5 minute read
What We’re Listening To: Music, Recordings, Podcasts, and More
What We’re ListeningTo
In prior issues, our staff and artists have shared recommendations for books, television, and film. Now we share what we’ve most enjoyed listening to over the past year, both podcasts and music.
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STEPHEN BERENSON, resident acting company member
I’ve been dividing my time between listening to contemporary singers and classical music. Fiona Apple’s “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” and Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony make a well-balanced, rhythmic combination.
KATE BRANDT, director of marketing and communications
In times of uncertainty and stress, I go to my “musical comfort zone”: Billy Joel, Elton John, and Paul Simon. When I’m feeling energized, I’ve been going to newer artists like Cold War Kids, Imagine Dragons, and Fitz and the Tantrums. Broadway musical soundtracks tend to come out when I’m home alone, no matter what mood I’m in. My complete symphonic recording of Les Miserables never gets old.
JORDAN BUTTERFIELD, director of education and accessibility
I’m listening to lots of podcasts, and like my documentary choices, LOTS of true crime. These are my favorites from Wondery: Dr. Death, Guru, Dirty John, and Over My Dead Body.
AMANDA DOWNING CARNEY, costume shop director
My favorite true crime podcasts involve the perspective and testimony of family members of victims and/ or the murderers on how trauma gets inherited: Ballad of Billy Balls, Root of Evil: the true story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia, Happy Face, and The Clearing. My favorite social commentary/documentary podcasts vary GREATLY but usually involve smashing the idea that people are one-dimensional and instead are complex humans: Dolly Parton’s America, Ear Hustle, Missing Richard Simmons, and Nice White Parents. I also listen to a few easy listening/comedy podcasts as breaks in between murders and world problems: Conan O’Brian Needs a Friend, Life is Short with Justin Long, Every Little Thing, and Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata. I’m also recently obsessed with Smartless, a comedy interview podcast with hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman. It’s literal LAUGH OUT LOUD funny.
JACKIE DAVIS, actor and teaching artist
I love the Jazz In the Background playlist on Spotify; also the R&B Instrumentals station.
NATALIE DREYER, school partnerships and professional development manager
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text reexamines Harry Potter chapter by chapter through a different theme each week. Their tagline is “Reading fiction doesn’t help us escape the world, it helps us live in it.” I love it because it acknowledges many of the problematic actions of J.K. Rowling and how we can separate the text from the author. It is spiritual without being religious and I always end up thinking deeply about the world while listening to the episodes. Code Switch was recommended as I was trying to build up my anti-racist resources. The hosts are wonderful, and the episodes always bring something different, with unique perspectives and thoughtful storytelling and discussions. From book recommendations to discussing difficult topics, this podcast covers a wide range of ideas and themes.
STEVE MCLELLAN, lighting supervisor
I’ve been listening to Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove” on loop while day dreaming about a post-COVID world of going to bars, and concerts.
IAN STILLMAN, technical director
I love podcasts so we have: Sidedoor (stories from the Smithsonian), 99% Invisible (design and architecture in the everyday world), Tiger Style! (audio play from Huntington Theatre), Lost in the Woods (missing, murdered, and lost hikers, makes me want to hike, LOL), The Sporkful (It’s not for foodies, it’s for eaters), and Chameleon (Hollywood con queen).
JESSICA TOPOROSKI, human resources manager
I like to listen to the following podcasts while I have been working from home during this pandemic. Every Little Thing — it is a podcast where the listener calls with a question and they find the answer. Its PURE GOLD. I have also been listening to The Money Nerds — this is a podcast where real people talk about paying off debt, boosting savings, or learning how to not stress as much about money. Every Friday they have a segment called 5TF (5 tip Friday) and it’s a five-minute podcast of five tips on ways to save money or earn extra money. Lastly I’ve recently found Absolutely Not! - Dear Media with Heather McMahan because sometimes you just really need to laugh, and this podcast never disappoints. Her tagline is “No topics are off limits, as we break down the everyday struggles of doing the most, and the least, at the same damn time.” Every few weeks she plays voicemails that listeners leave and she comments on them — it is hysterical!
BRADLY WIDENER, assistant director of service and experience
One of our favorite albums is Ben Platt’s Sing to Me Instead. We love supporting a gay artist who speaks to our experiences so openly and with such an emotive voice. Ben was also the original Evan Hansen from the Broadway show, Dear Evan Hansen, so we get to support theater artists during this time by listening to his music!
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