Grayce Toon is a writer and actor. She's starring in Phil Carroll’s Failsafe, set to premiere at The Tank in New York City on December 8th. A contemporary take on grisly last ditch efforts, Grayce describes this play as pitch black comedy. It's a play that calls for a lot of emotional processing, and considering Grayce's balanced technical approach…

Mari Sitner is an actor and playwright, currently living in Inwood. Originally from the Detroit area, she is an exemplar of Midwestern sincerity and earnestness. Her new play, Nebraska, is a kitchen sink comedy that takes a turn for the grotesque, exploring the dark, hidden corners of family dynamics and desperation. In this episode, we dive into t…

Samuel Vita is a theatrical and screen actor born and raised in the South Shore area of Massachusetts. Samuel moved to New York City in 2015 to obtain his B.F.A in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. There, he trained at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute and Stonestreet Studios. After graduating, Samuel continued t…

In this episode, I am joined by actress, producer, and fellow podcaster Michelle Moriarty! Michelle just finished shooting a film with our friend Juan, and presently, is preparing for an unannounced play that you can see in January in Bushwick (So chic). Michelle and I discuss the importance of scene study, and why it's important to stay in tune wi…

Try my productivity hack here!: https://magicmind.com/EVILTHESPIAN40 Paul and I are back at it again! And this time we assembled some very awkward topics that eventually took off into a coherent conversation. Join us today for a chatty episode from the studio where we talk about some of our favorite things: traveling, throwing parties, mini bars, C…

Makeup artist Caitlyn Piccirillo and Costumer Grace Wylie are working together on City Gate Production's New York premiere of Frankenstein, a new adaptation by Vincent S. Hannam. They join us today to discuss the makeup and costume design process, and we learn how it's being made an essential part of this show. Tasked against an 1830s backdrop, the…

Max Stewart is a true testament to the actor's journey, showcasing a career defined by unwavering excellence and unparalleled work ethic. Now, he's making his Steppenwolf debut in Noises Off. In this episode, we delve into the highs and lows of Max's journey, and offer an inspiring look into what it takes to succeed as an actor, staying focused, ca…

My productivity hack: https://magicmind.com/evilthespian Use my code EVILTHESPIAN20 for 20% off #magicmind Welcome to the September episode with Paul!!! We are kicking off this lovely September to do some serious cultural commentary. Covering a myriad of topics, we're touching on films we've seen, interviews we've watched, music we're listening to,…

Cael Sullivan is an artist, filmmaker, and playwright joining us to discuss his play, Boutonniere: A Drama On Queer Themes. Characters Max and Josh must practice their first dance as a married couple. As the clock ticks and wine is poured, their impending union brings up old traumas, secrets, and shame. Their last night of unmarried life is made un…

Argia Coppola is an Italian actress, scholar, and playwright currently workshopping her play Cursed. Cursed is an adaptation of the Joyce Carol Oates novel Love is Blonde. Argia has been developing this play for years, and was so kind to share space with me to talk about its upcoming workshop. Starring Annie Hägg ,Cursed is a bold, breathless, trag…

Julia Genoveva is an actor, write, director, and the driving force behind her powerhouse of of a play, ELAINE. This play is extremely personal to Julia and I was honored that the cast of Elaine could join us to discuss these characters in parallel! This play explores complex relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters. Throughout the …

Well, well, well, look who's back. It's Paul, and we're here for a just chatting episode. Please enjoy the following topics: critical theory, AI, TheatreTech, Cabaret, me not knowing where to look, and so much more. Try Magic Mind for free here: https://magicmind.com/EVILTHESPIANTRIAL With my code EVILTHESPIANTRIAL You can subscribe and try the sho…

Today I am here with producer director, arts manager, and applied theatre practitioner MARENA FAYE. In what seems to be a blossoming Sapphic vibe shift in pop culture, we take this special moment to talk about NYC’s premiere sapphic playwriting competition and play festival, SAPPHEST. Celebrating the works of queer women and sapphic-identifying ind…

In this episode we are joined by PAUL! For a just chatting episode, we discuss our feelings on FX's THE BEAR, Ebon Mass-Bachrach's accent, Chicago linguistics, and so much more! This episode is sponsored by MAGIC MIND! Get up to 48% off your first subscription of Magic Mind or 20% off one time purchases with code EVILTHESPIAN20 at checkout You can …

Real life licensed therapist, storyteller, and improviser Jude Treder-Wolff joins us to talk about her hit solo show FASTER. The limited Off-Broadway engagement plays at Playhouse 46 and is part of the Turn the Lights On! Festival. The play which had its World Premiere at The NYC Fringe Festival in the Spring, runs Saturday, July 6 at 4:30pm and Su…

Today we are joined by actor Katy Shafer and Sivan Raz of Needs More Work Productions! They're here to talk about their upcoming production titled ANTI-GONE, a reimagined, site-specific, immersive take on an old classic. Think Antigone, but extremely meta. And staged outdoors, of course. Actor Katy plays the role of Antigone, strong willed and lase…

We're in the presence of an MFA, people! Today on Evil Thespian we are joined by the ICONIC Rabiah Rowther! Rabiah is a director, screenwriter, and occasional producer currently based in New York City. Additionally, she is also a screening committee member for the Hampton's International Film Festival. Rabiah recently graduated from The Actor's Stu…

Today on Evil Thespian we are joined by Jaclyn Bethany and Lin Gathwright, Co-Artistic Directors of The Fire Weeds. As a new female focused theatre company offering bold interpretations, their upcoming production is titled Outraged Hearts. A new immersive take on Tennessee Williams, Outraged Hearts features two early prototypes for The Glass Menage…

The first repertory production in Chicago in over a decade, THE SARCOMA CYCLE, written and directed by Logan Berry, is a three act play set in three distinct time periods, tracing the accelerating growth of technology, alienation, and violence in the USA. Cast members Sara Zalek and Dylan Fahoome join us to discuss the maximalist nature of the rehe…

Terry Knickerbocker is the artistic director of the Terry Knickerbocker studio, a prestigious professional acting studio in Brooklyn. Equipped with over 25 years of training and teaching under William Esper, Terry is dedicated to helping ambitious actors express themselves at the highest level of their abilities. In this episode, Terry tells all ab…

Alida Rose Delaney joins us to talk about ONE WINGED DOVE, skillfully penned and directed by Matthew Gasda, the narrative centers around Sam, a gifted young writer grappling with his inner demons. Alida takes on the role of Lydia, Sam's girlfriend, who delicately maneuvers through her own vulnerabilities, mirroring Sam's struggle with a pattern of …

In this episode we are joined by Ava O'Dea, Emma Woodward, and Sarah Santamaria to discuss EVERYONE IN NEW YORK IS BEAUTIFUL. A new play written by Christian Flynn, directed by Emma Woodward. Drama and chaos ensues when two couples decide to open their relationship. Testing the waters and pushing each others boundaries, the couples uncover a newnes…

Susannah Yugler is a dancer, artist, and playwright. With a shared love of Greek melodrama, joins us to discuss her original upcoming play, CASSANDRA, which she is also directing. Inspired by Euripides' The Trojan Women, CASSANDRA is a satyr play –– musing on New York as a Trojan symbol coping with the weight of impending disaster. Susannah talks a…

Christian Flynn is a playwright, performer, and self proclaimed baby girl of indie theatre. In this episode, Christian joins us to discuss their theatrical and comedic work, focusing on the most notable project, GAMEPIECE. Christian's concept for the show involves creating a unique, immersive, and experimental atmosphere, with a plot that's complet…

Elliot Schiff is a Chicago-based playwright and comedian. Currently pursuing their MFA at Northwestern University, Elliot joined me on this lovely day to chat and talk about their most recent reality-show inspired play I'm Not Here To Make Friends. Elliot details their intrepid MFA journey, and the virtue they've discovered in embracing their own m…

Paige Esterly is a writer, producer, and creator of F*cked Up Play Fest! NYC's best and only play festival that is also a drinking game!!! So this an absolute genius idea. I myself am a loyal steward of creative debauchery, and was keen on learning how this festival originally came to be - Paige tells us how it all began from the initial idea, to f…

We are joined by Nicholas Turturro and Michael Ortiz of SERIALS. Serials is an episodic short-play competition featuring the hottest actors, directors, and playwrights in indie theatre! Nicholas Turturro is an actor, participating artist and marketing director of Serials, and Michael Ortiz is a producer, and host of Serials. Valiantly carrying the …

Grace Sallee is a multidisciplinary artist with a contagious, vibrant passion for powerful storytelling. Grace stops by Evil Thespian to discuss her character in FLIGHT RISK (now opening in one week!) detailing her experience playing a character she describes as living on borrowed time. Flight Risk calls into question our collective relationship wi…

Sophia Englesberg is an actor and a producer, and she is having an incredible year. Winding down Zoomers at The Brooklyn Center for Theatre Research, we catch up on this episode to align on key takeaways from Zoomers discourse, and learn about some exciting projects Sophia has in store for the future. Sophia talks about her background and approach …

Please keep you hands and feet inside the podcast at all times! In this episode, actor Conor Andrew Hall stops by to give us more on FLIGHT RISK, a new play by Dakota Silvey that now opens in less than two weeks! I was lucky to catch Conor moments before rehearsal to talk with him about the bombastic character he's bringing to life. We get to hear …

Erik Conover is a hard working, diligent actor completely committed to his craft - And he's making his NYC stage debut March 6th! In this episode, Erik joins us to discuss his role in FLIGHT RISK, a newly written play by Dakota Silvey, directed by Dougie Robbins. This collaboration brings theatre to completely new heights. The circumstances are int…

Alex Beige is playwright, performer, and web developer. Between writing plays, making websites, and researching the dark web, Alex joined me for a lovely conversation on theatre and the internet. Practicing at the intersection of technology and interfaces, we discuss the dark web, website evangelism, insomnia, dead laptops, institutionalized ADHD, …

Logan Berry is the author of Casket Flare (Inside the Castle), Run-off Sugar Crystal Lake (11:11 Press), and Transmissions to Artaud (Selffuck). He’s a playwright and theatre director. He lives in Chicago. Website: https://logan-berry.com/about. Twitter: https://twitter.com/lgnbrry

Santiago Mallan is an actor, playwright, and visual artist. Not only is he a classical trained actor, but he's also a very good at drawing! In this episode, Santiago joins us discuss his upcoming play HOMUNCULUS, his writing process, and the environment he pulls his inspiration from. In addition, we also talk about theatre community vibes, the many…

Shae Sennett is a writer, playwright, journalist, poet, and thespian. Introspective as much as she is ambitious, her heel-turn into playwrighting and theater making has us chewing on some important social observations. We discuss her writing background, inspirations, and her process making Last Night Was a Play. In addition, with our big brains com…

In this episode, we're joined by three dynamic guests from THE SPADE, a performance collective that's disrupting norms and embracing the anarchic spirit of being unapologetically punk. Theatre by the people, for the people! Our guests are founders Lydia Brinkman, Sarah Norcross, and Christian Flynn. As the heartbeat of the collective, each bring th…

Justin Kline is an actor and high school theatre teacher!!! Justin and I are lifelong friends and I'm so happy to finally have him on the show. In this episode, Justin shares how he originally got into theatre and what drove him towards teaching high school. We also discuss the importance of mentorship, being active in your community, and needing s…

In this episode, we’re joined by comedic actress and performer, Ruby McCollister, who sits us down and absolutely schools us in theatre history. If you don’t know, now you know. Gracing stages far and wide, Ruby was kind enough to stop by the pod before her fabulous trip to the Czechia where she will perform her one-woman show “Tragedy”. Join us fo…

Meg Spectre is an ICONIC, actress and performance artist!!! Dialing in from her colorful Lower East Side apartment, this New York native details her impressive accomplishments in performance art, character acting, and independent artistry. The culture is about to get ten times more charming with her dynamic, comedic prowess, and magnetic charisma. …

Playwright Patrick Vermillion joins us for one of the most philosophical episodes to happen on Evil Thespian. Currently hailing from Chicago, Patrick talks about what drives him to write plays and the ease that comes with writing dialogue. We tackle discussions on popular character dynamics, psychology, dream analysis, religion, and so much more! L…

Terra Layne is an actor, director, writer, model, and athlete. A multi-faceted artist, Terra stops by the pod to talk about the career journey that's shaped who they are today. Fresh off the heels of directing GALLERINA by Roman D'Ambrosio, Terra speaks on what it was like stepping into directing and reaching a new plane of artistic expression. Top…

Today we're joined by three cast members from Kara Gordon's new play, The Pool. Alida Rose Delaney, Lauren Guglielmello, and Violet Savage are tenured performers, just a couple weeks shy of opening this tremendous new piece. Coming in with their own unique backgrounds and specialities, we covered some sweet insights into the rehearsal process, thei…

Daniel, is an award winning playwright, screenwriter, award-nominated actor, and novelist. He is also the co-founder/artistic director of Fandango 4 Arthouse. Today Daniel stops by to talk about his off-broadway solo show, ONE WITH THE CURRENT, which will open September 13th at 36th Street Studio Theatre. In this episode Daniel talks about his pass…

Writer Tade Davis joins us today to talk about her first play, Inside of Me, which will premiere August 25th and 26th at 8pm in Brooklyn! We discuss in this scandalous episode themes of murder, familial pathology, death, life, reproduction, and so much more! Follow Tade today on Twitter: @digital_orb000 Get tickets to Inside of Me: https://www.even…

Sam Straley is an actor, filmmaker, photographer, writer, and currently on the hit Hulu show Welcome to Flatch! Sam joins us to talk about the turn of events that brought him to where he is today. In addition, we talk about our shared passions, creative processes, journaling routines, and so much more! Follow Sam today and be sure to catch Welcome …

Chloe Xtina is here with us today to talk about her play Joan of Arc in a Super Market in California! An immersive play, staged in an actual supermarket. Chloe is a filmmaker and playwright, a UCLA Alumni with a B.A. in playwriting, and a 2023 Sundance Ignite fellow. Originally from Oakland, CA, she currently slays in Brooklyn. We discuss the uniqu…

Jack Ball is a working actor (and painter!) based in Chicago. Musical Theatre, Film, Television, and even painting? Jack does it all! We had the absolute sweetest conversation. Listen to us discuss the strike, perfectionism, and wanting more for ourselves as artists. Follow Jack on Instagram today! @jackball10…

We are joined by director Juan Pablo Rivera Garza, actor Mia Vallet, and playwright Eric Ratee to discuss the premiere of their upcoming play LOLA's MOVIE, a play about a filmmaker on the verge of a nervous breakdown. We talk about intimacy in the rehearsal processes, vulnerability between actors, artist neurosis, and so much more. Get tickets to L…

In this episode I wanted to check in, say hi, follow up, touch base, and read Arthur Lessac. Today we'll be doing a deep dive into some vocal challenges I've been experiencing as of late, and revisit Lessac's timeless vocal exercises and techniques.

Izzy is an actor who is doing mad work out here. We talk about film acting, stage acting, why instagram is still so cool, and so much more. Currently in tech for Galatea 2.0, they are also involved in developing a new play to be staged inside an actual supermarket. Follow Izzy today! @izzyetc