The Kevin Johnson Program

Here is where we reflect back on the podcast and also a take on current events. Also once again thanking everyone who has participated in interviews as well as the listeners.

For our concluding installment, we speak to the NEW CITY PLAYERS, a professional theatre company, based in Fort Lauderdale. Our topics including their origins, how they are providing content during the COVID-19 Era and how they are working towards inclusion and equality in their future presentations, Representing the company was TIMOTHY MARK DAVIS (Artistic Director), RYAN MALONEY (Associate Artistic Director), KRYSTAL MILLIE VALDES (Company Manager), and ERNESTO GONZALEZ (NCP Lab Co-Director).

Website: NewCityPlayers.org

FB, Tw & IG: newcityplayers

RACHEL CHIN (Pronounced RAY-SHALL) is a native of the Island of Trinidad in the West Indies. She is an actor of stage and screen, plus a photographer and graphic designer, currently in Miami. We speak on our shared Caribbean heritage, plus her transition from film to theatre. She also gives her take on promoting smaller theatre troupes.

Websites: RachinDesigns.com, RachelChin.com

IG: Rachin141

CASEY SACCO is an actor in the South Florida theatre market. Born in Bangkok and raised in St. Augustine, Casey moved to Miami attending New World School of the Arts for the Musical Theatre program. We speak about working professionally in the local market as well as creating projects during the pandemic.

Website: CaseySacco.com

IG: saccattack

SHELLEY KEELOR is an actor, singer and teacher in the South Florida theatre market. We talk about her creating her solo musical shows as well as starting an all-woman vocal ensemble called THE VICTORY DOLLS.

Websites: ShelleyKeelor.com, VictoryDolls.com

IG: shelleykee3, thevictorydolls

FB: TheVictoryDolls

DARIUS J, MANUEL is an actor, singer and teacher in the Local theatre market. We speak on his beginnings in theatre and how current events led him to start his new conservatory, RENEGADE THEATRE COMPANY. 

Websites: DariusJManuel.com, RenegadeTheatreCompany.org

CONNIE FERNANDEZ is a Stand-up comedian and a Voiceover actor. After graduating in 2014 with her BFA in Theatre, then working in several local productions. Connie decided to try her hand at Stand-up comedy. We speak about that transition plus what other ways, she has been working through the pandemic. 

IG: conniesaurus

ADRIAN N. CARTER is not only a poet and writer, he specializes in Leadership development, conflict resolution, and solution strategy. We speak about hia beginnings in poetry and also what drives him to resolve conflict. We also talk about this current racial unrest and how it is affecting his industry in conflict resolution.

Website: AdrianCarterSpeaks.com

IG: AdrianCarterSpeaks

CHRISTINE BARCLAY (pronounced as it sounds) is a Boston native, multi-generational performing artist who moved to Florida in 2012 after college. She is currently the founder/owner of her own performing arts conservatory, BARCLAY PERFORMING ARTS based in Boca Raton. We talk about her beginnings, sharing space with another venue owner before finding her own property, also how her school is managing through current times.

Website: BarclayPerformingArts.com

FB & IG: BarclayPerformingArts

LUIS ROBERTO HERRERA is a Miami-based playwright who is currently working between print and viral projects. We speak about his move from Acting to Writing. Plus his recent launch of a new podcast, UNHEARD VOICES, where we hear messages left on voicemail. We also discuss his love for gaming and his Twitch channel.

IG, YT: FullsizedLuis

KAAREN TERPACK is also known as KAAREN STYLES. She is a performing artist as well as a recent fashion designer. We speak about her musical origins as well as her transition to fashion. We also speak about personal situations that has shaped her into the woman she is today.

Niafia.com

IG: Kaarenstyles, niafiaoffical

JUANCHO RODRIGUEZ is a Colombian-American, Miami-bred, New York transplant filmmaker. We talk about how he got into making films, plus speak about his latest project, IN HUMAN KIND, which takes a look at the dark world of Sex Trafficking,

IG: juanchorodgz, inhumankindfilm

Just dropping this during our hiatus. New episodes coming soon.

CLARENCE BROOKS is an Associate Professor of Dance at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. He started his dance career in 1980 at the age of 20. In his 4 decades of dance, he continues to perform while teaching at FAU since 2004. We learn about his choice to dance when in college, also how he has expanded the dance curriculum at the University. We also speak on how he is advocating for more diversity and inclusion to other Dance programs in other collegiate and instructional outlets. Plus we speak on plans to bring back students to performing in safer environments.

IG: clbdreadeddancer

Website: FAU.edu/artsandletters/theatre

TEDDY HARRELL, JR is the Assistant Director at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Miami. We speak on his upbringing as an actor, also being recruited to join a world-renowned vocal group touring overseas. He shares a couple of stories of his time in the group. We also  talk about his time as an independent theatre producer before joining African Heritage full-time. Teddy also talks about how the Academy-award winning film, Moonlight, has put the AHCAC on the map and what are their upcoming plans in this current era.

Website: AHCACMiami.org

GENIE CROFT has been directing South Florida theatre for 4 decades. She started a theatre program with the City of Plantation, then started working with the City of Fort Lauderdale to cultivate their theatre program. Most would know her for her freelancing with companies such as Stage Door Theatre, Curtain Call Playhouse, and the West Boca Theatre Company. She was also the Artistic Director of the WOMENS THEATRE PROJECT. We talk about her career as well as how she with the WOMENS THEATRE PROJECT did their best to diversify their plays and their talents. We also speak on her directing with PRIMAL FORCES PRODUCTIONS and how they are coping with the COVID-19 era.

Website: PrimalForces.com

RICKY J. MARTINEZ has been working in the local theatre market for almost 2 decades in various disciplines. He was also former Artistic Director for the critically acclaimed regional institution, NEW THEATRE in Miami. We talk about his start in Theatre, why NEW THEATRE faltered, and how his multiple disciplines has given him a luxury to travel and freelance to work in other countries. Plus he has written songs for major musicians. We also speak about his current imprint, SILVER TONGUED STAGES, and how he was planning for virtual projects before this pandemic.

Website: SilverTongued.com

FB and YouTube: Silver Tongued Stages

TRITTNEY HUZZIE is a actor in the South Florida theatre market. We speak on her upbringing, plus her teaching at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Miami. Also with more of a concentration in Musical Theatre, we also speak on what musical she wants to do next. I also ask her take on current events and what the Local theatre scene can do to diversify. Also being a Minister, I ask Trittney for words of inspiration in these present times.

IG: trittneynicole

The FRONT YARD THEATRE COLLECTIVE has been working in the local Improv scene for a decade. From their humble beginning in a Front yard (literally) of a residence to holding residency at the Olympia Theater in Miami for the past 5 years, I speak to GABRIELA FERNANDEZ, who is the founder of the company along with her husband, DANNY SANCHEZ, who is an active member about their past projects, what sets them apart from other improv troupes and plans when they return to live performances due to COVID-19. Currently, they have a webseries on YouTube called Quarantine Around the World.

Website: FrontYardTheatreCollective.com

FB, IG and Youtube: FrontYardTheatreCollective

VANESSA GARCIA is a playwright, Cuban born, Miami raised. VICTORIA COLLADO is a director, Cuban born, Miami raised. Both work in the South .Florida theatre market. Together, they form ABRE CAMINO COLLECTIVE, We talk about how they came together and their most successful collaboration in AMPARO. We also discuss plans for the future during the COVID era.

Website; AbreCaminoCollective.com

CLIFFORD SPULOCK is a lighting designer in the South Florida theatre market. We talk about him transplanting from New Jersey, where he was working for his parents' Bed and Breakfast to working with high schools as well as the local theatre factions.

Website: CliffordSpulockLighting.com

IG: CliffordSpulockLighting

LAURA TITUS is an actor in the local theatre market, who moved from her home state of Texas to study the craft in West Palm Beach  (where she currently resides with her husband...and cat). We talk about her time here since graduating from college and how she balances her art with domesticity and Christian faith.

Website: LauraTitus.com

IG: Le.Titus

MARGARET LEDFORD is a case study in rising in the ranks of the South Florida theatre market. Started as an actor, then stage management, became resident director of a theatre company while freelancing for other theatre factions. Currently, she is Artistic Director of City Theatre, based in Miami. We talk about her progression in the market, and what programs she initiated in City Theatre under her leadership. 

Website: CityTheatre.com

PAUL LEWIS is the founder of THE OLD SKOOL GANG, a band that covers music from the last five decades of the 20th Century. He is also a promoter that books national music acts for community events. We speak about how he graduated high school and performed with a legendary musical faction in the late 1970's. He also started his own entertainment company that was a conduit for top musicians, how he formed THE OLD SKOOL GANG and how they has opened for acts including The Temptations, The Whispers and other music legends. We also get tips on how to break into the promoter business, and how he currently handling things during this pandemic.

Website: OldSkoolGang.com

Facebook: Old Skool Gang

This was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic,

DASH MAVERICK is an improvising performer and professional wrestler. He is also a co-founder of the improvisational theatre troupe, the SOCIETY CiRCUS PLAYERS (featured in Episode 29 of this podcast). We speak about how he got started in pro-wrestling plus the differences between independent wrestling promotions and major outfits like WWE and AEW. We also speak on how he got into improv and how the Society Circus Players are adjusting during this current time moving from physical to virtual performances.

Websites: DashMaverick,com, SCPImprov.com

Instagram: dashmaverick, societycircus

CARMEN PELAEZ (pronounced Pe-LICE) works both on stage and screen as actor and writer. We speak on why she prefers working on film than theatre plus how she was able to star in her own play, FAKE, presented by MIAMI NEW DRAMA. As a local arts advocate, I ask her take on the current situation with the Coconut Grove Playhouse, where she premiered her one person play, RUM AND COKE.

Website: GardeniaFilms.com

Instagram: carmenmpelaez

This was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic,

CARYL FANTEL is one of the most sought-after Musical directors in the South Florida theatre market currently. We speak on her upbringing from Upstate New York; how she worked for her father, who was a popular syndicated television culinary personality (pre-YouTube). We also speak on how she broke into the Local theatre scene by assisting another Musical director. Plus the banes of contention between tracks and live music, also how she is working on how to put the South Florida theatre market on the map.

Website: FantelMusic.com

This was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic,

LAURA DI LORENZO is one-half of the viral sketch comedy duo, THE CHONGA GIRLS. We talk about her upbringing in Miami, and how the "chongas" bullied her and her best friend. This inspired them to write a song parody called CHONGALICIOUS, which was a Local Radio hit in the early 2000's. We also speak on how her theatre background helped her migrate into comedy for a living. 

This was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Currently, she resides in Los Angeles, but she is at home in Miami for now until the pandemic stabilizes.

YouTube: The Chonga Girls

Instagram: TheChongaGirls, Laura Di.Lorenzo

RIO CHAVARRO is a Miami native and a multidisciplinary artist. We talk about his start in local theatre, also how he became a top impersonator of one of the most prolific actors of the Silent Movie era (early 20th Century, think "little bowler derby & small mustache"). Also going under his stage persona, RIO DIOS MIOS, he hosts one of the longest running open mic nights locally in WORDS AND WINE, plus co-founding a Burlesque troupe, MOON RIVER CABARET,

This was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic,

Website: MoonRiverCabaret.com

Facebook, Instagram: MoonRiverCabaretMiami

CHRISTINA MENDENHALL and CARINA MASK have a visual partnership (ie, Photography, Videography) who have been working together for almost a decade. We talk about how their contrasting backgrounds, how they met and how they creating ways to rebrand. 

Edit: This was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected domestically. We talk about the challenges that artists are facing during the dire situation

Website: ThroughTheShutter.com, CarinaAmi.com

IG: throughtheshutter, carina.mask

SUSIE K. TAYLOR is an actor in that is in the South Florida theatre market.  We talk about her start in local theatre, plus creating solo projects including her most semi-autobiographical show, JEWBANA. Also creating a performance method called S.U.R.F. , where actors can leave their alter egos behind quicker. Plus check out THE SUSIE K. TAYLOR PODCAST where she gives a behind the scenes look at her latest production she was booked on.

Website: SusieKTaylor.com

IG: susie_k_taylor

Anchor,fm/susie70

ROBERTO BADILLO is a Deerfield Beach-based photographer, who is currently working on intimate portraits of the bands that he covers at various local venues. We talk about his migration from Chicago to warmer weather, how he got his start in photography plus we discuss the approach of working as a labor of love and when to be compensated for services rendered. To find his works, can visit ROBERTO online: RobertoBadillo.com.

IG: spinstyle

BRIAN CORONADO is a local stand-up comedian. We talk about how he got his start, how to respect the mic and how the South Florida comedy scene has shaped him as an artist.

Wesbite: NadoComedy.com

IG: Nadocomedy

ANNA SCHULMAN (from The State of a Different Culture, Part 2) returns to THE KEVIN JOHNSON PROGRAM to talk about her time in Los Angeles during pilot season. 

Edit: We rerecorded this episode where ANNA has since returned from Los Angeles to give us what she learned when she was out there. We also speak about comparisons between the arts scene there and here in South Florida.

DAN CHRISTOPHER is a ventriloquist and magician that has been performing here in South Florida for quite a while. We talk about how he got into ventriloquism, share stories about shady promoters and where he got his inspiration from to create his character, the Italian magician, Pasquale.

Website(s): DanChristopher.com, ItalianMagician.com

IG: thedanchristopher

TONY THOMPSON gave me my first-ever paid role in South Florida theatre. TONY has also been an actor, director and playwright in South Florida since 1978. TONY has worked alongside the esteemed theatre legend, VINNETTE CARROLL until her death in 2002. Then, TONY carried on her legacy by creating the Metropolitan Diversity Theatre. Recently,  TONY returned to his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina to seek new opportunities.

GABY TORTOLEDO is currently making her presence known in the local Theatre market. GABY also works on film plus teaches voice. I speak to her about growing up in Venezuela, how TV shows influenced her, plus her encounter with the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel herself. For more info on GABY, visit her website, gabytortoledo.com

BOB CARTER is the founding Artistic Director for the Actor's Workshop and Repertory Company (and Youth Actors Guild), based in West Palm Beach. I speak about how his family came to Florida in the early 20th century, his teachings of Stanislavsky and Strasberg, plus How his company got started as a group of people needing coaching to their long-term home on Dixie Highway. For more info on the Actor's Workshop and Repertory Company, visit actorsrep.org. Can also follow on Facebook.

Special thanks to BILL HELLER for editing this episode.

While on vacation in New York, I reconnect with KATIE SCHWARTZ, who I met as a teenager. Now as an adult, Katie has relocated to New York so she can reconnect herself with the entertainment market, especially now that there seems to be more film/TV work. We speak about her beginnings in acting from when she was a toddler to doing her first Professional theatre gig at 16. We also speak on her first stint in NY, as well as working in Los Angeles. We finish off with her advice to aspiring talents on when or if they are ready to progress to a larger market. Visit her website, Katie-Schwartz.com

I reconnect with LEA ROY, who has participated in my programs as an actor and a musician. She is currently an instructor in the Conservatory for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, now in her 10th year. We talk about her being raised in Miami Beach after being born in Argentina. Also we talk about how connections in St. Petersburg landed her the Maltz job. I also ask if domesticity will keep her in South Florida long term.

I speak with AURORA NATRIX, who is a Burlesque performer and producer. This English native started her career first as a Go-go dancer and has been making a name for herself on the Burlesque scene for the past 15 years. We talk about how she created a brand for herself as well as the "village" that is the South Florida Burlesque community. We also talk about the "do's" and "don't" in the community and her plans for the future. Visit her website, AuroraNatrix.com

I speak to ELIZABETH PRICE, who is currently involved in the South Florida theatre market as an actor and director. We speak on her beginnings from Texas, earning three degrees (in English, Theatre and Acting) plus we speak about an accident that almost sidelined her career.

I reconnect with KIRSTEN UPCHURCH, who returned to her hometown of Newark, Ohio to become the acting Artistic Director for WEATHERVANE PLAYHOUSE, a professional theatre. We talk about what made her return home after working the South Florida theatre scene and how she is making it as a theatre artist in the Midwest. I also ask her if she would consider moving back to South Florida. Find out her answer here. Can also visit the Weathervane Playhouse website, WeathervanePlayhouse.org.

I visit Coral Gables where I speak to MARIA BANDA-RODAZ, Executive Director of AREA STAGE COMPANY, which is celebrating 30 years of performance in South Florida. I talk with Maria about the company's beginnings in Miami Beach and then their move to Coral Gables, where they operate out of the Riviera Theatre. We also speak on how  her and her husband, JOHN RODAZ, (Founder) keep low profiles which probably why the Company is not in the spotlight it deserves. We also speak on how their Conservatory works for promotions within to their Mainstage programming plus what steps the company is taking to find another venue after their time at the Riviera Theatre is over. For more info on Area Stage, visit their website, AreaStageCompany.com

I speak to DIANA GARLE, who started in commercials when she was 6. She then performed with the Miami Children's Museum as well as the Miami Theater Center, where she got her Actors Equity union card at age 17. She has also performed with other regional theatre companies including City Theatre and GableStage. We also speak about how she got her start in the Spanish television world; how mistreated she was when doing telenovelas as a Teen, and how she wanted to branch out into the American market. We also talk about how she began her WE'RE SO YOUNG PODCAST, which can be found on various digital platforms. That website is weresoyoungpodcast.com. To learn about Diana herself, visit DianaGarle.com.