In this episode, I sit down with Lesley Malin, the Producing Executive Director of Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Lesley helped grow this Baltimore gem into one of Maryland’s largest theaters, taking it from a passion project to a major player in the Shakespeare world. We talk about how she led the renovation of a historic 1886 bank into their now iconic venue, and what it’s like to manage a theater that never stops evolving.

But it’s not just about Shakespeare. Chesapeake Shakespeare is currently producing Joe Turner’s Come and Gone as part of Baltimore’s August Wilson Celebration, running from September 20th through October 15th. Lesley gives us a sneak peek into this gripping play, a crucial chapter in Wilson’s American Century Cycle that captures the heartache and hope of the Great Migration.

This episode is part of my ongoing media partnership with Baltimore Magazine. Want to support Baltimore’s thriving arts scene? Make sure to catch Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and explore the full lineup of plays in the August Wilson Celebration. You won’t want to miss these powerful stories on stage.

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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