SCERA Spotlight Podcast

It's so good to be back ... With another podcast episode, AND another recognition of standouts in the community who keep the arts moving forward. On this episode, we talk to Tara Eyre of the World Folkfest, Sheryl Dowling of The Dance Club, and Jeanette Bennett of Utah Valley Magazine! Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson Photos: Rachael's artistic photography overlooking the dinner from the SCERA balcony Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow at the podcast booth, with photobomb by creepy doll in display case Tara Eyre of Springville's World Folkfest Sheryl Dowling of The Dance Club Jeanette Bennett of Utah Valley Magazine What the meal looked like Photography by Rachael Gibson

Spamalot opens this weekend at the SCERA Center for the Arts, and organizing that circus is Michael Carrasco, director of Newsies and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, also at SCERA. Michael is the podcast guest this week, and tells why this show is so outlandish and perfect. We also take some time this episode to talk about the remarkable David Whitlock, former artistic director at SCERA, who passed away earlier this year. Guest: Michael Carrasco, Director, Spamalot Hosts: Quin Swallow, Rachael Gibson and Kendall Bowman Michael Carrasco, Director, Spamalot The cast and crew of Spamalot David Whitlock

In part two of our focus on SCERA legend Jerry Elison, you'll learn more of what Jerry was like in his personal and family life - most delightfully his sense of humor ad the joy he found in simple things. Bonus treat: Listen at the end to hear Jerry tell a hilarious story in his own words. Guests: Adam Robertson, Lesa Pulham, April Berlin, and Chase Elison Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson Enjoy these favorite photos of Jerry!

Jerry Elison was supposed to be around forever. That was the plan every time one of his shows closed and his casts and friends looked ahead to what he would do next. When he passed away in December 2019, it hardly seemed real. Even though we miss Jerry, his impact on the arts in our community and in the lives of people was VERY real. This is Part 1 of 2 on the magic and love brought to our neighborhood by The Legendary Jerry Elison. Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson Guests: Adam Robertson, Lesa Pulham, April Berlin and Chase Elison Jerry adds his touch in the SCERA scene shop Jerry and Lesa Pulham Jerry with his grandson, Chase Elison

In Part 2 of our episodes on this year's Star Awards, meet: Guests: Brodee Ripple, Jason Celaya, Willie Holdman, Masa and Alyssa Fukuda, Governor Gary Herbert Hosts: Quin Swallow and Rachael Gibson Evening of Stars guests walked into a theater ... and into a jungle! Photo op with a witch doctor Acting Up's Brodee Ripple and SCERA President and CEO Adam Robertson The cast of Acting Up! Quin Swallow and Marc Gibson (Rachael's husband) at the podcast station during dinner Dancer and choreographer Jason Celaya Photographer Willie Holdman (center) visits with Star Awards guests

The timing was SO close to disastrous ... but just a week before a global pandemic shut-down the SCERA Center along with other arts facilities everywhere, we were able to honor eight individuals and groups whose contributions to the arts are stellar in every way. Featured on this episode: dōTERRA (Friend of the Arts), The Utah Cultural Alliance (Advocate of the Arts), Jan and Andrew Hunsaker (Theatre), and T.C. Christensen (Lifetime Achievement). Guests: McKay Brown, Crystal Young-Otterstrom, Jan Hunsaker, Andrew Hunsaker, T.C. Christensen Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

We can't get enough of April and Lesa, so here is more of our conversation with two talented and dedicated women who really demonstrate what SCERA is all about. Here more great stories, and learn why there is no place like SCERA in the community. PLUS: Listen at the beginning of the episode for information on our special episode on The Legendary Jerry Elison, and how you can contribute! (To leave your own message about Jerry for inclusion in our next episode, call ‪(385) 429-2787‬, or join us at the SCERA Center on Tuesday January 21 at 6 p.m. in Room 201. Guests: April Berlin and Lesa Pulham Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

No one knows SCERA better than Lesa Pulham and April Berlin. You may never see them on a stage, and not too often in the lobby, but they are here, working their magic in our corporate office, making sure all the pieces of SCERA fit neatly into place. On this episode (the first of two), April and Lesa talk about: The building, and its 80 years of historyMeeting famous SCERA visitors, including Charlton Heston, Debbie Reynolds, and artist Arnold FribergThe groundbreaking and construction of the SCERA Shell Outdoor TheatreThe addition of the south wing of the building, and the start of indoor live performance seasonsThe busy, busy days at SCERA during Disney’s Mermaid, Beauty, Aladdin and Lion King golden age in the 1990sStories about notable performers … and interesting things that have happened during their stay Guests: Lesa Pulham and April Berlin Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Lesa Pulham, left, and April Berlin remember their years at SCERA, and all the remarkable things they've seen

When Brittney Wallace is performing as Junie B. Jones, it's easy to accept that she's really starting her first-grade year in elementary school. Truth is, Brittney knows all about adulting, at home and on the stage. On this episode, we have a very casual conversation with Brittney about Junie B., theater, SCERA, marriage and kids- and how it all somehow fits together! Guest: Brittney Wallace Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Brittney Wallace as Junie B. Jones

Joseph is a local favorite, and it isn't hard to see why: A large cast, great songs with amazing variety for a single show, a healthy dose of humor, and of course ... a great message. This episode features a conversation with stage manager Ellie Powell and cast member Brynn Hartley who explain what a singular show this is, and why all the effort is worth it. But first, we want you to meet two SCERA guests who brought incredible street dancing skills with them from Europe to Utah. Meet Thomas Hergenroether and Manuela Bolegue, and learn why their art form, while tons of fun, is something to be taken seriously. View the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Guests: Ellie Powell, Brynn Hartley, Manuela Bolegue and Thomas Hergenroether Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Dancing duo Thomas Hergenroether and Manuela Bolegue Joseph cast member Brynn Hartley and stage manager Ellie Powell The cast of SCERA's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

When you are in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, you really need to 'Consider yourself part of the furniture!' to borrow a lyric from another great musical. Kyle Baugh and Caroline Glissmeyer have done just that, playing a clock (Cogsworth) and a chandelier ... just two in an enormous cast of furnishings and townspeople, heroes and villains. And we squeezed-in an interview with Paige Ford, a member of the crew. It's a fun episode to enjoy, even with some technical hiccups. Watch the interview on video here! Quin Swallow, Kyle Baugh and Caroline Glissmeyer

Fans love The Pan ... So much that he's coming BACK to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre for Peter Pan: The Musical. We headed back out to the top of the SCERA Shell hill to chat with the lead cast members of the show! Watch the recording of this podcast episode ... from the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre ... on YouTube Guests: Kevin Bigler (Peter Pan), Ella Child (Wendy), Cameron Ward (John), Rome Stewart (Michael), and Nathaniel Noyes (Captain Hook) Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow

It's been a long wait: Fans of Disney's Newsies, The Musical, or 'Fansies' as they are often called, have grown-up with the show in one form or another for nearly three decades. But it wasn't until this year that Utah Valley fansies could see the show, licensed and legal, in their own hometown stages. This week, Newsies will welcome thousands to the SCERA Shell as the first musical of the season. On today's episode, we are on-site, at the Shell, and talking to several members of the cast and crew, and we'll see how much they know about Disney, musicals, their own show, and the real-life story behind it. Guests: Michael Carrasco (director), Megan Johnson (stage manager), Cole Souza (Davey), Claire Johnson (ensemble), Skyler Mann (Race), Keely Conrad (Sniper), Tynan Hamilton (Ike), Everett Fairbourne (Scab). Hosts: Rachael Gibson (also in the Newsies ensemble), and Quin Swallow (former real-life paperboy) Photos by Rachael Gibson On episode cover: Tynan Hamilton , From left, Everett Fairbourne, Cole Souza, Tynan Hamilton, Keely Conrad, Megan Johnson and Skyler Mann. From left, Everett Fairbourne, Cole Souza, Tynan Hamilton, Keely Conrad, Megan Johnson, Skyler Mann, Michael Carrasco, Claire Johnson and Quin Swallow

In part two of our two-part special on this year's Star Awards winners, we meet these talented and generous contributors to the arts: Chef Todd Leonard of Utah Valley Culinary Arts Jonah Riggs, SCERA Volunteer Agnes Broberg, Dramatic arts educator Joseph Brickey, Visual artist Barb Smith, Journalist and emcee for the 2019 Star Awards Chelsie Hightower, 2019 Star Award Winner Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Volunteer Jonah Riggs, keeping busy Agnes Broberg Barb Smith and Chelsie Hightower Danielle Berry and Chase Elison manage the show from the tech booth The Star Awards

Jalyn Macedone, Beatriz Melo and Tyson Wright have a lot of awkward love triangle interactions onstage during Disney's Aida, but there is nothing awkward about them or their performing skils. Quin got to interview the talented trio to learn about their backgrounds and the show ... and quiz them on how well they know each other! New today: We have a VIDEO of today's podcast! View it here: Watch the video version on YouTube!

This year's Star Awards were outstanding ... So outstanding we had a hard time trying to cram all of our honorees into one episode. So we stopped trying! In this episode, learn more about the Evening of Stars Gala itself, and meet four of our honorees. We'll catch-up with the rest on a future upcoming episode! Episode 51 with the cast of Disney's Aida is being released WITH this episode on May 4! Hosts: Quin Swallow, Rachael Gibson Guests: Carly Condie, Miss Utah Organization Douglas Smoot Tina Shelley, Shelley School of Dance Dallyn Vail Bayles

On this episode, we take you to SCERA's Scene Shop ... and it's a wonder to behold. Okay, it looks a little like a garage, but a very large and unusual one. We'll show you set pieces, props ... and, at the end, see if you can look at set models and guess the name of the show! Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Guest: Garrett Smitt, Scene Shop Manager Below are a few photos from our tour. To view all the photos accompanying this episode while listening to the audio: Download the m4a file directly here

We have more brilliant artists for you to meet: Michael Carrasco has talent for acting, leadership for directing, and patience and nerves of steel for working with dozens of children! He brought his bag of tricks to SCERA's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever The Musical, this year's holiday show. On this podcast, we talk with Michael about his love for theater, and how his stage experiences have shaped his life. We'll also talk with Pageant's "Alice," Stella Parry, who very nearly steals the show on multiple occasions, with her hilarious snooty attitude. Snooty is not a thing for Stella in real-life, though, who couldn't have been nicer in talking with us about the show and why she loves to perform. Guests: Michael Carrasco and Stella Parry Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Michael Carrasco Stella Parry

The work of cosumers is so under-appreciated ... They toil for hours, custom-fitting extra-specialized clothing for performers that are going to put their clothing through a serious workout. They rush to meet deadlines, please everyone ... and suffer the occasional needle sticks, burns and glitter accident for their efforts. It's time you meet the magicians whose talent and dedication make it possible for you to see a colorful display of fantasy fashion in live SCERA performances year-round! Guests: Deborah Bowman, Kelsey Seaver, and Danielle Berry Hosts: Rachael Gibson and Quin Swallow Costume shop wizards, from left: Kelsey Seaver, Danielle Berry, and Deborah Bowman A sample of the costume shop's work: A dress for The Queen of Hearts Deborah Bowman describes her work in the costume shop This miniature iron gets into tight places

It's the final weekend the Wizard is in town: Two performances remain for The Wizard of Oz at the SCERA Center. For the cast and crew of Wizard, their experience was largely shaped by the vision and energy of their director, DeLayne Bluth Dayton. It would take a lifetime to get to truly know her, but we'll give you a few minutes with her on this episode, and it will be a treat and an inspiration. Cover photo: DeLayne Bluth Dayton sneaks into a performance, surprising her cast and a few in the audience! Guest: DeLayne Bluth Dayton Host: Quin Swallow