#31 Paloma Young

This week’s guest is the delightful Costume Designer Paloma Young! Paloma went from designing the workshop production of ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ to winning a Tony Award for her designs and she takes us through the whole crazy journey. From her humble beginning as the ‘local’ hire, to a moment of shear panic when presenting the costumes for the first time, to Christian Borle turning a costume piece into comic gold, to costuming multiple companies at one time, and finally to the bizarre experience of seeing her work copied in subsequent licensed productions. Cory and Paloma also chat about her work on ‘Natasha Pierre & the Great Comet…’ and ‘Fly by Night’, the unpredictable reason an actor once was hesitant about his costume, and what Paloma’s own clothes say about herself in the play that is real life. Enjoy!

#30 Tim Rogers-Part 2

Happy Thanksgiving! Your waistline isn’t the only thing bursting at the seams this year. Welcome to part two of our doubled-stuffed episode with Moving Light Programmer Tim Rogers. This week, Tim is joined by friend of the show Jason Lyons! Jason and Tim tell us how they first started working together and how they’ve established a shared language and style over their many years of shows. They also discuss the process for their current hit, ‘On the Town’, why they like sitting next to each other at the tech table, how they drive associates crazy, the artistic devision of labor when it comes to lighting a scene, and common mistakes young lighting designers might make when working with a new programmer. And learn what your show has been missing this whole time…a little color called “slalmon.”

#29 Tim Rogers-Part 1

Welcome to a special two-part interview with Moving Light Programmer Tim Rogers. In this week’s episode, Cory and Tim discuss the history of the ML programmer on Broadway, the importance of the community of programmers, and his process, from sitting down at the desk for the first time until opening night. Tim shares stories from working with Howell Binkley, Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, what it’s like trying to balance work and a family that includes three kids, and discusses the departmental nuances between the lighting designer, the associate and the programmer. SPEAKING of which…come back next week for part two when Jason Lyons joins the conversation as we give you access inside the world of a designer and his long time programmer in a way like never before.

#28 Adam Koch

This week’s guest is scenic designer Adam Koch! Adam and Cory go way back and discuss how they met 10 years ago at Pittsburgh CLO. Adam shares stories of shows at The Muny, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Signature Theatre and how he approaches designing sets for big musicals like ‘Miss Saigon’, ‘Big Fish’, ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Kiss of the Spiderwoman’ and more. Cory and Adam also muse on topics such as designing for every seat in the house, why too much success too early is not always a good thing, what it’s like to design a Broadway show that never gets produced, and Adam recounts a moment of horror that happened at the infamous Black Party (hint: it’s not what you think…and keep it clean listeners!)

#27 Wilson Chin

The podcast returns this week with set designer Wilson Chin! Wilson has created beautiful sets for theatres across the country and he and Cory discuss many of those designs including ‘Othello’ and ‘The Winter’s Tale’ at the Old Globe, ‘My Mañana Comes’ at The Playwrights Realm and his current design for ‘By the Water’ at Manhattan Theatre Club. Hear Wilson talk about the tricks to making intricately detailed interiors onstage, why he likes ceilings in his sets, and how a background in architecture led to his current career. He also discusses the influences of his mentors like Santo Loquasto, Michael Yeargan, and Riccardo Hernandez and Cory and Wilson debate the merits of hand drafting vs. computer drafting and why drawing directly on your computer screen may not be the best idea.

#26 Driscoll Otto & Amy Pedigo-Otto

It’s two for the price of one today! Our first ever joint episode features married couple Driscoll Otto (Lighting/Projections) and Amy Pedigo-Otto (Costumes.) The lovely couple spent a morning in their brand new backyard chatting with Cory about being married to another designer and balancing the freelance lifestyle with family, which will soon include a newborn baby. Driscoll tells us about designing ‘Game of Thrones: The Exibition’ and Amy talks about working in the TV world on shows such as ‘The Americans’ and ‘Louie.’ It’s a round-table in Brooklyn and you’re invited!

#25 Tobin Ost

Stop the presses! This week’s guest is ‘Newsies’ Scenic Designer and Tony nominee Tobin Ost! Tobin discusses the genesis of his design for Newsies from his original idea to the current design about to tour the country. Cory and Tobin chat about his first Broadway credit as costume designer for ‘Brooklyn’ and how he has comfortably bounced back and forth between scenery and costumes. Other topics includes Tobin’s time working for designers such as Ming Cho Lee, Santo Loquasto, and Scott Pask, what he learned on his recent touring production of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and how a production of ‘Pirates of Penzance’ may have changed the course of his life.

#24 Buist Bickley

Prepare for maybe our most fascinating episode yet…it’s “It-Boy” Props Supervisor, Buist Bickley! Buist is one of the most sought after Props Designers on Broadway and boy does he have the stories to back it up. He and Cory discuss his work on ‘The Last Ship,’ ‘Act One,’ ‘The Nance,’ ‘Mothers and Sons’ and a whole host of other shows. Learn how he made “fake” cookie dough for Lily Rabe in ‘Seminar’ and an entire meal’s worth of “fake unhealthy” food for Katie Holmes in ‘Dead Accounts.’ From hand props to furniture to weapons to special effects, he’s involved in it all. Cory and Buist also chat about the logistical minefield of being of Props Supervisor including New York traffic laws, managing thousands of dollars worth of receipts, union houses, and actors who manage to channel all of their frustrations into that one prop they can’t stand! He’s a jack of all trades and he’s sharing his secrets on today’s show!

#23 Al Crawford

This week’s guest is lighting designer Al Crawford! Al is a legend in the world of dance lighting having served as the Lighting Director for Alvin Ailey since 1998. Cory and Al discuss the ins and outs of touring with one of the most famous dance companies in the world and what it takes to maintain the lighting for dozens and dozens of repertory pieces. From international cargo laws, to language barriers, to ever evolving technology…Al has developed a method to navigate it all. Al shares lots of stories including what it was like trying to do a show in Greece right after 9/11, how he approaches designing a state dinner at the White House, and why there is nothing greater than finding a good set of headphones for those long flights.

#22 Caite Hevner

Today’s guest is the very lovely, multi-talented Caite Hevner Kemp! Equally adept at designing scenery and projections, Caite talks about being a member of Wingspace Theatrical Design, the pros and cons of designing two disciplines for one show and her academic adventures from FSU to Yale to NYU. Cory and Caite also cover topics new to the podcast like rules and regulations surrounding the documenting of our work, what it’s like being married to someone who does the same thing you do, and the importance of staying healthy and eating right while living the freelance lifestyle. (hint: it doesn’t involve cheeseburgers after tech.) See how many jumping jacks you can do throughout the episode. We’re saving lives people!!