Table to Stage

Adam Szymkowicz, playwright

Connecticut-based playwright whose work has been produced throughout the United States and across the globe. He has studied at Columbia and Juilliard, and his published plays include Kodachrome, Clown Bar, Rare Birds, and many others.

https://www.adamszymkowicz.com/home.php

Music: "Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme, 2018

Music: "Journey to the Sun" licensed by HookSounds, royalty free music

John Comey on educating a community, forming an empire

Middle School teacher John Comey, known to his community as Emperor Comey, is an energetic, passionate educator of 5th and 6th grade social studies in the Providence, Rhode Island, area. His creativity in the classroom doesn't end with lesson planning - he creates an immersive community for his students to explore the topics and their own minds. How far can a creative mindset go in a classroom?

 

Music:

"Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme (C) 2018

"Journey to the Sun" Licensed by HookSounds (Royalty Free Music)

#education #teacher #socialstudies #civics #creativity #keepcreating #providence #providenceri #rhodeisland #charterschool

Rob Santos Returns! Part Two

Hartford-based comedian Rob Santos understood early that identity was going to play a major role in his life - Black, Puerto Rican, and Beige American, always on the edges of acceptance. Identity - whether branding, politics, or mindfulness work - is inescapable, and Rob makes a mission of refining and protecting his. Rob's "Each One Teach One" workshop uses mindfulness and his personal experience to help other comedians hone their craft, and having just established his own studio space in Hartford he's back at it, working with others during uncertain and stressful times. We talked race, representation, identity politics, and more. This is Part Two of our conversation. NSFW/Explicit content.

Instagram @Muse324

Twitter @MisterSantos

www.robsantoscomedy.com

 

Music:

"Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme, all rights reserved

"Wholesome" by Kevin Macleod, incompotech.com, all rights reserved 

Rob Santos Returns! Part One

Hartford-based comedian Rob Santos understood early that identity was going to play a major role in his life - Black, Puerto Rican, and Beige American, always on the edges of acceptance. Identity - whether branding, politics, or mindfulness work - is inescapable, and Rob makes a mission of refining and protecting his. Rob's "Each One Teach One" workshop uses mindfulness and his personal experience to help other comedians hone their craft, and having just established his own studio space in Hartford he's back at it, working with others during uncertain and stressful times. We talked race, representation, identity politics, and more. This is Part One of our conversation. NSFW/Explicit content.

Instagram @Muse324

Twitter @MisterSantos

www.robsantoscomedy.com

 

Music:

"Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme, all rights reserved

"Wholesome" by Kevin Macleod, incompotech.com, all rights reserved 

Encounter Party! with Brian David Judkins and Ned Donovan

Brian David Judkins and Ned Donovan are the creative team behind Encounter Party! - a collaborative Dungeons and Dragons-bases storytelling podcast featuring a cast of professional voice actors and comedians. And it's an incredible exercise in precision and planning. Whether you're familiar with the actual play podcast world or not, you've never heard anything quite like Encounter Party! Get a behind-the-scenes look (listen?) at what it takes to build a community around a story.

 

Additional music by Alexander Nakarada, Serpentine Studios

https://soundcloud.com/serpentsoundstudios

Ukiyo-Pop artwork of Brian David Judkins www.ukiyopop.com

Charging Moose Media, Ned Donovan www.chargingmoosemedia.com

Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: the Gathering property of Wizards of the Coast

Counting down with Nick & Brandon of the 10ish Podcast

I listen to podcasts. Several of them. All day long. Honestly, it's a little much. But among the podcasts I look forward to the most every week is the 10ish Podcast. 10ish hosts and creators Nick and Brandon blend information and entertainment in a unique and hilarious way, counting down the very best (or worst) of any category. Whether it's serial killers or half time shows, the 10ish Podcast always delivers. Somehow, I conned them into speaking with me! So. Much. Fun.

"Welcome to Hi" Cameron Werme, copyright 2018

"Hackbeat" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Raylene Taskoski, Stand Up Comedy Sex Ed

When it comes to sex education, it's sometimes difficult to get the information across. If you're awkward or uncomfortable talking about sex, maybe you'll struggle to engage your audience. But if you can make it funny and relatable? Enter Raylene Taskoski, comedian and sex toy expert, whose show "Stand Up Comedy Sex Ed" combines real sexual health education with comedy. It's a blend that resonates with audiences and gives answers to questions some might be too embarrassed to ask. Check her out at standupcomedysexed.com. (NSFW content may be sensitive for some listeners. Please take care.)

Music:

"Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme

"Let's Talk About Sex" by Salt 'N Peppa, 1990

Film Clip:

Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" 1983

The impact of pandemic on creativity, with Dr. James C. Kaufman

As COVID-19 continues to alter social and economic landscapes around the world, some are more immediately impacted than others. Lots of creative people have been forced to stay home, cancel performances, and lose lots of creative outlets. Dr. James C. Kaufman is a professor at the UConn Neag School of Education, and has written several books about creativity. He's also a returning guest on Table to Stage (definitely check out his earlier episode to learn more about the study of creativity). You can follow Dr. Kaufman on Twitter @JamesKaufman, or visit his website (jamesckaufman.com) to learn more about the psychology of creativity.

 

Movie clip from "Contagion" (C) 2011 Warner Bros.

"It's the End of the World As We Know It" (C) 1987 R.E.M., from the album "Document"

Hip Hop Animation Dance with Ghost

Ghost (Andrew Mattei) found his love of Hip Hop dance thanks to a friend and a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXO-jKksQkM) - and nearly a decade later he's a dance instructor and three-time contestant on So You Think You Can Dance. The groove has taken him places, for sure. And the creative energy of animation style dance (if you haven't seen it, you absolutely must) is unique and entertaining. You can see Ghost get his groove on by following him on Facebook under Ghost of CT, on Instagram @theghost_of_ct, and on Twitter @ghostdancer0916.

"Pumped Up Kicks" (c) Foster the People

Carousels and Acanthus Carving with Bob Yourburg

Master woodcarver and carousel enthusiast Bob Yorburg has written the book on Acanthus carving. It's called "Acanthus Carving and Design", and it's available wherever you get your favorite books (or at Amazon). Bob is based in New York, but travels all over sharing his skill and expertise with the iconic design style that we all recognize. Bob recently visited the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Conn., to tech a workshop, and he gave me a brief tour before heading back to New York. You can see Bob's work at bobyorburg.com, and learn more about the museum at thecarouselmuseum.org.

#carousel #woodcarving #restoration #acanthus #carving