Life In The Arts With The REP

In our last episode of our season, Steve chats with Mic Matarrese, an actor and professor for the REP and Department of Theatre and dance here at the University. Mic talks through his theatrical journey and how he made it to the REP. They dive into Mic's top favorite projects, focusing on the REP productions, and his creative process throughout his projects, rehearsals, and other art forms. He gives insight on his own rehearsal mindset and process. Steve then asks about the personal aspects of Mic, such as his array of accents and his experience with being a professional Game Master for Dungeons & Dragons. 

Steve is joined by University of Delaware professor, Leslie Reidel. Their conversation starts off with Leslie diving into his life in Brooklyn, New York and moving to Pennsylvania. He talks about where the arts entered his life and how in continued throughout his life. When he left college, he bumped into a friend on the street that suggested he studied theatre which turned into a Master's degree at Temple University. That meeting led him into teaching and directing throughout the city of Philadelphia. Then, sometime down the line, he met REP founder, Sandy Robbins, and came to Newark, Delaware. Leslie and Steve discusses the importance of art in life and academics, and the significance of theatre throughout time. Leslie portrays his expertise in this riveting episode.

In this special episode, Steve sits down with the seven UD students who are performing in our production of Medea. Each student introduces themselves, including their major and their theatre experiences. This group of ladies is very diverse, ranging from no experience to years of experience, from science majors to fashion majors, from freshman to seniors (and one senior citizen). Steve asks each of them what they have learned from this experience, how their rehearsal process was, and what moments have stuck with them the most. They chat about the different arts that they are involved in, during school and outside of school. 

Steve is joined by Stephen Pelinksi, a REP actor, director, and university professor. As Steve and Stephen are long-time friends, Stephen dives right into his Polish family background. After talking about his Polish family, they step into Stephen's world of acting and theatre. He talks about his journey into acting and his experience that led him to the REP. Stephen shows his true self of being a family man - he tells the story of building his family with his wife, Deb. They end the conversation with a beautiful discussion on spiritually. Stephen notes that he is still working on his spiritually and how "one must heal oneself to gain oneself."

In this week's episode, Steve sits down with two University of Delaware faculty members, Miranda Wilson of the English Department and Marcaline Boyd of the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department. Miranda and Marcaline shine their expert light onto the subject of our next production, Medea. They discuss the relevance of the play to today's culture and as Steve puts it "[how] not ancient it feels." This conversation leads into how important the arts and humanities are for today's society. The two professors share insight into their classrooms and the joys they feel when their students engage into the content of their courses. And at the end, Miranda and Marcaline will give an inside look at their personal guilty pleasure. 

In this week's episode, Steve chats with Keith Davis, the REP's Production Manager. Keith has been with the REP for quite some time, having hands on experience in most of the production departments. This father of two talks about his favorite aspect of his time at the REP, and comments on the sets he had enjoyed the most creating. Theatre has been in his life since his was a child, and he continues to immerse himself in the world of theatre. Steve and Keith get a little personal talking about DIYing some home projects, which connects to Keith's beautiful idea that theatre uses everyday life skills.

The tables have turned and our Interim Artistic Director, Steve Tague is the guest, interviewed by our REP actor, Elizabeth Heflin. Elizabeth approaches the conversation of Steve's directing from her perspective of being an actor directed by him in multiple shows. Steve talks through his journey from acting into directing, and now artistic directing. You'll get a glimpse inside how Steve approaches his directing in a rehearsal room. Steve also chats about how his personal life helped him make the decision to step off the stage and into the director's chair. 

Cheri Magid (playwright), Sarah Baskin (actor and co-creator), and Michelle Bossy (director) join us to discuss A Poem and a Mistake - a new, intriguing one-woman play inspired by Stephanie McCarter's translation Ovid's Metamorphoses.  McCarter's new translation exposes several difficult realities in the original work that previous translations have keep readers from seeing – problems in its representations of women, its handling of the gendered dynamics of power, and its depiction of sexual violence.Translations are a product of their time.  In this episode Cheri, Sarah, and Michelle discuss candidly how the word rape is almost never used and sexual assaults have been glossed over throughout the years and many translations of Ovid’s Metamorphoses.  Join us for this discussion on how translations continue to greatly affected our current view of classic texts.   

Steve sits back down with Hassan El-Amin and Lynnette Overby to discuss the upcoming production of Suite Blackness: Black Dance in Cinema. Hassan and Lynnette explain when they connected and how the seed for this production was planted. They have a thoughtful discussion on the importance of black presence in different areas of discipline, and why it should be highlighted. This leads into the collaboration of their production, how Lynnette and Hassan brought in different areas to create a beautiful piece of black art. This show brings together artists from all over to depict their inspiration and vision from a piece of cinema throughout time. Suite Blackness: Black Dance in Cinema runs February 16th and 17th at 7:30pm, and February 18th at 2pm.  Get your tickets here! 

In this episode Steve interviews Dr. Lynette Overby, a member of the dance faculty. Lynnette talks about her start with dance and her academic dance career. With her doctorate, Lynnette explains how research is completed in the world of dance, and how the arts are integrated into education and why it is important. Lynnette and Steve dive deeper into the meaningful dance education, and how it is just as essential for students to learn through dance as they learn through math and science. They end their conversation with some pleasantries, including Lynnette's family, her tea preferences, and her love for helping people.  

In this episode, Steve sits down with REP actor Hassan El-Amin. Hassan talks through his journey from music to acting, starting with his high school singing group, his desire to go to Julliard but the opportunity to join the REP, and his unreleased Jazz album. Hassan dives into his spiritually, and how he lives his spiritually every day. They talk about Hassan's strengths and techniques in acting, including why he doesn't learn his lines before rehearsal. The conversation flows deeper into race and representation and blooms into a beautiful exchange between Steve and Hassan. Suite Blackness: Black Dance in Cinema is February 16th and 17th at 7:30pm and February 18th at 2pm. You can find more information and purchase tickets at https://www.rep.udel.edu .You can check out Hassan's student's work from his course Black History Live on Stage on YouTube: Black History Live On Stage - YouTube

Stefanie Hansen, REP artist and designer, chats with Steve about her start into the theatre world. Stefanie worked her way into the design world, not knowing she would end up there. They have a wonderful conversation about film versus theatre, and how the arts are turning towards immersion and accessibility to bring more people into our world. You'll get an insight into Stefanie's life, her beautiful wedding, and how her wife, who has a hearing loss, worked through working in the classroom during Covid.  They end with Stefanie explaining the process of designers working on a production, and the relationship between directors and designers.  

Michael Gotch is a renaissance man when it comes to the arts. He is an actor, a director, and a playwright. He attributes his start of his creativity to his parents, who established a world of imagination for Michael. They discuss actor choices, especially Michael's strength as an actor. Michael and Steve continue the conversation with the topic of what roles and productions they enjoyed the most and ones they wish they could take back and do again. They end the podcast chatting about Michael's love of writing and directing, and how his view of theatre changes when put in those positions. 

Kathleen Pirkl Tague take us through her early beginning stepping on stage and conjuring the spirit of live theater. A childhood playing story-based games and being amazed by the artistry in her Catholic education. It was there that she felt desire to make conceptual things present, such as love and loss. Kathleen talks about craft in her amazing voice, and ability to play polar things such as nurturing and wicked. Kathleen and Steve talk about the state of the theater world, the renaissance of cultural expression, the new voice in the theater of the young woman, and their love for Wordle and the Spelling Bee. 

Lee E. Ernst, make-up artist, fight and movement choreographer, actor, and almost cartoon artist and pilot, sits down with Steve Tague to discuss his trek through the theatre world. Lee started in theatre when he was a child, and it grew into an incredibly successful career in all aspects of the stage. Along with Lee's theatre career and his connections with Steve, they chat about their favorite cars, rescue dogs, and experience with small town and big city fame. 

Professional actors Lenny Banovez, Rob Hancock, and John Plumpis join the REP for Arsenic And Old Lace. In this discussion, these three New York actors dig into the New York pop culture myth, childhood idles, seeking joy, how the performance scene has changed, and how a production can affect your life.

J.R. Sullivan, our visiting Guest Director for Arsenic and Old Lace, is a theatre company founder, artistic director, director, and White Sox fan. Steve and J.R. converse about the effect of theatre on a community and the moment theatre changed for him. Learn what J.R thinks makes a good play, and what makes Arsenic and Old Lace last through the decades.  Go make yourself a cup of coffee, granules or French press, and enjoy episode three of Life In The Arts With The REP!

Sit down and enjoy as Steve chats with our very own Matthew Marholin, the REP's Production Stage Manager. You'll get an inside look at how a Production Stage Manager fits into the theatre world, as they discuss the relationship between Director, Actor, and Stage Manager.  Matthew talks about his journey from wanting to be a big star into an impressive and successful Stage Manager. They get personal with addictions and debate what musicals are superior.  

Life In The Arts With The REP podcast is where theatre artists are asked serious and not-so serious questions. In our introductory episode, join Steve Tague, our Interim Producing Artistic Director, while he chats with REP company actor, Elizabeth Heflin. In between bonding over their childhood and love for sweets, they talk about Elizabeth's journey as an actor, her passions, hobbies, and her fascination with health. You get an inside look on how they handle emotions on and off the stage and how they feel about theatre changing lives. So grab your circus peanuts, or any favorite candy of yours, and get to listening!  REP website: New tab (udel.edu)