Shows
Steps To The StageSteampunk Christmas Carol On Stage: STTS IESend us a textThis holiday story gets new gears. We sit down with the Riverside Community Players team bringing a steampunk A Christmas Carol to life—complete with in‑the‑round staging, layered costumes, and a cast that looks and sounds like Riverside. From the first “God bless us” to the final curtain, the conversation uncovers how a first-time director balances reverence for Dickens with the courage to reimagine the world he wrote.We talk through Sage’s path back to the stage, the decision to lean into steampunk aesthetics, and the practical realities of building...
2025-12-0629 min
Steps To The StageMiracle on 34th Street The Play: Holiday MagicSend us a textA small stage, a big cast, and a 1940s reset bring fresh heart to Miracle on 34th Street as we explore belief, courage, and community. We share how volunteers, teachers, and first-timers shape a classic into something intimate, warm, and alive.• why we chose Miracle on 34th Street and set it in the 1940s• how a large ensemble, kids to grandparents, powers the show• Doris Walker’s arc as a frank, working single mother• crafting Fred Gailey’s warmth and courtroom grit• Jack’s return after 30 years and finding Kris...
2025-11-2447 min
Trammin' - A Disneyland PodcastTopic'verse: Kirk & Rain Get Away from it AllBig Thunder Topic from The Trammin'verse: Kirk & Rain Get Away from it AllKirk & Rain, should stay in their lane.But the escape is just too alluring.And if they leave, there is much to gain.With rest, there will be healing.The reason to leave, is maybe to breathe.Get away from it all, and enjoy the air this fall.At the end is return, and so much to learn.The rest that we earn, fades away and we yearn....
2025-11-121h 57
Trammin' - A Disneyland PodcastTrammin’verse: Kirk & Rain Get Away from it AllKirk & Rain, should stay in their lane.But the escape is just too alluring.And if they leave, there is much to gain.With rest, there will be healing.The reason to leave, is maybe to breathe.Get away from it all, and enjoy the air this fall.At the end is return, and so much to learn.The rest that we earn, fades away and we yearn.Listen to full episodes every Windsday and topic-only uploads on Big Thunder Thursdays!...
2025-11-052h 38
The Coffee Show with Kirk PearsonNoma, Worlds Best Restaurant, Opens A Cafe! With Carolyne LaneAs part of our recent tour or Europe, Kirk stopped by Copenhagen where he discovered that the #1 Restaurant in the world has opened a coffee bar! Kirk was the first customer and managed to secure an interview with Noma Head of Coffee Carolyne Lane inside the new space. So why have Noma ventured into coffee? And what are their plans in the future? WIll Noma's world leading expertise on fermentation be part of a broader collaboration in the future? Find out on this episode of the Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson! Like this...
2025-11-0358 min
Steps To The StageLord of the Flies: Two Casts, One StorySend us a textPower is easy to claim and hard to carry—especially when the rules fall away. We take you inside a bold staging of Lord of the Flies led by a first-time director who turns rehearsal into a living workshop on leadership, morality, and what it means to build a tribe. The twist: two full casts, one male and one female, telling the same story from different lived experiences to expose how gender, socialization, and pressure shape our choices when the conch hits the sand.You’ll hear how the production was desi...
2025-10-1336 min
The Buck Stops HereTop 30 NFL Hall of Fame Hopefuls: Kirk Buchner’s Ultimate CountdownIn this special episode of The Buck Stops Here, Kirk Buchner and Paul Lawrence dive deep into the top 30 active NFL players on Kirk’s “Not In Hall of Fame” Pro Football Monitor. From overlooked offensive linemen to controversial quarterbacks, they break down who’s closest to Canton—and who might never get there.🔥 Who’s rising, who’s fading, and who’s already a lock?🏆 Featuring insights on:• Aaron Rodgers• Bobby Wagner• Patrick Mahomes• Mike Evans• Von Miller …and many more!📊 Based on Kirk’s annual Hall of Fame Monitor rankings, this countdown blends stats, peak performance, and positional bias into one epic debate.•...
2025-09-251h 38
Steps To The StageDreams Deferred: A Raisin in the SunSend us a textWhat happens when dreams wait too long? This timeless question drives Lorraine Hansberry's masterpiece A Raisin in the Sun, now coming to life at Chino Community Theater under TonI Lynd's passionate direction.Set in 1950s Chicago, the play follows a family whose members each nurture distinct dreams while sharing cramped quarters in a run-down apartment. As director Toni explains, "Each one of the family members has a dream to get out of there and to go on with their life, and I think most people can relate to a dream." The...
2025-09-0636 min
Steps To The StageSTTSIE Riverside Community Players: Unveiling Agatha Christie's Towards ZeroSend us a textDive into the fascinating world of forgotten theatrical treasures with our premiere episode of Steps to the Stage Inland Empire! We're pulling back the curtain on Agatha Christie's "Towards Zero," a mystery play with a remarkable history that vanished from the stage for decades after its American debut in the 1940s.Director Christopher Diehl and cast members Emma Kuhn and Veronique Poutre' take us behind the scenes at Riverside Community Players, now celebrating its astonishing 101st season. Together they unravel the mystery of how this Christie gem disappeared from theatrical history...
2025-08-2250 min
A Grain of SandersonThe Emperor's Soul & Legion - Episode 17 w/ Kirk HamiltonWe read two novellas this month, The Emperor's Soul is really good! Legion is the craziest thing we've ever read for the show (and maybe off the show too). Huge thanks to Kirk for guesting on this episode, you can find all his information here. https://kirkhamilton.com/ Next month we'll be discussing The Rithmatist and the End of A Memory of LightContent warnings for this episode: ableism, Abu Sayyaf, assassination, atheism, betrayal, bleeding, blood magic, body horror, body modification, bombing, braindeath, broken bones, Catholicism, Christianity, classism, death, discussion of sexuality, enemies to...
2025-08-022h 31
Steps To The StageImagination Takes Center Stage: Inside Seussical the MusicalSend us a textStep into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as 7th Street Community Theatre presents "Seussical the Musical," a production where imagination takes center stage and the boundaries between reality and fantasy beautifully blur.This episode of Steps to the Stage takes listeners behind the curtain with the creative team bringing this beloved show to life. At the heart of this production is Mickey Estrella, making her directorial debut with the very show that sparked her theatrical journey as a child performer in 2013. Now studying directing at Hofstra University, Mickey returns to...
2025-07-2932 min
Steps To The StageBehind the Scenes of UrinetownSend us a textWhat happens when actors become directors? The latest episode of Steps to the Stage takes you behind the scenes with the creative team of "Urinetown the Musical" as they prepare for opening night at 7th Street Community Theatre.Co-directors Luke Hooganraad and Marcy Pinedo share the exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming experience of their directorial debuts after years of performing on stage. "There's definitely moments where I forget that I'm the adult in the room," Marcy laughs, highlighting the unexpected responsibilities that come with creative leadership. Their journey from receiving a random...
2025-06-2729 min
Steps To The StageBehind the Mole Hill: Children's Theater From Page to StageSend us a textDive into the enchanting world of "The Mole Hill Stories" with director Jesse Pyle as she unveils the creative journey behind Chino Community Theater's latest production. This magical bilingual adaptation transforms three beloved children's tales by Lois Ehlert into a celebration of friendship, nature, and cultural diversity.What makes this production truly special is its focus on developing new talent. Half of the twelve-member cast are making their theatrical debuts, while student directors Sebastian Olguin and Maya Mansour guide individual segments under Pyle's mentorship. The production features a vibrant, interactive set...
2025-06-1224 min
Dropped Among This CrowdA Conversation with Musician, Podcast Host & Producer Kirk Lane (Part One)This week on the show, host Sara J is joined by musician, podcast host, and producer Kirk Lane for an epic two-part episode you won’t want to miss.In Part One, Sara and Kirk dive deep into the idea of finding your "inner fame," the wisdom of Linda Wolf’s book Tribute, and Kirk's love for the Grateful Dead. They chat about the magic of seeing shows at The Sphere, the spark that led Kirk to pick up a guitar, and his journey through his first originals band.Kirk shares stories from the thousands of s...
2025-05-201h 21
Steps To The StageBuilding a Student-Led Theatre Program at Ayala Theatre CompanySend us a textWhat happens when a teacher trusts students to create theatrical magic? In this captivating conversation from Ayala High School's drama department, we discover how one unexpected career twist transformed English teacher Madeline Sherritt into a theater director who puts students firmly in the driver's seat.Technical Director Aiden Kitavis and Assistant Director Karly Welsh share their journeys from theater newcomers to program leaders, revealing how the department's unique approach fosters both artistic growth and personal development. Rather than micromanaging, Ms. Sherritt creates an environment where students design sets, manage tech, direct...
2025-05-1245 min
Steps To The StageBending The Spoon: 3 on the Edge FestivalSend us a textHow often do audiences get to experience a play directed by its own playwright? In this enlightening episode of Steps to the Stage, we take you behind the scenes of "Bending the Spoon," part of Chino Community Theatre's Three on the Edge Festival, where writer-director Ken Lay brings his own creation to life.The play centers on a three-generation family preparing to celebrate a sweet sixteen birthday that unexpectedly resurrects a 20-year-old family tragedy. While the premise might sound heavy, Lay promises plenty of laughter amidst the tears, creating a richly...
2025-05-0623 min
Steps To The StageSavage in Limbo: 3 on the Edge FestivalSend us a textRegret, change, and the peculiar state of limbo take center stage in our riveting conversation with the cast and director of "Savage in Limbo," part of Chino Community Theatre's Three on the Edge Festival. This John Patrick Shanley one-act transports audiences to a seedy Bronx bar circa 1984, where five characters who've known each other since grade school find their lives unexpectedly intersecting on a quiet Monday night.Director Michelle Knight-Reinhart and her talented cast—Alex Huey (Denise Savage), Bodhi Aguirre (Tony Aronica), and Rafael Ortega (Merc)—delve into Shanley's distinctive writing styl...
2025-05-0221 min
Steps To The StageBreathing Corpses: 3 on the Edge FestivalSend us a textDeath has a way of revealing who we truly are. In this captivating episode of Steps to the Stage, we dive deep into one of the most intriguing productions in the Three on the Edge Festival – "Breathing Corpses" by British playwright Laura Wade.Director Lauren Bell and actors John Nisbet and Amanda Flanagan take us behind the scenes of this darkly comedic play that unfolds in reverse chronological order. Beginning with a hotel maid discovering a dead body, the narrative moves backward through interconnected scenes that reveal how death impacts various ch...
2025-04-2920 min
Steps To The StageFeed Me, Seymour: Little Shop of Horrors Comes to 7th StreetSend us a textA 1200-pound puppet in two massive crates. A first-time actor at age 54. A female voice for the traditionally male Audrey II. This is not your average Little Shop of Horrors—and that's precisely what makes it special.The creative team behind 7th Street Community Theater's upcoming production sits down to reveal how they're transforming this beloved cult musical for their intimate stage. Director Juan Luis Torres and his cast—including Derek Ashley-Macumber (Seymour/Costume Designer), Mark Agers (Mushnik), and Adam Carl-Payton (Orin)—share their personal connections to a show that has captiv...
2025-04-0228 min
Steps To The StageLetting Creativity Fly: The Making of Schoolhouse Rock LiveSend us a textDiscover the magic of Schoolhouse Rock as our talented team discusses the evocation of childhood nostalgia and the fostering of creativity in youth theater. The episode resonates with stories that intertwine personal experiences with educational foundations in theater.• Introduction to Schoolhouse Rock live • The conceptual backbone of Schoolhouse Rock's storytelling • Collaboration and mentorship in choreography and music direction • The incorporation of educational themes in children's theater • Personal stories connecting the hosts to Schoolhouse Rock • Closing thoughts on the importance of nurturing young talent Weekends March 7th through...
2025-03-0224 min
Steps To The StageEmpowering Young Talent in Theater: Ontario High School Drama DepartmentSend us a textThe episode highlights Ontario High School's thriving theater program, focusing on its recent renovations and the upcoming production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The conversation emphasizes the importance of student involvement, community support, and the transformative power of theater in fostering creativity and collaboration among young individuals.• Recent theater renovations enhancing student experiences • Student involvement in selecting and preparing for productions • Challenges and creativity in producing special effects • Reflection on past productions and their impact on growth • Importance of community support for successful theater programs • Goals of fosterin...
2025-02-1528 min
Steps To The Stage'Steel Magnolias': Friendship & Resilience in a Southern SalonSend us a textWhat happens when the joys and sorrows of life unfold in a Southern salon filled with laughter and tears? Join us on Steps to the Stage as we welcome director Dona Rice and cast members Stephanie and Jessie, who bring "Steel Magnolias" to life with remarkable warmth and depth. Dona shares a heartfelt synopsis, highlighting the resilience of Southern women against the backdrop of this beloved classic. Stephanie and Jessie, who portray Ouiser and M'Lynn, offer a peek into their characters’ journeys, navigating the complexities of friendship, love, and the ever-evolving mother-daughter bond. To...
2025-01-0624 min
Soul SiStoriesFinding Inspiration: Kirk Lane's Journey of Hope and ConnectionSend us a textHave you ever encountered a simple white feather and felt an overwhelming sense of hope wash over you? Join us as we explore how the smallest symbols of hope can guide us through life's challenges. In this episode, we share heartfelt stories and personal journeys that highlight the transformative power of storytelling. Discover how listening and being present can foster a sense of belonging, and learn how seemingly mundane experiences can be infused with love and hope.Our guest, Kirk Lane, offers insightful perspectives on inspiration and the meaning of life...
2024-12-1853 min
Steps To The StageIt's a Wonderful Life A Live Radio Play & CCT Season RevealSend us a textWhat if you could bring the charm of a 1940s radio play to the stage, all while presenting the venerable classic, It's A Wonderful Life? On "Steps to the Stage," we explore this intriguing blend with director Chris Diehl and actors Philip Kasinski, Lourie Deards Chase, and Danny Chase as they breathe new life into "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play." Our guests share how this innovative format allows theater companies to capture the magic of the beloved film without the need for an extensive cast and elaborate settings. Listen in...
2024-11-2828 min
Steps To The StageSoul SiStories Trailer: Finding Hope Through Creativity w/Brianna McDonnellSend us a textWhat happens when hope meets creativity? Dona Rice, an intuitive medium and author, alongside Diana Herweck, a seasoned therapist and counselor, invite you to embark on an emotional journey in their premiere podcast episode featuring LA-based performer and creative powerhouse Brianna McDonnell. We promise you’ll encounter stories that illuminate the path of resilience and growth, drawing inspiration from Brianna's experiences as she breaks barriers and honors the legacy of women who preceded her. This episode encapsulates the essence of finding hope through creativity, a theme that resonates deeply within our own personal na...
2024-11-0408 min
Steps To The StageReimagining 'Carrie': Empowering Storytelling Through Theater and Music with Marlee & AllisonSend us a textAllison and Marlee, the visionary directors of a unique community theater production of "Carrie," join us to share their intriguing adaptation of Stephen King's classic tale. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, this take on "Carrie" revives the musical version, infusing it with the raw energy of King's novel and De Palma's film. Our conversation unveils Sue as the central storyteller, guiding the audience through a police interrogation-style narrative that explores the complexity of memory and perspective—guaranteeing a gripping theatrical experience.We tackle the profound themes of trauma and po...
2024-10-0832 min
Steps To The StageBehind the Curtain: Inside Claremont High School's Thriving Theater ProgramSend us a textCurious about how a high school theater department thrives in today's competitive extracurricular landscape? Join us on "Steps to the Stage" as we shine a spotlight on the Claremont High School theater department. We'll kick off our journey with an intimate conversation with Director Mohamed Mangrio, who shares his inspiring path to leading this energetic program. Alongside him, Avin Bessono, co-president of Troop 2129, opens up about the joys and challenges of leading the Thespians. Plus, hear from Zoe Averagell and Moxie Moore, the dynamic duo behind the theater's social media presence, as they...
2024-09-1437 min
Steps To The StageThe Ripple Effect of Lies: Unveiling 'The Children's Hour' with Toni Lynd and CastSend us a textWhat happens when a lie spirals out of control and destroys lives? In this episode of "Steps to the Stage," we explore the compelling story behind "The Children's Hour" with director Toni Lynd and cast members Tiffany McMahon, Tracy Lay, and Madison Diaz. Toni offers a deep dive into his creative vision, revealing what motivated her to bring this timeless drama to the stage. As we unpack the narrative, you'll gain insight into how the play resonates in today's era of social media and rapid information spread. Tiffany, Tracy, and Madison share their...
2024-09-1029 min
Steps To The StageBringing Childhood Dreams to the Stage: Andrea's Journey with "Chitty Chitty Bang BangSend us a textWhat if your childhood dreams could come to life on stage? This episode of "Steps to the Stage" promises an enchanting look into the world of community theater as we chat with Andrea, the spirited first-time director of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." From the magical storyline of a race car saved from the scrapyard to the charming musical numbers that captivate audiences of all ages, Andrea's passion and dedication to bringing this beloved show to life are nothing short of inspiring. Through her heartfelt recounting, listeners gain insight into the journey from the...
2024-07-2820 min
Steps To The StageThe Heart of Tuck Everlasting: With Shawna Rumbaugh & Colin ThomasSend us a textWhat if living forever wasn't as wonderful as it seems? Unpack the timeless tale of "Tuck Everlasting" with us as director Shawna and actor Colin share their intimate connections to this captivating story. Hear Shawna recount her journey from reading the novel with her children to realizing her dream of bringing it to the stage. Colin dives into the emotional depths of portraying characters grappling with immortality and the profound realizations about life's true meaning that arise from their eternal existence. Together, we explore how the Tuck family's perspectives on eternal life provide...
2024-06-2819 min