24 episodios
Let's Get Real Creative Kelly Webber
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- Ocio
If you’re a performing or visual artist or creator of some kind, then you know the struggle of wondering whether the things you’re putting into the world are any good. If someone would just raise their hand and say, “That thing you did is awesome!” we’d know we’re on the right path. But often, it feels like a big competition. We’re at the mercy of others, waiting to hear whether we’re deemed worthy enough for a job, a role, a gig.
What if we could give ourselves the validation and the opportunities we need to keep going, keep growing, to reach our full potential?
Season 2 is full of super honest conversations with other performers, artists, and creative people who have already taken a chance on themselves and figured this stuff out. And I want their secrets!
I want to know: How they figured out what really lights them up, how they’re translating that through their art form, how they got the courage and vulnerability to put their true selves out there into the world, even when it’s hard, even when the only person telling them to go for it was them.
We’re gonna learn how to lower the pressure on what you should be, to become what you’re meant to be. And we’re going to find out how to banish negativity and toxic environments to make the arts a more positive and supportive place to be in.
Let’s stop playing to win, and start showing up to thrive.
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S2E6 - Telling authentic stories in theatre (Amy Andrews and Hayley Goldenberg)
Theatre writers, Women and Theatre Cofounders, intersectional feminists.
To say that gender, race, and identity are touchy subjects in today’s world is a vast understatement - so much so that many of us just avoid them altogether. How can we put our work into the world if it’s not really representative of us or of others, or if we’re afraid to talk about it?
That’s why it was such a breath of fresh air to do this episode with Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews, the cofounders of Women and Theatre, writers and creators in theatrical spaces, explorers and champions of intersectional feminism, and two very good role models for having a constructive conversation. I asked them both some tough questions that many of us are wondering about, like how to authentically write, cast, and portray characters like ourselves and like those of marginalized groups in the theatre industry.
This was a hugely important conversation for anyone in the theatre world, but particularly those in community theatre. Buckle up, because you might just learn something.
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S2E5 - Music, and life, is a journey (Jay-EL)
R&B music artist, singer, songwriter, Season 9 American Idol contestant
Staying true to yourself is the journey we’re all on, especially singer and music artist Jay-EL. He got started gracing the stages of the Apollo Theatre and American Idol, but that’s only a little piece of his journey to finding out what he really wants to sing and write music about.
I hope this episode helps you remember that even if you feel like you haven’t made it yet, or haven’t got everything planned, you’re on the right track.
Where to find Jason:
Website - Jasonshorter.com and Jay-El.com IG - Jasonlshorter -
S2E4 Community and risk-taking in a cappella (A.J. Sing and Jason Xue)
A cappella arrangers, musicians, members of the BC Acoustics
A.J. Singh and Jason Xue are members of the BC Acoustics, a co-ed a cappella group at Boston College that’s earned a reputation for bringing powerful, dynamic song arrangements and performances to life year after year. I witnessed this myself, when I was a member of the Sharps, BC’s female a cappella group, and was always in awe of the way their songs and arrangements were not just technically solid - they made me feel something.
So I was really excited to chat with A.J. and Jason about genre-bending arrangements, creating great music on their own terms, and finding a safe home base and lifelong relationships in a cappella.
Where to find them:
Instagram and TikTok - @bcacoustics Spotify and YouTube - Boston College Acoustics Website - thebostoncollegeacoustics.com -
S2E3 Crafting joy from pom poms and culture (Justine Pon)
Asian American pom pom jewelry artist and business owner
Visiting Justine Pon’s Etsy store or Instagram channel instantly brings a smile. Her pom pom jewelry and accessories inspired by Asian American food and culture are so cute and colorful that they make embracing culture a true joy. We talked about how her culture plays a role in her business, helping others connect with their loved ones, creating a support system, and making things up as you go. Justine and I are both graduates of the Selfmade entrepreneurship program for women, so I was thrilled to see how her business has grown and evolved so much.
Where to find Justine:
IG - @theponnery to find out what’s coming up with her shop
Etsy - her shop is called The Ponnery.
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S2E2 Writing for Musical Theatre (Michael Radi)
Musical theatre writer, composer, lyricist, vocal coach, and workshop / community leader
I had so many things I wanted to ask today’s guest Michael Radi that this interview feels to me like I was skipping and hopping all over the place with my enthusiasm for everything we covered in under 60 minutes. Michael (he/they) is a jack-of-all-trades in the musical theatre world, but some of the roles they play each day are writer, composer, lyricist, vocal coach, educator, and workshop / community leader.
We talked about broadening our experiences, creating fully dimensional characters, and we also talked about the the feedback and rewriting process of bringing a show to life - how to carve away to get to your real story, and how to give and accept feedback in a positive way. This conversation made me want to dive right in and start writing something of my own, so I hope it will do the same for you!
Where to find MIchael:
Website - michaelradi.com, which has links to everything else. The Musical Theatre Writing Collective is open if you want a “nerdy and welcoming bunch” to uplift and support you in your musical theatre writing journey.
Youtube - musicaltheatrewriterguy
IG - @mtwriterguy and @writingmichael -
S2E1 Get messy to find the words (Jessica Young)
I first came across Jessica on Instagram, where she was flinging paint on a rug in her studio because lots of people had just told her to be careful of the rug. And I thought, wow, I really need to talk to her about how she came to this point in her life where she can let everyone else’s expectations go to the wayside and do what’s right for her in the moment.
We also talk about using the process of creating something to figure out what it is you’re trying to say, which I think is really powerful in a world that’s really focused on success and the end result. We also talk about using art as a “dictionary of your language” to express yourself when words don’t really cut it, and how to use that to process things that are going on in your mind.
You’ll find some real gems of wisdom in here no matter what kind of thing you make or perform, and I couldn’t have asked for a better conversation to kickstart Season 2.
Where to find Jessica:
IG - @jessicayoungart
Tiktok - @jessicayoungart
Website - jessicayoungartist.com to sign up for her collector’s club, get early announcements, and find information about her combined art and mental health mentoring, retreats, and upcoming book!