What’s Off?

OOBA // Then & Now

In 1972, a group of New York theatre makers realized something was “off” when they noticed the limited amount of funding and resources available for their community. This group set out to fill in some of those gaps, and thus OOBA (the Off-Off Broadway Alliance) was formed!
“It was because of OOBA that we were organized and that all of this happened. It wasn't random. We were very organized and we were right at that moment. At that moment, we were right.” - Bob Moss
Tune in as Audrey Rush chats it up with Stephen Facey, Barnet Kellman, and Bob Moss about the ‘Then & Now’ of A.R.T./New York.
 
Episode Transcript
For more information, including Guest Bios, visit the episode webpage.
For more about A.R.T./New York, please visit https://www.art-newyork.org/
 
If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to “What’s Off?” wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review. It really helps others find the show.
 
“What’s Off?” Production Staff
David E. Shane, Executive Producer
Erica Wray Barnes, Associate Producer
Ashley J. Hicks, Episode Line Producer
Catalin Media, Audio Engineer

Lynnette Taylor // Warrior Love

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), theatrical interpreter Lynnette Taylor grew up with sign language as her first language - her home language. When she moved to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art, no one told her that she would be separated from her first language in an all-hearing environment. Lynnette realized something was off when she met a Deaf man looking for an interpreter to participate in the 504 Sit-in, a civil rights demonstration for disabled people. In that moment, her life changed forever. 
Tune in to listen as Host Ashley J. Hicks chats with Lynnette about her origin story and how she combined her experience as a native signer and lover of the arts to create a robust career as a theatre interpreter. 
“This is a political act. Interpreting for the theater is a political act. Sharing this space is a political act. We need to be in this conversation about what politics are being made.” - Lynnette Taylor
CLICK HERE for an ASL interpreted version of of this podcast on A.R.T./New York’s YouTube page
Episode Transcript
GUEST BIO: 
Lynnette Taylor, BFA, CSC, brings her experience as a native signer and love of the arts to interpreted theatre to her teaching. She has interpreted over 100 Broadway and off Broadway shows that run the gamut from drama to comedy to musicals as well as interpreting behind the scenes for Deaf talent in Film,Television and Theatre. She was one of the curriculum developers and taught for over a decade at the national “Interpreting for the Theatre Seminar” held at the Juilliard School in New York City. She has published articles on interpretation and taught ethics and translation at LaGuardia Interpreter Education Program.She organized and co-moderated the Community Forums at the RID National Biennial Conference for 10 years. These past several years, she has been working with A.R.T./New York and Hands On, presenting workshops on interpreted theatre and is currently at work on a book about Interpreting Theatre with co-authors Stephanie Feyne and Candace Broecker- Penn, soon to be published. 
As a filmmaker, her work has focused on Deaf artists in Ella Mae Lentz’s, The Treasure, and showcasing artists in, Language Landscape. She is an award winning stop motion animation filmmaker. 
 
Additional Links:An ASL interpreted version of of this podcast is available on A.R.T./New York’s YouTube page.
Learn more about Hands On Sign Interpreted Theatrical Performances!
For more information about A.R.T./New York, please visit https://www.art-newyork.org/
If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to “What’s Off?” wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review. It really helps others find the show.
“What’s Off?” Production StaffDavid E. Shane, Executive ProducerErica Wray Barnes, Associate ProducerNicky Maggio, Episode Line ProducerCatalin Media, Audio Engineer

Tavia Rivée Jefferson // Launch the Class!

After 25 years of experience in the theatre industry as a performer, Tavia Rivée Jefferson realized her very unique skill set made her a perfect fit for an emerging need in the rehearsal room, but this time, behind the table. Tavia created the role of Cultural Coordinator -  a mediator, moderator, resource, and liaison to support cultural sensitivities in the artistic space. 
Tune in to listen as Host Ashley Hicks chats with Tavia about how her unique journey led her to cultural coordinating and how the question, “if not me, then who?” created an entirely new and necessary role in the theatre industry. 
“After the execution of George Floyd, I found myself in a lot of zoom rooms and affinity spaces where I was hearing people of color need a space or a representative to speak on our behalf when we didn't feel safe.” - Tavia Rivée Jefferson
Episode Transcript
GUEST BIO: 
Tavia Rivée Jefferson is a performer, director and communication specialist.  After earning her Communications degree from Chapman University, Tavia returned to the arts, performing in shows including, All Shook Up, Trav’lin, Hairspray, Beehive, HAIR, Little Shop of Horrors, Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE,  the National Tour of Motown the Musical and Disney Theatricals workshop cast of Aida.  During the pandemic, Tavia focused her skills in interpersonal and organizational communication and cultural relations to build the specialized role of Cultural Coordinating, designed to improve cultural competency in artistic spaces.  Tavia is currently Cultural Coordinator for multiple regional, touring, West End, and Broadway productions, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Company, Hairspray and Other World at Delaware Theatre Company. Tavia Rivée Jefferson
HOST BIOS:
Ashley J. Hicks (a.k.a. Ash, she/her) works currently as a Programs Coordinator for A.R.T./New York.  Ash is an actor, writer, solo performer & teaching artist. She received her MFA from the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in 2021 and was a participant in the 2022 Disney Discovers Talent Showcase. To learn more about Ashley and her past/recent projects, please visit www.ashley-j-hicks.com
Nicky Maggio or “N” (they/them) currently serves as Programs Manager at A.R.T/New York. N is a freelance theatrical curator with a focus on new play development and directing. Originally born in southeast Massachusetts, Nicky received their B.F.A. at Emerson College and then completed their M.F.A in Directing at The New School. For more information on their artistic projects visit www.nmaggio.com @nickymaggio
For more information about A.R.T./New York, please visit https://www.art-newyork.org/
If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to “What’s Off?” wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review. It really helps others find the show.
“What’s Off?” Production StaffDavid E. Shane, Executive ProducerErica Wray Barnes, Associate ProducerNicky Maggio, Episode Line ProducerCatalin Media, Audio Engineer

SITI Company // The Sun Has Set

In the Spring of 2023, Executive Director Michelle Preston, Producing Director Megan Carter, and Managing Director Brad Carlin sat down with David E. Shane to talk about the long road toward sunsetting the organization. SITI Company was an ensemble-based theater company whose three components were the creation of new work, the training of theater artists, and a commitment to crossing boundaries. Our guests discussed how they went about supporting ensemble members through the grief of letting go of their life’s work, and crying onstage (and off!) with the company during their final bows. Tune in!
“Trust your intuition. I knew [sunsetting SITI Company] was the right decision for this company much earlier in the process than others did. It took me a while to trust that intuition and to confidently say, I think this is the right thing for us to do.”  - Michelle Preston
Episode Transcript
For more information, including guest bios, visit the episode webpage.
 
Additional Links: 
SITI Company
Conscientious Closing - a conversation with SITI Company Leadership
Work. Shouldn’t. Suck. Podcast - Sunsetting Organizations
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast - Dante Puleio and Michelle Preston
 
For more information about A.R.T./New York, please visit https://www.art-newyork.org/
If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to “What’s Off?” wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review. It really helps others find the show.
 
“What’s Off?” Production StaffDavid E. Shane, Executive ProducerErica Wray Barnes, Associate ProducerNicky Maggio, Episode Line ProducerCatalin Media, Audio Engineer

“What’s OFF?” Teaser

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/ New York presents, “What’s Off?” - a podcast that shines the spotlight on Off-Broadway innovation! Each episode features interviews with trailblazing artists, administrations, service providers, and other theatre workers in the Off and Off-Off Broadway community.
Season One features innovators such as ASL Interpreter and Disability Justice Advocate Lynnette Taylor and Cultural Coordinator Tavia Rivée Jefferson. Audiences will learn about how A.R.T./New York was originally founded, and how the work of one leading theatre organization, SITI Company, came to a thoughtful and meaningful end. Join us to learn how today’s theatrical innovators are setting the stage for what’s next.
Trailer Transcript
For more information about A.R.T./New York, please visit https://www.art-newyork.org/
If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to “What’s Off?” wherever you get your podcasts.
“What’s Off?” Production Staff
David E. Shane, Executive ProducerErica Wray Barnes, Associate ProducerAshley J. Hicks and Nicky Maggio, Episode Line ProducersCatalin Media, Audio Engineer