Into the Fire at Burning Coal Theatre

Episode 83: Abbe Fralix

On this episode, we're joined by Abbe Fralix, a longtime collaborator currently featured in our production of Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca!

Episode 82: Michael Pavelka

On this episode, we're joined by Michael Pavelka, whose set design was featured in the UK premiere production of I and You at the Hampstead Theatre in London!

Episode 81: Erin Morales

On this episode, we're joined by I and You Set Designer Erin Morales!

Episode 80: Lauren Gunderson

Episode 79: David Henderson, Beth London, and Kate Day

On this episode of Into the Fire, we're joined by a few people who've been with us from our very first season back in 1997: David Henderson, Beth London, and Kate Day!

Episode 78: Dr. Brenda Werth

On this episode of Into the Fire, Jerome Davis and special guest Dr. Brenda Werth discuss Burning Coal’s upcoming musical Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Werth, a professor of Latin American icons and myths at American University, explains how real people of the past can often develop their own mythologies through artistic depictions. The conversation centers around the lives of Eva Perón and Che Guevara and the ways in which their real lives differ from their “afterlives”—the way that their legacies continue into modern society.  

00:00-00:50 Introduction 

00:50-01:20 Introduction of Special Guest 

01:20-03:38 Dr. Werth describes her work and interests 

03:38-04:29 Discrepancies between real world and fiction in Evita 

04:29-07:33 Ethical responsibility of artists in depicting real world events 

07:33-10:11 Che Guevara’s presence in Evita 

10:11-11:40 Burning Coal’s approach to the Che Guevara character 

11:40-14:38 Evolution and politicization of Che Guevara 

14:38-17:57 What do the play and film get wrong? 

17:57-21:22 The upbringing of Eva Perón and the opposition of the upper class 

21:22-22:25 Influence of Eva Perón on Juan Perón’s policies 

22:25-24:52 Where did Eva Perón’s confidence come from? 

24:45-28:26 World political context of Eva Peron’s life and widespread fear of communism 

28:26-31:10 Current representation of Latin stories in the theatre  

31:10-32:41 Breaking down economic barriers to include new voices  

32:41-34:00 Final thoughts and discussion of venue  

34:00-34:59 Conclusion 

Episode 77: Preston Campbell and Lilly Nelson

On this week's episode, we sit down with Preston and Lilly Nelson. We discuss shows Nine Lives and Girls & Boys, work as an artist during the pandemic and their passion for acting. Be sure to watch both shows in person or via livestream beginning June 10th through the 27th!

    

Introduction 0:00 - 0:44

Introduction of Special Guests 0:44 -  1:23

Basic Information of the Shows 1:23 - 2:42

Preston's Take on Nine Lives & his Character 2:42 - 5:56

Lilly's Take on Girls & Boys 5:56 - 7:42

Lilly bringing Plays to Theatres 7:42 - 8:52

Preston's Experience with One Person Shows 8:52 - 9:31

Preston talks about where he's from 9:31 -  9:43

Lilly talks about where she's from 9:43 - 11:14

Lilly and when her passion for acting began 11:14 - 12:20

Preston and when his passion for acting began 12:20 - 13:45

Lilly talks about how Girls & Boys affects her personal life 13:45 - 17:31

Preston talks about his Character's journey 17:31 - 20:54

Preston talks about work during the Covid-19 pandemic 20:54 - 23:06

Lilly talks about work during the Covid-19 pandemic 23:06 - 26:01

Lilly talks about what she wants to do as an artist 26:01 - 30:05

Preston talks about what he wants to do as an artist 30:05 - 31:05

Information for both Nine Lives and Girls & Boys 31:05 - 32:33

Outro 32:33 - 33:16  

Episode 76: KidsWrite 2021 Playwrights

On this week’s episode, you can hear from 3 of our amazing KidsWrite playwrights!
These students, Grace Niesel, Josie Perry and Jonan Reynolds tell you about their experience in
writing and with KidsWrite along with advice and inspiration to other young writers! Be sure to
watch their plays livestreams on May 28th and May 29th at 7pm!

Introduction- 0:00-0:48

KidsWrite 2021 Information- 0:48-2:32

Introductions of Special Guests- 2:32-4:50

Josie’s and Grace’s Synopsis and Basic Information of their pieces- 4:50-6:58

Grace’s and Josie’s Writing Background and Inspiration- 6:58-10:42

Grace’s Writing Process- 10:42-12:36

Josie’s and Grace’s Advice for Other Young Authors- 12:36-15:44

Grace and Josie explaining imagining the Story vs. imagining the Audience- 15:44-16:58

Josie’s and Grace’s Experience in KidsWrite- 16:58-19:20

Grace’s and Josie’s Role Models in Writing- 19:20-22:18

Jodin Introduction and “I Have No Idea” Synopsis and Basic Information - 22:18-24:54

Jodin’s Writing Background- 24:54-25:20

Jodin’s Inspiration- 25:20-26:03

Jodin’s Experience in KidsWrite- 26:03-26:55

Advice for what to do if you think you are a writer? - 26:55- 29:00

Outro- 29:00-30:18

Episode 75: Neel Keller

Into the Fire is back, and we're kicking off 2021 with the inimitable Neel Keller, who directed the original productions of both Forever and Until the Flood!

Episode 74: Laura Lillian Baggett and Kimmy Fiorentino

On this week's episode, we're joined by Laura Lillian Baggett and Kimmy Fiorentino, who will alternately star in A Hundred Words for Snow, opening tomorrow! Join us as we explore the process behind the play, their respective relationships to the character of Rory, and how each of these young actors approached this one-woman show!