Half Hour
Half Hour is a Steppenwolf Theatre produced, ensemble member hosted, interview-style podcast that uses the most magical amount of time there is in the theatre — the half hour before a show begins — to sit down and make connections between artists in the Steppenwolf family. To hear their stories. To learn about their processes. And to discover what motivates them to create theatre. Hosted by Cliff Chamberlain, Audrey Francis, James Vincent Meredith, Caroline Neff, and Karen Rodriguez, five of Steppenwolf’s newer ensemble members, Half Hour takes audiences behind the scenes for candid, intimate, one-on-one conversations between members of the nation’s premier ensemble theatre. For more information visit www.steppenwolf.org
Episodes
24 episodes
S2 Ep12 – Glenn Davis & Audrey Francis: “Co-Leadership”
In this, the final episode of Half Hour’s second season, the five hosts look back on two years of insightful, candid, and inspiring conversations with Steppenwolf ensemble members, activists, and vital voices in the American theater. T...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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38:30
S2 Ep11 - Kuumba Lynx: "Reclaiming Joy"
In this inspiring and revealing conversation, Jacinda Bullie and Darius Parker of Kuumba Lynx sit down with Audrey Francis to talk about the vital and empowering work they do with youth across Chicago. Through performances, film screenings, art...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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35:41
S2 Ep10 - James Vincent Meredith: “Tear This Off”
In this engaging conversation, Karen Rodriguez sits down with fellow actor, ensemble member and Half Hour host, James Vincent Meredith. Join these two friends as they share stories of stage fright, family, laughter, legacy, and proving...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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37:58
S2 Ep9 - Gordon Gill: "Collision"
This week, the Half Hour team sits down with Gordon Gill of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the architects behind the newest additions to Steppenwolf's campus: the Arts and Education Center and a 400-seat Round Theater. Ensemble member James Vincen...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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38:45
S2 Ep8 – Leslie Odom Jr.: “I Put Myself In”
This week on Half Hour, acclaimed star of stage and screen Leslie Odom Jr. catches up with his longtime friend, ensemble member Cliff Chamberlain. Odom shares stories from his early career, reflects on his legendary performance as Foun...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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39:58
S2 Ep7 - Tina Landau: "What If We Expand"
In this riveting conversation, Audrey Francis sits down with legendary director and ensemble member Tina Landau who shares insightful glimpses into her unique process of directing, including how she has learned to trust actors to ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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33:44
S2 Ep6 - Erin Cook: "Friend To All"
On this episode of Half Hour, Erin Cook, Steppenwolf’s universally beloved company manager of more than ten years, joins Caroline Neff for a lovely and lively conversation. Cook shares stories from her path to Steppenwolf, and she talk...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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37:14
S2 Ep5 - Clint Ramos: "Misfit Toys"
Half Hour welcomes its first designer on the show: Tony Award-Winner Clint Ramos. Audrey Francis interviews Ramos, and their conversation largely centers on how Clint aims to transform the American theatre to be more equitable and just...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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37:17
S2 Ep4 – Sandra Marquez: “On a Team”
Ensemble member Sandra Marquez sits down with Cliff Chamberlain for this insightful and inspiring conversation. Marquez shares stories from her singular childhood in the Central Valley of California, and reflects on her journey in Chicago theat...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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39:38
S2 Ep3 - Rajiv Joseph: "Creative Cauldron"
Renowned playwright and Steppenwolf ensemble member Rajiv Joseph joins this episode of Half Hour for a conversation with Caroline Neff. Joseph shares stories from his time serving in the Peace Corps, and he chats about where he draws i...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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39:57
S2 Ep2 - Amy Morton: "Never What You Think"
Karen Rodriguez hosts this candid interview with esteemed actor, director and ensemble member Amy Morton. Morton shares her favorite (and least favorite) moments on stage, and dishes out advice for young actors eager to jumpstart their careers....
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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39:42
S2 Ep1 - Jon Michael Hill: "I Don't Get Bored"
Half Hour's second season launches with a charming and insightful conversation between longtime friends Jon Michael Hill and James Vincent Meredith. Hill discusses his relationship with music from childhood days performing music routin...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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39:48
Season 2 Trailer
Half Hour returns for an all-new second season, starting on March 30. Enjoy this sneak peek of just some of the candid, inspiring, and thoughtful conversations to come.
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Season 2
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2:54
Ep12 - Carrie Coon: "Relaxed Readiness"
In the final episode of Half Hour's first season, Cliff Chamberlain sits down with his long time pal and Steppenwolf ensemble member Carrie Coon to talk about her preparation in the moments before a performance, whether on stage or on ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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36:57
Ep11 - Emjoy Gavino: “Show Them Chicago”
Acclaimed actor, casting director, and founder of the Chicago Inclusion Project, Emjoy Gavino, joins Caroline Neff on the podcast to discuss the history of her vital work advocating for inclusion in the city’s theatre scene, as we...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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37:32
Ep10 - Matthew-Lee Erlbach: "Defend Arts Workers Now"
Playwright, actor, and activist Matthew-Lee Erlbach joins Half Hour to share insights from the ongoing advocacy movement, Be An #ArtsHero. In this conversation with ensemble member Audrey Francis, Erlbach relates data and s...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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37:12
Ep9 - Yasen Peyankov: “I Had To”
In this friendly and fascinating conversation, Ensemble Member Yasen Peyankov reunites with his old student and cast mate Cliff Chamberlain. Peyankov shares stories about growing up in Eastern Europe, starting his career anew in C...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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39:10
Ep7 - Sydney Charles: “Triumph and Trouble”
Ensemble member Audrey Francis hosts actor, director, activist (and all-around bad ass) Sydney Charles for this frank, funny and warm conversation. Listen to learn about many of the vital movements in Chicago’s theater scene that ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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35:39
Ep6 - Frank Galati: "Stumbling Forward"
Cliff Chamberlain catches up with ensemble member Frank Galati in this conversation that covers Galati's first theatrical experiences, his attachment to Illinois, and what drew him to a career as a director and adapter. A master s...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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37:10
Ep5 – Storycatchers Theatre & StepEd: “I got your back”
In this episode of Half Hour, ensemble member Caroline Neff interviews Cydney Cleveland and Tamara Drew from Storycatchers Theatre, as well as Abhi Shrestha from Steppenwolf Education. Listen to learn about th...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:39
Ep4 – William Petersen: "Cast Me or Not"
Ensemble member William Petersen shares stories and insights from his remarkable career in this interview conducted by Glenn Davis. The lively conversation covers Petersen's school days in Idaho, his love for Chicago's theater scene, and the or...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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38:42
Ep3 – Kathryn Erbe: “Pretending to Be Badass”
In Episode Three of Half Hour, Caroline Neff interviews Kathryn Erbe. In the conversation, Erbe shares stories about the first time she saw a Steppenwolf show, her eleven years starring on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and the challe...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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36:46
Ep2 – K. Todd Freeman: “Being Despicable”
In this second episode of Half Hour, Audrey Francis meets up with fellow Steppenwolf Ensemble Member (and her former acting teacher) K. Todd Freeman. The conversation covers what is was like for Freeman when he joined the ensemb...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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36:05
Ep1 – Jeff Perry: "An Explorer’s Heart”
The debut episode of Half Hour, a podcast from Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Il. In episode one, meet co-hosts Cliff Chamberlain, Glenn Davis, Audrey Francis and Caroline Neff as they introduce the new show. Then, Chamberlain...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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38:17
