On The Bimah: Spotlighting Jewish Theatre Artists

On The Bimah
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On The Bimah: Spotlighting Jewish Theatre Artists

On The Bimah (formerly known as Theatre Schmooze) is a monthly podcast where we chat with Jewish theatre makers from around the world about their art, Judaism, and vision for theater’s future. Hosted by Danielle Levsky, On The Bimah features one-on-one conversations with artists that will illuminate the heart, soul, and diversity of contemporary Jewish theatre.  On The Bimah is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman. Launch date: Thursday, March 18, 2021

  1. Between Two Worlds: Nancy Gaddy - Season 4, Episode 7

    FEB 20

    Between Two Worlds: Nancy Gaddy - Season 4, Episode 7

    "Between Two Worlds" (Season 4, Episode 7) welcomes Nancy Gaddy, a performer whose career spans from national theater tours to klezmer music stages. Known for her character "Mrs. Schmaltz" and her latest production "Beyond the Borscht Belt," Gaddy celebrates the evolution of Jewish performance traditions in America. In this conversation, Gaddy shares insights from her journey as a theatrical chameleon - from performing in The Rocky Horror Show to developing her alter ego Belle Burke (formerly Berkowitz). We explore how her current work traces Jewish musical evolution from the Borscht Belt through American popular culture, blending klezmer, jazz, rock, and Latin fusion along the way. The episode illuminates the lasting influence of Borscht Belt entertainment on American comedy and music, while examining how contemporary Jewish performers can honor and reinvent these traditions. "On the Bimah" continues to showcase the diversity and depth of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman.

    30 min
  2. Reshaping Clay: Aviva Pearl Creation and Jael Scott - Season 4, Episode 6

    JAN 28

    Reshaping Clay: Aviva Pearl Creation and Jael Scott - Season 4, Episode 6

    "Reshaping Clay" (Season 4, Episode 6) brings to the Bimah Aviva Pearl Creation and Jael Scott, the creative forces behind "Clay Mommy," a new play that reimagines the golem myth through a trans lens. Based in NYC, this writer-director duo discusses their production, where traditional Jewish storytelling meets contemporary trans narratives. In this deep-diving conversation, Pearl and Scott share their vision behind casting an all-trans-femme ensemble and their creative decision to represent men in the show through puppetry. We explore how their production navigates complex themes of chosen family, motherhood, and spiritual transformation while honoring Jewish and trans experiences. The episode illuminates how contemporary Jewish theater can evolve to embrace different voices while remaining rooted in passed down stories and cultural knowledge. Their self-described position as "little trunk rats of the New Age Borscht Belt" offers a fresh perspective on Jewish theater traditions. "On the Bimah" continues to showcase the diversity and depth of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman.

    33 min
  3. We Have To Find Laughter Right Now: Andrew Davies - Season 4, Episode 5

    11/27/2024

    We Have To Find Laughter Right Now: Andrew Davies - Season 4, Episode 5

    "We Have To Find Laughter Right Now: Andrew Davies" (Season 4, Episode 5), the newest episode of our season, dropped Wednesday, November 28. We called to the Bimah Andrew Davies, co-founder of The Bible Players, who is based in Philadelphia. Andrew shared his approach to Jewish education through comedy, introducing listeners to "Mitzprov" - a blend of improvisation and Jewish values that transforms how we engage with tradition. We explored the profound connections between Jewish storytelling, comedy, and education, diving deep into how laughter can be a powerful tool for community building and learning. The conversation illuminated how comedy and improvisation can be deeply spiritual practices, creating meaningful connections within Jewish community. "On the Bimah" continues to showcase the diversity and depth of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman.

    30 min
  4. An Inner Knowing: Tova Hopemark - Season 4, Episode 4

    08/15/2024

    An Inner Knowing: Tova Hopemark - Season 4, Episode 4

    "An Inner Knowing: Tova Hopemark" (Season 4, Episode 4), the newest episode of our season, dropped Monday, August 14. We called to the Bimah actor, playwright, and filmmaker Dr. Tova Hopemark, who is based in the NYC metro area. Dr. Hopemark shared insights into her film "Alright, Robot", where she plays a Jewish millennial struggling with isolation and mental health who forms an unlikely friendship with her AI assistant. We explored the importance of centering Jewish characters in narratives and how Jewishness intersects with themes of loneliness, technology, and the search for meaning. We discussed Dr. Hopemark's journey from academia to creating her own work as a performer and filmmaker, and how her PhD in Theatre from Northwestern has influenced her artistic practice. Dr. Hopemark opened up about her play on queer pregnancy, co-sponsored by Amy Poehler, and the importance of telling under-represented stories. We delved into how her Jewish identity and values shape the stories she tells and the impact she hopes to have as a Jewish creative. "On the Bimah" continues to showcase the diversity and depth of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman.

    24 min
  5. What Has Always Been / Radicle, not Radical - Season 4, Episode 3 with Bronwen Mullin and Nicole Fix

    06/25/2024

    What Has Always Been / Radicle, not Radical - Season 4, Episode 3 with Bronwen Mullin and Nicole Fix

    "What Has Always Been / Radicle, not Radical" (Season 4, Episode 3), the newest episode of our season, dropped Monday, May 20. We called to the Bimah composer, playwright and teacher Bronwen Mullin (she/her) and rabbi, writer, teacher, and theater artist Nicole Fix (she/her). Based in West Philly, Bronwen and Nicole are the co-founders of the Rabbinic Arts Company, a unique initiative that integrates rabbinic training with theater arts. Their work explores the intersection of Jewish tradition, contemporary performance, and social justice. We spoke with Bronwen and Nicole about their journey of bringing together their rabbinic and artistic paths. They shared insights into their process of adapting Jewish texts for the stage in ways that are both deeply rooted in tradition and radically contemporary. We discussed their vision for a "modern-day practice of rabbinic arts" and how they aim to cultivate a global appreciation for Judaism through their work. As queer Jewish women, Bronwen and Nicole also reflected on how their identities shape the stories they tell and the communities they serve. We explored the Rabbinic Arts Company's dual mission of training artists and producing work, and how they see these goals supporting each other. Looking ahead, Bronwen and Nicole shared their excitement for the future of Jewish theater and scholarship. They discussed where they see potential for innovation in Jewish theatre-making and rabbinic leadership, and how they hope the Rabbinic Arts Company will evolve to serve that vision. "On the Bimah" continues to illuminate the heart, soul, and diversity of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman, and our logo is by Alize Francheska Rozsnyai.

    29 min
  6. Theory from Theater - Season 4, Episode 2 with Jesse Freedman

    05/06/2024

    Theory from Theater - Season 4, Episode 2 with Jesse Freedman

    "Theory from Theater" (Season 4, Episode 2), the new episode of our season, dropped Monday, May 6. We called to the Bimah director, playwright, and performance artist Jesse Freedman (he/him). Based in New York City, Jesse is the Artistic Director of Meta-Phys Ed., a multidisciplinary performance group that grapples with philosophical and political ideas through a Jewish lens. His genre-defying works often blend theater, dance, music, and absurdist humor to interrogate questions of morality, identity, and power. We spoke with Jesse about his recent production "The Banality of Evil", which went up at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn last month. Inspired by the seminal writings of political theorist Hannah Arendt, the show uses neo-noir aesthetics and vaudevillian spectacle to wrestle with the disturbing implications of Arendt's coverage of the Eichmann trial. Jesse shared his process for physicalizing intellectual debates on stage, and how Jewish thought and performance traditions inform his approach to such challenging material. As the founder of Meta-Phys Ed., Jesse also reflected on the company's evolution over the past decade, from its origins to its current explorations of secular Jewish identity through experimental performance. We discussed the unique possibilities of using theater as a form of philosophical inquiry. Looking ahead, Jesse gave us a preview of Meta-Phys Ed.'s upcoming projects, including a new devised work that will use machine learning to generate a fragmented, dystopian take on Hamlet. He shared his hopes for inspiring more artists to engage with the spiritual and cultural dimensions of Jewishness in their practices. "On the Bimah" continues to illuminate the heart, soul, and diversity of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman, and our logo is by Alize Francheska Rozsnyai. CORRECTION: In this episode, we mistakenly referred to a specific project being inspired by the work of Tony Kushner. The correct attribution would be to Moises Kaufman. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused in your listening experience.

    28 min
  7. On The Bimah: A World of Difference - Season 4, Episode 1 with Daryl Eisenberg

    04/03/2024

    On The Bimah: A World of Difference - Season 4, Episode 1 with Daryl Eisenberg

    "A World of Difference" (Season 4, Episode 1), the new episode of our season, dropped Wednesday, April 3. We called to the Bimah casting director Daryl Eisenberg (she/her), founder of Eisenberg Casting. Based in New York City, Daryl has cast an impressive range of projects across theater, film, television and new media. Her office is committed to prioritizing diversity, authentic representation and inclusion throughout the casting process. We spoke with Daryl about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with casting for the stage compared to on-camera projects. She shared insights into what she looks for in theater auditions and how she collaborates with directors and playwrights to bring their vision to life through thoughtful casting choices. As a Jewish casting professional, Daryl also discussed how her identity has informed her work and advocacy for increased representation of Jewish stories and artists in the industry. We explored the importance of casting Jewish actors in specifically Jewish roles, and of expanding the canon of stories written for Jewish characters. Daryl opened up about how her Jewish background makes her gravitate towards certain projects, and how her Jewishness impacts the way she connects with actors in the audition room. She also shared her hopes for the future of casting and how Jewish casting directors like herself can support up-and-coming Jewish talent. "On the Bimah" continues to illuminate the heart, soul, and diversity of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman, and our logo is by Alize Francheska Rozsnyai.

    27 min
  8. On The Bimah: All of It and None of It - Season 3, Episode 8 with Antonia Lassar

    11/29/2023

    On The Bimah: All of It and None of It - Season 3, Episode 8 with Antonia Lassar

    "All of It and None of It" (Season 3, Episode 8), the final episode of our season, dropped Wednesday, November 29. We called to the Bimah the comedian and theater artist Antonia Lassar (she/they). Based in Los Angeles, Antonia has earned viral fame on TikTok for her sketches about Jewish cultural quirks. They have toured the country with their productions "Post Traumatic Super Delightful" and "God Box", tackling topics from sexual assault to interfaith family tensions through their signature blend of humor and heart. We spoke with Antonia about developing new shows highlighting intersections of Jewish singing, illness, pleasure, and obligation in her personal life that resonate universally. We also discussed their experience as a queer Jewish stand-up performing in different venues, plus how they balance their comedy, acting, and content-creating careers. "On the Bimah: Spotlighting Jewish Theatre Artists" continues to illuminate the heart, soul, and diversity of contemporary Jewish theatre, guided by your host Danielle Levsky. This podcast is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman, and our logo is by Alize Francheska Rozsnyai.

    31 min
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About

On The Bimah (formerly known as Theatre Schmooze) is a monthly podcast where we chat with Jewish theatre makers from around the world about their art, Judaism, and vision for theater’s future. Hosted by Danielle Levsky, On The Bimah features one-on-one conversations with artists that will illuminate the heart, soul, and diversity of contemporary Jewish theatre.  On The Bimah is an Alliance for Jewish Theatre program, produced by Danny Debner and Danielle Levsky. Our theme music is by Ilya Levinson and Alex Koffman. Launch date: Thursday, March 18, 2021

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