Season 3
6 episodes
0 min. per episode
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A passionate host confronts industry biases, uncovering untold stories that challenge the status quo and ignite a revolutionary theatre movement.
Episodes
Michael discusses the importance of representation behind-the-scenes with two leaders in today's theatre. Julianna Crespo is the Director of Performing Arts at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, California. She tells michael about how a new program at the Center is training minority students in key jobs throughout the theatre. Stevie O'Brian Agnew is the Lighting Director for The Old Globe in San Diego. As one of the few Black lighting director's in the industry, Stevie discusses his career in the industry, lighting people of color on stage, and how he uses his position to help train and elevate young professionals within the theatre.
One started his career as a child actor, the other came to acting by way of football; both sharpened their skills at Yale University. As working actors, Thomas Hobson (That Girl Lay Lay, Ghosts of the Ozarks) and Marcus Henderson (Tacoma FD, Get Out, Snowfall) talk about their journeys in television and film and how working on successful TV shows and films has shaped their careers and made an impact in their lives while influencing fans from every corner.
Both of today's guests talk about their lives as performers and what it's like to take center stage. American bass DeAndre Simmons uses his velvety voice to captivate audiences throughout the world. He has performed for dignitaries such as President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela. Comedian Ray Grady has toured the nation carving a name for himself and working alongside comedians Kevin Hart and Nick Cannon on the BET+series Real Husbands of Hollywood. The two performers discuss the ups and downs of touring and being on the road, from places they've performed to people they've met along the way and the importance of connecting with the audience.
From managing the longest-running Black theatre company in the United States to building his name at some of today's top television networks, today's guests talk about the process of producing and the diverse content they produce on both stage and screen. Yolanda Franklin is the Executive Director at Common Ground Theatre and an award-winning director, producer, and actor who works to bring the stories of Black voices to the theatre. Louis R. Brown III is a director and writer who has worked for HBOMax, A&E and many other networks. They speak with Michael about why it's important to tell the stories of people of color to all audiences.
Acting is about authenticity. Sharrell D. Luckett, PhD is an award-winning director, best-selling author and highly sought out acting coach who believes her Black Acting Methods help Black actors bring their true selves to their roles. Kathryn Smith-McGlynn is an accomplished actor, writer, director and scholar. As an actor, she brings authenticity to her characters by incorporating her life experiences and disciplined techniques she continues to hone. Both women discuss how acting is a continual learning process and how cultural identity is important to embrace in every role because it is what brings a character to life.
Theatre Corner is an EMMY Award-Winning interview series promoting diversity and inclusion in the national theatre scene, both on the stage and in the seats. Sit down with some of the top professionals in the entertainment industry to discuss their careers, training, advice for young actors, and how to make theatre matter to more people.