What if theatre could do more than entertain? What if it could help save an entire language and keep a culture alive?On this episode of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon welcomes educator, playwright, actor, and former Louisiana French Poet Laureate Kirby Jambon to the other throne for a conversation about Cajun French, Louisiana culture, storytelling, and the power of performing arts to bring people together.With more than 40 years of experience in education, Kirby has dedicated much of his life to teaching, writing, performing, and preserving Louisiana French culture. From publishing award-winning French poetry to creating his own French-language theatre company, Kirby proves that creativity and cultural preservation can go hand in hand.Allison and Kirby explore what it really takes to keep Louisiana French alive, why the language deserves respect, and how theatre can introduce a new generation to the stories, traditions, and voices of their community.Kirby also shares the inspiration behind his original Louisiana French adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, how he turned a familiar story into something deeply connected to local culture, and why you don't have to speak perfect French or have years of acting experience to participate in French-language theatre.They dive into playwriting, directing, character development, teaching young performers, and why sometimes the most powerful moment in a production comes from just a few carefully chosen words.And because this is Between Two Thrones, things get delightfully ridiculous. We're talking Sherlock Holmes outfits, unexpected theatre auditions, questionable French pronunciations, a literal bag of theatrical tricks, and Kirby's unforgettable experience singing from inside Audrey II during a production of Little Shop of Horrors.But beneath the laughter is a message about what makes performing arts so important: Theatre belongs to everyone. Whether you're the lead actor, a member of the ensemble, a backstage volunteer, or someone learning a new language for the first time, you have something valuable to contribute.Join us for a conversation celebrating creativity, community, Cajun French, and the stories that connect us across generations.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we sit with the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some, but not for us.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

Ever wonder what it actually takes to build a theatre set? Spoiler alert: It's a lot more than some plywood, paint, and a prayer.In this special Halloween episode of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon welcomes longtime friend, musician, educator, and theatrical set builder Colin Smith to the other throne for a hilarious and surprisingly insightful conversation about the chaos, creativity, and craftsmanship behind live theatre.After 10 years of friendship and working together at Wonderland Academy, Allison and Colin have plenty of stories to tell. From building elaborate theatrical sets on limited budgets to surviving last-minute changes during tech week, Colin shares what really goes into bringing a director's vision to life.They dive into the world of theatrical set design, scenic painting, backstage safety, creative collaboration, and the importance of reusing materials without sacrificing the magic of a production.But what happens when a trap door doesn't work? What if a set piece fails during a performance? And why do directors think asking for "just one little change" the night before opening is perfectly reasonable?Colin also shares his experiences as a pianist, music educator, and composer, including how he and Allison have collaborated to turn children's books into original stage musicals.And because it's our Halloween episode, things get a little spooky and a lot ridiculous. We're talking haunted theatre stories, Harry Potter-inspired sets, floating candles, cursed green rooms, questionable backstage behavior, and some absolutely ruthless sentences in Theatre Court.Beyond the laughs, Colin shares an important lesson about working in the performing arts: Creating something extraordinary takes a village, and learning to ask for help is just as important as having the talent to do the work yourself.Whether you're an actor, director, stage manager, set designer, theatre educator, or just someone who loves discovering what happens behind the curtain, this episode is for you.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we sit with the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some, but not for us.Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts

Being a talented musician is one thing. Actually making a living doing it? That's a whole different performance.On this episode of Between Two Thrones, Allison Barron Brandon welcomes singer, songwriter, musician, and music educator Audrey Broussard to the other throne to talk about what it really takes to build a career in music without leaving your hometown.Audrey is the creative force behind Monarch Lullaby, an independent music project that recently released *Here From the Garden*, an album inspired by the flora and fauna of Louisiana. Between recording music, performing live, teaching private lessons, and music directing, Audrey has found a way to turn her passion into a career.But making it as an independent artist isn't just about being talented.Allison and Audrey get into the realities of the music business, from finding gigs and handling rejection to networking, promoting yourself, surviving streaming royalties, and learning why being someone people actually WANT to work with might be more important than being the most talented person in the room.They also talk about songwriting, letting go of perfectionism, finding your authentic sound, and why success doesn't have to mean going viral or becoming famous.And because this is Between Two Thrones, there's plenty of nonsense along the way. We're talking forgotten lyrics, awkward stage banter, questionable song requests, performing arts crimes, and whether requesting Free Bird at an original music show deserves a life sentence.Audrey also shares her biggest lesson for aspiring artists: Say yes to opportunities that scare you a little. Sometimes the experiences that push you outside your comfort zone are the ones that help you grow the most.Welcome to Between Two Thrones, where we meet the people who make performing arts happen onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between for conversations that are honest, a little unhinged, and maybe even a little too much for some, but not for us.+Don’t miss the next act: hit SUBSCRIBE so you’re front row for every video!Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbbrandon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toomuchallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomuchallisonSee what’s happening at Wonderland Performing Arts: Website: https://www.wonderlandperformingarts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandperformingarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandperformingartsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderlandperformingarts