The StageLync Podcast

Ep.69: Emile Saba: Palestinian Theater Director and Actor - “To come and watch a play while you're being bombed, that's so absurd” (Audio)

Emile Saba is a Palestinian theater director and actor, born in September 1989 in Ramallah, originally from Jaffa. He is the Artistic Director of ASHTAR Theatre, where he began his theatrical training before earning an MFA in Stage Performance from the University of Connecticut.
Saba has worked extensively across Palestinian and international productions as an actor, director, and festival manager, co-organizing six editions of the ASHTAR Theatre International Youth Festival. His artistic style often explores themes through magical realism.
His notable acting roles include 2077, Who Wants to Survive (Bridgeworks Theatre), which toured several countries and won the Jury Award at the 2023 Cairo International Monodrama Festival. Additional credits include First Class, By the Sea, Between Heaven and Earth, and The Logic of Birds.
Directorial works include Cosmos, Free Play, Love on the Shelf, People by the Sea, and Taming of the Shrew. His latest work, Guernica Gaza, premiered in Ramallah in July 2023.
 
“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5e9KnBRZdjUTXTvCe6Nrqm?si=6639537c61044396”
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.69: Emile Saba: Palestinian Theater Director and Actor - “To come and watch a play while you're being bombed, that's so absurd” (Video)

Emile Saba is a Palestinian theater director and actor, born in September 1989 in Ramallah, originally from Jaffa. He is the Artistic Director of ASHTAR Theatre, where he began his theatrical training before earning an MFA in Stage Performance from the University of Connecticut.
Saba has worked extensively across Palestinian and international productions as an actor, director, and festival manager, co-organizing six editions of the ASHTAR Theatre International Youth Festival. His artistic style often explores themes through magical realism.
His notable acting roles include 2077, Who Wants to Survive (Bridgeworks Theatre), which toured several countries and won the Jury Award at the 2023 Cairo International Monodrama Festival. Additional credits include First Class, By the Sea, Between Heaven and Earth, and The Logic of Birds.
Directorial works include Cosmos, Free Play, Love on the Shelf, People by the Sea, and Taming of the Shrew. His latest work, Guernica Gaza, premiered in Ramallah in July 2023.
 
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.68: Natasha Tsakos: Show Maker - “Our whole relationship with life is a dance with gravity” (Audio)

Natasha Tsakos is an award-winning showmaker at the nexus of theatrical adventure, technology, and impact, now expanding her practice into space. A creator, director, performer, and producer, she has electrified audiences and performed for global institutions including TED, the UN, G20 Summit, Discovery Channel, Tribeca Film Festival and Cirque du Soleil. With experience at NASA, MIT, and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, Tsakos is developing “PARABOLES”, the first research-based multimedia performance in microgravity. Her mission: to develop utterly original theatrical experiences for space environments. www.NatashaTsakos.com
 
 
“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5e9KnBRZdjUTXTvCe6Nrqm?si=6639537c61044396”
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.68: Natasha Tsakos: Show Maker - “Our whole relationship with life is a dance with gravity” (Video)

Natasha Tsakos is an award-winning showmaker at the nexus of theatrical adventure, technology, and impact, now expanding her practice into space. A creator, director, performer, and producer, she has electrified audiences and performed for global institutions including TED, the UN, G20 Summit, Discovery Channel, Tribeca Film Festival and Cirque du Soleil. With experience at NASA, MIT, and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, Tsakos is developing “PARABOLES”, the first research-based multimedia performance in microgravity. Her mission: to develop utterly original theatrical experiences for space environments. www.NatashaTsakos.com
 
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.67: Tania Ordonez Prieto: Senior Manager, Entertainment Technical Operations - “It's always very important to be true to who you are” (Audio)

Tania Ordonez Prieto is the Senior Manager for Entertainment Technical Operations at Celebrity Cruises. 
Tania  has always had a passion for technical theatre. She moved from her hometown Chihuahua, Mexico to Mexico City, where she began as a production assistant in Teatro Telcel. She rose quickly through the ranks, bringing Broadway shows like Mary Poppins and Wicked to Mexico.
Over the past 15 years, She has worked for companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Dragone and Disney, and has experience in developing, supporting,and operating all aspects of theatre, concerts, circus and spectacle on land and at sea.
After joining Celebrity in 2019 as Technical director on Edge,  Tania has been the inaugural technical director for Apex, and has been the technical director in the shipyard in Saint Nazaire for new builds Beyond and Ascent. 
 
“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5e9KnBRZdjUTXTvCe6Nrqm?si=6639537c61044396”
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.67: Tania Ordonez Prieto: Senior Manager, Entertainment Technical Operations - “It's always very important to be true to who you are” (Video)

Tania Ordonez Prieto is the Senior Manager for Entertainment Technical Operations at Celebrity Cruises. 
Tania  has always had a passion for technical theatre. She moved from her hometown Chihuahua, Mexico to Mexico City, where she began as a production assistant in Teatro Telcel. She rose quickly through the ranks, bringing Broadway shows like Mary Poppins and Wicked to Mexico.
Over the past 15 years, She has worked for companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Dragone and Disney, and has experience in developing, supporting,and operating all aspects of theatre, concerts, circus and spectacle on land and at sea.
After joining Celebrity in 2019 as Technical director on Edge,  Tania has been the inaugural technical director for Apex, and has been the technical director in the shipyard in Saint Nazaire for new builds Beyond and Ascent. 
 
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.66: Theresa Ruth Howard: Founder of MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet) - “The people make up the art form” (Audio)

A former ballet dancer turned journalist, scholar, and organizational consultant, Theresa 
Ruth Howard is the founder of MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet) and has been recognized by The New York Times as a “force for change” in the dance world. Her visionary work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism (IDEA) has catalyzed institutional change across the industry, advancing cultural reform in ballet and increasing representation. As President of From Here to Diversity, Inc., she has worked as an organizational consultant with companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, English National Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. Since curating Reframing the Narrative at the Kennedy Center in 2022, she has continued her curatorial work there with Pathways to Performance (2024), the choreographic initiative she developed to platform Black choreographers. Her latest initiative, The Oasis Dance Journal: A Home for Conscious Critique and Ethical Commentary, addresses the critical need for culturally competent writing in the dance ecosystem. Merging artistry and advocacy, Howard continues to reshape the cultural landscape of ballet, fostering systemic accountability and inclusive dialogue across the field.   
 
“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5e9KnBRZdjUTXTvCe6Nrqm?si=6639537c61044396”
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.66: Theresa Ruth Howard: Founder of MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet) - “The people make up the art form” (Video)

A former ballet dancer turned journalist, scholar, and organizational consultant, Theresa 
Ruth Howard is the founder of MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet) and has been recognized by The New York Times as a “force for change” in the dance world. Her visionary work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism (IDEA) has catalyzed institutional change across the industry, advancing cultural reform in ballet and increasing representation. As President of From Here to Diversity, Inc., she has worked as an organizational consultant with companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, English National Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. Since curating Reframing the Narrative at the Kennedy Center in 2022, she has continued her curatorial work there with Pathways to Performance (2024), the choreographic initiative she developed to platform Black choreographers. Her latest initiative, The Oasis Dance Journal: A Home for Conscious Critique and Ethical Commentary, addresses the critical need for culturally competent writing in the dance ecosystem. Merging artistry and advocacy, Howard continues to reshape the cultural landscape of ballet, fostering systemic accountability and inclusive dialogue across the field.   
 
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis
    

Ep.65: Craig Laurie: Chief Creative Officer at RWS Global - “You are not creating for yourself. You are creating for the audience” (Audio)

Craig Laurie, Chief Creative Officer at RWS Global, is the driving force behind the company’s powerhouse team of world-class creatives, designers and casting directors who deliver extraordinary experiences worldwide. Laurie excels at developing talent, aligning creative vision and fostering collaboration across various specialties to bring bold, innovative ideas to life. With a foundation in diverse artistic practices, he approaches every project with visionary leadership, cultural sensitivity and a commitment to storytelling that is deeply attuned to the unique nuances of each destination.
Laurie’s impact at RWS Global is defined by his ability to unite teams around a shared creative vision, ensuring that every project resonates with each unique audience, whether inside a resort, aboard a luxury vessel, onstage or in a custom-designed venue. Under his guidance, the creative team continually seeks new ways to “Raise the Experience” for live moments throughout the world.
Since joining RWS Global, Laurie has spearheaded creative development for numerous award-winning productions and immersive experiences. From groundbreaking chamber music experiences to opening ceremonies for the world’s largest sporting events, major stage productions and more, he prioritizes meeting clients’ needs and exceeding guests' expectations. In addition, Laurie oversees the creative development of branded activations for well-known IPs such as Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Netflix, Mattel, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Rolling Stone Magazine, Feinstein's/54 Below and more.
Outside of RWS Global, Laurie serves as the Chair on the Board of Directors for Decoda, the affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall dedicated to bringing virtuosic performance and meaningful community engagement to stages around the world.
With a steadfast dedication to creativity, teamwork and quality, Laurie is redefining what live experiences can be, delivering unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impact.
 
“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5e9KnBRZdjUTXTvCe6Nrqm?si=6639537c61044396”
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis

Ep.65: Craig Laurie: Chief Creative Officer at RWS Global - “You are not creating for yourself. You are creating for the audience” (Video)

Craig Laurie, Chief Creative Officer at RWS Global, is the driving force behind the company’s powerhouse team of world-class creatives, designers and casting directors who deliver extraordinary experiences worldwide. Laurie excels at developing talent, aligning creative vision and fostering collaboration across various specialties to bring bold, innovative ideas to life. With a foundation in diverse artistic practices, he approaches every project with visionary leadership, cultural sensitivity and a commitment to storytelling that is deeply attuned to the unique nuances of each destination.
Laurie’s impact at RWS Global is defined by his ability to unite teams around a shared creative vision, ensuring that every project resonates with each unique audience, whether inside a resort, aboard a luxury vessel, onstage or in a custom-designed venue. Under his guidance, the creative team continually seeks new ways to “Raise the Experience” for live moments throughout the world.
Since joining RWS Global, Laurie has spearheaded creative development for numerous award-winning productions and immersive experiences. From groundbreaking chamber music experiences to opening ceremonies for the world’s largest sporting events, major stage productions and more, he prioritizes meeting clients’ needs and exceeding guests' expectations. In addition, Laurie oversees the creative development of branded activations for well-known IPs such as Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Netflix, Mattel, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Rolling Stone Magazine, Feinstein's/54 Below and more.
Outside of RWS Global, Laurie serves as the Chair on the Board of Directors for Decoda, the affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall dedicated to bringing virtuosic performance and meaningful community engagement to stages around the world.
With a steadfast dedication to creativity, teamwork and quality, Laurie is redefining what live experiences can be, delivering unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impact.
 
@stagelync
The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com
 
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Hosts: Anna RobbEditor: Rose Anne FermocilMusic: Jeremy WilliDesign: Em HoltProduction Coordinator: Roselle BernardoProducers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis