The Big Intermission

Christophe Desorbay wears several theatrical hats, from working in Daryl Roth's producing and general management offices to being an auditioning performer and dancer. He is also passionate about disability inclusion and is committed to bringing greater accessibility to the performing arts industry at large through the various hats he wears. You can follow some of the many ideas he has surrounding these topics on his Instagram, where you can also contact him.

A very special Playwright Spotlight with writer A.A. Brenner! A.A. (They/Them) and I went to college together (but didn’t really know each other). They are currently finishing up their MFA from Columbia University School of the Arts. You should definitely go check out their website to learn more, but some info pulled from it below:

"Their plays have been produced or commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse, National Disability Theatre, CO/LAB Theatre Group, Shakespeare Theatre Company (Fellows Consortium), Three Muses Theatre Company, Young Playwrights Inc., The Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Columbia University, and The Hangar Theatre Lab Company; their play for all audiences, EMILY DRIVER'S GREAT RACE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE (co-written by Gregg Mozgala), was featured on the 2020 Kilroys List. Additionally, A.A. was a Finalist for the 2020-22 Apothetae & Lark Playwriting Fellowship, and is one of the inaugural recipients of the Jody Falco and Jeffrey Steinman Award.

Most recently, A.A. was named a Finalist for the London-based Platform Presents 2021 Playwright's Prize and the 2021 Columbia@Roundabout New Play Reading Series, and has been a writer-in-residence at New York Stage and Film's 2021 Summer Season and The Lark's Beyond the Binary initiative for trans and nonbinary writers."

On this episode, A.A. and I discuss their writing process, their thoughts on graduate school for writers, and the importance of one’s own identity when creating stories.

Today, the pod goes to North Carolina to speak with Todd Fisher! You can learn more by checking out http://www.creativegreensboro.com/. 

According to Todd, he is a theater artist, husband, beer brewer and, if it’s your birthday, singer. Todd is a a graduate of UNCG Theater and Dance, trainee of the SITI Company and member of the John Gamble Dance Theater. He currently serves as the director of the Greensboro Fringe Festival, and the Creative Greensboro Performing Arts Coordinator, specializing in new works for the stage. This episode gives insight into what's been going on in the theatre scene in North Carolina, and what is expected to happen next.

This week the podcast is highlighting playwright, Dwayne Yancey! Dwayne is based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He has been produced in 47 states, 6 provinces, and 17 countries. On this episode, Dwayne and I talk about how he manages to be so prolific, how he's tailoring his writing for the current moment, and what he anticipates RE demand for new plays in the upcoming season. 

You can learn more by checking out his website, dwayneyancey.com. 

Today the pod goes to St. Louis to speak with Joe Hanrahan of The Midnight Company! Joe has had a long and dynamic career as not only the Co-Founder/Artistic Director of The Midnight Company, but also as a director and actor himself. If you want to learn more, check out his bio on The Midnight Company's website -- he has a number of upcoming shows! We talk about what it was like to produce a show during the height of COVID, the pros and cons of Zoom vs. in-person performance (especially as the shift back to in-person takes hold), and what he hopes is next. 

First thing's first: check out THE STRIDES COLLECTIVE The Diamond Peak Studio Sessions from now through June 20!! Tickets are just $15 on TodayTix.

Jonathan Edmondson founded the Philadelphia based theatre company, THE STRIDES COLLECTIVE, in early 2020. Committed to producing work by queer artists and about queer narratives, THE STRIDES COLLECTIVE used the new remote world as an opportunity to engage with community around the world.

Jonathan talks about the importance of radical transparency, how to fundraise and ask people for money, and the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a theatre company during the pandemic.

Today the podcast goes to North Carolina to speak with Dennis Michael Corcoran and Amanda Almodovar! The two met and created their artistic partnership at a virtual "Scripts and Sips" event during COVID (they have still never met in person!). Since then, Dennis has directed the filmed adaptation of Amanda's play, TERRIFYING.

We talk about what it's like to work on creative endeavors virtually, how they've innovated to ensure Amanda's script comes to life, and what they expect for the North Carolina theatre scene moving forward.

You can learn more by following Amanda on Instagram, Dennis's Theatre Company, Other Only Windows and Dennis's Dramatist Guild Page.

We talk about how the past year has opened doors for individuals who might not have had the same access to theatre opportunities before, what Cris likes to write about and how this time has informed his art, and how Cris stays creative and prolific. You can check out his work and follow his journey on Instagram (and he promises to get a website soon!). 

PS. This is the piece, “A Year in the Life”, I reference in the episode

Tracy Geltman is the Chief Operating Officer at Stacey Mindich Productions as well as one of the co-founders of the Broadway Women's Alliance, a peer-to-peer networking and programming organization for female-identifying professionals on the business side of Broadway. Tracy has spent over 15 years as a Company Manager and Associate General Manager on Broadway, and she has worked on some of Broadway’s biggest hits including Hairspray; Rock of Ages; The Addams Family; Fun Home; Oh, Hello; War Paint; The Band’s Visit; and Dear Evan Hansen. On this episode we talk about how the work of Company Managers might change when theatres reopen, the ways in which Broadway Women's Alliance is fostering community for female-identifying individuals, and what Tracy believes is next for Broadway.

If you want to learn more and/or get involved, check out the Broadway Women's Alliance Website and Instagram!

Today the pod is visiting our neighbors in Canada! On this episode of The Big Intermission, we're joined by Alex Sarian, the President & CEO of Arts Commons, which is the largest performing arts center in Western Canada. Alex took the position in January of 2020 and has since been leading the organization through a renovation and transformation. Prior to joining Arts Commons, Alex was the Director of Education & Outreach at MCC Theatre and spent seven years in leadership roles at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Most recently, he served as the executive in charge of Lincoln Center's community engagement, consulting, artistic programming for young audiences and families, and the education department.

Alex and I talk about the importance of listening, the ways in which performing arts centers are places for civic dialogue and engagement, and what is next for Arts Commons and the arts scene in Calgary. 

If you want to follow Alex, check out his Twitter. 

Amasia Gordon is a senior about to graduate with a BFA in Acting from Pace University. Last year, her classes went online, and Amasia had to adapt to a new virtual, theatre education. 

On this episode, Amasia and I talk about which classes worked online and which didn't, whether or not she would recommend the BFA, and her plans post graduation. You can learn more about Amasia by checking out her website and Instagram. 

You can follow Alyssa's journey on her website and/or Instagram! 

First thing's first: you can find tickets to Mfoniso Udofia's adaptation of OTHELLO here! All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and performances start tonight (Thursday, April 8) and run through Saturday, April 17. 

What you need to know about this production of OTHELLO is that it's set in a modern-day, elite, predominantly white, all-female, academic collegiate institution. Director JaMeeka D. Holloway helms the all Black femme creative team, which includes Monèt Noelle Marshall, the Dramaturg & Intimacy Director. 

On today's episode, we discuss the importance of self-care, the impact of institutions continually producing work that is harmful to marginalized communities, and the ways in which systemic racism is embedded throughout the industry. 

Prior to the pandemic, Broadway Plus was offering in-person VIP experiences for people attending Broadway shows. Think: backstage passes, corporate events, meet & greets, and things like that. So Founder & President, Nathaniel Hill, got creative when Broadway shut down, and Broadway Plus became one of the few Broadway businesses that actually experienced growth in this past year. He's expanded the offerings to include a wide range of experiences, including workshops, Q&As, private lessons, and more. Broadway Plus has also been one of the larger employers of theatrical talent during this time when so many artists have found themselves out of work.

Nathaniel and I talk about his experiences during this past year, his advice for people who are interested in entrepreneurship in the live performing arts space, and what he believes is next.

Annie-B Parson is a choreographer, dancer, and director based in Brooklyn, NY. On this episode, Annie-B talks about leading her organization, Big Dance Theater, during the pandemic. We also discuss what it was like for Annie-B to see her choreography for David Byrne's theatrical concert, American Utopia, go from stage to screen.

I highly encourage people to learn more and follow the story by going to www.iatse74.org or visiting their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/Iatse74). 

If you want to stay up to date on new episodes, please visit The Big Intermission's Instagram Page. 

On this episode, I am joined by Russell Granet, the President and CEO of New 42. Russell and I talk about how New 42 quickly adapted its programming so that it was online by the Monday after the theatre shut down on Friday, March 13th. The staff took the weekend to reimagine what artistic and educational programming could look like online - which was the catalyst to the wildly popular Arts Break series. 

New Victory Arts Break is New Victory’s free online arts curriculum designed for every kind of educator - including parents! - and has close to 800,000 viewers to date. You should check it out by going to NewVictory.org/ArtsBreak. 

Russell and I also talk about how he leads during a global pandemic, what leadership lessons he has learned during this time, and why arts and education is so necessary, now more than ever.

On this episode, Allison talks about the ways in which art reflects the current moment, how an audience experiences technical glitches both planned and unexpected, and why storytelling is so important, now more than ever. To learn more, you should check out Allison’s instagram account (@allisonflom) and website (www.allisonleeflom.com).