Members of the Ideal Maine Social Aid & Sanctuary Band met with Tamara to tell the original story of the band, their personal stories with it and how others can be part of the band! (whether as participant or enjoyer) Band organizer Jeremy Fink and members Janine Platt and Marissa Fink (no relation!) talk about how they came to join the band and some of their favorite experiences with the Portland Maine based second-line style activist band.

For more information on the Ideal Maine Band and other events and organizations referenced in the podcast, visit the links below: 

Ideal Maine Social Aid & Sanctuary Band FB Page

Ideal Maine Band Newsletter Signup

A YouTube video of some of the band playing Joe Avery's Blues

Mayo Street Arts

Porchfest Portland Maine

Honkfest

Friends of Congress Square Park

For more information on the hostess, visit www.TamaraLilly.com

Find more episodes of the TAMgents Podcast at www.TAMgents.com

Tamara chatted with Equity Stage Manager from Maine Aaron Watson (a 2018 guest on the Stage Door Diva podcast), in 2022 to discuss how his theater career was affected by the pandemic, and then again in 2023 to touch base. This episode is a compilation of the 2022-23 conversations. 

(see link to 2018 episode and original show notes below)

As of December 2023, Aaron has been subbing as Stage Manager on his first Broadway production, How To Dance In Ohio. 

Here's a link to a few of the places and shows discussed in the episode: 

Into the Woods understudies reel:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cri9ZO4tycq/?fbclid=IwAR0_xwPb8sj9cLr2KWoXpfgTAAE7q_SP_HBfDx_UutCsZIbMJ_wlL6ATomY

New London Barn Playhouse: https://www.nlbarn.org

MacGyver the Musical: https://macgyver.com/musical/

For more information, follow Aaron at ohgingersnaps on Instagram, and at www.AaronAWatson.com

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2018 Episode re-release:

https://tamgents.com/stage-door-diva-series-aaron-watson-stage-manager

An interview Tamara conducted with professional stage manager Aaron Watson in 2018. Part of the TAMgents Stage Door Diva Series. (Our next episode will be interviews with Aaron from 2022 and 2023, discussing post-covid professional theater)

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Show notes from the 2018 episode: 

Aaron A. Watson is a Non-Union Stage Manager who is currently working out of New York City as a Stage Manager for theatre, dance, and more!

Aaron can currently be seen working on the hit show Cleopatra at Chelsea Music Hall.

Aaron's work has brought him across all four corners of the United States in various touring productions, but his heart always brings him back to his shows in New York, much of which has been new works and workshops.

Aaron also enjoys photography, fitness, camping, hiking, shopping, and driving the world crazy with his unique hashtags, #littlegingerinthebigcity and #littlegingertouringthebigcountry, which some fail to see is an irony mimicking the Looney Toon's type cartoons where the "rotund" evil villain was always named "Slim", making it comical to call his 6'3" self "little".

He hails from the great Pine Tree State of Maine where he both grew up and went to college. The pine scented air and vast lakes are some of Aaron's favorite things about Vacationland, and he enjoys visiting whenever he can.

If you'd like to know more about Aaron, he shares all his hijinks around the country with the world on his social media!

The Stage Door Diva began as a column in the Coastal Journal in Midcoast Maine. Over time, Tamara Lilly realized she wanted to tell more and more indepth stories, beyond the page. The focus is on Theater folks in Maine and beyond!

Links mentioned in the interview: 

www.aaronawatson.com 

http://cirqueproductions.com

Cleopatraexperience.com

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For more episodes of the TAMgents podcast, visit www.TAMgents.com

Tamara marks one year of the TAMgents podcast. 

Check out episodes from the inaugural year at www.TAMgents.com 

Learn more about Tamara at www.TamaraLilly.com 

email VO@TamaraLilly.com for more information. 

Follow the TAMgents Podcast on Facebook! 

www.tamgents.com

Tamara sits down with Greg Baker of The Portland Maine Comedy festival, to talk about his comedy journey, this year's festival and the Maine comedy community. The festival runs August 24 - 27, 2023 and is an annual event. (so don't hesitate to listen, even after these dates, you'll want to be in the know for subsequent years! 

Links: 

The Portland Maine Comedy Festival & Sponsors

Full Schedule

Feature & Headlining Shows

Hey Party People

Tamara's website for VO, Public Speaking, Hosting and More! 

The TAMgents Podcast on Facebook

Other episodes of the TAMgents podcast can be found at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, your favorite podcast directory and www.TAMgents.com 

For more information, email vo@tamaralilly.com 

Tamara chats with Lynn, a survivor of abuse, about her struggle to free herself and her children from an abusive husband and father. Topics include drug and alcohol abuse, the family court system, mental health, physical and mental abuse.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, there are many resources, organizations and individuals ready to help. (including those below) 

National Domestic Abuse Hotline (also Resources and Chat)

Maine: (even if not in your region of the state, these folks can find you help within near you)

Safe Voices

New Hope Midcoast

For more information on hostess Tamara Lilly, visit www.tamaralilly.com  (booking available for Speaking Engagements, Hosting Events and Voiceover.)

As part of the Liberation Series, Tamara speaks with Grace Kendall, Director of Development and Engagement at the Safe Voices Organization in Lewiston, Maine. From the Safe Voices website: Domestic Violence, also referred to as Domestic Abuse, is a pattern of coercive behavior in which one person attempts to control another through threats or actual use of physical violence, sexual assault, and verbal or psychological abuse. Many victims of abuse do not recognize that they are abused. Anyone can be a victim of abuse, no matter their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, education, or income level. 

Last year, Safe Voices assisted over 2,220 survivors. Safe Voices currently operates the only shelter and support services for victims of domestic abuse and violence, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. Their offices provide person-to-person, individualized safety planning and advocacy, as well as support groups, information and referrals, court advocacy, transportation, accommodation for shelter, community education, and professional trainings. Safe Voices provides over 15,000 hours of direct support annually supporting victims of domestic violence, teen dating violence, stalking, and human sex trafficking. To see how you can support this amazing organization, visit www.safevoices.org. 

24/7 Helpline 1-800-559-2927

Grace’s email: gkendall@safevoices.org

Domestic Abuse resources:

Safe Voices Wish List

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

New Hope Midcoast

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Other links:

Great Falls Comedy Club

Host Tamara Lilly

TAMgents.com

An interview Tamara conducted with Dan Goggin, creator of the Nunsense franchise, in 2018. Part of the TAMgents Stage Door Diva Series. 

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The Stage Door Diva Interviews "Nunsense" creator Dan Goggin! 

Dan Goggin came to New York from Alma, Michigan to study as a classical countertenor. He began his professional career singing in the Tony award-winning Broadway production of "Luther" starring Albert Finney. While appearing in a comic folk-duo called "The Saxons" he began writing. This led to scores for the off-Broadway musical, Hark! (in which he also appeared) , the Broadway production of Legend and two revues. Goggin received the 1986 Outer Critics' Circle Awards given to Nunsense for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Music. Nunsense and Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, both starring Rue McClanahan have been recorded for the A&E Television Network. Nunsense 3: The Jamboree toured the U.S. starring Georgia Engel and has been recorded for television at the Grand Ole Opry starring Vicki Lawrence. Nunsense A-Men! opened at the 47th Street Theatre in New York in June 1998 and has since been produced with "Laugh-In's" Arte Johnson, impressionist Frank Gorshin, and Olympic Champion Greg Louganis. Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical premiered in October 1998, followed by a national tour starring Dody Goodman, Jeff Trachta and Dawn Wells. The Nuncrackers television special playing on the PBS network starring Rue McClanahan with guest star John Ritter, received and Emmy nomination for Best Musical Score. Meshuggah-Nuns: The Ecumenical Nunsense premiered in September 2002 and is currently out on DVD. The All-Star touring production of Nunsense featuring Kaye Ballard, Georgia Engel, Mimi Hines, Darlene Love and Lee Meriwether marked the 20th anniversary of the original show. In 2004 Dan's "serious piece" The Traditional Latin Mass was recorded by cast members and friends. In 2005 Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue premiered and in 2008, there was a national tour of Nunsense starring Sally Struthers. Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class (A one-nun musical) and Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show are the latest shows in the series.

(The run referenced was at Portland Stage Company referenced through September 9, 2018.)

Learn more about Maine State Music Theatre at www.msmt.org.

Nunsense central is located at www.nunsense.com !

Check out Danny’s new production at https://www.johnnymanhattanthemusical.com/

For more information on Tamara, visit www.tamaralilly.com or email vo@tamaralilly.com 

Additional episodes available at www.TAMgents.com 

More episodes from the Stage Door Diva podcast available at www.stagedoordiva.com