New York State of Minds

AKO Interview Part 2: Shogun Series 2024

In this episode, we are honored to welcome AKO, a distinguished New York-based actress, director, playwright, and founder of the theater company Amaterasu-Za. AKO’s influence spans local and national theater, where she continues to leave an impact on audiences and fellow artists through her dynamic contributions. As she prepares for the upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of OKUNI (Izumo no Okuni) this November, AKO shares her creative journey and insights, taking time from her busy rehearsal schedule to speak with us. This is the Part 2 of AKO's interview.

Actress Ako Interview Part 3: Her Future Projects

Featuring AKO, Renowned Actress, Playwright, Producer, and Founder of Amaterasu-Za Theater. The 2024 Disney series "Shogun" has won Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards. She played a key role in depicting the "Iyo no kata" the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In this episode, we are honored to welcome AKO, a distinguished New York-based actress, director, playwright, and founder of the theater company Amaterasu-Za. AKO’s influence spans local and national theater, where she continues to leave an impact on audiences and fellow artists through her dynamic contributions. As she prepares for the upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of OKUNI (Izumo no Okuni) this November, AKO shares her creative journey and insights, taking time from her busy rehearsal schedule to speak with us. This is the Part 3 of AKO's interview.

Hard Hat Cats at Work with Sheila Massey

Ms. Sheila Massey, inspired by a stray kitten named Sadie, began her journey in animal welfare in 2008 by doing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) work across New York City. Her TNR efforts took her to diverse locations, including a prison, an evangelical church, a landmark mansion, a community garden, and a parking garage, where she honed her community relations skills. Sheila co-taught "Neighborhood Relations" and TNR training for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals’ Feral Cat Initiative. In 2020, Sheila founded Hard Hat Cats, an innovative non-profit that places unadoptable feral cats from NYC shelters into “jobs” with employers seeking non-toxic rodent control. The cats, thriving in settings like breweries, parks, and hotels, live independently, focused on deterring rodents while largely ignoring people.

Hang with Happies (Ms. Nancy Clark Interview)

Nancy is an elegant and intelligent lady. She loves the Sunday New York Times puzzle and lives by the Christian standard. She is also very cheerful and personable. She came to the studio taking a taxi from the port authority, thinking she would be late for the recording. Extremely considerate and professional. She had her very successful art dealer business in her late 50s. Her love for nature, she says, was nurtured during her childhood in the Hudson Valley. Her poignant memories of her late father touched our hearts. (This is part 1 of her interview. Part 2 was released before this episode due to an audio issue that needed to be addressed.)

From Homeless to Activist (Ms. Wandalynn Interview Part 2)

This episode is Part 2 of Ms. Wandalynn's interview at Studio 40. After experiencing her powerful performance at the Showcase, we asked her to join us again at studio 40 and tell us her life stories. Her candid words had a lasting impression on us. We hope you enjoy it and get something out of it as we did.