Everything Theater Podcast

Podcasting from New York's Capital District, Ellen Cribbs and Benita Zahn talk all things theater - why we got into this crazy, creative business to what's currently happening on stages locally and around the world. Join us as we interview guest artists in various theatrical fields every other week. The spotlight will shine on theater artists onstage and behind the curtain.

Meeting Theater Now 11/20/2024

Meeting Theater Now Let's face it. Audiences are different than they used to be. And because of that, theater is different too. Rob Bailis, Artistic & Executive Director for BroadStage in Santa Monica, California, joins us to discuss cultivating an artistic space for modern audiences while developing a true community between theaters and their patrons. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/34029478

Psalm 91 - Releasing Religion 11/12/2024

Psalm 91 - Releasing Religion Multidisciplinary artist, D. Colin, joins us with actress Angelique Powell, to discuss her new play, Psalm 91:Releasing Religion, performing with Creative Action Unlimited. We talk about the piece, the vulnerability of presenting an autobiographical story, and the impact art has on an audience. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "Into the Breeches" /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/33892757

House Managers 11/05/2024

House Managers Diaka Kaba Hill is the best "people person" you'll ever come across, which is why it makes sense that she is a cherished House Manager in the Capital Region. Diaka joins us to talk about the job of a house manager and how an audience's experience with a show starts from the moment they enter the theater lobby. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "Into the Breeches." /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/33787817

The Business of Acting 10/22/2024

The Business of Acting Performing on stage is one thing, but not many people think about the immense amount of work actors have to do off-stage in order to get their moment in the spotlight. Actor Marc Christopher chats with us about the business of acting, including Equity status, finding representation, auditions, and making a living as a professional actor. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/33562687

Capital Region Festival of Theatre - CRFT 10/15/2024

Capital Region Festival of Theatre - CRFT The Capital Region in New York is a thriving theatre scene. It's why we host a podcast from here! And for the first time, the community is being celebrated with a weekend-long theatre festival in June 2025. The festival is kicking off with a "cast party" fundraising evening at Cohoes Music Hall with entertainment, food, wine, and thousands of dollars in raffle prizes. Patrick White chats with us about what is in store for CRFT (Capital Region Festival of Theatre). Join us on Oct 27th, 2024 at 7pm (doors open at 6pm) for the cast party! Tickets available at: This episode is sponsored by the CRFT Cast Party. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/33460087

Colorworld - A Children's Book Turned Play 10/08/2024

Colorworld - A Children's Book Turned Play The Charles R. Wood Theater is working with Artist Anthony Richichi to turn his award winning children's book, "Colorworld", into a LIVE Stage Play! We chat with the author, Anthony Richichi, as well as Executive Director, Emily Murphy, and Facilities Director, Eric Potter, about the origins of the project and how they are adapting this new children's piece for the stage! /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/33371182

Stage Combat and Playwriting 10/01/2024

Stage Combat and Playwriting David Bunce, local actor/fight choreography/playwright joins us to talk about stage combat, the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors), and his work on "Red Maple", his play that was produced at Capital Repertory Theatre and Curtain Call Theatre. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/33275372

Wardrobe and Production Management 09/10/2024

Wardrobe and Production Management We're moving backstage to discuss wardrobe crew and production management with Elizabeth Streeter, a Capital Repertory Theatre Wardrobe Supervisor turned Associate Production Manager at Proctors. What does it take to run the show behind the curtain? A lot! This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre and Albany Civic Theater's co-production of "Maggie May", running Sept 6 - 22 at Albany Civic Theater. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/32993167

Shear Madness 09/05/2024

Shear Madness "Shear Madness" has been acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running non-musical play in American theater history. Our own Benita Zahn is reprising her role as Mrs. Shubert at the Majestic Theater, and we chat with her co-star Jeff Haffner about this one-of-a-kind interactive show that has become a staple of American Theater. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater and Albany Civic Theater's co-production of "Maggie May." /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/32904502

TINA - The Tina Turner Musical 08/01/2024

TINA - The Tina Turner Musical Tina Turner, the "Queen of Rock n' Roll" made a massive impact on the world of music, and "TINA" celebrates this powerful woman through all her ups and downs. We chat with the two Tinas on the National Tour, Ari Groover and Zurin Villanueva, who alternate one of the most demanding roles in the history of theater (a 3 hour long show where they never leave the stage!) /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/32380047

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical 07/31/2024

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical It's summer and it's beautiful outside... and INSIDE, at Capital Repertory Theatre! From July 12 - August 18th, Carole King's amazing story is being told in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical "Beautiful." Shannon Rafferty (playing Cynthia Weil) and David Girard (playing Donnie Kirshner) join us to talk about the show and Carole King's amazing contribution to the music industry. #BeautifulMusical /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/32360662

Will Kempe's Players 07/16/2024

Will Kempe's Players Will Kempe's Players travel on their bus, "Robin Goodfellow," presenting productions of Shakespeare and other classic plays to audiences throughout the Capital Region. They believe in presenting the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries through original practices with minimal tech elements and plenty of audience engagement. We chat with Artistic Director, Sandra Boynton, Director of Development, Kristoph "Rags" DiMaria, and Director Shane Sczepankowski, about their approach to their shows and this summer season featuring "Pericles" and "Midsummer Madness." /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/32155307

The Theater Critic 07/11/2024

The Theater Critic "There's a rat in the theater!" No, you don't have a pest problem - it's just an old saying meaning there is a critic in the audience. Gail Burns from Berkshire on Stage joins us to talk about the job of the critic, what makes a successful review, and the state of arts journalism. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/32092342

The Dinner Detective - Murder Mystery 06/25/2024

The Dinner Detective - Murder Mystery Murder is afoot at The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, playing nation wide! We chat with Jen Werner, an actor at the Albany branch of The Dinner Detective, about an interactive evening full of code names, hilarity, delicious food, fun clues, and of course... murder! Can you solve the crime by the time you finish dessert? This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "The Squirrels" /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/31876242

Carpe Diem Theater 06/18/2024

Carpe Diem Theater Carpe Diem Theater is in their 13th season of providing students in grades 2-10 a summer full of theater, education, and leadership training in Round Lake, NY. We chat with Executive Director, Alexandra van den Heever, and Artistic Director, Brady Walsh, about the program and the impact it has had on them and countless students. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "The Squirrels", running 6/21-6/30, 2024 at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/31784952

Tony Awards 2024 06/11/2024

Tony Awards 2024 It's Tony time! For the 4th year in a row, we are delighted to chat with Adam Deremer about all the shows on Broadway this season, and who might go home with a Tony. But for the first time ever, Adam feels like it could be anyone's year! Tune in to what is bound to be a night full of surprises on Tony Sunday, June 16th 2024. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/31693552

Charleston Stage 06/06/2024

Charleston Stage Marybeth Clark has had quite the journey in the theater. Originally as an actor, turned Head of Education, turned Artistic Director, Marybeth has done it all! We chat with her about Charleston Stage Company in South Carolina, including their upcoming season and the 12-month artist-in-residence and teacher training program for young professional actors. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/31625847

Producing a New Play - "Dog People" by Leigh Strimbeck 05/28/2024

Producing a New Play - "Dog People" by Leigh Strimbeck Are you a dog person? Well, you're going to love "Dog People" - a new play by Leigh Strimbeck, produced by Great Barrington Public Theater, running May 31st - June 16th. Playwright Leigh Strimbeck and Director Judy Braha join us to talk about the process of producing a new play. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/31483962

SIX 05/09/2024

SIX We're talking "SIX", the musical sensation featuring the 6 wives of Henry VIII. Cassie Silva plays Anne Boleyn (Henry's 2nd wife) on the 2nd National Tour, and fills us in on audience interaction, actor prep, her time playing 4 different Queens, and what it's like performing this 85-minute high-energy show throughout the nation. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/31207112

SIX 05/09/2024

NEXT ACT New Play Summit - Capital Repertory Theatre 04/09/2024

NEXT ACT New Play Summit - Capital Repertory Theatre NEXT ACT! New Play Summit, a joint venture between Capital Repertory Theatre and Proctors, is an annual showcase of new plays designed to shed light on new play development. The summit brings playwrights, directors, actors, and audience members together for a series of workshops and readings, where multiple new full-length plays are given readings. We speak with Cap Rep's Associate Artistic Director, Margaret Hall, about this year's programming. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/30742613

Backstage Episode 43 - 20 Things Only People in Community Theater Understand 04/02/2024

Backstage Episode 43 - 20 Things Only People in Community Theater Understand Benita and Ellen chat about all the great upcoming shows in the area, and read off a list of the 20 top things only people in community theater understand. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/30635523

Where Arts and Activism Meet 03/19/2024

Where Arts and Activism Meet WAM Theatre (Where Arts and Activism Meet) aims to produce theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists and/or stories of women and girls while donating a portion of proceeds from those theatrical events to organizations that work to benefit the lives of women and girls in our communities and worldwide. Genée Coreno has just taken over as Artistic Director (only the 2nd AD in the company's history). We chat to her about WAM's powerful work and what she envisions for the future. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "In The Blood" by Pulitzer winner, Suzan-Lori Parks running March 15-24 at the Saint Rose Theatre. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/30433678

Forestburgh Playhouse 03/12/2024

Forestburgh Playhouse Franklin Trapp, Producing Artistic Director of Forestburgh Playhouse, joins us to talk about the excitement and challenges of producing 7 mainstage shows in the summer on top of presenting cabarets, theater for young audiences programming, and a new play festival. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "In The Blood" by Pulitzer winner, Suzan-Lori Parks. Performances: March 15-24 at the Saint Rose Theatre /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/30333068

Oscars 2024 03/05/2024

Oscars 2024 It's that time of year again when we take a break from theater to discuss our sister industry, film. Jackson Murphy (Lights Camera Jackson) is back to chat all things Oscars with us! Who will take home the golden statues, and what is the future of cinemas when people are so used to just streaming stuff at home? /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/30234153

Chester Theatre Company 02/20/2024

Chester Theatre Company James Barry, Co-Producing Artistic Director of Chester Theatre Company in Massachusetts, joins us to talk about their thrilling upcoming season, the joy of the audience talk-back, and theater tours to London and Dublin. https://chestertheatre.org/ /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/30028463

The Birthplace of Opera in North America 02/08/2024

The Birthplace of Opera in North America In 2015, performers Leah Edwards and Dimitri Pittas made a trip to Charleston, South Carolina to escape the hustle and bustle of their careers. Wooed by its beauty and hospitality, the couple returned a month later to make it their home. In connecting with their community through discussion and performance, they realized that there was a strong local desire to learn more about and attend opera and musical theatre. Upon learning that Charleston is, in fact, the birthplace of opera in North America, Leah and Dimitri embraced the serendipity and embarked on the giant adventure that is opening and running Charleston’s first full-time opera company - Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera (HALO). /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/29844823

2023 Theater Wrap Up With Chris and Patrick 12/29/2023

2023 Theater Wrap Up With Chris and Patrick 2024 is here! It's time for our annual review with Patrick White and Chris Foster. We chat about some of their favorite shows of the year, completing a successful season with their company Harbinger Theater, and what exciting things await in the new year. Can you believe this is our 5th end-of-year review with these guys?! How time flies! /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/29266323

Music and Cruises 12/12/2023

Music and Cruises Brandon Jones knows his music. He is an actor, singer, accompanist, voice teacher, and music director who is now traveling the world working on shows on cruise ships. We chat with him about all his experience and tips for a good singing audition. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "Mrs. Packard." /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/29033658

Backstage Episode 42 - Holiday Shows 12/05/2023

Backstage Episode 42 - Holiday Shows Ellen and Benita chat about holiday shows, the move to no-intermission scripts, and upcoming productions we're looking forward to. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger's Production of "Mrs. Packard", playing at the Albany Barn Dec 7-16. /episode/index/show/healthbeatwithbenita/id/28911353

Everything Theater Podcast

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