Piyali Syam is a stand-up comedian based in New York City.

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(00:00) Fordham Bound: Secret Acting Plan

(02:05) Small-Town Upstate to City Dreams

(04:12) Art Kid: Drawing, Flute, Choirs, Theater

(06:18) First Love Was Drawing (and Big Feelings)

(08:27) Majors & Minors: Philosophy Over Performance

(10:11) High-School Theater Highs (and Cringe)

(12:36) “Be Useful”: Sampling Pre-Med, IR, Env Sci

(14:58) Choosing Philosophy: Courses That Mattered

(17:20) Logic, Nietzsche & Existential Meaning

(20:02) Loving Animals: Toward Vegetarianism

(22:41) Brighter Green, Climate Math & Moderation

(24:55) Seafood, “Aspiring Vegan,” Eating Animals

(27:40) Signs Toward Comedy: The Bra Line

(30:33) Abeson’s Note, Industry Boxes & Brecht’s Spoonful

(33:18) First Shows, Gotham Grad, Self-Regenerating Scene

(36:12) Slumps, Solo Show, Storytelling > Jokes-Per-Minute

(40:05) Dark Comedy Projects, Grants & Women-Led TV Aims

(45:15) Redefining Success & “Just Potential” Finale

Pearl de la Motte is a violist at Juilliard in New York City.

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(00:00) Arrival Story & Juilliard Backstory

(01:40) Mom’s Method: Start at Two

(03:05) Family of 11; Music at Home

(04:30) Forced Practice → Hiding in Weeds

(06:05) Switch to Viola for Family Quartet

(07:20) Viola’s Role & Sound

(09:00) First Competition Win at 13

(10:35) Juilliard as Goal; Mentors and Push

(12:30) Practice Philosophy & Golden Gate Park Sessions

(14:45) Falling in Love with the Work

(17:10) Applications & Pre-Screening Details

(20:05) The 10-Minute Audition & Faith

(22:40) Acceptance Day & Covner Fellowship

(25:30) Career Map: Chamber, Teaching, Not Orchestra

(28:10) Baroque/Historic Performance Spark

(31:05) Growth in NYC: Skills & Social Confidence

(33:20) Performance Mindset & Social Media Ambivalence

(36:10) NYC Impressions & Success = Healing Through Music

Alysa Browne is a stand-up comedian based in New York City.

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(00:00) Childhood Dream of NYC

(01:48) Early Acting Ambitions & Stage Fright

(03:12) Typecast in Dramatic Roles

(05:26) Struggles Without a Support System

(07:42) Breaking Point & Rethinking Acting

(10:15) Discovering Design as a Creative Path

(12:58) Corporate Life at NBC & MSNBC

(15:37) Open Mics and a Return to Performing

(18:23) First Comedy Show at Fat Black Pussycat

(21:16) Building Momentum Through Shows

(24:04) Confidence, Anxiety, and Stage Presence

(26:31) Writing Process & Finding a Voice

(28:45) Comedy as Therapy & Self-Expression

(30:14) Favorite Comedians and Venues

(32:08) Defining Great Comedy & Personal Goals

(33:56) Advice for New Comics & Support Systems