6-11-13 Audio Interview with Tobin Ost, Costume and Set Designer

Both a set and costume designer, Tobin Ost thought he was going to be an architect, but a series of experiences when he was quite young; seeing a production of Pirates of Penzance where a ship literally comes off the stage above the audience and a TV show of Japanese theater coalesced when, as a high school student looking for a summer job he was turned down by the architectural firm, and went instead to the Community theater where was hired to paint and hammer nails. But his mentor (and the mentor of many), who Tobin says must have “seen something in him,” gave him more and more design work until Tobin realized what he was really meant to do. Listen to the surprising twists and turns which led to his becoming Jeff Calhoun’s “secret weapon”. And hear this soft spoken and thoughtful man give us the Tobin Ost crash course in set and costume design.

6-26-12 – Interview

Director Jeff Calhoun describes Laura Osnes as “beautiful inside and out” and it is definitely true. The term unaffected is old-fashioned but seems to apply here; Laura seems almost unaware of her beauty, talent and sweetness. And her story is perfect for her; from the beginning others saw the potential star in her and encouraged it. Listen to the remarkable way her career simply unfolded, including how she won her starring role in Grease on a reality show! From there she captured roles in South Pacific and Anything Goes, but they were roles others had created. She finally got her chance to define the role, when she starred as Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde the Musical of the same name and to be rewarded for her amazing performance with a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Listen to her sing songs from Frank Wildhorn and Don Black’s beautiful score, and you will understand why.

6-19-2012 Interview

6-19-12 Nominated for a Tony Award for his work on Newsies, set and costume designer Tobin Ost is Jeff Calhoun’s “secret weapon.” Soft spoken and serious Tobin thought he was going to be an architect. But when, as a high school student he was turned down for a job at an architectural firm, he approached the theater across the street, was hired and the rest is history. Listen to the twists and turns that led Tobin inexorably to what is, without question, his right place.

4-10-12 –Interview

When he was just three years old Noah Racey’s Dad gave him a snare drum and was stunned to hear, within the first week, his infant drummer playing an entire John Phillip Souza album. Discovering a place to put his excessive energy and deriving a feeling of belonging and pride at being allowed – by age six – to play with his father’s drum circle, Noah put his foot on the path that would define his life; a life that has grown to include tap dancing, acting, and the creation of his own company of triple threat performers, all in the service of storytelling.

Noah has danced in or choreographed for Fine and Dandy, Curtains with David Hyde Pierce, Busker Alley, Where’s Charley?, Babes in Arms, Do Re Mi, Never Gonna Dance, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Baby and Johnny Project, and Look Ma, I’m Dancin’!, among others. In 2012 he will appear in 1776 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota as well as debuting his original dance creation “Pulse” which will directed by Jeff Calhoun.

But perhaps the thing that most defines Noah Racey is his love of his life, his passion for his work, his spontaneity and his exuberance. Listen to the roller coaster ride of joy and fun that is Noah Racey, and watch his tap dancing magic.

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