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Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Anna Johnson. Anna is founding Artistic and Managing Director of Cadence Theatre Company in Richmond Virginia, and is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she holds a B.A. in theatre and dance. She was an original co-founder of Richmond’s award-winning Firehouse Theatre Project, serves as a Company Artist for Company of Fools here in Idaho, and is the founding Artistic Director of St. Thomas Playhouse in Sun Valley. Recent directing credits include 13 by Jason Robert Brown, Dan Elish and Robert Horn, Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Appropriate by Branden Jacobs- and Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire. Acting credits include roles in Steel Magnolias, Rabbit Hole, Sight Unseen, and Bus Stop with Company Of Fools. Anna also serves on the board of the Campfire Foundation in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Cadence Theatre here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Company of Fools favorite, Richard Rush! Rich was born in Chicago, Illinois and was raised in the southwest suburbs. After attending Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin - moved to New York to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.While in New York pursuing acting, became interested in painting and visual arts. After 15 years in New York, he and his wife, Jenn - who grew up in Ketchum - moved to Hailey, Idaho. During the past 20 years in Idaho, has had the opportunity to work with Company of Fools in many productions - as a set painter, prop maker and actor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Portland, Oregon based actor, Yesenia Lopez! Yesenia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations from California State University of Sacramento. Yesenia’s last time on stage before the COVID-19 crisis was in February 2020 at the Milagro stage in Portland, Oregon as Minerva in, “In the Time of the Butterflies.” Yesenia has also worked with Bag&Baggage Productions, where she performed “The Island in the Winter Or Isla en el Invierno,” for which she received a BroadwayWorld Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Yesenia’s favorite past roles include: Zoot Suit (as Lupe); Water by the Spoonful (as Odessa); Women of Juarez (as Maritza); and Electricidad (as Electricidad). When Yesenia is not on stage, she works as a Marketing Coordinator for a sports accessories store and also dabbles with graphic design and web development. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with one of our favorite members of the Foolish Family, Michelle Carter! Based out of Los Angeles for the last 20 years, Michelle is a Richmond, VA native and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Theater VCU. When not sitting in traffic on the 405 to get to auditions or to set for work, Michelle is trying to keep up with her busy 4 year old daughter Hailey. And in non-pandemic times you can find her watching college basketball and all things baseball. Some of her television and film credits include Speechless, Marvel’s Runaways, Grimm, Jane The Virgin, Castle, Grey’s Anatomy and most recently the independent film MASS which was shot on location in her favorite little town of Hailey, Idaho. Michelle was first connected with Company of Fools 12 years ago when she got a call out of the blue asking her to come to a little town in Idaho to perform in Doubt. She’s very thankful that she answered the call. Other shows that she’s performed in with her Foolish family include Violet, 110 In The Shade, Noises Off, Welcome Home Jenny Sutter and Cry It Out. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Lawrence Siulagi. Lawrence is a performer, director, playwright, sound designer, projection designer, videographer and music composer from San Diego where he pursued a Bachelors degree in the Dramatic Arts (directing emphasis) at San Diego State University; and film editing and marketing at the University of Southern California. After college he founded Actors for Actors Theatre Co. where he directed and produced six plays—including the world premiere of Conversations With The Adversary by Mack Owen—in various San Diego playhouses. As an actor, Lawrence has appeared in productions of Deathtrap (as Sidney Bruhl) and Romeo & Juliet/Layla & Majnun (as The Sayyid) and is proud to be an Resident Artist with Bag&Baggage Productions. When he's not acting Lawrence is the resident sound designer for the Milagro Theatre where he designed recent shows Wolf At The Door and Judge Torres. As a projection designer, his recent shows include Bell, Book and Candle Óyé Oyá, Not My Revolution, As You Like It or, Love In a Forest, and The Island in Winter or, La Isla en Invierno. As a playwright, he debuted and directed his play Sea/Sick at SoloFest at The Vault Theatre. Lawrence encourages listeners to support the Actors Fund. Learn more here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Idaho-based actor Alexis Ulrich! Lexi is a Las Vegas native who came to Idaho when she was just five year old and has been performing onstage ever since. Alexis’s main passion is acting but in her spare time she loves singing, playing piano, and spending quality time with her family. She’s worked with a variety of theatre companies in Idaho for fifteen years. She is a graduate from Twin Falls High School, has her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from the College of Southern Idaho, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor Degree in Theatre performance from Idaho State University. This past year Alexis had the privilege of performing in two shows in Company of Fools 24th season, Lydia Wickham in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and Zoe in The Niceties. Some of her other favorite roles include; Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love, Deloris in Sister Act, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, and Ursula in The Little Mermaid. She is also a new and proud member of Actors Equity. Despite not currently having work due to Covid, she is excited and hopeful for the future! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Portland-based actor, director and advocate Jennifer Lanier! Jennifer grew up in Greensboro NC and received her classical acting training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. While in North Carolina, Jennifer founded the Lesbian Thesbians theatre company and also produced a number of independent projects. She became a founding fellow of the A+ Schools Program, instructing school faculties in Arts integration and curriculum enrichment. She also began working with Robert Moyer at the United Stage and the two even had a run at the Smithsonian Institution’s Discovery Theatre of Lanier’s original young audiences piece, BRER RABBIT MEETS COYOTE, exploring the challenges with growing up as an ethnically mixed person. Lanier expanded the piece into a solo comedy called NONE OF THE ABOVE which she has toured to colleges, theatre festivals, and Pride events throughout the country. She is currently Co-Artistic Director of Original Practice Shakespeare Festival (OPS Fest). And has worked in regional theatre across the country. To learn more about OPS Fest, click here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Portland-based actor, director and designer, Rusty Tennant! Rusty is the Artistic Director of Fuse Theatre Ensemble, and they have an MFA in directing and performance from the University of New Orleans. Rusty’s recent directing credits include Cabaret, Sordid Lives, Under the Influence, King Lear, Rope, The Last Days, and A View from the Bridge, among many others. Rusty also serves as the technical director at Reed College and is a regular adjunct faculty and guest artist at a range of Northwest Colleges and Universities. Rusty is also the Producing Artistic Director of the OUTWright Theatre Festival, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ contributions to theatre held annually in Portland. To learn more about Fuse, click here! To learn more about the OUTWright Theatre Festival, click here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with artist, advocate, and philanthropist Jane Vogel Mantiri. Jane is the founder and president of Advance Gender Equity in the Arts (AGE), a Portland based nonprofit social justice organization that advances the power and visibility of women and nonbinary artists. AGE advances equity through an intersectional lens, leading with age and race. AGE provides equity grants, community engagement, and workshops to achieve its mission. Jane is an actor, activist and retired psychologist and her passion for equity is strongly influenced by her childhood refugee and immigrant experience which led her to devote decades of her life to trauma healing. Her lifelong dream to be an actor was realized late in life and her vision is that future generations will have full representation and access to the powerful storytelling of theatre. Learn more about AGE online here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking San Francisco-based author and playwright Kristy Lin Billuni! With roots in sex work, queer activism, and sex ed, Kristy has published fiction and essays in several anthologies and journals, most recently, Sinister Wisdom. Her plays have appeared at an HIV clinic in the Castro, a leather bar in Chelsea, and at The Brava and Piano Fight, two of San Francisco’s finest cabaret stages. She has earned her living for almost twenty years as the Sexy Grammarian, teacher of bold, free, turned-on writers. She lives with her heroic wife in San Francisco. Check out Kristy's website here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Oregon Contemporary Theatre Artistic Director Craig Willis. CRAIG has been at the helm of Oregon Contemporary Theatre since 2003 and has an MFA in Directing and a PhD in Dramatic Literature/Theory from the University of Oregon. Craig’s OCT directing credits include: Jen Silverman's The Roommate, Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori's Fun Home, David Ives' Venus in Fur, among many, many more. His scenic designs for OCT include: The Flick, Becky’s New Car, Ordinary Days, The Seagull and I Am My Own Wife. Learn more about OCT online here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form.  Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with New York based Broadway star Marty Thomas! Marty Thomas is a recording artist and an actor who made his Broadway debut at age 11 as Colin in THE SECRET GARDEN. He also appeared on Broadway in WICKED and XANADU, was named Mr. Broadway in 2008 and was a 1992 Ed McMahons Junior Vocalist Star Search Champion beating a then unknown Britney Spears. He has appeared off Broadway in MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING, PAGEANT and A LOSS OF ROSES,  featured in the film BIG GAY MUSICAL, plays Damon’ on TWO BROKE GIRLS (CBS) and Charlie on GRACE & FRANKIE (Netflix). He toured internationally with many theatrical productions as well as the famed QUEEN ESTHER MARROW & THE HARLEN GOSPEL SINGERS as their first Caucasian member. He is a vocal arranger, producer and backup vocalist who has sung with the likes of Billy Porter, Grace Jones, Patti Labelle, Jennifer Holliday, and many more. Marty is a renowned performer, director and producer in the New York cabaret and concert scene. His show MARTY THOMAS PRESENTS DIVA has toured nationally and performed weekly in New York residence for 8 years. His latest album, Slow Dancing with a Boy was released to Broadway Records on December 6, 2019. Learn more about Marty online here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with internationally renowned scenic designer, Jesse Dreikosen! Jesse is the Associate Chair and Head of Design and Production at The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts in Moscow, Idaho. Before moving to Idaho, Jesse was an Associate Professor and Head of Design and Production at Florida International University. He received his MFA in scene design from Purdue University and a BFA in theatre design from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Jesse has designed sets  around the country at such theatres as Company of Fools, The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Contemporary American Theater Festival, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, The Texas Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and many more Jesse’s work has been exhibited at the Prague Quadrennial in the Czech Republic, and he  currently hold the position of Vice-Commissioner of Education in the Scene Design & Technologies Commission for The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). I also serve as the National Chair of Design, Technology and Management for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF Visit Jesse online at his website here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with my friend, Yasmin Ruvalcaba! Yasmin Ruvalcaba, graduated from Williams College in 2017. While there she earned her B.A. in Political Science and Latinx Studies, and was also considered an “adopted” theatre major. While at Williams she was active in the theatre community, directing and acting in plays for the student run Cap&Bells. During her time there she realized the lack of diversity and representation within the theatre department and community. As a result, she made the conscious decision of directing plays such as El Nogalar by Tanya Saracho, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom by August Wilson. Now in Portland she has had the opportunity to direct a couple of readings for Milagro Theatre’s, Ingenio Series. Yasmin has also been honored to be the assistant director for La Ruta (Artists Repertory Theatre) and La Isla En Inviero/The Island in Winter (Bag&Baggage Productions) in the past year. She is also an active writer in the community. Two of her monologues are currently featured in Theatre Diaspora’s Here on This Bridge: The -ism Project. Yasmin is currently working for Advance Gender Equity in the Arts (AGE), located in Portland; where she focuses on advocating for intersectional women’s equity and representation in the theatre community. Learn more about AGE here.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with lighting designer and theatre administrator, Steve Koehler! For the past two years Steve has served as the Managing Director of Swift Creek Mill Theatre in Chesterfield Virginia, a professional theatre south of Richmond Virginia. Steven has also been Managing Director of Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette in Lafayette, Indiana and Actors Guild of Lexington in Lexington Kentucky. He has served on the Boards of The Kentucky Theatre Association, The Indiana Community Theatre Association, and the Richmond Virginia Theatre Alliance. Steve has served as a panelist for The Indiana Arts Commission and the Virginia Arts Commission. As a lighting designer, Steve has worked extensively in Richmond Virginia, and through the midwest. For The Company of Fools, Steven has designed The Syringa Tree, It's a Wonderful Life, a Radio Play, The Woman in Black, Good People, Grey Gardens, and most recently, Crimes of the Heart. Steve is married to musician, Shellie Johnson, and proud father of three. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Norman Wilson! Norman is a Portland transplant from Los Angeles. Growing up in Orange County, CA, he cut his teeth on community theatre, church choirs and background work in film before graduating to professional stage, film and TV work. He now lives in Portland with his partner of fifteen years and their dog of ten, and they co-work in their one BR apartment for their employers. Norman is an underwriting account manager for All Classical Portland, the premier classical music station of Oregon and southwest Washington and the entity that produces the nationally syndicated program The Score with Edmund Stone. When not touting the virtues of public radio or performing on stage or screen, Norman can usually be found running along the Willamette River, on the Oregon coast or in his kitchen cooking. He is also a rabid watcher of Turner Classic Movies and solver of NY Times crossword puzzles. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with arts and culture publisher Misty Tompoles! Misty is the publisher and founder of Artslandia Magazine, and is a rampant entrepreneur who started her company when she was 24. Since then she has helped create and navigate the currents that course through ever-changing cultural waters. This is true now more than ever. Her influence and dogged work ethic within the media landscape has helped shape Portland’s national reputation as an independent, innovative incubator for creative entrepreneurship. As a fearless entrepreneur, she is a tenacious advocate for the art and artists that form the heart and soul of communities everywhere. Check out Artslandia online here.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with internationally acclaimed actor and director Molly Lyons! A recent transplant to Tuscon from Chicago, Molly has directed such shows as: On the Verge, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Barber of Seville, Magic Flute, Carmen, The Foreigner, Diary of Anne Frank, The Clearing, an award-winning Glass Menagerie, among many more. As an actor, some of her favorite roles include: Ellie – Sweet Texas Reckoning, the Nurse – Romeo & Juliet, Beatrice – Much Ado About Nothing, Titania – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cecilia – At Water’s Edge and, as the last queen of Ireland in her solo show, A Most Notorious Woman. Molly has worked across the US and internationally in Canada and Europe. Her education includes: Santa Clara University, California Institute of the Arts, Royal Shakespeare Company. Molly has been Artistic Director of Green Wood Studios, actor training, and Actors' International Retreat Experience (AIRE) since 1994. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with Emmy Award winning Production Designer JOHN IACOVELLI. John has designed over 300 hours of Prime-Time Television, garnering a Prime-Time Emmy Award for the A&E Broadcast of the Broadway production of Peter Pan. John was also art director on the Disney smash hit film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! His TV work includes The Old Settler, The Gin Game, Babylon 5; Ed; Resurrection Blvd.; and Lincoln Heights. His Broadway work includes The Twilight of the Golds, and the National Tour of Camelot starring Michael York. His regional theater credits include over 300 productions at major Theatres: Steppenwolf, Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, and many many more. John has an MFA degree from NYU Tisch, and an LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Career Achievement. He received the Distinguished Achievement Award from The U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology in 2019. Learn more about John's career and work online here.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support

Welcome to Foolish Voices! On this show we talk to a wide range of theatre artists, both here in Sun Valley and all across the world, about how the current global health crisis is impacting their work, about their creative lives, and about their hopes for the future of our art form. Please consider supporting Company of Fools by making a donation, in any amount, via our podcast platform or online at svmoa.org. In this episode, we are talking with musical theatre and Broadway star Eric Leviton! Eric has appeared in a gazillion Broadway shows, but is known for being in the original Broadway cast of Kinky boots. Eric has toured in such shows as Chicago, The Full Monty, Seussical, the Musical starring Cathy Rigby, and Damn Yankees starring Jerry Lewis. Television credits include roles on “Sneaky Pete,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Blue Bloods,” “Law & Order,” “Desperate Housewives,” "Scrubs," "Diagnosis Murder," "Beverly Hills 90210," and Disney’s "Annie," as well as a recurring role as The Heckler on "Late Night with Conan O’Brien." Eric is also the co-creator of the award-winning two-man show, “A Little Traveling Music” as well as the host/creator of the podcast HOW WE TALK ABOUT SEX, which is on iTunes. Learn more about Eric's podcast here. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foolish-voices/support