Episoder

  • The Multifaceted Role of Theatre Patron Services and Marketing

    An in-depth conversation with Megan McMahon, the Patron Services and Marketing Manager at PURE Theatre. The discussion covers Megan's multifaceted role at the theatre, encompassing ticket handling, subscription management, marketing, event planning, and overseeing donation campaigns. The script delves into Megan's journey to theatre, starting from her high school involvement in theater, her college years majoring in theater and arts management, to her eventual role at PURE Theatre. The conversation highlights the rewarding aspects of her job, the challenges of customer service, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the theater industry, and the importance of patron relationships. Megan also shares personal anecdotes, including her initial reluctance and eventual appreciation for piano lessons, her aspirations for further professional development, and her passion for theatre production and management.

    00:00 Introduction: The Joy of Theatre

    01:15 The Swiss Army Knife of PURE Theatre

    01:48 The Journey into Theatre

    04:46 The Role of Music in Theatre

    08:42 The Challenges and Rewards of Patron Services

    10:31 The Rhythm of a Theatre Season

    17:05 The Future of Theatre and Personal Growth

    23:02 The Power of Patron Relationships

    25:33 Conclusion: The Value of Theatre Work

  • Exploring the Power of Storytelling and Cultural History with Jamie Ford

    In this fascinating conversation, renowned author, Jamie Ford, delves into the power of storytelling and its role in fostering empathy and meaningful dialogue. The discussion revolves around Ford's novel 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy,' which details the epic saga and generational trauma tied to the first Chinese lady who arrived in the U.S. in 1834. Ford emphasizes the importance of historical narratives in creating awareness, understanding, and empathy for experiences that are often overlooked. He also vividly expresses the transformative potential of art injected into society. Ford explains his creative process, which he refers to as being in the 'compassion creation business,' and reveals that his book has been optioned by Jenna Bush's company for an upcoming series. He expresses optimism about the impacts of streaming media, cultural cross-pollination, and diversification in storytelling.

    00:06 Introduction: The Compassion Creation Business
    00:44 Exploring the Life of Afong Moy
    01:23 The Role of Dialogue in Deepening Historical Understanding
    01:41 Interview with Jamie Ford: The Author Behind 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy'
    02:20 The Art of Storytelling and Generational Trauma
    08:57 The Power of Art in Society
    10:00 The Writing Process: From Inspiration to Creation
    15:38 The Journey from Novel to Screen: 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy'
    25:29 The Influence of Location on Writing
    28:24 Conclusion: The Impact of Storytelling

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  • The Stage as a Character: A Conversation Richard Heffner

    Richard Heffner discusses his early experiences in theater and his transition from being in a band to becoming a set designer. He talks about his journey from West Virginia, his work in Charleston's theater community, his experiences with Footlight Players, and his contributions to PURE Theatre. Heffner emphasizes the importance of the set as a character itself in a play, rather than just a backdrop, illustrating this with discussions concerning recent productions like 'Compulsion'. He also briefly touches on his background in playing music and how it, in a vicarious way, relates to his current work.

    Photograph - David Mandel Photography - from The PURE production of Lloyd Suh's THE CHINESE LADY

    Music From Artlist

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:06 Introduction

    00:06 The Role of Set Design in Theater

    00:30 Richard Heffner: The Man Behind the Scenes

    01:33 Journey into Theater: From Band to Stage

    03:26 The Charleston Music Scene in the 80s

    06:00 Transition from Music to Graphic Design

    07:05 Entering the World of Theater Set Design

    08:41 First Experiences as a Theater Designer

    08:49 The Evolution of Charleston's Footlight Theater

    10:07 The Art and Challenges of Theater Design

    18:44 The Impact of English Literature on Design Approach

    20:09 The Making of 'Compulsion': A Case Study

    27:21 Looking Forward: Anticipating the Next Theater Season

    28:07 Conclusion: The Intersection of Music and Theater

  • A Conversation with Patricia Williams Dockery: Discussing Education, Civil Rights and Her Journey as a Writer. Co-hosted by Joy Vandervort-Cobb

    The podcast features conversation with writer Patricia Williams Dockery, known for 'Septima', a play that celebrates the life and struggles of Septima P. Clark, an important figure in civil rights and education. The play was developed in The PURE Theatre Lab under the guidance of director Sharon Graci. Dockery discusses the impact of growing up on the Southside of Chicago and the importance of education in her upbringing. The narrative then shifts focus to the play 'Septima. The host identifies essential aspects of Dockery's journey - her parents' role in shaping her values, obtaining her PhD in anthropology, and the significance of working at the Avery Research Center for African American history and culture. The discussion also highlights the potential of 'Septima' further evolving and being showcased in different venues. The conversation concludes with Dockery's upcoming book, a middle-grade edition geared towards educating young readers about the history of slavery and African American heritage.

    Photograph - David Mandel Photography

    Music From Artlist

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:06 Introduction and Overview
    00:32 The Success of 'Septima' and its Upcoming Tour
    01:10 Introducing Joy Vandervoort Cobb
    01:35 Patricia's Journey to Writing
    02:17 The Importance of Education and Language
    02:58 The Role of Education in Activism
    06:08 Patricia's Academic Journey
    08:42 The Process of Writing 'Septima'
    09:06 The Impact of 'Septima' on Audiences
    14:52 The Future of 'Septima'
    23:14 The Role of Love in Activism
    25:48 Patricia's Upcoming Book
    27:34 Conclusion and Farewell

  • Filmmaker Jason Chao and actor Anna Lin share their unique experiences in the theater community. They discuss their roles in 'The Chinese Lady' by Lloyd Suh, and how the play's narratives mirror their own realities in terms of shared and diverse experiences, and the feeling of being 'outsiders'. Anna talks about her journey in comedy and improvisation, which helped her break free from feeling stifled and unexpressive, while Jason shares his perspective on the invisibility of Asian American men in the western cultural landscape. Both discuss how their cultural backgrounds, identities, and experiences have influenced their character development and understanding of their roles.

    Photograph - David Mandel Photograpy

    Music From Artlist

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:06 Introduction

    01:00 The Beauty of the Story and the Characters

    02:20 The Challenges and Joys of Rehearsals

    03:36 The Diversity of Asian American Experiences

    04:11 The Role of the Actor in the Play

    04:46 The Personal Connection to the Characters

    07:43 The Fear of Pessimism and Pragmatism

    07:47 The Struggle of Being an Asian American

    16:47 The Power of Comedy and Self-Expression

    21:17 The Journey of Building the Character

    22:26 Conclusion: The Magic of the Script and the Performers

  • The PURE Theatre Experience: Behind the Scenes with Sharon Graci

    In this episode of the PURE Theatre Podcast, host Rodney Lee Rogers talks to Sharon Graci, the Artistic director of PURE Theatre and director of the Lehman Trilogy. Graci shares insights into the immense organizational and creative demands of running both a theatre company and a family. She speaks passionately about the Lehman Trilogy performance along with the importance and complexity of every design detail. Graci emphasizes the importance of audience participation and their role in the creation of theatre. She also discusses future projects, the company's next steps including a Low Country Tour for 'Septima', and the additional opportunities presented by streaming services since the pandemic.

    Photo: David Mandel Photography

    Music from ARTLIST:

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon


    00:06 Introduction and Podcast Beginnings
    01:08 The Lehman Trilogy: A Director's Perspective
    04:04 Behind the Scenes: The Art of Design
    06:32 The Performances: A Tribute to the Actors
    07:49 Reflecting on PURE Theatre's Journey
    10:37 The Future of PURETheatre: Exploring New Avenues
    17:51 The PURE Lab: A Home for Playwrights and Composers
    22:14 Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Audience

  • In this episode, Rodney Lee Rogers engages in a captivating conversation with economist Steve Slifer, who worked on Wall Street for many years and has a wide-ranging perspective on the field of economics. Mr. Slifer talks about how he began in the business, his exciting journey, the thrill of forecasting, and his current endeavors. The discussion also touches on the Lehman Brothers, exploring the historical rivalry between Lehman and Goldman Sachs and how the economic landscape has changed over the years. Slifer's observations on the influence of AI in economics, retirement perspectives, and his thoughts on the Lehman Trilogy theatre production make this a highly engaging listen.

    Steve Slifer https://numbernomics.com/

    Photo: Mary Wessner photography

    Music from ARTLIST:

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

  • A Conversation with Actor & Director Michael Smallwood

    The conversation begins with Smallwood discussing his early love of storytelling and how he connects it to the concept of humanity. He refers to narrative as an important human evolutionary tool and how it played a significant role in his career, from his earliest acting experience playing Santa Claus in second grade to creating narratives as a writer and filmmaker. Smallwood also shares his experience transitioning between theatre and film, comparing the immediate audience feedback in theatre to the long-haul reactions in film. In addition, he talks about teaching and mentoring young artists, expressing the joy and pride he feels when seeing his students succeed in their artistic pursuits. Looking forward, Smallwood expresses his excitement and nerves about his upcoming role in Lehman Trilogy, a play recounting the history of the Lehman family and American capitalism.

    Photo: David Mandel Photography

    Music from ARTLIST:

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:06 Introduction and Love for Stories
    00:36 Guest Introduction: Michael Smallwood
    02:18 Michael's Early Acting Experiences
    03:34 Michael's Early Love for Reading and Writing
    04:43 The Power of Narrative and Storytelling
    05:46 Michael's Journey into Professional Acting
    07:36 Michael's College Years and Introduction to Playwriting
    09:11 Michael's Theater Career and Favorite Moments
    13:00 Life as an Actor and Writer
    13:26 Transition into Screenwriting and Directing
    13:56 Working with Emerging Artists and Teaching
    14:32 Stumbling into Education and Mentoring
    15:40 The Impact of Theater on Young People
    16:24 The Unpredictability of an Acting Career
    16:29 The Role of Narrative in Shaping Experience
    17:28 The Journey of Teaching and Impacting Students
    17:57 The Difference Between Summer and Year-Long Programs
    22:20 The Power of Theater and Working with Educators
    26:26 Transitioning Between Theater and Film
    29:16 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans
    30:22 Closing Remarks and Preview of Next Episode

  • In a captivating conversation, Shivam Patel reveals his experiences navigating the world of theater. Starting with his first role, with 'Puss in Boots' as a child, Shivam discusses his journey to becoming a professional actor, and his passion for fostering the love of theater. The conversation dives deeper into the duality of identity as a child of immigrant parents and how Shivam wants to explore this theme in his future creations. Shivam also talks about his recent performance in 'Disgrace' at the American Stage Theater in Florida, and his desire to continue traveling and performing. He highlights his deep love for plays like 'The Seagull' and 'The Wild Duck' and hopes to revisit such roles with newfound perspectives.

    Photo: David Mandel Photography

    Music from ARTLIST:

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:05 Introduction and Shivam Patel's Role at PURE Theatre

    01:15 Shivam Patel's First Theatrical Experience

    02:46 The Joy of Performing and the Essence of Play

    03:30 Shivam Patel's Journey into Professional Theater

    04:15 The Shift from Musical to Straight Theater

    04:57 Current Projects and Experiences at Pure Theater

    05:19 Shivam Patel's Education and Early Career

    06:07 The London Theater Scene: A Comparative Analysis

    08:35 Returning to the US and Exploring Regional Theater

    09:22 Venturing into Children's Theater and Education

    11:15 The Joy of Teaching and Directing

    11:58 Balancing Multiple Roles in the Theater World

    12:47 Switching Careers and Aging

    13:58 The Charleston Theater Scene

    15:33 Approaching a Role: The Psychology of a Character

    16:36 Experience in 'Disgraced' at American Stage Theater

    17:36 The Play 'Disgraced' and Audience Reception

    18:49 Dream Roles and Auditioning

    20:23 Future Plans and Aspirations

    21:23 Writing Stories and Exploring Identity

    24:54 The Power of Theater and Lifelong Learning

    26:23 The Role of an Educator

    27:34 Dream Plays to Perform In

    28:26 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

  • In this episode of the PURE Theatre Podcast, host Rodney Lee Rogers chats with R.W. (Smitty) Smith, a versatile actor, writer, and director with PURE Theatre's core ensemble. Smith shares his expansive journey from his early exposure to theater in high school, his experience in the Air Force, to his accomplishments in the theater world. The discussion delves into Smith's approach to characterization, highlighting his utilization of physicality and movement, drawing inspiration from various sources and his experience with different acting styles. Furthermore, the episode gives listeners a sneak peak into the upcoming theater show, The Lehman Trilogy, in which Smith plays a role.

    Photo: David Mandel Photography

    Music from ARTLIST:

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:06 Introduction and Welcome

    00:25 The Origins of PURE Theater

    00:58 Upcoming Theater Events

    01:23 Interview with R. W. Smith

    01:52 Smith's Early Life and Introduction to Theater

    03:08 Smith's Journey through College and the Air Force

    04:10 Return to Theater and Personal Growth

    04:53 The Impact of Stubbornness and the Air Force

    05:31 Smith's Experience in the Marshall Islands

    06:12 Return to Clemson and Rediscovery of Theater

    11:14 The Influence of Other Artists

    12:30 Smith's Writing Process and Future Projects

    15:46 Reflections on Past Theater Performances

    20:28 Preparation for Upcoming Show 'Compulsion'

    26:47 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

  • Fred Thompson, the playwright of the play 'Atwater' joins host Rodney Lee Rogers for an invigorating chat. Thompson discusses his journey in writing the play 'Atwater,' revealing his fascination with the theme of ego, ambition, and success in society. They discuss how his play explores a crucial question - what it means to win in society and how it clashes with personal integrity and being a good person. The conversation also explores the evolving interpretations of the play as it is interpreted through performance. Thompson's personal perspective on the afterlife is also discussed.

    Photo: David Mandel Photography

    Music from ARTLIST:

    ORKAS - You Know What You Want

    Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon

    00:06 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
    00:47 The Journey of Creating the Podcast
    01:11 Discussion on the Production of Atwater
    01:53 Exploring the Politics in Atwater
    04:20 The Absurdity of Life and Theater
    05:45 The American Culture of Winning
    06:24 The Role of Self-Deprecation in Success
    10:13 The Impact of Social Media on Politics
    11:46 The Journey of Writing a Play
    13:55 The Power of Theater and the Process of Creating a Play
    23:53 The Experience of Watching the Play
    27:55 Conclusion and Special Offer