Episode #59: “That One Was Really Personal” with Jasmine Curry

Frequent cast member and audience favorite Jasmine Curry shares stories from a life of adapting to unexpected turns. What was it like behind-the-scenes to pivot an in-person Salon show into the uncharted Zoom frontier? How has she made virtual improv comedy work without hearing the laughter of an audience? And at the very moment her own spouse was coming out as transgender, what was it like to perform a writer’s story that tapped into those very same overwhelming emotions?

Jasmine Curry trained at New York University, Experimental Theatre Wing, and was a resident actor at Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, PA. She studied improv and sketch writing with The Groundlings Theatre and iO West. Jasmine has worked in educational theatre with Writers Room Productions, California Weekly Explorer, and The Imagination Machine. She can be seen every Wednesday performing Longform improv online with her improv troupe The Interlocutors. She previously appeared in The Braid salons Family Matters, For Goodness Sake, Sex Love and Addiction in the 21st Century, Living After, and The Way Home. She wrote for the salon Persian Sunrise, American Sunset and is an Abby Freeman Artist-in-Residence at The Braid.

Episode #59: “That One Was Really Personal” with Jasmine Curry2021-08-12T08:32:16-07:00

Episode #53: Audio Replay of Virus Tsuris with Mental Health Experts

In case you missed it, Mental Health experts help us find inner strength, courage and compassion as the current pandemic takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride. Our guests, psychiatrist Shelly Cohen M.D, J.D. and clinical psychologist Anita Siegman Ph. D, will help us understand and manage the responses of our bodies and minds.

Click Here for a Video Replay

Moderated by Maureen Rubin, Emeritus Professor of Journalism, Cal State Northridge. With a dramatic performance by one of JWT’s wonderful actors along with a Q & A.

For a list of Mental Health Resources, as mentioned in the event head to https://the-braid.org/mhresources

Dr. Shelly Cohen’s Top 10 ways to Stay Healthy/Positive During Pandemic:
-Keep a routine
-Sleep
-Exercise
-Eat well
-Help others where you can
-Refrain from reading the news all day
-Stay connected to others
-Get help if you’re feeling overwhelmed from a mental health provider
-Try to find meaning for yourself during this time
-Take vacation

Shelly Cohen M.D, J.D. is a graduate of NYU School of Medicine and a board-certified adult psychiatrist specializing in women’s mental health and reproductive psychiatry. She treats adults with mood, anxiety, OCD, ADHD bipolar and psychiatric disorders with a holistic and patient centered approach.

Anita Siegman Ph. D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and, for the past 20 years, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine. During her doctoral training at USC, she became the founder and Director of Counseling and Psychological Services.

Click Here to join us August 23 @ 11am PDT for our next Sunday Morning at The Braid virtual event, JEWISH WOMEN: AN ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN with Judith Rosenbaum, CEO of the Jewish Women’s Archive

Episode #53: Audio Replay of Virus Tsuris with Mental Health Experts2020-12-08T17:06:11-08:00

Episode #51: Audio Replay of Fierce, Funny and Fabulously Alive

In case you missed it, a talk and Q&A with Adam Immerwahr, Artistic Director of Theatre J, America’s premier Jewish Theater in Washington DC, and award-winning playwright Alix Sobler. Moderated by author and JWT writer Lisa Rosenbaum.

The lights of Yiddish theater have dimmed, but Jewish theater is alive and well in America today. What makes a play Jewish? What are the new Jewish playwrights saying and who are they speaking to?

July 26 @ 11am PDT! Join us for our next Sunday Morning at The Braid event, Dressing Hollywood! with Costume Designer Debra McGuire (Friends, The Morning Show)
Click Here for Registration

Episode #51: Audio Replay of Fierce, Funny and Fabulously Alive2020-07-28T08:44:15-07:00

Episode #49: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 2 – Interview with Sionne Elise

Part 2 of our previewing the 2nd Salon of our season, Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century, which was abruptly postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On!” as they say and we’re bringing these dangerous, outrageous, and oftentimes tender stories of the carnal sort to you via Zoom! June 27-29, you can join us for live performances of our latest Salon.

Those with Subscriptions and previously purchased tickets can attend for free – if you don’t have any tickets yet, you can CLICK HERE to purchase for $20.

On today’s episode, a conversation recorded with actor/musician Sionne Elise, recorded way back in a time before COVID-19, early March of 2020. Assistant Artistic Director Andrew Fromer sat down with Sionne to chat about her rising acting career (check her out as Phoebe in Lifetime’s soon-to-be-released Killer Cheerleader) and more! Including a preview performance of her piece from the Salon, “Not Going Anywhere.”

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #49: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 2 – Interview with Sionne Elise2020-06-25T12:35:54-07:00

Episode #47: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 1 – Interview with Robin Russin

We’re back!! Our 2nd Salon of the season, Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century was abruptly postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On!” as they say and we’re bringing these dangerous, outrageous, and oftentimes tender stories of the carnal sort to you via Zoom! June 27-29, you can join us for live performances of our latest Salon.

Those with Subscriptions and previously purchased tickets can attend for free – if you don’t have any tickets yet, you can CLICK HERE to purchase for $20.

On today’s episode, a conversation recorded with writer Robin Uriel Russin, recorded way back in a time before COVID-19, early March of 2020. Assistant Artistic Director Andrew Fromer sat down with Robin to chat about his multifaceted career as a filmmaker, teacher, writer (and more!) and to discuss Robin’s piece featured in Sex, Addiction & Love, titled “The Rose of Sharon.”

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #47: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 1 – Interview with Robin Russin2020-06-22T14:47:44-07:00

Episode #46: Audio Replay of Public Health Advocate – When We Need It Most

In case you missed it, Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A (ret.) is an internationally recognized leader and major force in bringing important public health issues including women’s health, mental health, and global health to increased scientific and public attention. She provided distinguished service as a leading national expert in the administrations of four U.S Presidents. She was the country’s first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health, U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and Senior Global Health Advisor.

In this event, Rear Admiral Blumenthal will provides trustworthy, truthful medical information as she shares her expertise in women’s health, COVID-19, and other epidemic threats.

Click Here to Register for our next Sunday Morning at The Braid Virtual Event:
DOUBLES LIVES: TWO ACCLAIMED PERSIAN-AMERICAN AUTHORS, TWO INCREDIBLE MEMOIRS
With Esther Amini and Jacqueline Saper
Sunday June 28th @ 11:00 am PST / 2:00 pm EST
**Free to Attend! But we hope you will consider choosing a virtual ticket**

Episode #46: Audio Replay of Public Health Advocate – When We Need It Most2020-11-24T13:32:00-08:00

Inside Our Time: Love in the Time of Corona by Gayle Ann Weinstein

Jack and Jill met on J-Date two weeks and a day before the city was shut down because of the Coronavirus.  They emailed every day or so and finally decided to meet at a coffee shop halfway between.  Both were mostly fair representations of their photographs.  Jill didn’t wear glasses in the photo and it had been taken about five years before.  Jack looked a bit paunchier and was likely a few years older than his photo.

More concerning to Jill was the fact that when she waved at Jack from the table where she was sitting, he didn’t respond.  She got up and approached him at the ordering counter. 

“Jack?”
He smiled, but didn’t seem to recognize her. “Yes.
“I’m Jill.”
“I didn’t recognize you.”
“I would have taken off my glasses but I wouldn’t have been able to see you. Ever since Oprah started wearing her 500 different pairs, glasses have become chic.”
They sat together in front of a fake fireplace.
“I had no idea,” Jack said.  He took a pair of reading glasses out of his pocket and put them on.  “That’s better.  You’ve already clarified my life.”
“Hope that’s a good thing.”
“When you changed our meeting date, I thought you were blowing me off.”
“The weather in February is so unpredictable in Chicago, I didn’t want to have to drive in 6 inches of snow.”
She sipped her coffee.
“And it never did snow.  Not even a dusting.”
“I was surprised when you said you belonged to my synagogue,” he said.
“I just joined at the High Holidays.”
“That explains it, I guess.  I go out of town.”
They talked another hour or so and shook hands before going to their cars.
The next day the governor of the state announced a “stay at home” order.

Jill’s email: I guess we can’t meet for a while.
Jack’s email: We can email.  That will take care of the waiting period.
Jill’s email: Not necessarily.  Emails are not dates.
Jack’s email: Our first fight.  I can’t wait to make up.
Jill’s email: Time will tell.

Thank you Gayle, for your story! “Inside Our Time” digital series:

Inside Our Time: Love in the Time of Corona by Gayle Ann Weinstein2020-04-30T21:26:36-07:00

Inside Our Time: March 17, 2020 by Bara Swain

Strolling at a brisk rate, it took me 13 minutes to walk the interior parameter of an empty playground – empty, that is, with the exception of two 12 year old boys inhabiting a bench that is usually occupied by tired mothers and over-stuffed diaper bags. “What are those boys thinking?” I wondered on my eighteenth rotation.  Suddenly, the pre-teens disappeared as quietly as the City has become in a matter of days.

My FitBit beeped: 2,700 steps to reach your goal. “My goal?” I thought.  Oh, my goals have changed drastically in the past 96 hours!  And while it’s alarming that my cupboards are stuffed with enough carbs to raise my cholesterol 100 points, and it’s disappointing to have three productions canceled, I’m overwhelmed by the fact that I will be unable to see my grandchildren for, what?  Two weeks?  Forty-five days?

I face-timed with my older granddaughter, Tallulah, as she finished her lunch.  “What are you up to, Lulu?” I asked. “Me and mom were playing hairdresser in the bathroom.” “That sounds like fun,” I said. Tallulah paused for a moment. “Too pensive,” I thought.  I flipped my removable denture out of my mouth – something that always makes her laugh.  Tallulah giggled and said, “Grandma, when I come for my next sleepover, we can play hairdresser, too.  You can share my barrettes!”  I nodded agreeably.

Since Tallulah was born, I’ve spent 20-40 hours a week playing babysitter.  After her sister arrived last year, I’ve been visiting my charges four days a week and sharing childcare responsibilities with my daughter, who works from home.  “What is Lulu thinking about my absence?” I keep wondering.

Yes, children are resilient.  Tomorrow, Lulu and I will face-time again and, as promised, play a new game I purchased – an afterthought as I paid for water, canned turkey chili, wipes, TP, and coffee.  Maybe I can hold her attention for a while longer.  If not, I’ll just remove my bottom denture to hear my granddaughter laugh.

When our phone call ended, I wept as silently as the empty City before turning on the news.

Thank you Bara, for your story! “Inside Our Time” digital series:

Inside Our Time: March 17, 2020 by Bara Swain