Flipping the Script

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month we are launching a month-long series that looks at mental theatre in theatre. This week we are diving into the creative process behind creating work that explores mental health from creation, to production and finally performance. In this episode, we deep dive into Indoor Person, which had it’s premiere this past February at Normal Ave in New York City. We have joined the Playwright, Kayla Martine, Director, Andrew Garrett, and the actor who portrayed the role of Cleo, Markia Nicole Smith. MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Kayla Martine (Playwright): Kayla Martine is a New York-based playwright, screenwriter, producer, actor, and romance novelist. Her tragicomedy, Indoor Person, premiered Off-Broadway this past February through Normal Ave. Other works for the stage include (De)Fermentation, and The Eating Disorder Play. She has written and produced several short films that ran the festival circuit and co-created and produced Curmudgeons Sketch, an online sketch comedy channel. To learn more, you can visit her website, www.kaylamartine.com. @kayla_martine (Instagram). @kaylamartine (Twitter) Andrew Garrett (Director): Andrew Garrett is a bi-coastal creative leader that splits his time between New York and Seattle. Though he has worked throughout the theatre, he is primarily a director, producer and educator. He is also the founder and artistic director of The Scratch - an arts organization dedicated to fostering new work. His work is all about bringing people together. Leading from a place of love, his work revolves around new play development, intergenerational workshops, community engagement and strengthening the connection between art and society. He recently directed the world premiere production of Kayla Martine’s Indoor Person at Normal Ave. More information about Mind The Gap. @TheAndrewGarrett (Instagram), [email protected] Markia Nicole Smith (Actor): Markia Nicole Smith is a 23 year old Baltimore native living in NYC. She recently graduated from Point Park University with a BFA in Acting. She’s worked regionally at the Pittsburgh Public theatre as well as with Normal Ave. in NYC. Markia is a proud bisexual black woman in the arts! @markia_nicole(Instagram/Twitter) About Indoor Person: Indoor Person is a tragicomedy about Addie and Cleo, a modern-day high-functioning agoraphobe and the one who tries to keep her afloat. Addie can’t leave the house. Cleo can’t leave Addie. "Functioning" is a fine line, so fine that maintaining the balance just might be impossible. More about the world premiere production. Audience Statement: Indoor Person contains the following themes that may be triggering to some audience members: Interpersonal and Personal Violence, Suicide, and Mental Health Conditions. Additionally, there are moments when a physical gun is present on stage. More About Normal Ave: Normal Ave believes in redefining normal by nurturing an inclusive community of fresh, diverse voices and inviting collaborative freedom at every stage of the artistic process. Our accessible programming of new and existing works spark curiosity, challenge perception, and welcome our artists and audiences to think, listen and respond in radical ways. website If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on Instagram @re.theatre.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month we are launching a month-long series that looks at mental theatre in theatre. This week we are featuring an interview with the Artistic Director of Issue Box Theatre, Rosie Best. Rosie has created an incredible company that tackles so many important issues that need to be addressed in today’s world. We hope you are inspired by the work of Issue Box Theatre and the work they do to help heal and bring together their community. More about Issue Box Theatre. If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on Instagram @re.theatre.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month we are launching a month-long series that looks at mental theatre in theatre. We are so thrilled to be kicking off this series with Dr. Alisa Hurwitz, better know as Dr. Drama. In this episode, we will break down three musicals (Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen, and Jagged Little Pill) to look at how these shows portray mental health onstage and help to end the stigma around mental health. Each week Alisa is hosting a free Mental Health Series on IG Live where she dives into the interaction between mental health and theatre. Upcoming interactive discussions will feature Celia Gooding, Tony Yazbeck and Jewelle Blackman. Just follow her at @thedrdrama to stay up to date and join in. About Alisa: Alisa Hurwitz, PsyD is a clinical psychologist. Dr. Hurwitz maintains a busy private practice, specializing in gender identity, trauma, and autism. In addition, she writes, lectures and consults about the intersection of psychology and theater, publishing pieces with Shrink Tank, OnStage Blog, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness as well as running post-show talkbacks. For her website, DrDrama.com, she interviews theater folks about mental health and musicals, including such artists as Jeremy Jordan, MJ Rodriguez, Jelani Alladin, Kathryn Gallagher, Elizabeth Stanley, and Hailey Kilgore. Find out more about Alisa and her work. If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on Instagram @re.theatre.

A breath of fresh air, inspiration and hope can best be used to describe today’s episode and our guest. Cynthia Henderson is an Associate Professor of Acting at Ithaca College and the Founder and Artistic Director of Performing Arts for Social Change. In today’s episode we talk about her unique take on fusing pedagogy of the oppressed, theatre of the oppressed, social justice theatre and Meisner together to create acting pedagogy. We also talk about her work with devising and young people… but most importantly we talk about what it means to create theatre and be alive during this challenging time. About Cynthia: Cynthia Henderson is an associate professor of acting in the Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College. She has directed and performed professionally on stage and in television throughout the U.S., Europe and Africa. Her directing credits include: The Colored Museum, Burn This, Plumfield, Iraq, My Children! My Africa!, Fires in the Mirror, In the Red and Brown Water, and Everybody. Cynthia is the founder and director of Performing Arts for Social Change (PASC); a program that uses theatre as a venue to give voice to societal issues in the U.S. as well as internationally. She is the author of The Actor’s Landscape (available on Amazon), a member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers and Actors’ Equity Association. Cynthia is also a Fulbright Scholar and the recipient of two additional Fulbright awards.More about/contact CynthiaMore about Performing Arts for Social Change  More about RE:THEATRE’s pay-what-you-can programming:Educator Brainstorming SessionsThe Rebellious History of Musical Theatre Spotlight Private LessonsMore about Theatre District on Instagram and Facebook! If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @re.theatre.

Lindsay sits down with a true legend in the theatre education field, Jim Hoare. Jim is currently the Vice President of Education at TRW, but has over 40 years of experience as an educator. In this episode, Jim shares charming stories, inspirational anecdotes and plenty of practical tips to go around. About Jim: Jim Hoare has been extensively involved in theatre for the past forty years, working with High School, College and Community Theatres. He has directed over one hundred shows and musicals, including the first high school production of Once On This Island and the world’s first production of Les Miserables, School Edition.  Jim is a proud member of the New York State Theatre Education Association (NYSTEA), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), The American Association of Community Theatres (AACT), and he has presented workshops throughout the USA and UK. Jim is a recipient of New York’s Rod Marriott Award for Lifetime Achievement in Educational Theatre. More about TRW: https://www.theatricalrights.com/ If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @re.theatre.

Happy Valentines Day, all! We figured what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than bringing back one of our most popular guests, the incredible Cessa Betancourt, to chat about Intimacy Directing. In this episode, Cessa digs into just what intimacy directing is, offers some tips for setting up a rehearsal room that is supportive of intimate moments, as well as some real-life applications this work can teach all of us! About Cessa: Francesca (Cessa) Betancourt is an actor, intimacy director, dancer/choreographer, and teaching artist. Her work is based in social/emotional learning and trauma-informed facilitation, social justice, compassion, autonomy, and physical storytelling. She is the artistic director of a recurring storytelling event and podcast called "she is FIERCE: stories from the female and genderqueer perspective" and is a founding member of HERON, an interdisciplinary theatre ensemble. Cessa holds two BAs from Western Washington University in Theatre Arts and Sociology. Bustle Article Referenced: https://www.bustle.com/articles/178198-planned-parenthood-graphic-uses-fries-to-explain-consent-in-a-way-anyone-can-understand Find out more about Cessa:Website: https://francescabetancour.wixsite.com/theatreartist/home LinkedIn: Francesca Betancourt Insta: betandalsocourt For more info on She Is Fierce:Website: sheisfierce.org IG: @sheisfiercesotries FB: She Is Fierce Stories If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @re.theatre.

This week Lindsay is joined by Devon Glover, aka The Sonnet Man! Devon travels around the world finding ways to make Shakespeare accessible… through hip hop. He is an incredible educator and shares so much wisdom and inspiration for students and educators alike.  About Devon: Mr. Glover’s story is an inspiration in itself.  Born and raised along with two brothers by a single mom in Brooklyn, he has strived all his life to make something of himself and to give back.  He went through the New York City Public School system and is a graduate of Ithaca College. Mr. Glover teaches and conducts workshops/performances in Harlem, Queens and Brooklyn.  He performed The Sonnet Man in Negril, Jamaica by special invitation from the Board of Education in the Soul Rebellion Hip Hop Festival and will be touring nationally. Devon Glover was featured on The Today Show with a tremendous national response.  The producer said, “I’ve never had so many emails from people saying how much they enjoyed the story and especially the song!”  Find out more:Instagram and Facebook - @thesonnetman Website - www.sonnetmannyc.com If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @re.theatre.

This week Lindsay is joined by Roundabout’s Director of Education to talk about the incredible work done by Roundabout’s Education Department. If you need a little reminder that theatre education is important and that young people can do incredible things… don’t sleep on checking this episode out! About Jennifer: Jennifer M. DiBella currently serves as Director of Education for Roundabout Theatre Company, where she has worked since 2005. Roundabout’s award-winning education department reaches over 40,000 people each year through in-school partnerships, career and workforce development, and community engagement programming. Jennifer holds a MA in Educational Theatre from NYU and a BA in Theatre Education from Wagner College where she also received her NY State Teaching Certification. She has extensive theatrical directing and teaching experience with artists of all ages. Prior to joining Roundabout, Jennifer worked for Camp Broadway, Walnut Street Theatre, and schools around the country. In May of 2010, she completed Coro Leadership New York, a civic leadership development program that that delivers the skills, knowledge, and network to lead change and develop innovative solutions to public issues. Jennifer currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable and on the Audience Engagement Committee for the Broadway League. For four years, Jennifer served as the New York State Representative for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) and joined AATE’s National Board of Directors in July of 2013. Through AATE, she created and served as co-chair for the AATE’s annual New York Theatre in Our Schools conference. Jennifer was the co-chair of the 2013 AATE National Conference in Washington DC, which brought together nearly 500 artists and educators from around the world to exchange ideas and best practices in the field of theatre and education. She has presented her work at local, national, and international conferences and events and has served as a guest lecturer at graduate programs throughout New York City. Jennifer was listed on the Crain's New York 40 Under 40 annual list of the most accomplished New York City based business professionals under 40 years old. In 2011, Jennifer was proud to receive the Dina Rees Evans Theatre in our Schools Award and in 2018 received Wagner College’s Presidential Medal of Honor for her work at Roundabout. In July of 2018, Jennifer and Roundabout’s Education team were honored with the National Lin Wright Special Recognition Award for their distinctive educational contribution to furthering theatre and drama for young people.Find out more:Roundabout Instagram - www.instagram.com/educationatrtc Education at Roundabout Website - https://roundabouttheatre.org/education NYC Arts in Education Roundtable - http://nycaieroundtable.org/ Jennifer DiBella on Twitter - @jendibella If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @Lindsay_Kujawabarr.

This week Lindsay is joined by Animal Enginee’s co-artistic directors, Karim Muasher and Carrie Brown. In the episode, they talk about everything from devising techniques, to clowning and revisiting classic stories for today’s audiences.  About Carrie: Carrie has a BA in Acting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a MFA in Lecoq Based Actor Created Theater from Naropa University at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA), where she trained under Thomas Prattki and Amy Russell. A clown at heart, she has also studied with master clown teacher Giovanni Fusetti and assisted clown Mark Gindick (Big Apple Circus, Ringling Bros). She has made her mark on the New York clown scene with performances at Cirque Off, tinydangerousfun, New York Downtown Clown Revue, and the New York Clown Theater Festival. Carrie has also performed as a therapeutic clown with Lev Leytzan, working with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. As Co-Artistic Director of Animal Engine Theatre Company she has co-devised and performed in every original production. About the Karim: Karim is an Arab American deviser, director, and teacher working at the intersection of performance and education. As founding Co-Artistic Director of Animal Engine Theatre Company, he has created and toured original devised works inspired by classic stories. Among his other collaborations are daredevil clown Bello Nock’s Drama Desk award-winning show “Bellomania” at the New Victory Theatre and physical comedian Martin Gindick’s multimedia solo show “Wingman” at the United Solo Festival. He has taught theatre and devising at institutions such as the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Guthrie Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, Abrons Arts Center, International Thespian Festival, and Wingspan Arts. Karim is a graduate of Ithaca College, the London International School of Performing Arts at Naropa University, and a member of the Association of Theatre Movement Education. Find out more about Animal Engine If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @re.theatre

This week Lindsay is joined by Paul Canaan to talk about everything from his broadway journey, to theatre education, to reality tv (well sort of). Plus, we cover a super common questions we get asked: how does intellectual property play into choreography and non-professional stages. About the Paul: Broadway: Kinky Boots (dance captain and original Angel), Miss Saigon, Thoroughly Modern Millie, La Cage Aux Folles, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Legally Blonde. Appeared as a judge on the MTV reality show Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods. He recently partnered with director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell to launch The Original Production Inc. A dance licensing company that offers high schools and theaters the opportunity to learn and perform original Broadway choreography. Paul is co-founder along with actress Laura Bell Bundy of the non-profit arts organization Take It From The Top, which provides professional mentoring to aspiring young artists. He also served as artistic director of The Broadway Dreams Foundation for 4 years and works with the Broadway League as a judge for The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The JIMMY AWARDS).Find out more about The Original Production. Find out more about Take It From The Top.If you have questions or ideas for future episodes reach out to Lindsay anytime at [email protected]. You can find out more about RE:THEATRE and Lindsay’s work at www.retheatreco.com, by following RE:THEATRE on Facebook or by following Lindsay on instagram @Lindsay_Kujawabarr.