Places for Act II

About Places for Act II

Welcome to the Places for Act II pod... the not-quite-theatre theatre podcast. I’m your host Christopher D, and along with our guests, we’re going to talk about the beginning, the end, and the afterlife of a theatre career. We’ll celebrate how artists adapt and transform themselves when they’ve been re-cast in life, while highlighting the value of an arts degree in our current times. We also touch on theatre's relevance today and how, in this world of tech, we long for communal, live, unmanipulated performance. New episodes drop every Tuesday!! Follow us on Instagram @placesforact2pod

Publisher

Places For Act II

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2026

Latest episode

14 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Jul 2026

   Becky D ...and the motivation of it all

   Welcome to the SEASON FINALE of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to actor & arts integrator Becky D. Btw Becky's cartoon portrait is having the time of her life! FUN FACT: Wearing her lucky long scarf, Becky was riding the elevator up to Studio 8H for her big SNL audition. As she stepped off the elevator, her scarf got caught in the closing doors. Three hours later, a fireman pried open the doors and freed her. She missed her big audition, but ended up dating the fireman for 8 years. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Kristen Wiig (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1325419/?ref_=fn_t_1) Rachel Dratch (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0237222/?ref_=fn_t_1) Tony Danza (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001103/) Judith Light (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0509937/?ref_=tt_cst_t_2) Who’s the Boss? (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086827/?ref_=fn_t_3) Three’s Company - Jack Tripper - Chrissy Snow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeMQoJFCH24) Dick Van Dyke (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001813/) Music Man (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_Man) Otterbein University, Department of Theatre & Dance (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) To Kill A Mockingbird (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Kill_a_Mockingbird)

2. 

   7 Jul 2026

   Carmel A ...and the community of it all

   Welcome to Episode 10 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to teaching artist Carmel A. Btw Carmel's cartoon portrait makes her look as glamorous as she actually is. FUN FACT: This past December, Carmel was recruited to direct her neighborhood HOA holiday spectacular. According to HOA bylaws, all costumes, scenery paint colors, and props have to get HOA board approval. As of July, they are still in the approval process. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Brave Young Voices (https://www.braveyoungvoices.org/) School of Theatre & Dance, Otterbein University (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) ‘Top Girls’ by Caryl Churchill (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Girls) SHREK- The Musical JR (https://www.mtishows.com/shrek-the-musical-jr) Ragtime (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragtime_(musical))

3. 

   30 Jun 2026

   Ryan R ...and the self-esteem of it all

   Welcome to Episode 9 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to actor Ryan R. Btw Ryan's cartoon portrait has a whole Seth Meyers thing going on. FUN FACT: Ryan's big break came on the set of The Young & the Restless. He played an ex-boxer who gets amnesia, falls in love with his former trainer, gets amnesia again, is killed in the ring by his former trainer, and then comes back as a ghost to haunt his former trainer. He earned an Emmy for the role. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Interlochen Center For the Arts (https://www.interlochen.org/) Will Farrell (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002071/) William Hurt (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000458/) John Malkovich (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000518/) St Clair Shores (https://www.scsmi.net/) Grosse Pointe Children’s Theatre (https://gpt.org/) Dynasty (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081856/) Dallas (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077000/) ‘Paper Dolls’ & Morgan Fairchild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma0QZpPpkKg) LaGuardia School of the Arts (https://www.laguardiahs.org/) The Theatre School at DePaul University (https://theatre.depaul.edu/) ‘Orphans’ by Lyle Kessler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphans_(Lyle_Kessler_play)) Cedar Point (https://www.sixflags.com/cedarpoint) ‘Pay-to-Play’ Workshops (https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/deal-pay-play-workshops-4387/) Kimball Acting Studio (https://www.kimballstudio.com/)

4. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Tricia S ...and the business of it all

   Welcome to Episode 8 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to theatre actor & businesswoman Tricia S. Btw Tricia's cartoon portrait has the best highlights in the business. FUN FACT: Tricia's corporate raider days were numbered when, as CEO, she arranged a hostile takeover of the Steinway Piano Co. To cut costs and boost profits, her board proposed eliminating one key on the piano. When she explained a piano needs 88 keys, she was branded a 'music lover' and fired. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Otterbein University, Department of Theatre & Dance (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) Once Upon a Mattress (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Mattress) Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweeney_Todd:_The_Demon_Barber_of_Fleet_Street) Avignon Theatre Festival (https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/culture/avignon-theatre-festival)

5. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Marianne T ...and the midlife of it all

   Welcome to Episode 7 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to musical theatre actor Marianne T. Btw Marianne's cartoon portrait for some reason says, "I'm a bit hippy & I love it." FUN FACT: At the famed Bellagio, Marianne was winning big at the high-roller table when she heard the distant sounds of a karaoke competition. She got up, leaving over 500K on the table. Singing Total Eclipse of the Heart, she won the $150 karaoke 1st prize. Her quote afterwards: "Totally worth it." Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Kirsten Dunst (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000379/) Cindy Lauper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyndi_Lauper#:~:text=Cynthia%20Ann%20Stephanie%20Lauper%20is%20an%20American,distinctive%20image%2C%20which%20features%20eccentric%20clothing%20and) Otterbein University, School of Theatre & Dance (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM) (https://www.ccm.uc.edu/) Into the Woods (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Woods) West Side Story (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story) Phantom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_(musical)) Educating Rita (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educating_Rita) 10 Little Indians (And Then There Were None) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Then_There_Were_None_(play)) CatCo (Contemporary Theatre of Ohio) (https://www.thecontemporaryohio.org/) Death of a Salesman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_Salesman)

6. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Beth M ...and the success of it all

   Welcome to Episode 6 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to improv professional Beth M. Btw Beth's cartoon portrait bangs are THE BEST FUN FACT: On Chicago's South side, Beth improvised her way into one-on-one ball with former President Obama. She was up 12-8 before the Secret Service realized she was not WNBA star Cameron Brink. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Beth's Improv Troup: Improvised Shakespeare Co (https://www.improvisedshakespeare.com/chicago) Beth's Instagram: @melewsk (https://www.instagram.com/melewsk/) Melissa McCarthy (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565250/) Bruce Campbell (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0132257/) Rumors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumors_(play)) Whose Line Is It Anyway (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whose_Line_Is_It_Anyway%3F_(American_TV_series)) Second City (https://www.secondcity.com/) Cash Cab (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_Cab_(American_game_show)) Second City: Guide to the Opera (https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/01/second-city-guide-to-the-opera-provides-quirky-laughs-yet-little-opera-for-newbies/) Lyric Opera of Chicago (https://www.lyricopera.org/) Church Sacristan (https://stpacc.org/ministry/sacristans/) TJ & Dave (https://www.tjanddave.com/)

7. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Josh G ...and the fear of it all

   Welcome to Episode 5 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to musical theatre artist Josh G. Btw he wanted us to make his cartoon portrait "snazzy" FUN FACT: Josh was about to start a barbershop called Todd Sweeny's where the stylists sing showtunes as they give you a shave and cut. He was forced to give up on the idea after being summarily sued by the vindictive Sondheim estate. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Otterbein University, Department of Theatre & Dance (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) A Few Good Men (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Few_Good_Men_(play)) Ohio Wesleyan (https://www.owu.edu/) Cedar Point (https://www.sixflags.com/cedarpoint) COSI (Center of Science Industry) (https://cosi.org/) Opera Columbus (https://www.operacolumbus.org/) Cannibal, The Musical (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibal!_The_Musical) Terrence Mann (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrence_Mann) Lost Colony (https://www.thelostcolony.org/) Parade (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parade_(musical)) Sweet Adelines International (https://sweetadelines.com/) Barbershop Harmony Society (https://www.barbershop.org/)

8. 

   26 May 2026

   Ryan M ...and the grind of it all

   Welcome to Episode 4 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to dancer/singer/actor Ryan M. Btw His cartoon portrait is mwah! Chef's kiss. FUN FACT: Ryan was hired to choreograph the much-hyped Broadway sequel A Chorus Line 2: A Chorus Boy. Unfortunately, the project fell through when producers deemed Hugh Jackman- at 57yrs- too old to play a chorus boy. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Ryan's Website (https://ryanmigge.com/) Ryan's Socials: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gettinmiggewithit/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@gettinmiggewithit) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ryanmiggealchemist/) Otterbein University, School of Theatre & Dance (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) Some Like It Hot (Musical) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Like_It_Hot_(musical)) Actors' Equity Association (https://actorsequity.org/aboutequity) Cabaret (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical)) Bonus Info: Jaques- International Theater Newsletter (https://gordoncox.substack.com/p/what-is-jaques-gordon-cox-newsletter)

9. 

   19 May 2026

   Melissa K ...and the expectations of it all

   Welcome to Episode 3 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to artist Melissa K. Btw I think we got the hair right on her cartoon portrait. FUN FACT: Melissa directed herself in a one-woman cabaret drama of lesser-known songs from the Hall & Oats catalogue. She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Daryl Hall, but was unanimously panned for her portrayal of John Oats. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠@placesforact2pod⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: Vital Shift Creative (https://vitalshiftcreative.com/) Otterbein University School of Theatre & Dance (https://www.otterbein.edu/theatre-dance/) Copa Cabana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2EoReHa-p8) Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (https://ensemblecincinnati.org/) Cabaret (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical))

10. 

    12 May 2026

    Taylor R ...and the craft of it all

    Welcome to Episode 2 of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to actor Taylor R. Btw his cartoon portrait looks exactly like him. FUN FACT: Taylor is best known for his role as Bloody Dagger in Disney's short-lived stage version of Macbeth in which all the inanimate objects from the famous Shakespearean tragedy come to life & question their fateful roles in the story. Follow us on Instagram ⁠@placesforact2pod (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Directors Notes: A Hero’s Journey (https://www.aherosjourney.org/) Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_%E2%80%93_Dead_Reckoning_Part_One) William Carey University, School of Arts & Letters (https://www.wmcarey.edu/arts-and-letters/theatre-and-communication/) Cumberland County Playhouse (https://ccplayhouse.com/) Oklahoma! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma) Texas Shakespeare Festival (https://www.texasshakespeare.com/) Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (https://www.ccm.uc.edu/) Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) (https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/) Joel Arthur Rosenthal (JAR) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Arthur_Rosenthal) Bergdorf Goodman (https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/stores/bergdorf-goodman-womens-store/)

11. 

    5 May 2026

    Alexis A ...and the sacrifice of it all

    Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Places for Act II podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking to Chicago actor Alexis A. Btw her cartoon portrait does NOT do her justice. FUN FACT: Alexis tap danced her way into our hearts in a little known production of Gimme Those Cement Shoes: A Mafia Love Story Follow us on Instagram @placesforact2pod (https://www.instagram.com/placesforact2pod/) Director's Notes: Alexis’ Website (https://www.alexisatwill.com/) The Gift Theatre (https://thegifttheatre.org/) Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Nutcracker (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0136439/) David Bowie Narrates Peter & the Wolf (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va8Uz6MoKLg) Free To Be You and Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFzMAApcW4U) Florida State University School of Theatre (https://theatre.fsu.edu/) Steppenwolf Theatre (https://www.steppenwolf.org/) The National Theatre (https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/home-us/) GENESIS (Performance Collective) (https://www.instagram.com/genesismakesperformance/) Manual Cinema (https://manualcinema.com/) Festen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festen_(play)) Steep Theatre (https://steeptheatre.com/)

12. 

    25 Apr 2026

    [PROMO3] Crisis on Campus: a short audio play

    RADICALIZATION IN PROGRESS!! If you've been radicalized by a liberal arts institution, you'll want to open your commie ears to this short audio play. We're 10 days away from the premiere of Episode 1. Join us, I say! JOIN US!! Curtain rises May 5th!

13. 

    12 Apr 2026

    [PROMO2] The Talk: a short audio play

    Close your eyes, use that imagination we know still exists in there somewhere, and enjoy a short audio play depicting the heart-wrenching talk between a father and son . For more audio entertainment, stay tuned! Full episodes dropping soon! Follow us on Instagram @placesforact2pod. Never miss an upload, follow, and turn on notifications. STAND BY, PLACES!

14. 

    1 Apr 2026

    PRE-SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT

    Podcast Origin Story: a plucky protagonist enters stage right...

15. 

    1 Apr 2026

    [PROMO] Intervention: a short audio play

    Here's a throwback to a simpler time when we listened to our stories rather than watch them! Enjoy this short audio play, and stay tuned for full episodes dropping soon!! To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @placesforact2pod. Never miss an upload, follow and turn on notifications. STAND BY, PLACES!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

4 ratings

Contact Places for Act II

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.