S2E19 - Community Day 2026!

S2E19 - Community Day 2026!

Author: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival June 29, 2026 Duration: 45:38

As You Mic It: In the Spotlight celebrates Community Day at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival with a special episode highlighting the people, stories, and traditions that have shaped PSF for 35 seasons.

Artistic Director Jason King Jones sits down with longtime festival, Suzanne O'Donnell, to reflect on her history with PSF, raising a family alongside the company, and watching the Festival grow into the community it is today.

Later, Jason welcomes Arrianna Daniels, Darin "Frankie" Earl II, Mark Yowakim, and Eli Lynn for a conversation about finding their way back to PSF. They share what it means to return to a company that feels like home, how they describe the Festival to artists who have never experienced it, and the friendships and artistic community that make each season unique.

Between conversations, our friends weighs in on an absurd reading of AITA, proving that even the world's greatest consulting detective and his adversaries aren't immune to modern internet judgment.

The episode closes with a special performance from the Young Company, featuring an original song inspired by As You Like It and written by Ryan Plunkett, celebrating the creativity and talent that continue to shape the Festival's future.

Whether you've been with PSF since the beginning or are joining us for the first time, this Community Day episode is a celebration of the artists, audiences, and community that have made the Festival feel like home for 35 seasons.

Host: Jason King Jones

Guests: Arrianna Daniels, Darin Earl II, Suzanne O'Donnell, Mark Yowakim, and the PSF Young Company cast of As You Like It

PSF Young Company Cast: Tyler Borneo, Ian Higgins, Mariana Marcel, Mayrali Melendez, Joanna McShaffry, Teddy Novak, Ryan Plunkett, India Profitt, Isabella Stevens


Mentioned in this episode:

Collaboration Makes Great Theatre

Collaboration makes great theatre, both onstage and off. Support PSF today! https://pashakespeare.org/support/

Single Tickets on Sale Now

Subscriptions for the 2026 Summer Theatre Series

pashakespeare.org/tickets/

Become an Underwriter Today!

Contact podcast@pashakespeare.org for more information.


Dive into the rich world of the stage with As You Mic It, a production of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. This isn't just a series of lectures; it's an invitation backstage, where the magic of performance and the depth of literary tradition meet. Each conversation feels like pulling up a chair in the green room, listening as artists and scholars unpack the themes, characters, and historical contexts that give these timeless works their enduring power. You'll hear from the authors, directors, and actors who bring the words to life, gaining insight into the creative decisions that shape each festival production. The discussions are both insightful and genuinely playful, celebrating the art of storytelling in all its complexity. No matter your background-whether you can quote soliloquies by heart or are simply drawn to a good story-this podcast offers a fresh and engaging perspective. The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has crafted a space where analysis feels like discovery, making the anthology of their work accessible and endlessly fascinating. Tune in to find your connection to these classic tales, explored with a contemporary ear and a deep love for the performing arts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

As You Mic It
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