Podcast TYA Scott Savage

In this episode of the podcast I'm my own guest! In 2022 I began reviewing plays for the Utah Theatre Bloggers Association (UTBA) and I recap what I saw in Utah TYA productions across the state in 2022. This is a condensed episode, and the full version can be found on our YouTube Channel at a later date. 

Coming up this season we have a 2-part interview with Tim Webb, founder of the Oily Cart Compnay about his book "Sensory Theatre", as well as a chat with friend of the podcast Joni Newman talking about TYA and the Tonys. We're setting up more great content that you won't want to miss! 

As always, thanks for listening!

In this episode of the podcast our guest is the in demand wordsmith and titan of a man, Idris Goodwin. 

Idris Goodwin is an award winning scriptwriter, breakbeat poet, educator and executive director of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. He was recently named a 2021 United States Artist Fellow. In addition to Can I Kick It?, he’s had several publications from Haymarket Books including Inauguration co written with nico wilkinson, Human Highlight: Ode To Dominique Wilkins, and the play This Is Modern Art. He’s appeared on Nickelodeon, HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, and the Discovery Channel.  His plays include And In This Corner Cassius Clay, How We Got On, Hype Man and Jacked!

While every guest has been greatly anticipated by me personally, I think I can say with a great deal of confidence that maybe no guest so far has been as repeatedly requested by people I talk to in the field of TYA. I was introduced in full force to today's guest, Idris Goodwin, when I saw his interview with Jason Reynolds leading up to an incredible production of Ghost at the TYA/USA conference in Atlanta, GA almost 3 years ago. Since then I've continued to find that Idris is behind some of my favorite TYA work including "And in this Corner, Cassius Clay" and "This is Modern Art." This episode holds up (even if some of his projects that he refers to as being in the works have already occured!) 

Our conversation today is wide ranging, and covers a broad scope of topics including his writing process, what he sees as needs in the field of TYA, and the creative stimuli that make his work hum. I do want to make a note that we discuss the topic of "messiness" in theatre, and at the end of the podcast I have a message I want to share to give context for something I said in our conversation. Howver, at this point? Trust me, you're not going to want to miss a second of this conversation. The man is incredible, and I wish we'd had twice as much time!

Audio Engineer: Darius Fletcher | Lumber Beard Designs
Theme Music: Wallpaper by Kevin Macleod

In this episode of the podcast our guest is the exhuberant and groundbreaking Maria Cary. 

Maria Cary is a professional Theatre for Youth educator. The current Drama and Dance Resource Teacher for Orange County Public Schools, she holds an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida and a BA in Theatre and Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The past seven years have brought Maria opportunities to teach, perform, and share her love for young people internationally and throughout the U.S. 

Her credits as a teaching artist include Flat Rock Playhouse (Flat Rock, NC), The Coterie (Kansas City, MO), La Isla Bonita (San Pedro, Belize), The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C) and Orlando Repertory Theatre. Her passion for creative drama inspired When Pigs Fly, a Theatre for the Very Young piece based on Maria’s thesis work, which made its professional debut Fall 2019 at Orlando Repertory Theatre.

She loves to collaborate and can be reached at Maria.Cary@ocps.net

In this episode of the podcast Maria and I explore what "Theatre for the Very Young" is and what it looks like. As a parent of young children, I have been so impressed by her work and we get the chance to unearth her creative process and finding herself within TVY.  The episode explores a fledgling aspect of TYA that can be seen sprouting up all over the country due to the innovative practices from leaders such as Maria Cary. 

If you want to expand your reach of theatre to the very youngest audiences, you have found the perfect launching point. I loved this conversation with Maria, and think that her leadership in our field is essential. 

Audio Engineer: Darius Fletcher | Lumber Beard Designs
Theme Music: Wallpaper by Kevin Macleod

In this episode of the podcast our guest is the warm and mesmerizing Gene Columbus.  

Gene Columbus had a long and illustrious career with the Walt Disney Company before he became a renowned presence in the field of TYA. Gene served for over a decade as the executive director of what had been the Orlando Civic Theatre as it transitioned and blossomed into the incredible Orlando Repertory Theatre, a well respected TYA company. He is the author of The Complete Guide to Careers in Special Events: Step Toward Success!  He has since retired to spend more time with his lovely wife, Miss Becky, as well as become a resource for people looking to advance their careers. You can learn more about Gene's current projects through his website - www.genecolumbus.com 

This episode is specifically aimed at connecting with those who have the responsibility of development and raising funds. He talks about how you craft your story, and how when people care about what you do and believe in what you stand for, they want to support. Gene is a master storyteller and you're going to be entranced by not only what he has to say, but HOW he says it.  I think you're going to love it. 

For a little more context about the man himself, consider this article. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/arts-and-theater/os-et-gene-columbus-orlando-rep-retires-20190628-idap5uxcxrhbff5kaomf4ycwpy-story.html

Audio Engineer: Darius Fletcher | Lumber Beard Designs
Theme Music: Wallpaper by Kevin Macleod

In this episode, our guest is the charismatic, insightful, philosophical, and moving Tim Webb. Tim is the founder of the UK's Oily Cart company today
Tim's work in theatre spans many decades and is focused on creating sensory engaging theatre for children with PMLDs or Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities. PLMD is not just those who are neurodivergent such as having an autism spectrum disorder but also includes those who have difficulty speaking, seeing, or hearing as well as those with other physical, mental, emotional or social challenges. The audiences are often very small and the scripts very personal and adaptable. It's truly incredible. To get a good overview of Tim's work I would suggest this article: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/mar/26/tim-webb-director-childrens-theatre-oily-cart-in-a-pickle-q-and-a

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss Tim's history in the field and some of his favorite productions. He discusses his new book that is under contract as well as giving us insight into what he thinks makes this kind of theatre tick -- and what makes TYA effective generally. I had the chance to have a week-long intensive with him as a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, and we discuss some of what I've learned. Tim is a delight to listen to and a fountain of wisdom. I think you'll enjoy listening to him. 

Audio Engineer: Darius Fletcher | Lumber Beard Designs
Theme Music: Wallpaper by Kevin Macleod

In this episode, our guest is the enterprising and accomplished Chris Brown.

Chris Brown is the executive director of the Orlando Rep -- Central Florida's premiere TYA company. Orlando REP's mission is to create experiences that enlighten, entertain, and enrich the lives of family and young audiences. Their first season of children's plays was in 1975 when the organization was still called the Civic Theatre Guild. In 2000, the theatre partnered with the University of Central Florida (UCF) and by 2006, the REP was reborn as a TYA company. The REP has unique partnership with UCF's MFA program in Theatre for Young Audiences where TYA grad students work with the company leading projects such as Writes of Spring. The REP produces a great season every year, and I've loved my time with them.

This episode was first recorded in April of 2020 and is released with permission from Chris at this later time. In the episode, my co-host is UCF MFA grad student Nathan Tanner Stout and we asked Chris what his vision was going into the COVID-19 pandemic for the future of the theatre. Chris explores what his journey has been through life from a theatre design student at Yale to filling the shoes of Orlando giant Gene Columbus (an upcoming guest on our podcast!) as Orlando REP's executive Director. 

Audio Engineer: Darius Fletcher | Lumber Beard Designs
Theme Music: Wallpaper by Kevin Macleod