arts for a new era
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podcast

FUSION Forum Podcast is sponsored by FUSION Theatre Company, New Mexico’s professional producing theatre company since 2001. Located in the Arts and Cultural district of downtown Albuquerque, FUSION makes its creative home within The Forum, a community inspired multi-venue space. The interviews in this podcast are dedicated to capturing the activities, passions, and tangential paths artists utilize to nurture their creative souls.

Laurie Thomas is a Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Chair of FUSION. She is a professional actor, director, writer, educator, and host of FUSION FORUM PODCAST.

FUSION Forum Episode 19: As You Like It

Laurie talks with four young performers from Albuquerque Academy’s virtual performance of Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery’s musical adaption of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Our chat includes new performance modes, funny things that happen in the Zoom room, and our love of New Mexico.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 15: Kelley Hazen

Laurie talks to theatre artist, television/film actress, and professional audio book narrator Kelley Hazen about all things life including publishing, music, women in the entertainment industry and beloved dogs.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 14: David Dupuis

Laurie talks to NY-based visual artist David Dupuis about life and art in The Big Apple, Seattle dreams, directing meets painting, the art scene of the 80's, and where do we go from here?

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 12: Phil Wilkinson

Laurie talks to New Mexico native, cellist, vocalist, performer, campaign organizer, and Stanford law student, Phil Wilkinson about the voice of music, the world at large, the law of the land, China, Spain, the ABQ vibe, and political aspirations.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 11: John Vreeke

Laurie talks to professional director John Vreeke about Seattle and D.C. Theatre on pause, hiking, Northern Exposure, Charles Mee's Love Sonnets, and what a difference an Albuquerque makes.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 10: Dodie Montgomery

Laurie talks to theatre artist, educator, entrepreneur, and visual artist, Dodie Montgomery. Topics include life and art in Seattle, gardening, tequila, great theatre experiences, and paintings of women in hats.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 9: Dennis Gromelski

Laurie talks to FUSION Executive Director, Dennis Gromelski, about civic engagement, arts and culture, the open road, New Orleans meets Albuquerque, the joy of cooking, college ball, and The Grateful Dead. 

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 8: Julia Youngs

Laurie talks to Julia Youngs, Accelerations Program Manager for Creative Startups, about the changing face of entrepreneurship locally and globally, urban design, running marathons, the life of theatre, and her passion for Flamenco. 

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 6: Evan Garrett

Laurie talks to theatre artist, writer, poetry lover, and Netflix Finance Associate Evan Garrett about production - production of immersive theatre, poetry, film and television, politics, and a new normal in L.A.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 3: Jen Grigg

Laurie talks to actor, director, and curator of FUSION’s short play festival The Seven, Jen Grigg. They discuss the upcoming festival’s theme and Jen’s process of reading and selecting from over five hundred submissions. They also share thoughts on acting process, creativity during quarantine, and the passions in Jen’s life that nurture her artistry.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 2: Hakim Bellamy

Laurie talks with poet, educator, actor, musician and Deputy Director for the City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Department, Hakim Bellamy, about the city's strategies for sustaining Albuquerque's artists and arts organizations during the pandemic. They also take on the creative process of poetry, Hakim's earliest storytelling, his love for the Southwest, and his experience with Annie Baker's play The Antipodes.

Blair Nodelman
FUSION Forum Episode 1: Alec Squires

Laurie talks to Alec Squires, a directing student at NYU’s Tisch School of The Arts, about his recent switch from an acting to directing focus, his work as a photographer, and his passion for long-distancing running.  

Blair Nodelman