMT Theatre.
In this episode, Eliza and I talk about self-defined roles as a means of self expression. How do our lived experiences inform our identity? Moreover, how do we communicate our identity to others?
Eliza describes the play as absurd but also existential. There’s a playfulness that invites the audience to wonder, explore, and find joy.

Follow Eliza today! IG: @elizavann

Visit Eliza's Websi...

Dakota Silvey is a playwright, pyrotechnician, an EMT, prior USAF, and former firefighter.

Dakota's new play is called The Maker: A Play on Words directed by Dougie Robbins. It's a new absurdist play about labels, the way we perceive them, and society at large, which often prescribes them to us. It follows characters who represent a spectrum of three colors, assigned to them by an omnipotent "Maker". As the play progresses, they navigate labels amongst themselves, each other, and they explore what makes them unique and what unifies them and come to a realization. The Maker : A...

She’s also a director, teaching artist, digital editor, consultant, and founder of the Let’s Make a Play playwriting program for kids and adults.
Her first full-length play is called Agency for the Lost and it’s coming out at The Tank this January.
The play deals with the dynamics of parental abandonment, work culture, and chasing elusive rewards, through a Twilight zone lens. In this episode, Serena and I discuss topics like work/creative balance, being subversive, being existential, being a mother, and so much more!

GET TICKETS TO AGENCY FOR THE LOST HERE<...

Stephee Bonifacio (pronounced stevie) is an actor who recently found her artistic community within the past two years, which has helped her connect with other artists across different disciplines, describing how seeing others' creative projects motivates her to pursue her own "next big thing." In this episode, Stephee and I discuss learning styles in acting, and ways to observe the self in the effort to drive growth as an actor. Topics also include: being shy at first, experiencing your first big break, acting in new environments, and so much more!

Follow Stephee Here! IG...

In this episode, Producer Sophia Castuera and Director and Playwright Spencer Whale join us to talk about Making Our Space Theatre Company's inaugural production of Kin by Bathsheba Doran. Esteemed members of a company dedicated to creative communal spaces, they touch on the many things that make this play so contemporary. It's told through a series of scenes that might otherwise be found on the cutting room floor of a romantic comedy, and aims to bring a universal through the vehicle of two extremely unique characters. Sophia and Spencer talk about what their journey has been like bridging these...

Grayce Toon is a writer and actor. She's starring in Phil Carroll’s Failsafe, set to premiere at The Tank in New York City on December 8th. A contemporary take on grisly last ditch efforts, Grayce describes this play as pitch black comedy. It's a play that calls for a lot of emotional processing, and considering Grayce's balanced technical approach, she's confident that audiences will experience a wide range of emotional disorder. In this episode, we get to know Grayce, the character she plays, and discuss our love of the living an intellectual life without getting too intellectual. Topics al...

Mari Sitner is an actor and playwright, currently living in Inwood. Originally from the Detroit area, she is an exemplar of Midwestern sincerity and earnestness. Her new play, Nebraska, is a kitchen sink comedy that takes a turn for the grotesque, exploring the dark, hidden corners of family dynamics and desperation. In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind Nebraska, discuss the play’s blend of humor and horror, and explore Mari’s creative process as a playwright. 

Follow Mari today: IG: @marisitner

See Nebraska here! : @nebraskanyc

Samuel Vita is a theatrical and screen actor born and raised in the South Shore area of Massachusetts. Samuel moved to New York City in 2015 to obtain his B.F.A in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. There, he trained at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute and Stonestreet Studios. After graduating, Samuel continued to develop his craft at the Terry Knickerbocker Studio and Matt Newton Acting Studio. In this episode, Samuel talks about all the things he loves about acting, the things he's challenged by, and the philosophies he's led by.

In this episode, I am joined by actress, producer, and fellow podcaster Michelle Moriarty! Michelle just finished shooting a film with our friend Juan, and presently, is preparing for an unannounced play that you can see in January in Bushwick (So chic). Michelle and I discuss the importance of scene study, and why it's important to stay in tune with natural impulses. If ever there were a single guiding principle every actor must follow, Michelle says it's to say your lines like they're true. Together, we exchange ideas on staying consistently truthful in acting, and revel in our shared...

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Paul and I are back at it again! And this time we assembled some very awkward topics that eventually took off into a coherent conversation. Join us today for a chatty episode from the studio where we talk about some of our favorite things: traveling, throwing parties, mini bars, Coachella, Lollapalooza, and so much more!

Makeup artist Caitlyn Piccirillo and Costumer Grace Wylie are working together on City Gate Production's New York premiere of Frankenstein, a new adaptation by Vincent S. Hannam. They join us today to discuss the makeup and costume design process, and we learn how it's being made an essential part of this show. Tasked against an 1830s backdrop, their creative collaboration calls for an ambitious amount of brocades, bruising, blood, and gore. Perfect way to ring in the fall season! If you like puffy sleeves and padded shoulders, this episode, and this show, will be right up your alley.

Max Stewart is a true testament to the actor's journey, showcasing a career defined by unwavering excellence and unparalleled work ethic. Now, he's making his Steppenwolf debut in Noises Off. In this episode, we delve into the highs and lows of Max's journey, and offer an inspiring look into what it takes to succeed as an actor, staying focused, calm and confident in your craft. Topics also include: overcoming imposter syndrome, put things into existence, living your best life, Chicago in the summer, and so much more!

Follow Max here: @maxflash4

Get...

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Welcome to the September episode with Paul!!! We are kicking off this lovely September to do some serious cultural commentary. Covering a myriad of topics, we're touching on films we've seen, interviews we've watched, music we're listening to, and so much more! Enjoy!!!

Cael Sullivan is an artist, filmmaker, and playwright joining us to discuss his play, Boutonniere: A Drama On Queer Themes. Characters Max and Josh must practice their first dance as a married couple. As the clock ticks and wine is poured, their impending union brings up old traumas, secrets, and shame. Their last night of unmarried life is made un-easy when their ideas about their gayness and the tradition of marriage, and the relationship between the two, combat one another’s. All the while, someone won't stop knocking on their door.

Cael talks about how the story re...

Argia Coppola is an Italian actress, scholar, and playwright currently workshopping her play Cursed. Cursed is an adaptation of the Joyce Carol Oates novel Love is Blonde. Argia has been developing this play for years, and was so kind to share space with me to talk about its upcoming workshop. Starring Annie Hägg ,Cursed is a bold, breathless, tragic and timely play for an actress and a four-man jazz band, in which music becomes a character in and of itself. It’s profound, fast-paced, employs unique theatrical conventions, and depicts the life of the Blonde Actress as never seen...

Argia Coppola is an Italian playwright, scholar, and actress. Her play, Cursed is a distinguished adaptation of the Joyce Carol Oates novel Love is Blonde. Argia has been developing this play for years, and was so kind to share space with me to talk about its upcoming workshop. Starring Annie Hägg ,Cursed is a bold, breathless, tragic and timely play for an actress and a four-man jazz band, in which music becomes a character in and of itself. It’s profound, fast-paced, employs unique theatrical conventions, and depicts the life of the Blonde Actress as never seen before.

Julia Genoveva is an actor, write, director, and the driving force behind her powerhouse of of a play, ELAINE. This play is extremely personal to Julia and I was honored that the cast of Elaine could join us to discuss these characters in parallel! This play explores complex relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters. Throughout the conversation, we delved into the actor's personalities and responses of their respective characters. Topics include: the importance of forgiveness, perseverance, shifting attitudes towards parenting, being at rock bottom, and so much more! What happens when you meet your mother and it goes completely...

Well, well, well, look who's back. It's Paul, and we're here for a just chatting episode. Please enjoy the following topics: critical theory, AI, TheatreTech, Cabaret, me not knowing where to look, and so much more.

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Today I am here with producer director, arts manager, and applied theatre practitioner MARENA FAYE. In what seems to be a blossoming Sapphic vibe shift in pop culture, we take this special moment to talk about NYC’s premiere sapphic playwriting competition and play festival, SAPPHEST. Celebrating the works of queer women and sapphic-identifying individuals, Sapphest will feature five 10 minute plays each inspired by a classic sapphic pop song. We're talking about it!! Marena shares her vision for Sapphest, and in addition, we cheer on some of our favorite Sapphic pop artists. (Kehani and Tinashe to name a few) Th...

In this episode we are joined by PAUL! For a just chatting episode, we discuss our feelings on FX's THE BEAR, Ebon Mass-Bachrach's accent, Chicago linguistics, and so much more!

This episode is sponsored by MAGIC MIND!

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Real life licensed therapist, storyteller, and improviser Jude Treder-Wolff joins us to talk about her hit solo show FASTER. The limited Off-Broadway engagement plays at Playhouse 46 and is part of the Turn the Lights On! Festival. The play which had its World Premiere at The NYC Fringe Festival in the Spring, runs Saturday, July 6 at 4:30pm and Sunday, July 7 at 3pm. FASTER tackles the world speeding up and the mental ramifications it has on us. Longtime collaborator Suzanne Bachner directs.

Through true stories about trying to understand her partner’s opposite approach to change, she frames a narrat...

Today we are joined by actor Katy Shafer and Sivan Raz of Needs More Work Productions! They're here to talk about their upcoming production titled ANTI-GONE, a reimagined, site-specific, immersive take on an old classic. Think Antigone, but extremely meta. And staged outdoors, of course. Actor Katy plays the role of Antigone, strong willed and laser focused. Katy and Sivan, co-director of Needs More Work Productions, discuss their combined efforts to create a version of Antigone that is centered in character building, while also surfacing some of the core political topics the play calls into question. Listen now!

We're in the presence of an MFA, people! Today on Evil Thespian we are joined by the ICONIC Rabiah Rowther! Rabiah is a director, screenwriter, and occasional producer currently based in New York City. Additionally, she is also a screening committee member for the Hampton's International Film Festival. Rabiah recently graduated from The Actor's Studio Drama School MFA program's directing track. So we're talking about directing in this one! There's a lot to cover - composition, actor-director communication, staging, owning the vision, and so much more. Rabiah offers us some serious expertise you don't want to miss out on...

Today on Evil Thespian we are joined by Jaclyn Bethany and Lin Gathwright, Co-Artistic Directors of The Fire Weeds. As a new female focused theatre company offering bold interpretations, their upcoming production is titled Outraged Hearts. A new immersive take on Tennessee Williams, Outraged Hearts features two early prototypes for The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar named Desire (Pretty Trap and Interior: Panic). It comes to NYC after a successful run in New Orleans in association with The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival, and is being co-produced in NYC by Tony nominated Future Home Productions. We're here t...

The first repertory production in Chicago in over a decade, THE SARCOMA CYCLE, written and directed by Logan Berry,  is a three act play set in three distinct time periods, tracing the accelerating growth of technology, alienation, and violence in the USA. Cast members Sara Zalek and Dylan Fahoome join us to discuss the maximalist nature of the rehearsals, the process, the stories, and the characters. What is it like to build out a three act play and incorporate unprecedented use of technology in a theatrical setting? Listen today to find out, and get your tickets to The Sarcoma Cyc...

Terry Knickerbocker is the artistic director of the Terry Knickerbocker studio, a prestigious professional acting studio in Brooklyn. Equipped with over 25 years of training and teaching under William Esper, Terry is dedicated to helping ambitious actors express themselves at the highest level of their abilities. In this episode, Terry tells all about his approach to training, and how the use of Meisner unlocks a place artistically where anything can be expressed.

And guess what? If you are interested in registering for Terry's Summer Acting intensive, use this link here to apply: https://terryknickerbockerstudio.com...

Alida Rose Delaney joins us to talk about

ONE WINGED DOVE, skillfully penned and directed by Matthew Gasda, the narrative centers around Sam, a gifted young writer grappling with his inner demons. Alida takes on the role of Lydia, Sam's girlfriend, who delicately maneuvers through her own vulnerabilities, mirroring Sam's struggle with a pattern of self-destruction. Alida gives us a wonderful glimpse into the rich emotional complexity of these characters, while also discussing her unique and profound connection to the play.

ONE WINGED DOVE will play in the East Village on May 30...

In this episode we are joined by Ava O'Dea, Emma Woodward, and Sarah Santamaria to discuss EVERYONE IN NEW YORK IS BEAUTIFUL. A new play written by Christian Flynn, directed by Emma Woodward. Drama and chaos ensues when two couples decide to open their relationship. Testing the waters and pushing each others boundaries, the couples uncover a newness in both their identity, and their partners. Topics discuss: Starbucks, Edging, Polyamory, Politics, Power, Tote Bags, and so much more!

GET TICKETS TODAY HERE

Follow Ava! IG: @avaodea

Follow...

Susannah Yugler is a dancer, artist, and playwright. With a shared love of Greek melodrama, joins us to discuss her original upcoming play, CASSANDRA, which she is also directing. Inspired by Euripides' The Trojan Women, CASSANDRA is a satyr play –– musing on New York as a Trojan symbol coping with the weight of impending disaster. Susannah talks about her inspiration for this play, and how placing emphasis on composition can make for some powerful statements.

Topics also include: The use of narrative in the dance world, women's intuition, being 30, taking up space, casts of characters, acting with objec...

Christian Flynn is a playwright, performer, and self proclaimed baby girl of indie theatre. In this episode, Christian joins us to discuss their theatrical and comedic work, focusing on the most notable project, GAMEPIECE. Christian's concept for the show involves creating a unique, immersive, and experimental atmosphere, with a plot that's completely in response to audience interactions. In parallel, we get some sweet insights into a very special play Christian recently wrote. Topics also include: Frank Zappa, moving to the village, Candyland, being an emcee, and so much more!!!

Follow Christian @christianfuckingflynn

...

Elliot Schiff is a Chicago-based playwright and comedian. Currently pursuing their MFA at Northwestern University, Elliot joined me on this lovely day to chat and talk about their most recent reality-show inspired play I'm Not Here To Make Friends. Elliot details their intrepid MFA journey, and the virtue they've discovered in embracing their own messiness along the way. Elliot is absolutely brilliant, incredibly discerning, and a stand out testament to the collaborative spirit of the Chicago theatre community. Topics also include: Feeling beautiful, talking to people, working agile, staying hydrated, and so much more!

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Paige Esterly is a writer, producer, and creator of F*cked Up Play Fest! NYC's best and only play festival that is also a drinking game!!! So this an absolute genius idea. I myself am a loyal steward of creative debauchery, and was keen on learning how this festival originally came to be - Paige tells us how it all began from the initial idea, to forging a community, to watching it grow into the most jovial of all theatre environments. We learn about the drama, the drinking game, and discuss the unique ways it's brought non-theatre people to...

We are joined by Nicholas Turturro and Michael Ortiz of SERIALS. Serials is an episodic short-play competition featuring the hottest actors, directors, and playwrights in indie theatre! Nicholas Turturro is an actor, participating artist and marketing director of Serials, and Michael Ortiz is a producer, and host of Serials. Valiantly carrying the Serials torch, we discuss their shared efforts to build out the industry in ways that celebrate and champion creative spontaneity. Topics also include: scarcity of rental spaces, vulnerability, the phrase "up-and-coming", low-budget prop solutions, and so much more!!

Catch Serials March 28th, 29...

Grace Sallee is a multidisciplinary artist with a contagious, vibrant passion for powerful storytelling. Grace stops by Evil Thespian to discuss her character in FLIGHT RISK (now opening in one week!) detailing her experience playing a character she describes as living on borrowed time. Flight Risk calls into question our collective relationship with unexpected tragedy, and we talk about how paranoia and resiliency seem to function as key themes. In parallel, Grace shares some great stories about the work she's put in to get to this point, how we relish in the times our minds and bodies are put...