Lessons from the Stage https://garyscarpa.podbean.com Welcome to Lessons from the Stage, a podcast about the people, experiences, surprises, and lessons that come from a life in theater.

Hosted by author and longtime theater founder and director Gary Scarpa, Lessons from the Stage features conversations with the people who have helped make live theater such a powerful and memorable part of our lives. Actors, directors, teachers, writers, designers, and others share stories about the productions they've been part of—and how those experiences have impacted their lives, no matter what career paths they may have chosen.

Whether you've spent decades onstage or simply love sitting in the audience, there's a story here for you.

]]> Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:16:39 -0300 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Arts:Performing Arts 1440 episodic garyscarpa garyscarpa No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22643376/Lessons_from_the_Stage_Spotify_Podcast_Cover_ML_Previewb81jy.jpg Lessons from the Stage https://garyscarpa.podbean.com 144 144 “Shy girl thrives in the theater” with Alexa Wild | Episode 4 “Shy girl thrives in the theater” with Alexa Wild | Episode 4 https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/shy-girl-thrives-in-the-theater-with-alexa-wild-episode-4/ https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/shy-girl-thrives-in-the-theater-with-alexa-wild-episode-4/#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:16:39 -0300 garyscarpa.podbean.com/1a6e7c39-6524-3805-83a9-91d7b419eb70 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!

]]> 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!

]]> garyscarpa false No 2794 4 full “Crazy Brave” with Michael Pereira “Crazy Brave” with Michael Pereira https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/crazy-brave-with-michael-pereira/ https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/crazy-brave-with-michael-pereira/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:08:44 -0300 garyscarpa.podbean.com/e3c73219-343b-354a-923c-b7c24d4201fe 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.

]]> 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.

]]> garyscarpa false No 2839 3 full “From the Stage to Dartmouth” with Lee Coffin | Episode 2 “From the Stage to Dartmouth” with Lee Coffin | Episode 2 https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/from-the-stage-to-dartmouth-with-lee-coffin-episode-2/ https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/from-the-stage-to-dartmouth-with-lee-coffin-episode-2/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:00:25 -0300 garyscarpa.podbean.com/cfd8aa9a-0824-30f1-a8c8-d389db6bed30 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

]]> 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

]]> garyscarpa false No 3194 2 full “Firsts” with Brenda Zaprzalka “Firsts” with Brenda Zaprzalka https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/firsts-with-brenda-zaprzalka/ https://garyscarpa.podbean.com/e/firsts-with-brenda-zaprzalka/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:04:00 -0300 garyscarpa.podbean.com/8fd1e6e7-4390-332d-a309-38ada34611f6 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.

]]> 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.

]]> garyscarpa false No 2564 1 full