Monacle creators interview by Steve Walker

When a visual artist paints or sculpts something "on commission," it means a gallery, company, or private collector has contracted that artist to create something very specific to their particular wants or needs. Performing artists haven't always had the same luxury.

more at KCUR

Brad Cox interview by Dugan Arnett

Brad Cox seems to have no problem staying busy. In addition to founding the People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, he is also the co-founder of the popular Owen/Cox Dance Group — and his work with both groups will be on display next month.

more at Ink

Read more here: http://inkkc.com/content/what-are-you-listening-to-brad-cox/#storylink=cpy

Erin McGrane, Jeff Freling interview by Steve Walker

The term for a musical or artistic piece consisting of motifs or techniques borrowed from other sources is "pastiche." And what often results is a mix of theater, musicianship, and nostalgia, blended to a tee with the Kansas City duo Victor & Penny. The act consists of Erin McGrane and Jeff Freling who recently stopped by our studios to talk about how their varied careers in the arts led to this latest project. Performing in a minimalist fashion with a vintage guitar and ukulele, Victor & Penny specialize in jazzy pop standards from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as mixing in a few original tunes.

more at KCUR

Maria Vasquez Boyd, Artspeak Radio interview by Justin Kendall

Occupation: Producer and host, Artspeak Radio; founding member, Latino Writers Collective; member, the Ukulele Fight Club.

more at the Pitch

Marion Ross "Game's Afoot" interview by Micheal Mackie

Tuesday, November 20 - We sit down with an actress who has done it all, Marion Ross, best known as Mrs. C from "Happy Days." She tells us about her nearly 60 years on television and previews "The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays," now playing at New Theatre in Overland Park.

John Patterson, Columbia Community Band interview by Amy Wilder

The old axiom "Choose a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life" has been attributed to Confucius. People who follow their passions in their careers seem invariably to be happy with a depth that seems all too rare in a culture that places such high value on material wealth and status. Those who deeply love what they do in life also tend to forego stepping away from "work" when retirement rolls around.

more at the Columbia Daily Tribune

Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse interview by Scott Wilson

Tim League, founder of the Alamo Drafthouse, was in town yesterday to cut the ribbon and reopen the chain's KC outpost.

more at the Pitch

Caitlin Mack, KC Ballet interview by Michelle Davidson

Balancing motherhood and personal dreams can be tough especially when you're a professional ballerina. With Kansas City Ballet's Nutcracker opening December 1st we caught up with two dancers juggling many roles on the stage and in life. We also talk live with one of the leads in the show.

Wendy Thompson, Eric Pratt "Mystery Train" interview by Michelle Davidson

How's this for a night out? A great dinner with a side of mystery. Wendy Thompson and Erik Pratt are part of The Mystery Train, interactive theater that really gets the audience involved.

Midland talent buyer Mike DuCharme interview by C.J. Moore

The man who decides what acts play at the Midland theater downtown is a self-proclaimed failed musician.

more at Ink

Read more here: http://inkkc.com/content/office-space-mike-ducharme-talent-buyer-at-the-midland-theater/#storylink=cpy

Jim Brickman, KC Symphony interview by Kellie Houx

Researchers are saying more and more that the holidays are nostalgic because of the relationships and connections with others. People find their sense of belonging heightened during the holidays and this is considered one benefit of personal nostalgia. Those feelings are important to pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman. He brings his show, On a Winter’s Night, to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 7.

more at KC Studio

Music teacher Jazz Rucker interview by Amy Wilder

Balance is important for everyone: dancers, tightrope walkers, kung-fu masters … and music educators. Jazz Rucker, vocal music educator at Lange Middle School, keeps equilibrium in all aspects of his life. He balances work and personal life with consideration for others, keeping community and current educational trends in mind and considering students' interests while making choices about the music he uses to guide their vocal education.

more at the Columbian Daily Tribune

Joyce DiDonato interview by Patrick Neas

Last summer, PBS showcased two of Kansas City’s cultural jewels: the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. In the program, which was broadcast nationally, DiDonato sang the praises of Kansas City, letting the world know that she is as proud of her hometown as it is of her. The Grammy-winning DiDonato, who recently was named vocalist of the year by Musical America, will perform Friday with the period instrument orchestra Il Complesso Barocco as part of the Harriman-Jewell series.

more at kansascity.com

Emily Behrmann, Johnson County Community College interview

Emily Behrmann has been with Johnson County Community College since 1991, most recently assuming the role of General Manager for JCCC’s Performing Arts Series.  We are grateful that she took a few moments out of her hectic 2012-13 season to share some insights with the ACJC smART Blog.

more at the Arts Council of Johnson County

Terell Stafford, We Always Swing interview by Josh Chittum

Q: What's your connection to Columbia's art scene?
A: I'm assistant director and public information officer at the "We Always Swing" Jazz Series — a nonprofit arts organization with a mission to present, promote, preserve and celebrate the great American art form known as "jazz."

more at the Missourian

Shea Coffman "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" by John Long

A young veteran of Kansas City theater, Shea Coffman is rehearsing the lead role of Andrew Jackson in the Unicorn's production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson while he performs in Spring Awakening at the Coterie Theatre through Sept. 30. A tenor, Coffman also faces the challenge of singing solos and ensembles in all but three of the 13 musical numbers in Andrew Jackson. 

more at Camp

Ed Hanson, Talking Horse Productions interview by Amy Wilder

The waters on which we sail in life aren't always smooth, but our choice of direction might lead us through choppy waves to more desirable landscapes. Ed Hanson's course — he would say passion — has long been pointed toward performance. The artistic director for Talking Horse Productions has been interested in music and acting since early childhood.

more at the Columbia Daily Tribune

"Spotlight on Felicia Londré" by Thomas Canfield

This article is from the September 2012 issue of KC Stage

Kansas City is the home of a highly respected, world-renowned theatre historian, author, and educator whose encyclopedic knowledge of theatre - local, national, and international - is matched only by her palpable warmth, ardor, and enthusiasm for the subject. Felicia Londré, curators' professor of theatre at UMKC, is one of the great treasures of the theatrical community, not only because of her eagerness to share her vast expertise and genuine love of all things dramatic, but also for her fascinating career that spans several decades.

Fight choreographyer Rick Sordelet interview by Robert Trussell

Rick Sordelet is back in town and he’s here to do what he does best: Send fictional stage characters to oblivion. Sordelet, a veteran director and fight choreographer, was brought in by director Richard Carrothers to help with specific acts of violence in Ken Ludwig’s murder-mystery farce “The Game’s Afoot.” On the menu are a shooting, a stabbing, a garroting and a fall from a three-story window.

more at kansascity.com

Charles Martin, KC Youth Ballet interview with the KC Ballet

Kansas City Ballet Company Dancer Charles Martin talks about his experience choreographing a piece for the Kansas City Youth Ballet Fall Concert that will be held on Nov. 10 & 11.