Damon Brown on partnership, creativity and what you can do when you don't know you can't

Damon Brown is an Artist in Residence at The Georgetown Palace Theater and currently directing Bright Star, written & composed by Steve Martin & Edie Brickell. He knew from a young age that he wanted a creative career but he could not have known how much stuff he was going to be able to create! Fro…

Esin Aydingoz on networking, the creative process, impostor syndrome & how to make big dreams come true

Esin Aydingoz is an incredibly talented musician, composer and conductor who is currently on tour with Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México performing Disney and Pixar's Coco-Live-to-Film Concert playing at The Long Center on November 8th. You've already heard her work in Wednesday, The Witcher, …

Annie Burridge on what it really takes to put on an incredible show at Austin Opera

Annie made a plan for her life, to sing and then lead. And the really amazing thing is: she did exactly that! She made her vision come true and today is the General Director and CEO of Austin Opera. Annie shares the surprising dollars and cents behind every production, how being a singer informs he…

Kathy Valentine on real freedom, sobriety, and the secret to great relationships

Kathy Valentine is a musician, writer, student and now making her first foray as Musical Director for Zach Theatre's production of Head Over Heels featuring the music of The Go-Go's. She wasn't sure she would love it, but sometimes you've got to go for it to find out. You know Kathy best as the bas…

What happens when you cross woodwinds, strings and piano with Hip Hop? Thee Phantom and the Illarmonic Orchestra.

Add to that a soul songstress, a crowd-controlling DJ, and a fire-breathing MC and that is still but a fraction of what you’ll get when you catch Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra in action. Thee Phantom combines the raw energy and passion of Hip-Hop with the beautiful, sweeping melodies of …

Alicia Keys on regret, gratitude and why you must never stop chasing your dreams

Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys was drawn to music very early in her life. And while it may seem like things worked out quickly for her, they really didn't. Alicia is open about her challenges, what we can all learn about the importance of not giving up, and why she feels her upcoming show on Monday …

Richard Thomas, Yaegel Welch & Melanie Moore give us an inside look at Aaron Sorkin's To Kill a Mockingbird

This is Atticus Finch as we've never seen him before so I hope you get to experience To Kill a Mockingbird firsthand. Richard Thomas (Atticus) reveals what's new and different about this story we all know so well, Yaegel Welch (Tom Robinson) talks about embracing what's unique about you, and Melani…

John Taylor on music, relationships, and lessons from lockdown

Bassist John Taylor had been making music with Duran Duran for 40 years and it's no accident they've managed to stay together all that time. They're ready to celebrate their musical journey in Austin at Moody Center on June 6th. John talks about his excitement for this FUTURE PAST tour and he share…

Katie Folger on self discovery, empowerment and how the pandemic almost changed everything

Things were really coming together for Katie Folger. Lots of opportunities were opening up for the working actress; she had a great new job and was looking for an apartment in a new city when the world suddenly closed down in 2020. Everything she was excited about quickly dissolved and she contempl…

Howie Mandel on the freedom that comes with admitting you're a mess

Howie Mandel got up on stage because of a dare, and that moment changed everything. He became a comic, an actor, a voice actor, a game show host, a podcaster, a producer --  and the list goes on. Howie shares how he's been able to manifest such a diverse career, how his parents handled his passion …