Artists Talk with LVA: October 09, 2025

Amelia Acosta Powell and Emily Tarquin are the new Artistic and Managing Directors of Actors Theatre of Louisville, and they are coming to our studios to discuss the future of ATL. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM / Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Emily Tarquin (they/them) is the new Managing Director at ATL. They are currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Bellarmine University (expected December 2027). As an Interim Managing Director in the theatre industry, Emily oversaw multi-department operations, stewarded financial resources, and developed systems to strengthen long-term sustainability.

Amelia Acosta Powell (she/her) is the new Artistic Director at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Previously, she has been honored to serve as Associate Artistic Director at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Line Producer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Artistic Associate & Casting Director at Arena Stage. She is a steering committee member of the Latinx Theatre Commons. 

World premiere of FDR's Very Happy Hour is October 15 - 26 at Actors Theatre
written by Regan Linton, directed by M. Graham Smith

Artists Talk with LVA: August 29, 2024

Keith McGill is clever, insightful, and a little bit eye-opening.  His comedy is truth with a twist. Indianapolis’ NUVO said, "Keith McGill has a style that is smooth and temperate, and lacks any gaudy gimmicks or catch phrases, making him one of the best standup acts within earshot... His material is positive and PG-13, yet still intelligently critical of the comical absurdities [of life]...The Louisville native is impossible not to like." Keith was also a STANDUP NBC Competition finalist. As well as touring internationally on Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise Lines, Keith has appeared on BET, CMT, LAUGHS on FOX and is a Bob and Tom Show favorite, and a much sought-after entertainer for corporate events.

Over My Dead Husband - Louisville Fringe Festival 
September 15 at 7 pm  For Tickets: Actorstheatre.org

Aaron Raymer earned a BFA in 2006 at the University of Louisville, and a MFA in 2008 at New York University with full scholarship support at both institutions. He has shown in New York (Kate Werble Gallery), across the US Midwest and South, and in Santiago Chile in an exhibition curated by Sebastian Errazuriz. He has been interviewed and reviewed by the New York Times along with other publications. Raymer is a father, and has taught in the University of Louisville Hite Institute of Art + Design since 2017. 

He is represented by Garner Large and Garner Narrative in Louisville KY.

Aaron Raymer - Between Boredom and Oblivion
Aug 29-Oct 26, at garner contemporary narrative gallery
Reception Sept. 14, 2-4 pm with Artist talk 3 pm

Artists Talk with LVA: August 8, 2024

Larry Muhammad has written a new play, Who Killed Alberta Jones? and Brandi LaShay will play the title role in its world premiere from Redline Performing Arts at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Tune into WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Larry Muhammad is an award-winning playwright and producing director of Kentucky Black Repertory Theatre. His plays have been performed in New York at New Federal Theatre; in Louisville, KY at Actors Theatre, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Speed Art Museum, and Muhammad Ali Center; in Cincinnati, OH at the Aronoff Center; and the National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, NC. They include: Looking for Leroy, Last Night at Mikell’s, Derby Mine 4, Jockey Jim, Double V

Brandi LaShay, is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Brandi is an Alumnus of Claflin University and the University of Louisville's Theatre Arts Program. She furthered her career as a resident performer and Education Assistant at the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. She is currently certified in African American Theatre and serves the Louisville Community and JCPS as a Performance Practitioner and Resident Teaching Artist. In addition to her career as a freelance artist and performance Practitioner,  Brandi also works as the Museum Theatre Director at Historic Locust Grove. Brandi has been an inaugural creative partner with IdeasXLabs and the (Un)Known Project, which she last performed as Beverly in Journey’s to Freedom. Brandi identifies herself as a Dope Black Female Artist. DBFA is a label which defines the layers of her authentic creativity and artistic edge.

Redline Performing Arts presents Who Killed Alberta Jones? by Larry Muhammad
August 8-10 in the Victor Jory Theatre at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Artists Talk with LVA: May 30, 2024

Robert Barry Fleming & Ben Gierhart from Actors Theatre were in the studio to tell us the latest with the company. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Robert Barry Fleming is the Executive Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Louisville, KY. He has a varied portfolio and a wealth of experience as an artistic leader/administrator, producer, director, choreographer, performing artist, teacher, and coach.

Ben Gierhart is in his 2nd year as Communications Coordinator at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Won't you be my May-bor?
by Andrew Newton Schaftlein and Eric Sharp
starring May O'Nays
directed by Emily Tarquin
World Premiere Presented by Drag Daddy Productions

May 31 – June 8, 2024 in the Victor Jory Theater
June – August 2024 in locations throughout the Commonwealth

Artists Talk With LVA: February 9, 2023

Will Oldham is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded in collaboration with dozens of other musicians under variations of Palace (Palace, Palace Flophouse, Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music). After briefly publishing music under his own name, in 1998 he adopted Bonnie "Prince" Billy as the name for most of his work.

Will grew up in Louisville and trained as an actor for several years at Walden Theatre before turning his creative energies to music and songwriting.

Will has been involved with WXOX as a DJ and guest, performing at the Voix de Ville fundraiser and working with Kentucky INTENTIONAL Sounds who helped build WXOX’s sister station, WXND 100.9.