MAKERS: RYAN J. HADDAD: NEW HOMES, SOLO SHOWS, + HI, ARE YOU SINGLE?
This week, Ryan Haddad, writer and star of Hi, Are You Single? (now playing virtually through February 28 at Woolly Mammoth Theater) shares secrets of storytelling via solo shows. His passion for centering "gay, disabled and arabic communities" is palpable and essential. Susan and Laura celebrate Ryan's message to us all - "You don't have to wait for anyone to approve. Your stories are compelling."
MAKERS: META WAGNER PART 2: IDENTIFYING YOUR CREATIVE TYPE (AND ITS EVOLUTION)
Ready for Part 2 of our conversation with Creativity Expert Meta Wagner? We dig into the remaining Creative Types — Sensitive Souls, Gamechangers and Activists and question whether we can evolve into other areas? Can we be a combo-platter of motivations?
MAKERS: META WAGNER PART 1: WRITING THE BOOK ON CREATIVE TYPES
This week, Susan and Laura dig into the meaty topics of talent, dedication and purpose with Meta Wagner, author of What's Your Creative Type? Harness the Power of Your Artistic Personality. In Part 1 of 2, Meta shares the driving passion and purpose behind the 5 Creative Types. You can't help but question, what is YOUR 'why'?
CREATIVITY SPARKS: MUDLARKING + VERBATIM THEATRE
In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura share a tinderbox of sparks with the treasure-hunting, archeology-digging, historical-fact-finding adventure that is Mudlarking and the use of language as an entry point into character with Anna Deavere Smith's creation of Verbatim Theatre.
CREATIVITY SPARKS: CAT DANCERS + TEDDY ROOSEVELT
In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura surprise each other with sparks from their personal files -- the tragic story of Ron and Joy Holiday (aka Cat Dancers) and the paradoxes and duality of the Man in the Arena himself, Theodore Roosevelt.
MAKERS: EMMA MCLAUGHLIN + NICOLA KRAUS: BEYOND THE NANNY DIARIES; OR CLOCK-WATCHING AND DISRESPECT
Susan and Laura talk to the prolific writing duo Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, co-authors of The Nanny Diaries and so much more. With over 6 million copies of their 10 books in print in over 32 languages, Emma and Nicola share their tips and techniques for successful collaborative writing with a partner as well as how it feels to consciously uncouple when the work is done.
CREATIVITY SPARKS: FLU APOCALYPSE + A STORYTELLING OF WRITERS
In this week's episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura surprise each other with topics that are sparking their creativity at the moment -- from the flu of 1918 to World War Z, its time to consider the inevitability of the next FLU Apocalypse and the delicate collaboration necessary to participate and thrive in a Storytelling of Writers.
MAKERS: JONATHAN GROFF PART TWO: HEAR ME PEOPLE OF THEBES
In this episode of The Spark File, Susan and Laura get another snuggle sesh with the ever-eager Jonathan Groff. Jonathan shares how a bad review of his performance in The Bacchae lead him to bring a new level of BDE to the part. Who's the Greek God now?
From his belief that "we're all bad at all different points in the process" to his emerging desire to Pay it Forward, it is impossible to not be inspired by the absolute openess and authenticity of our favorite mindhunter.
MAKERS: JONATHAN GROFF PART 1: REHEARSAL ROOMS, THE O FACE + TELLING THE TRUTH
In the latest bonus episode from The Spark File, Susan and Laura snuggle up with actor/singer/dancer/truth-teller, Jonathan Groff. Jonathan shares his visceral responses to most everything, including his approach to choosing roles and relationships. We talk the bravery of coming out, and the importance of telling one's own truth.
CONTENT WARNING: Sexually explicit language
CREATIVITY SPARKS: ARMCHAIR TREASURE HUNTS + BUT WHAT IF IT WASN’T?
In the latest installment of The Spark File, Susan and Laura deliver two new Creative Sparks -- the thrill of the chase provided by Armchair Treasure Hunts and the endlessly applicable wisdom of The Grinder's 'But What If It Wasn't?"
MAKERS: LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA PART 2: CREATIVE MISDIAGNOSES, PASSION PROJECTS + SENSORY SEEKING
This is part 2, Lin-Manuel Miranda shares how he restocks his creative fishpond whenever the well runs dry, and reveals his secret to avoiding creative blocks. Find out how he fuels his creativity and gains inspiration from “the sensitive" and “the sensory seeker" in his life.
MAKERS: LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA PART 1: FRIDAY NIGHT MEET UPS, THE LAUNDRY ROOM + MAKING SPACE
This episode is Part 1 of Susan and Laura's chit chat with writer-performer-director Lin-Manuel Miranda. Whether taking 7 years to write Hamilton, or 7 seconds to spit out a rhyme in the 100% improvised Freestyle Love Supreme, this guy is firing on all pistons. Find out how he uses "time and a deadline" to make it all happen.
CREATIVITY SPARKS + MAKERS: BRUNDIBAR, THE MAD KING + ANTHONY ROTH COSTANZO: RECORDED LIVE FROM THE MET OPERA
In this very special episode, recorded live from the Metropolitan Opera, Susan and Laura each share opera-inspired sparks of creativity, The Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria, and the intense significance of the opera Brundibar. They also engage in conversation with countertenor, actor, producer, star of the MET Opera's production of Akhnaten, and absolute vocal superhero, Anthony Roth Costanzo. Anthony shares his personal opera origin story, spills all the details about Akhnaten and his mission to bring new audiences to the art form.
MAKERS: GAVIN CREEL: CREATIVE SPONGES + MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS: RECORDED LIVE FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS PROJECT
In this episode, recorded LIVE at The Performing Arts Project, Susan and Laura talk with TONY Award winner Gavin Creel about making space for creativity, heartbreak, being a sponge, and practicing tiny victories. From tears to flatulence in 30 seconds flat, from the divinity of creation to a creativity inspired case of the sh*ts, this episode has everything.
CREATIVITY SPARKS: LYNNE COX + PATRICIA DOUGLAS: RECORDED LIVE FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS PROJECT
In this very special episode, recorded LIVE at The Performing Arts Project in North Carolina, Susan and Laura explore the inspiration of swimmer and author Lynne Cox as well as one of the best kept secrets of the Hollywood studio system era - the legacy of Patricia Douglas.
PLEASE NOTE: This episode of The Spark File podcasts contains mature themes. Please use your discretion.
MAKERS: CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER: AUTHENTICITY, BRIDGE-BUILDING + WANTING THE TONY AWARD
Episode #19 is brimming with sparks of creativity as Susan and Laura talk theater with TONY Award winner, Celia Keenan-Bolger. Celia shares her origin story, how she learned she was a bridge-builder, and the freedom of owning her desire to win a TONY award. Celia's theatrical career spans To Kill a Mockingbird to Glass Menagerie, Putnam County Spelling Bee, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Light in the Piazza and so much more.
MAKERS: JULIANNE MOORE + BART FREUDLICH PART 2: BECAUSE 60/40 WAS ALREADY TAKEN
Part Two of Susan and Laura's conversation with Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore and filmmaker Bart Freundlich. These two award winning creatives discuss their union of creative endeavors, dealing with perceived failure, their shared production company and things they need to do before they're done.
CREATIVITY SPARKS: JOHN KENLEY + THE UNTHOUGHT KNOWN
This week on The Spark File, Susan and Laura dish up two lively and thought-provoking sparks -- the legacy of the summer stock pioneer, legendary theatrical producer John Kenley and The Unthought Known -- things we know to be true, but can not allow ourselves to think about, a concept illustrated by Dani Shapiro in her book, Inheritance.
MAKERS: JULIANNE MOORE + BART FREUNDLICH PART 1: COOKING BRANZINO + DIVING IN HEAD FIRST
Susan and Laura sit down with Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore (Still Alice, The Hunger Games, Far From Heaven, The Kids are All Right, After the Wedding) and writer/director/filmmaker Bart Freundlich (The Myth of Fingerprints, Wolves, After the Wedding). Award winning creatives in their own right, they also merge creative endeavors with marriage and parenthood. In Part One of our conversation, we learn what creative risks Julianne and Bart have been taking recently, how they mix their personal and creative energies and what makes for a creatively satisfying experience.
MAKERS: RODNEY EVANS: VISION PORTRAITS, LIMINAL SPACE + TRUTH TELLING
In this week's maker-sode, Susan and Laura talk with award-winning filmmaker Rodney Evans about his very personal documentary, Vision Portraits. Rodney shares the details of his loss of vision and and what it means to be a blind or visually impaired creative artist. Rodney shares the power of channeling his fear into his creativity, illuminates the difference between sight and vision, and shares his belief that going blind just might create new ways of seeing. According to The New York Times, Vision Portraits “has the power, however briefly, to alter your perception."
