Arts workers are essential, and more than ever, it’s important that the world understand what it’s like to work in the performing arts. Hear the bold, untold personal stories on workplace and work culture from arts workers themselves. The ARTS. WORK. LIFE. podcast series is produced by APAP and made possible with support from the Wallace Foundation.
Feeling like an “outsider” can be isolating, and sometimes you don’t even realize the weight you’re carrying until you find yourself in a place of belonging. In Episode 4, a circus performer, Shakespearean actor, classical musician, and Native storyteller share their journeys from “outsider” to “insider,” exploring representation, safe spaces, embracing identity and confronting privilege.
Introduction: “In The Spotlight” with Chris Rooney, a circus performer and founding member of the BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest in Chicago, Illinois.
Act One: “Barred from The Bard ” with Farah Merani, an actor, writer and arts educator in Los Angeles, California.
Act Two: “Into the Fold” with Mari Lee, the CEO and artistic director of Salon Séance in New York, New York.
Act Three: “Walking Between Worlds” with Leland Faulkner, a performing artist and arts educator. He lives in Maine on Mi’kmaq, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy and Abenaki tribal land.
You can find a full transcript and more on APAP’s website: https://apap365.org/podcast/
Are you a performing arts worker with a story to tell? Submit it here: https://bit.ly/AWLpodsubmit
.
The Storytellers in this episode:
Chris Rooney (Chicago, IL), a circus performer and founding member of the BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest, who unveiled the beauty that comes from creating new spaces.
Farah Merani (Los Angeles, CA), an actor, writer and arts educator, who confronted her complicated relationship with Shakespeare.
Mari Lee (New York, NY), the CEO and artistic director of Salon Séance, whose new perspective as an outsider helped her create ways for people far outside the “elite” world of classical music to connect with it.
Leland Faulkner (Maine), a performing artist and arts educator, who, after devastating times, remade himself by reconnecting with his Native roots.
.
ARTS. WORK. LIFE. is an award-winning podcast about what it’s really like to work in the performing arts, featuring bold, untold stories from artists and arts workers.
The podcast is produced by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals with the support of the Wallace Foundation. Listen on your favorite podcast app.
Do you have a story to share? Submit your news story, article or press release.