Artspeak Radio 2023 Pledge Drive II

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, noon – 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

ARTSPEAK RADIO is entering its’ 11year-if you tune in weekly, download podcasts, listen online, if you learn about new and exciting opportunities happening in the creative community, enjoy listening to one of the many guests featured weekly on ARTSPEAK RADIO then call 888-931-0901 to pledge your support. Online pledges are simple, just go to www.kkfi.org and show us your support for YOUR community radio station. It’s time for you to support this on-air arts program that gives local artists, spoken word poets, painters, sculptors, musicians, arts educators, museums, arts organizations, and so many more the opportunity to discuss their art, chapbooks, events, openings, performances, innovations, and submissions for artistic opportunities.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS RADIO STATION AND ARTSPEAK RADIO NOW IN ITS’ 11TH YEAR!!! Call 888-931-0901 or you can pledge online www.kkfi.or to make your pledge
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Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Dana Knapp President/CEO ArtsKC & Godfrey Riddle Director Resource Development, also Kevin King founder/producing artistic director of Whim Productions join us on air.

DANA KNAPP President/CEO ArtsKC & GODFREY RIDDLE Director Resource Development ArtsKC – ArtsKC is a nonprofit arts organization that provides support for the regional art and culture community through programs, advocacy, and investment. ArtsKC is the only arts service organization that has a dedicated strategic focus to promote, support and advocate for the arts in the metropolitan region.
ArtsKC’s programs and services are designed to “advance lives through the arts.” This includes programs for the arts community, and those engaged with the arts in the Kansas City region. Additionally, ArtsKC works with local government and civic leadership to advocate for the arts.

Thought leadership summit: is a three-part summit designed to advance the dialogue around the essential impact of the arts and drive further integration of the arts into related policy, leadership, and decision-making in a measurable and lasting way. We launched the first one on May 9th, about Health & Wellbeing and arts. We invited scientist and author Your Brain On Art, Susan Magsamen. She talked about the new movement of neuro aesthetics or neuro arts. We’re going to be the first place in the country to have a Neuro Arts Blueprint Coalition in collaboration with Susan’s team at International Arts + Mind Lab. The second and third summits are going to be about education and enterprise coming in October and the third is built environment.

Creative leaders: it’s a new program we just launched. It is a new six-week curriculum that emphasizes self-mastery, recognizing and policing individual and ingrained biases, effective communication, and building community leadership skills. We encourage civic and business professionals to join the program
Through Creative Leaders, participants will be prepared to pursue leadership roles in the community by serving on nonprofit boards or getting involved in key issues facing the region. The application closes on Friday, June 30, 2023. Site: https://artskc.org/creative-leaders/

ArtsKC 106 Southwest Blvd. KCMO 64108 (816)221-1777 www.artskc.org

KEVIN KING(he/him/his) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Whim Productions. Whim Productions creates challenging and evocative queer theater. We’re dedicated to producing works written by LGBTQ+ writers with narratives that center queer characters. We strive to share the diversity of queer lives with Kansas City audiences and enable LGBTQ+ theater artists to tell their own stories. www.whimproductions.com

Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ short play showcase is back for the 7th year! This year’s showcase includes a play with “Twilight Zone” vibes, a married couple whose relationship is pushed to its outer limits, and a search for the perfect wedding dress. (Some plays contain nudity and adult themes) Featuring works by Matthew Beerman, Michael Donnici, Mylan Gray, Kraig Kensinger, Kevin King, and Em Swenson
TICKETS: $20 VENUE: Whim Space, 415 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64124 THE PLAYS: Each play is presented at every performance.

Steam by Matthew Beerman (he/him): What exactly is the etiquette of the gay bathhouse? Is it frowned upon to strike up a conversation? Jacob finds there are multiple ways to connect when he finds himself in the steam room with Steven.

Outlook Not So Good by Michael Donnici (he/him): Submitted for your approval: The case of Joe, a charismatic rule-breaker accustomed to getting what he wants at all costs. In a mystical twist of fate, the death of his grandmother teaches Joe that sometimes an inheritance comes with a haunting legacy.

The Dress by Mylan Gray (they/he): Choosing an outfit for a wedding is always challenging, but it’s an even greater hurdle for Abel. When Abel’s new girlfriend, Maddie, invites them last minute to her sister’s wedding, the pressure intensifies as they face the dilemma of wearing a dress for the first time.

What Did Penis Do? by Kraig Kensinger (he/him): Aren’t we all at the mercy of our basic instincts? At least, that’s the case Jerry tries to make for how his dating life has gone. Witness the chaos that unfolds when our primal instincts collide with matters of the heart.

Debating by Kevin King (he/him): Out-and-not-so-proud Andrew and straight jock Colby are reluctant teammates and roommates on an overnight high school Debate trip—meanwhile, Andrew’s usual debate partner, Samantha, vies for Colby’s attention.

Marriage Play by Em Swenson (she/they): Jessica and Kelly’s blissful six years of marriage are challenged when Kelly has a profound revelation that shakes her world. As a result, they must explore uncharted territories that could redefine their relationship.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and at Whim Space, located at 415 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64124.

Kevin King (he/him/his) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Whim Productions. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Creative Writing. Kevin is a playwright-in-residence at the Midwest Dramatists Center, former playwright-in-residence in the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residency program, and a member of the Dramatists Guild.
Kevin has directed many of Whim’s shows to date, including Swimming in the Shallows (2019) and Film Classics Presents: Heaven So Far (2011). He also directs shorts in Alphabet Soup: Stories from Queer Voices. Kevin has also directed for Fishtank Theatre’s production of Every 28 Hours and Kansas City’s Project Playwright competition (2015).
His plays have appeared in the Kansas City Fringe Festival, The Barn Players’ 6×10 Short Play festival (2018), Midwest Dramatists Conference (2018), One-Minute Play Festival (2016), Fishtank Theater’s 12 Plays of Christmas (2014), and others. His short play Debating was a semi-finalist for the 2021 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. The Swallows, another of Kevin’s short plays, was selected for the 2019 William Inge Theater Festival New Play Lab. His work ranges from campy to slice-of-life realism, portrayed through a quirky, queer lens. You can check out his work at New Play Exchange.
Kevin’s acting credits include Whim’s Bad Auditions series (2014, 2015, 2016), Snowed Inn (2017), Whim’s production of After Orlando (2016), and Tradewinds Arts’ #ResistanceMatters (2019).
He lives in Kansas City, MO, with Calliope, his cat, who dislikes everyone but him.

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