Interviews

On Holiday! An Interview with an American Idiot, or The Director Thereof at Milburn Stone Theatre

Interviews June 11, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Don’t want to be an American Idiot? Then you’re going to have to travel up to Milburn Stone Theatre to see their visceral production of Green Day’s American Idiot. But before you do, we’ll put you in the know and keep you informed by presenting you with a TheatreBloom exclusive interview with the show’s Director Lance Bankerd. Hear what Lance has to say regarding the production and what it means to today’s audiences.

MET Marches On: An Interview with Artistic Director Tad Janes about the 2016/2017 Season at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Interviews June 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s that time of year when all the theatres start making their big announcements for what’s coming to their stages in future seasons! After a roaring successful season of new works, fun shows, area premieres, and much, much more, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre is ready to roll straight into their 2016-2017 season. In a TheatreBloom exclusive interview, we’ve sat down with Artistic Director Tad Janes to talk about the company’s rich history, how they continue to fight the good fight of professional theatre in Frederick and what’s next for them as the new season gets underway.

Charm City Brings Charming Actors to Town: Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Welcomes Ali MacGraw & Ryan O’Neal to Baltimore for Love Letters

Interviews, News June 6, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” The line from Erich Segal’s novel popularized by the 1970 film adaptation of Love Story never gets old. 46 years later the dynamic acting duo from the film have reunited— this time on the stage— for a performance of A. R. Gurney’s Love Letters, appearing for just eight performances in the heart of Charm City’s Bromo Arts District at the Hippodrome Theatre.

You Can’t Stop the Beat at Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Meet the Nicest Kids in Town- Coby Kay Callahan & Darren McDonnell

Interviews June 6, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

You can’t stop an avalanche as it races down a hill! And this summer, Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia is racing down the hill of amazing theatrical experiences as they bring the heart of Baltimore to their stage with Hairspray. In the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “You Can’t Stop the Beat: Meet the Nicest Kids in Town” we’ll be chatting over the course of the production’s run with everyone from the character man and woman right up to Miss Hairspray herself,

Vile Villain: An Interview with Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ Nathan Parry

Interviews June 2, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Scandal. Lust. Mind games. Les Liaisons Dangereuses at The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre has it all. And so does area actor Nathan Parry. In a TheatreBloom exclusive interview, we take a moment to sit down with Nathan and talk shop about what it’s like to play vile villain Vicomte de Valmont, and find out just what makes it so dangerous.

Thanks for sitting with us! Would you give us the brief introduction and tell us what you’ve done that we might recognize of your work in the area?

It’s Not That Kind of Thing: A “Love”-ly Interview with ASGT’s Director Mark Briner and Co-Stars Jamie Austin Jacobs and Hayley Briner

Interviews May 31, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The year is 1985! The hair is big. The greed is good. The collars are up. And love is in the air. Actually, it’s 2016 and the hair is pretty flat, all things considered, greed is grody, and the collars are thankfully back down where they belong. Love is, however, STILL in the air and more potent than ever as Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre kicks off their 50th season with a production of the 80’s-themed The Wedding Singer.

Helen Hayes Nominee David James Speaks on His Fifth Nomination

Interviews May 18, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The 32nd Annual Helen Hayes Awards is just around the corner celebrating live professional theatre of all shapes and sizes in the nation’s capital city of Washington DC. This year’s ceremony will be presented at the historic Lincoln Theatre on Monday evening May 23, where 236 nominees are being honored, representing 202 eligible productions produced in 2015. In a TheatreBloom exclusive interview, we’ve taken a few quick moments with nominee David James (nominated in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical— Helen Production,

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Pierce Elliott

Interviews May 13, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

He’s stuck in the lamest place in the world! Appleton, Indiana! And what’s worse? His Bar Mitzvah is upon him, his parents just got divorced, he’s the new kid at a new school, AND he’s about to turn 13! In the final installment of “A Little More Homework”, the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series that sat down with the cast of Third Wall Productions’ 13: The Musical, we chat with Pierce Elliott about playing Evan.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Grace Volpe

Interviews May 13, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther 2 Comments

She’d made her choice, you’re good enough! Good enough to hear what Grace Volpe has to say as the penultimate interviewee in the TheatreBloom exclusive series, “A Little More Homework” featuring the performers of Third Wall Productions’ 13: The Musical.

Thanks for sitting with us, Grace! If you’d give us a quick introduction, we can get going.

Grace Volpe: My name’s Grace. I’m playing Patrice. I go Ridgley Middle School and I’m in sixth grade.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Jaylen Fontaine

Interviews May 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

No one says no to a boy with a terminal illness! As the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework” launches into the final three installments, we sit down with Jaylen Fontaine to talk about playing Archie in Third Wall Productions’ 13: The Musical.

If you’d like to introduce yourself, we’ll get started!

Jaylen Fontaine: I’m Jaylen Fontaine. I play Archie. I go to school at Shiloh Middle School in Carroll County and I’m in the seventh grade.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Jake Schwartz

Interviews May 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

He’s the coolest kid in school and he’s never done— the T. The T? The Tongue! Bret wants to give Kendra The Tongue! Oh my god, you guys! Heading into the homestretch of our TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework” we sit down with Jake Schwartz of Third Wall Productions’ 13: The Musical to get the “t” about “The T.”

Thanks for sitting with us, Jake, would you give us a quick introduction to yourself and we’ll get started?

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Anastasia Johns

Interviews May 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Readers of TheatreBloom! You’re about to have an O-P-P OPPORTUNITY to find out just what is so special about Kendra from 13: The Musical that everybody wants to date her! In the 12th segment of our ongoing exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework” we sit down with Anastasia Johns to get the details on Miss Popularity herself at Third Wall Productions.

Thanks for giving us a minute, Anastasia, if you want to introduce yourself,

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Anike Sonuga

Interviews May 11, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

She’s the gal they’re all gabbing about! Gossip queen extraordinaire— that’s Lucy, of 13: The Musical, who is simply bad, bad news! Continuing into the 11th installment of the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework” we sit down with Anike Sonuga to learn all about what it’s like to play the bad girl in the Third Wall Productions’ presentation of 13: The Musical.

Thanks for sitting down with us,

Open Your Chest, Show Us Your Heart: An Interview with David Jennings and Justin Calhoun about Epic! Productions and Gutenberg! The Musical

Interviews May 10, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

In a world where we see four productions of Shrek within four months and four miles of each other, it takes a great big leap of faith to venture down the path less traveled, particularly in the genre of musical theatre and especially when it comes to the journey of opening a new theatre company. As Epic! Productions heads into its second season— preparing to mount it’s second musical production, Gutenberg! The Musical,

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Maren Wright-Kerr

Interviews May 10, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

They’ve been thinking. They’ve been thinking! And they’ve got to get with you— these kids of 13: The Musical— they’ve got to get with you so they can share their awesome experience of being in the middle of a middle school musical and talk all about what it’s been like! Rounding the bend past the midway point in the TheatreBloom exclusive series “A Little More Homework” we sit down with Maren Wright-Kerr to discuss her involvement with 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Aidan Slowey

Interviews May 10, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

One, two, three, here they go! These young performers of 13: The Musical are stoked to share their experience regarding the production in this TheatreBloom exclusive interview series— A Little More Homework. Sitting down for our 9th installment, Aidan Slowey talks to us about playing Malcolm in Third Wall Productions’ upcoming showing of 13: The Musical.

Thanks for taking a minute to sit with us, Aiden. Would you introduce yourself and we’ll get started?

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Ma’issa Wright-Kerr

Interviews May 6, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

If that’s what it is? Then that’s what it is, and this is what it is— part eight of the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series “A Little More Homework” where we’re getting to know the cast of Third Wall Productions’ 13: The Musical. Taking her turn at the microphone to give us the truth about life in middle school, we’re sitting down with Ma’issa Wright-Kerr for her take on the show.

If you’d give us a little introduction,

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Carly Victor

Interviews May 5, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

You see the cover and you judge the book, but don’t turn away without a brand new look! These young performers at Third Wall Productions will have you thinking twice about labels, bullying, and judging people without ever getting to know them. Continuing on the 7th part of an ongoing TheatreBloom exclusive interview series— “A Little More Homework” we sit down with 13: The Musical’s cast member Carly Victor to get her story on being a part of this fantastical teenaged musical experience.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Christopher Owens

Interviews May 5, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

With a voice, and a choice, and incentive to succeed, these kids are certainly going to get you what you need! In this case that’s Part 6 of the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework.” Working our way through the cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions, we sit down with Chris Owens and talk about the show.

Hi Chris! If you’d tell us a little bit about yourself,

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Margaret Hamilton

Interviews May 4, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Any minute, we’ll be getting closer, and we’ll be where we want to be! Which is right here at Part 5 of the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework.” Sitting down with Margaret Hamilton, we get the skinny on Molly and being Patrice’s understudy.

Hi Margaret, thanks for sitting with us. If you’d like to introduce yourself, we’ll get going.

Margaret Hamilton: My name is Margaret Hamilton, and I play Molly and Patrice’s understudy.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Morgan Hewitt

Interviews May 3, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

A friend is a person who most of all cares about what you feel. And we’re making friends fast here with the cast of Third Wall Productions teenage ensemble of 13: The Musical. In the fourth installment of the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, “A Little More Homework” we sit down with ensemble member Morgan Hewitt to discuss what it’s like being a part of the show.

Hi, Morgan! Thanks for sitting down with us!

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Andi Rudai

Interviews May 3, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

They’re getting ready stay, they’re getting ready today! These movers are ready to prove that they’ve still got a little more homework to do! Arriving as Part 3 of the TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, we sit down with ensemble member Andi Rudai and talk all about her involvement with 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions.

Hello there, Andi! Thanks for sitting down with us.

Andi Rudai: Hi! I’m Andi Rudai and I’m just in the ensemble.

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13: The Musical at Third Wall Productions- Meet Jake Clark

Interviews April 30, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

You get a little bit taller, a little bit older, a little bit better…all when you’re turning 13! Arriving as the second the a multi-part interview series, “A Little More Homework” TheatreBloom sits down with Jake Clark to discuss life at 13, middle school, and what being a teenager is all about.

Thanks for sitting down with us today! Why don’t you start by telling us who you are, where you go to school,

A Little More Homework: Studying the Cast of 13 the Musical at Third Wall Prductions- Meet Taylor Casalena

Interviews April 29, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

These kids are cracking from the strain, going totally insane just because they’re about to turn 13! Third Wall productions takes to the stage with the second production of its inaugural season, a rarely produced musical— 13: The Musical. Featuring a story about what it’s like to survive middle school while turning 13, the cast— as it was on Broadway— is filled with actual teenagers! In a TheatreBloom exclusive interview series, we’ve sat down with each member of the 16 person cast to ask them some of the real tough questions about what it’s like to live life at 13.

Interview: It’s All In The Family- An Interview with Oedipus Rox! Co-Creators Thom Huenger and Sarah Shulman

Interviews April 28, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Oedipus! TheatreBloom knows something you don’t know! And here in this exclusive interview with Co-Creators Thom Huenger and Sarah Shulman, we’re going to tell you anyway! We’re going to tell you all about how this electrifying rock opera musical came to exist on the stages of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre and what drove the Greek Tragedy to bleed its veins into the world of musical theatre.

Thank you Thom and Sarah for giving us your time to talk about this exciting project!

Corey Dunning (left) as Coalhouse Walker Jr. and Samantha Deininger (right) as Sarah in Ragtime at Memorial Players

Your Daddy’s Son: An Interview with Stephen Deininger and Samantha McEwen Deininger about the Deininger Family in Ragtime

Interviews April 23, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Bringing the nation a new syncopation, the Memorial Players of Baltimore’s Bolton Hill neighborhood is revolutionizing community theatre as we know it here in Charm City. With their current production of Ahrens and Flaherty’s Ragtime, not only is the company putting on a show filled with spectacular talent and a poignant and powerfully relevant message but it’s providing this incredible experience to the public for free. Furthering the uniqueness of the company’s current production,

Part of Your World: Meet the Actors of Milburn Stone Theatre’s The Little Mermaid- Karalyn Joseph

Interviews April 18, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but the end of the series got here just now! Read and you’ll see, the last one to be, “Part of Your World.” Launched just in time to celebrate opening weekend of The Milburn Stone Theatre production of The Little Mermaid, TheatreBloom concludes the series by sitting down with Karalyn Joseph, who is currently playing the title character in the production.

Thank you for sitting down with us,

Just Listen to That! The Voice of Argentina: An Interview with the Leads of Evita at Spotlighters Theatre

Interviews April 13, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Oh what a circus! Oh what a show! It’s quite a sunset, but don’t cry for the Argentinians just yet, Charm City! Not until you’ve read this riveting TheatreBloom exclusive interview with the actors in the lead roles at the upcoming production of Evita The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre. With a wealth of knowledge on their characters, and great opinions on how this “old school” musical is surging with relevance today’s audiences, we sit down to talk over the characters of Eva Duarte de Perón,

Part of Your World: Meet the Actors of Milburn Stone Theatre’s The Little Mermaid- Nance Weber

Interviews April 13, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

We’ll admit that in the past she’s been a nasty…they weren’t kidding when they called her, well, a witch. We’re talking about Ursula, of course, and not the delightful Nance Weber who is playing the nasty villain in Milburn Stone Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid. In the fourth installment of the “Part of Your World” interview series, we’ve sat down with Nance to find out what it’s like to take on such an iconic villain.

Imaginary Friends: An Art Exhibit with Alix Tobey Southwick

Interviews April 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Station North is alive and thriving with its newest artistic residents, Stillpointe Theatre. After moving into 1825 N. Charles Street back in December, Stillpointe Theatre is off to a great start of bringing their unique and vibrant work to the Station North Arts District. On April 1, 2016 the company launched Under the Umbrella: A Series for the Senses. The artistic series, which debuted with an opening reception on April 1st, runs through May 20,