Garrick Morgan, aka Garrick Vaughan, is part of the steering committee for the newly-formed Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia. He tells all about what BTAP is, what they do, and why their work is so important. Plus he shares some of his thoughts on how to create a more equitable theatre community.

Please follow and donate to BTAP at www.blacktheatrephiladelphia.org.

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Meet the new Executive Director of Theatre Philadelphia, LaNeshe Miller-White! LaNeshe also works with Theatre in the X and the Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia. She tells us all about her amazing work to support BIPOC artists in Philly and what she hopes to achieve in her new role.

If you are a theatre artist out of work in the pandemic, you can apply for emergency relief at www.theatrephiladelphia.org.

Please consider donating to the Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia at www.blacktheatrephiladelphia.org and/or Theatre in the X at www.theatreinthex.com.

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

We invited Chad Parsons on to talk about his new podcast, Theatre with P.R.I.D.E., during Pride Month. But of course, the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests changed the conversation. We talked out our feelings about racism in America, and particularly in theatre, as well as what steps theatre artists can take to incorporate queer voices, people of color, and other minorities, and to make them feel welcome.

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Donna Romero is the Drama Department Chair at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. But she does more than put on middle school and high school plays. Her students learn the whole process, from choosing a show to building a budget, and she uses the content of the shows to educate her students about other topics. She tells us how she manages it all, and shares a few successes and fails of teaching theater during a pandemic

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Nell and Hallie are friends and now partners as the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre Horizon. They tell us all about Theatre Horizon’s virtual programming, how they strive to serve the unique community of Norristown, and how their life experiences and values have shaped their work.

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

Robi Hager is our first guest who has been on the Great White Way. He tells us what’s different about acting in New York vs. Philadelphia and why he feels more at home in Philly. As a teacher and a composer, he also shares advice on how to keep learning your craft and talks about his latest projects.

Check out Robi's work or take a master class with him at www.robihager.com.

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

TJ Walsh is a therapist for theatre artists and a visual artist himself. He explains why therapy is important for creative workers, how he helps reach people who have trouble affording therapy, and the good that can come out of what he calls “physical distancing” rather than “social distancing”.

More on TJ’s counseling services at tjwalshtherapy.com.

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn, Arranged and Performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture

We’re kicking off season 2 with co-founder and resident director of 11th Hour Theatre Company, Megan O’Brien Perri. Over Google Hangouts to keep our social distance, Megan tells us some great stories from 11th Hour’s history and shares her thoughts on giving opportunities to young artists, creating space for representation in theatre, and how she’s coping at home with her two kids in the time of COVID-19. Brew up your tea and join us!

Audio Production by Sabrina Boyd-Surka

Jingle by Chad Gorn

Arranged and performed by Michele Zipkin

Artwork by Frankie Rowles 

Website: PhillyLifeAndCulture.com

Instagram: @PhLLifeCulture