We are so hyped, so thrilled, and so excited you're here to learn more about call and response, created, produced, and hosted by Felicia Fitzpatrick. The podcast explores the intersection of Blackness and performing arts through one-on-one conversations. You can explore episodes here and listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
THE ORIGIN STORY
Felicia originally started the podcast because she was discouraged by the lack of coverage from mainstream Broadway outlets about the incredible and compelling work of Black actors during the Broadway season of The Color Purple, Hamilton, and Shuffle Along. So she bought two microphones, hoping she could literally amplify the voices of these talented artists and help document their stories.
Over 100 episodes later, Felicia has chronicled the careers and artistic journeys of Tony-winning actors, Emmy-nominated writers, and performing artists of all disciplines. As she expanded beyond Broadway, she has interviewed Alvin Ailey dancers, comedians, producers, NBA and NFL dancers, managers, educators, and a classical symphony conductor.
WHAT TO EXPECT
In the standard one-on-one interviews, you'll hear how each guest got started in the performing arts, and follow their artistic journey to where they are now. You'll hear about their artistic inspirations, how their identity impacts their craft (and vice versa), and their thoughts on their respective industries, and more.
Previous guests include:
•Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony nominee Lynn Nottage
•Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony winner Michael R. Jackson
•Tony winner Adrienne Warren
•Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee
•Tony winner Tonya Pinkins
•Tony winner Nikki M. James
•Tony winner Dede Ayite
•MacArthur Genius and Tony nominee Dominique Morisseau
•Tony nominee and The Gilded Age star Denée Benton
•Tony nominee Jordan E. Cooper
•Emmy and NAACP Image Award nominee Dewayne Perkins
•Frozen star Jelani Alladin
•Emmy winner and Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones
•Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and Radio City Rockette Jacie Scott
•Senior Director of Entertainment for NBA's Brooklyn Nets and WNBA's New York Liberty Criscia Long
In the special episodes, you'll dive into a specific example of the intersection of Blackness and performing arts.
Special episodes include:
•The Oral History of Holler If Ya Hear Me
•Celebrating 30 Years of Beauty and the Beast With Three Belles
•Jazzing Up The Nutcracker with Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker
•Preserving Black History: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING...
"Thank you so much for creating a platform where artists can come together to have these conversations. Honest, unbiased, and real. It was really an honor speaking alongside some genius genuine artists of color."
- Tony nominee Hailey Kilgore
"Thank you for a comfortable space to talk, share, and drop some truth about my life."
-Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh
"This is not only an entertaining podcast but it's so necessary right now. It shines a light on some incredible black actors and theatre-makers and the conversations about race are eye-opening and insightful. Please listen if you want to understand why the lack of diversity in theatre is actually a big deal."
-iTunes reviewer
"As a young black man from a small town in Texas that has been fighting to maintain his dream of a thriving career within the entertainment industry, Call and Response has been awe-inspiring! Hearing these artists' stories about their journeys has been both a history lesson and a call to action. I really appreciate how Felicia Fitzpatrick is creating dialogue about the joys, triumphs, and struggles of black artists on Broadway. I believe she has structured these conversations to make sure that all listeners know that they either have a place within Broadway or there is some way you can play a part in continuing to make it a more diverse and inclusive stage!"
-iTunes reviewer
"I'm a white female visual artist, not involved in theatre professionally, but I love to listen to the stories of the actors on this show! It is entertaining, informative, and inspiring. So many takeaways for my own creative field, personal art practice, and being an accomplice/ally as a white person. So much joy seeing the joy and strength of black actors going after their craft making waves!"
-iTunes reviewer