More To Talk About (Level Forward)

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Claire Warden, the Co-Intimacy and Fight Director of Slave Play. Together, they explore: How do you put on a play like Slave Play safely? Is it possible? How do the actors prepare for such charged on-stage intimacy? Listen in to find out! For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (Kaneisha), Chalia La Tour (Tea), and Eboni Flowers (Kaneisha/Tea understudy) - the Black women of the cast of Slave Play Broadway, whose voices are often missing in the heated discussion around Slave Play's impact on Black women. In their own words- they explore the complications and celebrations of being a part of a play that challenges so many. For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Jakeem Dante Powell (Gary). Filled with tons of laughter, deep questioning, and even sour patch kids - Jakeem traverses the significance of Black, Queer representation and individualization in Slave Play, the theatre industry, and beyond. For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Johnathan Higginbotham (Phillip) & Devin Kawaoka (Dustin) to explore "what it means to be in-between"  through the eyes of the two characters in Slave Play who struggle most with their racial perception. Through personal stories and actors' insights, we unearth where the biracial experience materializes in Slave Play! For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Irene Sofia Lucio (Patricia) & Chalia La Tour (Tea). In Slave Play, Tea and Patricia are the scientists/therapists who created "antebellum sexual performance therapy" based on their own interracial relationship. In the context of race, sex & trauma - is it possible to separate lived experience from experimentation? What happens when the experiences of the people trying to lead a group keep bubbling to the surface? Listen to Chalia and Irene unpacking these tricky questions and more! For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Elizabeth Stahlman (Alana) & Rashaad Hall (Phillip u/s). In Slave Play, Alana and Phillip are one of the kinkiest couples in the show, foolishly living in "post-racial bliss". However, in therapy, that bliss swiftly fades away and what has previously gone unsaid turns into several onstage meltdowns. What is it like to embody people like Alana and Phillip? What personal stories do the actors bring to these characters? What do they learn about themselves and our society? Listen now!  For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Jakeem Dante Powell (Gary) and Devin Kawaoka (Dustin). In Slave Play, Gary and Dustin are an interracial gay couple whose relationship is underscored by fiery exchanges and palpable tension. How do Jakeem and Devin navigate the tricky dance between Gary and Dustin? Where do young queer people find models of loving relationships? What does black, queer, and biracial representation add to the canon? We talk about it all and more in this episode! For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk wrapping up season 1, Andrea Ambam sits down with Robert O' Hara (Director) and Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (Kaneisha) for the final conversation on Slave Play. With laughter and candor, we take it all the way back to the first rehearsal and navigate the directorial choices and audience reactions up until closing. What does walking away from Slave Play feel like? Listen now! For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

More To Talk About Season 2 is all about POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive running on Broadway right now. Tune into activated conversations with the 7 women who play the 7 women tasked with keeping a great dumbass alive + guest speakers from the POTUS Coalition!  You’ll get in-depth character breakdowns alongside tangible ways to organize and mobilize around the political issues profoundly impacting us all. For more resources to feed your ongoing curiosities visit: www.moretotalkabout.com

In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with feminist greats, Gloria Steinem and Jamia Wilson, alongside POTUS playwright Selina Fillinger as they explore the past, present, and future of intersectional feminism and movement building in a conversation inspired by POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive running on Broadway right now.
Feed your ongoing curiosities about POTUS on Broadway: potus.moretotalkabout.com

Learn more about Gloria Steinem: www.gloriasteinem.com
Learn more about Jamia Wilson: www.jamiawilson.com
Learn more about Selina Fillinger: www.selinafillinger.com

Please note: All of these POTUS conversations deeply impact a range of gender and sexual identities.  This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and a range of LGBTQIA+ identities who are marginalized.

In POTUS, Jean (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s press secretary meaning she knows all about the power of shaping a story. In this talk, Andrea Ambam sits down with Suzy Nakamura (the actress who plays Jean), Aimee Allison (President of She The People), and Maya Contreras (Political Narrative Strategist and Former Democratic Congressional Candidate), to explore how reshaping the cultural narrative can support the on-the-ground effort for more women of color in politics -  using the events of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive as a launching point. Recorded on the day the draft Dobbs decision was leaked, this talk starts with how to organize around abortion rights.

Feed your ongoing curiosities about POTUS on Broadway: potus.moretotalkabout.com

How to take action around abortion/reproductive rights:

• https://donations4abortion.com/
•  https://publicgoodnews.com/2022/06/22/how-to-access-abortion-funds/
• https://tinyurl.com/AbortionResourceKit

Please note: All of these POTUS conversations deeply impact a range of gender and sexual identities.  This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and a range of LGBTQIA+ identities who are marginalized.

In POTUS, Chris (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is a white house journalist eagerly trying to gather the facts around the president’s scandal, all while balancing the demands of motherhood. In conversation with Lisa Helmi Johanson (an actress who plays Chris), Liuba Grechen Shirley (Founder and CEO of Vote Mama), and Françoise Olivas (NYS Senate Candidate),  we’ll traverse what it means to be a mother and/or a caregiver running for office, the policies/issues they are uniquely fit to address, and why we need more moms and caregivers in the white house - using the events of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive as a launching point.

Feed your ongoing curiosities about POTUS on Broadway: potus.moretotalkabout.com

Please note: All of these POTUS conversations deeply impact a range of gender and sexual identities.  This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and a range of LGBTQIA+ identities who are marginalized.

In POTUS, Margaret (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the first lady desperately trying to reframe her public image while all of her great services to society, her role in the president’s successes, and her accolades go ignored. Sound familiar? In conversation with Vanessa Williams (the actress who plays Margaret) and LaTosha Brown (Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter), we’ll get real about the role that Black women have continuously played in uplifting and protecting our democratic rights. We’ll also talk through how we can move beyond praise and into tangible support of Black women’s political power- using the events of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive as a launching point.

Feed your ongoing curiosities about POTUS on Broadway: potus.moretotalkabout.com

Please note: All of these POTUS conversations deeply impact a range of gender and sexual identities.  This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and a range of LGBTQIA+ identities who are marginalized.

SPECIAL DOUBLE FEATURE EPISODE  using the events of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive as a launching point.

1 | Dismantling Obstacles to Equality: An Urgent Excavation In Honor of Pride and Resistance
In POTUS, Bernadette  (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s look-alike sister and a proud lesbian who quickly proves that street smarts definitely belong in the white house. In conversation with Lea DeLaria (the actress who plays Bernadette), Carol Jenkins ( ERA coalition), Zakiya Tomas (New President & CEO of ERA Coalition), alongside Charlotte Clymer (Writer & Activist), we celebrated Pride month by engaging in the activist work of our queer ancestors and asking how we can move towards an “equal future.” Looking at how passing the Equal Rights Amendment can benefit us all, we got real specific about the intrinsic connections between sex-based discrimination and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

2 | My Body, My Choice: Sexual & Reproductive Justice
In POTUS, Dusty (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s dalliance and one of the most unexpected voices for reproductive rights (and other hot button issues) throughout the show. She’s also got a knack for conflict mediation.  In conversation with Gisela Chípe (POTUS company), Nancy Northup (President & CEO of Center for Reproductive Rights), and Yolanda Miranda (National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice), we talked about all things body autonomy including the right to choose, and how organizers across the country are working to protect every person’s right to access safe and affordable reproductive care especially in light of the Dobbs decision.

Feed your ongoing curiosities about POTUS on Broadway: potus.moretotalkabout.com

Please note: All of these POTUS conversations deeply impact a range of gender and sexual identities.  This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and a range of LGBTQIA+ identities who are marginalized.

Season Finale! DOUBLE FEATURE EPISODE  using the events of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive as a launching point.

1 | Majority Rules: Feminism on the Ballot
In POTUS, Harriet  (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s chief of staff and is the real reason the country hasn’t fallen apart yet, though her achievements have always lived under the president’s spotlight.  In conversation with Julie White (the tony-nominated actress who plays Harriet), Amanda Brown Lierman (Executive Director of Supermajority Education Fund), and Stephanie L. Young (Executive Director of When We All Vote) we seek to dismantle the narratives that keep women from achieving greater political power and organize around what it means to operate with a feminist agenda that creates greater equity for us ALL. 

2 | Women & Leadership Who Run the World?
In POTUS, Stephanie (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s quirky secretary who is struggling with confidence in the workplace despite a long list of skills and a resume that should put her imposter syndrome to shame. In conversation with Anita Abdinezhad (the actress who covers Dusty & Stephanie), Jennifer Fouché (the actor who covers Margaret, Harriet, Bernadette, & Jean), Zunera Ahmed (IGNITE Board Member), and an expert (through study or experience) who can speak on women in the workplace, we’ll demystify the narratives surrounding women and confidence - including taking up space and imposter syndrome. Queue up your b*tch beats as we explore how radical and inclusive women empowerment can lead to more equitable workspaces in politics, theatre, and beyond.

Feed your ongoing curiosities about POTUS on Broadway: potus.moretotalkabout.com

Please note: All of these POTUS conversations deeply impact a range of gender and sexual identities.  This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and a range of LGBTQIA+ identities who are marginalized.

Bonus episode! This year, I sat down with cast members from the Oklahoma Broadway National Tour and folks from Human Rights Campaign on March 31st, 2022 - International Transgender Day of Visibility - to talk about the importance and complexity of trans visibility onstage and offstage. Meet Hennessy Winkler (Will Parker in Oklahoma!),  Charleigh Flohr (Senior Research Manager at HRC), and Queen Hatcher-Johnson (National and Local Trans Rights Advocate).

For more concrete ways to be an active ally to the Trans community: www.hrc.org/trans

To feed your ongoing curiosities about Oklahoma x More To Talk About: www.moretotalkabout.com  

Bonus Episode! The Oklahoma! Broadway National Tour has made headlines for taking an innovative spin on a beloved “classic American” musical. While many hold classics near and dear to their hearts, recent revivals force us to reckon with the way in which classical musicals have most often been centered around a White American experience. Considering Oklahoma (the state) is home to more historically all-Black towns than any other U.S state and in honor of Juneteenth —  listen to Sis (Ado Annie in Oklahoma!) and Ugo Chukwu (Cord Elam in Oklahoma!) unpack their unique experiences as Black actors in the new Oklahoma! and what it's like to be a Black creative in a tumultuous theatre industry.

To feed your ongoing curiosities about Oklahoma! x More To Talk About: www.moretotalkabout.com  

FLEX by Candrice Jones follows a 1998 high school girl’s basketball team on their winding journey toward a potentially life-changing state championship game.

Inspired by the events and themes within the adrenaline-packed play FLEX, this soul-searching conversation - with Rachel Cargle (Author & Entrepreneur), Mahogany L. Browne (Author & Lincoln Center Poet-In-Residence), and Candrice Jones (FLEX Playwright) - excavates the triumphs and tribulations of coming-of-age, the misconceptions of the south, and, how the power of interdependence and open conversations about mental health can save us all.

Feed your ongoing curiosities at www.moretotalkabout.com

We love being live! Please note: audio has some technical difficulties from about 2:45-9:57. Thanks for your understanding :)

FLEX by Candrice Jones follows a 1998 high school girl’s basketball team on their winding journey toward a potentially life-changing state championship game.

Inspired by the events and themes within the adrenaline-packed play FLEX,  Andrea Ambam sits down with Dr. Leeja Carter (Black Feminist Sport Psychology Practitioner, CEO & Founder of The Coalition for Food & Health Equity), Khristina Williams (Founder of Girls Talk Sports TV), and Jamia Wilson (Activist and Writer) for a  myth-busting conversation about the unique experiences of Black women athletes.

Feed your ongoing curiosities at www.moretotalkabout.com

Featuring Audio from:

• MSNBC: Driving Race, Gender, And Sex in 'Flex' at Lincoln Center Theatre (https://www.msnbc.com/american-voices/watch/driving-race-gender-and-sex-in-flex-at-lincoln-center-theater-189416005960)

Coming to you live from Tribeca Film Festival 2023! Mountains is a new film centered around a Haitian demolition worker who seeks to buy a home amidst a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in Little Haiti, Miami.  Listen to an unvarnished conversation about the making of their debut feature film,  immigrant representation on screen, and the politics of Florida featuring Monica Sorelle (Director & Co-writer), Robert Colom (Co-writer & Producer), and DJ Reed (Senior Manager, Entertainment Partnerships and Advocacy at Define American). 

Feed your ongoing curiosities at www.moretotalkabout.com 

The Year Between - currently streaming on Peacock - is the comedic, yet viscerally real depiction of a young adult learning to live alongside her recent bipolar diagnosis - all while juggling a leave of absence from college, family life, the Chicago suburbs, friendships,  therapy, and new self-care routines. In conversation with Alex Heller (Writer, Director, and Star of The Year Between), HaJ (Executive Producer of The Year Between), Alexa James (CEO of National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago), we traverse the making of The Year Between and discuss how raw, real, and sometimes chaotic depictions of mental illness on screen help shatter the stigma.

For support and resources visit https://www.namichicago.org/resources

Feed your ongoing curiosities at https://www.theyearbetweenfilm.com/ and  www.moretotalkabout.com

BODY PARTS traces the evolution of "sex" on-screen from a woman’s perspective, uncovering the uncomfortable realities behind some of the most iconic scenes in cinema history and celebrating the bold creators leading the way for change. In conversation with the filmmakers, Kristy Guevara-Flanagan (Director of BODY PARTS) and Helen Hood Scheer (Producer of BODY PARTS), alongside Dr. Stephane Dunn (Cultural Critic, Filmmaker, & Author of SNITCHERS & Baad Bitches & Sassy Supermamas) we dive into the making of BODY PARTS and explore our visions for the culture-shifting conversations and progressive action that BODY PARTS can bring to the entertainment industry and beyond.

Feed your ongoing curiosities at https://www.bodypartsfilm.com/ and www.moretotalkabout.com

Listen to More To Talk About on Our Body Politic this week! Exclusive interviews and audio covering the role of storytelling in ending the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Relatives Crisis, using the forthcoming documentary short We Ride For Her  as a launching point. 

Listen to episode wherever you listen to podcast, and across the country on the radio for the next week: https://ourbodypolitic.com/

To learn more about the film and action you can take visit: https://www.werideforher.com/

Andrea Ambam sits down for a 1 to 1 interview with a special guest from a previous episode this season - Dr. Leeja Carter (Womanist Health Practitioner, CEO & Founder of The Coalition for Food & Health Equity). Find out more about Dr.  Leeja Carter and stay involved with her work at https://www.leejacarter.com/

Feed your ongoing curiosities at www.moretotalkabout.com

At a time repeatedly declared one of the most politically polarized, even the comfort of the family living room can become a hotbed for contentious debate. A new play by Isaac Gomez RADICAL or, are you gonna miss me?  tells the sweeping story of a recently “radicalized” woman on the Mexican-American border, and hauntingly displays how the impact of her radicalization hits close to home. So using the events of the play RADICAL or, are you gonna miss me? as a launching point for a timely conversation – Host Andrea Ambam sat down with Isaac Gómez (Playwright), Glauz Diego (Director of Arts & Culture, Community Coalition LA), and Cecilia Márquez (Historian, Author &,  Professor) to debunk the myths and misconceptions about BIPOC groups and political affiliation, explore the societal impacts of an ever-growing ideological divide, and to answer the question: what is the role of storytelling in rebridging our ability to sit in the living room with one another?

MORE TO TALK ABOUT (MTTA) is Level Forward’s Anthem Award-winning audience engagement platform that uses story to ignite culture-shifting conversations, activations, and community-building experiences. More where that's from on our curated digital hub www.moretotalkabout.com

Inspired by the events and themes within Three Houses  (a new magical realism musical by Dave Malloy) - Host Andrea Ambam sat down with Ann James (Intimacy Coordinators of Color), Christine Jones (Theatre for One), and Laurie Woolery (Citizen Artist) for a heartfelt conversation exploring community, art, intimacy, play, and connection as cures for the loneliness epidemic. 

MORE TO TALK ABOUT (MTTA) is Level Forward’s Anthem Award-winning audience engagement platform that uses story to ignite culture-shifting conversations, activations, and community-building experiences. More where that's from on our curated digital hub www.moretotalkabout.com

How To Dance in Ohio, the landmark Broadway musical, followed the coming-of-age journey of seven autistic young adults preparing for a spring formal dance — better known as a young person’s right of passage into love, stress, and independence. Inspired by the events and themes within the heart-filled new musical How To Dance in Ohio, Host Andrea Ambam sat down with members of the landmark HTDIO Broadway Access team – Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt (Autistic Creative Consultant), Nicole D’Angelo (Assistant Music Director & Script Consultant), and Becky Leifman  (Former Director of Community Engagement at CO/LAB) – for an insightful conversation exploring the role of entertainment in creating abundant and accessible futures for disabled folks.

MORE TO TALK ABOUT (MTTA) is Level Forward’s Anthem Award-winning audience engagement platform that uses story to ignite culture-shifting conversations, activations, and community-building experiences. More where that's from on our curated digital hub www.moretotalkabout.com