Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

It's not often a woman's name appears next to the director credit. However, that's not the case when it comes to Elizabeth Williamson. Not only does she have a long list of credits to her name, Elizabeth also happens to be the Associate Artistic Director at Hartford Stage. And...she's also a dramaturg and theatrical literary advisor, who researches, adapts and interprets scripts, which she did for the Tony Award winning musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Flamingo Kid at Hartford, The Inheritance at the Young Vic/West End and many more. There's a lot to talk about in this conversation with such an accomplished, passionate, creative woman.

Min Jung Kim's passion for and commitment to the art world is a rich and rewarding one. She happens to be the Director and CEO of Connecticut's 118 year old New Britain Museum of American Art, the oldest such museum in the country. Min has developed a series of exhibitions aimed at expanding the definition of American Art while reaching and engaging a broad and diverse audience.  You'll want to listen as Min takes us on both her personal and professional journeys.

You are about to meet and get to know Yilian Canizares, a truly fascinating, unique, multi-talented violinist, vocalist and composer who makes beautiful music by artfully blending jazz, classical and her Afro-Cuban roots with her unique voice. Yilian's songs range from the poignant to the exuberant. Her warmth, enthusiasm and honesty are palpable and....contagious. You'll be hooked!

Breanna Sinclaire's life is the stuff operas are written about. She happens to be the only operatic soprano in the world who is transgender. Born in Baltimore, Breanna made her way west - graduating from the California Institute of the Arts where she earned a BFA and where her transition began. There were some very dark days following graduation and her acceptance to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she earned an MFA. Breanna was the first transwoman in the opera program. She made her debut with the San Francisco Symphony on New Year's Eve. 3 years earlier, Breanna sang the National Anthem at an Oakland A's baseball game before a crowd of 30,000. There's no way you won't be impacted by Breanna's extraordinary journey to find her true, authentic self.

Until relatively recently, the profession of intimacy coordinator in film and theater was virtually non-existent. But in the years since #MeToo, it's become much more in demand. You're about to meet and get to know intimacy choreographer Chelsea Pace, who is also a movement specialist, co-founder and head faculty of Theatrical Intimacy Education and Assistant Professor of Movement at the University of Maryland - Baltimore. For the past ten years, Chelsea has been working to develop ethical efficient and effective ways to stage intimacy, nudity and sexual violence. This is undoubtedly a conversation you won't want to miss!

Meet Dawn Saito, accomplished actress, writer, director, dancer, educator.  She also happens to be a Butoh performer, which in case you aren't aware, is a form of Japanese dance theater that encompasses a diverse range of activities, techniques and motivation. In her rich and varied career, Dawn has collaborated with major artists performing her work and theirs in the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America.  We're excited for you get to know this passionate, engaging, multi-talented woman.

Rotem Reshef, is a process-based action and installation artist who calls both New York and Tel Aviv home.  Her work includes a range of techniques - peeling, pouring, combining natural and artificial sources and materials that shape various compositions on different canvases.  Rotem's art deals with traces of human presence versus the appearance and disappearance of nature: seasonal changes, the impact and influence of color, tone and shade on our emotions and perceptions.  Join us for fascinating conversation with this very talented and creative artist. 

Dancer, educator, activist, all describe Denise Roberts Hurlin.  Part of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Denise is a founding member of Parsons Dance.  She's also taught at Julliard in Manhattan, New Hampshire's Keene State College and her alma mater, Purchase College.  Denise also happens to be the founding director of Dancers Responding to Aids, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.   Under her leadership DRA has produced more than 150 events including the annual Fire Island Dance Festival and together, they've raised more than $300 million to provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals and other social services for people living with HIV.

Heather Booth is a force to be reckoned with and that's a very good thing! She is one of the country's  leading strategists when it comes to progressive issue campaigns and driving issues in elections. Heather's organizing and commitment to social justice began during the civil rights, anti-Vietnam War and women's movements of the 1960s. She also started JANE, an underground abortion service in 1965 before Roe v Wade became law. We cover a lot of territory in this open, honest, impactful conversation with a compassionate, committed woman.

You're about to meet and get to know "Dr. Wang" Newton, a Taiwanese-born American performance artist, who specializes in the art of drag or 'drag king' performance. Assigned female at birth, Dr. Wang is gender-fluid and offers social commentary on culture and politics with comedic jabs. This is one open, honest conversation with a truly fascinating guest.