This is the second of two episodes that feature short interviews with the cast of THE NEW COLOSSUS audio drama (released in April 2020). This episode features half of the cast, all of whom play the more experienced generation of characters. ๐๐
Youโll hear from Michael Foley, Susannah Hough, John Jimerson and Edith Snow, interviewed by Kaley Morrison and Barbette Hunter during our recording days in November of 2019. These are short snippets โ each actor had only a few minutes between their calls to pop over and answer a few of Kaley and Barbetteโs questions.
L-R: Michael Foley, Susannah Hough, John Jimerson, Edith Snow
If youโve already listened to THE NEW COLOSSUS audio drama, then you know how talented these actors are. As youโll hear in this episode, they are lovely, thoughtful and generous people as well.
The cast covers a variety of topics including: their individual characters in TNC, what itโs like to record an audio drama, the difference between acting for audio and acting on stage, why people should listen to TNC, their favorite moments and more. (Warning, there are a few spoilers here if you havenโt finished all 6 episodes.)
Listen to the previous episode: 128: THE NEW COLOSSUS actor interviews: Part One
WONDERFUL BONUS: This episode includes music written, performed and recorded by Edith Snowfor Episodes 4 of THE NEW COLOSSUS. The multi-talented Edith was also the sound designer for our first audio drama MASTER BUILDER (which featured Susannah Hough too!).
As of this release, TNC has been listened to in 20 countries and 30 US states. You can also listen to the six 20 minute episodes via the website www.thenewcolossuspodcast.com and via Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all the usual podcasts platforms.
If youโd like to hear more about THE NEW COLOSSUS and audio drama in general, our wonderful executive producer, Aurelia Belfield, and I will be co-leading an online session as part of the Womenโs Theatre Festival on July 29 at 11am. Purchase tickets here for our individual session or for the entire month-long online conference and new play festival..
Big special thanks to our incredible TNC production team, to Trailblazer Studios where we recorded TNC, to the patrons of ASBX on Patreon, and to Manbites Dog Theatre Foundation and the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation for their support.
BIOS
Michael Foley (SORIN) appeared in the staged version of The New Colossus with Little Green Pig as Sorin. He recently appeared in Norway and Heads Will Roll with LPG and with ShaLeigh Dance Works/Ariail Productions in Bamboo Wind. Other past favorite roles include those inThree Sisters and Faith Healer for LPG, Life Sucks, The Open House, The Nether, and At the Vanishing Point for Manbites Dog, Julius Caesar for Shakespeare and Originals, A Dollโs House for Burning Coal, and Bent for Raleigh Ensemble Players. Michael has also directed for LPG, Manbites, and the Carrboro Arts Center, and appeared in independent films, commercials, industrials, and voice-overs.
Susannah Hough (PAULINA) is an actor, director, producer, voice-over artist, teacher, and Co-Artistic Director of Honest Pint Theatre Co. She hails from Los Angeles but has called the Triangle home for more than 20 years. She is a veteran of numerous stage and film companies here with over 75 productions under her belt. A sampling of her local stage work includes: ANNAPURNA (Emma), THE MYSTERY OF LOVE & SEX (Lucinda), THE HERD (Carol), THE NIGHT ALIVE, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, THE METROMANIACS (Director) for Honest Pint hmlt (HAMLET), RICHIE, THE NEW COLOSSUS (Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern); BODY AWARENESS, SUPERIOR DONUTS (Deep Dish Theater Co.); ALWAYSโฆPATSY CLINE (REP); OUR TOWN, THE GRAPES OF WRATH (Justice Theater Project); LOST IN YONKERS (Raleigh Little Theatre); DEARLY BELOVED (Theatre in the Park); DADDYโS DYINโ, THERE GOES THE BRIDE (Theatrefest).
She has appeared in the local short films Righteous (Bombshell Studios), Endings (Turnip Films), and Katieโs Dog (Carbon Footprint), as well as numerous national commercials and industrial videos. Susannah voiced the nutty talk-show host Joan in ASBXโs audio drama, MASTER BUILDER, and is excited and honored to resprise her role of Paulina in THE NEW COLOSSUS. She coaches actors for auditions, self-taping, and scene study. Training: BFA in Drama from the University of California, The American Conservatory Theater. For a complete resume go to: www.susannahhough.com
John Jimmerson (TRIG) spends most of his creative time these days making visual art and is the proud father of a 10-year-old clarinet-playing wonder. An actor by training, he went to Circle in the Square Theater School in New York, and has worked as an actor and collaborator in New York, regionally, on tour, and locally in the triangle area. Favorite projects include Glass (Tom) and The Wooster Groupโs Diary of Anne Frank (Willem Defoe), both produced by Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern; Amadeus (Salieri), produced by Leviathan; the Grapes of Wrath (Al Joad), produced by Arkansas Repertory Theater Company; and Vogue Menโs Fashions (John), produced by Urban Garden Performing Arts. Recent voiceover work includes projects for companies such as IBM, Affordable Dentures, and various North Carolina healthcare organizations. Heโs currently developing a new acting technique based on the enneagram with Aric Rohner, has a YouTube channel where he reads books to kids, and is the author of โGet Realโ, a picture book adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit. Finally, the idea of working on this project makes him want to do cartwheels.
Edith Snow (IRINA) is an actor/filmmaker/musician. She has performed in the Triangle area for the last two decades, most recently seen in Theatre Raleighโs JUNK. Last year, she toured with Hidden Voicesโ production of To Buy the Sun: The Challenge of Pauli Murray playing over 30 characters in the 2-hour show. She has toured with the Natโl Theater of the Deaf performing in both spoken English and ASL. Television credits include: Homeland, Turn Washingtonโs Spies, One Tree Hill. Edith is a freelance audio/video editor who recently completed sound design for Tamara Kissaneโs Master Builder audio drama which premiered at The Womenโs Theatre Festival in Raleigh. She sings and writes in the lounge-noir band, The Drowning Lovers. edithsnow.com
Barbette Hunter (PRODUCTION ASSISTANT) is thrilled to be working with Artist Soapbox. This past summer, she served as the stage manager for NRACTโs second highest grossing production, Lady Day at Emersonโs Bar and Grill. She is currently stage managing The Fall of the House of Usherproduced by Cary Applause! Youth Theatre, opening November 1st. Barbette is also a professional actress. Her stage credits include Born Yesterday, Walking Across Egypt, The Sunshine Boys (NC State TheatreFest;) Metamorphoses, Thyestes, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Raleigh Ensemble Players); 10ร10 Annual Play Festival (ArtsCenter); As Bees in Honey Drown, Stonewall Jacksonโs House(Actors Comedy Lab); Little Shop of Horrors (Raleigh Little Theatre;) Hair (Theatre in the Park), and Jesus Christ Superstar (North Carolina Theatre). Some of her favorite roles include Rose in Fences(The Justice Theater Project), Venus Hottentot in Venus (Raleigh Ensemble Players), Magnolia Ellis in The Dance on Widowโs Row (Raleigh Little Theatre), Quilly McGrath in The Old Settler (Raleigh Little Theatre), and Esther in Intimate Apparel (Raleigh Little Theatre). Her film credits include Union Bound(2016), Dance for One (2011), The Foundations of the Earth (2009), Trouble in the Water (2006) and Southern Belles (2005). Barbette holds a BA in Speech Communications from NC State University and did graduate work in Acting at UNC Greensboro. She is a teaching artist for Raleigh Little Theatre and Cary Applause! Youth Theatre. In addition, she serves as a rehearsal assistant and stage manager for Cary Applause! Youth Theatre. Thanks to Artist Soapbox for this wonderful opportunity. Much love to the production team and the cast! Break a leg!!!