Lessons from the Stage

Today’s guest is Alexa Wild who talks about her experiences on the stage, from her early auditions when she was cut to landing a lead role in Anything Goes to starting and abandoning a degree in acting to eventually becoming a director herself. It's an inspiring success story of how a shy girl found a home in the theater and thrived on the stage! You’re going to love Alexa’s story!

In episode 3, Gary chats with Michael Pereira who, when he auditioned for his first play, sang badly off pitch and didn’t appear able to match a single note on the piano. But through a love for performance, tireless commitment and hard work, and what he calls “carzy” courage, Michael went on to work in the professional theater, open his own performance school in Paris, and sing in night clubs in New York and Paris. About his early experiences in the theater with Gary and Fran Scarpa, Michael says, “They changed my blank and white world to technicolor!” We think you’ll enjoy hearing about Micheal’s amazing journey which included working alongside Broadway legends.

Today’s guest is Dartmouth Dean of Admission, Lee Coffin, who appeared in Scarpa directed productions between the ages of 14 and 24. Enjoy Lee’s conversation with Gary and Francesca Scarpa, as he remembers some of his funniest as well as his most meaningful experiences on the stage. We know you’ll love hearing about how a small town boy felt his experiences on the stage led him to success in the Ivy League!
We know you’ll love hearing about how a small town boy felt his experiences on the stage led him to success in the Ivy League!
Lessons from the Stage Hosted by Gary Scarpa

My first guest is Brenda Zaprzalka, an actor who was there at the beginning of our directing careers—and who appeared in the first plays of two theater companies my wife and I would go on to found. Now, as my first podcast guest, Brenda and I look back at those early days, the first steps that led to much more, and the people and experiences that made those years memorable. Because in theater, as in life, “firsts” often turn out to be just the beginning.