Commonweal Theatre Podcast

Looking Back on the 2023 Season

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:39:27 +0000

Synth and Josie gather together as podcast hosts for the last time in 2023 with a special bonus episode to celebrate the coming new year! In this episode, they reminisce over the past few months as certified podcast hosts, play a much requested blooper reel from every episode, and also dive into de-mystifying the famous apprentice bonding ritual...You don't want to miss it!

A Chat with the 2024 Apprentice Class

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:45:00 +0000

Josie and Synth are joined this week by the rest of the apprentices in the 2024 class! These friends gather together to talk about key takeaways from the apprentice program, their favorite moments while working on the productions, and their pre-show rituals for She Loves Me. This exciting episode provides great insight into the apprentices dynamic - and how a few of them have bonded over French indie music.

Stela and Adrienne on Their Commonweal Experience

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 19:19:39 +0000

Synth and Josie return to the podcast with special guests Adrienne Sweeney and Stela Burdt. Stela and Adrienne have been at the Commonweal since the early 2000s, and have seen the Commonweal grow into what it is today. In this episode, they bring us on the journey of how they came to Lanesboro and where they are in the company now. They also discuss the creation of the Ibsen Fest and share some famous on-stage mishaps over the years!

Who is Cody Beyer?

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:30:00 +0000

Cody Beyer joins hosts Synth and Josie as they discuss some of the technical aspects of a repertory theatre. Cody is the Technical Director for the Commonweal, as well as Facilities Manager, and has many responsibilities within the company. Cody discusses his time working in Chicago, his favorite part of the 2023 season, and some future projects for the company. Cody also reveals some unusual philosophies when it comes to flying planes. Tune in to this entertaining, engaging, and light-hearted episode!

The Life of an Understudy w/ Lizzy Andretta

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:30:00 +0000

The newest episode of the Commonweal Theatre Podcast invites listeners to dive into the life of an understudy - with guest Lizzy Andretta. Lizzy has been working with the Commonweal since 2017, but just recently had her first experience as a planned understudy this season. Lizzy discusses her process as an understudy, her knack for learning lines, and even her transition from a bona fide city girl to her small town life in Lanesboro.

Creating Theatre with Craig Johnson

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 01:44:32 +0000

Synth and Josie chat with Craig Johnson, beloved visiting artist and frequent Commonweal director. Craig chats with the hosts about how he was drawn to theatre as a young boy, directing Women in Jeopardy, and he is quizzed on his theatre history knowledge! Listen for a truly exciting and fun talk with Craig Johnson!

Diving Deep Into Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:29:08 +0000

In this episode of the Commonweal podcast, Josie and Synth discuss the intricacies of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with director Mark Baer and our very own resident ensemble member Tim Sailer, who plays Dr. Jekyll. Hosts Synth and Josie learn some interesting facts about Jeffrey Hatcher's adaptation in comparison to the classic tale, how truly timeless this story is, and how Jekyll and Hyde is about much more than the separation of good and evil.

Are the guests on this episode more of a Dr. Jekyll type or a Mr. Hyde type? Listen to find out!

Fight Choreography w/ Aaron Preusse

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:50:11 +0000

Join us as we talk with our guest, Aaron Preusse about how he got started in fight choregraphy, where he is now, and what his projects with The Commonweal.

Back From The Dead

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 04:21:13 +0000

Listen to the return of the Commonweal Theatre podcast, as hosted by apprentices Synth Gonzalez and Josie Ramler! In this episode, you can hear from two apprentices in the apprentice class of 2024 as they discuss how they came to the Commonweal, what their experiences have been, and what they are working on now! You may also find insightful throwbacks to past productions, one even being from over twenty years ago... What could it be?

Erika DeGraff and Tinne Rosenmeier on Good People

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 18:39:43 +0000

Today we chat with Erika and Tinne, two Commonweal newbies, who are killing it onstage in the show Good People. Both are established actors who have worked across the country and it is a delight to talk to them about this riveting piece of theatre. Thanks for listening!

A Tale of Two Apprentices - John and Tanner in the Summer Rep!

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 14:48:33 +0000

Joining me today are John and Tanner, two members of our apprentice company. They’re in both of the summer shows this year and we thought it would be great to check in on the summer rep.

We talk about being in several shows at once, the differences between Leading Ladies and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, how they feel they’ve grown while being here and we hear about one truly, truly, amazing spreadsheet

You don’t want to miss it.

Brandt & Elizabeth - Carrying Lanesboro with Them

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 19:08:17 +0000

Joining me today are Brandt Roberts and Elizabeth Dunn, two longstanding company members who are heading out at the end of July.

We just thought it would be fun to share some memories and talk about their favorite moments here in their tenure here at the Commonweal.

Both have been such a wonderful part of this community both at the theatre and in Lanesboro

As Elizabeth said in her blog, you don’t leave a place like this you carry it with you and it’s wonderful to hear what they’re carrying with them from here.

Jeremy van Meter is really funny - even if you usually only see him do drama!

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 17:15:15 +0000

Joining me is Jeremy van Meter resident ensemble member and he’s playing Herb in I Ought to Be In Pictures, which has about 10 more performances and closes on June 2. We talk about how the show is going and what it’s like working on a comedy - Jeremy typically does drama here at the Commonweal. We also talk about coming back to the show after a long hiatus - about a month, including a Covid absence.

There’s plenty to catch. You don’t want to miss it. Stay tuned.

Tim & Josiah with the 2022 Season about to Open!

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:59:51 +0000

It's a Tim & Josiah pod - we talk about what’s going on at the theatre, there's a ton: rehearsals are happening, sets are being built, art is being hung in the lobby.... There’s a lot going on to prep for the opening of our 2022 season. =

And we also talk about what we do to prepare for a show - Tim is in 2 this year, Josiah is in one. But it’s a nice look at what it takes to prepare for a show and how diverse that can be from actor to actor. Everyone has their own methods and it’s a lot of fun to get into it.

There’s plenty to catch. Thanks for listening

Commonweal's first 2022 Apprentice, Grace Cummings

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:53:51 +0000

Today we’re interviewing: Grace Cummings one of our apprentices for 2022.

Grace is playing the young Hollywood hopeful, Libby, in Neil Simon’s I Ought to Be in Pictures (which we affectionately call “PICTURES”). She shares her first impressions of Lanesboro, what attracted her about the Commonweal apprenticeship, and how she believes that no matter how old you are, everyone is “coming of age.” Enjoy!

Hal & the 2022 Season Preview

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 19:35:57 +0000

Welcome to the Commonweal Theatre podcast. Josiah and Tim interview Commonweal’s Producing Artistic Director, Hal Cropp and take a look at the upcoming season. Hal told us he was a little put out that he hadn’t been invited on the podcast thus far, we thought we’d remedy that right away. As aways it’s very entertaining to talk to Hal. He does his best Boston accent for us, we talk comedy, we talk drama. You don’t want to miss it.

Tim and Josiah's First Pod

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 22:10:23 +0000

Today Tim and I talked about “January Company” - the people who depending on who you ask are either the most overworked or underworked people at the Commonweal Theatre!

There’s a ton of projects we’re working on here and we also give a little sneak peak as to what’s coming up later in the year.

There’s plenty to catch including Josiah’s fear of ladders, Regina Spektor and the last show Tim and I did together (which was over 14 years ago!)

You don’t want to miss it.

Ashley Graham - So many characters in Come Back

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:10:43 +0000

Welcome to the Commonweal Theatre podcast. Today we’re talking with Ashley Graham - Actor in Come Back. We have a great conversation, about what brought her out here and about the Come Back, some of her favorite moments and playing all those hilarious characters

You don’t want to miss it.

Matt Vichlach -Sound Designer for Come Back

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 15:47:06 +0000

Today we talk with Matt Vichlach, the sound designer for Come Back.

We have a great conversation, pulling back the curtain on his process when he designs a show, some of favorite moments from Come Back and how he got started in this whole industry.

He also shares at the end, a few music recommendations, h so don’t miss out on that.

Thanks for listening.

Elizabeth Dunn on Complete Works!

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 17:05:00 +0000

Today we’ve got a great interview with Elizabeth Dunn, Development Director at the Commonweal, and Actor in the Commonweal’s The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised].

We talk about this show, what it’s like to play yourself onstage, how to prepare for improv, and what it takes to revise a show that’s been around for a long time.

A quick note:

We recorded this in the Commonweal’s mechanical room, a place with all of our heaters and coolers and h vac systems, so if you hear a little background noise, it's not you, it's us. Just a heads up.

Thanks for joining us,

Rachel Kuhnle - Director of Dancing Lessons

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:38:46 +0000

Today I talk with Rachel Kuhnle director of Dancing Lessons. We talk about this show, what inspires her to want to direct a show, and how she gets two actors with different methods to work together.

Then we talk a little about what it’s like to work with your spouse. Full disclosure, Rachel and I are married. She directs me in plays. It can be a lot of fun and well ... you know. Thanks for listening!

The Tell Tale Heart

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 18:01:10 +0000

Enjoy this chilling tale!

Catie Glynn and Root River Anthology

Wed, 20 May 2020 20:01:26 +0000

Today I talk with Catie Glynn, local artist, about how the river inspired her to write a myriad of stories which turned into a stage play which is currently turning into a radio play co produced by the Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro Arts and her very own, Art Audacious Raw Theatre. We also talk about what it’s like to make a podcast in this time of social distancing and how this period may shape us as artists for years to come. Thanks for listening.

Conversations in Isolation: Rachel Kuhnle

Thu, 14 May 2020 14:45:25 +0000

During Shelter in Place, we at the Commonweal decided to talk about something we’re all very grateful for: the fact that we’re here, that during this time we’re here in the town we’re in, at the theatre we’re at, a part of this community we love. We’ve decided to tell the story of how we all got here, one by one. Quick 15- 20 minutes conversations, you might called them mini podcasts, to remind us all what brought us here in the first place and some of the delightful reasons we’ve stayed.

Today I’m interviewing Rachel Kuhnle, actor director, the company manager and also my wife and shelter in place compatriot. We had a good time recording this. I hope you enjoy listening.

Conversations in Isolation: Brandt Roberts

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 15:14:29 +0000

We’ve decided to tell the story of how we all got here, one by one. Quick 15- 20 minutes conversations, you might called them mini podcasts, to remind us all what brought us here in the first place and some of the delightful reasons we’ve stayed. Thanks so much for listening.

Conversations in Isolation: Kayla!

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:54:37 +0000

We’ve decided to tell the story of how we all got here, one by one. Quick 15- 20 minutes conversations, little mini podcasts, to remind us all what brought us here in the first place and some of the delightful reasons we’ve stayed. Thanks so much for listening.

Conversations in Isolation: How We Got Here - Elizabeth Dunn

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:53:04 +0000

Conversations in Isolation: How we got here series. In these mini pods we ask each of our resident company members to share what brought them to Lanesboro in the first place and what made them stay.

Brandt Roberts and The Fox 4.2.20

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 15:34:32 +0000

So today, to talk about the production, I brought in the director Brandt Roberts. We talk about highlights and good memories from the rehearsal process and limited run of the show and we talk a little about what it’s like to be an artist in this world.

A quick note: we recorded this before the shelter in place was in effect, but we did practice good social distancing. Thanks for listening.

Adrienne Sweeney and Scrooge and Photos and more - Commonweal Theatre Podcast

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 22:37:07 +0000

Today Adrienne and I talk about the upcoming season, She’s playing Scrooge in a Christmas Carol and got to try on the character for just a little bit at our yearly photo shoot.

A quick note: We recorded this podcast before Covid changed all of… everything. I Ought to be in Pictures is currently Postponed and we’re not sure when it will take our mainstage. Still. The postponement has done nothing to diminish Adrienne’s enthusiasm, personal connection and love for this show and we thought, given everything, it would be nice to share in that joy and that enthusiasm.

Jeremy van Meter and Auditions and Doubt - Commonweal Theatre Podcast

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 18:53:02 +0000

Jeremy and I talk about the upcoming season, he’s playing Father Flynn in Doubt -we talk about that and what it’s like to take on an intense role, we talk about one of his other project this year a one man show Circumference of a Squirrel and we talk about auditions, what the audition process is like, share some stories about auditioning some advice, some really good stuff. Thanks for listening!

Ben Gorman and An Iliad - Commonweal Theatre Podcast

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 17:55:17 +0000

Welcome to the Commonweal Theatre Podcast, today we’ve got a great interview with Commonweal’s very own Ben Gorman who is performing in a one man show, an Iliad, back for one performance only, in Lanesboro, on Sunday January 19th at 1:30PM

Ben and I talk about performing in a one person show, how this show picked him, his upcoming tour of an Iliad, what audiences bring to the theatre, and much much more. You don’t want to miss it.

To get tickets to An Iliad, Click Here