All stories by Lauren Van Hemert on BroadwayStars

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Ep. 29: One-on-One with Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s Donovan Zimmerman by Lauren Van Hemert

Puppetry is one of the oldest types of performance art in the United States. Within the last five years, there has been a renaissance of puppetry happening across the world. Puppets are appe…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, July 14, 2019

Ep. 28: Building Connections with PlayMakers’ Broadway Bound Director Vivienne Benesch by Lauren Van Hemert

When you look at the scope of Vivienne Benesch’s career thus far, she certainly has an impressive resume, from actress to director to the Producing Artistic Director of http://playmakersr…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, July 7, 2019

Ep. 27: Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba Talks North Carolina Theatre, ANNIE, A CHORUS LINE, and More by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba (CONTACT) has to say about music, dance, her first Broadway show, A CHORUS LINE, and of course, the North Carolina Theatre production of ANNIE.  Abo…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, June 30, 2019

Ep. 26: Jesse Gephart on Directing Theatre Raleigh’s ‘I Am My Own Wife’ and Susan Steadman on NC 10 by 10 by Lauren Van Hemert

Today’s podcast is divided into two parts, two conversations with two theater-makers who couldn’t be more different. But the commonality that ties these two together is the subject of re…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, June 23, 2019

Ep. 25: Conversation with Triangle Theater-Maker Tamara Kissane on the Comeback of the Audio Drama by Lauren Van Hemert

The 1930s and 1940s were the Golden Age of Radio. Today’s watch parties were yesterday’s listening parties, as families would gather around the radio to hear their favorite serial, varie…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Ep. 24: Talking About Theater for Young Audiences with Noah Putterman by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Noah Putterman (Theatre Raleigh's WHERE WORDS ONCE WERE) has to say about theater for young audiences in the United States and abroad. About the Guest As the Director of Theatre fo…

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Sunday, June 9, 2019

Ep. 23: Tony Award-Winning Costume Designer William Ivey Long Traces His Carolina Roots and Talks ‘Tootsie’ and ‘Beetlejuice’ by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what six-time Tony Award-winner Costume Designer William Ivey Long, has to say about his North Carolina beginnings, TOOTSIE, BEETLEJUICE, DIANA: THE MUSICAL, and the Pulitzer Prize-win…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, June 2, 2019

Ep. 22: Defying Gravity – Carol de Giere on Stephen Schwartz and ‘Pippin’ by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Carol de Giere, the author of DEFYING GRAVITY, Stephen Schwartz's biography, has to say about the evolution of PIPPIN, Schwartz's experience working with Bob Fosse which was recent…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, May 26, 2019

Ep. 21: Talking ‘Gay Card’ with Jonathan Keebler and Ryan Korell by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Jonathan Keebler and Ryan Korell have to say about the world premiere of their new musical GAY CARD and more. About the Guests RYAN KORELL is a musical theatre composer based in N…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, May 19, 2019

Ep. 20: Vivica C. Coxx, Susannah Hough, David Henderson, and Matthew Hager Talk Drag Queens and The Legend of Georgia McBride by Lauren Van Hemert

For the Honest Pint production of Matthew Lopez's THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, Director Susannah Hough enlisted the help of Vivica C. Coxx, Durham’s Drag Diva, to coach the cast (Matthew…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, May 12, 2019

Ep. 19: Patrick Torres Talks Latinx Theater and ‘West Side Story’ by Lauren Van Hemert

When we talk about Latinx theater in the United States, we are not talking about a trend that started with In the Heights or Hamilton. We are talking about a movement that effectively beg…

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Sunday, May 5, 2019

Ep. 18: Shonica Gooden & Ellenore Scott Talk ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Fosse/Verdon,’ ‘Cats,’ and More by Lauren Van Hemert

Bring It On, Hamilton, the most recent revival of CATS, the revival of Falsettos, and this season’s Head Over Heels are just a few of the credits my guests today have on their impress…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, April 28, 2019

Ep. 17: A Virtual Field Trip to The Country Music Hall of Fame for 140 Years of Hatch Show Print by Lauren Van Hemert

Today we are taking a field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. This place, this shrine of music, is so much more than cowboy boots and Cadillacs. It’s a tribut…

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Sunday, April 21, 2019

Ep. 16: Disability, Inclusion, and Representation Onstage with Eric Woodall, Betsy Ludwig, Doug Kapp, and DJGeoYio by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Eric Woodall, the Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre, Betsy Ludwig, Executive Director of Arts Access, and Doug Kapp, a local actor who also happens to be legall…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, April 14, 2019

Ep. 15: Playwright Jason Odell Williams on God, Gun Control, and ‘Church & State’ by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Playwright Jason Odell Williams has to say about faith, gun control, and his play CHURCH AND STATE. About the Guest Jason Odell Williams is an award-winning playwright and Emmy-nom…

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Sunday, April 7, 2019

Ep. 14: The Godspell Experience with Carol de Giere by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Carol de Giere, author of The Godspell Experience, has to say about the evolution of the show, the music, and Stephen Schwartz. About the Guest Carol de Giere is the author of two …

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Sunday, March 31, 2019

Ep. 13: Kahei Shum Mcrae on Art, Costume Design, and the Chaos Where All Beautiful Work is Birthed by Lauren Van Hemert

https://rduonstage.com/transcript-of-ep-14-kahei-shum-mcrae-on-art-costume-design-and-the-chaos-where-all-beautiful-work-is-birthed/ (To read a transcript of this episode, click here.) As Wa…

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Sunday, March 24, 2019

Ep. 12: Science and Storytelling with Lauren Gunderson and Egla Hassan by Lauren Van Hemert

https://rduonstage.com/2019/03/24/transcript-lauren-gunderson-on-science-and-storytelling/ (To read a transcript of the RDU on Stage interview with Lauren Gunderson, click here.) Note: The m…

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Sunday, March 17, 2019

Ep. 11: The Importance of Intimacy Directing with Cara Rawlings by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Cara Rawlings, who is not only a Certified Stage Combat Instructor with The Society of American Fight Directors but also a certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors Inte…

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Sunday, March 3, 2019

Ep. 10: 47 Years of North Carolina Theater History Theater Critic Roy Dicks by Lauren Van Hemert

Many people know Roy Dicks as a theater critic writing for 'The News & Observer' for nearly two decades. But he also became the purveyor of North Carolina theater history. Hear what Dick…

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Saturday, March 2, 2019

Ep. 9: Theater Criticism with Theater Critic Roy Dicks by Lauren Van Hemert

Last month, in an article for ‘Fast Company,’ Jed Gottlieb wrote about being the last critic standing at a major Boston newspaper and why that even matters. In that article, Gottlieb wri…

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Sunday, February 24, 2019

Ep. 8: Sensory-Friendly Performances, Wiggles Welcome by Lauren Van Hemert

Since 2011, the Theatre Development Fund, also known as TDF, has presented more than 15 autism-friendly shows on Broadway, starting with Disney’s landmark musical ‘The Lion King.’ Beyo…

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Sunday, February 17, 2019

Ep. 7: Part Two with Playwright Mike Wiley Talking About ‘Peace of Clay’ by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Playwright Mike Wiley has to say about his play PEACE OF CLAY, the American dream, and the one historical figure he’s learned the most from. ’Peace of Clay’ is being produced…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 08:00AM
Saturday, February 16, 2019

Ep. 6: Part One with Playwright Mike Wiley -“Nothing Beats a Failure but a Try” by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Mike Wiley has to say about the role theater has in moving the conversation about race in this country forward, the people who influenced him throughout his life, and what he’s l…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 08:00AM
Sunday, February 10, 2019

Ep. 5: Super Troupers Eric Woodall, Broadway veteran Lauren Kennedy, and Charlie Brady Talk Love, ABBA, and NC Theatre’s ‘Mamma Mia!’ by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Broadway veteran Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot, Les Miserables), her husband Charlie Brady (South Pacific) and Eric Woodall, Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre have t…

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Sunday, February 3, 2019

Ep. 4: A Life in the Theater with Theatre in the Park’s Ira David Wood III and Ira David Wood IV by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Theatre in the Park's father-son duo Ira David Wood III and Ira David Wood IV have to say about working together, acting, and the things that can go wrong when you are putting on a…

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Sunday, January 27, 2019

Ep. 3: One-on-One with Playwright Charly Evon Simpson and Director Whitney White of the New Play ‘Jump’ by Lauren Van Hemert

Charly Evon Simpson's play Jump explores the themes of grief, suicide, mental illness and how we connect with each other. PlayMakers’ Producing Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch calls Pla…

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Sunday, January 20, 2019

Ep. 2: Honest Pint’s David Henderson and Susannah Hough Talk Parenting, Rory Kinnear’s ‘The Herd,’ and Luck and Doggedness by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Honest Pint Theatre Company’s Co-Artistic Directors David Henderson and Susannah Hough have to say about Rory Kinnear’s The Herd, reconciliation, and the irresistible pull of…

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Friday, January 18, 2019

BWW Interview: Tony-Award Winning Costume Designer William Ivey Long Talks BEETLEJUICE, Design Process, and More by Lauren Van Hemert

North Carolina's own William Ivey Long has been busy designing the costumes for two of this season's most anticipated musicals TOOTSIE and BEETLEJUICE. When I visited him in his Tribeca stud…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 09:42PM
Sunday, January 13, 2019

Ep. 1: Burning Coal’s Artistic Director Jerome Davis on ‘Ashe in Johannesburg’ and Theater as a Vehicle for Social Change by Lauren Van Hemert

In 1973, tennis champion Arthur Ashe competed in the South African Open. Hear what Jerome Davis, the artistic director of Burning Coal Theatre, has to say about Hannah Benitez’s new play, …

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All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off