Join hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky on this illuminating episode of The Dayton Drama Queens, as they sit down with Toby Rush, Director of Performing Arts Spaces at the brand-new Roger Glass Center on the University of Dayton campus. Discover how this cutting-edge venue is reshaping Dayton’s cultural landscape:

• Architectural Vision & Design: Toby walks us through the Glass Center’s striking façade, acoustically engineered theaters, and versatile black-box spaces created by internationally renowned architects and acoustic consultants.

• Programming the Center: Learn how Toby curates a year-round lineup—from UD School of Music recitals and faculty concerts to community musicals, dance ensembles, and touring productions—and ensures every performance shines.

• Community Partnerships: Hear about collaborations with Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, and local school districts to make world-class arts accessible to the wider Miami Valley.

• State-of-the-Art Technology: Go behind the scenes on the Glass Center’s advanced lighting rigs, sound control booths, and flexible rigging systems that adapt any space for drama, music, or immersive multimedia events.

• What’s Next: Get a sneak preview of upcoming headline performances, family series events, and how you can get involved—whether you’re an aspiring performer, arts educator, or patron of the arts.

Whether you’re a longtime Dayton arts supporter or new to the scene, Toby’s insider perspective shows how the Roger Glass Center is powering our region’s performing-arts renaissance. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode of The Dayton Drama Queens!

Join hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky on The Dayton Drama Queens as they sit down with Libby Ballengee, the dynamic Programming Director for The Brightside venue and curator of Dayton 937’s live music calendar. Libby shares her journey from PR roles to becoming one of the leading voices behind Dayton’s resurgence as a live‑music destination.

• Curating Your Calendar: Get Libby’s insider tips on the must‑see acts this fall, including The Brightside’s Fall Concert Series kickoff and how Dayton 937 amplifies the best gigs, festivals, and pop‑up shows across the region.

• Supporting Local Music: Discover the behind‑the‑scenes work that goes into booking touring acts, championing up‑and‑coming homegrown talent, and building community partnerships to keep live music thriving in Dayton.

• What’s Next for 2025: Preview upcoming headliners, seasonal blockbusters, and how you can plug in—whether you’re a gig‑goer, artist, or sponsor looking to fuel Dayton’s creative economy.

In this episode of Dayton Drama Queens, hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky sit down with Kathy Clark, veteran music educator and Choral Director of the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus. In this episode, Kathy shares:

• From Classroom to Chorus Loft: how she arrived in Dayton fresh out of college, spent 30 years teaching high-school music, then found her calling with DGMC.

• Building a Community Voice: the story behind DGMC’s founding, its growth to 38+ members, and Kathy’s role in teaching, arranging and “Mission Anthem” composition.

• Stand-out Concert Moments: performing at the Roger Glass Center, the Ohio Gala (where Dayton “blew it away”), and Americana Festival—plus memorable collaborations with Nina West.

• Musical Diversity & Sacred Sound: why gospel arrangements and Westminster Presbyterian’s choir partnerships fuel her passion beyond barbershop standards.

• Pride, Purpose & Philanthropy: the Chorus’s mission to be a “gay-affirming presence” through choral excellence, community performances, and meaningful outreach.

• Looking Ahead: exploring new recruits, expanding repertoire, and ways YOU can support DGMC through donations, sponsorships, and attending their next concert.

Whether you’re a choral fan, an arts supporter, or a Dayton booster, Kathy’s journey proves how music can unite, uplift, and spark real change. Tune in to Dayton Drama Queens and subscribe for more insider conversations with the movers and shakers of our local arts scene!

Join hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky on Dayton Drama Queens as they sit down with Sarah Caplan—stage manager, social-media influencer, and driving force behind Launch Dayton and The Hub at the Dayton Arcade. In this episode, Sarah shares:

• Her Dayton origin story: arriving at age 17 from Florida and quickly falling in love with the Gem City.

• Reviving the Dayton Arcade: an insider’s look at how the long-awaited transformation went from boarded-up to buzzing mixed-use landmark.

• Building entrepreneurial community: how Launch Dayton, a free conference and resource network, helps small business owners thrive.

• Coworking at The Hub: why local solopreneurs, remote workers, and writers are flocking to Dayton’s open-access coworking and meeting spaces.

• Authentic influence: the power of truthful social-media storytelling and why “real” recommendations matter.

• Theatre passion: balancing stage management gigs (including 15 years with Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus) with her role as Launch Dayton brand voice.

• Why Dayton rocks: Sarah’s rallying cry for the city’s vibrant arts scene, from community theatre to indie restaurants and beyond.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, arts lover, or Dayton booster, Sarah’s insights will inspire you to get involved and support local. Tune in and subscribe to Dayton Drama Queens for more exclusive conversations with our region’s top changemakers!

Join hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky on Dayton Drama Queens as they sit down with Andrew Mitakides, Executive Artistic Director & Co-Founder of Gem City Groundlings. In this illuminating episode, Andrew shares:

• A twist of fate from dentistry to drama: how one unforgettable chemistry class and a nosebleed led him straight into Macbeth at college.

• Late-night laughs: behind the scenes of “Gem City Tonight,” his Dayton-based talk show inspired by Carson and Fallon—complete with live audience antics and celebrity guests.

• Founding Gem City Groundlings: the story of launching Dayton’s first paid Shakespeare troupe, reclaiming the “groundling” spirit for modern, accessible productions in a thrust-style, 90-seat venue.

• Demystifying the Bard: why minimal sets, modern dress, and a pop-friendly pre-show soundtrack (Adele, Beastie Boys, Phil Collins) make Macbeth, Comedy of Errors, and As You Like It irresistible.

• Beyond the Globe: partnerships with Dayton Metro Library (lecture series on Shakespeare’s power, politics & lovers), Ruby Girls drag collaborations, and bringing “Shakespeare Behind Bars” to local correctional institutions.

• What’s next: building a season around A Steady Rain, God of Carnage, and a vintage ’60s Much Ado About Nothing, plus plans for Titus Andronicus and more community-driven theatre.

Whether you’re a Shakespeare newbie or a seasoned stagehand, Andrew’s journey proves that the Bard’s language belongs to everyone. Tune in to Dayton Drama Queens and subscribe for more insider stories on the city’s hottest arts innovators!

Join Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky on Dayton Drama Queens as they welcome David Sherman, a fixture of Dayton’s local theatre scene. In this episode, David reflects on:

• Early stage magic: landing his first role at age seven in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, discovering acting as a refuge during family hardship.

• Muse Machine mentorship: stepping into My Favorite Year and My Fair Lady alongside future pros, and how Dayton’s premier youth theatre shaped his craft.

• Wright State Film & Theatre: transitioning from performing to studying filmmaking, collaborating with industry legends, and rediscovering his love for live performance.

• Homegrown inspiration: the unique “vortex” of Dayton’s arts community—tight-knit, resourceful, and bursting with collaborative energy.

• Local favourites: from The Neon’s indie film festivals to Theater Lab’s boundary-pushing productions (Chicago, Refer Madness, A Christmas Carol in Heels).

• Versatile artistry: balancing community theatre roles (Beavercreek’s Refer Madness) with on-camera work, and dreaming of future projects.

• Advice for aspiring actors: embracing auditions’ rejections as growth, learning from every production, and never forgetting to “find the fun” on stage.

Whether you’re a Dayton theatre newcomer or a seasoned performer, David’s journey offers practical tips, personal stories, and a behind-the-curtains look at why community theatre matters. Listen now and subscribe to Dayton Drama Queens for more insider conversations!

Join hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stucky on Dayton Drama Queens as they welcome Isaac Jones, company member of the Dayton Ballet, for an in-depth conversation about life on pointe. In this episode, Isaac shares:

• A coast-to-coast dance journey: from trainee at Sarasota Ballet (FL) and four years touring with Eugene Ballet (OR) to landing his contract with Dayton Ballet in 2017.

• Dayton Ballet’s rich legacy: stepping into a small-but-mighty company approaching its 100th anniversary, rising quickly through the ranks, and thriving under new Artistic Director Brandon Raglan.

• Repertoire highlights: mastering Balanchine classics, groundbreaking contemporary works by Sanjay Pai (“queer love story”), Cube Blair in collaboration with DCDC, and upcoming funk-fueled shows.

• Body care & cross-training: insights on listening to your body, tailoring gym work by repertoire demands, the importance of rest, swimming, Pilates, and emerging exercise science for dancers.

• Championing representation: how Dayton Ballet is embracing LGBTQ+ narratives onstage—breaking ballet’s traditional mold to tell modern, authentic stories.

• Artistic aspirations & beyond: dream roles like Jekyll & Hyde, Paul Taylor’s Company B, Tudor’s The Lilac Garden, plus off-duty passions in knitting, quilting, and finishing a Communications degree.

• Advice for aspiring dancers: treat turnout as a verb not a noun, leave your ego at the door, speak up for yourself, and—most importantly—find the fun in every plié.

Whether you’re a ballet hopeful, seasoned performer, or admirer of Dayton’s vibrant arts scene, Isaac’s story is packed with practical tips, inspiring reflections, and a behind-the-curtains look at one of America’s oldest regional ballet companies. Tune in and subscribe to Dayton Drama Queens for more exclusive interviews!

Join hosts Philip Drennen and Josh Stuckey on The Dayton Drama Queens as they sit down with Tina McPhearson—Dayton native, veteran arts educator, and longtime programming director at the Victoria Theatre and Dayton Playhouse. In this episode, Tina shares her journey from ushering at Kenley Players to teaching high school theater, managing prominent Dayton institutions (Dayton Playhouse, Victoria Theatre, and the Dayton Art Institute), and nurturing generations of local talent. Discover how Dayton’s arts scene has evolved, learn insider perspectives on choosing seasons at the Playhouse, and hear Tina’s thoughts on sustaining arts organizations amid today’s challenges. From backstage anecdotes about Ethel Merman and Robert Preston to her passion for DEI initiatives at the Art Institute, Tina offers inspiring stories and actionable insights for anyone invested in Dayton’s creative community. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast, arts administrator, or simply curious about Dayton’s cultural resurgence, this conversation dives deep into the stories, struggles, and successes that keep our local stages alive. Don’t miss this celebration of Dayton’s vibrant arts legacy—tune in and subscribe for more episodes of The Dayton Drama Queens!