11/27/12 – Audio Interview

Everyone in Berry Ayers family sang; his preacher grandfather sang to the congregation, his mother was a soloist in several professional gospel groups and aunt had a record deal. When Berry was 2 Mom and Aunt taught him and his six year old brother a song to sing in church and Berry performed 3 or 4 times a month from then on, learning along the way how to “work an audience;” how the little smile or wink would cause the audience to “go crazy.” To correct a foot deformity he was born with the doctor prescribed ballet or braces, Berry’s mother chose ballet (even though their Baptist religion frowned on it) and Berry has been singing, dancing, writing, acting, choreographing and directing ever since.

11-20-12 – Audio Interview

David Brunetti’s musical ability came easily and naturally. He was only 5 when the church gave his family a piano and he immediately sat down and began to “pick out songs.” Despite his obvious musical talent David “wanted to be Al Pacino,” so he majored in acting, but although he tried to create a career as an actor he just kept getting jobs as a musical director. Finally realizing that he could combine his two talents, David created a coaching practice called Acting Songs, in which he teaches actors, singers and “regular people” to act their songs; to bring their songs to life. He wrote a book about his technique and while based in New York he teaches all over the world. Every year David teaches a master class in “acting songs” at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training in Sarasota, FL. This year you can observe this master at work and benefit the Conservatory at the same time.

11/13/12 – Interview

Currently running at FST’s main stage is Smokey Joe’s Café. In this show you can hear the Musical Director, Corinne Aquilina, who was the arranger/music director for the long running, Off-Broadway show Menopause, The Musical, and played in the Broadway pit of Boy From Oz, talk about this play which she has “gotten up” several times and this particular production. Then listen to the funny, passionate and exuberant Arthur Marks, one of the remarkable players appearing in Smokey, talk about his journey to becoming the versatile and in demand performer he is. When Arthur was 5 he heard his mother sing in church. Without a mike the former Opera singer’s glorious voice filled the room and seeing that the congregation was just as “moved and captivated” as he was, Arthur decided that he too would do that. He made his debut the next year at the same church. And at 6 ½ had his first professional job as a boy soprano in a production of The Magic Flute – for which he sang in German. Gene Kelly’s Singing in the Rain made him want to dance and he studied ballet, tap jazz etc. He studied the piano and the viola (because everyone else was learning the violin.) When the band needed a trombone player he volunteered to learn it, when the symphonic band needed a Bassoonist – ditto. He says he was like a sponge. Listen to him talk about a life filled with the joy of performance and come see the result of all that rigorous training on stage in Smokey Joe’s Café.

November 6th, 2012 – Interview

All kinds of music was sung and played in Stephen Hope’s home, but it wasn’t until his first role as the cowardly lion in a Jr High School production, that Stephen found what was “right for him. “ Knowing that “people were laughing because of what I was doing – that we were all laughing at the same thing so we weren’t separate, we were one, it was very powerful.” That night Stephen’s Dad said “this is what you should be doing,” and the die was cast. In his 20’s Stephen took a detour; attempting to see if another path was right for him, but he soon realized that while he could do it – his “heart wasn’t there.” So he returned to the theater, to what makes him “happy,” to what is “right for him.” Come see the delightful choreography he created to enhance “Let’s Twist Again,” a glorious explosion of 50’s music currently playing at Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota, Florida.

10/30/12 – Interview

Unlike all of the above Richard Hopkins didn’t see a play until he was 19 and had no idea where his path lay. He was “coasting through college” with no idea what he wanted to do with his life, when a speech teacher told him he would get a better grade if he helped build sets. This led to taking a drama class and he was “hooked;” he had found his “window to the world.” And then, as he says he does everything, Richard became “obsessed,” and “followed his bliss,” even when the conventional wisdom said that the path he’d chosen was a dead end. Of course as it often is, the conventional wisdom was wrong, as for over 30 years Richard has been the very successful Artistic Director of Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota FL, which will be celebrating the opening of its most recent addition – the spectacularly rebuilt Gompertz Theater with The Next Act Gala on November 29, 2012

The event kicks off at 5:30pm with pre-show cocktails that will take place in the Israeloff Lobby of the new Hegner Theatre Wing. Attendees will have the chance to take tours of the newly renovated Gompertz Theatre and the two additional spaces: the New Cabaret Theatre and the John Court Theatre. Moving into the evening there the Spelman award recipient will be announced, followed by a special performance. Ending the evening will be dinner at The Frances, a new restaurant opening under the Palm Avenue Parking Garage.

For tickets and information contact:

Audra Lange
Marketing Associate
(941) 366 – 9017 ext. 313
alange@floridastudiotheatre.org

10/23/12 – Interview

Like Austin, Sheilah and Preston, Esta Cassway knew she was an artist by the time she was 3, and she has the sketches to prove it. But the fine arts – she is an accomplished, represented and purchased painter and print maker – were not enough to satisfy Esta, who is also a singer, a lyricist, a published author and most recently the memoirist of her deceased father. Listen to this extraordinary story of Esta’s attempt to learn about her charming, larger than life father whose history remains a mystery to this day but whose spirit continues to make itself known in the most dramatic ways. Hear Esta describe how she came to believe that her father wanted his story told and how he participated in its telling. Her book, aptly titled Ghost Daddy, was recently published by XLibris and is available in hardcover, paperback and e-book. Go to Esta’s website http://estacassway.wordpress.com to learn more about this amazing journey; listen to Daddy’s voice and get a copy for yourself.

10/16/12 – Interview

Like Austin and Sheilah, Preston Boyd found his life path very early when his first grade teacher asked him to narrate the class play because he “had such a good voice.” He did and was hooked; having discovered not only that he loved performing but that it was also a way to escape his desperate shyness. Giggle along with us as he re-enacts his very first starring role and listen to this charming unself-conscious man talk about his diligent pursuance of a career in theater, and how he and his family wound up in Sarasota Florida where he now teaches acting, occasionally acts himself, and directs for most of the local theaters. Also listen to songs from Pump Boys and Dinettes the play he is currently directing for Manatee Players Theater in Bradenton FL which opens on October 25th.

10/9/12 –Interview with Sheilah Rae

Like Austin Sheilah Rae also found her life path very young, when at 5 she saw her first musical. During the performance of “South Pacific” Sheilah told her mother that she was “going to do that.” Sheilah’s parents believed that “if you were going to do something you had to have the best teacher,” so when 5 year old Sheilah wanted dance lessons they arranged for her to study with the renowned Edna McRae. Ms McRae also required that her students know music, so 6 year old Sheilah began piano lessons and was soon studying dance, piano, music theory at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and violin. Continuing to benefit from family support, inherent talent and luck Sheilah also got her first role on Broadway in “Fiddler on the Roof” right out of college. Listen to this effervescent woman talk about a career in which she has done everything including write musicals like “Funny You Don’t look like a Grandmother!” and “I Married Wyatt Earp.” And listen to songs from “Earp” with lyrics by Sheilah and music by composer Michele Brourman.

10/2/2012 Interview Part 2

In the second half or our interview Austin Pendelton talks with humor and candor about his struggles with stuttering. How it helped him get – right out of college – his first role on Broadway; co-starring with the “breathtaking Harris” and “the amazing Jo Van Fleet” in Arthur Kopit’s enigmatic play “Oh Dad, Poor Dad.” Hear him describe the hilarious way he got the role, the ordeal of trying at the same time to, and not to stutter -which he believed was dragging the show down, and the kindness and generosity of director Jerome Robbins; who not only encouraged him to stay with it, but then cast him in “Fiddler on the Roof” – with Zero Mostel. Listen to the way he was coerced into his role in “My Cousin Vinnie,” and how that role in some way defined his career. Hear also about his time at the Hollins University and meeting Annie Glenn – the wife of astronaut and Senator John Glenn, who conquered a stuttering problem that was worse than Austin’s…

If this is the first you have heard of him – take this opportunity to hear from this funny, sweet, accomplished, remarkable man. Watch the video, and donate to, the making of the Austin Pendleton Project, co-directed by Gene Gallerano and David H. Holmes. Donate here: http://www.indiegogo.com/austinpendleton

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/47057982]

9/25/2012 Interview Part 1

I start this interview by saying “I am here with the one and only Austin Pendleton.” This is not a casual or frivolous comment. Nominated for a Tony for his direction of Elizabeth Taylor in The Little Foxes, winner of a Drama desk and an Obie award,  actor, director, playwright, producer, teacher and inspiration, Austin Pendelton is one of a kind; a singleton.  Unique, special, extraordinary and esteemed by his peers (listen to Meryl Streep and Olympia Dukakis talk about him), Austin has somehow managed to stay under the radar of fame. His love affair with the theater began when at seven years old when he snuck down stairs to watch his town’s fledgling community theater group rehearse in his living room. But young Austin denied his interest in acting to his friends, he says “who would believe that a nerdy kid, who wore glasses and stuttered so badly could be an actor.” Apparently Austin did. Apparently Austin was right. While not able to stop him, his stutter remained an intractable stumbling block on the path to his beloved goal – working in the theater. But Austin is not only incredibly talented, he is also incredibly tenacious; listen to the determination with which he worked to overcome his stutter and so become, while not famous, a professional who is always working, always in demand. Check out Austin Pendleton Theatre Credits and Austin Pendleton – Filmography to see what I mean.

If this is the first you have heard of him – take this opportunity to hear from this funny, sweet, accomplished, remarkable man. Watch the video, and donate to, the making of the Austin Pendleton Project, co-directed by Gene Gallerano and David H. Holmes.. Donate here: http://www.indiegogo.com/austinpendleton

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/47057982]

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9/18/2012 – Interview (Part 2)

I am re-running the interview I did with the irrepressible, outrageous, talented, generous, and at 83 still sexy and still acting, Ed Asner, because he is once again back on Broadway. Ed co-stars with Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon and Kate Arrington in Grace, which previews on Sept 13^th and will run for 16 weeks. Best known for his portrayal of the curmudgeonly Lou Grant, a role he created on the Mary Tyler Moore show and reprised in his own show called only Lou Grant. Ed won seven Emmy Awards, more than any other male actor, and is the only actor to win an Emmy for his work in both a sitcom and a Drama series – for playing the same role. A famously outspoken rebel, who has always been courageously true his beliefs, and often paid a heavy price for his courage, Ed Asner is still poster child for true north. Spontaneous, open, guile-less; with Ed – what you see is what there is, and that is terrific.  Listen to this funny, interesting man talk about his life and his work, his dogged commitment to being the best he can be and his dedication to bettering the lives of those less fortunate than himself. And get to New York to see a real life icon in action. 

9/11/12 Interview Part 1

I am re-running the interview I did with the irrepressible, outrageous, talented, generous, and at 83 still sexy and still acting, Ed Asner, because he is once again back on Broadway. Ed co-stars with Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon and Kate Arrington in Grace, which previews on Sept 13^th and will run for 16 weeks. Best known for his portrayal of the curmudgeonly Lou Grant, a role he created on the Mary Tyler Moore show and reprised in his own show called only Lou Grant. Ed won seven Emmy Awards, more than any other male actor, and is the only actor to win an Emmy for his work in both a sitcom and a Drama series – for playing the same role. A famously outspoken rebel, who has always been courageously true his beliefs, and often paid a heavy price for his courage, Ed Asner is still poster child for true north. Spontaneous, open, guile-less; with Ed – what you see is what there is, and that is terrific.  Listen to this funny, interesting man talk about his life and his work, his dogged commitment to being the best he can be and his dedication to bettering the lives of those less fortunate than himself. And get to New York to see a real life icon in action. 

The next 3 interviewees have all won awards for their work in theater, film and TV. They are honored and respected by their colleagues but two of them are virtually unknown outside of their profession. They have all struggled with and overcome significant obstacles, in order to achieve the skill they have achieved and the recognition of their peers. Another thing they have in common is their remarkable candor, openness, unselfconsciousness, self-deprecation and amazing generosity.

9/4/12 – Interview

Mary Testa is a working actress, singer, dancer, Jill of all trades in the theatre, and winner of a Drama Desk Award for “3 decades of excellent work.” Most recently she starred as the intrepid Annie Edson Taylor in the musical Queen of the Mist, which was written for her by composer, lyricist and librettist Michael John Lachiusa, who has himself been nominated for several Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Like the character she plays in Queen of the Mist, Mary Testa “has greatness in her.” She found a way to survive a childhood which didn’t celebrate her. In Catholic school she was treated very badly because she “everything she wasn’t supposed to be;” Italian, when the nuns were Irish, curly haired and breasted, when the norm was straight hair and a flat-chest, out-spoken and defiant, when good girls were quiet and obedient. Refusing to go to Catholic High School Mary attended the public high school where she was the new kid in town and therefore, once more, odd man out. But Mary would not be suppressed and developed a full out – in your face – “I will say what everyone is thinking but no one else will say,” personality. Accompanying this outgoing personal style is Mary’s prodigious talent and that is what has kept her working in theater. Listen to this guile-less, passionate, funny, thoughtful woman talk about her life and her work, and hear her glorious voice in snippets from Queen of the Mist.

8-28-12 – Interview

Actress Kate Seipert
photo by Maria Lyle

Eight year old Kate Seipert was making her exit in her 4H club’s annual show when she spontaneously made a face that caused the audience to break up with laughter. That moment in the spotlight was suspended in time for little Kate and she knew that being on stage and making people laugh was what she wanted to do. She’s pursed this goal with a vengeance. She got her BFA from Wesleyan then became a member of Chicago’s prestigious Improv Olympic (now known as IO). She went to London to study at one of England’s most respected acting schools, and finally took the scary plunge; a move to New York City. Currently she is breaking us up as part of the ensemble cast of Perfect Wedding, a delicious farce which is the opening show at the almost newly renovated Gomperz Theater – a part of the Florida Studio Theater Complex. Listen to the still exuberant, passionate and funny Kate Seipert and run down to see what her moment in the spotlight and vigorous training have accomplished.

8-21-12 –Interview

There is no way to categorize Vivien Kalvaria. Born and raised in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and having lived on three continents, Vivien has had too many careers to enumerate here. As a young woman she was the weekend news director for a television station where, because of sanctions, many things had to be done undercover. She majored in theater at Trinity College in London and opened several drama studios in several countries where she taught acting for 15 years. She wrote her first book about the things she observed “off the court” as she traveled the world with her tennis star daughter. And her current book “ i Built – the House the Internet Built” is the result of her experience remodeling her entire house spectacularly using only materials purchased on the internet. Listen to the charming, delightful and funny Vivien Kalvaria and go to my website to see the video in which she tells you how you too can redecorate or remodel your home without ever leaving it.

[youtube FTkxubZb_yU 604 364 autoplay=0 ]

8-14-12 — Interview

Jaszy McCallister is of a one of a kind. She was raised by parents who offered her two very different role models; a mother whose family was musical and outgoing, and a father who was analytical, and practical. So although she loved music and movies Jaszy always expected to go into law enforcement and so was a pre-law major in college. When she happened to see a billboard announcing that the FBI was looking for college educated African American women with military experience, she made a spur of the moment decision to join the army where she spent 4 years in the military police. A series of circumstances brought her to Sarasota, FL where she casually mentioned to a virtual stranger that she’d always thought she might like to act. That stranger arranged an audition and, as they say, the rest is history. I saw Jaszy in Jar the Floor and A Raisin in the Sun both productions of the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe and she was marvelous. Currently she is bringing her amazingly talent to the Golden Apple dinner theater where she is appearing in All Shook Up.

8-7-12 – Interview

Maren Bush fell in love with the musical Annie at age 4 or 5. She made her parents play the cast album over and over “until it wouldn’t play anymore.” In an attempt to create “well rounded adults” Maren’s parents encouraged their daughters to audition for a local production of Oliver and little Maren experienced the feeling of being “at home.” She wrote in her high school “time capsule” that in the future, she hoped to be an actress – working at a regional theater. And true to her prediction, after college she moved to Minneapolis where she “got on the radar of,” and worked at, the prestigious Guthrie Theater. Feeling the need for more training she auditioned for and was accepted to the Theater Program at UCSD at San Diego. After which she made the big jump to New York – so when they read her time capsule in 100 years they will know that she got it wrong. Currently Maren is bringing her talent and her passion to the Florida Studio Theater production of Talley’s Folly, a role for which she is especially perfect.

7-31-12 – Interview

Actor, dancer, singer, director choreographer Rick Kerby says “his life has been one big wave, which he’s ridden wherever it took him.” Opportunities did seem to pop up in front of him but Rick was always ready – listen to the charming and funny story of how he learned to dance for his college audition. While on a trip to NY with his college to see shows Rick courageously placed himself in front of the wave by walking into Actors Equity and, as a non equity actor, auditioning for the tour of Oklahoma. He got the job and never looked back. He was continually working. He toured and toured and toured in Oklahoma and The Best Little Whore House in Texas, he worked in Las Vegas and he taught. Today he brings that wealth of skill, experience and expertise to his position as producing artistic director of the Manatee Players Theater in Bradenton Florida, where on August 2nd and 3rd they will be presenting the premier of a play by Robin Givens.

7-24-12 – Interview

Kaylene McCaw is a theater person who was encouraged from a very young age to pursue her interest in performing. Coming from a family who taught her that “life is about personal success, finding your bliss and becoming a better person,” Kaylene says that she “always knew she “was supposed to be happy!” She spent her childhood and school years indulging in every theatrical experience available to her. Her nickname was Broadway! She had a terrific time but after graduation discovered that she didn’t have the personality to pursue a career in theater. After a life of adventures Kaylene found herself the divorced mother of twin girls with no clear path to follow. Miraculously, she was offered the job of costumer at the Players Community Theater. “They just knew that I sewed” she said, they didn’t even know I had a theater background.” But they finally began to discover all of her talents and now she is not only costumer but actor, and co-producer of the Players “edgy” Black Box Theater. Come see Kaylene’s stand out performance in Lettuce and Lovage, playing on the Players main stage.

7-17-12 Interview

Joanna McClelland Glass is a writer. Her play “Play Memory” directed by the legendary Hal Prince was nominated for a Tony Award. Both of her novels were published and optioned for film and she adapted both of the screenplays. Woman Wanted was directed by and starred Kiefer Sutherland, Holly Hunter and Michael Moriarty. But Joanna’s heart is in the theatre and her playwriting credits are much too extensive to include here. With all this talent and skill one might assume that Joanna had a privileged childhood and lots of training. No! Joanna’s childhood included an illiterate mother and an alcoholic father, who sold everything not nailed down to pay for his liquor. True to the culture of her time Joanna married young, worked to send her husband to graduate school, had three children very close in age and settled into the role of traditional wife and mother. It was not until, approaching 40; as the divorced mother of 3 young children, that she seriously turned her attention to her writing. Having announced that she was going to “try to support this whole thing with her writing,” Joanna says she simply had to “get kids on the bus and sit at the desk and do something.” And without any training – she had to learn the rules of her trade on the job – that is exactly what she did. And the quantity and quality of what her work is quite extraordinary. Listen to this woman’s inspiring story.