The Creatives

Pottery is Jim McDowell's passion, and the Weaverville, N.C., artisan is one of the best producers of face jugs, an art form developed in Africa to celebrate family lineage. McDowell's work is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of African American Art and Culture in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

A funeral director by day, Shuler King's going places as a comic. Next up: America's Got Talent.

Raven Barkley reflects on 10 years with Charlotte Ballet by recalling her favorite roles, the physicality of dance and professional future as a teacher and mentor.

James Webb, director of the Three Bone Theatre production "what the end will be," talks about Mansa Ra's play, which challenges notions of sexual identity, masculinity and Blackness.

Actor Mike Wiley talks about his one-man performance in "Breach of Peace: Freedom Riders of 1961" at Children's Theatre of Charlotte. The production is a treatment of a pivotal moment in the civil rights era for young audiences.

Charlotte author of the young adult novel "Half-Truths" talks about an interracial friendship in the 1950s

Children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons talks about the adaption of her book "Tiara's Hat Parade" for the stage at Children's Theatre of Charlotte Feb. 22-March 9.

Donna Bradby, director of Three Bone Theatre's production of the Tony Award-nominated play on immigration, assimilation and community, talks about its contemporary meaning as well as her work as a theater professor at North Carolina A&T State University and summer theater collaborations with Davidson College.

Three Bone Theatre founder Robin Tynes-Miller and actor Marvin King join the podcast to talk about "Thoughts of a Colored Man" May 3-18 at Arts Factory and West End Studios.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's new music director Kwamé Ryan is an international conducting star who has worked in the UK, Germany and the US. Ryan talks about his music journey and what he brings to Charlotte when he makes his Queen City debut April 5-6.

The Charlotte native and Northwest School of the Arts graduate makes his Broadway debut March 29 in "The Wiz." Richardson has an extensive acting resume with roles in NBC's "Chicago PD," TBS's "The Last OG" and the A24 film "Sharper." He's also showing music chops with the EP "Hurt People Squared" set to debut in summer 2024.

Melvin Crispell III is on a roll with his second Grammy nomination in three years for his rendition of "God Is" for Best Gospel Performance/Song. The Charlotte resident talks about going to the 2024 Grammy Awards, inspiration from his parents and the best gospel performers of all time.

Rory Sheriff, founder of BNS Productions, looks back at the theater company's first decade, toward the future and kicking off Season 10 with August Wilson's classic "The Piano Lesson."

The Sol Kitchen and Blumenthal Performing Arts present Black Notes Project, a two-day indoor music festival Jan. 26-27 in Charlotte. The first-year initiative honors classical orchestra traditions with contemporary music innovation.

Artist and activist Makayla Binter talks about her latest outreach project in the Historic West End community that includes a neighborhood cleanup and collaborations that promote self-love and self-care.

Gastonia-born vocalist Maria Howell talks about her latest music, performing during a pandemic and acting in the Oprah Winfrey Network dramatic series "Delilah."

The Children's Theatre of Charlotte production streams on Feb. 22 and is available through March 31. The play is a celebration of the skin we live in, friendship and kindness through music, puppetry and the magical Thinking Tree.

Charlotte native Carla Aaron Lopez talks about her journey to artistic freedom, growth and challenges in the local arts community and why she loves the nickname King Carla. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

The cast and creative team of the Children's Theatre of Charlotte production talk about updating classic Brothers Grimm tales with 21st century sensibilities and topics. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Charlotte native Joslyn Y. Hall stars in "Christmas in Carolina," a romantic comedy set in South Carolina. Hall talks about her local roots, living in Atlanta and spending the holidays in the Carolinas.