Arts With an S

Steven Lovelace has been a musical theater mentor and arts educator in Riva and Jana's life for over 10 years. He has toured professionally as a dancer and actor. Steven has founded a dance studio, Santa Barbara Jazz Academy (now Santa Barbara Dance Arts) and a pre-professional children's musical theater program, Stage Left. He was the Artistic Director, Board member, and a current performer in the annual Santa Barbara Solstice Parade. Steven's words of wisdom for emerging performers are priceless. We adore him and we hope you will too. 

Fernando Carsa is an L.A based actor, singer, and dancer, born and raised in Colima, Mexico. He’s a graduate from Fullerton College's Department of Theatre Arts and UCLA’s Ray Bolger Musical Theatre Program. You may recognize Fernando for his portrayal of Weber in the World Premiere of the musical “Rebel Genius,” Louis in the new musical “CAMP SONG,” Claudio in "Lydia" (UCLA), and Martin in “OKAYBETTERBEST.” Follow him on Instagram at @FernandoCarsa  -- Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave us a review! Read more about our guests here: www.artswithans.com  IG @jana.Brody / Facebook Group @The Art Salon /  www.Paintjamusa.com IG @rivabrody /   www.RivaBrody.com

Rod Lathim was the founder and artistic director of the revolutionary inclusive Access Theater. His 18-year run and vision opened the doors internationally for actors of all abilities and for audiences to experience the unique talents of deaf, blind, and physically challenged performers. Rod's forward-thinking was the precursor to today's nationally successful Deaf West Theater which has led to the first Tony Award-winning actress in a wheelchair. Rod is an advocate for the ADA, a writer, producer, and currently a talented visual artist working in neon.

Peppur is spelled with a U, which to us, stands for unique. Peppur Chambers has had a wonderful expansive career across the Arts World. She is another inspiring artist emphasizing "Arts With an S."  She started as a Paula Abdul wanna-be and danced for the World Champion Chicago Bulls. She went on to produce, direct, write and perform. She founded the "Three Peas Production Company" as well the "Brown Betties Harlem Night Cabaret". Peppur writes to empower and inspire women from all backgrounds. She feels a creative need and fills it in her strong hot voice. Please welcome this local talent minutes from Riva in Southern California and enjoy the show! ---- Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave us a review! Read more about our guests here: www.artswithans.com  IG @jana.Brody / Facebook Group @The Art Salon /  www.Paintjamusa.com IG @rivabrody /   www.RivaBrody.com

Vanessa has shined onstage at Radio City as a Rockette, in the Chicago company of Wicked, in an incredible 9 ensemble tracks in Mary Poppins (Swing and Assistant Dance Captain), and at multiple theme parks including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Hershey Park, and Universal Studios Hollywood (as a pin-up Mrs. Claus!). She’s also appeared on television in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, conquered the high seas performing with Celebrity Cruises, and appeared in regional theater productions, films, and numerous commercials. Vanessa’s incredible career offers aspiring performers a chance to gain valuable insights and learn from the best. She also offers career consults for aspiring professional performers. ---- Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave us a review! Read more about our guests here: www.artswithans.com  IG @jana.Brody / Facebook Group @The Art Salon /  www.Paintjamusa.com IG @rivabrody /   www.RivaBrody.com

Richard Rossner is a multi-talented seasoned artist whose credits truly represent  "Arts With an S." Richard Rossner started off as a sitcom writer for Full House, Welcome Back Kotter, and was a part of the original Groundlings improv group. He has been a busy Anime voice actor and currently narrates multiple podcast shows on the Spotify Parcast Network. Listen as he shares a story with us of his crowning achievement as a writer for the historic 1985 "Live Aid Concert." ---- Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave us a review! Read more about our guests here: www.artswithans.com  IG @jana.Brody / Facebook Group @The Art Salon /  www.Paintjamusa.com IG @rivabrody /   www.RivaBrody.com

As an artist, Kym's ability to capture nature’s most unique elements can be seen throughout the United States and Colombia. One of 6 requested artists for the Disneyland exhibit CarsLand and later hired as WDI’s Senior Dimensional Designer until project completion. In 2013, she was a part of a 5 member international design/build team for Parque Tematico de Flora y Fauna: Andes, and most recently finished Disneyland’s “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” in California Adventure. Making Santa Barbara her official home base in 2015, she closed her former business of 10 years, Custom ReCreations. In 2009 she was contracted to design and build the largest indoor waterpark in New Jersey. With Jonathan Smith, they formed The Environment Makers, an art company combining her specialties with his passions, projection mapping, and light art. ---- Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave us a review! Read more about our guests here: www.artswithans.com  IG @jana.Brody / Facebook Group @The Art Salon /  www.Paintjamusa.com IG @rivabrody /   www.RivaBrody.com

Mitchel Kriegman is an Emmy Award-winning director of the children's program and mom & Riva approved  television show, "Bear in the Big Blue House .'' He is an acclaimed television producer and writer of many television hits, including "It's A Big, Big World," "The Book of Pooh," and "Clarissa Explains it All" starring Melissa Joan Hart. Kriegman is also a journalist, novelist, and patented puppeteer. Jana met Mitchell Kriegman in Santa Barbara and worked with him on the Inaugural International Puppet Palooza Festival and am thrilled to welcome him to our podcast today. Mitchell Kriegman is talking to us today all the way from Portugal. ----- Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave us a review!  Read more about our guests here: www.artswithans.com  IG @jana.Brody / Facebook Group @The Art Salon /  www.Paintjamusa.com IG @rivabrody /   www.RivaBrody.com

Jana: Working with my daughter on this inspiring podcast has been a gift to me in these crazy Covid times. Each interview lights me up. I realized how and why I want to empower others to find their voice through art expression when I spoke out and used my words for advocacy and change. You too can find inner strength and transformation through expressing yourself creatively and breaking the routine of work and life. Life is jammin' grab a brush! Empower yourself through art www.paintjamusa.com or follow her on Instagram @jana.brody Riva is thrilled to be doing a podcast with her mom, combining her love for talking with her love for making connections! Riva currently is a senior at UCLA studying Musical Theater and Directing in the School of Theater, Film, and Television. An aspiring performer, she is soaking up every ounce of advice our guests provide. For more about Riva visit her website www.rivabrody.com or follow her on Instagram @rivabrody Like our podcast? Subscribe and leave a review! To learn more about our upcoming guests, visit our website www.artswithans.com

By emphasizing "the Arts with an S" we will bring stories that inspire you to follow your own passion. Each week, co-hosts mother and daughter artists, Jana & Riva Brody, will have honest behind the scene conversations with artists and art entrepreneurs across the Art world.