EncoreNOW

EncoreNOW

Interviews with the movers and shakers in the STL performing arts scene.

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EncoreNOW
  • The Importance of Original Work

    Montana Takacs shares her path to professional acting, which included formal training at SIUE. She discusses the importance of creating original work and unpacks her character in the play That Woman. Montana also explores the relationship between writing and acting and emphasizes the significance...

  • Standing Out as a Dancer

    Jenny Battenberg shares her inspiring story from waiting tables to pursuing her passion for dance. From her rural upbringing in Villa Ridge, Missouri, to auditions and training, Jenny takes us inside the challenges and rewards of being a dancer.

    She also discusses her love for choreography, the...

  • Turning a Hobby Into a Career

    Tayler Carter, a filmmaker originally from Troy, Missouri, shares his journey into the creative field of animation.

    Despite an initial focus on what he considered rigorous academics, Tayler experienced extreme burnout. An unexpected study break created the awakening he needed to following his t...

  • The Face Behind the Booth

    DJ Pharaoh is a music producer and nightclub DJ. He shares his journey into music, collaborations with artists, and experiences at music festivals. He delves into his education in audio engineering, his career, and the challenges of gaining recognition on social media.

    The discussion also explo...

  • Documenting My Infertility Journey

    When we hear stories about infertility, they often conclude with a beautiful baby at the end. What about those that don’t?

    Hollie Brubaker is an Emmy-award winning filmmaker, who decided to create a documentary around her infertility journey.

    In this podcast episode, she delves into societal p...

  • Inspired Storytelling

    Mia Bible is an actor, producer and screenwriter. Her resume consists of stage, film and commercial credits. Mia's short film "Honorable" premiered to critical acclaim in 2023. She has also developed The Industry Bible - an initiative to create an equitable film and theater industry for Black pro...

  • Punching Above My Weight

    Doveed Linder is a filmmaker from St. Louis, MO. His most recent film, "The Box" is a sci-fi thriller and took 11 years to make. We discuss his filmmaking approach, why "The Box" took so long to complete, his love of the sport of boxing and the current landscape of independent cinema.

  • My "Radical" Perspective

    Vincent Latigue is a university student focusing on studio art with a minor in Japanese. In this episode, he talks stand-up comedy, military service and the current political landscape.

  • Defying Death and Directing My Own Destiny

    Delisa Richardson is the epitome of resilience. Despite having an autoimmune disease, she has made a name for herself as an accomplished actress, model and director. We have an in-depth conversation about her career, dealing with ulcerative colitis, and her near-death experience due to a pulmonar...

  • Storytelling on a Budget

    Michael Rich is a film director, who is originally from St. Louis and now lives in LA. From the challenges of funding short films to the evolution of technology in cinema, Michael shares his insights and experiences. Discover the importance of storytelling in an age where cinematic quality is now...

  • The Question of Freedom

    Jim Mosquera's keen understanding of economics and the political landscape fueled his desire to begin writing. A regular column in the Economist gave rise to his fiction and nonfiction books.

    In this episode, you'll get an understanding of the world of writing and self publishing, and you'll le...

  • Work Ethic Counts

    Music has been part of Kendall Turnbough’s life as long as he can remember.

    From making guest appearances during his dad’s sets as a child, he went on to get a formal education in music, and he enjoyed a successful career as a pianist and singer.

    You’ll learn that hustle is just as important as...

  • A Life on Stage

    Jane Paradise is a renowned stage actress and teacher. She shares her journey and passion for instilling the love of the arts in children. Discover how arts shape our world and why St. Louis is becoming a hub for performing arts.

  • Comedy Business School

    Jevon Westmoland is a stand-up comic from St. Louis, MO. He offers insights into the intricate dance between mastering the business side of comedy and effectively leveraging platforms like Facebook. Discover the distinct challenges and rewards of resonating with audiences both on stage and online...

  • Behind the Laughs

    Andrew Gaffigan is an up and coming stand-up comic. In this candid conversation , he gives us a glimpse into the early challenges and triumphs of an emerging comedian. From the unpredictability of audience reactions to the art of quickly switching topics on stage, this episode offers an unfiltere...

  • Fringe is the Place

    In this episode, we have Chris Andoe and Matthew Kerns from the St. Lou Fringe Fest. The week-long event is from August 14-20 and features more than 40 artists.

    Chris is the author of two books, and talks about being the society columnist for the Riverfront times. He shares a few stories about h...