One Season Ends, Another Begins
Local with Laura Ekstrand
Season Finale! We made it! In the Season 6 finale of Local, we revisit our final improv class showcase and share a standout clip from The Flip Side’s character speed dating game featuring Emily and Brad. Then we look ahead to an exciting 2026–2027 season at Vivid Stage! Laura previews a full year of comedy, world premieres, workshops, improv, new play readings, and special events— including Mainstage Productions B.I.N.G.O, Life Expectancy, Laura Ekstrand’s world premiere It’s You, six performances of The Flip Side in Madison, the holiday variety show A Very Special Special,...
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Screenings, Stories, and Summer Plans
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, we look back at the exciting private screening of A Relative Comedy in Montclair and preview an upcoming fundraiser for the film featuring Dan at the piano and Laura sharing stories. We celebrate the upcoming conclusion of our Production Lab improv class, where six students created and hosted their own original mini improv shows. Laura and Dave also discuss Vivid Stage’s ongoing partnership with Overlook Hospital, using theatre to bring the stories of patients and healthcare professionals to life. Plus, we preview Summer Solos at the Arts Center, talk about upcoming...
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From Etiquette to The Flip Side
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, we look back at Etiquette by David Lee White and talk about balancing comedy and drama onstage. Dave shares a brief story about meeting Sabrina Carpenter at the Pasadena Playhouse during a panto-play production of Peter Pan. Etiquette was a smash success and marks Vivid Stage’s final mainstage production of the season. We also looked back at Vivid’s recent cabaret featuring Charles Thomas, Laura’s friend from Yale Drama School, and Dave talks about his performance workshop class show. Plus, we highlight the Wednesday night Meet the Artist series featuring Sock...
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Improv, Etiquette, and Keeping Theater Alive
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, we take you inside a whirlwind month of comedic theatre. We look back at a pop-up improv show and share a clip from that night. Then we take you to The Flip Side in Madison, New Jersey, and give you a taste of that performance as well. We also discuss Ladies Night, another Flip Side show, and dive into Etiquette, now closing to rave reviews, sharing a first rehearsal clip recorded over Zoom during a tornado warning. Plus, we check in on our expanding improv school.
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Love, Galas, and Improv Art
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, we go behind the scenes of our Valentine’s gala, featuring Laura’s Hallmark-inspired musical spoof and a peek inside rehearsal for L-O-V-E. We celebrate the release of the A Relative Comedy teaser and share what we’ve been in the middle of over the past few weeks—from new improv projects and experimental work like Crossroads on the Canvas to upcoming Flip Side shows and Ladies Night. Plus, updates on Etiquette in rehearsal, expanding improv classes, and what’s ahead as we begin the next round of play development. Watch...
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Welcome Back to Local!
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In the first episode of the Local reboot, we explore the wide range of work happening at Vivid Stage—and how even members of our own community don’t always realize everything we do, from improv and theater to cabarets. We look back at our very first show of the year, Improv in Madison, share behind-the-scenes stories from rehearsing a cabaret (including a last-minute arrival from Amsterdam), and talk about theater development, improv classes, and new projects in the works, including the Arizona project. The episode closes with a powerful reading by Nicole Callender: Performing Pretty Fire,...
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Exciting News: Check Out Our New Podcast!
Local with Laura Ekstrand
Dear Local with Laura Ekstrand listeners, we have some exciting news to share! While we take a short break from our regular episodes, we invite you to explore our new podcast, Jacqueline Goes to Film. Join Laura and Dave as they embark on a thrilling filmmaking journey, and discover the creative process behind their upcoming feature film. Subscribe now for behind-the-scenes insights, interviews, and more! Just search 'Jacqueline Goes to Film.' on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for your continued support!
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Theatrical Journeys and Marketing Insights: A Conversation with Sydney Marie Fucito
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, Laura interviews Sydney Marie Fucito, a New Jersey-based actress with a passion for theatre and the arts. Sydney shares her journey, from earning a Theatre Arts degree at Centenary University to her current role as a Marketing Assistant at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Sydney discusses her experience in marketing, focusing on learning Adobe products and keeping up with social media trends to engage younger audiences. Highlighting her favorite acting roles, Sydney explains her affinity for characters that are vastly different from herself. She shares the...
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The Invisible Character: A Conversation with Stage Manager Amy Hadam-Rapp
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, Laura is joined by stage manager Amy Hadam-Rapp, the first stage manager to be featured on the show. Amy shares her experience working behind the scenes in the theatre industry and sheds light on the often-overlooked role of the stage manager. Laura and Amy dive deep into the art of stage management, discussing how it involves being an invisible character while also managing the logistical and creative aspects of a production. They also explore the challenges of being a middle manager, responsible for communicating the vision of the director to the cast and crew, and...
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Breaking Barriers and Empowering Youth: A Conversation with Andrew Binger
Local with Laura Ekstrand
In this episode of Local, Laura is joined by the multi-talented Andrew Binger, a respected educator, actor, director, consultant, and arts administrator from Newark, NJ. Andrew shares his experience as the Producing Artistic Director of Yendor Theatre Company, which is dedicated to developing, producing, and celebrating works by Black and Brown writers. Laura and Andrew also chat about his latest directorial project, "Only Human: An Evening of Short Plays" at Vivid Stage this month, and the importance of using the arts to explore social issues. Additionally, Andrew shares his passion for...
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Music by Jeff Ertz & John Todd