Embracing Arlington Arts Talks Janet Kopenhaver

This is another episode featuring the "behind-the-scenes" theater professionals who are critical to bringing a production to the stage. This week we get the inside scoop on lighting and visual media design from CJ Barnwell. Find out how he ended up in this field, his process for designing, what exactly a lighting/visual media designer does and some challenges he has faced in the past. Also find out how the profession has evolved and changed over the years, as well as why the relatively new visual media component has become so important. Finally get all the details and particular challenges of lighting for the production he is working on now - a one-person show at NC Stage - "Thurgood." 

What an insightful and interesting interview we had with Actor Solomon Parker III who is appearing in Signature Theatre's upcoming production of "Hair." Why does he think this show is so important and relevant in 2024? Why does he believe the 1960's were so critical? How did he prepare for his role as the "President of the United States of Love" and how it contrasted to his previous role when he appeared in the production in Oregon? Answers to these questions as well as how he got into the theater industry and roles on his bucket list are some of the wide-ranging topics we discussed. And what does Solomon think would make this world a much better place?

Scenic Designer and Visual Artist Julie K. Ross appeared on the podcast as part of our educational shows about the professionals not on stage that are critical to bringing a show to the stage. Hear what a Scenic Designer does, how she ended up in this career, how the profession has changed (and where projections fit in), and a prop that many times ends up on her sets as an inside joke. Also hear about her work as a visual artist and where in Dollywood one can see her very large and unique murals. Finally get the scoop on "Thurgood" opening soon at NC Stage Company and some teasers about that set.

The Executive Director of Encore Stage and Studio Sara Duke returned to the show to talk about the exciting developments with their "Flip the Script" series. Hear how the students prepare and draft the play, background on the two previous productions (one focused on Arlington's first middle school integration and Green Valley) and the current one that will be all about the diversity of Arlington and its food trucks. Also hear what surprised the students in their research about Green Valley and some iconic sights in the neighborhood that are recreated on stage. Finally get all the details about the final two productions in this current season and the many different options for summer camps being offered this year.

Actor Jessica Phillips took time off the stage to join us on the podcast to talk about her new show "Penelope" being presented at Signature Theatre. How did she prepare for a one-person show and portraying Penelope - Odysseus' wife in the Odyssey? Get all the details about the show and why she thinks all audience members will be able to relate so well to her character. Also learn about how she ended up in the theater industry, what are some of the big differences and adjustments actors need to make when moving from television to the stage, and what her unique answer was to roles on her bucket list. 

Toni Andrews, Senior Program Director at George Mason University updated us on the new construction building at George Mason University and its inclusion of the arts including digital arts and a podcast studio, as well as other arts projects the university is working on. Also get all the details about her historical fiction book "The Road to Second Chance" that she just published, what the impetus was behind her writing of it, how writing helped her mentally and emotionally, and her words of wisdom and lessons learned about how to get a book published.