Rep Chats

We're baking the world a butter place!  We take a whisk and batter things happen!  Ok, enough with the cake puns.  

We're thrilled that THE CAKE is now open and playing through October 30th at TPAC's Johnson Theatre.  On today's episode, Megan Murphy Chambers joins us to talk about her character Della and this beautiful production.  Ms. Chambers is no stranger to the Rep stage.  Last seen as Mother in Ragtime, Megan has been in such shows as Avenue Q, A Christmas Story, Urinetown, Company, and Sweeney Todd. 

For tickets, please visit www.nashvillerep.org 

Our next show of the season is The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter.  On this episode, we welcome Lauren Shouse back to the podcast.  Lauren is the director of The Cake, and she'll discuss the show, its cast and how this production is very special to her.  

We also welcome Chris Sanders for this episode.  He is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Equality Project.  The Tennessee Equality Project advocates for the equal rights of LGBTQ+ people in Tennessee.  Chris will discuss some of the legislative advocacy that the TEP has worked on.  

For more information about the Tennessee Equality Project, please visit www.tnep.org. 

You can learn more about Lauren Shouse at www.laurenshousedirects.com

The Cake runs October 21-30 at TPAC's Johnson Theatre. For tickets to The Cake, please visit our website at www.nashvillerep.org. 

On today's episode, Beki Baker joins us to talk about the REP Aloud production of The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson.  

Beki Baker is the chair of the theatre department at Lipscomb University.  Beki is a freelance director and is returning to the Rep to direct our staged reading of The Revolutionists on October 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m.  

REP Aloud (Reading Excellent Plays Aloud) is an opportunity for Nashville Rep to share exceptional scripts as staged readings with casual and experienced theatre fans.  The titles performed at REP Alouds cover a range of genres and topics, and the reading is immediately followed by a moderated talkback.  

Four beautiful, bad ass women  lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror.  

This event is free to the public.  To register and learn more, please visit www.nashvillerep.org. 

On this episode, we continue discussing RENT.  We are joined by two of our cast members who discuss the show and their work.  

Mike Sallee, Jr. who plays Roger Davis. @mikesalleejr  www.mikesalleejr.com  

Natalie Rankin who plays Maureen Johnson @shesgotpersonatalie  www.singonevoice.com

We are also joined by Jim Shulman, the Chief Executive Officer of Safe Haven Family Shelter in Nashville.  Safe Haven is the premier shelter-to-housing program in Middle Tennessee that accommodates families experiencing homelessness.  Check out their website at www.safehaven.org  Also, join Safe Haven's "Hike for Safe Haven" on Saturday, November 12 at Percy Warner Park.  More details at www.hikeforsafehaven.org. 

Nashville Rep kicks off the 22-23 season this week with Johnathan Larson's RENT.  Wood Van Meter who plays Mark Cohen joins Micah-Shane Brewer, director of the production to talk about the show and the message of this production.   RENT plays September 16-25 at TPAC's Polk Theatre.  

We're also joined with Amna Osman, the CEO of Nashville Cares. Nashville Cares is the premier HIV/AIDS service organization in Tennessee. Annually, they serve more than 50,000 people statewide, and provide comprehensive services to clients throughout 17 counties in Middle Tennessee. Their upcoming AIDS Walk is October 1.  Hear Amna talk about the services they offer and how you can volunteer.  

For more information about Nashville Cares, please visit www.nashvillecares.org.

For more information or tickets to RENT, please visit www.nashvillerep.org.

We're back, Nashville!   Join members of the Nashville Rep staff as they discuss what's in store for the upcoming 22-23 season.  Get ready for a spectacular year!

Nashville Rep's 21/22 season will end with Disney's Mary Poppins, flying into the Polk Theatre at TPAC April 28-May 8.  For today's episode, we chat with Christine McNeal Toole (Mary Poppins) and Jeremy Benton (Bert), the stars of the Rep's show.  Tickets are on sale now at www.nashvillerep.org.

For this episode, we welcome Janet Kurtz and Jeanette Barker to the podcast.  Janet and Jeanette are the co-chairs of this year's 7th Annual Broadway Brunch.  Listen about the exciting details they have in store for this year's big event!

On this episode, I speak with Crystal Owens, the owner and counsellor at Red Cedar Therapy (https://redcedartherapy.com). Crystal joined our production teams this year for Ragtime and School Girls as a Mental Health Provider.  Hear about her role working with out actors and why mental health is very important for artists.  

I get to chat with Rob Turner, the President of the Nashville Repertory Board of Directors. Rob is a lawyer and owner of Nashville Law Offices, PLLC.  After serving on the board for six years and President for two, I chat with Rob about his time at the Rep and some of his memorable moments.

And finally, for the first in a series we're calling "Getting to Know You," I sit down with my friend and colleague Amos Glass.  Amos started as an Intern at the Rep and six years later is the Director of Audience Development.  We'll chat with Amos about how he got into theatre and why it's important to him.  

Visit www.nashvillerep.org for more information about upcoming productions and events. 

Meet the cast of "School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play," our next production written by Jocelyn Bioh.  They are Kortney Ballenger, Ashley D. Brooks, Valicia Browne, Carli Hardon, Cynthia Harris, Tosha Marie, Joy Pointe, and Tamiko Robinson Steele.  Hear from this incredible black female cast about what this show means to them and why you should see it!  Performances February 10-20, 2022.  Check out www.nashvillerep.org for tickets.