Theatre People

This week on Theatre People, we're thrilled to sit down with the co-writers and music director/vocal arranger of Hot Jambalaya, the hilarious murder-mystery musical that has captivated Atlanta audiences! After making its world premiere at Dad's Garage in 2025, Hot Jambalaya returned for a second Atlanta run at Horizon Theatre in 2026. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with the creative team for an exclusive look at the show's conception, development, world premiere, and journey so far. Plus, hear their thoughts on what's next for Hot Jambalaya and the exciting future they envision for the show! When Papa Joe "Sewer King" Van Horn takes a fatal spill from a French Quarter balcony, his eccentric family, friends, and professional associates gather for his funeral aboard the aging steamboat Fleur de Lis only to make a series of startling discoveries: Papa Joe was murdered, every single person present wanted him dead, and the killer intends to strike again! Intro Music is 'Lagniappe Handclap' by Matt Hobbs and Travis Sharp Outro Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to sit down with Atlanta costume designer and puppet builder, Nicole Clockel! Nicole has designed costumes for countless theatre productions in Atlanta including Actor's Express' Cabaret, Weird Sister Theatre's Pros & Cons of Killing Your Cult Leader, Synchronicity Theatre's A Year With Frog and Toad, and Alliance Theatre's Small Mouth Sounds.   Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to speak with accomplished Atlanta actor Terry Henry. Terry has performed in a number of celebrated Atlanta theatre productions including City Springs Theatre's Mama Mia, Actor's Express' cullud wattah, and most recently Synchronicity Theatre's In Spite of My Ambivalence. In addition to her career in theatre, Terry Henry also has a pronounced career in film and television having done projects with Warner Brothers Media, BET, Starz, and Lifetime.    Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to speak with Atlanta actor, director, and educator Lilliangina Quiñones. Lilliangina has performed in many fan favorite musicals in Atlanta including Aurora Theatre's "On Your Feet", "Mary Poppins", and both of Aurora's productions of "In the Heights". Most recently, Lilliangina directed Stagedoor Theatre's production of "Ripcord" by David Lindsay-Abaire. In addition to her accomplished career as a performer, Lilliangina also serves as the Theatre Department Chair at the School of the Arts.   Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People, we are proud to speak with the co-writers of Like Father, Jacob Ryan Smith and Caroline Pernick, as well as dramaturg Amanda Watkins, about the conception, development, and production of the world-premiere musical Like Father, running October 8–November 15, 2026, at Alliance Theatre. Like Father is a coming-of-age musical set against America's true-crime obsession. After her father's arrest, seventeen-year-old Chris moves in with her estranged mother, Michelle, and stepfather, Ben. When a hit true-crime podcast exposes their family's disturbing past to the world, they are forced to face the truth of what brought them together, or risk being undone by its consequences. Driven by a bold, innovative folk-pop score, Like Father explores legacy, identity, and the cost of obsession, inspired by the loved ones left in the wake of infamous serial killers—and by the true-crime industry's meteoric rise to over 250 million listeners worldwide.  For more information about Like Father please visit: https://www.alliancetheatre.org/production/2026-27/like-father/ Intro and outro music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to welcome accomplished scenic designer, educator and Actor's Express' former Director of Productions Seamus Bourne! Seamus has designed sets for theatres all throughout Atlanta including Actor's Express, Theatrical Outfit, Aurora Theatre and more. Seamus currently serves as a Professor of Theatre at Kennesaw State University.   Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to sit down with the creative and producing team behind MR.COOL: A Play in 5 Sets. In this episode, we will follow the life of the play from the beginning of its in conception, all the way through its second run at Theatrical Outfit. Ray Masinloc is a fallen Filipino-American UFC champion who reinvents himself as the host of the hit podcast Ray of Fight, where he conducts live séances with legendary athletes. During the season finale, staged before a live audience at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ray attempts to interview tennis icon Arthur Ashe. What begins as a spectacle becomes a deeply personal reckoning as Ashe challenges Ray to confront the stories he tells himself—and the cost of living up to the expectations of others. Through wit, vulnerability, and unexpected humor, MR. COOL asks what remains after fame fades and whether redemption is possible when we're finally forced to face the truth. Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to speak with award-winning playwright, novelist, essayist and Atlanta's first Poet Laureate, Pearl Cleage! Pearl Cleage has made many notable contributions to American theatre including her critically acclaimed plays Flyin' West, Bourbon at the Border, Puppet Play and Blues for an Alabama Sky. The daughter of prominent civil rights leader and preacher Rev. Albert Cleage, Pearl Cleage has a long history of civil rights work in the city of Atlanta and beyond. She also served as a speechwriter for Mayor Maynard Jackson, Atlanta's first Black mayor. Pearl Cleage currently serves as Alliance Theatre's Distinguished Artist in Residence, and was appointed Atlanta's first Poet Laureate in 2021.   Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People, we are proud to welcome beloved Atlanta theatre, film, and television actor Denise Arribas. Denise has had a long and accomplished career in the Atlanta theatre community, most recently starring in Aurora Theatre's 2026 production of In the Heights. Denise is also one of the founding performers of Unexpected Encores, an immersive performance that serves people with dementia and their caregivers.    Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

This week on Theatre People we are proud to sit down with Actor's Express' artistic director Freddie Ashley! Freddie is an award-winning director and actor with an long and esteemed career in the Atlanta theatre community. Since stepping into the role of artistic director of Actor's Express in 2007 Freddie has directed over 50 productions, and has earned three Suzi Bass awards for best director, and earned the Suzi Bass award for best actor in a play for his performance as Charlie in The Whale.    Music is 'Wonderful' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au