Syracuse (On)Stage:
Introducing the new podcast Syracuse (On)Stage where we pull back the curtain and explore the process of creating theatre in Central New York. Hosted by Melissa Crespo, Associate Artistic Director, go behind the scenes with a variety of artists and creators making theatre here at Syracuse Stage and beyond.
Available on WCNY Community FM, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
OUR HOST:
Melissa CrespoEPISODE 27 “The Healing Power of Art” with Rochele Royster
Rochele Royster, artist, educator, and licensed art therapist, talks with host Melissa Crespo about the healing benefits of the arts and the upcoming production of 'Primary Trust.’
OUR GUEST:
Rochelle RoysterEPISODE 26 “Cinderella” with Brian Cimmet and Jessica Chen
The annual co-production between Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University Department of Drama proudly features "Cinderella" in the 24/25 Season. Music Director Brian Cimmet and Choreographer Jessica Chen speak with host Melissa Crespo about their work on the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.
OUR GUESTS:
Brian Cimmet
Jessica ChenEPISODE 25 “Dial M for Murder with Costume Designer Lux Haac”
Costume designer Lux Haac speaks with host Melissa Crespo about her designs for Syracuse Stage’s production of Dial M for Murder. The show runs October 16 through November 3.
OUR GUEST:
Lux HaacEPISODE 24 “How the Arts Impact our Local Economy with Travis Newton”
There is an entire economic ecosystem connected to the creative economy. And whether you’re onstage, in the box office, or the audience, we’re all a part of it. Dr. Travis Newton from Le Moyne College reveals the financial impact of arts & culture organizations in Central NY.
OUR GUEST:
Dr. Travis NewtonEPISODE 23 “50 Years of Syracuse Stage; An Oral History”
Throughout its 50th anniversary season, audience members were invited to record a memory of their experiences at Syracuse Stage. Recorded in an audio booth located right in their lobby, enjoy a short compilation of the Syracuse Stage oral history.
EPISODE 22 “Once”
For this episode, director Melissa Crespo sits down with Once cast members Ana Marcu (Girl) and Pearl Rhein (Emcee). Marcu is a Syracuse University Department Drama alum (class of 2016), and Rhein also serves as the production’s music director.
OUR GUESTS:
Ana Marcu
Pearl Rhein
EPISODE 21 “The Department of Drama Co-Production”
David Lowenstein (Professor & Actor) and Madison Manning (SU Drama sophomore) talk with host Melissa Crespo about the annual co-productions between Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University's Department of Drama.
OUR GUESTS:
David Lowenstein
Madison ManningEPISODE 20 “Murder on the Orient Express with Bob Hupp & Jason O'Connell”
Artistic Director Bob Hupp, and actor Jason O’Connell talk about their work on Agatha Christie’s 'Murder on the Orient Express,' adapted by Ken Ludwig, coming up next at Syracuse Stage.
OUR GUESTS:
Bob Hupp
Andrea VernaeEPISODE 19 “Clyde’s”
Syracuse Stage presents Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage, a co-production with Portland Center Stage. Syracuse (On)Stage host Melissa Crespo talks with the show’s director, Chip Miller (Associate Artistic Director of PCS), and actor Andrea Vernae, who plays the title role. Clyde's runs January 31 - February 18.
OUR GUESTS:
Chip Miller
Andrea VernaeEPISODE 18 “Talking Theatre with Jim Clark”
Jim Clark’s decades long history with Syracuse Stage spans all the way back to his appointment as managing director in 1976. In honor of the 50th anniversary season, Jim joins host Melissa Crespo to talk about his leadership tenure at Syracuse Stage.
OUR GUEST:
Jim ClarkEPISODE 17 “A Christmas Carol”
As the weather turns cold, audiences will warm their hearts this holiday season with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama, Syracuse Stage is pleased to welcome back director Melissa Rain Anderson, along with Ben Franklin and Joshua Dean from 2 Ring Circus, who sit down with Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo and talk about this unique adaptation by Richard Hellesen and David DeBerry.
OUR GUESTS:
Melissa Rain Anderson
Joshua Dean
Ben FranklinEPISODE 16 “ Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”
Next up on the main stage, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson. Director, Jade King Carroll and actor Tracey Conner Lee discuss what it takes to conjure the life of the legendary Billie Holiday.
OUR GUESTS:
Jade King Carroll
Tracey Conyer LeeEPISODE 15: “What the Constitution Means to Me”
Actors, Mel House and Phillip Taratula, sit down with director Melissa Crespo and discuss the upcoming production of "What the Constitution Means to Me." Heidi Schreck’s Tony and Pulitzer nominated play is the first show of Syracuse Stage’s 50th Anniversary Season.
OUR GUESTS:
Mel House
Phillip TaratulaEPISODE 13 + 14: Talking Theatre with Robert Moss
Robert Moss, former Artistic Director of Syracuse Stage, sits down with Melissa Crespo to reminisce about his time at Syracuse Stage and his life in the theatre.
OUR GUEST:
Robert MossEPISODE 12 : Celebrating 50 Years of Syracuse Stage
The 2023/2024 Season marks the 50th Anniversary of Syracuse Stage! Associate Artistic Director, Melissa Crespo, talks with 50th Anniversary Coordinator Joseph Whelan and Artistic Director Bob Hupp about our upcoming season.
OUR GUESTS:
Bob HuppJoseph WhelanEPISODE 11 : “Clue”
Syracuse Stage brings the hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery play, Clue, to our main stage. Artistic Director Bob Hupp and Scenic Designer Czerton Lim (The Play That Goes Wrong) talk with Melissa Crespo about big plays that feel like musicals. Clue runs June 7-25.
OUR GUESTS:
Bob HuppCzerton LimEPISODE 10 : “Tender Rain”
Syracuse Stage is proud to present the world premiere of 'Tender Rain,' by Kyle Bass. He is joined by Tracy Dorman, Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer, to discuss this highly anticipated new play by our Resident Playwright.
OUR GUESTS:
Kyle BassTracy DormanEPISODE 9 : “Our Town”
Artistic Director Bob Hupp and actor Jim True-Frost discuss Syracuse Stage’s upcoming production of Thornton Wilder’s classic 'Our Town.' Hupp directs 'Our Town' in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Wilder’s birth, and True-Frost from HBO’s 'The Wire,' 'Treme,' and 'Boardwalk Empire' returns to Syracuse Stage as the Stage Manager.
OUR GUESTS:
Jim True-FrostBob HuppSyracuse Stage presents the East coast premiere Espejos: Clean by Christine Quintana with Spanish translation and adaptation by Paula Zelaya-Cervantes. Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo directs the co-production with Hartford Stage and discusses the play’s origins, the process of translation, and the power of representation in theatre with Christine and Paula.
EPISODE 8 : “Espejos: Clean”
Christine QuintanaPaula Zelaya Cervantes
OUR GUESTS:
Disney’s The Little Mermaid director Melissa Rain Anderson takes us through this timeless tale re-imagined on stage with 2 Ring Circus. Along with the show’s ‘Ursula’ played by Crystal Sha’nae, host Melissa Crespo delves into the process of this exciting co-production between Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama.
EPISODE 7 : “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
OUR GUESTS:
Melissa Rain AndersonCrystal Sha’nae
EPISODE 6 : "On Theatre & Criticism"
Eric Grode, Sarah Rose Leonard, and Brittani Samuel discuss the state of theatre and how critics navigate an ever-changing landscape. Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo moderates this panel discussion part of the 22/23 Cold Read Festival.
OUR GUESTS:
Eric GrodeSarah Rose Leonard 
Brittani Samuel EPISODE 5: "New Work for Young Audiences"
Ty Defoe, Dwayne Hartford, and Karen Zacarías discuss what it means to create and present Theatre for Young Audiences. Moderated by Associate Director of Education Kate Laissle as part of the 22/23 Cold Read Festival.
OUR GUESTS:
Ty DefoeDwayne HartfordKate LaissleKaren Zacarías
Maggie-Kate Coleman, Robi Hager, Ben Holtzman, Sammy Lopez, and Kathleen Wrinn discuss what goes into making a new musical. From the classroom to Broadway, musical theatre creators discuss the trials and triumphs of what it takes to make a musical. Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo moderates this panel discussion part of the 22/23 Cold Read Festival.Available to stream through WCNY and wherever you get your podcasts.
EPISODE 4: “Creating New Musicals”
OUR GUESTS:
Maggie-Kate ColemanRobi Hager
Ben HoltzmanSammy LopezKathleen WrinnPlaywrights Kyle Bass, Sarah Mantell, and Paula Vogel discuss how creative artists envision a future and develop new work as part of the Cold Read Festival. How do these writers generate new ideas? How will their work impact the future of playwriting? Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo moderates this panel discussion part of the 22/23 Cold Read Festival.
Available to stream through WCNY and wherever you get your podcasts.EPISODE 3: “On The Future of New Plays”
OUR GUESTS:
Kyle BassSarah Mantell
Paula VogelInterdisciplinary artist, Ty Defoe (@tydefoe) talks about the development of his play Our Words Are Seeds, scheduled to premiere in the Backstory Program in February 2023. He is joined by the play’s director, Joann Yarrow (@joannyarrow), who is also the Director of Community Engagement and Engagement at Syracuse Stage, and host Melissa Crespo (@melanncrespo) breaks down the new play development process and why Our Words Are Seeds is also part of the Cold Read Festival of New Work.
Available to stream through WCNY and wherever you get your podcasts.EPISODE 2: Ty Defoe's "Our Words Are Seeds"
OUR GUESTS:
Ty DefoeJoann Yarrow
EPISODE 1: Meet the writers of How to Dance in Ohio, Rebekah Greer Melocik & Jacob Yandurah
How to Dance in Ohio writers Rebekah Greer Melocik and Jacob Yandura sit down with Syracuse Stage Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo and talk about their world premiere musical which opened our 22/23 season.
Available to stream through WCNY and wherever you get your podcasts.
OUR GUESTS:
Jacob YanduraRebekah Greer Melocik