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Episodes Archive

Dec. 20, 2023

6.19 A Conversation with Jeff Marontate

This week Jimmy talks with Canadian theatre educator Jeff Marontate. They talk about his 30+ years in educational theatre, his work at the Stratford Festival, and COVID=19’s impact on students and theatres.

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Dec. 13, 2023

6.18 this week Jimmy talks with Rebekah Kellaway

This week Jimmy talks with California teaching artist Rebekah Kellaway. She talks about running a non-profit, mentoring new and emerging arts educators, and arts equity.

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Dec. 6, 2023

6.17 A Conversation with Dr. Amanda Dawson

This week Jimmy talks with Utah theatre education professor Dr. Amanda Dawson. She talks about dramaturgy, conversations about race in the theatre classrooms, and her current research.

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Nov. 29, 2023

6.16 A Conversation with Jared Scott

This week Jimmy talks with London-based teaching artist Jared Scott. He talks about his early training as a theatre artist, his work in theatre pedagogy, and finding the right fit in colleges and universities

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Nov. 22, 2023

6.15 A Conversation with Katie Keddell

This week Jimmy talks with Maryland teacher Katie Keddell. She talks about commissioning a playwright, being a neurodiverse artist, and creating theatre that is more accessible to all abilities and access needs.

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Nov. 15, 2023

6.14 A Conversation with Connor Graham

This week Jimmy talks with New York teacher Connor Graham. He talks about devising/creating new works, administrators, and being a magician and certified hypnotist.

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Nov. 8, 2023

6.13 A Conversation with Matthew Belopavlovich

This week Jimmy talks with Florida teacher Matthew Belopavlovich. He talks about clowning and touring with Ringling Brothers, the ups/downs of working with middle schoolers, and creating sensory-friendly productions.

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Nov. 1, 2023

6.12 A Conversation with Shea King

This week Jimmy talks with Nevada theatre professor Shea King. He talks about rebuilding a theatre program, actor training, and student support resources. THED Talks apologizes for the muffled sound in the interview.

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Oct. 25, 2023

6.11 A Conversation with Joel Rainey

This week Jimmy talks with Baton Rouge, Louisiana teacher Joel Rainey. He talks about his time with Disney, his new book he is working on, and working with Terrence Mann on Romeo and Juliet: A Rock Musical.

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Oct. 18, 2023

6.10 A Conversation with Tara Cariaso

This week Jimmy talks with Maryland teaching artist Tara Cariaso. She talks about reimagining commedia dell'arte through a DEI lens, marginalized identity harm in theatre classrooms, and masks for actor liberation.

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Oct. 11, 2023

6.09 A Conversation with Melissa Hamm

This week Jimmy talks with Melissa Hamm from St. Maarten in the Caribbean. She talks about Caribbean Theatre, cultural forms, and being an arts coordinator.

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Oct. 4, 2023

6.08 A Conversation with Chris McRae

This week Jimmy talks with Chris McRae from Perth, Australia. He talks about playwriting, all boys theatre, and community theatre involvement.

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Sept. 27, 2023

6.07 A Conversation with Luke Ferrell

This week Jimmy talks with New Jersey teaching artist, Luke Ferrell. He talks about being an arts-based small business owner, collaboration and team work, and teaching online.

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Sept. 20, 2023

6.06 A Conversation with Mark Frank

This week Jimmy talks with Oklahoma theatre professor, Mark Frank. He talks about community colleges, playwriting, and children's theatre!

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Sept. 13, 2023

6.05 A Conversation with Yah Roper

This week Jimmy talks with New Jersey theatre teacher, Yah Roper. She talks about encouraging burnt out performance staff, utilizing Ai as a tool in classes, and the need of content in marginalized areas.

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Sept. 6, 2023

6.04 A Conversation with Zach Fryman

This week Jimmy talks with Kentucky theatre teacher, Zach Fryman! He talks about teaching at an IB School, collaborating with high school program, and working as a teaching artist before transferring to a public school.

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Aug. 30, 2023

6.03 A Conversation with David Overton

This week Jimmy talks with Long Island theatre professor, David Overton. He talks about the transferable skills of theatre, educational vs. conservatory approaches to theatre training, and Shakespeare!

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Aug. 23, 2023

6.02 A Conversation with Rebecca Lopkin

This week Jimmy talks with New Jersey teaching artist, Rebecca Lopkin. She talks about running an educational theater company, balancing motherhood and running a business, and finding time to do your own art!

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Aug. 16, 2023

6.01 A Conversation with Jason Young

This week Jimmy kicks off Season 6 as he talks with 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award Winner Jason Young. He talks about his journey to becoming a theatre teacher, working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in theatre, and his Tony Award experience.

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May 10, 2023

5.32 A Conversation with Ryan Renc

This week Jimmy talks with one of his senior theatre education majors, Ryan Renc. He talks about his experiences in college, his passion for young people, and taking care of your students during the production process.

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May 3, 2023

5.31 A Conversation with Jake Mouchawar

This week Jimmy talks with first year middle school theatre teacher Jake Mouchawar. He discusses training to teach in quarantine, the outdatedness of theatre education, and using the theatre classroom for community and community building.

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April 19, 2023

5.30 A Conversation with Annalise Zaverdinos

This week Jimmy talks with South African teaching artist Annalise Zaverdinos. She talks about her love of reading, her work with reader's theatre in South Africa, and taking care of yourself when you hear and see a lot of hur...

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April 5, 2023

5.29 A Conversation with Rachel Davis Part 2

This week Jimmy talks with Season 5 guest Rachel Davis to follow up on the school year! She talks about a workshop she has developed for transgender inclusion in the theatre classroom, her life as a transgender teacher in Florida, and offers some resources to support theatre teachers.

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March 29, 2023

5.28 A Conversation with Jenn Janus

This week Jimmy talks with North Carolina theatre teacher Jenn Janus. She talks about coming into teaching later in life, her career in special effects makeup, and owning and operating her own haunted attraction!

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