The PURE Theatre Podcast Rodney Lee Rogers

Bridging Histories: Margaret Seidler's Journey to Truth
This episode features Margaret Seidler. Margaret discusses her personal and professional experiences, particularly highlighting a recent project where she delves into her family's history. Translating her discovery into a book titled 'Painful Business, Charleston's Journey to Truth', she unearths her ancestral connections to the slave trade in Charleston. The script also touches on Seniors and Seniors, a program that Margaret is involved in, aiming to foster dialogues across generations. Furthermore, the episode explores the emotional journey and the broader implications of confronting uncomfortable truths about one's heritage. It concludes with discussions on the power of storytelling, art, and personal accountability in healing and bridging historical divides.
Margaret's Book: https://payne-fulbusiness.com
00:00 Navigating Conflict and Avoidance: Insights and Anecdotes
00:39 Introducing Margaret Seidler: A Journey in Conflict Management and More
00:58 Seniors and Seniors: Bridging Generations Through Theater
01:23 Values, Structure, and Flexibility: Lessons from a Seniors and Seniors Session
03:59 Exploring Personal Histories and the Power of DNA Discoveries
05:39 A Deep Dive into Charleston's History and Personal Ancestry
09:04 Unveiling a Painful Past: The Journey of Writing 'Painful Business' https://payne-fulbusiness.com
25:30 The Impact of Art and History on Racial Healing and Understanding
33:56 Reflecting on the Journey: Personal Growth and the Power of Sharing Stories
36:07 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions for the Podcast


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit puretheatre.substack.com

The Multifaceted Role of Theatre Patron Services and Marketing


 An in-depth conversation with Megan McMahon, the Patron Services and Marketing Manager at PURE Theatre. The discussion covers Megan's multifaceted role at the theatre, encompassing ticket handling, subscription management, marketing, event planning, and overseeing donation campaigns. The script delves into Megan's journey to theatre, starting from her high school involvement in theater, her college years majoring in theater and arts management, to her eventual role at PURE Theatre. The conversation highlights the rewarding aspects of her job, the challenges of customer service, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the theater industry, and the importance of patron relationships. Megan also shares personal anecdotes, including her initial reluctance and eventual appreciation for piano lessons, her aspirations for further professional development, and her passion for theatre production and management.


00:00 Introduction: The Joy of Theatre
01:15 The Swiss Army Knife of PURE Theatre
01:48 The Journey into Theatre
04:46 The Role of Music in Theatre
08:42 The Challenges and Rewards of Patron Services
10:31 The Rhythm of a Theatre Season
17:05 The Future of Theatre and Personal Growth
23:02 The Power of Patron Relationships
25:33 Conclusion: The Value of Theatre Work


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit puretheatre.substack.com

Exploring the Power of Storytelling and Cultural History with Jamie Ford
In this fascinating conversation, renowned author, Jamie Ford, delves into the power of storytelling and its role in fostering empathy and meaningful dialogue. The discussion revolves around Ford's novel 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy,' which details the epic saga and generational trauma tied to the first Chinese lady who arrived in the U.S. in 1834. Ford emphasizes the importance of historical narratives in creating awareness, understanding, and empathy for experiences that are often overlooked. He also vividly expresses the transformative potential of art injected into society. Ford explains his creative process, which he refers to as being in the 'compassion creation business,' and reveals that his book has been optioned by Jenna Bush's company for an upcoming series. He expresses optimism about the impacts of streaming media, cultural cross-pollination, and diversification in storytelling.
00:06 Introduction: The Compassion Creation Business
00:44 Exploring the Life of Afong Moy
01:23 The Role of Dialogue in Deepening Historical Understanding
01:41 Interview with Jamie Ford: The Author Behind 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy'
02:20 The Art of Storytelling and Generational Trauma
08:57 The Power of Art in Society
10:00 The Writing Process: From Inspiration to Creation
15:38 The Journey from Novel to Screen: 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy'
25:29 The Influence of Location on Writing
28:24 Conclusion: The Impact of Storytelling


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit puretheatre.substack.com

The Stage as a Character: A Conversation Richard Heffner


Richard Heffner discusses his early experiences in theater and his transition from being in a band to becoming a set designer. He talks about his journey from West Virginia, his work in Charleston's theater community, his experiences with Footlight Players, and his contributions to PURE Theatre. Heffner emphasizes the importance of the set as a character itself in a play, rather than just a backdrop, illustrating this with discussions concerning recent productions like 'Compulsion'. He also briefly touches on his background in playing music and how it, in a vicarious way, relates to his current work.
Photograph - David Mandel Photography - from The PURE production of Lloyd Suh's THE CHINESE LADY
Music From Artlist
ORKAS - You Know What You Want
Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon


00:06 Introduction
00:06 The Role of Set Design in Theater
00:30 Richard Heffner: The Man Behind the Scenes
01:33 Journey into Theater: From Band to Stage
03:26 The Charleston Music Scene in the 80s
06:00 Transition from Music to Graphic Design
07:05 Entering the World of Theater Set Design
08:41 First Experiences as a Theater Designer
08:49 The Evolution of Charleston's Footlight Theater
10:07 The Art and Challenges of Theater Design
18:44 The Impact of English Literature on Design Approach
20:09 The Making of 'Compulsion': A Case Study
27:21 Looking Forward: Anticipating the Next Theater Season
28:07 Conclusion: The Intersection of Music and Theater


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit puretheatre.substack.com

A Conversation with Patricia Williams Dockery: Discussing Education, Civil Rights and Her Journey as a Writer. Co-hosted by Joy Vandervort-Cobb
The podcast features conversation with writer Patricia Williams Dockery, known for 'Septima', a play that celebrates the life and struggles of Septima P. Clark, an important figure in civil rights and education. The play was developed in The PURE Theatre Lab under the guidance of director Sharon Graci.  Dockery discusses the impact of growing up on the Southside of Chicago and the importance of education in her upbringing. The narrative then shifts focus to the play 'Septima. The host identifies essential aspects of Dockery's journey - her parents' role in shaping her values, obtaining her PhD in anthropology, and the significance of working at the Avery Research Center for African American history and culture. The discussion also highlights the potential of 'Septima' further evolving and being showcased in different venues. The conversation concludes with Dockery's upcoming book, a middle-grade edition geared towards educating young readers about the history of slavery and African American heritage.
Photograph - David Mandel Photography
Music From Artlist
ORKAS - You Know What You Want
Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon
00:06 Introduction and Overview
00:32 The Success of 'Septima' and its Upcoming Tour
01:10 Introducing Joy Vandervoort Cobb
01:35 Patricia's Journey to Writing
02:17 The Importance of Education and Language
02:58 The Role of Education in Activism
06:08 Patricia's Academic Journey
08:42 The Process of Writing 'Septima'
09:06 The Impact of 'Septima' on Audiences
14:52 The Future of 'Septima'
23:14 The Role of Love in Activism
25:48 Patricia's Upcoming Book
27:34 Conclusion and Farewell


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit puretheatre.substack.com

Filmmaker Jason Chao and actor Anna Lin share their unique experiences in the theater community. They discuss their roles in 'The Chinese Lady' by Lloyd Suh, and how the play's narratives mirror their own realities in terms of shared and diverse experiences, and the feeling of being 'outsiders'. Anna talks about her journey in comedy and improvisation, which helped her break free from feeling stifled and unexpressive, while Jason shares his perspective on the invisibility of Asian American men in the western cultural landscape. Both discuss how their cultural backgrounds, identities, and experiences have influenced their character development and understanding of their roles.
Photograph - David Mandel Photograpy
Music From Artlist
ORKAS - You Know What You Want
Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

00:06 Introduction
01:00 The Beauty of the Story and the Characters
02:20 The Challenges and Joys of Rehearsals
03:36 The Diversity of Asian American Experiences
04:11 The Role of the Actor in the Play
04:46 The Personal Connection to the Characters
07:43 The Fear of Pessimism and Pragmatism
07:47 The Struggle of Being an Asian American
16:47 The Power of Comedy and Self-Expression
21:17 The Journey of Building the Character
22:26 Conclusion: The Magic of the Script and the Performers


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit puretheatre.substack.com