Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

Tom Prewitt, the Artistic Director of Avant Bard Theatre appeared on the Embracing Arlington Arts Talks podcast right in the middle of the nationwide shutdown. Find out how he thinks theater will adapt once the crisis is over, what they are doing now to remain relevant and in the public eye, and what the last day on the set was like for the cast and staff of the organization's postponed shows. Tom also talks about the "Avant Promise" campaign and how they are helping their theater family.

The Director of the Festival Argentino Daniel Manzoni updated us on his Plan B for the 2020 Festival. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the 33rd Festival is now postponed until October (date TBD). But he does give us some details about the many professional dancers expected to perform. Also find out about the May 16th launch of a video featuring the best of 30 years at the Festival, as well as how his native country is responding to the virus.

Chil Kong, the Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre, speaks from the heart about the importance of children's theater in the DMV and in forming adult theater patrons in this "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" interview. Appearing as a featured guest as part of our five-part "Artistic Directors STEAM Ahead" series starring the five most successful theaters in the DC region, Chil talks about his multi-faceted film and theater career, diversity challenges in the performing arts industry, how children benefit from exposure to theater and much more. Also hear his unique description of those working in the industry. Very entertaining and insightful interview.

The "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" host Janet Kopenhaver welcomed to the podcast the Director of the "Devising Hope" program at the Educational Theatre Company Francesca Chilcote to talk about this extremely uplifting and effective program. She explained how teenagers work with Street Sense vendors (many of whom are homeless) to learn about each other and break down myths about both groups. Also learn about one experience that particularly resonated with her. Ashley Hammond the organization's Managing Director also talks about upcoming camps.

One of the Artistic Producing Partners of Avant Bard Theatre returned to the show to give us all the details about their exciting 2024 season. Starting off the year they will be holding their annual "Scripts in Play Festival" that features staged readings of 3 original plays, along iwth talk backs and the ability of audience members to influence the final play. Subjects this year include a serial murderer, a queer Puerto Rican and a fictional Shakespeare. Also hear about their 2 main stage productions - "Coriolanus" with video games and an updated "Cherry Orchard" for today's world. Finally we get her insight into the state of the theater industry in the DMV in a post-COVID world.