Living in the Arts

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 ignite their passion for theater in high school. We’re going to learn about doing as many shows as you can, the pros and cons of investing in a theater degree, and how it feels to find the exact right thing. One takeaway I can offer you already? It is worth developing confidence in yourself. Submit your own community questions for our guests here! ¡Envíe sus propias preguntas comunitarias para nuestros invitados aquí Transcript Available Here! Keep making cool art! <3

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 creative writing, content strategy, and her relationship to the writing process. One takeaway I can offer you already? Simply “hide, and let it breathe.” Content Warning: mentions of cannibalism at 39:44 - 42:17 Submit your own community questions for our guests here! ¡Envíe sus propias preguntas comunitarias para nuestros invitados aquí! Mentioned in this Episode: Dotdash Meredith (Digital & Print Publisher) How to do a VLOOKUP The Novel Generator Lynn Steger Strong Class Melissa Febos (American Writer) Joanne Beard (Contemporary Writer) Mary Gaitskill (Contemporary Writer) Susan Choi (Contemporary Writer) Melissa Febos (Writer) Linda Berry (Writer) Joshua Sonny Harris (Screen Writer) Phantom of the Opera (Musical) Michaela Cole (British Actress and Filmmaker) Yellow Jackets (TV Show) A Certain Hunger by Chelsea Summers (Book) Tender is the Flesh (Book) Bottoms (Film) Vladimir by Julia May Jonas (Book)

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 process. One takeaway I can offer you already? Think about the type of work you want to make, but also the type of life you want to live. Mentioned in this Episode: Talk to Me (a Horror Movie) DaVinci Resolve (Video Editing Software) Adobe Premiere Pro (Video Editing Software) Submit your own community questions for our guests here! ¡Envíe sus propias preguntas comunitarias para nuestros invitados aquí! Transcript Available Here!

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 the wanting. One takeaway I can offer you already? You Have A Lot Of Light (But You Have To Believe That). If you enjoyed this episode, find Karilu online at https://www.karilumx.com/ Mentioned in this Episode: Chavela Vargas (Costa Rican-Mexican singer) La Carpa Theatre Company (a theatre company started by Karilú Alarcón Forshee) Carpas (Mobile outdoor theaters) Submit your own community questions for our guests here! ¡Envíe sus propias preguntas comunitarias para nuestros invitados aquí! Transcript Available Here!

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 learn about the gaming industry and the way it marries arts & entertainment mediums together, how to nurture budding talent, and how innovation drives us. One takeaway I can offer you already? Normalize having a rough day. Mentioned In This Episode: Obsidian University Internship Program Stray Gods (Video Game) Ten Candles (Tabletop Roleplaying Game) Pentiment (Video Game) Submit your own community questions for our guests here! ¡Envíe sus propias preguntas comunitarias para nuestros invitados aquí! A full transcript of today's episode is available here. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

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 answer.” If you enjoyed this interview, find MC and his collaborators teaching writing online at Chromolo Writing. Mentioned in this Episode: Mike Daisey (Autobiographical Storyteller) Jeanne Dielman (Film) Wheel of Time (Book Series) Arlene Malinowski (Chicago Storyteller) Transcript Available Here! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

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 time work in the arts, the true challenge of conservatory education, and the essential task of learning what you don’t like. One takeaway I can offer you already? Invest in an abundance mindset. Mentioned in this Episode: The Steppenwolf Apprenticeship Program Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Marie Brown The Rest Deck by Trisha Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry Submit your own community questions for our guests here! ¡Envíe sus propias preguntas comunitarias para nuestros invitados aquí! Full Episode Transcript Available Here. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.

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, Connor is spearheading the massive end of year fundraiser for the Neos, help him reach their 40k in 40 days goal here! Submit your own community questions for our guests here! Full Episode Transcript Available Here The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Living Arts Detroit.