Step backstage with me on Curtains Up! the podcast that uncovers the rich, dramatic stories behind the evolution of theater. From the divine rituals of ancient Greece to Shakespearean intrigue, and from the glitz of Broadway to the rise of modern experimental theater, Curtains Up! explores how drama has shaped culture and society across centuries. Perfect for theater lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the art that mirrors our humanity. Join me for captivating episodes, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights into the world’s greatest stories ever performed.
Curtains up! A Historical Perspective on Drama.
Claim This Podcastby Rohan
5.0(4 reviews)
34 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
36
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality59
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Engagement32
Podcast Overview
Step backstage with me on Curtains Up! the podcast that uncovers the rich, dramatic stories behind the evolution of theater. From the divine rituals of ancient Greece to Shakespearean intrigue, and from the glitz of Broadway to the rise of modern experimental theater, Curtains Up! explores how drama has shaped culture and society across centuries. Perfect for theater lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the art that mirrors our humanity. Join me for captivating episodes, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights into the world’s greatest stories ever performed.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/2/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 4, 2026
E 34: Teaching Through Culture: Latinx Perspectives in Theater with Adriana Gonzales
<p><strong>"Your individual voice is important and deserves to be seen and heard... and if it's not for you, do it for your ancestors."</strong></p><p>— Adriana Gonzales</p><p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p>What happens when campfire stories collide with the stage? Adriana Gonzalez — performer, choreographer, playwright, and stuntwoman — brings 15+ years of training and a lifetime of Mexican and Indigenous heritage into every performance she creates. In this episode, Adriana and Rohan explore what it truly means to be a storyteller: not bound by genre, not silenced by history, and not afraid to reclaim words that were meant to diminish. From choreographing a quinceañera to writing plays about undocumented struggles in the Southwest, Adriana's work is rooted in one conviction: if the stories don't get told, they disappear. This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered whether their culture belongs on stage — it does, and Adriana shows exactly how to put it there. In this insightful interview, Adriana Gonzalez shares her unique perspective on storytelling through movement, her cultural roots, and how they influence her work in theater and dance. Discover how she integrates Southwest and Mexican heritage into her performances, redefines traditional terms, and emphasizes the importance of authentic cultural expression in the arts.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p>theater, dance, storytelling, cultural roots, Mexican heritage, movement, performance, theater arts, cultural expression, storytelling in performance</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>Cultural influence on performance</li><li>Integration of music and movement in theater</li><li>Reframing traditional terms like 'Hihade Mi Madre'</li><li>The importance of storytelling in performance arts</li><li>Using movement to connect with audiences</li></ul><p><strong>Key frameworks</strong></p><ul><li>Cultural storytelling in performance</li><li>Movement as a storytelling tool</li><li>Reframing cultural terms</li></ul><p><strong>Action items</strong></p><ul><li>Embrace your cultural roots in your art</li><li>Use movement to tell stories beyond words</li><li>Trust your audience to interpret your work</li></ul><p><strong>Titles</strong></p><ul><li>Reimagining Theater: The Power of Movement and Culture</li><li>How Southwest and Mexican Roots Shape Modern Performance</li></ul><p><strong>Sound bites</strong></p><p>"Sharing our stories keeps our history alive."</p><p>"Embrace your voice and tell your story."</p><p>"Thank you for having me on this journey."</p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Adriana Gonzalez</p><p>01:07 Cultural Influences on Storytelling</p><p>03:57 Embracing Identity in Performance</p><p>06:56 The Role of Music in Theater</p><p>11:08 Movement as a Storytelling Tool</p><p>14:57 The Importance of Physical Expression</p><p>18:52 Audience Engagement through Movement</p><p>24:05 Bringing the Southwest to Life</p><p>28:01 Empowering Latinx Voices</p><p>30:58 Advice for Young Artists</p><p><strong>Guest links</strong></p><p>Website - https://adrianagonzalez.com</p><p>Twitter - https://twitter.com/adrianagonzalez</p>
May 25, 2026
E33: Equity and Representation in the Performing Arts with Aaron Reader of Seattle Theater Group
<p><strong>About our Speaker</strong></p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Aaron Reader, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access — Seattle Theatre Group</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p>theater, diversity, inclusion, representation, storytelling, social justice, arts accessibility, community engagement</p><p>Aaron Reader is a leader in advancing equity and inclusion in the performing arts, currently serving as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) at Seattle Theatre Group. In this role, he works at the intersection of community engagement and artistic programming, helping to create spaces where all voices are represented, valued, and heard.</p><p>With a strong commitment to fostering inclusive storytelling, Aaron focuses on amplifying historically underrepresented communities and building meaningful connections between artists and audiences. His work spans education initiatives, community partnerships, and strategic programming that reflects the diverse cultural landscape of today’s theater world.</p><p><strong>Episode Summary</strong></p><p>This episode dives into one of theater's most pressing conversations: who gets to tell stories, and who gets to experience them? Host Rohan sits down with Aaron Reader to explore how the performing arts can become more inclusive, accessible, and representative for both artists and audiences.</p><p><strong>Why Representation Matters</strong>Aaron shared a deeply personal example: taking his daughter to see the Black Theater of Harlem, where a Black ballerina on stage locked eyes with her and smiled. From that moment on, his daughter saw herself as a dancer. He argues that representation operates at every level — not just on stage, but in writing rooms, behind the scenes, on staff, and in boardrooms. There's also a crucial distinction he draws between feeling welcome and feeling like you truly belong.</p><p><strong>Barriers to Access</strong>Aaron challenges the idea that access begins at the theater door — it actually starts at home. Barriers include unclear or inaccessible websites, lack of transit information, physical accessibility of venues, and whether assistive technologies (like ASL interpretation or audio description) are offered. He also points to the cultural atmosphere inside venues: Does the art on the walls reflect the community? Does the staff look like the audience?</p><p><strong>Advice for Young Artists and Students</strong>Aaron's closing advice: create, create, create. Don't let your artistic gift sit idle. Theater is not just entertainment — it's a mirror for society. Making it truly inclusive requires intentional work at every level, from the website a potential audience member visits at home to the faces they see greeting them at the door. Aaron Reader's work at Seattle Theatre Group is a model for how arts organizations can lead that charge.</p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 The Evolution of Theater and Storytelling</p><p>12:47 The Importance of Representation in Theater</p><p>17:31 Barriers to Accessing Theater Opportunities</p><p>24:48 The Role of Young Artists in Social Change</p><p>31:39 lifestyle-intro-high-short.wav</p><p><strong>Resources</strong></p><p>Seattle Theatre Group - https://www.seattletheatre.org/</p><p>Aaron Reader's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronreader/</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
May 14, 2026
E32: The Bard and Beyond: The Theatrical Titans of Renaissance England with Paul Menzer
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p><p>In this episode Rohan is back to exploring the history and the vibrant world of Renaissance England theater with Dr. Paul Menzer, covering social influences, censorship, and the legacy of playwrights like Marlowe and Shakespeare.</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>Social and political factors in Renaissance England</li><li>The role of Elizabeth I in theater regulation</li><li>Distinct styles of Thomas Kidd, Ben Johnson, and Christopher Marlowe</li></ul><p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p><ul><li>Renaissance theater flourished under monarchy and emerging commercial industry</li><li>Elizabeth I's licensing and censorship shaped theatrical content</li><li>Marlowe's plays emphasized human aspiration and ambition</li><li>Shakespeare's plays transcend their time, making them universally relatable</li></ul><p><strong>Sound bites</strong></p><p>"Censorship was subtle but pervasive"</p><p>"Marlowe's line load was extraordinary"</p><p>"Shakespeare's plays transcend their time"</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 The Flourishing of Renaissance Theater</p><p>03:16 The Influence of Elizabeth I on Theater</p><p>06:25 Censorship and Regulation in Renaissance Drama</p><p>09:21 Distinct Styles of Playwrights: Kidd and Johnson</p><p>12:17 The Revolutionary Impact of Christopher Marlowe</p><p>15:15 Marlowe vs. Shakespeare: A Comparative Analysis</p><p>18:13 The Legacy of Shakespeare and His Influences</p><p>21:07 Why Shakespeare Overshadows His Contemporaries</p><p>34:48 educational-outro-high-short.wav</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p></p>
34 total episodes available
Recent guests on Curtains up! A Historical Perspective on Drama.
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Devi Anand
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Milo Stuart
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Professor Erith Jaffe-Berg
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David Alan Roby
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Constantine Paras
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Moumita Bhattacharya
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Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei
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Jerik Fernandez
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Brooke Thomas
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Grace McIntyre
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Riley Leco
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Kathy Perkins
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