The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

Episode 361: Conrad Panganiban

We haven’t had him on since 2017 (Episode 16), but he’s back – veteran playwright Conrad Panganiban comes back on the Yay! Conrad comes back on to talk about his book Welga: A Filipino American Playwright’s Journey – a Collection of Filipino American Plays. We also talk about Conrad’s upbringing, his journey as a playwright in the bay area, and what’s up in his future. You can find out more about Welga and about Conrad via his website: https://www.conradpanganiban.com You can also directly contact Conrad via Instagram: @consplayspace On the Yay, we often talk about mental and spiritual health, especially for us actors, because our emotions are our currency. My good friend Cary Ann Rosko (Episodes 77 and 296) is not only a great actress, but is a psychotherapist and she’s opening up her business to the online community. She’s offering virtual psychotherapy services to individual adults in California. Check out her website, https://www.caryannroskomft.com/what-i-offer, and take the first step in taking care of your personal health. Sometimes we need a hand to hold in healing, and Cary has her hand out, waiting to help you. Alexis Green (Episode 330) has a wonderful product that will improve your mental and spiritual health. It’s the Clarity Journal – it’s a journal, designed from lived experience - a compassionate tool for anyone seeking deeper emotional awareness. With daily check-ins, a mood wheel, and free-writing spaces, Alexis and her company has created a nurturing environment to help you connect with your true self. As a journal writer myself for many years, I can attest to how soothing it is for me to have a journal – I think it’ll work for you too. Check out the Clarity Journal at https://clarity-journals.com/ Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/ SHOWS: Mean Girls (Ray of Light Theatre) LAST SHOW TONIGHT (May 30) Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the show https://www.rayoflighttheatre.com/meangirls Shakespeare Over My Shoulder (African American Shakespeare Company)\ May 12 – June 7 Gary Moore (Episode 278) is in the show https://www.simpletix.com/e/shakespeare-over-my-shoulder-tickets-239794 anthropology (City Lights Theatre) May 14 – June 7 Maria Marquis (Episode 331) is in the show https://cltc.org/event/anthropology/ The House of Bernarda Alba (Oakland Theatre Project) May 22 – June 7 Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225) is in the show https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/house The Laramie Project (Coastal Rep) June 5 – 21 Danny Martin (Episode 71) is in the show https://www.coastalrep.com/upcoming Arab Spring (Golden Thread Productions) June 19 – July 12 Denmo Ibrahim (Episode 199) wrote the play https://goldenthread.org Scabmuggers (The Freight Theatre) July 7, 14 & 21 Adam Kuveniemann (Episode 274) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is directing the show https://secure.thefreight.org/15960/15961-scabmuggers-260707 A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Actor’s Ensemble) Aug 22 – Sept 7 Cynthia Lagodzinski (Episodes 96 & 266) is in the show Bruce Kaplan (Episode 294) is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/94-news/latest-news/430-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-opens-august-22nd-2026 Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)

Episode 360: Arleigh Prelow (with Pete Fitzsimmons)

This is a special Friday Yay, and Jake and I welcome back Pete the Cat! Pete Fitzsimmons, veteran actor who has been in two of my plays (Four Men in Paris, Judicial Process) was last on the Yay in 2018 (Episode 65) and he brings Arleigh Prelow on as a special guest. Ms. Prelow is the writer and director of a new documentary, The Psalm of Howard Thurman. We talk about the documentary, what’s been going on with Pete and other topics about bay area theatre life. You can learn more about the film via Arleigh’s website: https://www.howardthurmanfilm.com/ On the Yay, we often talk about mental and spiritual health, especially for us actors, because our emotions are our currency. My good friend Cary Ann Rosko (Episodes 77 and 296) is not only a great actress, but is a psychotherapist and she’s opening up her business to the online community. She’s offering virtual psychotherapy services to individual adults in California. Check out her website, https://www.caryannroskomft.com/what-i-offer, and take the first step in taking care of your personal health. Sometimes we need a hand to hold in healing, and Cary has her hand out, waiting to help you. We also want to thank Charles Blades Barbershop for sponsoring The Yay! Charles Blades Barbershop is located at 180 Second Street in downtown Oakland. It’s a very cool, relaxing place where you can get your cuts and they’ll even serve you a complimentary drink. Book an appointment online here: https://www.charlesblades.com Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/ SHOWS: Mean Girls (Ray of Light Theatre) LAST SHOW TOMORROW (May 30) Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the show https://www.rayoflighttheatre.com/meangirls Shakespeare Over My Shoulder (African American Shakespeare Company)\ May 12 – June 7 Gary Moore (Episode 278) is in the show https://www.simpletix.com/e/shakespeare-over-my-shoulder-tickets-239794 anthropology (City Lights Theatre) May 14 – June 7 Maria Marquis (Episode 331) is in the show https://cltc.org/event/anthropology/ The House of Bernarda Alba (Oakland Theatre Project) May 22 – June 7 Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225) is in the show https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/house The Laramie Project (Coastal Rep) June 5 – 21 Danny Martin (Episode 71) is in the show https://www.coastalrep.com/upcoming Arab Spring (Golden Thread Productions) June 19 – July 12 Denmo Ibrahim (Episode 199) wrote the play https://goldenthread.org Scabmuggers (The Freight Theatre) July 7, 14 & 21 Adam Kuveniemann (Episode 274) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is directing the show https://secure.thefreight.org/15960/15961-scabmuggers-260707 A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Actor’s Ensemble) Aug 22 – Sept 7 Cynthia Lagodzinski (Episodes 96 & 266) is in the show Bruce Kaplan (Episode 294) is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/94-news/latest-news/430-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-opens-august-22nd-2026 Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)

Episode 359: Ada May

Ada May is our next guest on The Yay – she’s been the stage manager for SF Playhouse for many years, who also works at Look Talent, a talent agency in SF. Jake and I talk to Ada about her upbringing, how they met, her work in stage managing and where she sees herself in the future. You can reach Ada directly via Instagram: @y.i.ada On the Yay, we often talk about mental and spiritual health, especially for us actors, because our emotions are our currency. My good friend Cary Ann Rosko (Episodes 77 and 296) is not only a great actress, but is a psychotherapist and she’s opening up her business to the online community. She’s offering virtual psychotherapy services to individual adults in California. Check out her website, https://www.caryannroskomft.com/what-i-offer, and take the first step in taking care of your personal health. Sometimes we need a hand to hold in healing, and Cary has her hand out, waiting to help you. We also want to thank Charles Blades Barbershop for sponsoring The Yay! Charles Blades Barbershop is located at 180 Second Street in downtown Oakland. It’s a very cool, relaxing place where you can get your cuts and they’ll even serve you a complimentary drink. Book an appointment online here: https://www.charlesblades.com Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/ SHOWS: Mean Girls (Ray of Light Theatre) May 1 – 30 Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the show https://www.rayoflighttheatre.com/meangirls God of Carnage (Pacifica Spendrift Players) LAST SHOW TOMORROW Aaron Seymour (Episode 317) is in the show https://www.pacificaspindriftplayers.org/shows/2025-2026/god-of-carnage-2/ Shakespeare Over My Shoulder (African American Shakespeare Company)\ May 12 – June 7 Gary Moore (Episode 278) is in the show https://www.simpletix.com/e/shakespeare-over-my-shoulder-tickets-239794 anthropology (City Lights Theatre) May 14 – June 7 Maria Marquis (Episode 331) is in the show https://cltc.org/event/anthropology/ The House of Bernarda Alba (Oakland Theatre Project) May 22 – June 7 Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225) is in the show https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/house The Laramie Project (Coastal Rep) June 5 – 21 Danny Martin (Episode 71) is in the show https://www.coastalrep.com/upcoming Arab Spring (Golden Thread Productions) June 19 – July 12 Denmo Ibrahim (Episode 199) wrote the play https://goldenthread.org Scabmuggers (The Freight Theatre) July 7, 14 & 21 Adam Kuveniemann (Episode 274) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is directing the show https://secure.thefreight.org/15960/15961-scabmuggers-260707 A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Actor’s Ensemble) Aug 22 – Sept 7 Cynthia Lagodzinski (Episodes 96 & 266) is in the show Bruce Kaplan (Episode 294) is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/94-news/latest-news/430-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-opens-august-22nd-2026 POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women To Keep Him Alive (Actor’s Ensemble) June 11 – 27th Tanika Baptiste is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/productions/upcoming-shows Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)

Episode 358: Dan Wolf

It’s been over a week but we’re back and our next guest is Dan Wolf, actor and artistic director of Sound In The Silence, a company that teaches history through art. Jake and I talk about Dan’s upbringing, his work in the bay area and where he sees himself in the future. You can contact Dan directly via Instagram: @dannydmic You can learn more about Dan via his webpage: https://www.dan-wolf.com On the Yay, we often talk about mental and spiritual health, especially for us actors, because our emotions are our currency. My good friend Cary Ann Rosko (Episodes 77 and 296) is not only a great actress, but is a psychotherapist and she’s opening up her business to the online community. She’s offering virtual psychotherapy services to individual adults in California. Check out her website, https://www.caryannroskomft.com/what-i-offer, and take the first step in taking care of your personal health. Sometimes we need a hand to hold in healing, and Cary has her hand out, waiting to help you. Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/ SHOWS: How to Make An American Son (New Conservatory Theatre Center) April 3 – May 10 Richard Perez (Episode 314) is in the show https://nctcsf.org/event/americanson/ Mean Girls (Ray of Light Theatre) May 1 – 30 Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the show https://www.rayoflighttheatre.com/meangirls God of Carnage (Pacifica Spendrift Players) May 8 – 17 Aaron Seymour (Episode 317) is in the show https://www.pacificaspindriftplayers.org/shows/2025-2026/god-of-carnage-2/ Lay My Burden Down (SF International Arts Festival) May 9-10 Cat Brooks (Episode 283) is in the show https://www.sfiaf.org/sfiaf2026_strange-angels-theater Shakespeare Over My Shoulder (African American Shakespeare Company)\ May 12 – June 7 Gary Moore (Episode 278) is in the show https://www.simpletix.com/e/shakespeare-over-my-shoulder-tickets-239794 anthropology (City Lights Theatre) May 14 – June 7 Maria Marquis (Episode 331) is in the show https://cltc.org/event/anthropology/ The House of Bernarda Alba (Oakland Theatre Project) May 22 – June 7 Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225) is in the show https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/house The Laramie Project (Coastal Rep) June 5 – 21 Danny Martin (Episode 71) is in the show https://www.coastalrep.com/upcoming Arab Spring (Golden Thread Productions) June 19 – July 12 Denmo Ibrahim (Episode 199) wrote the play https://goldenthread.org Scabmuggers (The Freight Theatre) July 7, 14 & 21 Adam Kuveniemann (Episode 274) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is directing the show https://secure.thefreight.org/15960/15961-scabmuggers-260707 A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Actor’s Ensemble) Aug 22 – Sept 7 Cynthia Lagodzinski (Episodes 96 & 266) is in the show Bruce Kaplan (Episode 294) is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/94-news/latest-news/430-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-opens-august-22nd-2026 POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women To Keep Him Alive (Actor’s Ensemble) June 11 – 27th Tanika Baptiste is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/productions/upcoming-shows Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)

Episode 357: Kenny Scott

Kenny Scott is our next guest on The Yay – Kenny is a veteran actor, who has acted in various theatre companies in the bay area. Jake and I talk about Kenny’s upbringing, his training at Morgan State University and Laney College, his career in the bay area and where he sees himself in the future. You can reach Kenny directly via Instagram: @kenny_scxtt Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/ SHOWS: The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? (Shotgun Players) March 21 – May 3 Kevin Clarke (Episode 355) is in the show https://shotgunplayers.org Female, Ashkenazi with a Sewing Machine (Musical Café/Inferno Theatre) April 25 only Jamie Greenblatt & Richard Jennings (Episode 173) are the writers Crystal Brown (Episodes 62 & 234) is in the show https://infernotheatre.org/festival-2026 Julius Caesar (SF Shakes) Feb 26 – April 29 (check website for details) Brandon DiPaola (Episode 306), Evan Held (Episode 226) and Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) are in the show https://www.sfshakes.org/performance/tour/ Flex (SF Playhouse) March 26 – May 6 Margo Hall (Episode 166) is directing the show Brittany Sims (Episode 328) and Champagne Hughes (Episode 335) are understudies https://sfplayhouse.org/2025-2026-season/flex/ How to Make An American Son (New Conservatory Theatre Center) April 3 – May 10 Richard Perez (Episode 314) is in the show https://nctcsf.org/event/americanson/ Mean Girls (Ray of Light Theatre) May 1 – 30 Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the show https://www.rayoflighttheatre.com/meangirls Soulmates (3 Girls Theatre) May 3 Reading Kimberly Ridgeway (Episodes 155 & 251) wrote the piece https://www.3girlstheatre.org/3gt-presents God of Carnage (Pacifica Spendrift Players) May 8 – 17 Aaron Seymour (Episode 317) is in the show https://www.pacificaspindriftplayers.org/shows/2025-2026/god-of-carnage-2/ Lay My Burden Down (SF International Arts Festival) May 9-10 Cat Brooks (Episode 283) is in the show https://www.sfiaf.org/sfiaf2026_strange-angels-theater Shakespeare Over My Shoulder (African American Shakespeare Company)\ May 12 – June 7 Gary Moore (Episode 278) is in the show https://www.simpletix.com/e/shakespeare-over-my-shoulder-tickets-239794 anthropology (City Lights Theatre) May 14 – June 7 Maria Marquis (Episode 331) is in the show https://cltc.org/event/anthropology/ The House of Bernarda Alba (Oakland Theatre Project) May 22 – June 7 Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225) is in the show https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/house The Laramie Project (Coastal Rep) June 5 – 21 Danny Martin (Episode 71) is in the show https://www.coastalrep.com/upcoming A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Actor’s Ensemble) Aug 22 – Sept 7 Cynthia Lagodzinski (Episodes 96 & 266) is in the show Bruce Kaplan (Episode 294) is in the show https://www.aeofberkeley.org/94-news/latest-news/430-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-opens-august-22nd-2026 Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)