S2E20 - In the Spotlight with Karen and Ian Merrill Peakes

S2E20 - In the Spotlight with Karen and Ian Merrill Peakes

Author: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival July 6, 2026 Duration: 26:09

As You Mic It: In the Spotlight welcomes two longtime Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival friends, Karen Peakes and Ian Merrill Peakes, for a conversation about theatre, family, and a Festival they have helped shape for decades.

Jason King Jones sits down with Karen and Ian to discuss performing together in this season's rotating repertory productions of Romeo and Juliet and Moriarty, the unique experience of balancing marriage, parenthood, and life as working actors.

They also reflect on their years at PSF, the friendships that have endured, and the moments that continue to bring them back each summer. Filled with laughter, stories from behind the scenes, and a few unexpected detours, this episode celebrates the artists, relationships, and sense of community that have become part of the Festival's legacy.

Host: Jason King Jones

Guests: Karen Peakes and Ian Merrill Peakes


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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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