Episode 41: Michael Mell

I made my stage debut in the Philadelphia theatre scene 25 years ago today! To celebrate, I'm sharing a few of the stories and lessons I've learned as a theatre kid that I have since taken into my career as a theatre-maker.In this episode:Hedgerow Theatre CompanyNagel Jackson's A Christmas CarolINSTAGRAM: ⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠EMAIL: [email protected]: ⁠Stephen Fala⁠Show Logo: ⁠Stephen Gordon

Ever wonder what it takes to create the spaces where pipe and drape scenery is set up? In this episode, consultant Michael Mell talks theatre design from gymnacafetoriums, to universities, to touring houses! We discuss lighting, acoustics, backstage spaces, and highlights from his book Building Better Theaters. Find Michael Mell: WEBSITE: https://www.theaterdesigninc.com/  Purchase his book Building Better Theaters This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Spiffin’ up Ziggy’s” from Captain Louie Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

24th STreet Theatre Associate Artistic Director and Director of Latino Theatre Programs Jesus Castaños-Chima and Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director Jay McAdams discuss the organization's annual Día de los Muertos festival in this episode of the podcast! Play this episode to learn about the evolution of their community programming in Los Angeles. More information about 24th STreet Theatre: WEBSITE: https://www.24thstreet.org/  Celebrate Día de los Muertos at 24th STreet Theatre every year on November 2nd! See Pascal & Julien through October 27, 2024: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pascal-julien-tickets-972530363497?aff=oddtdtcreator  INSTAGRAM: @24thST #DDLM24thST This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “First Day” from Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

Leah Thomas is an Atlanta-based actor, choreographer, and teaching artist who has completed several tours around the Atlanta area. This pipe and drape story takes us on the road with Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank. Learn about Leah’s experience sharing this historical piece, her connection to the material, and stories from behind the pipe and drape in this episode of the podcast.  Find Leah Thomas: WEBSITE: leahthomas.net Leah’s website designer Kate Cunningham: @katewcunningham INSTAGRAM: @lleahthomass This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “13/Becoming a Man” from 13 Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

“Who do you want to be as an artist and what do you want to say to the world?” Gillian McNally combined her passion for social justice and love of theatre in a theatrical, academic career. In this episode, Professor McNally discusses her coursework at University of Northern Colorado, her recent research, and the ways theatre can be used as a springboard for class discussions about immigration, racism, gender identity, and gun violence. Content Warning: brief discussion of mass shootings from 15:55-19:18 Find Gillian McNally: EMAIL: [email protected] Facebook: Gillian McNally More information about University of Northern Colorado: WEBSITE: https://arts.unco.edu/theatre/ This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “I’m Just a Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks  Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

In this episode of the podcast, Hananya Allen discusses her interdisciplinary work on stage and screen as an actor, in the classroom as a teaching artist, and behind the table as a stage manager and casting assistant. The TYA, TVY, and theatre education practices at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA are covered in this interview, as well as hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the theatre field and Hananya's off-stage talents. Find Hananya Allen: INSTAGRAM: @hananyaballen More information about the short film PA: INSTAGRAM: @pashortfilm IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29780607/ This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Entr'acte/Imaginary Land” from Imaginary Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

Actor and Artistic Director Matt Giles shares information about South Carolina Children's Theatre's upcoming 2024-2025 season, including new work and accessibility updates. Stephen and Matt discuss SCCT's upcoming immersive production of Listen, which is being created for a high school audience and performed by teen actors, and how Matt's multi-hyphenate title informs his leadership practices. In each job, Matt has ensured that "creating joy" a core value! More about South Carolina Children’s Theatre: WEBSITE: https://scchildrenstheatre.org/ INSTAGRAM: @sc_childrenstheatre This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “We Deserve” from Fashion Academy Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

Actor/Puppeteer Weston Chandler Long has performed on screens, streets, and stages for audiences of all ages. As a child, Weston wrote a letter to Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney, and he was then invited to meet him on the set of the children’s television program. Puppeteers like Spinney and John Tartaglia became his mentors and teachers and, eventually, coworkers. In this pipe and drape story, Weston shares his how his puppetry skillset that was honed during his work in children’s media led him to play Off-Broadway’s most blood-thirsty plant, Audrey II, in Little Shop of Horrors. Find Weston Chandler Long: WEBSITE: http://www.westonlong.com/  INSTAGRAM: @westonclong Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway: https://littleshopnyc.com/  This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Storm” from The Storm Whale Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist here! Connect with Pipe and Drape: EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/07/episode-35-weston-chandler-long.html INSTAGRAM: @PipeAndDrapeStories EMAIL: [email protected] Host: Stephen Fala Artwork: Stephen Gordon

In this pipe and drape story, The Growing Stage Founder and Executive Director Stephen L. Fredericks shares how he started the children's theatre of New Jersey, which is entering its 43rd season of entertainment in the fall of 2024! The company’s five-person staff, board, and team of volunteers have served three generations of theatre goers through tours, classes, community engagement, and play reading festivals, encouraging each to “play, laugh, and grow.” Play this interview to learn about Stephen’s early days as a performer, influence from Arizona State University’s Dr. Don Doyle and Lin Wright, and efforts to challenge audiences and creators through storytelling.  More about The Growing Stage: WEBSITE: https://growingstage.com/  INSTAGRAM: @thegrowingstage This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “The Jitterbug” from The Wizard of Oz. Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist ⁠here⁠! Connect with Pipe and Drape: EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/07/episode-34-stephen-l-fredericks.html INSTAGRAM: ⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠ EMAIL: [email protected] Host: ⁠Stephen Fala⁠ Artwork: ⁠Stephen Gordon

At the intersection of theatre, education, advocacy, and West 42nd Street is Theatre For Young Audiences/USA Executive Director Sara Morgulis. Sara has been a leader in theatre education and creator of theatre for young audiences since she herself was a young audience member. In this pipe and drape story, Sara shares stories from the classroom, motherhood, and her position at the non-profit organization that is shaping the future of theatre for young audiences: TYA/USA. More about TYA/USA: WEBSITE: https://www.tyausa.org/⁠  INSTAGRAM: @tyausa1965 FACEBOOK: TYAUSA We’d love you to check out: This TYA Today article: Most Produced TYA Plays and Artists of the 2023-2024 Season Five by Sara Morgulis and Brooke Boertzel The LEAD Conference Actionplay: https://actionplay.org/ Milo Imagines the World at Children's Theatre Company This week’s Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party music: “Animal Heart” from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical Listen to the Tuesday Afternoon Dance Party playlist ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! Connect with Pipe and Drape: EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION: ⁠https://pipeanddrapestories.blogspot.com/2024/06/episode-33-sara-morgulis.html INSTAGRAM: ⁠⁠@PipeAndDrapeStories⁠⁠ EMAIL: [email protected] Host: ⁠⁠Stephen Fala⁠⁠ Artwork: ⁠⁠Stephen Gordon⁠