Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast

Playwright Stacey Isom is back at Urbanite Theatre's Modern Works Festival with a brand-new play, The Longest Walk — the story of two female Marines whose bond survives Iraq and Afghanistan but is tested by the trauma they carry home. She talks about her nomadic childhood, what it's like to hear a play out loud for the very first time, and why new play festivals like this one are a lifeline for playwrights in a shrinking industry. Funny, moving, and honest — this is a behind-the-scenes look at a play still finding its shape.

What happens when an entire county decides to put the arts front and center?
Creative Pinellas Funding Director Todd Wellman joins Avery Anderson to talk about Arts Everywhere, a new celebration bringing 28 unique arts and cultural experiences to Pinellas County throughout November and early December.
From theater and dance to public art, books, music, museums, and experiences in unexpected places, Todd shares how Arts Everywhere came together and why bringing all of this creativity together at one time could change the way visitors and residents experience the county.
The conversation also explores what’s next for Creative Pinellas, including new initiatives, creative partnerships, arts and well-being, and the organization's evolving role in supporting the creative community.
Plus, hear a little about the first-ever Pinellas County Theater Week and why there’s plenty to be excited about this fall.
Listen now on the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast!

Art Noir Gallery began with a bold idea and a leap of faith. Today, it's evolving into something even bigger.
In this episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, Avery Anderson sits down with Camille Adrienne, founder and CEO of Art Noir Gallery, to discuss the gallery's journey from a small space in Ybor City to a citywide model that brings Black contemporary art directly into the community.
Camille shares how Art Noir Gallery has grown over the past two years, why the organization is moving beyond a traditional brick-and-mortar gallery, and what inspired the launch of the newly established Camille Adrienne Foundation. Together, they explore the realities of running an arts organization, supporting working artists, educating collectors, and building a stronger creative ecosystem in Tampa Bay.
It's a conversation about vision, entrepreneurship, community, and what it means to create lasting opportunities for artists—both today and for generations to come.

In this high-energy episode of the Arts Passport podcast , we are taking you straight into the rehearsal room of Jobsite Theater’s upcoming production of Green Day’s American Idiot!
We sit down with cast members Cody Farkas and Matthew Morris to talk about the raw energy of putting together a punk rock musical. The duo opens up about weaving together the iconic tracks of the American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown albums to tell a cohesive, hard-hitting story.
 What’s Inside the Episode:
The Whirwind Audition: Matthew Morris breaks down his lightning-fast, 24-hour casting story after sending in an audition tape singing "Jesus of Suburbia" for his Jobsite debut.
The Jobsite Hat Trick: Cody Farkas discusses tackling his third distinct Jobsite Theater show this season alone, following Comedy of Errors and The Shark Is Broken.
The 5-Year Reunion: Both actors look back at their roots at Saint Petersburg College (SPC) under Scott Cooper , reminiscing about starring in Peter and the Starcatcher together , and what it feels like to share a stage again after five years apart.
Guitars and "Whatsername": Cody previews an intimate on-stage moment where he plays guitar for a character literally named "Whatsername".
Acoustic In-Studio Sessions: Stick around until the middle and the end of the episode for raw, live acoustic covers of "American Idiot" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" right in the studio!
"Punk has always been political... being shocking not for the sake of being shocking, but being shocking because it means something." — Matthew Morris
Plan Your Visit:
Green Day's American Idiot runs from July 14th to August 9th at Jobsite Theater in Tampa, FL. Grab your tickets now to support live local theater!
Follow us on Spotify to never miss an episode of Arts Passport!

In this episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, Avery Anderson welcomes back Lil Trini Kid to talk about Out of This F**ing World: The Mixtape Vol. 1*, his biggest project to date.
The conversation dives into why he chose to create a full mixtape instead of focusing on singles, the collaborations that helped shape the project, and how he's developing his sound as an independent artist. Lil Trini Kid also reflects on his first year releasing music professionally, from growing his audience and navigating criticism to learning who really supports you along the way.
Plus, he shares what's next, including new music, future collaborations, and plans for Out of This F**ing World: The Mixtape Vol. 2*.
Follow Lil Trini Kid and Tampa Bay Arts Passport for more conversations with the artists and creatives shaping Tampa Bay's arts scene.

What does a public art ninja do after stepping down from leading one of the region's biggest mural festivals? In this episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, host Avery Anderson sits down with Jenée, founder of No Good Deed Arts and former Executive Director of the SHINE Mural Festival.
Jenée gets real about the crucial need for life boundaries, the transition to running her own creative project management practice, and why we need to permanently retire the idea of paying artists in "exposure." She also pulls back the curtain on the complex, gritty logistics behind public murals and reveals her brilliant new vision to transform St. Pete's portion of the Pinellas Trail into an elevated, world-class fine art corridor.
Inside the Episode:
Reclaiming the Calendar: Jenée shares what it’s like to transition away from the intense cycle of SHINE to focus on rest, family, and intentional consulting work.
New Regional Visuals: A look into her current projects, including bringing murals to Orange County/Orlando, wrapping up a library collection for USF with artist Anthony Freeze, and maintaining Tampa’s permanent art collection.
The Mural Blueprint: From city panels and multi-round design revisions to ordering lifts and dealing with Florida’s brutal summer heat, Jenée breaks down the massive workflow behind a single wall.
Serving as the "Artist Interpreter": Why public artists are highly trained, skilled professionals who deserve equitable compensation, and how Jenée bridges the gap between property owners and creators.
The Future of the Pinellas Trail: Jenée details her upcoming presentation to the Florida Greenways and Trails committee to turn our rail-to-trail path into a vibrant, accessible art destination inspired by NYC’s High Line.
The Power of Public Art: A grounding conversation on how free, accessible art forces a community to engage in dialogue and creates an authentic sense of belonging.

In this episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, Avery Anderson talks with Hilary Van Dyke and Joshua Bean, founders of Green Book Tampa Bay, about the organization’s evolution from a Black-owned business directory into a growing arts movement supporting Black artists across Tampa Bay.
The conversation explores the origins of Green Book Tampa Bay, the inspiration behind its name, and how community needs helped shape its transition toward artist residencies, exhibitions, and events like the Black Art Gala.
Hilary and Joshua also discuss creating space for BIPOC artists in Tampa Bay, supporting emerging creatives, and building lasting community connections through the arts.
Follow Tampa Bay Arts Passport for more conversations with the artists, organizations, and creatives shaping the local arts scene.

What is aphasia, and how can community support change lives after stroke or brain injury?In this special episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, Avery Anderson sits down with Debbie Yonis from Voices of Hope for Aphasia to talk about aphasia awareness, recovery, and the organization’s incredible work across the Tampa Bay area.You’ll also hear all about Wordplay Tampa Bay — the award-winning crossword competition fundraiser supporting free and accessible aphasia programs for individuals and families.Learn more about Voices of Hope for Aphasia: https://www.vohaphasia.org Follow Tampa Bay Arts Passport for more arts, culture, and community stories across Tampa Bay.

How do you go from producing music in high school to becoming the "King of Content" in Tampa Bay?
 
In this episode of the Tampa Bay Arts Passport Podcast, Avery Anderson sits down with the multi-talented Tyrese Pope—a sound designer, theater maker, and digital entertainer with over a million followers. Tyrese pulls back the curtain on his unconventional journey, from his early days making comedy skits to his viral "Wordle Raps" that transformed his career.
 
In this conversation, we explore:
The Art of Sound Design: Why a "perfect" sound design is one the audience never even notices.
The Leap of Faith: The story of how Tyrese quit his customer service job at Airbnb to become a full-time creator with zero dollars guaranteed.
 
Digital Community vs. Theater: The difference between connecting with a physical audience and engaging with millions behind a screen.
 
The Future of Tyrese: From upcoming sound design for Streetcar Named Desire to his dreams of making short films and taking the longest train ride in America.
 
Whether you're an aspiring artist, a Wordle addict, or just curious about how the digital landscape is maturing, this episode offers a fascinating look at what it means to be an entertainer in 2026.
 
Follow Tyrese Pope on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and catch his latest sound design work at The Studio@620.
 

"A city becomes a city when you have a theatre."
 
Host Avery Anderson welcomes Elizabeth Brinklow, a veteran arts administrator and the Vice President of the Dunedin Public Theater, to discuss the ambitious project of bringing a fully equipped performing arts facility to North Pinellas.
 
Elizabeth recounts her incredible career—from studying mime in Paris with Étienne Decroux to overseeing Cultural Affairs for the City of St. Pete—and explains why her current "legacy project" is all about the community of Dunedin. Learn about the recent feasibility study that showed 96% community support, the challenges of "pushing the boulder up the hill," and how you can get involved in this transformative cultural milestone