Tech Talk with Ethan

As an actor, Bobby has shared the stage with Lauren Bacall, Linda Eder, BeBe Neuwirth, Marge Champion, Cady Huffman, Nell Carter, Eileen Fulton, Kathy Lee Gifford, Kirstie Alley, and many more. Theatrical credits include the national tours of "A Wonderful Life" and "Cabaret". Regional credits include "42nd Street", "Singing in the Rain" "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "A Chorus Line". A very proud member of Actors Equity Association and American Federation of TV and Radio Artists. TV Credits include 6 reality shows including- MARRIAGE REF, WIFE SWAP, FASHION EMERGENCY, MATCHED IN MANHATTAN, WHAT NOT TO WEAR, LALAS COURT LIFE, and he's also appeared on INSIDE EDITION, NY1, WNBC NEWS, WPIX NEWS, as well as Japanese and Brazillian TV as an aerial professional/artist.⁠ ⁠ As a professional actor he often utilizes his aerial and circus skills when performing in musicals and shows that use aerial acrobatics. For the past 14 years he's worked as an aerial sequence choreographer. Staging 22 productions of the musical BARNUM, as well as training and sequencing for shows like AIDA, TARZAN (TOTS National Tour), CARNIVAL, THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE-CIRCUS ON SODOR, MADAGASCAR LIVE! and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. He has former students performing all over the world. Including Ringling Brothers, Cirque Du Soleil, Disney, Sea World, Hershey Park, Busch Gardens, The Pickle Family Circus, Big Apple Circus, Cruise ships and Broadway. Bobby usually coaches privately, training circus professionals in aerial arts such as Spanish web, static and swing trapeze, cloud swing, aerial fabric ("Silks or Tissu" ), hammock, dance trapeze, Cord de Lisse, tight rope, and juggling. "I enjoy all aspects of height, flight and aerial dynamics. My philosophy is simple "Why Walk when you can fly?"⁠

Today on Tech Talk with Ethan we welcome MarthaJo Walton, Costumer and Wardrobe Technician Extraordinaire! ⁠

Today on Tech Talk with Ethan we welcome the founder and executive director of the Children's Theatre of Long Beach, Sean McMullen.⁠

Today on Tech Talk with Ethan we welcome AEA Stage manager and Production manager Joel Veenstra. Joel is head of Production at UCI and has an impressive background with theatre production.⁠ ⁠ https://drama.arts.uci.edu/faculty/joel-veenstra⁠T

TODAY! on Tech Talk with Ethan we welcome IATSE member and merchandise manager, Debbie Jensen-Miller

Jaymi has been designing around the country for the past twenty years. Some production highlights include: four seasons at Utah Shakespeare Festival where she lit sixteen different productions, Two Trains Running, The Taming of the Shrew and the upcoming Great Expectations at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The Wiz and Rocky Horror at Dallas Theater Center, Peter and the Starcatcher and Topdog Underdog at South Coast Repertory, the world premier of The Who and the What at LaJolla Playhouse, Smart Cookie at The Alliance Theater, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune at Hartford Stage, Orlando and Mary Stuart at The Court Theatre, Among the Thugs and Anna in the Tropics at The Goodman, No Place Like Home, Uncle Vanya, The Dazzle, Absolution and The Ordinary Yearnings of Miriam Buddwing at Steppenwolf, Tug of War at The Getty Villa and the national tour of John Astins Once Upon a Midnight. Some theatre companies she has designed for include Denver Theater Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, Utah Shakespeare, LaJolla Playhouse, Dallas Theater Center, Pasadena Playhouse, The Alliance Theater, The Clarence Brown, The Pearl Theater, Victory Gardens, Steppenwolf, The Court Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Redmoon, Rivendell, Naked Eye, Lookingglass, Milwaukee Repertory, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Madison Repertory, San Jose Repertory, and Hartford Stage. She was a founding member of Naked Eye Theater Company and an ensemble member of The Next Theater and Rivendell Theater Ensemble, all of them Chicago based companies. Other design work has included the scenic and projection design on dozens on productions. She also acted as Architectural Lighting Consultant on over three hundred and fifty private residences and designed four different restaurants within Chicago. In addition, she has designed over fifty various special events for non-for-profits, red carpet events and private parties. As a production manager, she has held many positions. She acted as Senior Production Manager for KBA Marketing who produced more than 10,000 events a year for companies such as Coca-Cola, RJ Reynolds and Nike. She also managed and initiated the groundbreaking citywide theatre festival in Chicago known as Theatre Fever with more than 80 theatre companies leading free workshops and performances for a two-week period. She spent seven years as the Producer for The League of Chicago Theatres facilitating all galas, media events and community conferences. Other production management credits include Outfest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and Mrs. Ts Triathlon. She received her training from the conservatory program of The Theatre School, DePaul University. In 2003 she was the recipient of the Michael Merrit/ Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award. She also received a 2010 Joseph Jefferson Award for Mary's Wedding with Rivendell Theater Ensemble and was nominated for a Jeff Award for Orlando at The Court Theater, The Incident with The Next Theatre, Terrible Girls with About Face, Yellowman with The Next Theatre and OffSpring of the Cold War with Walkabout Theatre. She was additionally a winner of a Column Award for Rocky Horror at Dallas Theater Center and was nominated for a Henry Award for her work on Animal Crackers at The Denver Center. Previous teaching credits include adjunct faculty at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Associated Colleges of the Midwest and The Theatre School, DePaul University. Her website is available at jaymismith.com

Learn more about theatrical sound design as Ethan interviews Becca Kessin!

Today on Tech Talk with Ethan we welcome Holly Poe Durbin, Costume Designer, Head of Design at UCI, and President of URTA ⁠Costume Designer, Head of Design at UCI, and President of URTA⁠!

This week on tech talk we welcomed Kristi Ross-Clausen, an AEA / IATSE member that specializes in Theatre Safety and Stage Management!

Learn more about the wonderful world of carpentry, rigging, and holding a leadership position in an IATSE local as Ethan interviews Dave Vick!

Learn more about the role of an associate director as Ethan interview Michael Myers!

Celebrate year of the stage manager as Ethan interview Pat Leob!

Please Welcome this week's guest Heidi Coppernoll to Tech Talk with Ethan. ⁠ ⁠ Heidi does Lighting Automation, Rigging, Props, and Pyrotechnics!⁠

Today we will be welcoming Stephanie Spangler to Tech Talk with Ethan. ⁠ ⁠ Stephanie is Head of Wardrobe at the Metropolitan Opera. She is a former Adjunct Instructor at Montclaire State University. She has also been Wardrobe and Makeup Supervisor at Blue Man Group. She is a alumnus of UMass Boston And studied MLS at Pratt Institute.⁠

Today on Tech Talk with Ethan, Please welcome our Guest Tony Shayne!⁠ ⁠ Tony Shayne is a designer, production manager, and educator. He has worked both nationally and internationally in dance, theater, music, opera & film/tv. He has held staff positions at renowned organizations like ODC and REDCAT and has worked at some of California’s best colleges including UCLA, CalArts, UC Berkeley & UC Davis. When not working on a new production Tony has the tremendous pleasure of being a Lecturer at Stanford University where he endeavors to promote new and passionate advocates for the performing arts. He enjoys teaching hands-on technical theater courses including, Intro to Tech, Lighting Design, and Producing.⁠ ⁠ Tony is also the Founder & Lead Consultant of Theory & Practice Productions, a company formed on the beliefs that all productions, big and small, need the support of dedicated artisans and administrators to help execute their vision to the highest quality. T&P focuses on making the arduous process of making live art a bit easier for its artists, and the most enjoyable experience for its audience. ⁠ ⁠ Tony has spent most of 2020 producing symphony & chamber orchestras across the US in their endeavor to navigate digital performances reaching audiences of over 100k internationally. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Website: tonyshayne.com

Please Tune in on Thursday as we welcome Amanda Spooner to Tech Talk With Ethan.⁠ ⁠ Amanda comes to us with a wealth of knowledge about backstage and theatrical productions.⁠

Today, Please tune in for a treat. We welcome International Production Sound Mixer Martin Kittappa!⁠ ⁠ ⁠  Martin Kittappa has worked in production sound for many years, beginning his career in the UK where he began working for a small startup cable TV network, initially on staff, but as he grew in his career he went on to be freelance in order to gain experience in a greater variety of productions. In the UK he worked on several independent films and also worked as production mixer for high end TV shows for ITV and BBC networks. In 2007 Martin moved to Los Angeles where he now lives and works as a production sound mixer an all kinds of projects. His work has taken him around the world on shoots across America, Europe, Asia and Africa. To travel while being part of a creative team is a dream come true. He chose production sound because the work is incredibly varied. A strong sense of adventure, the love of travel and the ability to problem solve on the fly has driven Martin’s passion for working out in the field. As a self confessed tech nerd and a love of gadgets, production sound was a natural career choice for Martin. Matin’s philosophy is bring his A game to every project, wether it be a small independent production or a large feature or network TV show. ⁠ ⁠ http://www.mkittappa.com/

Today on Tech Talk With Ethan we will meet Kirk Keen! He will be speaking with about Lighting design and Theatrical Consulting! ⁠

Interview with Johnnyangel Pineda Tech Talk with Ethan Today onTech Talk With Ethan we welcome Johnnyangel Pineda!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Fabric and costume aficionado, Johnnyangel Pineda, has been designing, sewing, and studying Costumes for over a decade. Having designed costumes for film, stage, cosplayers, and drag queens, he strives to create and unlock the magic that is oftentimes hidden from reality. Having jumped head-first into costuming as lead stitcher on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored DreamCoat (2007), he has been both apprenticing & freelance-designing ever since. He has twice won the 'Best Costume Design' award at the Mother Lode Drama Festival, designed/constructed costumes for many full length plays and musicals, and created countless commission pieces. Johnnyangel's extensive theatre background (onstage as a tap performer/actor, and backstage in every possible crew position) has not only supported him through his career, it has provided him with a full and thorough knowledge of the needs of both performers and technicians. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Prior to Covid he has worked as The Wardrobe Technical Specialist at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica where he has had the privilege of working alongside theatrical companies from around the world, including the Bristol Old Vic (London), The National Theater Of Scotland (Scotland), HeadLong (London), Ronald K. Brown (New York), Royal Court Theater (UK), and Long Beach Opera (California), all while also the general manager of retail and theatrical rental shop, Make Believe Inc, Costumes. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ He currently focuses on custom commissioning with his costume company, Prismatic Costumes, who strives to help create clothing for Drag Queens, Cosplayers, Burlesque performers, and Theatrical Companies.

Please give a warm welcome to our next guest on Tech Talk with Ethan! Laura Zingle!⁠ ⁠ Laura Zingle is a Stage Manager for theatre, choral concerts, classical/jazz music, and events based⁠ in San Diego, CA. Recent theatre credits include: Cygnet Theatre: Angels in America, Parts I & II in repertory; San Diego Repertory Theatre: A Doll’s House, Part 2, Fun Home, Detroit. La Jolla Playhouse: WithOut Walls Festival 2017, Tiger Style!, Kingdom City, El Henry (in association with San Diego Rep), His Girl Friday, and Hands on a Hardbody. The Old Globe: Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Sense and Sensibility, The Metromaniacs, Arms and the Man. She was Event Coordinator for San Diego Water For People’s Jazz on Tap charity jazz festival in 2019. Other credits include: American Modern Opera Company’s Were You There (San Diego Symphony’s “Hearing the Future”⁠ Festival); Spoleto Festival USA: U.S. premiere of opera The Little Match Girl (Helmut Lachenmann); different words for the same thing (workshop, Center Theatre Group), La Jolla Music Society, Anchorage Ballet, AFI Fest 2013, Palomar College Dance. Laura is the Resident Stage Manager of⁠ San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. M.F.A., Stage Management: UC San Diego. Proud member of AEA⁠ and IATSE 122.⁠