Today we sit down with Award-Winning Actor, Director & Playwright Margo Hall and Juilliard graduate Philip Andre Botello. Hall (Soul, Blindspotting) joins us in discussing authenticity onscreen and committing to a character. She also speaks to the incomparable training of onstage acting--a foundation for her rich and multi-faceted career. Botello (Criminal Minds, Sunset on the River Styx, The Art of Self-Defense) speaks on his talents as an actor, as well as the challenges he faced as a mixed race performer and the difficulties it produced in finding his place.

Theatre Corner

Margo Hall and Phillip Andre Botello | KPBS

Sit down with two remarkable artists paving their own way in the entertainment industry with no shortage of skill and talent. Kia Leiani joins us from Texas as a rapper fresh off her newest single, “Balloons.” Kia and Michael discuss some of the technical aspects of rap and its similarities to theatre performance. Matthew Elam (Chicago P.D., The Many Saints of Newark, Fargo) dives into the process of getting bitten by the acting bug, and his nomination for an NAACP Image Award. This episode explores young blossoming talent and their trajectory in the changing landscapes of their respective industries.

Kia Leiani and Matthew Elam | KPBS

Meet up-and-coming gifted performer Faithe Nibbe and Director and Lyricist Viviana Peji. Nibbe (AGT, Spine Chilling Stories, Rebels) discusses the focus and energy it takes to balance her interests and talents, and her recent achievement of signing with NBCUniversal at such an incredibly young age. Peji joins us from San Diego, where she shares some of her experiences as both a young actor, and now an instructor and educator for young talent in need of a little shaping. Each guest also gives us a peek into their budding interest to operate behind the camera.

Faith Nibbe and Viviana Peji | KPBS

Today we sit down with two powerhouses of talent in the theatre, television, and film scene. Dedrick Weathersby and Tisha Campbell join us to chat about their trials and tribulations in our industry. Weathersby (2020 Broadway Worlds Award Winner for Best Lead Actor), speaks to us about his titular role as James Brown, soul and spirituality onstage, and his guilty pleasure of karaoke. Campbell (Martin, My Wife and Kids, Little Shop of Horrors) discusses her incomparable career and where she feels most comfortable in her vast variety of talents and skills.

Tisha Campbell and Dedrick Weathersby | KPBS

In this episode, we catch up with two giants at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Delicia Sonnenberg, founder of the Moxie Theatre in San Diego, discusses her unique path to following her passion of emotionally moving audiences with performances on the stage. Perez, head of an MFA program along with many other feathers in his cap, discusses the individual experiences of the effects of BIPOC performers onstage. Each guest provides their own take on making their way through the maze of entertainment and cornering their passion.

Delicia Turner Sonnenberg and Jesse Perez | KPBS

Today we sit down with two individuals that are no short on talent, onstage actor Rene Thornton Jr. and singer-songwriter Maline Moye. Thornton Jr. speaks with us about the importance of diversity on stage, and what it’s like to be a unicorn in the theatre world. Moye chats about her impenetrable will to fuse pop and funk with the guitar, while reflecting on her time as #1 on the Billboard charts.

Rene Thornton Jr. and Malina Moye | KPBS

Today we sit down with Phillip Andre Botello, a Julliard graduate already making his mark on the film industry. Fresh out of films such as "The Art of Self-Defense," "Pledge," and "Sunset On The River Styx," Phillip talks about his experiences, training, and how acting literally saved his life.

Phillip Andre Botello

Sit down with Kia Leiani, a rapper based out of Texas who has just released her new single, "Balloons." Kia and Michael discuss some of the technical aspects of rap and the similarities of rap performance and theatre.   Learn more at www.theatrecorner.org

Kia Leiani

Faith Nibbe has done a lot in 15 years, from theatre performances to signing contracts with NBC Universal. Sit down with Theatre Corner as we delve into a new segment we like to call, the "Youth Actor Series," exploring child actors on their journeys to follow their dreams.   www.theatrecorner.org

Faith Nibbe | Youth Actor Series

Today, we sit down with two legendary figures in the entertainment industry, director Sheldon Epps (Frasier, Girlfriends) and Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show). Epps discusses his tenure at the Pasadena Playhouse, his favorite pieces he directed, and what it takes to tackle important issues through art. Rashad provides her advice to young actors and details her first acting experience.

Sheldon Epps and Phylicia Rashad | KPBS

In this episode we sit down with two incredible actors, Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Steve Harvey Show, The Game) and Ro Boddie. Robinson, an NAACP Image award winner, talks about her career, her conservatory, and the difference between performing for a live audience versus a camera. Boddie discusses his performance in the one-man-show, “Every Brilliant Thing,” and what it means to have illegal fun.

Wendy Raquel Robinson and Ro Boddie | KPBS

Today, we travel up to the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles to speak with actors DB Woodside (Lucifer, 24) and Kelly McCreary (Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19), who are both performing in Dominique Morrisseau’s play, “The Skeleton Crew”. Woodside discusses slipping into a character’s skin, and how he accidentally became an actor. McCreary talks about what consistently draws her back to the stage.

DB Woodside and Kelly McCreary | KPBS

Theatre Corner sits down with actor/comedian Mark Christopher Lawrence (Chuck, The Pursuit of Happyness) and artistic director L. Peter Callender. Lawrence talks about his career, getting started in the industry, and how he killed a guy with comedy. Callender discusses his role at the African-American Shakespeare Company and Blacks in theatre.

Mark Christopher Lawrence and L. Peter Callender | KPBS

Today on Theatre Corner, we catch up with actor Alimi Ballard (Queen of the South, Numb3rs) and opera singer Michelle Bradley. Ballard discusses his past roles, introduction to acting, and discovering the key players in his life. Bradley speaks on her experiences training abroad and her role as “Aida” in her U.S. debut.

Alimi Ballard and Michelle Bradley | KPBS

Actors Dulé Hill (Psych, The West Wing) and Daniel J. Watts (Hamilton) sit down with Michael Taylor at the Geffen Playhouse to discuss their roles in the new hit musical, “Lights Out: Nat ‘King’ Cole”.

Dulé Hill and Daniel J. Watts | KPBS

Theatre Corner is an interview series dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the national theatre scene. Episodes consist of interviews with professionals from all aspects of the theatre industry.