Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Jamibeth Margolis, Casting Agent/Director

What it does it take to land a role on Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond? We posed that question and many more to Jamibeth Margolis, who's spent more than 20 years as a professional casting director in New York, before going out on her own. Her credits are numerous and include: "Fiddler On The Roof" in Yiddish, the "Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miz," "Miss Saigon" and "Cats." There are also multiple television pilots and on camera industrials for major U.S. companies. Oh...and Jamibeth also teaches musical theater, acting and audition techniques in New York City. Join us for a fascinating 'behind the scenes' conversation.

Aliza Sherman, Entrepreneur, Activist and Author

Entrepreneur, visionary, activist, author...all describe Aliza Sherman. In 1995 she founded Cybergrrl, the first full-service, female-owned web company and the first global internet networking organization for women. Newsweek noticed and named Aliza one of the Top People Who Matter Most on the Internet. She's currently the CEO of Ellementa, a global women's cannabis wellness network. Her work has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Time, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC. And....she's the author of 12 books. Needless to say, we cover a lot of ground in our conversation with this fascinating, committed, accomplished woman!

Melissa Iwai, Children's Book Author and Illustrator

Melissa Iwai has wanted to be a children's book author and illustrator as far back as she can remember. She has illustrated more than 30 picture books, beginning with Night Shift Daddy published in 2000. Melissa also wrote and illustrated Soup Day and Pizza Day. And speaking of soup and pizza - when she's not creating visual art, Melissa can be found in her kitchen, cooking, baking and developing new recipes. In fact, she was a 2010 Cooking Light Reader Recipe winner. We're so glad Melissa took a break from creating visual and culinary art to have a conversation with us!

Andrea Grody, Broadway Conductor

For Andrea Grody her extensive resume is a testament to her talent. She's the Music Director, Supervisor, Vocal and Incidental Arranger for the Broadway hit musical TOOTSIE.  She 'did' the same for THE BAND'S VISIT, which won 10 Tony Awards. Andrea's whose Off-Broadway and regional theater credits are extensive, also wrote STRANGE FACES, a full-length musical. There's a lot to learn about musical theater from this inspiring, accomplished, creative woman. 

Marian Licha, Actress, Playwright, and Storyteller

Actress, playwright, story teller - all describe Marian Licha. She combines them all in her one-woman show, "Frida VIce-Versa." Born in Puerto Rico, Marian draws on 'real life' stories, especially those that empower women. And to that end, her play conveys how Frida Kahlo's spirit prevailed despite the male-dominated artistic world. Frida Kahlo, nothwithstanding, Marian also finds plenty of humor in the inevitable culture clash that comes with being a Latina in an Anglo culture.

Kate Christensen, Author

Reading novels written by Kate Christensen can certainly turn into an addiction. Her characters are compelling, flawed and so relatable. The author of seven books, Kate won the 2008 PEN/Faulkner Award for her fourth novel, "The Great Man."  Her most recent, "The Last Cruise," was published in 2018.  She's also written two culinary memoirs, "Blue Plate Special" and "How to Cook a Moose," which won the 2016 Maine Literary Award for Memoir. Join us for an open, honest, really fascinating conversation with one helluva creative woman!

Pamela Green, Filmmaker

Meet another creative woman with an impressive resume. Pamela Green's professional life includes directing and producing music videos, commercials, motion graphics, feature film titles. She's the founder of Legwork Collective, which locates and obtains the rights to unusual and rarely seen before footage, stills, audio and artifacts used in features, docs, tv series and commercials. 10 years in the making, Pamela also wrote, directed and edited the documentary "Be Natural," the untold story of Alice Guy-Blache, the first female filmmaker, who made her first movie in 1896 at the age of 23...and went on to write, direct and produce more than 1,000 films!

Alix Strauss, Columnist, Feature Writer, Novelist

We couldn't be more excited to have you meet and get to know Alix Strauss, New York Times columnist and featured lifestyle, travel and trend writer. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including: The Financial Times, Entertainment Weekly, Conde Nast Traveler, Time Magazine. She's also an award-winning author. Perhaps you've read "The Joy of Funerals," "Death Becomes Them: Unearthing the Suicides of the Brilliant, The Famous and The Notorious," and "Based Upon Availability." Alix is also the editor of "Have I Got a Guy for You," an anthology of mom-initiated dating horror stories. She shares that and so much more in this irreverent, funny, honest conversation.

Nancy Schwartzman, Filmmaker

Talk about an accomplished, creative, committed woman! A globally recognized human rights advocate, Nancy Schwartzman also happens to be a director, producer, and media strategist. She uses storytelling and technology to create safer communities for women and girls. Her debut documentary, "Roll Red Roll," chronicles the sexual assault of a teenage girl by several members of a revered high school football team in the tight-knit community of Steubenville, Ohio. This searing, visceral, awarding winning film goes behind the scenes to expose the 'boys will be boys' culture. Nancy also created the White House award winning app, Circle of 6, aimed at reducing sexual violence among America's youth. This is one conversation you won't want to miss.

Rachel Carey, Writer/Playwright/Director

Rachel Carey is a filmmaker, author and playwright. "Ask for Jane," her first feature as writer/director, is based on the true story of an underground abortion network in Chicago. From 1969 until 1973 when Roe v Wade was passed, a collective of college students helped more than 11,000 women get safe, illegal abortions. Rachel's first full-length play, "Phases" was nominated for Best Play and a pair of acting awards at the 2012 Thespis Festival. Her debut novel, "Debt" was published in 2013. Rachel has also taught at several colleges and universities, including Yale, her alma mater.