On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez

Music! Dance! Theater! It's time to take a seat "On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez". Hear from performers, producers, presenters and creators who enrich our lives in the performing arts. Who’s on stage? Tom Alvarez will introduce you!

On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez is a arts podcast hosted by Tom Alvarez, with 138 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Tom Alvarez hosts On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez, a arts show with 138 episodes published.

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  Episode #141

  From the Costume Shop to the Stage with Maximalist Designer Anthony James Sirk

  Aug 13, 20261h 5m

  In this engaging conversation, host Tom Alvarez welcomes back acclaimed costume designer and theater artist Anthony James Sirk for a wide-ranging look at the experiences, inspirations, and creative journey that shaped his distinctive career. From growing up on a farm in Huntington, Indiana, discovering the arts through childhood drawing, theater, and fashion, to finding his calling in costume design at Ball State, Sirk shares how his path took him from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and regional theater to becoming a sought-after designer and costume shop manager at Purdue. The conversation explores his maximalist, whimsical design aesthetic, his love of “bangles and baubles,” his work on productions including Yuletide Celebration, and his commitment to mentoring emerging artists and expanding opportunities for diverse voices in Indiana theater. Alvarez and Sirk also reflect on the power of the arts to provide belonging and hope, Sirk’s experience coming out as a teenager in rural Indiana, the evolution of LGBTQ+ acceptance, and the collaborative spirit that makes Indianapolis’s theater community so special. With upcoming projects including Yuletide, Fringe, and Alvarez’s Cabaret Latino, the episode offers both longtime listeners and newcomers an intimate portrait of an artist whose journey is a testament to creativity, community, perseverance, and the belief that the dreams you imagine for yourself really can come true. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #139

  Chad Rabinovitz - Artistic director, producer, filmmaker and entrepreneur creates constellations

  Aug 6, 20261h 3m

  In this engaging episode, Host Tom Alvarez sits down with Chad Rabinovitz, the artistic director, producer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and driving force behind Constellation Stage & Screen, for a wide-ranging conversation about building creative communities, taking artistic risks, and redefining what success looks like outside traditional entertainment hubs. Chad shares how he has woven together theater, film, education, and business to create a thriving cultural ecosystem in Bloomington, Indiana, while reflecting on his journey from regional theater to leading an innovative arts organization whose new works have reached audiences around the world. Along the way, Tom and Chad explore the connections between sports and the performing arts, the importance of collaboration, inclusion, philanthropy, and storytelling, and why communities flourish when artists are empowered to create. Whether you're a longtime listener or discovering the podcast for the first time, this inspiring conversation offers an inside look at the vision, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit behind one of the Midwest's most dynamic creative leaders. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #138

  Charles Busch: The leading lady of drag, camp and theatrical reinvention

  Jul 30, 20261h 6m

  Host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed playwright, actor, novelist, and cabaret performer Charles Busch for a candid conversation about the people, experiences, and creative passions that shaped his remarkable career. Busch reflects on his early years in New York and Chicago, the profound influence of his beloved Aunt Lil, finding his artistic voice through theater pioneer Charles Ludlam, and building a groundbreaking career with works like Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. Along the way, he shares behind-the-scenes stories about Bette Midler, Broadway, cabaret, and television, offers thoughtful insights into the evolution of drag and queer theater, and discusses the challenges, triumphs, and resilience that have sustained more than 50 years of storytelling. Warm, witty, and deeply personal, this episode is an inspiring look at a singular artist whose greatest ambition has always been to tell unforgettable stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #137

  Jeff Owen: Preserving and Promoting the Cabaret Art Form Through the Lens of an Actor, Singer, Director, and Arts Administrator

  Jul 24, 202657 min

  Host Tom Alvarez reunites with Jeff Owen, Chief Operating Officer of Claude McNeal Productions, for a fascinating conversation that celebrates one of Indiana's most influential theater organizations. Together, they revisit the legacy of the American Cabaret Theatre, explore the unique art of cabaret, and discuss how Claude McNeal Productions has evolved into a statewide leader in arts education through its acclaimed Act Out program, reaching thousands of students each year. Jeff also shares the company's exciting new chapter at historic McGowan Hall, where classic cabaret is being reimagined for today's audiences with immersive storytelling and innovative visuals. Filled with memories, behind-the-scenes stories, and a look toward the future, this episode is a must-listen for longtime theater fans and anyone discovering the remarkable impact of Claude McNeal Productions for the first time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #136

  Actor-Director Carlos Medina Maldonado finds his Latino joy as a theatre artist

  Jul 16, 20261h 7m

  In this illuminating conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with director Carlos Medina Maldonado to explore far more than a new stage production. They dive into the power of theater to celebrate Latino joy, the deeply personal journey of reclaiming cultural identity, the lasting influence of mentor Bryan Fonseca, and Carlos's vision for building a more inclusive and vibrant theater community in Indianapolis. Centered around American Lives Theatre's upcoming production of Extreme Home Makeover, the episode weaves together stories of family, grief, belonging, artistry, and representation with warmth, humor, and genuine insight. Whether you're discovering the podcast for the first time or have been listening from the beginning, this inspiring conversation offers an intimate look at an emerging director whose passion for storytelling is helping shape the future of local theater—and may just change the way you think about the stories we choose to tell. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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