Sarnia Famous

Julie Cushman

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This weeks guest is Julie Cushman. Julie and I chat about characterization and how some roles have stuck with her over time, how to distance yourself from difficult content as an actor, and she shares with me a varied and vast assortment of shows it sounds like we should all check out when we get a chance. Julie is warm and high energy in an inspiring and contagious way, but my favorite thing about Julie is her passion for quirky pet themed décor – a woman after my own heart. Oh! I should mention there is one B-grade swear on this episode, so shield your children accordingly. On with the show.

Rachel Giacomin

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This weeks guest is Rachel Giacomin: voice coach extraordinaire. Rachel walks me through her calling as a voice coach, including the wide variety of clients she assists and the even more varied reasons they require her assistance. She also talks about being in a choral group and how some towns are just more into it than others. Rachel is sincere, genuine, and clearly invested in her career and her clients; not only that she is, and I speak from experience, the high queen of pep talks. 

Valerie Schmidt

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This weeks guest is Valerie Schmidt. Val is a funky, tatted, altruistic babe with maybe a bit of a mischievous side.  We chat about the unique and surprising way keyboards are used in theatre productions, how being on the keys grants her access to parts of the theatre process not everyone is privy to and finally she gives me a brief insight on her work with the medically fragile and Alzheimer’s patients. On with the show!

Brent Wilkinson

Happy Friday theatre lovers. This week’s guest is Brent Wilkinson. Brent is a kind, modest, natural ideas guy who is super easy to talk to. We chat about his work as a creative writer for radio, how that links to his theatre experience, and I learned that Brent is a master, albeit a modest one, of Simpsons voices as well as many others. On with the show!

Katelyn Shortreed

Happy Friday…..book lovers?!?! This week we gonna spice things up a little with the multi-talented Katelyn Shortreed. Katelyn is a fellow librarian, music teacher, and recently she has written, illustrated, and self published a series of books. Mini Melody Explores is not only children’s fiction but a music resource with immense potential. When Katelyn first told me about her book series I immediately knew I needed to tell everyone I know about it – and so, here we are! One last note before we begin, if you catch some odd grunting sounds that is Katelyn’s puppy, not me, grunting encouragement.

Frank Brennan

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This week’s guest is Frank Brennan. Frank is warm and naturally funny without meaning to be, intelligent and obviously passionate about music and his career. We talk about his 31 years as a teacher, what it was like to compete in music festivals with his family when was younger, and we even talk about what types of books he likes to read which made my heart extra happy. I only wish you could see Franks facial expressions when my mic picked up something loud – absolutely priceless. 

Jeff Mantha

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This week’s guest is Jeff Mantha. Jeff is animated, goofy, and a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic. We chat about how he sacrifices his body for the art of theatre and how films, and in particular classic films, have shaped his personality especially his natural urge to mimic certain actors. This episode is a, uh, a little sweary. I tried to bleep it out, but I would still shield your children accordingly. 

Lee Bazeley

Happy Friday theatre lovers, this week’s guest is Lee Bazeley fresh from the run of Fox on the Fairway at the Imperial. We talk about his penchant for purchasing instruments he can’t play, how Ruth “bullied” him into getting involved in the theatre, his awkward one-on-one audition for Beauty and the Beast. Lee is a self-proclaimed nervous dude but to me he was super chill to chat with. 

Kip McMillan

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This week’s guest is Kip McMillan who couldn’t be more likeable and genuine if he tried. Kip and I chat about his journey from hard rock bands to theatre musicals, why its important to be open to the expertise of others, and along the way he warmly and enthusiastically sings the praises of his peers. O

Brittany Jenkins

Happy Friday theatre lovers! This weeks guest is Brittany Jenkins who constantly blew my mind with her sage like wisdom, she is truly erudite beyond measure. She opens up about how meditation has helped her through dark times, she provides a unique perspective on the incorporation of various art mediums in the theatre space, and finally she drops some interesting behind the scenes deets that may surprise you about Jay Peckham’s Christmas Carol.