P.S. Meet Me At Stage Door: The Australian Podcast Fostering Community In A Time Of Crisis

When Covid-19 hit Australia’s shores in early March this year it wasn’t long before the Arts took some of the heaviest blows with venues and theatres closing nationwide and leaving many out of work.

Two of the thousands around the country let go from their own theatre jobs when restrictions came into place, Libby Gunther and Tori Bullard saw an opportunity to foster a sense of community in time of great social isolation.

Both were recent graduates from the Australian Institute of Music’s Musical Theatre program and just starting out their careers as theatre professionals, so when work began to dry up due to the virus, the pair created P.S. Meet Me A Stage Door. The fortnightly podcast, recorded via videocall with their guests from around Australia and overseas, P.S. Meet Me At Stage Door has quickly become a home to many of those in the theatre industry looking to stay connected and share their stories with the greater theatre community in this difficult time.

While for now they are unable to grace the stage, they are on the airwaves every two weeks for forty minutes, discussing all things Australian theatre including interviews with leading industry professionals, deep dives analysing musicals, news updates, stories of stage mishaps and shenanigans, alongside educating their listeners on worldwide theatre history and it’s unsung heroes.

The podcast recently launched its newest series, Influential Women In Theatre, which kicked off last Thursday with a look into the lives of Vinnette Carroll, the first African American woman to direct a musical on Broadway and Antoinette Perry, a actress, director and cofounder of the American Theatre Wing.

“We wanted to produce this series to not only educate ourselves about the strong women in theatres history, but to educate our listeners about the roles and legacy of women in this industry who have paved the way,” said Libby.

In addition to the new educational series there are a number of exciting interviews with international and Australian theatre professionals set to hit their airwaves over the coming weeks, including Chris Fung (Cyrano De Bergerac, West End London), Green Room Award Winner Georgina Hopson (Mother – Ragtime), Sophie Maddock (Kinky Boots, Australian Tour), Vidya Makan (Six: The Musical, Australian Tour), plus many more. The interviews dive deep into their careers and asks the questions every budding performer wants to know, from the humble start to their careers to the steps and chances taken to reach centre stage.

P.S. Meet Me At Stage Door’s next episode will be an interview with Gareth Isaac on Thursday 30th July about all things Puffs, his roll as the Narrator, and the highs and lows of creating your own cabaret for the Sydney Fringe Festival.

For further information and to listen to the podcast please have a look at their website.