The Compass
The Compass Podcast documents the lives of artists navigating the waters between art and commerce. A space for those conversations with peers about living a creative life. Hosted by actress Leah Walsh.
All Episodes
Episode 186: Leah Walsh
This is the final episode of The Compass Podcast! Creator, host, and actor Leah Walsh is interviewed by artist Kim Miller. Leah shares about her experiences with the dark side, the seven year evolution of The Compass, what she's looking forward to about making room for new creative projects.
Episode 185: Susie Garcia
Vocalist, violinist, mariachi, entrepreneur, and educator Susie Garcia shares her experiences with the dark side, leading the all female, Los Angeles based mariachi ensemble Las Colibri, growing as a leader, parenting as an artist, and balancing high expectations.
Episode 184: Catherine Mueller
Interdisciplinary Artist, Actor/Creator, and Educator Catherine Mueller shares her experiences with the dark side, her love of clown, her journey founding The MAMAs / Mother Artists Making Art and The PAMAS / Pregnant Artists Making Art (www.motherartistsmakingart.com) in 2020 to foreground the value and visibility of Mother+Artists.
Episode 183: Jessica Blank
Multi-hyphenate artist Jessica Blank shares her experiences building a creative life, embracing creative problem solving, restaging the documentary theatre piece Coal Country after having to close at the beginning of the pandemic, parenting as an artist, and collaboration.
Episode 182: Nikki Massoud
Actor and writer Nikki Massoud shares her experiences with the dark side, how community is changing in the pandemic, time, and delving into playwriting,
Episode 181; Julia Ogilvie
Actor, teacher, and comedian Julia Ogilvie shares her experiences with the dark side, winding up in her home state of Hawaii during the pandemic and the artistic community there, and finding ways to give yourself the green light as an artist.
Episode 180: Daniel Morgan Shelley
Actor Daniel Morgan Shelley shares his experiences with the dark side, building structure in your life, auditioning, and going through the pandemic as an introvert. Check out what Daniel is up to: www.danielmorganshelley.com.
Episode 179: Geoffrey Allen Murphy
Actor Geoffrey Allen Murphy shares his experiences with the dark side, auditioning, finding balance, and understudying on Broadway during the pandemic (in To Kill a Mockingbird).
Mini Episode: The Compass Update
Update from host Leah Walsh gives an update on her plans for the podcast, moving to a season format with new episodes being published starting in January, 2022. The pandemic has been hard on all of us, take care of yourself.
Episode 178: Amy Berryman
Playwright and actor Amy Berryman shares her experiences with the dark side, pivoting to focus on playwriting, building a community and a process, her play being produced in London during the pandemic, day jobs, and trust. http://www.amy-berryman.com.
Episode 177: Natalie Suzanne
Natalie Suzanne is a teacher, craftsperson, naturalist, and musician. She shares her experiences with the dark side, building a creative life in a variety of communities and environments, recording her first album as a singer songwriter, and balancing art and commerce.
Episode 176: Michelle Ross
Violinist and composer Michelle Ross shares her experiences with the dark side, finding a love of improvisation, expanding your definition of yourself as an artist, and performing Bach all over New York City. www.michellerossviolin.com.
Episode 175: Damian Jermaine Thompson
Actor and creator Damian Jermaine Thompson shares his experiences with the dark side, community, virtual teaching, overcoming adversity, joining the Actors Equity Association Council in hopes of fighting for our community of artists, Check out his short film BLACK?
Episode 97: Priscila García-Jacquier (Re-release)
Writer, producer, and director Priscila García-Jacquier shares her experiences with the dark side, finding her voice as a writer, using her own immigration story to speak out for others, finding your power in the industry, and embracing extreme honesty.
Episode 174: Brittany Vicars
Actor, writer and teacher Brittany Vicars shares her experiences over the past year with her diagnosis with a rare form of cancer, treatment, and processing and sharing this experience through her writing. We also discuss isolation and community, filmmaking, and artistic drive.
Episode 173: Sarah Kenny
Sarah Kenny is a long time theater educator with a focus towards accessibility/disability inclusion, and is currently working on her Masters in Disability Studies at CUNY School of Professional Studies.
Episode 172: Erin Cronican
Actor, director and Executive Artistic Director of The Seeing Place Theater shares her experiences with the dark side, continuing to run a theater company and produce work virtually during the pandemic, day jobs, the importance of sharing knowledge and skills with other artists, and finding healing and comfort in creating while living with cancer.
Episode 99: Chalia La Tour
(Re-release, originally published 11/16/17) Actor Chalia La Tour shares her experiences with the dark side, her activist work for equity within the arts/entertainment industry and education, transitioning to New York City after grad school, and making change in a community with your work.
Episode 12: Jude Sandy
Actor and dancer Jude Sandy shares his perspective on taking care of yourself in a business that tries to define you, going where the work you want to do is possible, how his art is shaped by his experiences growing up in Trinidad and Tobago as a young gay man, and where he goes in New York City to escape the dark side.
Episode 171: Lily Houghton
Playwright Lily Houghton shares her experiences with the dark side, building a creative life, establishing herself as a professional playwright on her own terms after growing up in the NYC Off-Broadway community, writing and pitching for television, believing in your voice, and grieving the death of her father.
Episode 170: Jeffrey Omura
Actor, activist and labor organizer Jeffrey Omura shares his experiences building a creative life, his current campaign for New York City Council (District 6, Upper West Side), the importance of art advocacy such as Be an #ArtsHero, auditioning, and building community.
Episode 169: Vivienne Benesch
Director, actor, and teacher Vivienne Benesch is the Producing Artistic Director of Playmakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC.
Episode 168: Chris Myers
Actor Chris Myers shares his experiences with the dark side, growing up as an artist in NYC, collaboration, developing the study group series "Anti-Capitalism for Artists" (current title) which gives artists a place to engage with a radical class education, and moving to Los Angeles.
Episode 167: Emily Ritger
Theatrical maker and teacher Emily Ritger shares her experiences with the dark side, creating community, deciding to go to grad school and invest in herself as an artist, and starting the artist cooperative The Midwives that fosters artists and their work through interlocking circles of support.
Mini Episode: Fearlessness in Difficult Times Edition
Host Leah Walsh reads from The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron.
Episode 166: Christina Rouner
Actor Christina Rouner shares her experiences with the dark side, resisting the comparison game, becoming a parent, auditioning, starting her own business, and gratitude.
Episode 165: Nija Okoro
Actor Nija Okoro shares her experiences with the dark side, the power of rituals in daily life, establishing herself in Los Angeles after growing up in NYC, falling in love with independent film, and lessons learned from her recent national tour of August Wilson's Jitney,
Episode 164: Carolyn Michelle Smith
Actor and coach Carolyn Michelle Smith shares her experiences with the dark side, making the move from NYC to LA, constantly learning and pivoting, community, and the embracing the self-tape audition.
Mini Episode - Humility Not Modesty Edition
Host Leah Walsh reads an excerpt from Untamed by Glennon Doyle, check back soon for a new full episode!
Episode 163: Han Tang
Writer and actor Han Tang shares her experiences with the dark side, diving in to playwriting and screenwriting when she encountered the lack of opportunities for asian actors after graduating from Juilliard, teaching artist work, storytelling in China and Los Angeles, community, and self-producing.
Episode 162: Claire Karpen
Actor and director Claire Karpen shares her experiences with the dark side, getting through this time of isolation, becoming a part of The Actors' Equity Association council and what she's learned behind the scenes, hope for the future of theatre, and the importance just continuing to make art in this time.
Episode 161: Sena Rich
Casting Producer Sena Rich works in reality tv in Los Angeles. She shares her experiences with the dark side, deciding to pivot away from being an actor, finding her place working in casting, equity and diversity in tv/film, and the importance of empathy.
Episode 160: Carmen Zilles
Actor Carmen Zilles shares her experiences with the dark side, auditioning, community and accountability, day jobs, writing, and moving through this time of Covid as an artist.
Episode 159: Delavega
Film, TV, Commercial and Digital Content Director and Producer Delavaga shares his experiences with the dark side, directing a feature film, how parenthood has changed him as an artist, establishing himself in a new city, and meditation.
Black Lives Matter
Black artists and activists, if it would be useful to you to use The Compass Podcast to amplify your voice now or in the future, please contact host Leah Walsh at leahwalsh@gmail.com.
Episode 158: Charlie Barnett
Actor Charlie Barnett shares his experiences with the dark side, pushing yourself in auditions, hope for the film and tv industry once things start shooting again, and inhabiting such a dark role in Russian Doll on Netflix,
Episode 157: Murray Bartlett
Actor Murray Bartlett shares his experiences with the dark side, making choices that prioritize your life and not just your career, moving from Australia to New York City as an artist, meditation, and what he took away from working on the HBO show Looking.
Episode 156: Sally Cade Holmes
Producer Sally Cade Holmes (Hadestown, The Inheritance) shares her experiences with the dark side, the importance of mentoring, deciding to strike out on her own as a producer and consultant, staying nimble with your definition of success, and a look at how producers do what they do.
Episode 155: Parenting as Artists with Kathleen McNenny, Boyd Gaines, and Frankie J. Alvarez
Host Leah Walsh and her husband, actor Frankie J. Alvarez, are joined by actors Kathleen McNenny and Boyd Gaines to discuss the ups and downs of parenting in the arts, the necessity of community, keeping things in perspective, making decisions to fuel your creativity as well as support your family, and the importance of patience.
Episode 154: Lisa Kitchens
Actor, teacher, and creator Lisa Kitchens shares her experiences with the dark side, starting Earth Stories Initiative which connects young children living in cities to the natural world through storytelling, the importance of community, and applying for residencies and grants as a performing artist.
Episode 153: Inés del Castillo
Actor and writer Inés del Castillo shares her experiences with the dark side, supporting herself as an artist, navigating casting as a bilingual artist, and staying positive. Check out her work at: https://www.inesdelcastillo.com.
Episode 152: Brandon Cournay
Dancer Brandon Cournay shares his experiences with the dark side and building a creative life in the New York dance world, from freelancing to becoming a company member, starting a business, and finding community.
Episode 151: Giselle O. Alvarez
Dancer and performer Giselle O. Alvarez shares her experiences with the dark side, taking care of yourself and staying inspired during a long running show (she just hit her five year anniversary in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway), how being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has affected her life as an artist, finding freedom in different styles of dance, and pushing yourself to always keep learning.
Episode 150: Manik Choksi LIVE from BroadwayCon
Actor, musician, and composer Manik Choksi shares his thoughts on the dark side, making your own work, growing in long-term collaborations, and how becoming a parent influences him as an artist. He also shares a song from his new song cycle based on the story of The Ramayan!
Mini Episode: Live the Question Edition
Update on The Compass Live from BroadwayCon, Episode 150 with Manik Choksi coming up on January 25, 2020, as well as a few readings from Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.
Mini Episode: New Year Edition
Thoughts on the New Year by host Leah Walsh and a reading of a poem and reflections by author Neil Gaiman. http://journal.neilgaiman.com.
Episode 149: Rachel Spencer Hewitt
Actor and founder of the Parent Artist Advocacy League Rachel Spencer Hewitt shares her experiences with the dark side, auditioning, becoming a parent as an artist and how that led her to form PAAL and advocate for the support of parents and caregivers in the arts, and the power of community.
Episode 148: Seamus Mulcahy
Actor Seamus Mulcahy shares his experiences with the dark side, auditioning, developing your process as an actor, the importance of community, how dyslexia has influenced his path as an artist and how he approaches the challenges of learning differently.
Episode 147: Christopher Ryan Grant
Actor Christopher Ryan Grant shares his experiences with the dark side, finding community, how his work with The Public Theater's Mobile Unit has changed how he tells stories, auditioning, and learning to put things in perspective.
Episode 146: Christopher Livingston
Actor Christopher Livingston shares his experiences with the dark side, trying not to take the work home at the end of the day, mentors, auditioning, and staying positive. You can see him in his first Broadway show, The Great Societyat Lincoln Center or as Wayne Williams on the second season of Mindhunter.
Episode 145: Sharone Halevy
Painter, director, and teacher Sharone Halevy shares her experiences with the dark side, her evolution as an artist from performer to painter, process and empathy, being kind to yourself, and building a business plan as a painter.
Episode 144: Rachel Nicks
Actor and fitness professional Rachel Nicks shares her experiences with the dark side, auditioning, staying positive, asking for what you need as an artist and parent, her work as a fitness instructor focused on women's health and wellness, and living an unapologetically full life.
Episode 143: Kris Sidberry
Actor Kris Sidberry shares her experiences with the dark side, continuing to learn and train, reevaluating, trying to not focus solely on career, and the community she's found at Burning Man (which she just got back from right before this interview!).
Episode 142: Catie Cuan
Dancer, choreographer, and technologist Catie Cuan shares her experiences with the dark side, fusing her duel interests in dance and technology, how geography influences art, balance, and being in a relationship with another artist.
Mini Episode: In Times of Chaos Edition
Host Leah Walsh reflections on Toni Morrison's thoughts on an artist's task in times of chaos from "No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear,” an essay included in the 150th anniversary issue of The Nation, read from the article "No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear: Toni Morrison on the Artist's Task in Troubled Times" by Maria Popova, published on brainpickings.org.
Episode 141: Meg Fee
Writer Meg Fee shares her experiences with the dark side, publishing and self-publishing her writing, the evolution of the online blogging space, finding her current path in human centered design, and processing the world through writing.
Episode 140: Dillon Heape
Actor and singer Dillon Heape shares their experiences with the dark side, expanding creativity in many directions, self discovery, keeping busy, Pride, new projects, sobriety and mental health. www.dillonheape.com.
Episode 139: Erin Cherry
Actor and teacher Erin Cherry shares her experiences with the dark side, auditioning, self-care, the evolution of dreams and goals, the importance of community, and her recent Emmy win. See what she's up to at www.erincherry.com and see her show After Forever on Amazon.
Episode 138: Jordan Geiger
Photographer Jordan Geiger shares his experiences with the dark side, transitioning from acting to photography, his upcoming move from NYC to LA, running a business as a freelancer, community, and being in a relationship with another artist.
Episode 137: Nick Mills
Actor and teacher Nick Mills shares his experiences with the dark side, becoming a parent, gratitude, mentors, and how his approach to auditioning has changed. www.nickmosesmills.com.
Episode 136: Lizzie King-Hall
Actor and dialect coach Lizzie King-Hall shares her experiences with the dark side, political action, navigating the role of dialect coach in a production and building her business, and learning from the artists around you. http://www.lizziekinghall.com.
Episode 135: Ryan Spahn
Actor, writer, and producer Ryan Spahn shares his experiences with the dark side, going to Juilliard in his late twenties, having patience, getting his screenplays made, and collaboration.
Episode 134: Tim Dieterichs
Artist Tim Dieterichs shares his experiences with the dark side, addiction and recovery, what he values about acting and design, the importance of community, and finding freedom in structure.
Episode 133: Marla Phelan
Dancer and choreographer Marla Phelan shares her experiences with the dark side, the complexities of being a freelancing, working in different genres of dance and theater, moving towards her choreographic voice, and knowing your worth. www.marlaphelan.com.
Episode 132: Kristin McCarthy Parker
Director Kristin McCarthy Parker shares her experiences with the dark side, devising work, day jobs, the strength of working with an established community, and directing a long run of a show. Check out her projects at www.kristinmccarthyparker.com, www.puffstheplay.com, www.recentcutbacks.com.
Episode 131: Charlotte Bydwell (audio corrected)
Actor, dancer, and creator Charlotte Bydwell shares her experiences with the dark side, building her creative life, producing her own multidisciplinary work, decision making, artist visas, having patience, and doing things that terrify you.
Mini Episode - Manifesto Edition
A mini episode with host Leah Walsh today featuring an excerpt from "An Incomplete Manifesto For Growth" by Bruce Mau, a part of the Manifesto Project. Check back in two weeks for a new guest and interview!
Episode 130: Rachel Bonds
Playwright Rachel Bonds shares her experiences with the dark side, the development process for new plays, collaboration, and how the theater community can support artist parents and their work. Read her wonderful essay Working Like A Mother on howlround.com.
Episode 129: Finn Wittrock
Actor Finn Wittrock shares his experiences with the dark side, auditioning, the ups and downs of film production and funding, finding an outlet in writing, and advice from his artistic mentors.
Episode 128: Jasminn Johnson
Actor, writer, and teacher Jasminn Johnson shares her experiences with the dark side, building a healthy creative life, discovering her passion for teaching, collaboration, sharing through her writing, and moving from waiting to creating in the new year.
Episode 127: Pepper Binkley
Actor and writer Pepper Binkley shares her experiences with the dark side, always having something to look forward to, collaboration, how becoming a parent has changed her work and creative life, and the major undertaking of creating the web series "It's Freezing Out There" as actor, writer, co-director, and co-producer.
Episode 126: Sofia Jean Gomez
Actor Sofia Jean Gomez shares her experiences with the dark side, working in regional theater, making the most of your work in auditions, creating your own space when the industry isn't giving you opportunities, day jobs, and moving to a new theater community.
Bonus Episode: Sober Mamas
In this bonus episode The Compass Podcast host Leah and Sober in Vegas blogger Kim talk about becoming moms while sober. The resources they wish they had had during this life transition, tools they found helpful during pregnancy, anxieties and fears, talking to kids about alcohol, and how they are approaching parenthood as sober women in the arts.
Episode 125: Raymond J. Lee
Actor and singer Raymond J. Lee shares his experiences moving between genres, developing new musicals, using social media to your advantage, speaking up for yourself and fellow performers, and becoming a parent as an artist, See what he's up to at: www.raymondjlee.com.
Episode 124: Laura Ramadei
Actor, producer, and co-founder of theater company Lesser America shares her experiences with the dark side, fully embracing her passion for producing, supporting new plays, day jobs and sexual harassment, and building a theater company.
Mini Episode: What Kind of Times Are These Edition
Host Leah Walsh reads the article "Adrienne Rich Reads "What Kind of Times Are These" by Maria Popova, as well as the poem named in the title (link below). Check back next week for a new interview!
Episode 123: Alexis Forte
Costume Designer Alexis Forte shares her experiences with the dark side, the economics of working in theater or film, trying to find balance, being in a relationship with another artist, the value of diplomacy, saving money, and not comparing yourself with others.
Episode 122: Esmé Boyce
Choreographer, dancer, and director Esmé Boyce shares her experiences with the dark side, making the personal political, collaborating creatively with her family, producing her own work, deciding to go to grad school, and deepening the conversation created by modern dance.
Mini Episode: 1 Year Edition
Host Leah Walsh shares about her one year sobriety anniversary and some of the resources she's found helpful along the way. Enjoy!
Episode 121: Chelsea Ainsworth
Chelsea Ainsworth is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and one of the founders of Arts On Site: a multidiscipline arts organization in NYC that supports artists through performance based programs and community building events.
Mini Episode: Dialogue Edition
In this mini episode host Leah Walsh shares an excerpt from a Ted Talk by Oskar Eustis, "Why Theater is Essential to Democracy". Check back next week for a full new episode of The Compass Podcast! https://www.ted.com/talks/oskar_eustis_why_theater_is_essential_to_democracy.
Episode 120: Matthew-Lee Erlbach
Writer and performer Matthew-Lee Erlbach shares his experiences with the dark side, moving from NYC to LA, finding his way as a playwright, being in a relationship with another artist, writing for TV, and taking political action with your art.
Episode 119: Brooke Berman
Playwright, screenwriter, memoirist, and filmmaker Brooke Berman shares her experiences with the dark side, learning through doing when tackling new challenges, dealing with the business side of the entertainment industry, and becoming a parent as an artist.
Mini Episode: Choices Edition
In today's mini episode, host Leah Walsh shares an article on grief by Laverne McKinnon and a poem by dancer/choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith. Check back next week for a new episode and guest!
Episode 118: Romana Soutus
Playwright and performer Romana Soutus shares her experiences with the dark side, how she started writing her own work, her relationship with La Mama and her latest play Martyrs, and queer representation in the NYC theatre scene. www.romanasoutus.com.
Episode 117: Brandon Gill
Actor Brandon Gill shares his experiences with the dark side, teaching, how his approach to auditioning has changed, growing up and getting his training in NYC (he's a graduate of LaGuardia High School and The Juilliard School, right across the street from each other), owning your strengths, and developing an honest relationship with representation.
Episode 116: Anna O'Donoghue
Actor Anna O'Donoghue shares her experiences with the dark side, her extensive work with new play development, growing up in NYC, day jobs, and how her approach to auditioning has changed over time.
Mini Episode: Movement Edition
In today's mini episode, host Leah Walsh shares a quote from Martha Graham. Check back next week for a new episode and guest! https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/47790.Martha_Graham.
Episode 115: Marcus Crawford Guy
Actor Marcus Crawford Guy shares his experiences with the dark side, what he's learned from his teaching work with Artists Striving To End Poverty, auditioning, collaborating with artists of different disciplines, and navigating the visa system as a working actor from another country.
Episode 114: Nick Westrate
Actor Nick Westrate shares his experiences with the dark side, his involvement with Fair Wage Onstage and Actors Equity to fight for a living wage for Off-Broadway performers, his artistic mentors, celebrating other artists, and the conversation series he hosted in New York Theatre Workshop interviewing veterans of non-traditional and experimental theater.
Mini Episode: Specificity Edition
In today's mini episode, host Leah Walsh shares an article by writer George Saunders, entitled "George Saunders: what writers really do when they write", originally published in The Guardian on March 4, 2017. Check back next week for a new episode and guest!
Episode 113: Samantha Walsh
Actor and painter Samantha Walsh (no relation to host Leah Walsh) shares her experiences with the dark side, the evolution of what's important in a day job, not censoring yourself, and finding balance.
Episode 112: Michael Thurber
Musician and composer Michael Thurber shares his experiences with the dark side, resilience, family, working in different mediums, and learning from studying your inspirations. Featuring one of his songs at the end of the episode!
Episode 111: Georgia Saxelby
Installation artist Georgia Saxelby's work explores the relationship between art, architecture, ritual, and cultural identity. She shares her experiences with the dark side, how her focus has evolved as an artist, travel as inspiration, risk taking, appreciating everyone who contributes to the arts ecosystem, and exploring ritual in her work and in her process.
Episode 110: Joshua Marsh
Costume designer Joshua Marsh shares his experiences with the dark side, using travel as an outlet and inspiration, his creative process in television, building work relationships that last, and finding balance.
Episode 109: Maechi Aharanwa
Actor, teacher, writer, and producer Maechi Aharanwa shares her experiences with the dark side, stopping the comparison game, finding mentors, pursuing the craft of teaching, and standing up for yourself in auditions. www.maechi.net.
Mini Episode: Valentine's Day Edition
n this mini episode host Leah Walsh shares some personal thoughts and reads two poems dealing with grief and an excerpt from The Artist's Way on anger. Check back next week for a full new episode of The Compass Podcast!
Episode 108: Stacey Yen
Actor Stacey Yen shares her experiences with the dark side, finding her footing after grad school, the beauty of small things, intuition, political engagement, and building Miles for Mary with The Mad Ones.
Episode 107: Nicola Rose
Filmmaker, director, performer, and translator Nicola Rose shares her experiences with the dark side, coming off the high of finishing an artistic project, forging your own path when plans fall through, coming from an artistic family, casting, and her latest project In the Land of Moonstones.
Bonus: Music from Kirsten Carey of Ep 106
Guitarist and composer Kirsten Carey of Episode 106 shares two songs by her punk duo Throwaway. Check out her project Persist: A Women's Mixtape for Planned Parenthood, a diverse mixtape of female-fronted bands from across America.
Episode 106: Kirsten Carey
Guitarist and composer Kirsten Carey shares her experiences with the dark side, moving cross country, day jobs, her love of animation, the ties between meditation and jazz, and re-joining the music community in Detroit.
Episode 105: David Carl
David Carl is an actor, comedian, writer, and impressionist. He shares his experiences with the dark side, how important his improv training has been to him, taking control of your artists life by writing your own work, collaboration, focusing on what's important, political satire, and his current show "Trump Lear".
Episode 104: Mauricio Salgado
Director, actor, teacher, and activist Mauricio Salgado shares his experiences with the dark side, going back to school for directing, his commitment to social action, applying his efforts to challenge oppressive systems in society to his artistic process as well, his work with non-profit Artists Striving to End Poverty, and being married to another artist.
Episode 103: Carrie Preston
Actor, director, writer, and producer Carrie Preston shares her experiences with the dark side, keeping creatively busy by making her own work along side her acting career, her involvement with The New Harmony Project supporting playwrights, growing up in an artistic family, and learning to hold on loosely to opportunities or ideas and accept change.
Episode 102: Lyvonne Proverbs Picou
Poet, preacher, and educator Lyvonne Proverbs Picou shares her experiences with the dark side, honesty, entrepreneurship, the importance of self-care, and her organization Beautiful Scars which "promotes healthy and safe conversations around religion, sex, and Blackness in order to, ultimately, address the silence in the Black Church on sexual abuse." Happy Holidays!
Mini Episode: The Post Edition
I recently got to see an early screening of Steven Spielberg's "The Post", it was a very powerful film about the First Amendment. I recorded a talkback after the film with the cast (including Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks) and the casting director about the film and learning from history before it repeats itself.
Episode 101: Rivka Rivera
The Compass Podcast, Episode 101: Rivka Rivera is now online! Actor Rivka Rivera shares her experiences with the dark side, her work with Irondale Ensemble Project including a program that builds conversation and empathy between law enforcement officers and community members, her latest filmmaking project, recovering from an eating disorder, and finding balance.
The Compass LIVE, Episode 100: Jesse J. Perez
The 100th Episode Live Event (which occurred 11/19/17 in NYC): Actor, choreographer, director, and teacher Jesse. J. Perez shares his experiences with the dark side, how he's expanded his definition of who he is as an artist and the opportunities that have opened up to him because of it, collaboration, learning to say no, and the importance of honest conversations as a teacher.
Episode 98: Mirirai Sithole
Actress Mirirai Sithole shares her experiences with the dark side, her new creative endeavor www.ayedefy.com, the freedom of sharing through writing, day jobs, finding the people who will push you to take action on your ideas, and community.
Episode 96: Tim Nicolai
Save the date for the upcoming event, The Compass Podcast Live, Episode 100! The evening of November 19, 2017 in NYC, more info to come. Actor and writer Tim Nicolai shares his experiences dealing with the dark side, the importance of community, mentorship, and taking action in the current political climate.
Episode 95: Hillary Clemens
Actress Hillary Clemens shares her experiences with the dark side, becoming a mother as a working artist, her experiences in the midwest theater community, and the almost daily news roundups she's been writing since the election in an effort to nail down the facts in a time of misinformation and distraction in the political realm.
Episode 94: Adam Szymkowicz
Playwright Adam Szymkowicz shares his experiences with the dark side, persistence, becoming a parent, advising young writers, and his interview series which has just come to an end after featuring 1,000 playwrights.
Rerelease Episode 88: Erin Wilhelmi
Actor Erin Wilhelmi shares her experiences with the dark side, her love for supporting the development of new plays, mentors, day jobs, and what it's been like taking over a role in a play that's already been running.
Episode 93: Juan Francisco Villa
Actor and writer Juan Francisco Villa shares his experiences with the dark side, writing his one-man show, turning his family’s story into a way to empower others, naming what you want in life, and questioning the cultural narrative.
Episode 92: Lizzie Robinson
Stage manager Lizzie Robinson shares her experiences with the dark side, setting the tone in the rehearsal room, going after what is important to you, giving yourself projects, becoming politically active, and shifting priorities.
Episode 91: Liz Vital
Actress and drama therapist Liz Vital shares her thoughts on dealing with the dark side, leaving L.A. for Seattle, deciding to go to graduate school for Drama Therapy, the healing power of storytelling, becoming a parent, and producing work with friends.
Episode 90: Lucie Baker
Dancer, teacher, and choreographer Lucie Baker shares her experiences with the dark side, how she approaches producing her own work, teaching, setting financial standards for yourself as an artist and asking for what you need, and her recent dive into expressive arts therapy while training at The Tamalpa Institute.
Episode 89: Stephen Sanders
Creative producer and chef Stephen Sanders shares his experiences with the dark side, focusing on the long term, his passion for supporting artists and building community, carrying on the legacies of his mentors, and his newest creative outlet Oxford Plaid, an intimate dinner party and creative photography service which is allowing him to bring people together in a whole new way.
Episode 87: Matt Lombardi
The Compass Podcast, Episode 87: Matt Lombardi is now online! Fiction writer Matt Lombardi shares his thoughts on the dark side, his process as a writer, the long game of writing a novel, teaching, and not wasting time now that he's become a parent.
Episode 86: Seth Numrich
Actor Seth Numrich shares his thoughts on acknowledging when you're in the dark side, activism, working abroad as an American actor, the effects of commerce on the modern theatre, and coming from a creative family.
Episode 85: Yara Travieso
Director, choreographer, filmmaker, and dancer Yara Travieso shares her experiences with the dark side, finding a healthier way of working, coming from a creative family, the economy of art, and deciding where to put your energy. www.yaratravieso.com.
Episode 84: Jamal Callender
Dancer and teacher Jamal Callender shares his experiences keeping out of the dark side, the strength he's finding in reexamining his approach to fitness and nutrition, the role technology plays in keeping him connected to his family and loved ones while dancing in Germany, the institutional differences in dance in Europe as opposed to the U.S.A., speaking up for yourself and your colleagues in a company setting, and starting the Barbados Dance Project.
Episode 83: Delia Kropp
Actress and director Delia Kropp shares her experiences with the dark side, advocating for transgender actors and stories in the Chicago theatre scene, re-entering the profession, and the importance of pursuing opportunities you're passionate about.
Episode 82: Charlie Russell
Actor Charlie Russell, currently performing in The Play That Goes Wrong on Broadway, shares her experiences with the dark side, creating work with a longterm company of artists, growing in a performance and owning your choices, the long journey The Play That Goes Wrong has taken to go from performing in a pub to running the show on Broadway, taking care of yourself during a long wrong of a very physical show, and exploring New York City.
Episode 81: Kat Hidalgo and Anna Martine Freeman
Filmmaker Kat Hidalgo and Actor Anna Martine Freeman share their experiences with the dark side, being an advocate for yourself and others, Kat's move from Ecuador to Canada, the Olivier Award-winning play Rotterdam that Anna is currently starring in in London, travel, activism, being proactive as queer artists, and friendship.
Episode 80: Rachel Berger
Actress and founder of The Artist Co-op Rachel Berger shares her experiences with the dark side, how she decided to pursue her new endeavor in creating a co-working space for artists, fundraising, mentors, bringing people together, and she gives us a tour of the space!
Episode 79: Miranda Noelle Wilson
Actress, singer, dancer, and producer Miranda Noelle Wilson shares her experiences with the dark side, building a community in NYC, feeding yourself artistically, starting a new theatre company, day jobs and transitions, and looking at the big picture.
Episode 78: Garrett David Kim
The Compass Podcast, Episode 78: Garrett David Kim is now online! Playwright and educator Garrett David Kim shares his experiences with the dark side, growing as a playwright, finding your footing after college, and his educational work with the kids at The 52nd St Project here in NYC.
Episode 77: Amelia McClain
Actress Amelia McClain shares her thoughts on the dark side, the paths that being a reader for casting directors has opened up for her, becoming a parent as an artist, auditioning, and her approach to being an understudy.
Episode 76: Ben Bartolone
The Compass Podcast, Episode 76: Ben Bartolone is now online! Playwright, actor, and producer Ben Bartolone shares his experiences with the dark side, discovering his love for playwriting, not being precious with your work, the importance of mentors helping younger artists, and The Bluestone Project which aims to foster empathy in our oft-divided nation.
Episode 75: Danny Mefford
The Compass Podcast, Episode 75: Danny Mefford. Choreographer Danny Mefford shares his experiences with the dark side, when he started identifying as a choreographer instead of a performer, the nature of collaboration, his artistic mentors, and challenging yourself.
Episode 74: Alex Hanna
Actor Alex Hanna shares his experiences with the dark side, self-compassion, the support of family, sustaining a long run of a play, and streamlining his life.
Episode 73: Yazmany Arboleda
Visual artist Yazmany Arboleda shares his experiences with the dark side, the power of creating art in public spaces, following your heart instead of working within the system, valuing yourself, asking for help, and his latest project Espejismo, which asks the question "When people see you, what would you like them to know?".
Episode 72: Dr. Lisa Hodge Kander
The Compass Podcast, Episode 72: Dr. Lisa Hodge Kander. Director and teacher Dr. Lisa Hodge Kander shares her experiences with the dark side, her extensive work with youth theater, going back to school to get her PhD, the importance of defining success for yourself and building a community that can truly support you, raising a family, and the role of the artist as activist.
Episode 71: Rob Goudy
Director Rob Goudy shares his experiences with the dark side, navigating the theatre scene in his hometown of Minneapolis, looking for new ways to support yourself as an artist, growing up in the theatre, his dream spaces to direct a show in, plus some awesome recommendations.
Episode 70: Jessica Love
Actor and illustrator Jessica Love shares her experiences with the dark side, managing expectations, growing up in a family of artists, finding power in illustration and deciding to make that work another part of her career as opposed to a hobby, and the process of developing a children's book and finding a publisher.
Episode 69: Sarah Kirkham
Craftsperson and business owner Sarah Kirkham shares her experiences moving from building theatrical props to making handcrafted leather goods and starting her own company with her business partner, putting down roots in Milwaukee, being open to new opportunities, and her love for the National Park System.
Episode 68: Kahyun Kim
Actress Kahyun Kim shares her experiences with the dark side, moving to the United States from South Korea to pursue acting, navigating the TV/Film world in LA, the support of family and friends, the casting process as an asian actress, and the new play Linda Vista by Tracy Letts that she's currently in rehearsals for at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.
Mini Episode: Build a Good Name Edition
In today's mini episode, host Leah Walsh talks about hard decisions, and reads an excerpt from a talk Patti Smith gave at the Louisiana Literature Festival August 24, 2012, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
Episode 67: Dawn Michelle Johnson
Violist and teacher Dawn Michelle Johnson shares her experiences with the dark side, being a passionate and involved teacher, finding ways to empower artists of color in classical music, becoming a parent, and how her faith influences her art.
Episode 66: Emma Ramos
Actor, writer and producer Emma Ramos shares her experiences with the dark side, making a big career change, co-producing her own web series, the healing power of comedy, family, and taking care of yourself during a stressful political climate.
Episode 65: James Davis
Actor James Davis shares his thoughts on avoiding the dark side, being open to any path as an actor, New York City, taking time to uproot everything and travel, the support of family, and collaboration. Currently appearing in Mother of Invention by James License at Abingdon Theatre Company.
Episode 64: Caitlin Cisek
Costume Designer Caitlin Cisek shares her experiences with the dark side, juggling freelance design work, teaching, being a part of the national theatre conversation, and collaboration. Check out her work here: www.caitlincisek.com.
Episode 63: Megan Donahue
Writer and actress Megan Donahue shares her experiences with the dark side, transitioning to a new city, freelance writing, producing your own work, being an actor in a play you wrote, and free theatre. Check out her current production in Chicago: www.accomplicetheatre.com.
Episode 62: Erica Badgeley
Dancer Erica Badgeley shares her experiences with the dark side, dancing in Europe, the differences between the dance communities in America and Europe, negotiating visas and health insurance, and reevaluating your goals.
Episode 61: Ariana Seigel
This episode begins with an article by Margaret Atwood. Comedian, writer, and performer Ariana Seigel shares her experiences with the dark side, managing anxiety, mental health for artists (she has recently started coaching artists, finding ways to fulfill career goals and overcome mental/emotional blocks), and the hustle of being a comedy writer and performer in NYC.
Episode 60: Frankie J. Alvarez
Actor Frankie J. Alvarez of HBO's Looking, and husband of host Leah Walsh, (this episode picks up where the Live Episode 1 of The Compass left off, released 11/11/16) shares his experiences with the dark side, speaking up as a Latino actor, the importance of community, going back to his hometown to shoot a film, and approaching auditions.
Episode 59: Laura Gragtmans
Actress and singer songwriter Laura Gragtmans shares her experiences with the dark side, writing and producing her own album, auditioning, the renewing qualities of winter, and being in a relationship with another artist.
Episode 58: Justin Favela
Visual artist and podcaster Justin Favela shares his experiences starting a podcast (Latinos Who Lunch), building a life as an artist in Las Vegas, getting his family involved in his work, dealing with stereotypes, his current installation at The Denver Art Museum, and staying motivated.
Episode 57: Ashley Grombol
Actress and blogger Ashley Grombol shares her experiences with the dark side, building community as an actor, starting a blog from scratch, pursuing an Equity card, producing, and being married to another artist.
Episode 56: Robert Karma Robinson
Actor Robert Karma Robinson shares his thoughts on the dark side, keeping creative, long-term collaborations with playwrights and mentors, day jobs, and what he loves about getting out of New York and working in regional theater.
Episode 55: Sydney Lowe
Producer and photographer Sydney Lowe shares her thoughts on the dark side, on starting a career in TV production, creating an inclusive women artists collective on and offline, making the move from NYC to LA, and the importance of mentorship.
Episode 54: David Hudson
Producer, actor, singer, and Co-Artistic Director of theatre company Three Day Hangover David Hudson shares his experiences with the dark side, transitioning from focusing on acting to producing, learning the business side of running a theatre company, empowering other artists, and becoming a parent.
Episode 53: Casey Killoran and David Tyson Lam
Filmmakers Casey Killoran (actor/producer) and David Tyson Lam (director/producer) share their experiences with the dark side, producing their own work including their first feature film, communication, balancing each others strengths, and planning ahead for the challenges of obtaining a work visa as an international artist.
The Compass Live Episode 1
Excerpts from Live Episode 1, which took place on 11/6/2016 at www.artsonsite.org in NYC, hosted by Leah Walsh, music by Brendan Spieth, with guests actor Frankie J. Alvarez and actress/singer songwriter Laura Gragtmans. Also, thoughts on the election.
Episode 52: Karl Kenzler
Karl Kenzler is a wonderful actor, writer, director and teacher. He shares his experiences with the dark side, raising kids as an artist, creating your own work, keeping inspired during a long run of a play, and passing on the legacy of great teachers.
Episode 51: Emily Simoness
Emily Simoness is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of SPACE on Ryder Farm, an artist residency in upstate NY. She shares her thoughts on the dark side, moving from a background as an actor into a new focus as SPACE has grown, the technical side of creating a non-profit, and building community.
Episode 50: Jason Gray Platt
Playwright Jason Gray Platt shares his experiences with the dark side, new play development, balancing your financial life as an artist, collaboration, and theatre in unusual spaces. http://www.jasonplatt.com Also info on the November 6, 2016 Live Episode of The Compass!
Episode 49: Samora Pinderhughes
Jazz pianist, composer, and activist Samora Pinderhughes shares his experiences with the dark side, music as social action, collaboration, self releasing an album, and finding balance in an uncertain field. Check out his amazing work: www.transformationssuite.com.
Episode 48: Chris Perfetti
Actor Chris Perfetti shares his experiences with the many facets of the dark side, the importance of community in a healthy life in the arts, acting in TV (including on HBO’s Looking) vs on stage, #fairwageonstage, and type casting.
Episode 47: Nigel Campbell
Nigel Campbell is a dancer and Co-Founder/Artistic Director of MOVE NYC, a tuition free summer dance intensive for NYC youth. He shares his experiences with the dark side, building MOVE NYC from the ground up, making professional decisions that prioritize your well-being, dancing abroad and returning to New York, and using dance for community action.
Episode 46: Jenna Pollack
Dancer and teacher Jenna Pollack shares her thoughts on the dark side, expanding the definition of dance, redefining value systems for yourself, understanding the business side of the arts, and dancing in Europe. www.jennapollack.com.
Episode 45: Wes Grantom
Director Wes Grantom shares his experiences with the dark side, being a parent in NYC, producing your own work, day jobs, and finding balance. Check out his theatre company Crowded Outlet: www.crowdedoutlet.org.
Episode 44: Liz Jenkins
Actress Liz Jenkins shares her thoughts on the dark side, being an actor in LA, sketch comedy and improv, confidence, bringing yourself out in auditions, and making your own work. Check out her current project, WERK Web Series, here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/werk-web-series.
Episode 43: Kambi Gathesha
The Compass Podcast, Episode 43: Kambi Gathesha is now online! Actor and dancer Kambi Gathesha shares his experiences with the dark side, evolving as an artist, combining mediums, and the balancing act between what is fulfilling artistically vs financially.
Episode 42: Ceci Fernandez
Actress and writer Ceci Fernandex shares her experiences with the dark side, deciding to go to grad school, the support of friends and family, collaboration, facing other people's expectations as a Latina actress, and making her own work.
Mini Episode: Happy Anniversary Edition
Join me for some thoughts on the first year of the podcast, a reading from Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch, and a piece by playwright John Patrick Shanley, and check back next week for another full episode of The Compass.
Episode 41: Caroline Wright
Cook, writer, and food stylist Caroline Wright talks about dealing with the dark side, always moving forward, how her move out of NYC has impacted her career, balancing her creative work with brand management and publicity, and being a working parent.
Mini Episode: Empower Edition
Join me for a look back at Three Day Hangover's EMPOWER HOUR event, addressing the violence seen all over our country this summer with community, art, and honesty. Check back next week for a new full episode.
Episode 40: Dion Mucciacito
Actor, filmmaker, and visual artist Dion Mucciacito shares his thoughts on the dark side, finding flow in an unpredictable lifestyle, discipline, the differences between making art in L.A. vs. NYC, and embracing change.
Episode 39: Sean Parker
Actor and writer Sean Parker shares his experiences with the dark side, making a cross-country move, creating your own work, solitude, success, and storytelling.
Episode 38: Beth Kander
Playwright Beth Kander shares her experiences with the dark side, how her time living in rural Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi have influenced the way she tells stories, the "emerging playwright" situation in today's theater culture, and how she and her husband are preparing for their soon-to-be roles as artists who are parents.
Episode 37: Nate Miller
Actor Nate Miller discusses the dark side, keeping busy between jobs, co-founding his theater company Lesser America, community, family, and his love of the ongoing cultural conversation in New York.
Mini Episode 10,000 Downloads Edition
Join me for an article about the dangers of suppressing anger, and a poem by Billy Collins read by a special guest, Frankie J. Alvarez. Check back next week for a full episode. We reached 10,000 downloads of The Compass this week!
Episode 36: Caroline Fermin
Dancer Caroline Fermin shares her thoughts on the dark side, how she approaches running her own business as a freelancer, going through hard transitions, and her teaching work with some great nonprofits.
Episode 35: Daniel Talbott
Actor, director, playwright, and producer Daniel Talbott shares his experiences with the dark side, collaboration, creating work no matter what the budget, building community, and raising a family with his wife who is also an artist.
Episode 34: Rachel Rusch
Rachel Rusch is an actor and social worker, she shares her experiences working with children, deciding to pursue masters degrees in social work and child development, how she uses her artistry and creativity in the new environments she's working in, her work with SPACE on Ryder Farm, and her relationship to New York City.
Episode 33: Josh Sauerman
Actor Josh Sauerman shares his experiences dealing with the dark side, prioritizing flexibility in his day job, growing up in the Florida Keys, and finding your own opportunities.
Mini Episode Where Are We Edition
Join me for an article by playwright Marsha Norman (http://marshanorman.com/On_Playwriting.htm) and some reflection on a recent project of mine, and check back next week for another full episode of The Compass. - Leah Walsh.
Episode 32: Chad Goodridge
Actor, singer, and dancer Chad Goodridge shares his experiences building practices into his life that help him avoid the dark side, the importance of communication in creative collaborations, developing new plays, and keeping things in perspective.
Episode 31: Abby Gerdts
Actor, teacher, and activist Abby Gerdst shares her experiences avoiding the dark side, starting a non profit, working with kids around the world, transitioning to focusing primarily on acting again, and how building community has always been a priority for her.
Episode 30: Samantha Thornhill
Poet, performer, writer Samantha Thornhill shares her experiences dealing with the changing weather of the dark side, her healing mechanisms, the power of the journal, leaving New York and parenting her son in the country she was born in, and embracing the unknown.
Mini Episode Don't Worry Baby Edition
Join me for a reading of a personal essay by Kim Brooks titled "Portrait of the Artist As a Young Mom: Is domestic life the enemy of creative work?" (http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/04/portrait-motherhood-creativity-c-v-r.html), an excerpt from Just Kids by Patti Smith, and a listening recommendation to get you through the weekend, and check back next week for another full episode of The Compass - Leah Walsh.
Episode 29: Joel B. New
Composer, lyricist, and singer Joel B. New shares his thoughts on the dark side, showing up, day jobs, his awesome podcast "Something New", his writing process, crowdfunding, and Murder She Wrote. Joel also shares a new song from his upcoming EP!
Episode 28: David Caudle
Playwright and painter David Caudle shares his experiences carving out time to write when his time is taken up by a day job he loves, moving upstate, the importance of gratitude for the people in your life who support you, and addressing environmental issues in his writing (check out his lovely work at www.davidcaudle.org)
Episode 27: Pirronne Yousefzadeh
Director and teacher Pirronne Yousefzadeh shares her experiences with developing her leadership style, devising new work, working away from home for long stretches at a time, her mentors and teachers, and the year of candor. Check out her work at www.pirronne.com.
Episode 26: Ryan O'Byrne
Actor and visual artist/performance artist Ryan O'Byrne shares his experiences dealing with the dark side, moving across the country, and pushing artistic boundaries. Check out his work at ryandavidobyrne2014.weebly.com.
Mini Episode Spring Is Coming Edition
Join me for an excerpt from an article on poet Mary Oliver and one of her poems (https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/01/20/mary-oliver-molly-malone-cook-our-world/), a chapter from Letters to a Young Artist by Anna Deavere Smith, and check back next week for another full episode of The Compass.
Episode 25: Erica Newhouse
Actor and teacher Erica Newhouse shares her experiences learning to teach, finding day jobs that work for her, living in a one room apartment with no kitchen and finding ways to be creative in that small space (read her blog about her cooking adventures here: http://cookwithoutakitchen.blogspot.com), the importance of being ready for opportunities when they arise, and raising her 8 month old daughter in New York City.
Episode 24: Phil Pickens
Musician and songwriter Phil Pickens talks about his songwriting process, training and working as an actor and then deciding to focus fully on music, his day job solution, collaborating with other musicians, and being married to another artist.
Episode 23: Chanel DaSilva
Dancer Chanel DaSilva shares her experiences battling the dark side, transitioning from dance company life to freelancing, the drive to be visible as a dancer, and starting a new dance organization with her best friend, which will provide a free summer dance intensive to NYC youth.
Episode 22: Alex Chappo
Musician Alex Chappo, lead singer of the band CHAPPO, shares his thoughts on the dark side, creativity, life as part of a band, and making stop motion videos that took over his apartment. Check out the videos in question (and more info about CHAPPO) at www.chappomusic.com/singularity.
Mini Episode Leaving Town Edition
Dealing with the dark side myself this week; join me for a quote from Rainer Maria Rilke, a poem by Billy Collins and check back next week for another full episode of The Compass. -Leah Walsh.
Episode 21: Jess Watkins
Actor Jess Watkins shares her experiences trying to stay out of the dark side, exploring the world of stand up comedy, writing her own material, and healing from an injury which forced a change in day job.
Episode 20: Mark Junek
Actor Mark Junek shares his thoughts on finding the work that's important to you, building a home in a crazy city, starting and maintaining a non-profit, piecing together the finances of an actor, and being a true fan.
Episode 19: Nick Choksi
Actor Nick Choksi talks about the ways he combats self doubt, how his outlook on filling every second of his day has changed, how he and his wife (who is also an artist) are approaching planning for the future, and his family's first reaction to him pursuing acting as a career.
Episode 18: MacKenzie Meehan
Actor MacKenzie Meehan talks about dealing with the ups, downs and the seeming randomness of life as an actor. She shares her experiences confronting the dark side with the help of close friends, making her own work, learning to prioritize what is important to her and deciding to start a family.
Episode 17: Joel Rainwater
Actor Joel Rainwater shares his experiences with the dark side, navigating working out of town with a spouse who is also an actor, taking care of himself in the city, and how he stays creative when he's not acting.
Episode 16: Alana Jacoby
Lighting designer and musical theatre book/lyric writer Alana Jacoby talks about how she avoids the dark side by staying busy, problem solving, being in a relationship with another designer, balancing her alter egos of designer and writer, and her artistic community.
Episode 15: Rebecca Hirota
Actress Rebecca Hirota shares her thoughts on the dark side, the evolution of her day job, being a collaborative artist, and how you leave a state like Hawaii.
Mini Episode Tarot Edition with Adam Scott Mazer
In this mini episode, Leah shares an article which gives specific examples of how art can improve communities. Playwright Adam Scott Mazer reads Leah's tarot cards and talks about the process of developing his play, The Tower, which is now getting a full production at HERE Arts Center Dec 4-19, 2015.
Episode 14: Wesleigh Gates
Director and performer Wesleigh Gates shares their experiences producing their own work, battling imposter syndrome and the dark side, building lasting relationships with playwrights and collaborators, and a current project which tells the intense story of The Donner Party.
Episode 13: Kim Miller
Stage manager, director, and visual artist Kim Miller (creator of The Compass cover art!) shares her thoughts on not taking things personally, being realistic, having a supportive family, and working in vastly different forms of theatre.
Episode 11: Dwayne Washington
Singer Dwayne Washington shares his unique journey over the past few years: moving away from singing (and the USA), coming back, wanting to be a part of telling under represented stories, and dealing with the dark side of a life in the arts.
Episode 10: Dylan Christina Moore
Actor and producer Dylan Christina Moore shares her experiences curating new work in unusual settings, prioritizing happiness, the artist as citizen, and finding her way out of the dark side.
Episode 9: Lori Wolter Hudson
Director Lori Wolter Hudson talks about producing her own work, having her baby six weeks early and how that affected her latest production, letting go, and the stability of a full time day job. Check out Lori's theater company Three Day Hangover at www.threedayhangover.com.
Episode 8: Collin Baja
Dancer and actor Collin Baja shares his experiences with balancing his creative drive and taking care of his body and mind. He talks about what the dark side looks like for him and how friendships and meditation help him stay out of it.
Episode 7: Britannie Bond
Actress Britannie Bond discusses her time in New York, finding photography, the virtues of stability in a day job, and the glories of BAM.
Episode 6: Vichet Chum
Actor and writer Vichet Chum shares his experiences building an artistic life in New York City and battling the dark side with writing. He talks about the one-person show he's been working on about his Cambodian heritage, The Group Lab theatre company, and finding a day job which uses his education.
Mini Episode
No guest this week, new episode next Friday! In the meantime, Leah shares a few thought provoking pieces to get your Friday started: a quote from President Obama and a speech by performance artist Taylor Mac.
Episode 5: Jeff Sykes
Dancer Jeff Sykes discusses the need for mutual respect in the world of freelance dance, his approach to auditions as two-way conversations, and the physical practices that help keep him away from the dark side.
Episode 4: Brendan Spieth
Actor Brendan Spieth talks about how he deals with the dark side and charting his own path, spanning music, theatre, food, and dance. He shares one of his songs and its origin. Brendan is also responsible for The Compass intro and outro music.
Brendan Spieth Preview: Two Original Songs
A sneak peak at the upcoming episode featuring Brendan Spieth, hear two of his original songs and how one of them came to be. Keep an eye out for Brendan's episode of The Compass later this week!
Episode 3: Amanda Sykes
In Episode 3 of The Compass, actress Amanda Sykes talks about the dark side and how she finds her way out of it, her love for New York City, and perseverance.
Episode 2: Stephanie Wright Thompson
In Episode 2 of The Compass, actress Stephanie Wright Thompson shares her experiences balancing creating new work with her theatre company (The Mad Ones), day jobs, refining priorities, and finding a little time to slow down.
Episode 1: Alejandro Rodriguez
Alejandro Rodriguez talks about the path that has led him to an extremely varied artistic life. Check out asteponline.org for more info on Artists Striving to End Poverty, the organization Alejandro does much of his teaching and outreach with.
Episode 0: The Compass Intro
Detailed introduction to The Compass Podcast with Leah Walsh.
© Broadway Podcast Network, All Rights Reserved