Today’s interview is with Stephanie Mae Richwell (she/her) visual artist and is one of Living Arts’ Resident Teaching Artist. With a community centered mindset and a heart for working in her purpose, Stephanie has been with Living Arts for ten years. We’re going to learn about art with a therapeutic lens, arts accessibility, and finding our own aut…

Today’s interview is with Jim Guy (he/him), legendary props wizard. Jim has propped an estimated 600 plays, musicals and operas. His work has appeared on and Off-Broadway, on tour, in print, on television, in museums and onstage. Jim was Properties Director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for 24 seasons. In his “retirement” he now freelances, teache…

Today’s interview is with Josh Weaver (he/him), an ad-man and former social media marketer at Zappos, Exploding Kittens, and a variety of start ups. We’re going to learn about being on reality television, conventional marketing, and finding the art in everything. One takeaway I can offer you already? Know your own Core Values. Mentioned in this Epi…

Today’s interview is with Josh Simons (he/him), tabletop game designer, community manager, and digital marketing professional. We’re going to learn about creating a business, translating your skills, and how AI pales in comparison to lived experience. One takeaway I can offer you already? The creative process is what makes art worth it. For more, s…

Don't forget about April for the Arts! Living Arts' big online fundraising event and the 25 Hour Drop In Dance-a-thon, our real life and online event! Today’s interview is with Miryam Johnson (she/her), award winning dancer, teaching artist, and Living Arts’ very own Out-of-School Arts Program Manager. In this inspiring and exciting conversation, w…

Today’s interview is with Mur Lafferty (she/her)! Mur is an author and podcaster who podcasts about writing and writes about podcasting. She also writes about murders in space, zombies, Minecraft and Han Solo. Mur’s writing and podcasting have resulted in numerous award nominations and wins, such as the Best Fancast Hugo Award, the Astounding Award…

Today’s interview is with Tom Pearl (he/him) production manager, management and theater consultant, and the current Producing Director at Steppenwolf Theater Company. We’re going to learn about the value of mentorship and mentoring, how much smaller these industries can be than we may think, and the ways that you can shape your role specific to you…

Season three kicks off NOW with a shiny new logo! Today’s interview is with Emilio Rodriguez (he/him), a theater artist, musician, and Living Arts Teaching Artist. We’re going to learn about onstage representation, some tips for navigating rejection, and the ways storytelling and folklore exist in the modern age. One takeaway I can offer you alread…

We met with former lawyer turned game designer Jason Cordova (he/him) for our first live streamed recording. We’re going to learn about Jason’s tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) writing process, running a successful crowd-funding campaign, and empowering other creatives and communities to play within your work. One takeaway I can offer you already?…

Today’s interview is with Tyler Manning (he/him) musician, producer, and co-founder of Boredom Fighters youth music and events organization. We’re going to learn about music in schools, the by-city chapter approach to a non-profit, and figuring out how to get your talented pals paid. One takeaway I can offer you already? Create more than you consum…

Today’s interview is with Jason Boulware (he/him). Jason is a filmmaker and educator based in Chicago. His diverse portfolio encompasses commercial projects, web series, radio, and academic productions. Jason has produced and directed both short and feature-length films, with a recent focus on documentary work. We’re going to learn about Historical…

Today’s interview is with Audra Kubat (she/her) teaching artist, musician, and educator. Today, we’re going to learn about teaching yourself, breaking bread with your neighbors, and helping others find their own voice. One takeaway I can offer you already? When you’re vulnerable, you may be your truest self. Mentioned in this Episode: Inside Out Li…

Need a little bit of light in your life today?? This interview is with Jason Deran (he/him) composer, musician, and audio engineer! In today’s episode, we’re going to learn about conquering the post-undergrad slump, balancing a full time design role with freelancing, and the differences in artistic process when it's for you or someone else. One tak…

Today’s interview is with Kanisha Williams (she/they) writer, comedian, and lovergirl. They have a demonstrated history in writers rooms, film review, newsletters, personal narrative, and artistic project facilitation. In today’s episode, we’re going to learn about the Writers’ Guild Access Support Staff Training Program, what makes a good Log Line…

In this episode, we turn the tables on producer Claire as she’s inducted as a new co-host for season two of Living in the Arts! We’re going to learn about production management, anxiety, and being a multi-tool. One takeaway I can offer you already? Spite’s a great instigator, and a terrible sustainer. ** KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED ** SEASON TWO KICKS OF…

In this episode, we’ll continue learning about our host, Laura Scales! In part two, we’re going to learn about mid-career shifts, the pros and pitfalls of an entrepreneurial spirit, and just how far a passion for people can take you. Submit your own community questions for our guests here! **SEASON TWO OFFICIALLY BEGINS ON OCTOBER 22!!** For more o…

** KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED ** SEASON TWO KICKS OFF ON OCTOBER 22!! ** At long last, we’ll get to know our host, Laura Scales, as interviewed by Producer Claire. Before Living Arts, Laura stage and production managed in the theater industry for nearly two decades. Laura developed her love of academia, serving as the Production Manager at the Universit…

SEASON ONE FINALE?!? Living in the Arts will be back soon with bonus episodes, live episodes, meeting the team deep dives, and a lively second season on the way!! Today’s interview is with Danny Halminiak, a professional theatrical technical director who has worked everywhere from multi-million dollar theaters to where he now resides helping youth …

Today’s interview is with fiction writer Katie Vandervalk, the VP of content strategy, entertainment and beauty & style groups at Dotdash Meredith, novelist, and screenwriter. Her driven, get it done attitude pairs with her sense of humor and vulnerability to have me constantly learning each time we speak. We’re going to learn about her path into c…

Today’s interview is with Lowell Thomas, a videographer, photographer, and . As a freelancer, he has been featured in The Root, American Theatre Magazine, Teen Vogue, Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, and more. We’re going to learn a bit about making movies, how to choose who you work with, and that caring for your mind is caring for your proces…

Today’s interview is with Karilú Alarcón Forshee, a performer and dancer from Juárez, Mexico. She currently serves as Living Arts’ resident Teaching Artist, and has been teaching in each of our programs for well over a decade. We’re going to learn about the experience of being seen, making life a little better, and paying attention to what’s beyond…

Today’s interview is with Alec Frey, a senior producer and production director at Obsidian Entertainment. His portfolio includes contributions to a string of celebrated video game titles, such as "Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire," "Tyranny," "The Outer Worlds," and, most recently, his role as the production director for "Pentiment." We’re going to …

Today’s interview is with a decade long friend of mine, MC Steffen. MC is a director, writer, and instructor whose expertise in the personal essay has led to a varied career. We’re going to learn about solo performance, the college essay, curiosity, and self employment. One takeaway I can offer you already? “Find the question that your story can an…

Today’s interview is with Tina El Gamal, an inspirational multi-hyphenate I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time during our interview. Tina is an actor, director, arts administrator, fundraising consultant, theater-leader, and activist. We’re going to learn about how they navigate the balance between personal artistic practice and full ti…

Today’s interview is with Connor Shioshita Pickett, a theatermaker and arts worker in Chicago. Currently, Connor serves as the Artistic Director of the Neo Futurist Theater. We’re going to learn more about his path into the arts, his own artistic practices, and some key advice for freelancers. For more, listen now! If you enjoyed this interview, Co…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Chris Smith (Laughs Unlimited) to talk about coming from Detriot, joining the Air Force and living in Japan, playing college basketball, his first time bombing, parenting, and running his own show. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @comedybyswizz @bobbyomoto @random.thoughts.podcast Twitter: @bobb…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Diego Curiel (Laughs After Dark 2 on Amazon Prime) to talk about producing comedy shows, crazy single life, ridiculous drinking stories, crank calls, diabetes, losing weight, and the time George Tekei from Star Trek spent the night at Robert's house. See more of us at: Website: www.robertomoto.com Instagram:…

Robert Omoto sits with Ellis Rodriguez (Shaq's Comedy All-Stars, Comedy Central Hart of the City) to talk about his new album, new challenges in stand-up, running the pro-am showcase at Laughs Unlimimted, and pretending to be a good person on social media. Comedy Central: Hart of the City https://fb.watch/2GEPjLlgg_/ Check out the "Go Be a Clown" a…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Kris Tinkle (Netflix, Pandora, Gotham Comedy Live) his first move to New York and being new on the scene, overcoming addiction, moving back to California, living in Las Vegas, and opening for Chappelle unexpectedly after eating edibles. Watch him on Gotham Comedy Live: https://youtu.be/P4aKVmTlGF8 Follow us …

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Dustin Wood to talk about his father and brother passing away, riffing, bombing, people's ridiculous speeches at his mom's funeral, and his dad's ghost coming back to haunt him and why Freddy Mercury was the only answer. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @adorkabledustinwood @bobbyomoto @random.th…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Alyssa Cowan to talk about growing up in Reno, visiting the Phillipines, moving to DC then Baltimore, giving her mom a tour she hated, her paranoid of people stealing her luggage, getting woken up by a stranger consoling her on a plane, and moving back to the west coast. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com htt…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Connor Martin (Laughs Unlimited) to talk about moving to a new city, importance of perofrming in front of different audiences, divisive material, Kanye West's documentary and insanely driven mentality, and losing religion after discovering magic. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @connor_fartin @r…

Robert Omoto talks with stand-up comedian Jesse Rivera to talk about riffing at shows, Robert plays a clip of a recent show where a woman walked out and the husband stayed, being addicted to drugs and his road to sobriety. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @jesseriveralikestotalk @random.thoughts.podcast @bobbyomoto Twitter: @bobbyomoto…

Robert Omoto sits with transgender comedian Heather Rogue to talk about hitchhiking, music festivals, street performing, magic, pursuing journalism, Squid Games, Dave Chappelle's special, and opens up about her transition. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @heather_comedy_rogue @bobbyomoto @random.thoguhts.podcast Blog: https://heatheron…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Angel Castro to talk about graduating from law school then deciding to pursue comedy, growing up in Mexico, Robert's spring break stories in Mexico, family secrets, and getting into comedy. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @angelcastrocomedy @bobbyomoto @random.thoughts.podcast Twitter: @bobbyomo…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Artie Valenzuela to talk about growing up in Vallejo, Robert's mom's lifelong lie about being adopted and their trip to the Philippines, hilarious humbling sports stories not being able to tackle someone, hitting three batters in one inning, coaching, riffing on stage, the importance of watching the entire s…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Gabriel Alexander to talk about growing up in Stockton, escaping gang life, shootings and crazy fight stories, moving to Lake Tahoe, his start in comedy, and they both share stories about trying to be a good guy and having it go terribly wrong. Follow us at: www.robertomoto.com Instagram: @g_alexander209 @bo…

Robert Omoto sits with stand-up comedian Dustin Wood to revisit the death threat letter he wrote to Macaulay Culkin when he was 8, growing up in Weed, CA, knowing the guy who started a major forrest fire, walking through a gang fight and getting shot, bombing in front of famous country singer Merle Haggard, his upcoming comedy special taping, and R…