Episodes

  • Steppin' Fetchit & Lincoln Perry: An Interview With DeWitt Fleming Jr. Starring In A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical on Broadway

    Steppin' Fetchit & Lincoln Perry: An Interview With DeWitt Fleming Jr. Starring In A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical on Broadway
    Feb 18 2025
    Read transcriptEpisode Notes DeWitt Fleming Jr. is an acclaimed tap dancer/actor and has performed and taught throughout the world. Currently he can be seen on Broadway in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical where he is also the tap dance choreographer. See the Good morning America Performance here. He has danced as a soloist with Grammy award winning artist such as Alicia Keys at the world famous Apollo Theater, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Mcferrin, and Christian McBride to name a few. DeWitt has also danced with the Charleston Symphony, ](https://2023.jazz.org)[Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra](https://2023.jazz.org), [Princeton Symphony](https://princetonsymphony.org), and the [New Jersey Symphony](https://www.njsymphony.org). He was also seen in [New York City Center’s ](https://www.nycitycenter.org)The Tap Dance Kid as Daddy Bates, [Signature Theater’s ](https://www.sigtheatre.org)After Midnight, [National Black Theater Festival’s](https://ncblackrep.org/nbtf-2022/) Jelly’s Last Jam (Jelly Roll Morton), [Bucks County Playhouse's](https://bcptheater.org/) Last of the Red Hot Mamas (Bojangles) [Signature Theater’s](https://www.sigtheatre.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2a6wBhCVARIsABPeH1tdphVWmt3GZDpAmRNp2J8WLSPG_wlQWB6DH-SuzRpHBS0pjLjoOtUaAm_oEALw_wcB) Scottsboro Boys (Ozie/Ruby), [Alliance Theater’s ](https://www.alliancetheatre.org)Sophisticated Ladies(Lead), [Alpine Theater Project’s](https://atpwhitefish.org/#imagine-create-inspire) Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon). On Tour in [Riverdance](https://riverdance.com) (Lead Tapper, Baritone Soloist), [Cirque Du Soleil’s](https://www.cirquedusoleil.com) Banana Shpeel (Ensemble, featured tapper), and various other productions. He was seen on TV in [Boardwalk Empire](https://www.hbo.com/boardwalk-empire) , [America's Got Talent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lzhxdXECkU), Smash, Limitless and in the Movie How to be Single. DeWitt is also a Choreographer. His choreography can be seen in Boardwalk Empire season 4 (HBO tap Choreographer), A Wonderful World (tap Choreographer), An Evening with Phyllis Hyman, Dorothy the Musical, Jelly’s Last Jam (Tap Choreographer), Signature Theater’s Scottsborro Boys(Assistant Choreographer), Aint Misbehavin (Assistant Choreographer), and After Midnight (Assistant Choreographer). DeWitt is also a drummer. As a drummer DeWitt has played drums for the [Hot Sardines](https://hotsardines.com/) at the Bluenote Tokyo, [Jennie Harney Fleming](https://www.jenharney.com) at [Carnegie Hall](https://www.carnegiehall.org/?sourceCode=43473&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5f2lBhCkARIsAHeTvlh1Yiwki8SN3tXl6VipdlCEKPP6gac4sVUHOgxcRqiOa_A2vi5DR-AaAjROEALw_wcB), [Brandon Victor Dixon](https://www.brandonvictordixon.com) on [MTV](https://www.mtv.com), with [Angela Birchett](https://www.angelabirchett.com) at the [Kennedy Center](https://www.kennedy-center.org), with [Jared Grimes](https://www.jaredmgrimes.com) at the [National Auditorium](https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/auditorio-nacional/) in Mexico City, and with [Daniel J Watts](https://www.wattswords.com) at Lincoln Center. [or more on](https://www.dewittflemingjr.com/bio) [DeWitt click here. Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril- This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • S3E2 - The Student & The Teacher: An Interview With Andrew Carr, Assistant Rehearsal Director, M.A.D.D. Rhythms

    S3E2 - The Student & The Teacher: An Interview With Andrew Carr, Assistant Rehearsal Director, M.A.D.D. Rhythms
    Feb 10 2025

    CORRECTION: At 5:11, I called "A Love Supreme" the Miles Davis album. It is John Coltrane's album.

    Andrew Carr has been dancing all of his life. At the age of 4 he first began taking tap classes at the Mayfair Academy of Fine Arts, and by the age of 6 he joined the M.A.D.D Rhythms Tap Academy classes taught by Bril Barrett and Star Dixon.

    At the age of 9, Andrew began his apprenticeship with M.A.D.D Rhythms where he was able to travel to places like the D.C Tap Festival and the Cleveland Tap Experience. He was also awarded a full scholarship to the Tap Dance Festival UK.

    Andrew became a professional member of M.A.D.D Rhythms at the age of 13 and since that time he has been a faculty member and choreographer at the Chicago Tap Summit and performed at Lollapalooza Chicago.

    Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center

    https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network

    Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com

    Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril-

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    49 mins
  • S3E1 - Looking Back And Looking Forward: Using The Past To Navigate The Future

    S3E1 - Looking Back And Looking Forward: Using The Past To Navigate The Future
    Feb 1 2025

    Get ready to dive into the dynamic world of Bril Barrett as he kicks off Season 3 of “The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett”! With a reflective look back at the highs and lows of 2024 and a thrilling sneak peek into the wonders of 2025, this season promises to be nothing short of electrifying. Don’t miss out on the candid conversations and exciting updates that lie ahead!

    Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center

    https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network

    Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com

    Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril-

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    49 mins
  • S2E10 - Mentorship & Leadership: A Conversation With Suave, Founder Of Hip Hop ConnXion

    S2E10 - Mentorship & Leadership: A Conversation With Suave, Founder Of Hip Hop ConnXion
    Dec 31 2023

    Read transcript

    Episode Notes

    Suavé is the Founder of the Hip Hop ConnXion Family Nationwide with branches in Indiana, Michigan and Headquarters in Illinois. Hip Hop ConnXion has taken 1st in the USA and 2nd in the World at the Hip Hop International Championships in previous years and is the only Illinois based dance company to have been awarded medals at the event. Hip Hop ConnXion is currently the only Midwest dance company to have medaled at the World Championships since the inception of the competition in 2002. The Hip Hop ConnXion professional dance company is a Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3) company with the mission statement, “Our Future Is Here Today”, aimed at inspiring our youth and giving opportunities to those less privileged.

    Suavé has appeared in various music videos and movies such as, Walt Disney's "Just Visited" with Christina Applegate as the specialist dancer in the hit movie, "Save the Last Dance". He was a choreographer and dance coordinator for the recently released movie "Dreams" and played a cameo role as a dancer and teacher for the move working beside Dave Scott whose credits include "U Got Served", "Stomp The Yard", and "Step Up 3".

    Suavé was the Dance coordinator at the B96 Summer B-bash for Bad Boy world-renowned DJ, Bill and performed in front of 60,000 people alongside artists such as P-Diddy, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera and Nelly.

    He is a performance coach to movie stars, actors and recording artists having worked with artists such as Roshon Fegan (Shake It Up and Camp Rock), Jessy Schram (The Mentalist, House, American Pie, Without A Trace and more) and upcoming singing sensation, Adera.

    Suavé guest choreographs at numerous schools and universities and teaches hip hop master classes and workshops in the USA. He has taught around the world in countries such as Norway, Colombia, Ireland and England. He also guest instructs and judges for conventions and competitions around the country and overseas. He is currently on faculty for the Manhattan Dance Project (MDP) National/International Tour.

    As a major advocate for inspiring troubled and underprivileged youth, he is also a regular guest speaker/presenter at many schools and colleges and has worked with the DARE and DEA Youth after-school dance programs around the country stressing the importance of staying drug-free, not giving in to peer pressure and making positive choices. He continues to work with charities and organizations that share the same message.

    Suavé is also the creator and producer of THE ONE Urban Dance Showcase which is the largest annual urban dance showcase in the Midwest, alongside producing other major dance shows.

    For more information, you can contact him at info@hiphopconnxion.com. You can also view his work by visiting his website www.hiphopconnxion.com and go to the “Videos” link.

    Social Media Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: suaveconnxion

    Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center

    https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network

    Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com

    Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril-

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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • S2E9 - Similarities & Differences: A Conversation With Mark Howard, Founder Of Trinity Irish Dance Company & Trinity Academy Of Irish Dance

    S2E9 - Similarities & Differences: A Conversation With Mark Howard, Founder Of Trinity Irish Dance Company & Trinity Academy Of Irish Dance
    Dec 25 2023
    Episode Notes

    Similarities & Differences: A Conversation With Mark Howard

    Mark Howard

    Founding Artistic Director / Choreographer

    For more than three decades, this Emmy Award-winning choreographer has been striving for and achieving that which is profoundly significant and equally difficult to attain—the transcendence of craft to art and the synthesis of forms to create something that is forward-looking and new. His work maintains integrity while simultaneously going beyond the framework of ethnicity to carve new traditions. Born in Yorkshire, England, and raised in Chicago, Howard began his dancing career at the age of eight at the Dennehy School of Irish Dance. He began teaching when he was only 17 years old, and by 20 he had launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, subsequently leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States—the first when he was only 25. As a competitive coach and choreographer, he would go on to redefine what was possible for American teams becoming the first to win gold in all categories. Howard’s pioneering work in the late 80s led to his unique transition from the competitive stage to the performing arts stage and began his gradual evolution from coach to artistic director. By 1990, these formative years led to the creation of a nonprofit forum, Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC), to celebrate and further his work. From its inception, TIDC has been met with great critical acclaim at renowned venues across the world. Howard himself was a regular guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson from 1989 until Carson’s retirement in1991, and has accumulated a multitude of national and international television credits including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS This Morning, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Today Show, Live with Regis, Good Morning America, Martha, CONAN, and 1st Look, to name a few. From PBS and Network specials, to extensive film work for Disney, Touchstone, Universal, and Dream Works, Howard has worked with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ron Howard, and Sam Mendez. He was the personal dance coach for actors Tom Hanks and Daniel Craig while working on the film Road to Perdition. Howard continues to choreograph new works, as well as expand his independent career to work in theater, television, concert, and film. The feature film screenplay SOLES, which focuses on Howard and Trinity, is currently in the works. Howard’s work in the arts has led to numerous Choreographer’s Fellowships awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Howard has been named three times as one of Irish American Magazine’s “Top 100 Irish-Americans,” and he was honored by iBAM! in 2011 and in 2015 by Chicago’s Lawyers For the Creative Arts for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts.

    Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center

    https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network

    Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com

    Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril-

    This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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    45 mins
  • S2E8 - African Dance & Ballet: A Conversation With Regina Perry-Carr, Former Artistic Director Of Muntu Dance Theatre & Elaine Blair, Director Of The Sammy Dyer School Of The Theatre

    S2E8 - African Dance & Ballet: A Conversation With Regina Perry-Carr, Former Artistic Director Of Muntu Dance Theatre & Elaine Blair, Director Of The Sammy Dyer School Of The Theatre
    Nov 24 2023
    Episode Notes African Dance & Ballet: A Conversation With Regina Perry-Carr & Elaine Blair Regina Perry-Carr, Former Artistic Director of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago (MDT).  Perry-Carr is the 4th Artistic Director in the notable, historic  forty-nine year old organization. A native of  Chicago,IL, Perry-Carr began her formal dance training with her mother Regina Taitts and ballet instructor, Charlene Rose(Cecchetti technique) at the age of three. Perry-Carr continuously trained in dance throughout elementary school and high school under the tutelage of her mother's dance program located in the Oak Park YMCA and with Nunufatima created by Taitts.    In 1991,she began training with Najwa Dance Corps and Mama Andrea Vinson. In 1994, Perry-Carr was accepted into the workshop training program of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago under the direction of Mama Amaniyea Payne. Perry-Carr owes much of her training & development in Muntu, to Mama Vaune Blalock,  former principal dancer of MDT.  Perry-Carr advanced through the ranks of the Muntu becoming an apprentice and  in 1998 matriculating to the main company becoming one of their full-time teaching artists and  principal dancers. Perry-Carr began teaching and performing nationally and internationally with Muntu and later independently. After taking leave from the company, in 2008 Perry-Carr founded and  served as Artistic Director of  Nunufatima Dance and Crafts Company, a non-profit performing arts and education organization dedicated to educating, entertaining and cultivating community through all forms of performing arts. Perry-Carr  has performed for numerous venues, which include theater, television and film. Her teaching and choreographic credits include elementary and high school, park districts, arts organizations, dance studios, professional dance companies, and theatrical productions. Perry-Carr was able to study and dance  with African Dance legends;  Baba Chuck Davis, Arthur Hall, Baba Kwame Ishangi, Papa Abdoulaye Camara,  Mama Amaniyea Payne,  Idy Ciss and Moustapha Bangoura.   Regina is a dancer extraordinaire, believing dance is not only movement but requires body, mind,and spirit. Regina is commended for having a beautiful poise which radiates the stage and warms the hearts of those seeking to learn the technique and the  beauty of African dance.   Perry-Carr is credited with being a wife, mother, dancer, choreographer, director and producer. Perry-Carr has  thirty plus years of training and twenty-four years of teaching experience in West African Dance. She  has grown to understand being a  lifelong student of this ancient and amazing art form called African Diasporic Dance is an honor. Perry-Carr  has  spent more than thirty years honing her  dance craft. She thrives teaching and empowering others through movement and song. As the Artistic Director of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, she passionately teaches about cultural transformation, understanding, and education of our rich African and African American dance traditions. Elaine Blair is a native of Chicago, IL. She began her training at the age of 10 at a south side YMCA under the direction of Enid Collins. She later trained at the Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre learning many genres of dance under the tutelage of Shirley Hall-Bass. She went on to study with Joel Hall, Homer Bryant, Alvin Ailey School (NY) and attended Columbia College (Chicago) where she earned a BFA degree in Dance Teaching emphasis. During her performing years, one notable performance was the opening act for Sister Sledge and the Spinners at the Arie Crown Theater. Her television and film performances were "Dance Fever" and "Rappin Roots". Elaine has taught many workshops in Chicago, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance School in Denver, CO, and has taught and performed in many cultural exchange programs in Nassau, Bahamas with the Bahamas Dance School. In 1992, Elaine received the Talented Teachers award from the Whirlwind Performance Company and in 2002 was nominated for the Golden Apple Teachers award. Her professional career was a teacher in the Chicago Public school system for 29 years. For the last 26 years she was the director of the dance department at Carver Military Academy where she exposed students to various genres of dance and theatrical productions. She retired in July, 2021. Being part of the Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre for over 30 years, she has taught Ballet, Jazz, and choreographed annual productions and competitions. After many years of training alongside the former Director Muriel Foster, Elaine looks forward to continuing the legacy of the 90 year old training school along with Sammy Dyer's talented creative team to reach 100 years. Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center https://...
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    52 mins
  • S2E7 - Starting A Non-Profit & Running A Non-Profit: A Conversation With Vershawn Sanders-Ward

    S2E7 - Starting A Non-Profit & Running A Non-Profit: A Conversation With Vershawn Sanders-Ward
    Oct 12 2023
    Episode Notes

    Starting A Non-Profit & Running A Non-Profit: A Conversation With Vershawn Sanders-Ward

    Vershawn Sanders Ward, (she/her/hers) is the Founding Artistic Director and CEO of Red Clay Dance Company and is currently a candidate for Dunham Technique Certification. She holds an MFA in Dance from New York University and is the first recipient of BFA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago (Gates Millennium Scholar.). Sanders-Ward is a 2022 Dance/USA Artist Fellow, 2019 Chicago Dancemakers Forum Awardee, a 2019 Harvard Business School Club of Chicago Scholar, a 2017 Dance/USA Leadership Fellow, a 2013 3Arts awardee, and a 2009 Choreography Award from Harlem Stage NYC. In 2015, 2018 and 2020, NewCity Magazine selected Ward as one of the “Players 50, People Who Really Perform for Chicago” and in 2023 was inducted in the NewCity’s “Hall of Fame”.

    Her choreography has been presented in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard, and internationally in Toronto, Dakar and Kampala. Vershawn is currently on faculty at Loyola University Chicago in the Fine and Performing Arts Department and has received choreographic commissions from Columbia College Chicago, Northwestern University, Knox College, AS220, and the National Theatre in Uganda. Her upcoming site-inspired choreographic project, Rest.Rise.Move.Nourish.Heal which is_ set to premiere June 2023 _was selected for a 2021 National Dance Project Award from NEFA with additional support from the NEA.

    As an arts advocate, she serves on the Board of Trustees for Dance/USA as well as the Board of Directors for the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago. Vershawn was selected to attend the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit for Emerging Global Leaders and has had the pleasure of gracing the cover of the Chicago Reader and  DEMO, Columbia College Chicago’s Alumni Magazine.

    Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center

    https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network

    Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com

    Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril-

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    46 mins
  • S2E6 - Black Magic & Christianity: A Conversation With Bianca Shaw

    S2E6 - Black Magic & Christianity: A Conversation With Bianca Shaw
    Sep 16 2023

    Black Magic & Christianity: A Conversation With Bianca Shaw

    Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Bianca Shaw is an American Hip-Hop Emcee, Singer, Drummer and Songwriter who began writing her first raps at 11-years old. Bianca was inspired by mother, Portia Shaw, to sing and empowered by Missy Elliot, Erykah Badu, and Beyonce’s authentic and powerful ability to sell music without compromising their artistic and financial control. Inside her music, she values every element of sound and feels you should not limit your creativity to societal standards when discussing genres.

    Shaw aims to tell a story so vivid that listeners not only hear her words but envision and feel them as if they were their own. Her latest video, "Bipolar" premiered on Vibe, expressing the raw emotion of feeling unbalanced in a bad romance. In addition to Bianca’s first Album “Guns and Roses” she has released her latest EP "Exhale" exclusively premiered on Billboard. Some of her collaborations include Taylor Bennett, Twista, and Chance The Rapper. She is currently working on a future project with a variety of artists.

    Through her exposure in performances across the country, new music and recent videos, her fan base has increased and she has gained the respect of other Hip Hop lovers and artists. Bianca Shaw is the on the rise to be a Reckoning Force and influence in the music world.

    Produced by Vanessa Abron - vanessa@agencyabron.com Edited by Tristan Bruns - tristan.r.bruns@gmail.com Edited by J. Hill - entellagentmuzik@gmail.com Recorded On Location at The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Located Inside The Harold Washington Cultural Center

    https://www.maddrhythms.com/m-a-d-d-rhythms-podcast-network

    Call us @ 773.604.1899 Email us eitherandpodcast@maddrhythms.com

    Support The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-either-and-podcast-w-bril-

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    39 mins