Teacher
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First 1/2 of my Interviews with Actor, Director, Ton Aware Winning Playwright Frank Galati
4-15-22 Interview with Actor, Director, Teacher Tony Award winning Playwright Frank Galati. I began my interview with the indefinable Frank Galati while he was directing a production of 1776 for the Asolo Theater. He was summarily whisked away for rehearsal so we never got to talk about 1776. In this half our conversation Frank talks about his early life.
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Interview with Jane Plitt creator of the
2-19-22 Scholar, Business Woman, Feminist, Author, Screenwriter Jane Plitt has been a champion advocate for small business, women, and social justice. She was chosen by SAVVY magazine as one of fourteen outstanding women in New York State and by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Small Business Advocate. Her current passion is bringing to light the true story of how Martha Matilda Harper, a servant girl from the time she was seven years old, became a successful entrepreneur and created modern franchising in 1891 with her Harper Method, a healthy hair and skincare salons. Having written three books on the subject, Jane has now created a delightful and inspiring video about Marvelous Martha, which will be shown on February 23 from 4:00-6:00, at the Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (941) 748-5875, tickets at $8,00- $12.00. And can be seen at Through Women’s Eyes film festival and available remotely March 10-14 any time! click. https://twe2022.eventive.org/films/.
Listen to this charming, self-deprecating woman describe her six year journey to finally bring Martha Harper the credit she deserves and was denied – and highlight the possibilities for woman and girls which they too have been denied.
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Introducing Lee Gundersheimer – The Players Theater’s new Artistic Director
-31-22 Actor, Director, Playwright, Administrator, and Educator. Lee Gundersheimer has done it all. Actor in 75 shows in New York and more all over the country. Director of over 80 plays, from Shakespeare to Annie. Playwright of 7 full length plays and 4 one acts including “Incommunicado,” nominated for four Audelco Awards, and opened the new Federal Theater Season off Broadway and Pas De Deux which won Best play in the New Play Festival on Theater Row. Administrator – he built and ran two theaters in New York; a Rep Company an off Broadway theater, was the Managing Director of a professional Shakespeare Festival and Arts and Culture Coordinator for the city of Winona, MN. Educator he taught at 7 University’s. Listen to this passionate man describe a lifelong commitment to every aspect of Theater.
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Interview with multi-talented Francine Achbar
The Anatomy of an Artist Series with Lynne Bernfield
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1-3-22 To start the New Year, I am airing an interview with Francine Achbar who created an uncommon life for a woman of her generation. Born in Ottawa, Canada, “a tiny claustrophobic Jewish community,” Francine launched herself into the wider world by enrolling in Boston University. Beginning her career as a newspaper reporter, she worked her way up to Executive Producer of News at WBZ-TV, Boston’s CBS station, then went to the Programming Dept. where she created documentaries and specials. At every turn, instinctively knowing when she’d “had enough,” Francine simply quit, and moved on to the next thing. Finally finding herself where she was always meant to be, first, as Director of Development (a job she’d never done before) and then, Executive Director of Boston’s new Jewish Cultural arts organization, the New Center for Arts and Culture, now called JArts Collaborative from which she “retired.” But, of course, Francine could not retire from being productive. She tutored reading to young children in a Sarasota public school and spent 25 years as panelist on the Public Radio quiz show Says You, www.saysyou.net. Which will broadcast its two farewell shows in September in Seattle and San Francisco. Listen to this extraordinary woman describe the details of a full, exciting, challenging life in which she very definitely “met the moment.”
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Memorial to musician and one of a kind human being Mike (Mikee) Palter
9-27-21 Musical legend Mike (Mikee) Palter, died on August 30th Today would be his birthday, in honor of this extraordinary man I am re-running our funny, compelling, fascinating interview. Mike was an American Songbook interpreter, composer, and lyricist,. For over 50 years, with Lynne Jackson Palter, his partner in marriage, business, music, creative processes, and breath, he regaled lovers of music the world over with his magnificent voice, his delicate, rich interpretive bass playing, his wit, humor, intelligence, and professorial love of music. He dedicated his entire life to social justice issues and children’s rights. A humanitarian and activist he received the Paul Re Peace Prize and the first Encore Cabaret Humanitarian Award for efforts on behalf of children, the hungry, and the homeless. Mike and Lynne, with Arthur Hamilton, co-wrote “It’s All Right to Be Afraid” to raise funds for those affected by the Aids epidemic. His life was dedicated to activism, collaborating with Lynne as the musical director of Neverland Theater, and as the co-founder, playwright, composer, lyricist, and musical director of Jazz is a Rainbow, for almost two decades. He is and will always be missed
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Actor, Director Jim Weaver talks about his life and his direction of the upcoming WBTT production of Eubie
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9-27-21 Actor, Choreographer, Director Jim Weaver is the Artistic Associate and Director of Education at Westcoast Black Theater Troupe. In this interview Jim talks about his life and his current project, directing the upcoming production of the musical revue Eubie. Like many artists, Jim always knew he wanted to be a performer. Unlike many however, he talked his parents into providing acting lessons when he was ten years old and, by the time he was fourteen, he had an agent and was a working actor. Listen to this veteran describe his journey from fourteen year old model, spokesperson and actor, to chorus, dance captain, choreographer, director and artistic associate . Also hear him talk about the exciting and moving, (in the physical sense) production of Eubie.
FYI in conjunction with all of the theaters in Sarasota, WBTT is requiring proof of vaccination, or proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours, and the wearing of masks – the audience will also be social distanced -
Interview with Actor/Artist Sam Osheroff
2-25-21 Interview with Sam Osheroff, who has had a varied career as a studio artist, an actor, director and educator Listen to Sam describe his earliest experiences with theater, how, as an eight year old, he was struck by what seemed to him to be existence of “another world” on the stage. Hear him talk about the circuitous route he took to become the actor he always was, and see him star in “Cherry Docs,” the second production of the brand new Sarasota Jewish Theater, on zoom on Sunday Feb 28th at 3:00.
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Lynne sings a song from her CD and explains why she wrote it
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Lynne Bernfield sings “The Sweet Single Life”
I spent much of my 20’s worrying about the fact that, although there were always men in my life, I wasn’t MARRIED! When I moved from NY – where I was born and raised – and moved to LA, I began a new life. One day I realized that I was not only very happy, I no longer cared that I wasn’t MARRIED. And I wrote this song in celebration.
The Sweet Single Life is the first cut on My CD “I Won’t Go With A Whimper”
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Interview with Film Commissioner Jeannie Corcoran
2-24-20 Jeanne Corcoran is the director, Sarasota county film & entertainment office since 2007. She is an award-winning writer/producer/creative director and on-camera talent, in television and video productions, including dozens of concept-to-completion projects plus original tv and video content, music, books, electronic media, and web content. Listen to this amazing woman describe all the things she has done and is doing and come to the Film Commission’s 6 & a mix event – at Suncoast Technical College : 4748 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233 on Thursday Feb 27 – see details below
Featuring two upcoming young stars from Los Angeles, who have been on abc and other networks, cable and streaming, plus marvel and disney and numerous other major feature films and tv shows — Booboo Stewart (x-men, descendants, twilight saga and much more) and his sister Fivel Stewart (Hansel and Gretel, etc.) will speak on our vip panel in the conference center at 6:30 pm and if you’d like to just attend the beverages and nibbles mixer at 5:30 and then the vip panel, it’s only $12 total! if you’d like to come to any of the six workshops that run from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm you can register for those too at a different total cost of $50 for everything including the workshop, but it is not required, of course!
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And if you have any questions, call the office at (941) 309-1200 extension 104
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/six-and-a-mix-tickets-86606968775 -
Interview with Cabaret Performer extraordinaire Steve Ross
2-10-20 The Crown Prince of Cabaret, Steve Ross can be seen, remarkably for free, one night only – Thursday Feb 13th at Pritchard’s Piano Co 2108 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239, (941) 924-1204.Although he knew that music, he began playing piano very early, would always be a part of his life, his passion for performing the works in the Great American Songbook, the impact he would have on audiences and the success it has brought him, emerged slowly over time until even he could see it’s inevitability. Listen to this charming, thoughtful, self-deprecating man describe his ironic journey to becoming one of the best known Cabaret performers in the world.
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Interview with director Celine Rosenthal
1-20-20 Celine Rosenthal, is an Associate Artistic Director at The Asolo Repertory Company. She was captured by theatre very young and predictably studied acting. Surprisingly, although she loved everything about acting; script analysis, the rehearsal process etc., she really didn’t like being on stage. And in tandem with her acting studies she was also a pre-med student. After graduation she spent a year in Mumbai India creating a children’s theater, then found her way into producing, achieving Tony nominations for her work on Leap of Faith and Seminar. She worked as a New York City Medic before and taking the plunge to get her Directing degree from the New School of Drama in NY. Listen to the thoughtful, serious, exuberant woman describe the circuitous path that lead to her true calling – directing – and hear her describe “Lifespan of a Fact” the unique play she has directed for the current season at Asolo Rep.
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Interview with Triple Treat Peter Amster talking about Murder on the Orient Express
1-13–20 Four year old Peter Amster decided that if Peter Pan could fly so could he and he had to be restrained from jumping out of the window. From then on he never stopped pushing his limits. Although he was to discover that his body was not designed to dance, he became a passionate dancer and choreographer. Although he says he wasn’t a very good actor – he nonetheless got work, and finally although already a working director – he questioned his technique and expanded his skill. Peter is not only a triple threat; he is a charming, delightful and funny man. Listen to his remarkable man talk about his journey. And hear what he has to say about his direction of one of the first productions of Murder at the Orient Express which is now playing to deservedly rave reviews at the Asolo Repertory Co.
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Memorial to Actor, Director, Playwright, and Author E Katherine Kerr
7-22-19 Actor, director, playwright, author and teacher E Katherine Kerr said, that “as a girl from Indiana, with no exposure to theater and no formal training she should never have become an actor.” Listen to the hilarious story of the first time she was on a stage which convinced her never to step foot on a stage again. But time after time she found herself on stage until she finally accepted that she was meant to be an actress, Hear how she was discovered by her idol Mike Nichols, and the extraordinary career that followed in which she shared stage and screen with stars like Meryl Streep and Cher. Having spent years working on stage, film, and TV and as one of the principle members of the prestigious Westport Theatre Group, Katherine brought her talents and skills to Sarasota where she was gratefully embraced and will be missed by the Sarasota Theater Community.
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Interview with dancer, actor, singer, choreographer Vanessa Russo
7-8-19 Vanessa Russo discovered by accident that she was a dancer. She was three years old when her friend’s mother asked Vanessa to join a dance class so that her reluctant friend would attend. The friend didn’t stay, but Vanessa fell in love. Although sure she had a “plan,” she was supposed to follow, Vanessa relentlessly pursed each art she discovered; singing, acting, and teaching. Listen to this talented, determined, articulate woman tell the story of how she realized that performing, not following her original “plan,” was what she was meant to do.
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Interview with Jeffery Kin – on his 55th Birthday
7-1-19 In honor of his 55th birthday and to invite you all to his birthday bash – fund raiser I am re-airing an interview I did many years ago with Jeffery Kin. The youngest of six from a farm family in Central Ohio, Jeff broke the family mold by being the “creative kid.” Discovering very early his desire to entertain and the charisma that would later make him so compelling on stage, Jeff was lucky enough to have a mother who saw that he “belonged on the stage.” So he was able to develop not only his acting, singing and dancing skills, but his play writing, directing and finally the administrative abilities that make him the perfect choice to shepherd The Players Theater’ renaissance. Come out to let him know how much we appreciate and love him – Happy birthday Jeffery!!!
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Interview with Sharon Ohrenstein – Patra
5-13-19 Sharon Leslie Ohrenstein is a renaissance woman. Her extraordinary voice was first discovered in Kindergarten when she was chosen to sing the solo in the Christmas play and has delighted countess audiences since. She is a fine actor appearing in vastly dissimilar roles with authenticity. As a director she has helped actors find nuances which enabled them to be better than they were. And, as a teacher, she has enhanced the experience of the eager students at Roads Scholar for 16 years. Although writing came late in her life, along with her composer husband David, she wrote the book and lyrics to two musicals and two operas; producing, directing, and staring in many (she even made the costume). Listen to this amazing woman talk about her life journey and her current adventure; the creation of Patra a brand new Opera based on Cleopatra’s last days, which was chosen as a workshop production at the prestigious Seagle Music Colony in Schroon lake NY. And click here to donate to its gofundme page to be a part of this adventure. https://www.gofundme.com/patraopera
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Interview with Writer Kelly Dumar
4/22/19 Kelly Dumar A poet, playwright, and engaging workshop leader, Kelly generates enlivening writing experiences for new and experienced writers. Her Aim for Astonishing photo-inspired process elicits profound personal awakenings, deepens connection with others, and fosters beautifully crafted writing in poetry and prose. Author of three poetry collections, Kelly is also author of Before You Forget— The Wisdom of Writing Diaries for Your Children. Kelly inspires readers of #NewThisDay – her daily photo-inspired blog – with her mindful reflections on a writing life. Each post
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Interview with Annie Addington – Kickstarter Campaign for CD releast
The Lynne Show Pod cast can be heard and downloaded at
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https://thelynneshow.com/2017/06/interview-with-singer-educator-annie-addington/ & thelynneshow.com
4/8/19 Singer, songwriter, educator, therapist, and woman of the world Annie Addington has done it all. Listen to this unusual woman describe her eclectic life journey; one which took her to many countries, taught her many languages, and involved her with many fascinating people before bringing her to Sarasota. Listen to 2 cuts from her forthcoming CD Wild is the Wind, accompanied by Eddie Tobin and recorded and mixed at Spirit Ranch Studio by Bud Synder – the title song Wild is the Wind and the jazz classic Ruby my Dear And help her complete finish the project by contributing to Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/annieaddington/annie-addington-cd-in-a-midnight-wind-jazz-brazili?ref=project_build -
Interview with Shakespeare Scholar Jonny Epstein on As You Like It
Shakespearean scholar Johnny Epstein has had a long career as an actor beginning when, at seven years old, he spontaneously adlibbed to cover a fellow student missed cue. He is currently a professor at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, where he teaches a 3 hour a day course in Shakespeare. Listen to this knowledgeable, articulate man describe the upcoming production of As You Like it, which will open on April 12th and the Selby Gardens and be performed by his class of 2nd year graduate students.
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