The Cornfield Podcast

This solo podcast is a response—albeit a delayed one—to the hideous evil perpetrated on October 7 last year, and the pitiful spectacle of a warped, callous wave of Jew hatred sweeping college campuses: the rot starting at the pinnacle of the Ivy League, Harvard. The capture of the academies is where the corruption begins. It’s where it always begins. And suddenly, on cue, let’s hate the Jews.WARNING/DISCLAIMER: THIS PODCAST DEALS WITH STRONG THEMES OF ANTISEMITISM AND RACE, AS WELL AS VIOLENCE AND OTHER POTENTIALLY TRIGGERING SUBJECTS. IT INCLUDES STRONG OPINIONS AND SOME STRONG LANGUAGE. ALL VIEWS ARE MY OWN.This is a very strong piece and expresses some strong views and admonishments, and strong language. I’m telling it like it is here, and I think it’s time. The issuing of the Letter To The Motion Picture Academy On Its Diversity Requirements by a powerful list of signatories and the JITC has opened what should be a mainstream conversation, at last—not just about the discrimination of Jews explicitly by the DEI industrial complex, but DEI itself, which has to be questioned, and should be dismantled. But more than that—it’s time for the adults to act like adults. Some people need to hear some history, they need to learn some manners, and they need to be put in their place. There’s too much at stake this year. When they start coming for the Jews… I’ll let brilliant Bari Weiss finish the rest.When antisemitism moves from the shameful fringe into the public square, it is not about Jews. It is never about Jews. It is about everyone else.  It is about the surrounding society or the culture or the country. It is an early warning system—a sign that the society itself is breaking down. That it is dying.—Bari Weiss, to the Federalist Society SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

I’m thrilled that my very first podcast guest, MELODY RACHEL, returned for this lively conversation centered around her latest original solo theatre piece, Demo, which just premiered at the Sydney Fringe Festival.Our chat centers around the challenges theatre makers face when approaching potentially provocative themes and subjects. How do we weigh the desire to be truthful—to speak from our lived experience—with the need to arm ourselves against activist forces that prefer to silence and de-platform, rather than engage in dialogue or debate?DISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN, AND MY GUEST’S.My own solo show, Lived Experience, premieres Thursday, October 19 at 9:30PM at the Triad Theater in New York City, with an additional performance on October 26 (my birthday!). The October 26 show will be live streamed—tickets are on sale now!Melody Rachel is a Theatre Artist and Podcaster. She creates solo movement-based performance works exploring gender, identity and anxious irrational thought patterns that spin her out of control. She recently launched a Podcast and Youtube channel inspired by her desire to understand the world more and make sense of some of the ideas impacting our culture.Melody's Youtube Channel    / @melodyrachel  Melody's Podcast - You Know I https://sptfy.com/NYZGMelody Socials: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelk https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

I’ve been wanting to talk with Kevin Ray for a long time. Just over a year ago, when I was struggling with my decision to create The Cornfield, and speak out about some of the abusive practices and divisive ideas that had invaded the theatre workspace, I saw a video featuring Kevin’s experience of being confronted with DEI in his work as a teaching artist. His forthright fearlessness and passion about his work strengthened my resolve to let my voice be heard.KEVIN RAY is a Generative Theater Director and Teaching Artist. For over 20 years, Kevin has delivered arts-education programs to students pre-K to 12th Grade as a Teaching Artist working for a variety of arts organizations in New York City. Under the name Kevin Ray | Works, Kevin has produced & directed original theater in collaboration with actors & designers. Most recently, he produced and directed Unearthly Visitants a devised play based on ghost stories written by Edith Wharton and The Machine Stops, a devised play based on the short story of the same name by E.M Forster. He is currently developing a new piece based on the science fiction novel We by Russian dissident Yevgeny Zamyatin, premiering October 2024 in Brooklyn NY. Kevin’s work has been described as “A Space Mountain roller coaster ride, an intellectual white water rafting expedition, a production that will have you talking about it for hours and days to come.”Learn more about Kevin Ray’s work:Website: https://kevinrayworks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinrayworks/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW11fBEP_3yVFi0P0VW7gjwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/unearthlyvisitantsDISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN AND MY GUEST’S.SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

This week, I have the consummate pleasure of chewing the fat with one of my favorite people. Michael Kostroff and I met almost a decade ago, when he cast me in a play he was directing, and we’ve been fast friends ever since. Michael’s an accomplished actor, master teacher and creator of Audition Psych 101, a unique workshop for actors navigating the business. He’s the author of several books, including The Stage Actor’s Handbook, an invaluable guide to backstage traditions, lore and how we can be our best selves in the workplace of the theatre.Michael and I talk about the SAG-AFTRA strike, the cultural and political changes affecting show business professionals, diverse casting practices… but mostly, we share our love for the crazy work we do and the community of artists we have been a part of for many years.DISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN AND MY GUEST’S.Michael Kostroff is a stage, television, and film actor best known for his five seasons on HBO’s The Wire. He’s the creator of the Audition Psych 101 workshop, and has authored several books, including The Stage Actor’s Handbook: Traditions, Protocols, and Etiquette for the Working and Aspiring Professional.Audition Psych 101 course: https://www.auditionpsych101.comWeekly videos: https://www.auditionpsych101.com/weekly-videosThe Stage Actor’s Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Actors-Handbook-Traditions-Professional/dp/1538160439SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

I have been a master theatre teacher for a long time, working with children and teens, and more recently, building a business coaching adult professional actors. What’s interesting about a life in the theatre is that time passes and you don’t feel it happen, because you’re busy hustling and trying to get to do what you love as much as you can. I find myself now, in my fifties, having the opportunity to mentor, advise, or provide perspective for talented artists half my age—and I actually feel like I have some wisdom and knowledge to offer that might be useful! That’s an awesome feeling. When I was beginning my professional theatre career around the age Gabriel Ashton Brown and Kramer Kwalick are today, I had spent my whole life in theatre—in scene shops with my Dad, who was a scene designer and artist, and in classes and shows directed by my Mom at her theatre company, The Acting Place, Inc. from the age of twelve. Being around grown up actors, taking class from brilliant teachers like Laura Sheppard, a classical mime who trained with Marcel Marceau…and Natalie Norton, my first dance teacher, who was part of the core company on whom pioneering choreographer Luigi created Lyrical Jazz dance—these opportunities implanted in me the chutzpah and the curiosity, as an adult, to get close to, and glean wisdom and advice from, the great actors I’ve had the good fortune to work with.How could I be in rehearsal rooms and green rooms with Broadway greats like Judy Blazer, and Ron Carroll, and George Lee Andrews, and my idol, Gary Beach, and not pump them to share their experience, and the life lessons learned at the very top of the profession? I couldn’t!! I’m grateful to all of these people (some with us, some who’ve left us) for letting me ask ‘em out to lunch, or a post-rehearsal drink, to hear their stories. I often tell people that live theatre is ephemeral, and only those who were part of it, or who witnessed it from the audience, have a memory of it. An actor like me, with three decades of work to my credit, has a really gratifying resume of terrific roles and projects, and mostly—amazing stories. Stories are our stock in trade, we theatre folk, and must be shared with those who are coming up behind us. Theatre is a received tradition—always was, always will be—and I feel a real responsibility to inspire a love and respect for the past, for the repertoire, and for the lore that encompasses the inside human experiences the audience never sees—the behind the scenes of us lunatics who take on a life in show business! Oh, the glamour.Gabriel Ashton Brown and Kramer Kwalick, a beautiful creative couple, mere weeks away from their wedding, are facing challenges in the industry today that I never faced, after leaving my actor training and starting the hustle of finding work. They met in a conservatory program. Just as they graduated, performing their industry showcase, where agents and casting directors got a first look at their talents—COVID shut it all down. In peak shape and ready to start their careers, these young performers were denied the opportunity to even try embarking on the tough process of “breaking in.” So…they got creative.From lockdown, they started making content—sharing the things they love online: from Kramer’s Living Anachronism channel on YouTube—where he enthuses about all things medieval to his 59,000 subscribers—to Gabriel’s mastery of the microphone, cultivating a formidable ability as a voice actor. Like many Gen Z creatives, they went entrepreneurial—harnessing all their abilities and interests, to self start—something I cannot applaud enough. It’s a good thing they did. When they were finally able to venture into the new landscape of the theatre business, they found themselves confronted by ideas, practices and attitudes that often didn’t align with their beliSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

This week’s episode is so incredibly important to me: an in-depth conversation with award-winning social worker, educator and author ZANDER KEIG, about the challenges facing today’s LGBT youth and the pressures they are feeling regarding issues of gender and sexuality.As a first-generation Latino transsexual man, Zander brings unique and invaluable expertise and experience to this conversation. His work includes delivering impactful emotional intelligence and constructive conflict resolution presentations, and he offers here an overview of trans health issues facing young people with incredible clarity and cogency. I am so grateful to Zander for his insights, and I know you will be, too.For More on Zander Keig’s Work visit his website, Keig Consulting.DISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN, AND THOSE OF MY GUEST.Zander generously provided the following links to recent studies and reports on trans health care, which he references in our conversation (click the heading to be taken to the report):FRANCEBRITAIN…and this Dropbox link provides access to reports from the UK, US, Sweden and Finland. Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

This week, I talk pronouns, pansexuality, psychic prognostication and performance with my multi-talented niece Isobel “Izzy” Beaman. My brother’s youngest, Izzy is my artist niece, and that gives us a special connection. She’s a trained actress, singer/songwriter, producer and content creator. Her collaborations with Kyle Cooper and Jackalope Studio include her goth tarot card readings on YouTube and Instagram, music videos of her first two singles, “Feeling Human,” and “Glass of Water,” and much more. Izzy recently graduated with her Master’s in Music Business and Management from Berklee School of Music. She’s currently studying entertainment law—all part of her ambition to become producer and manager for up and coming artists of all kinds within the music industry.https://www.jackalope.studio/https://www.patreon.com/JackalopeStudiohttps://jackalopestudio.myshopify.com/https://youtube.com/@jackalopestudio Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

One hour was not enough! Here’s Part Two of my conversation with friend, amazing actor, influencer and podcaster BRANDON LASHAWN CURRY. In this second hour, we take a deep dive into gender politics, transitioning kids, Brandon’s fresh take on race and gender representation in show business—and our favorite divas! DISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN AND MY GUEST’S.The Cornfield is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Brandon Curry is a millennial multi hyphenate originally from North Carolina, who has cultivated a life of abundance and wealth in happiness and joy as an actor in New York City. You can catch him on season one of Harlan Coben’s Shelter on Prime Video premiering August 18, 2023, and you can also catch him in the upcoming feature film by Yale productions, The Kill Room, starring alongside Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson.Check out Brandon’s podcast, What is This Honey? wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to subscribe to my YouTubeChannel for the video version of this and all episodes of The Cornfield Podcast. Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

This week, I chat with my friend, amazing actor, influencer and podcaster BRANDON LASHAWN CURRY, about his unique individualism, his take on race and gender representation in show business, and our favorite divas! Our conversation was so much fun, we talked for two and a half hours—so this is PART ONE. DISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN AND MY GUEST’S.Brandon Curry is a millennial multi hyphenate originally from North Carolina, who has cultivated a life of abundance and wealth in happiness and joy as an actor in New York City. You can catch him on season one of Harlan Coben’s Shelter on Prime Video premiering August 18, 2023, and you can also catch him in the upcoming feature film by Yale productions, The Kill Room, starring alongside Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson.The Cornfield is a reader-supported publication. SUBSCRIBE to support my work! Monthly subscription is only $5! Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

For my second ever Cornfield Podcast interview I was honored to have Best-Selling Author, New York Times columnist, Columbia University professor, co-star of The Glenn Show—and my Simon’s Rock roommate (40 years ago!), JOHN MCWHORTER!John is a connoisseur of Musical Theatre, the world where I’ve performed for most of my 30+ year career. So we dish our favorite shows, the current politicized Broadway scene, innovations in colorblind and color conscious casting and “cultural appropriation,” and the history of Black Musicals—and the white Jews who wrote them! John’s mini-master class on Porgy and Bess at the end of the chat is not to be missed.DISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN, AND THOSE OF MY GUEST.A few corrections, and names which escaped us during the conversation:* J. Harrison Ghee is the Tony-winning performer who stars in Some Like it Hot. Their understudy, whom John mentions, is Jarvis B. Manning, Jr.* The actor in & Juliet is Justin David Sullivan.* The 1776 actor Sarah Porkalob gave the interview to Vulture, and it was quoted in The New York Times.* Sherman Edwards wrote the score for 1776, book by Peter Stone.* The score for The Color Purple was written by Stephen Bray, Allee Willis and Brenda Russell.Dear Subscribers! Please note: Future episodes of The Cornfield Podcast will only be accessible to PAID subscribers (monthly subscription is only $5)! Of course, my weekly essays here on Substack will still be available to free and paid subscribers—but the podcast needs a little support to produce. Thanks for chipping in!! Lots of great content to come. Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

Aussie actor and podcaster MELODY RACHEL joins me for a lively conversation about the dilemma facing gay men and lesbians in today's culture of pronouns and gender politics. And what to do as a theatre artist who wants to speak from one's own personal experience, in such a heated and censorious community?Melody Rachel is a Theatre Artist and Podcaster. She creates solo movement-based performance works exploring gender, identity and anxious irrational thought patterns that spin her out of control. She recently launched a Podcast and Youtube channel inspired by her desire to understand the world more and make sense of some of the ideas impacting our culture.Melody's Youtube Channel    / @melodyrachel   Melody's Podcast - You Know I https://sptfy.com/NYZGMelody Socials: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelk https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkDISCLAIMER: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN AND MY GUEST'S. Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM

My first ever podcast episode! I’ll let it speak for itself. There’s lots of great content ahead on The Cornfield Podcast and some AMAZING guests. Please consider becoming a paid monthly subscriber! It really does support what I’m doing. Happy Pride.The Cornfield is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cornfield at jamesbeaman.substack.com/subscribeSUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK: JAMES BEAMAN.SUBSTACK.COM