013: Dancing Through Life: A Choreographer's Journey

We speak with Lisa Larragoite, the Executive Director of Young Artists of America, about the secrets of fundraising for non-profit arts organizations. From overcoming challenges to measuring success, Lisa shares valuable insights and success stories from her experience leading YAA. Discover the importance of storytelling, partnerships, and building relationships with donors. The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Meadows, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

BFA, BA, Conservatory? With audition and application season in full swing, high school seniors are in the thick of preparing for the next step in their educational journeys. We talk with recent YAA alum and current Rider University student, Will Coffey, and ask him for his take on the college audition process.  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Meadows, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

Young Artists of America is known for their dynamic singers and musicians, but what does it take to be a true "triple threat" performer? How does one go from having "two left feet" to a "mover" and beyond? We talk with YAA choreographer Alyxz Blanch on taking care of your greatest instrument - the health of your body.  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Meadows, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

Welcome to a new season of The Reprise! What happens when a cast member calls out sick at the last-minute, or even in the middle of a performance? Why, you call their alternate of course! Who are these unsung heroes of theatre, and what does it take to become one? We talk with YAA alums, Gillian Jackson Han and Ian Coursey, to get their take on what life is like as alternates on the Dear Evan Hansen national tour!  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Meadows, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

We sit down with Theatre Director, Noah Himmelstein. He talks about directing various productions in both the DC and NYC theatre scenes (including YAA's own Children of Eden and Into the Woods), growing up as a theatre kid, and how to make your own statement as an artist.  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

We sit down with YAA Director Kevin S. McAllister (Stage Director for YAA's Aida). He talks about his time working with YAA, starring in the recent Broadway revival of Caroline or Change, and offers inspiring advice for young artists everywhere.  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Fang, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

We sit down with YAA Alum Claire Hebeisen (Classical Violinist). She talks about her time spent performing in various orchestras around the DC Metro area, in conservatories, and how her experiences at YAA shaped her future career as a professional performer. Check out her work at https://clairehebeisen.com/.  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Fang, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

We sit down with YAA Alum Annie Fang (Actor and Passionate Home Baker). She talks about her time spent acting at U Penn and various performance opportunities throughout Philadelphia, NYC, and DC leveraging her "be kind to herself" mentality and nurturing relationships along the way. www.fang-annie.com and catch her latest production, Shhh at the Atlantic Theater Company in NYC: atlantictheater.org/production/shhhh/ The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Fang, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

We sit down with YAA Alum Neal Davidson (NYC-based Actor, Producer, and Writer). He talks about his time performing in YAA's first-ever production, experience at Northwestern University (and advice from Stephen Colbert!), and his various NYC/virtual producing and writing projects. www.nealdavidson.me, @thesharedscreen, thesharedscreen.com The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Fang, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!

We sit down with YAA Alum Vincent Douglass (Student, Actor, and Escape Room Operator). He talks about his time in YAA as a performer and director, as well as how the pandemic has shaped his college experience.  The Reprise™ is made possible by the following organizations: Strathmore Hall Foundation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland State Arts Council, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Inner Arbor Trust & The Chrysalis. It is produced by Annie Fang, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Rachel Hahn, and hosted by Edima Essien. Visit www.youngartistsamerica.org, for more information!