Into the Fire at Burning Coal Theatre

Byron Jennings on his remarkable season at Burning Coal, HYMN and finding time for yoga!

Byron Jennings, who has appeared with Burning Coal in ART by Yasmina Reza, STUFF HAPPENS by David Hare (playing Colin Powell), UNTIL THE FLOOD by Dael Orlandersmith and THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA by David Edgar, talks with Burning Coal Artistic Director Jerome Davis about their recent triumph with Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA, his upcoming role in HYMN by Lolita Chakrabarti and their mutual love for Stephen Sondheim, among other things.

AUDIO DESCRIBED PROGRAM: Arcadia

Audio described program for Burning Coal's 2023 production of ARCADIA by Tom Stoppard.

EPISODE 102: Time Flies Circus

In this episode, Ayal Prouser and Elliott Ghittelsohn of TIME FLIES CIRCUS discuss directing the Summer Theatre Conservatory at Burning Coal and their new adult workshop. Registration for the adult circus workshop open here!

Ayal founded Time Flies in Brooklyn, NY with his partner, Claire, after traveling the world as a circus performer. He has since taught thousands of students in the wondrous arts of aerial silks, trapeze, and juggling. Elliott is also a world-renowned performer and a specialized contortionist.

Have you ever seen a cat mid-air? Click here for tickets to the 2023 STC production of CATS. 

AUDIO DESCRIBED PROGRAM FOR OR

An audio recording of the program for OR as read by Jalen Bynum, including additional descriptions of costume and set. At the end is a history of Burning Coal Theatre and our space the Murphey School Auditorium provided by Artistic Director Jerome Davis.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Welcome

0:07 - About the Play

0:46 - About the Production(Directors Note from Charles Machalicky)

2:37 - Thank you to STC Sponsors and BCTC Sponsors

3:00 - Creative Team and Crew

3:33 - Thank you to BCTC Volunteers

3:45 - Or Set Description

4:31 - Actor/Costume Description

6:09 - Dedication/Acknowledgements

6:26 - History of Burning Coal and the Murphey School Auditorium

 

EPISODE 101: Laurel Ullman

In this episode, Laurel Ullman breaks down her performance as Aphra Behn in this year's Second Stage production of Or, (co-produced by Switchyard Theatre Company).

AUDIO DESCRIBED PROGRAM: Ruby

An audio recording of the program for RUBY as read by Jalen Bynum, including additional descriptions of costume and set. At the end is a history of Burning Coal Theatre and our space the Murphey School Auditorium provided by Artistic Director Jerome Davis.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction

0:18 - About the Production

0:30 - Content Warning

0:44 - Bio for Susan Gross

2:54 - Program Note by Susan Gross

3:55 - Sponsor Recognition

4:10 - Creative Team / Crew List

4:55 - Volunteer Thanks

5:12 - Set and Costume Description

6:37 - Special Thanks from Susan Gross

7:16 - Dedication

7:39 - History of Burning Coal and the Murphey School Auditorium

EPISODE 100: Susan Gross

In this episode, performer and writer Susan Gross discusses her inspirations, upbringing, and the personal backstory of her one-woman show RUBY with guest interviewer Nathalie Ray.

0:18 Welcome, Susan!

1:02 The Origins of Susan

3:50 Christopher Durang’s Influence

6:45: Ruby’s Message

8:53: Early Productions of Ruby

10:57: Susan’s Future Projects

12:02 Susan the Character vs. Susan the Person

13:10 Advice for Aspiring One-Person Shows

15:21 Will Ruby Return?

16:24 Conclusion

 

EPISODE 99: KidsWrite! 2023 Playwrights

In this episode sit down with the collection of young playwrights, whose one-acts were selected for the 2023 KidsWrite! Festival, as they give us a peek into their pieces. Our group of middle and high school writers will share their artistic inspirations, delve into their writing process and give insight into who they are hoping to become as artists.

 

Disclaimer: The order of writers in this podcast does not indicate the order of pieces for the performance. Continue to check Burning Coals website for the updated Kidswrite lineup, as well as additional information and tickets.

 

0:40 - Jerry Introduction
1:15 - Act 1 of Kids Write Introduction
1:20 - Introduction of IN THE COURTYARD by Ellene Warner and LOST WITHIN ONE’S MIND by Dana Anger
1:40 - IN THE COURTYARD by Ellene Warner & her creative process
3:22 - LOST WITHIN ONE’S MIND by Dana Anger & her creative process
5:00 - What inspired their pieces of writing
9:55 - What does Dana Anger see in her future?
12:35 - What does Ellene Warner see in her future?
14:20 - Will they stay in North Carolina?
15:00 - End of First Act Interview
15:30 - Act 2 of Kids Write Introduction
15:45 - Introduction of WHO DID IT? by Neil Joshi; GOING UP by Caleb van Doornewaard; THE WILD DREAM by Anna Bryan, Audrey Fagin, Katie Haynes, Mackenzie Kuntz, Jasmine Rigda (Absent: Sadie Hancox, Daniel Sanders)
17:28 - THE WILD DREAM by Anna Bryan, Audrey Fagin, Katie Haynes, Mackenzie Kuntz,
Jasmine Rigda// What is it about & How did it come about?
19:55 - The most difficult moment and highlight moment for the team.
21:01- WHO DID IT? by Neil Joshi Synopsis
21:48 - Inspiration for Neil Joshi's Play
22:20 - GOING UP by Caleb van Doornewaard Synopsis
23:40 - What is enticing about comedy writing?
24:50 - THE WILD DREAM team and their inspiration as artists
27:30 - Caleb van Doornewaard’s artistic inspiration
27:50 - Neil Joshi artistic inspiration
28:20 - The rehearsal and editing process for Kidswrite
31:00 - End of Act 2 Interview
31:53 - Act 3 Introduction
32:00 - DAMN CIGARETTES! by Izzy Richman ; VELIOUS by Addison Florio ; OVERDUE by Nina Ridley Clayton and Director Alice Nicole Acuff
32:43 - Play synopsis of all three pieces
34:30 - Inspiration for the pieces
36:18 - What happens after you are inspired, how do you get from beginning to end of writing?
37:55 - Alice Nicole Acuff’s experience working with young writers
39:17 - Addison Florio on assistant directing as a writer
40:25 - Izzy Richman ; Have you ever had your own play produced before? What was the
experience like?
42:32 - Nina Ridley Clayton’s experience with her work being performed.
43:15 - Alice Nicole Acuff’s advice for writers
44:38 - Closing of entire episode

 

Audio Described Program: THE CHERRY ORCHARD

An audio recording of the program for THE CHERRY ORCHARD and additional descriptions of costume and set by Abbi Colborn.

EPISODE 98: Madison Doss

In this episode local English teacher Madison Doss discusses Chekov's background and his influential writing style.

• Intro: 00: 12
• About Madison: 1:08
• Madison’s introduction to Theatre: 7:57
• Is Chekhov’s Writing of Interest to Young People?: 13:1 0
• Chekov’s Plays, Comedies?: 19:11
• The society we live in now compared to the one Chekhov wrote in: 23:53
• Why Madison teaches:  28:36
• Outro: 30:51