The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast

Episode 368: Phoenix Song & Monique Miyake

The Yay is back and we have Phoenix Song and Monique Miyake, a couple who are performing their piece, A Thousand Mothers Collecting the Bones: A Theatre and Music Performance of Grief and Praise. This performance is a celebration of the life of their 17 year old son who lost his life to suicide. Jake and I talk with the two about their artistic upbringing, their relationship, and how they came to take a tragedy and tell an engaging story of survival, coping and remembrance. This performance is on July 25th & October 30th at the La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley – the link is here for tickets and more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-thousand-mothers-collecting-the-bones-tickets-1989618442320?fbclid=IwY2xjawTIcUxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFNVzFGNThOcHpxSnZqMlRkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkrQCZ9N0ai6Es4WHNVGS9TBkARE9YtuapyJx8r3QTpPisZks-nJMAI15xkn_aem_rAkXbR4GCs7NYBOYdThZ7w Phoenix Song can be reached directly via their website: www.phoenixsongmusic.com Phoenix can also be reached via Instagram: @phoenixsongrises You can learn more about Monique via their website: https://moniquemiyake.com If you had ever went to a Douglas Morrison Production, you would have seen amazingly built sets, created by the resident set designer, Tom Earlywine. Most of the staff was let go immediately after COVID, but all of us remember the excellent work of Tom. I’m sad to report that Tom passed away June 16, after a heart attack – he leaves behind his wife and two children. They have a Go Fund Me page to help them with funeral bills and other financial demands – if you ever cared for the great work of Tom Earlywine, I invite you to give – whatever you have. The link to the page is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-jenny-peter-and-sally-after-toms-passing?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e227_tv2_tp1_a1dennhbg3mj0m SHOWS: As You Like It (Marin Shakespeare Company) LAST SHOW TOMORROW! David Maier (Episode 301) is in the show Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the show https://www.marinshakespeare.org/ The Prince, Part I & II (Central Works) July 18 – Sept 6 (Pt I); Aug 1 – Sept 6 (Pt. II) Brennan Pickman-Thoon (Episode 281) is in the show Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in Part II Gary Graves (Episodes 24 & 277) wrote and directed the show https://centralworks.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 Hairspray (SF Playhouse) July 10 – Sept 12 Adam Kuveniemann is in the show https://sfplayhouse.org/2025-2026-season/hairspray/ Present Laughter (Orinda Starlight Players) July 24 – August 15 Max Chang (Episode 247) is in the show https://www.orsvp.org/present-laughter Julius Caesar (Marin Shakes) Aug 14 – Sept 13 Jon Tracy (Episode 169) is in the show Brady Morales-Woolery (Episode 305) is in the show Dave Garrett (Episode 123) is in the show Ray Archie (Episode 365) is the sound designer David Maier (Episode 301) is the fight coordinator Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is the intimacy coordinator https://www.marinshakespeare.org/julius-caesar/ 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 Eureka Day (City Lights Theatre) Sept 24 – Oct 18 Kimberly Ridgeway (Episodes 155 & 251) is in the show Jonathan Spector (Episode 280) wrote this Tony winning play https://cltc.org/event/eureka-day/ Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)

Episode 367: Sarah Jiang

Sarah Jiang is our next guest on The Yay. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform as Augustias in The House of Bernarda Alba. Jake and I talk to this wonderful actress about her upbringing, her work in the bay and where she sees herself in the future. You can contact Sarah directly via Instagram: @thatsarahjiang If you had ever went to a Douglas Morrison Production, you would have seen amazingly built sets, created by the resident set designer, Tom Earlywine. Most of the staff was let go immediately after COVID, but all of us remember the excellent work of Tom. I’m sad to report that Tom passed away June 16, after a heart attack – he leaves behind his wife and two children. They have a Go Fund Me page to help them with funeral bills and other financial demands – if you ever cared for the great work of Tom Earlywine, I invite you to give – whatever you have. The link to the page is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-jenny-peter-and-sally-after-toms-passing?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e227_tv2_tp1_a1dennhbg3mj0m 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: Wynne Chan (Episode 327) is performing at Mandarin and Cantonese songs at Martuni's in San Francisco July 11 https://www.restaurantji.com/ca/san-francisco/martunis-/ As You Like It (Marin Shakespeare Company) June 19 – July 19 David Maier (Episode 301) is in the show Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the show https://www.marinshakespeare.org/ Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical (Center Rep) May 31 – June 28 Keith Pinto (Episode 362) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is the associate director https://www.centerrep.org/what-s-on/25-26-season/alanis-morissette-s-jagged-little-pill-the-musical 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 Hairspray (SF Playhouse) July 10 – Sept 12 Adam Kuveniemann is in the show https://sfplayhouse.org/2025-2026-season/hairspray/ Present Laughter (Orinda Starlight Players) July 24 – August 15 Max Chang (Episode 247) is in the show https://www.orsvp.org/present-laughter 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 366: Lisa Marie Rollins

Our next guest is Lisa Marie Rollins, a freelance director, writer and new play developer. She has been a writing fellow with Hedgebrok, Djerassi, SF Writers Grotto, CALLALOO London, VONA, Just Theatre Play Lab and Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency. Her last featured work was Kara, directed by Elizabeth Carter, back in 2023. Jake and I talk about Lisa’s upbringing, her playwrighting work and where she sees herself in the future. You can contact Lisa Marie directly via Instagram: @lisamarie_9 If you had ever went to a Douglas Morrison Production, you would have seen amazingly built sets, created by the resident set designer, Tom Earlywine. Most of the staff was let go immediately after COVID, but all of us remember the excellent work of Tom. I’m sad to report that Tom passed away June 16, after a heart attack – he leaves behind his wife and two children. They have a Go Fund Me page to help them with funeral bills and other financial demands – if you ever cared for the great work of Tom Earlywine, I invite you to give – whatever you have. The link to the page is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-jenny-peter-and-sally-after-toms-passing?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e227_tv2_tp1_a1dennhbg3mj0m 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: As You Like It (Marin Shakespeare Company) June 19 – July 19 David Maier (Episode 301) is in the show Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the show https://www.marinshakespeare.org/ Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical (Center Rep) May 31 – June 28 Keith Pinto (Episode 362) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is the associate director https://www.centerrep.org/what-s-on/25-26-season/alanis-morissette-s-jagged-little-pill-the-musical 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 Hairspray (SF Playhouse) July 10 – Sept 12 Adam Kuveniemann is in the show https://sfplayhouse.org/2025-2026-season/hairspray/ Present Laughter (Orinda Starlight Players) July 24 – August 15 Max Chang (Episode 247) is in the show https://www.orsvp.org/present-laughter 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 365: Ray Archie

Ray Archie is our next guest on this Wednesday Yay – Ray is the Chief Executive Officer of Music Is My First Language (MiMFL) – it’s an international lifestyle brand and musical collaborative dedicated to inspire positive social change through sustainable music education. Ray is also the Principal Sound Alchemist of Brooklyn Sound Lab. Jake and I talk to Ray about his upbringing, more about MiMFL and why he created it, and where he sees himself in the future. You can contact Ray directly via his Instagram: @rayarchie You can also learn more about the Brooklyn Sound Lab via their website: https://brooklynsoundlab.com If you had ever went to a Douglas Morrison Production, you would have seen amazingly built sets, created by the resident set designer, Tom Earlywine. Most of the staff was let go immediately after COVID, but all of us remember the excellent work of Tom. I’m sad to report that Tom passed away June 16, after a heart attack – he leaves behind his wife and two children. They have a Go Fund Me page to help them with funeral bills and other financial demands – if you ever cared for the great work of Tom Earlywine, I invite you to give – whatever you have. The link to the page is here: Tom Earlywine’s GoFundMe Page 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: As You Like It (Marin Shakespeare Company) June 19 – July 19 David Maier (Episode 301) is in the show Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the show https://www.marinshakespeare.org/ Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical (Center Rep) May 31 – June 28 Keith Pinto (Episode 362) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is the associate director https://www.centerrep.org/what-s-on/25-26-season/alanis-morissette-s-jagged-little-pill-the-musical 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 Hairspray (SF Playhouse) July 10 – Sept 12 Adam Kuveniemann is in the show https://sfplayhouse.org/2025-2026-season/hairspray/ Present Laughter (Orinda Starlight Players) July 24 – August 15 Max Chang (Episode 247) is in the show https://www.orsvp.org/present-laughter 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 364: Tommy "Soulati" Shepherd

We bring in another member of Felonious to the Yay podcast – Tommy Soulati Shepherd is an actor, rapper and teacher at Oakland School for the Arts. Jake and I talk about Tommy’s upbringing, his work with Felonious, and where he sees himself in the future. You can contact Tommy directly via Instagram: @emceesoulati 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. Jameelah Rose has her own business selling healthy drinks - MelanA☥D is a black owned business that specializes in alkaline elixirs used to heal the mind and body. It's currently being sold at the Mandela Shopping Mart and you can find more info on MelanA☥D on this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/melanaid 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: Present Laughter (Orinda Starlight Players) July 24 – August 15 Max Chang (Episode 247) is in the show https://www.orsvp.org/present-laughter The Gull (Shotgun Players) Staged Reading: June 22, 23 & 24 Fred Pitts (Episode 256) is in the show https://shotgunplayers.org/show/gull/ Staged Reading: Sisters Matsumoto, by Phillip Kan Gotanda Contemporary Asian Theatre Scene June 19 & 20 https://www.catsasiantheaterscene.org As You Like It (Marin Shakespeare Company) June 19 – July 19 David Maier (Episode 301) is in the show Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the show https://www.marinshakespeare.org/ Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical (Center Rep) May 31 – June 28 Keith Pinto (Episode 362) is in the show Tanika Baptiste (Episode 253) is the associate director https://www.centerrep.org/what-s-on/25-26-season/alanis-morissette-s-jagged-little-pill-the-musical 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 Hairspray (SF Playhouse) July 10 – Sept 12 Adam Kuveniemann is in the show 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)