Whisper in the Wings Episode 1522

0:00Tyler Reddick here from 2311 Racing. Victory Lane? Yeah, it's even better with Chamba by my side. Race to chambacacino.com, let's Chamba. No purchase necessary, VTW Group, void work prohibited by law, CTNCs, 21 Plus, sponsored by ChambaCacino. I was ordering food from our usual place for the big meeting. My VP said, please God no. For workplaces suffering with corporate catering deficiency, every day is a struggle. The food was always met and over budget. Before easy cater, I thought that was normal. Easy Cater is designed to treat CCD with a huge variety of restaurants. Help me dietary needs and stay on budget. Use daily, one platform lets you save time and thrive. Ask your web browser about Easy Cater, or start an order at EasyCater.com. Hello, everyone, and welcome back into a fabulous new whisper

1:08in the wings from stage whisper. We continue our pregame coverage of this year's 2026 New York City Fringe Festival on our program today. Of course, the festival is mentioned, runs from April 1st through the 19th and is playing at Understate Marks, the Chain Theater, the Wild Project, and the Red NYC. And you can get your tickets in more information by visiting frigid.nyc. We have three wonderful shows to share with you today and three wonderful artists to do so with. On our program today, we're going to hear from echoes of my silence created and performed by Azara Kangarani, trapped, the weekend, and the search for love created and performed by Akhil, and follower created and performed by Catherine McGaffigan. We are so excited to have these wonderful artists on our program. So without further ado, please join me in welcoming on our guests, everyone, good afternoon, and welcome into whisper in the wings from stage whisper. Good afternoon. I know. Thank you.

2:10I am thrilled that you are all here, and I'm so excited to learn about these great shows that you have come into the Big Apple for this year's New York City Fringe Festival. Let us begin first by having you all tell our listeners a little bit about what your shows are all about. Starting with you, Azara, and echoes of my silence. Sure, thanks for having us here, Andrew. I want to start telling about my show with a question. Have you ever been in a situation that you get surprised by your own reaction to the situation, or even you may get shocked by how you treated that situation? So you may be in a kind of a disbelief about yourself. You may come to an argue with yourself, like how could I react to the situation in that manner? So that was a kind of a trigger on starting point for me to write echoes of my silence

3:10when I saw a female pilot on a flight in Europe, and I doubted her ability to operate the plane, to operate the plane. And it wasn't that far ago, it was just a few years ago, and I know myself as a fair and unbiased person, as a woman, as a person. So I wanted to realize more about the patterns, about the patriarchal patterns that shaped my personality, shaped the way I think, and I wanted to learn more about myself. I wanted to face the issues that I carry with myself still, and I wanted to get out of that frustration. So that made me write this play echoes of my silence to answer a lot of questions that I had about myself and to share it with the audience. That is fascinating. Wow. Achille, tell us a bit about this piece that you've got trapped,

4:12the weekend and the search for love. Well, again, thank you for having us. Well, Trapped is an unconventional, one-man musical. It's compiled of a collection of one-sided conversations. I guess it's displayed through flashbacks, that would probably be the best way to say it. It's about a guy's journey through his anxiety disorder, while he's journeying for romance and the career of his dreams. His inner voice, God, if you will, plays for a huge part in challenging him to a life of mental wellness. Believe it or not, it's a love story, but you'll have to come see the show to see how that plays itself out. So I think this show will reflect a lot of people's lives in that way we're reaching for goals, and sometimes we allow the bad things in life or even we do things that are just not great for ourselves,

5:15that interrupt the journey that we're on. And I think that a lot of people will be able to relate to CJ's journey. That is fantastic. We are two-for-two so far on great shows. And I have confidence it'll be three-for-three. That's Catherine tells us about her piece, Follower. Oh, thanks. So Follower is about a young woman who's pretty disillusioned and she becomes obsessed with her aloof, but high-achieving classmate, and she begins following him and meticulously researching him. And to the point where she becomes remaking herself, she dismantles herself and starts remaking herself a bit in his image to be better liked by him, but she believes that it's also like a self-exploration journey of self-improvement. It goes too far, but where is the line? Where's the line of following and stalking? And I question that a lot of us are doing it nowadays

6:16with our following habits. And there's now, there's a male voice talking about stalking. There's baby reindeer, there's you on Netflix, but it's all male voice driven. And of course, the woman is like the prey prey one. And I want to speak from a woman's perspective for this. And just demystify following stalking. I want to ask questions, where is the line? Is there no line? And it's also based about 25 years ago, pre-social media era. This is a lot of pre-social culture, which is very fun for me being of that era. Yes, yes. We're either the generation of notable noir antics from the 90s or it's the mice that you really want to confuse the younger generation throughout Tom and Myspace. Everyone had a fan named Tom back in the day, you know? Really get them confused. That sounds amazing. So listeners, as you can tell, we've got three absolutely wonderful, diverse pieces

7:18to bring you today. And we're going to dive a bit more into those and tap. And I do want to stick with you first for this question. I'd love to know what inspired you to want to create this piece? Sure. So this is from 25 years ago. I first conceptualized this back then, actually. It's a little loosely based on true events and truly based on loose events from my youth. And yeah, there was a form I was very, when I was younger, I was very sheltered. And I did use, as they say, mirror neurons. I adapted and learned a lot by watching other people who doesn't, you know, the habit of observation. But of course, there is that line of going too far. And I think, and it's a lot more prominent nowadays. So yeah, that's where the conception was originally. And then I thought, there's a need for this right now. And this story should be heard right now. That is wonderful. A kill, what about you? What inspired you to want to create this work? Well, I somehow told myself by the age of 30, I should do a one-man show.

8:18And it was kind of like my imposed, self-imposed ride of passage into my, I guess, more prominent acting career because I've been acting by that time for a while. But so I decided on my 30th birthday, I would do this. Well, I had no intention. When I say I had no intention, I had no intention of taking it any further. But the reception was absolutely amazing. And I felt a push or some type of something in me saying that, you know, this is part of your journey. And I took it from there. And so that was, you know, 22 years ago. And I've done a few things with the show and developed it throughout the years. And here we are. That's a lofty goal there. I admire that. That is amazing. Azada, tell us about what inspired you to want to create this work? Well, at the time, it was in 2022

9:20that a festival in Czech Republic in Prague asked me to create a work about violence. Against women. And what I was trying to think about different topics related to violence against women. And honestly, after much thought, I am the best source of my writing. I, since 2016, I started to write autobiographical plays all my stories. And this is my fourth autobiographical play, One Woman Show. So again, I refer to myself as a source of my play. And I realized everything is there. I just need to bring them out all the information which are embedded within me and put them together and put a play on. But this was so intimate and so deep, I mean, because it has to do with a lot of very deep personal experiences

10:22that I never shared with anyone. It was painful to share. And suddenly, I was there on stage sharing my story with public in public. So I would say it has been a great journey for self-development, for self-recognition, and so on. And amazingly, I can connect with the audience, even after the show, because many people come to me, talk to me about their own experiences. So that inspiration of self, I believe, it's a journey. And it's a path to connect self to universe, to other people. I love that. That's amazing. A kill coming to you to kick off this next question. I'd love to know, what has it been like for you developing this piece and getting it up on its feet ahead of the French festival? Well, it's been challenging. So I want to go back a little bit. So when I started developing this show after the first show at my 30th birthday party,

11:26I created a main character. So it was a show compiled of monologues with these different characters that had a little less than six degrees of separation. And the theme was love-ish. The first title of the show was, I think, searching for love. And so when I started to develop it, I gave the main character a storyline. And so he was connected to all of the characters that I previously done in some way or another. Then I started pulling from my life, relationships that were not great and how I was in those relationships. And the type of work that I had to do to get out of my own anxiety when it came down to just knowing that something was not right in the relationship, but refusing to leave. And so I think I compiled a lot of life. I pulled from a home of different talents or what little talents I had in whatever areas.

12:27And I decided to put it down on paper. And I'm really happy for it because while I did not want to do a one-man show after that first one, it is proven to be very, I guess, cathartic, is the right word. It has helped me throughout my life in more ways than I probably can express at this moment. Well, that is a wonderful sentiment right there. I love it. Asada, what about you? What's it been like for you developing this show? Well, as I kill mentioned it, it has been challenging for me as well. Because I think we kind of touched the vulnerable places of our being. And for me, writing those leader experiences was tough. I wrote them. I edited them. I rehearsed them, acted them out. And I put them out for public to see it.

13:29So my absolute vulnerable being would be on stage and expose to any kind of comment or opinion. But I say that it has been a healing journey for me to learn things about myself. And of course, it's not only about the bitter moments. I also add the spice of humor to it, to make it more understandable, to grab to make it easier to be grasped for the audience. And of course, we are human. We have our humoric side, humorist side, and also the bitter side. I mean, we are multi-dimensional creatures. So it has been very challenging, but I love the journey. Love hearing that. Love that. Kat, when coming to you to start my next question,

14:31I'd love to know, is there a particular message or thought you're hoping audiences will take away from your piece? Yeah, there's actually, I nailed it down. Looking for excitement? Shamba Casino is here. Play any time, play anywhere, play on the train, play at the store, play at home, play with your board. Play today for your chance to win and get daily bonuses when you log in. So why are you waiting for? Don't delay. Shamba Casino is free to play. Experience social gameplay like never before. Go to Shamba Casino right now to play hundreds of games, including online slots. Fingo, slingo, and more! Live the Chumble Life at ChumbleCasino.com. No purchase necessary VGW could avoid for prohibited by law of 21-plus terms and conditions apply. This podcast is sponsored by IQBAR. I've got good news and bad news. Here's the bad news. Most protein bars are packed with sugar and unpronounceable ingredients. The good news? There's a better option. I'm Will and I created IQBAR plant protein bars to empower doers like you with clean, delicious, low sugar, brain, and body fuel.

15:33IQBARs are packed with 12 grams of protein, brain nutrients like magnesium and lion's mane and zero weird stuff. And right now you can get 20% off all IQBAR products plus reshipping. Try our delicious IQBAR sampler pack with 7 plant protein bars for hydration mixes and 4 enhanced coffee sticks. Clean ingredients, amazing taste, and you'll love how you feel. Refuel smarter, hydrate harder, caffeinate larger. Go to eatikubar.com and enter code bar 20 to get 20% off all IQBAR products plus free shipping. Again, go to eatikubar.com and enter code bar 20 to a term. There's this term, limerence. I don't know if y'all have heard of it. So it's a psychological term. It was started in 1970s, but it's really going viral now. It's obsessiveness about one individual amuse that's usually unattainable or doesn't like the person back or maybe doesn't even know them. This is kind of like a celebrity crush to the max sort of thing.

16:33It's very debilitating, it's clinical, and essentially that's what my character has. I'm not really going to get into it too much clinically in the piece, but my show I really want to give some awareness around if there's a Q&A or deep dive into the topic. Essentially the stalker is going through this experience of limerence and it's a brutal addictive vicious cycle. And no one really knows the term to even be able to empathize with it if they don't have it or know someone who's going through it. So just a little more empathy for the taboo idea of stalker. And again, I think it's a spectrum. We're all sort of following at this point. So are you suffering from this too? Come, commiserate. I love that. Listen, I love a show where we get to learn as well. We get to laugh and learn. That's a great setting. Is that a, what about you? Is there a particular message or thought you hope audiences take away from the piece? Well, as a woman, I'm sure a lot of other women have been through issues like episodes

17:38that I've been to that maybe afterwards they felt ashamed and they lost a sense of confidence. And I hope if they, if especially younger woman, younger generation, I wish for them to come and see the play and I hope that everyone doesn't matter really about the gender. But everyone would trust their values and how they should treat their personal values that they deeply believe in. And also, it's a lot, I mean, of course the play is called Echoes of My Silence. Silence to me, it has, you know, it has echoes. So it's not that if we silence ourselves, if we suppress and censor ourselves, there are so many layers that they are active underneath. So we have to look at them, we have to give value to them. That is a wonderful thought there, Azada. I love that.

18:38I killed, we are going to come to you next to kick off our final question for this first part. And I would love to know, who are you hoping to have access to your show? Who? I think I have to start with the individual audience member that comes. And I think it has, I would love someone who, to be there, who needs an inkling of hope and to be able to, who's yearning for a change of some sort or a spark. And I'm hoping that my, my show can do that for them. From a business perspective. I would love for a producer of stage, film, even a TV to, to see it, and TV creators who are looking for something new and fresh. I think that my concept, while it's not brand new, I think as an individual doing a one,

19:40one person musical or doing a musical, it's not as well known or it's not, I don't see it being done often. And I would love for that to have its own space on TV, on stage for a run. So I'm hoping that there is somebody who, out there who's looking for something new and fresh, that can be developed into something exceptional. That is a great answer. I love that you separated the two, the artistic in the business because let's be real. That is the world that we live in as theater artists. That would bring us home on this first part. Who are you hoping to have access to your show? Folks interested in psychology and how far we'll go to change ourselves, whether we get into trouble along the way a little bit or not, but that motivation, that attention of, you know, self-betterment and, you know, better functioning is great. And also I'm interested in developing a team as well to bring this to Edinburgh Fringe

20:42and to bring this to potentially a pilot. So industry is welcome and press is welcome at this point. And yeah, I think, yeah, everyone is absolutely welcome. I think there's a little bit of something in there for everyone. There's nostalgia of the 90s and early odds. I mean, come on. Well, on the second part of our interviews, we love giving our listeners a chance to get to know our guests a bit better. And I want to skip right on down to my favorite question to ask, guys, and I'm so excited to hear your answers. And that question, of course, is what is your favorite theater memory? I think I have it. I don't know if this is a good theater memory, but it's one nonetheless.

21:43I was doing the changeling in college. I can't remember what this show was all about. I think it was two brothers pitted against one another or something like that. And I had this one line. I was not a main character, but I was, I was, I had a supporting role. And I had this one line as I'm leaving to go off into the wings. And I flubbed the line. And I made up something so kind of outlandish as I'm walking away. But it worked. It actually worked. I was, I was ready and I, and I actually rose to the occasion. And when I got off stage, the other actors, and I just fell out laughing because they knew I went up on the line. A worse fear for an actor, and yet like brilliant at the same time, you know, I'm sure like as you got off, you're like, nobody knows the script that well, so they have no idea that I messed that up. That's always the same thing. Wow. What a great memory.

22:44Thank you for sharing that. So it's, I wouldn't say it's one of one of my most favorite ones, but it's one of the most memorable ones, somehow, because I got to listen out of it. I, it was years ago, maybe 2000, I don't know, 14 or 13, that I was acting in the play Christmas Carol. I was, each of us actors, we were playing multiple characters. And so one of the roles that I had was the, the ghost of Marty, the friend of Scrooge. And so I, I think I forgot a line or something. And when I went backstage, I was like, oh my god, I ruined it. And I set it to my director. And, and of course, I had to go on and to appear in other characters as well. And he just told me the past is past, don't, don't worry about it. Just focus on what is before you. And you know, so theater is not only about entertainment, it gives you a lot of life experiences that I try to apply that thought and that philosophy in other aspects of my life too.

23:51So that's a lovely memory for me. I love that. Catherine, bring us home on this. What is your favorite theater memory? I think you took my, you, you took my inspiration because I got nothing. I'm very bad with favorites. That's the thing. I just have a mental block whenever you hear the word favorite. I got nothing. I'm thinking a little, I guess I'm going to get nothing. So you took it home for me if that's cool. I stole the memory. I stole the thunder for you. Thank you. You did the work for me. Well, listen, we'll have to have you back. And I look forward to hearing another wonderful memory from you then. Hopefully it's something from this upcoming festival on your production. That's it. It's still going to happen. Well, thank you all so much for sharing those great memories with us. Those were lovely. As we wrap things up, I would love to know if our listeners have like more information about your shows or about you, perhaps they'd like to reach out to you. How can they do so? Starting with Azada and your piece, Echoes of My Silence.

24:55So my performance will be from the 5th to the 14th of April and the main stage of chain theater. And of course, the information is on the website, on the website of the French festival. But to get to know more about me and of course, for the audience to approach me and get to know more about me, they can find me online on my website as they can get our own.com or Azada, they can get our own on other platforms on Instagram. Yeah. And that's it about me. Fabulous. A kill. Tell us about your show Trapped the Weekend and the Search for Love. So Trapped will be at the Wild Project. I believe that is 195 East Third Street in New York that the first show will take place Sunday April 5th at 5.20pm, second show Tuesday, April 7th at 6pm, third show Saturday, April

26:0111th, 2pm, fourth show, Saturday, April 18th at 10.20pm. Just know that's the nighttime show. And the last show will be Sunday, April 19th at 3.40pm. And most people can reach me on Facebook, Akeel ePinkney. But again, I go professional, I go by Akeel All Caps professionally on IG. It's at Akeel All Caps and my first name is spelled AKIL and All Caps is spelled out. So that's AKIL, A-L-L-C-A-P-S. Fantastic. That rounded us out. We've got Catherine McGaffigan and follower. follower will be playing at Shane's Studio Theatre in Chelsea on April 1st, 4th, 10th, and 17th all around 9 o'clock 930 slots.

27:03And the show time which run is about an hour long and I am on Instagram and Facebook under my name Catherine McGaffigan. It's K-A-T-H-E-R-Y-N-M-C-D-A-F-F-I-G-A-N. Fab you, Luzz. Well friends, thank you all so much for taking the time to speak with me today and for sharing your wonderful, wonderful shows and your amazing insight as well. This has been such a great conversation. I could keep talking to you for hours on end but I think the best thing right now for me to do is get my tickets just like you should listeners and check out these wonderful shows that you shared with us. So thank you very much for your time today. Thank you for having us. My guests today have been three phenomenal artists and their wonderful shows who are making up this year's 2026 New York City Fringe Festival. The festival is happening in April 1st through the 19th at Understate Marks, The Wild

28:06Project, The Chain Theater, and The Rat NYC and you can get your tickets and more information by visiting Frigia.NYC. We also have some contact information as well as performance dates for our guests which will be posting in our episode description as well as on our social media posts. But get to Frigia.NYC, get your tickets right now, not just for the shows you've been hearing about on our program but for all 75 shows that are making up this year's festival, especially the three shows you heard about today, Echoes of My Silence, Trapped the Weekend and the Search for Love, and Follower. So until next time, I'm Andrew Cortez reminding you to turn off your cell phones. On Raptor Candies, and keep talking about the theater. In a stage whisper, thank you. If you like what you hear, please leave a five star review like and subscribe.

29:08You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram at StageWhisperPod. And feel free to reach out to us with your comments and personal stories at StageWhisperPod at Gmail.com. And be sure to check out our website for all things StageWhisper and theater. You'll be able to find merchandise, tours, tickets, and more. Simply visit stagewhisperpod.com. Our theme song is Maniac by JazzR. Other music on this episode provided by JazzR and Billy Murray. You can also become a patron of our show by logging on to patreon.com slash stagewhisperpod. There you will find all the information about our backstage pass as well as our tip jar. Thank you so much for your generosity. We could not do this show without you. Hey, it's Cole Swindell.

30:08After I give everything I've got to land a perfect vocal, I usually take five before jumping into the next track. And I've learned exactly how to recharge in that time. Some folks grab coffee. I hit a quick good lookspim. Next thing you know, the break is just as fun as land down the track. A better break makes for a better take. Need a break? Let's jump up. No purchase necessary, VGW group void were prohibited by law, 21 plus TNC supply, sponsored by Chamba Casino. You're listening to a podcast right now, driving, working out, walking the dog. If you're in a podcast, chances are you have something to say too. With RSS.com, starting your own podcast is free and easy. Upload an episode and we distribute it to Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music and more. Track your listeners, see where they're from, and start earning from ads just like this. If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, this is your sign. Start your new podcast for free today at RSS.com.