Skip to content
Friday, July 11, 2025
phindie

phindie

An independent take on Philadelphia theater and arts

about . contact . advertising . support

phindie
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Interviews
  • Theater
  • Dance
  • Music
  • Film
  • Visual Arts
  • Podcasts

Author: Debra Danese

Debra graduated with a degree in dance from the University of the Arts and also holds a B.A. in Arts Administration. She is accredited at the Master Level with the National Registry of Dance Educators. Debra has performed in Europe, Tokyo, Canada, and the Caribbean. She teaches and choreographs world-wide and has been an international guest artist in Switzerland, England, and Slovakia. Debra has been an Artist in Residence on five occasions in Norway where she showcased full length dance productions at the acclaimed Nordland Theatre. She has also presented an original dance production at the Elspe Festival in Germany. Debra has been featured in Dance, Dancer and Dance Teacher Magazines for her work in dance education. Additionally, she has been a contributing writer for Dance Studio Life Magazine since 2010.
Interviews Theater

Get Ready: Interview with Michael Andreaus in AIN’T TOO PROUD

Debra Danese January 2, 2024 No Comments

Michael Andreaus is playing the role of Otis Williams in the national tour of Ain’t Too Proud- The Life and Times of The Temptations.

View More Get Ready: Interview with Michael Andreaus in AIN’T TOO PROUD
Dance Interviews

Passing the Baton: A Conversation with Amelia Krinke of Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra’s Apprenticeship Conductor Program

Debra Danese December 14, 2023 No Comments

Philadelphia Ballet’s The Nutcracker is in full swing! The annual seasonal production offers opportunities for both company dancers and students from the school. It is…

View More Passing the Baton: A Conversation with Amelia Krinke of Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra’s Apprenticeship Conductor Program
Theater

Holidaze Wishes: Local artist Ashley Zimmerman talks about the seasonal Cirque Dreams show

Debra Danese December 7, 2023 No Comments

A whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry

View More Holidaze Wishes: Local artist Ashley Zimmerman talks about the seasonal Cirque Dreams show
Theater

Life in Oz: Interview with Celia Hottenstein in WICKED

Debra Danese November 3, 2023 No Comments

Actress Celia Hottenstein has taken on the role of Glinda in the national tour of Wicked. The musical sensation is the 4th longest running Broadway…

View More Life in Oz: Interview with Celia Hottenstein in WICKED
Theater

Singing Sondheim: Interview with Beth Stafford Laird in COMPANY

Debra Danese November 2, 2023 No Comments

Beth Stafford Laird is no stranger to life on the road. The actress, who grew up in Wayne, PA, counts COMPANY as her fifth national…

View More Singing Sondheim: Interview with Beth Stafford Laird in COMPANY
Interviews

The Making of a King: Lucas Pastrana in ELVIS

Debra Danese September 30, 2023 No Comments

Lucas Pastrana is preparing to make his Walnut Street Theatre debut in Elvis- A Musical Revolution. The actor, who is playing the role of Elvis,…

View More The Making of a King: Lucas Pastrana in ELVIS
Dance Interviews Music

Making Music: Interview with Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra’s Beatrice Jona Affron

Debra Danese September 27, 2023 No Comments

Beatrice Jona Affron is celebrating her 30th year with the Philadelphia Ballet (formerly Pennsylvania Ballet.) The music director and conductor joined the company in 1993…

View More Making Music: Interview with Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra’s Beatrice Jona Affron
Interviews Theater

That’s Fetch: Interview with MEAN GIRLS’ Natalie Shaw

Debra Danese September 26, 2023 No Comments

Natalie Shaw grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and started her musical theatre training at an early age. After finishing her degree at the University…

View More That’s Fetch: Interview with MEAN GIRLS’ Natalie Shaw
Interviews Theater

The Wonderful World of Rafiki: Interview with Gugwana Dlamini of Disney’s The Lion King

Debra Danese July 27, 2023 No Comments

The role of Rafiki is one that Gugwana Dlamini is quite familiar with.

View More The Wonderful World of Rafiki: Interview with Gugwana Dlamini of Disney’s The Lion King
Harper Miles, Libby Lloyd, Nicci Claspell and Andres Quintero in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Theater

The Life of a Lady M: Interview with Libby Lloyd of Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Debra Danese July 3, 2023 No Comments

Libby Lloyd is embracing the dance heavy role of Nini in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The Utah native started dancing at age 10. Lloyd went…

View More The Life of a Lady M: Interview with Libby Lloyd of Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Theater

A Fright of a Night: Interview with Michael Biren of Beetlejuice

Debra Danese May 17, 2023 No Comments

Michael Biren always thought it would be possible to perform at the Academy of Music. The Cherry Hill, NJ native was exposed to the arts…

View More A Fright of a Night: Interview with Michael Biren of Beetlejuice
Theater

He’s Just a Man: Interview with Kodiak Thompson in Jesus Christ Superstar

Debra Danese April 23, 2023 No Comments

Temple grad Kodiak Thompson returns to Philadelphia with the touring production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

View More He’s Just a Man: Interview with Kodiak Thompson in Jesus Christ Superstar
Valencia Springer
Theater

The Art of Stepping: Interview with Valencia Springer of Step Afrika!

Debra Danese April 22, 2023 No Comments

Valenica Odeyka Emonni Springer has been stepping since childhood. The Brooklyn native got her start in the dance style through her mom, and is now…

View More The Art of Stepping: Interview with Valencia Springer of Step Afrika!
Interviews Theater

Five O’Clock Somewhere: Interview with Escape to Margaritaville’s Lisa Stevens

Debra Danese March 30, 2023 No Comments

With credits spanning the globe, director Lisa Steven’s latest project brings her to Philadelphia. Lisa was brought in by Walnut Street Theatre’s president and producing…

View More Five O’Clock Somewhere: Interview with Escape to Margaritaville’s Lisa Stevens
Interviews Theater

A Fairytale Tour: Interview with Into the Wood’s Erica Durham

Debra Danese March 23, 2023 No Comments

Philadelphia resident Erica Durham is keeping busy on the national tour of Into The Woods.

View More A Fairytale Tour: Interview with Into the Wood’s Erica Durham
Interviews Theater

Divorced, beheaded, died, survived: Interview with Aryn Bohannon of SIX

Debra Danese March 17, 2023 No Comments

Aryn Bohannon plays each of the six wives of Henry VIII in the National Tour of SIX, in Philadelphia March 21-April 9

View More Divorced, beheaded, died, survived: Interview with Aryn Bohannon of SIX
Dance

Continuing the Legacy: Balanchine Répétiteur Colleen Neary returns for Philadelphia Ballet’s Dancing With Gershwin

Debra Danese March 15, 2023 No Comments

Philadelphia Ballet continues to honor its Balanchine roots with the spring production of Dancing With Gershwin.

View More Continuing the Legacy: Balanchine Répétiteur Colleen Neary returns for Philadelphia Ballet’s Dancing With Gershwin
Dance Interviews

The return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Interview with Jeroboam Bozeman 

Debra Danese February 18, 2023 No Comments

As Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater prepares to return to Philly, Jeroboam Bozeman took some time to talk with writer, Debra Danese. The two reconnected…

View More The return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Interview with Jeroboam Bozeman 
Interviews

Standing By: Interview with 1776 actor Sara Gallo

Debra Danese February 11, 2023 1 Comment

Sara Gallo juggles many roles in her life onstage and off. The actor, teacher, and mentor is a standby for four roles in the touring…

View More Standing By: Interview with 1776 actor Sara Gallo
Theater

About Face: Actor Charles Everett on A SOLDIER’S PLAY

Debra Danese January 18, 2023 No Comments

Actor Charles Everett brings both his acting and military background with him as he tours with A Soldier’s Play.

View More About Face: Actor Charles Everett on A SOLDIER’S PLAY

Posts navigation

Previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 … Page 7 Next page

Support Phindie operations
Donate Button with Credit Cards

Subscribe

* indicates required
/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Intuit Mailchimp

Now Trending…

  • Henri Matisse’s 8 Art Styles by Katherine Rundell
  • The Globe King Lear KING LEAR (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Company): In West Philadelphia, old and gray by Christopher Munden
  • “Mentors and protégés exist everywhere”: Interview with playwright Donald Margulies on COLLECTED STORIES by Henrik Eger
  • Literary Legacy: A History of Philadelphia Writers by Christopher Munden
  • A Brief History of Early Publishing in Philadelphia by Christopher Munden
phindie | Designed by: Theme Freesia | WordPress | © Copyright All right reserved