Clayton Howe’s Entertainmentx

Bradley James Part 1 ”The Liberator,” Life Path and Gut Instinct

Bradley James(IG:@bradleyjames)(TW:@Bradleyjames)
is a British-American actor hailed by critics as having a
talent reminiscent of a young Tom Cruise. He has starred in leading and
supporting roles that show a unique and diverse talent that has spanned action,
thriller, drama, sci-fi, period, and romance. His first major role cast him as the
young King Arthur in the global hit Merlin, which originally aired on BBC &
NBC, and can now be seen on Netflix & Hulu. In 2014, James filmed a
supporting role on Showtime's Homeland and in 2015, a one-season loveinterest
role incredibly popular with fans on the CW show iZombie. In 2016,
he was cast as the lead in the series remake of The Omen, entitled Damien,
which aired on A&E, and now plays on Hulu. Creator and powerhouse
showrunner Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead), had looked at hundreds of
actors for Damien, but when he auditioned James, he says: "I just realized
there was something there. Bradley had heart and intelligence and charm and
he really inhabited the character. He was remarkable to work with." James can
also be seen starring in the comedy Bounty Hunters; opposite Kate
Beckinsale and Theo James in the popular Underworld film franchise; and as
Giuliano de' Medici in Netflix's period drama Medici (2017-2020). James'
latest lead role is as Felix Sparks in The Liberator, the upcoming Netflix
World War II drama series based on the acclaimed book by Alex Kershaw. It
is the first project produced in Trioscope. Bradley James is one of a handful of
classically trained leading men from Drama Centre London that includes
Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, and Michael Fassbender.

Clayton Howe on ”Pushing Through The Pain”

Clayton Howe (IG:@inclaynation)(TW:@inclaynation) This week I keep the episodes short and pass around some information to meditate on. As 2020 draws to a close I want to offer thoughts that could improve your achievements and efficiencies. I hope these resonate with you and have a very VERY happy end to 2020!! 

Clayton Howe on removing ”Can’t” from our vocabulary

Clayton Howe (IG:@inclaynation)(TW:@inclaynation) This week I keep the episodes short and pass around some information to meditate on. As 2020 draws to a close I want to offer thoughts that could improve your achievements and efficiencies. I hope these resonate with you and have a very VERY happy end to 2020!! 

”Listen.” Stacy Barton Part 2 on Show Writing, Walt Disney World, and Creative Storytelling

Stacy Barton (LI:@stacybarton)(IG:@stacybarton_showwriter) As a Storyteller, I love a good story—hearing it, seeing it, shaping it, sharing it—how it comes to life with an audience. I've been called the 'Swiss army knife' of storytellers; if you can only have one writer, I'm the tool you want. For the past twenty years I’ve specialized in story development for themed experiences, including major projects for Disney, SeaWorld, Ringling Bros. and others around the world. I am equally at ease imagining new content, using folklore and fairytales as structural forms, or transforming films and books into compelling live experiences.   I thrive in all forms of collaboration and within the diverse disciplines required to create a themed experience, I consider myself the Story Driver. I challenge creative teams to ask: What is the heart of this story? How is it best served live? Who is our audience? What is the journey we promise? When do we touch their hearts and what is the gift the audience takes away? To write an experience like this—connecting the story to its audience—I’ve learned to pay attention to the landscape of communication and how it changes due to geography, culture, language and generation. To make the story relevant, I use the tools of traditional theater alongside cutting-edge technologies, audience interactions, and social media engagements, choosing with my team what serves our story best. Finally, if there is an actual script to be written I tackle it with great joy, using language that is honest and true. And, in the end, if I’ve done my job as the writer well, there will be very few words nestled inside a whole lot of story. Sample Clients• Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, Disney Event Group, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Lines, Disneyland Resort, California Adventure, Walt Disney Imagineering• SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (Corporate): Orlando, San Diego, Austin, plus Busch Gardens • Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park • Bollywood Parks Dubai• Ringling Bros. Circus • Feld Entertainment• DreamVision• Norwegian Caribbean Lines• Six Flags Theme Parks• IDEAS• Imagination HouseIn addition to themed entertainment, I’m also the published author of three books of fiction and poetry, four children's picture books, and 30+ magazine publications.

”Listen.” Stacy Barton Part 1 on Show Writing, Walt Disney World, and Creative Storytelling

Stacy Barton (LI:@stacybarton)(IG:@stacybarton_showwriter) As a Storyteller, I love a good story—hearing it, seeing it, shaping it, sharing it—how it comes to life with an audience. I've been called the 'Swiss army knife' of storytellers; if you can only have one writer, I'm the tool you want. For the past twenty years I’ve specialized in story development for themed experiences, including major projects for Disney, SeaWorld, Ringling Bros. and others around the world. I am equally at ease imagining new content, using folklore and fairytales as structural forms, or transforming films and books into compelling live experiences.   I thrive in all forms of collaboration and within the diverse disciplines required to create a themed experience, I consider myself the Story Driver. I challenge creative teams to ask: What is the heart of this story? How is it best served live? Who is our audience? What is the journey we promise? When do we touch their hearts and what is the gift the audience takes away? To write an experience like this—connecting the story to its audience—I’ve learned to pay attention to the landscape of communication and how it changes due to geography, culture, language and generation. To make the story relevant, I use the tools of traditional theater alongside cutting-edge technologies, audience interactions, and social media engagements, choosing with my team what serves our story best. Finally, if there is an actual script to be written I tackle it with great joy, using language that is honest and true. And, in the end, if I’ve done my job as the writer well, there will be very few words nestled inside a whole lot of story. Sample Clients• Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, Disney Event Group, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Lines, Disneyland Resort, California Adventure, Walt Disney Imagineering• SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (Corporate): Orlando, San Diego, Austin, plus Busch Gardens • Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park • Bollywood Parks Dubai• Ringling Bros. Circus • Feld Entertainment• DreamVision• Norwegian Caribbean Lines• Six Flags Theme Parks• IDEAS• Imagination HouseIn addition to themed entertainment, I’m also the published author of three books of fiction and poetry, four children's picture books, and 30+ magazine publications.

Michael J. Bobbitt Part 2 on Anti-racism, Writing, and Being a Part of the Change

Michael J. Bobbitt (michaelbobbitt.com)is the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre in Boston, MA.  He is an arts leader, director, choreographer, playwright and Anti-racist Arts Advocate. 
​Michael has been a leading voice for Inclusiveness in the arts beginning early in his career in his hometown of Washington, DC, and throughout his tenure at numerous prominent arts organizations, where he has been repeatedly recognized for his efforts in the advancement of Anti-racism, Equity, and Diversity. His practices, policies and procedures for creating and changing culture within arts organizations have been adopted by several organizations in DC and throughout the nation in the Theatre-for-Young-Audiences (TYA) field. His thought-leadership in this crucial area is now spreading beyond DC and his current home of Boston to a number of national outlets including regional panels, national conferences, and his widely popular new series of webinars focused on building Anti-racist organizations. 
​In his first year at New Rep, Michael eradicated the debt, built three several months of reserves, increased ticket sales by 43%, donations by 24%, patronage by 26% and Board giving exceeded goal by 57%.  Additionally, he has made New Rep into a leading voice on building Anti-racist theatre.
​Prior to New Rep, he served as Artistic Director for Adventure Theatre-MTC in Maryland, where he led the historic organization to be one of the leading theatre/training companies in the DC region and a nationally influential professional Theatre for Young Audiences.  He led the company through a merger, that increased the organizational budget by more than 600%, and led directly to an expansion of the audience base by over 400%. During his tenure, he commissioned 40 new works by noted playwrights, transferred two shows to successful Off-Broadway run in NYC, and oversaw the launch of an international tour that brought worldwide attention to Adventure Theatre-MTC. Michael founded and built a performing arts training academy for school-aged students in the Washington, DC area that became an important resource for young artists in a region where public school arts programs had been sacrificed in the name of cost-cutting. His productions received dozens of Helen Hayes Award© Nominations and featured eight wins. 
​Bobbitt has directed/choreographed at Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Center Stage, Roundhouse Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Opera. His national and international credits include the NY Musical Theatre Festival, Mel Tillis 2001, La Jolla Playhouse, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. 
​As a writer, his work has been produced all over the country and international.  He has plays published by Concord Theatricals, Plays for Young Audiences and Broadway Licensing.  He trained at Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program, Professional Fundraising Certificate Program from Boston University, Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell, artEquity and People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, and other top leadership programs. He earned the Excel Leadership Award (Center for Nonprofit Advancement) the Emerging Leader Award (County Executive’s Excellence in the Arts and Humanities), and Person of the Year Award (Maryland Theatre Guide), among others.

Michael J. Bobbitt Part 1 on Anti-racism, Writing, and Being a Part of the Change

Michael J. Bobbitt (michaelbobbitt.com)is the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre in Boston, MA.  He is an arts leader, director, choreographer, playwright and Anti-racist Arts Advocate. 
​Michael has been a leading voice for Inclusiveness in the arts beginning early in his career in his hometown of Washington, DC, and throughout his tenure at numerous prominent arts organizations, where he has been repeatedly recognized for his efforts in the advancement of Anti-racism, Equity, and Diversity. His practices, policies and procedures for creating and changing culture within arts organizations have been adopted by several organizations in DC and throughout the nation in the Theatre-for-Young-Audiences (TYA) field. His thought-leadership in this crucial area is now spreading beyond DC and his current home of Boston to a number of national outlets including regional panels, national conferences, and his widely popular new series of webinars focused on building Anti-racist organizations. 
​In his first year at New Rep, Michael eradicated the debt, built three several months of reserves, increased ticket sales by 43%, donations by 24%, patronage by 26% and Board giving exceeded goal by 57%.  Additionally, he has made New Rep into a leading voice on building Anti-racist theatre.
​Prior to New Rep, he served as Artistic Director for Adventure Theatre-MTC in Maryland, where he led the historic organization to be one of the leading theatre/training companies in the DC region and a nationally influential professional Theatre for Young Audiences.  He led the company through a merger, that increased the organizational budget by more than 600%, and led directly to an expansion of the audience base by over 400%. During his tenure, he commissioned 40 new works by noted playwrights, transferred two shows to successful Off-Broadway run in NYC, and oversaw the launch of an international tour that brought worldwide attention to Adventure Theatre-MTC. Michael founded and built a performing arts training academy for school-aged students in the Washington, DC area that became an important resource for young artists in a region where public school arts programs had been sacrificed in the name of cost-cutting. His productions received dozens of Helen Hayes Award© Nominations and featured eight wins. 
​Bobbitt has directed/choreographed at Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Center Stage, Roundhouse Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Opera. His national and international credits include the NY Musical Theatre Festival, Mel Tillis 2001, La Jolla Playhouse, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. 
​As a writer, his work has been produced all over the country and international.  He has plays published by Concord Theatricals, Plays for Young Audiences and Broadway Licensing.  He trained at Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program, Professional Fundraising Certificate Program from Boston University, Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell, artEquity and People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, and other top leadership programs. He earned the Excel Leadership Award (Center for Nonprofit Advancement) the Emerging Leader Award (County Executive’s Excellence in the Arts and Humanities), and Person of the Year Award (Maryland Theatre Guide), among others.

”Hope” Douglas Lyons Part 2 on his future, writing, and the 2020 civil rights movement

Douglas Lyons (douglaslyons.net)(IG:@chocolatehipster)(@douglassings) During my training at The Hartt School's BFA  Musical Theatre program, I took a year hiatus to tour on Tony Award wining show RENT. Post graduation in 2009, I went on to perform on Broadway and tour with shows such as The Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls, and currently I'm an Original Broadway Cast member of  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Some of my other favorite credits include: Pirates ( The Huntington Theatre Company) , Pageant (BCEFA Off Broadway),  Galileo Galilei (Yale Rep) and  The Human Comedy (Astoria Performing Arts Center). 
As a composer/lyricist, I'm half writing team Lyons & Pakchar. Our work has been workshopped and featured at Lincoln Center’s Broadway Songbook Series, Theater Latte Da, The 11th hour Theatre Company, Seattle Rep, The Music Theater Factory, The Sheen Center, The Johnny Mercer Writing Colony at Goodspeed Musicals and more. Lyons & Pakchar’s debut album #Love(Live) was nominated Best-Live Album of 2014 by Broadwayworld.com. Lyons & Pakchar have recently been commissioned by Seattle's 5th Ave Theatre to write a brand new musical with Cheryl L. West. I've been commissioned by Casa Mañana Theatre for a new Peter Pan titled Peter, Darling and also serves as lyricist on the new musical feature film in development "Back to 1." 
My original show Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, inspired by Civil Rights Pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, is getting multiple theatrical productions around the country including a commercial run at the Children's Cincinnati Theatre in February 2018 and production at The Atlantic Theater Company in NYC . Polkadots also has a recording/distribution deal with Sony's Masterworks Broadway with a World-Premiere Album that features cast members from The Wiz live, Hamilton, Glee and more. 
Most importantly, I strive to use diverse stories to inspire children through art and remind them of their fullest potential and worth.

”Hope” Douglas Lyons Part 1 on his future, writing, and the 2020 civil rights movement

Douglas Lyons (douglaslyons.net)(IG:@chocolatehipster)(@douglassings) During my training at The Hartt School's BFA  Musical Theatre program, I took a year hiatus to tour on Tony Award wining show RENT. Post graduation in 2009, I went on to perform on Broadway and tour with shows such as The Book of Mormon, Dreamgirls, and currently I'm an Original Broadway Cast member of  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Some of my other favorite credits include: Pirates ( The Huntington Theatre Company) , Pageant (BCEFA Off Broadway),  Galileo Galilei (Yale Rep) and  The Human Comedy (Astoria Performing Arts Center). 
As a composer/lyricist, I'm half writing team Lyons & Pakchar. Our work has been workshopped and featured at Lincoln Center’s Broadway Songbook Series, Theater Latte Da, The 11th hour Theatre Company, Seattle Rep, The Music Theater Factory, The Sheen Center, The Johnny Mercer Writing Colony at Goodspeed Musicals and more. Lyons & Pakchar’s debut album #Love(Live) was nominated Best-Live Album of 2014 by Broadwayworld.com. Lyons & Pakchar have recently been commissioned by Seattle's 5th Ave Theatre to write a brand new musical with Cheryl L. West. I've been commissioned by Casa Mañana Theatre for a new Peter Pan titled Peter, Darling and also serves as lyricist on the new musical feature film in development "Back to 1." 
My original show Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, inspired by Civil Rights Pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, is getting multiple theatrical productions around the country including a commercial run at the Children's Cincinnati Theatre in February 2018 and production at The Atlantic Theater Company in NYC . Polkadots also has a recording/distribution deal with Sony's Masterworks Broadway with a World-Premiere Album that features cast members from The Wiz live, Hamilton, Glee and more. 
Most importantly, I strive to use diverse stories to inspire children through art and remind them of their fullest potential and worth.

”#VOTE” Dan LoBuono Part 2 on Casting at Walt Disney World, the pandemic, and the future of theatre auditions

Dan LoBuono (LI:@danlobuono)(IG:@danlobuono)(TW:@danlobuono) Broadway/National Tour Veteran with over 20 years experience in the Broadway Community. Former Manager of Theatrical Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, Producer and Casting Director for The American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World, Guest Experience Manger at Disney's Hollywood Studios and currently AEA Casting Director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment (Furloughed as of 4/19/2020). We talk about it all!!! From Disney Layoff's to the future of casting. Enjoy!