Creatively Shaded

Hosted by Elizabeth Jones, Phaedra Tillery-Boughton, ShawnJ West

Arts Comedy

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Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Creatively Shaded: A podcast where three Bay Area Black Artists take center stage to explore the depths of Bay Area Theatre from A Black Artists' POV. Get ready for laughs, theatrics, drama, and authentic exploration that's Creatively Shaded in the culture!

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29 recent

September 5, 2026Episode 51 hr 16 min

Back the Fall Up!

Send us Fan Mail Summer may be over, but the shade is still simmering. On this episode, the Divas glaze over summer days past and drop into The Bay’s fall theatre scene—that’s bursting with shows and events. The shade of our tree gets shooketh, and we open up a thick book for a read—Creatively Shaded style. You might want to get that hot toddy ready and smolder up for this one! Recommendations: "Eclectic Sessions" sponsored by Oakland Theatre Project curated by Rolanda D. Bell Dates: Monday's this fall Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/eclectic-sessions "The Cook" at Berkeley Rep Dates: Preview Sept. 4,6,7,8 Opening Sept. 9 runs through Oct. 11 Tickets: berkeleyrep.org "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" at Masquers Playhouse Dates: September 4 - 27 Tickets: masquers.org Discount Night: Thursday, September 10 at 8:00 PM — All tickets $15 "African Stew" at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Featuring ShawnJ West Dates: Previews Sept. 10,11 Opening Night Sept 12 running until 9/27 Tickets: lhtsf.org Discount code: CASTAS26 "47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival" by Playwrights Foundation Dates: September 18-27 Tickets: Individual Tickets sliding scale $5-45$ playwrightsfoundation.org "The Fall Show" at Shotgun Players Dates: Previews 9/25,9/27; 10/1,10/2 Opening Night 10/3 runs till 10/25 Tickets: shotgunplayers.org "King Lear" at Oakland Theater Project Dates: Previews 9/25- 26, Opening Night 9/27 runs till 10/11 Tickets: zspace.org/lear "Eureka Day" at City Lights Theater Company Dates: Previews 9/24-25, Opening Night 9/26 runs till 10/18 Tickets: cltc.org/eureka-day "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" at San Francisco Playhouse Featuring: Phaedra Tillery-Boughton Dates: Previews Sept. 25,26,27,28,30 Opening Night 10/1 runs till 11/28 Tickets: sfplayhouse.org "Every Saturday Night" at SFBATCO Dates: Previews Oct. 10,11,14 Opening Night 10/15 running until 11/1 Tickets: sfbatco.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company: african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre: lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz: lowerbottomplayaz.com Additional ways to support The Mary Mason Memorial Lemonade Fund - a confidential resource for theatre practitioners with critical illnesses, conditions, or injuries who are in need of supplemental financial assistance. Donate at theatrebayarea.org Stay connected with Creatively Shaded We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Creatively Shaded Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh Producer: Creatively Shaded

May 23, 2026Episode 41 hr 11 min

Standing in My Light!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, ShawnJ, Phaedra, and Liz bask in the glow of their creative success, share gratitude for the theatre community, and gear up for a summer full of auditions, performance camps, and butts in sun-warmed theatre seats. Add a little tea to your ice-cold lemonade as the Divas shade the summer down! Upcoming Auditions: American Conservatory Theatre ( A.C.T.) act-sf.org June 4-7 The Bad News Bears a musical Iraq but Funny 6/15-17 The Comeuppance 8/24-29 Summer Sessions/Camps: Berkeley Rep Summer Program - Mon–Fri 9am–4pm July 6-31 berkeleyrep.org/theme/summer-theatre-camp-play-creation-9qn5 African-American Shakes & African American Art & Culture Complex: Shake the Stage presents School House Rock Jr. Live June 15-26 & July 6- August 1 african-american.org/youth-program/ SFartsEd - June 8-July 31 https://www.sfartsedsummer.org/ A.C.T. - Youth: June 8- August 7 https://www.act-sf.org/training/young-conservatory/summer-classes-2026 A.C.T.- Adults: June 8- July 1 act-sf.org/training/studio-a-c-t Recommendations: "The House of Bernarda Alba" at Oakland Theatre Project On stage May 22 – June 7, 2026 tickets at oaklandtheaterproject.org "Shakespeare over My Shoulder" at African-American Shakespeare Company Now on stage until June 7, 2026 tickets at african-americanshakes.org " ‘night, Mother" at Altarena Playhouse On stage May 29 - June 28, 2026 tickets at altarena.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company: african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre: lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz: lowerbottomplayaz.com Additional ways to support The Mary Mason Memorial Lemonade Fund - a confidential resource for theatre practitioners with critical illnesses, conditions, or injuries who are in need of supplemental financial assistance. Donate at theatrebayarea.org Stay connected with Creatively Shaded We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Creatively Shaded Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh Producer: Creatively Shaded

April 18, 2026Episode 31 hr 0 min

Let there be Dreams!

Send us Fan Mail This episode is for the dreamers! The Divas were invited to record at the newly renovated Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts by the team behind Cofounders the Musical , and later attended their Live Concert & Pitch Contest. Honey, inspiration perfumed the air! Your hosts imagined what could be and invite you to indulge in the fruits of our imagination. Recommendations: "The Coast Starlight" at The Stage San Jose Now on stage until April 26, 2026 tickets at www.thestage.org "Flex" at San Francisco Playhouse Now on stage until May 2, 2026 tickets at sfplayhouse.org "The Monsters" at Berkeley Repertory Theatre - Now on stage until May 3, 2026 tickets at www.berkeleyrep.org "Come From Away" at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts - Now on stage until May 10, 2026 tickets at theatreworks.org "The Play That Goes Wrong" at Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City On stage April 23 - May 17 tickets at www.hillbarntheatre.org "SistahFriend" an elevated staged reading, written by Phaedra Tillery-Boughton, performing at the Magic Theatre - On stage May 16 & 17, 2026 tickets at lhtsf.org Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts- hjkarts.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company: african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre: lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz: lowerbottomplayaz.com We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Creatively Shaded Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh Producer: Creatively Shaded

March 21, 2026Episode 257 min

It's GOT, to be Said!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Phaedra, ShawnJ and Liz, release the tact—all truth! How to prep for a visit to the theatre, how multi-hued performers slip into classic roles, and how to sense when your senses , need to sit down. Now inhale that aroma! Put that Butt in a Theatre Seat! "All My Sons" at Berkeley Rep On stage February 20 - March 29 tickets @berkeleyrep.org "Gods & Monsters" at New Conservatory Theatre Center On stage March 6 - April 5 tickets @nctcsf.org "Primary Trust" at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre On stage March 4 - 29 tickets @boxofficetheatreworks.org "FLEX" at San Francisco Playhouse On stage March 26 - May 2 tickets @sfplayhouse.org "The Monsters" at Berkeley Rep On stage March 27 - May 3 tickets @berkeleyrep.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company: african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre: lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz: lowerbottomplayaz.com We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Creatively Shaded Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh Producer: Creatively Shaded

February 28, 2026Episode 154 min

New Energy x 3

Send us Fan Mail Third time's the STRUT! On the kick-off episode of season three, Phaedra, ShawnJ and Liz, infuse the Bay Area Theatre Streets with shades of a seasoned hue. The spotlight is hot as a new scoring system unveils the Divas' tea — no filter. Don't worry, baby; you can still savor the serum but it won't be as sweet. After it goes down, the Divas will be there to give you your spoonful of sugar! Say, "Ahh!" Put that Butt in a Theatre Seat! "Black Choreographers Festival" at Dance Mission Theater On stage February 28 & March 1 tickets @bcfhereandnow.com "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" at Berkeley Rep Runs till March 1 tickets @berkeleyrep.org "All My Sons" at Berkeley Rep On stage February 20 - March 29 tickets @berkeleyrep.org "Gods & Monsters" at New Conservatory Theatre Center On stage March 6 - April 5 tickets @nctcsf.org "Primary Trust" at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre On stage March 4 - 29 tickets @boxofficetheatreworks.org "FLEX" at San Francisco Playhouse On stage March 26 - May 2 tickets @sfplayhouse.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company: african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre: lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz: lowerbottomplayaz.com We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Creatively Shaded Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh Producer: Creatively Shaded

November 22, 2025Episode 1253 min

And That's Cap! — Season Two is a Wrap!

Send us Fan Mail On this final episode of season two, The Divas wax nostalgia over a season brimming over with productivity and ingenuity. The Bay Area Theatre Community persisted and so did Creatively Shaded! Gratitude was expressed, theatre seats were assessed, and teases of what to expect in season three, were sprinkled for a taste. Pull up and get ready to get satiated in flavor! Have a wonderful Holiday Season! We'll see you in 2026! Recommendations: "Cinderella" at African American Shakespeare Company On stage December 12-21, 2025 tickets at african-americanshakes.org "Snowbound: A Holiday Tale" at Town Hall Theatre Company On stage December 4 - 20, 2025 tickets at townhalltheatre.com "Soulful Christmas" at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre On stage December 19-21, 2025 tickets at lhtsf.org "Rudolph & Scrooge: YC Holiday Double Feature" at American Conservatory Theatre. On stage December 1-20, 2025 tickets at act-sf.org "Cabaret" at Oakland Theater Project Currently on stage until December 14, 2025 tickets at oaklandtheaterproject.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz lowerbottomplayaz.com We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Margo Hall @margogot Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh

August 16, 2025Episode 111 hr 17 min

Shifts, Skips, & Shenanigans!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, The Divas welcome Jasmine Milan Williams, fellow multi-creative who dresses The Bay Down! Jasmine details her unique take on costuming and the heart work that undergirds the performer. Hun-tee, actors get another read on getting them minds right, while theater attendees would want to think twice before tapping ya neighbor. Settle in as this snap back, will bring you all thee way back! Recommendations: "Two Trains Running" at Lower Bottom Playaz On stage August 8-31, 2025 tickets at lowerbottomplayaz.com "The Day the Sky Turned Orange" at SFBATCO On stage September 5 - October 5, 2025 tickets at sfbatco.org "The Bridge" at Theatre Works On stage August 17, 2025 tickets at theatreworks.org "Diasporadica" at Fort Mason On stage August 22-August 30, 2025 tickets at fortmason.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre lhtsf.org Lower Bottom Playaz lowerbottomplayaz.com We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Margo Hall @margogot Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh

July 19, 2025Episode 101 hr 16 min

The Bay for a Horse!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, SirDiva reascends to his seat after directing/performing in "Sweat," to help roll out the red carpet for our illustrious guest, Legendary Diva, Margo Hall! The Beloved multi-faceted performer, bestows the kingdom of the Bay with invaluable insight into our unique community, and the theatre industry at large. Bay-be, the theatre streets were over flowing and Center Stage Shade sopped it all up! Come on and getchu a taste! Recommendations: "Les Blancs (The Whites)" at Oakland Theater Project On stage July 13 - 27, 2025 tickets at oaklandtheatreproject.org "Magnolia Ballet" at Shotgun Players July 19 - August 10, 2025 Tickets at shotgunplayers.org "Candace Johnson’s Scat-ter Brain The Music of ADHD" at the Marsh Berkeley On stage July 19 - September 13, 2025 Tickets at themarsh.org "Marin Shakes Presents 1st Annual Seeds of Time Festival" On stage July 19 - August 2, 2025 Tickets are pay-what-you-will at marinshakespeare.org/seeds "Cowboy Cabaret Giddy Up & Get Down" presented by Ray of Light Theatre’s Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s At The Nikko On stage one night July 23, 2025 Tickets at rayoflighttheatre.com/spotlight "The Wiz Jr." at African-American Shakespeare Company On stage Saturday, August 2. Tickets at african-americanshakes.org "Glitter in the Glass presented by The Champagne Staged Reading Series at Shotgun Players Featuring Elizabeth Jones On stage August 4-5, 2025 Tickets at shotgunplayers.org "Into The Woods" Co-produced with SFARTSED at SFBATCO On stage July 25 - 26, 2025 Tickets at sfbatco.org New Black Voices Info lhtsf.org Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company african-americanshakes.org We wan

May 17, 2025Episode 91 hr 9 min

We're Larger than the System!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Phaedra and Liz are joined by a local creative who puts the multi in hyphenate; Aejay Antonias Marquis, who steps in SirDiva's shoes as guest co-host. The Theatre Streets had the Divas on a trek through Afro futurism, isolation, and poles, while Center Stage Shade and SirDiva's Rant, lit it up. Chyle, now you know we had to get up on the National Endowment for the Arts - knotting us Divas all up! Come on an unravel this theatrical entanglement with us! Recommendations: "Crumbs from the Table of Joy" at Aurora Theatre Company On stage April 26 - May 25, 2025 tickets at auroratheatre.org "Come Thru: a cultural Celebration" Play reading of Lisa B. Thompson's "African Stew" with Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Saturday May 17 at 4pm at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture Tickets @lhtsf.org "Season Preview and Celebration" Featuring Lorraine Hansberry Theatre's 2025 New Black Voices mentee, Phaedra Tillery-Boughton. Sunday May 18 at 4pm at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Free event open to all -rsvp @lhtsf.org "Driving The Girls" In Person Reading presented by Playwright's Foundation at YBCA Screening Room May 17 7:30pm. Tickets catbrooks.org/events A World Premiere Hip-Hop Musical "Co-Founders" at American Conservatory Theatre. On stage May 29 - July 6 tickets at act-sf.org Black Out Nights: June 6-8 "Sweat" at Palo Alto Players Directed by ShawnJ West June 13-29, 2025 Tickets @paplayers.org "SistahFriend" A staged reading by Phaedra Tillery-Boughton June 21, 2025 7:00pm at Zaccho Dance Theatre Free admission Limited seating Tickets @zaccho.org Theatre Camps & Education for Youth SFARTSED: Exploration camp, Broadway Bound, Art & Design and Fashion Session 1: June 9- 20, Session II: June 23 - July 3, Session III: July 7-July 18 + extra week through July 26 For more info sfartsedsummer.org African American Shakes, Shake the Stage Summer Camp The Wiz Jr. July 7-August 2nd. For more info african-americanshakes.org SFBATCO - Young Actors Lab Session 1 July 7-18, Session 2 July 21-August 1 For more info sfbatco.org School of the Getdown Youth Arts Camp July 28- August 2nd. For more info www.fayecarol.com/youthartscamp Berkeley Rep Youth Summer Programs Multiple Sessions throughout the Summer berkeleyrep.org/school-of-theatre Donate to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company african-americanshakes.org Lorraine Hansberry Theatre lhtsf.org San Francisco Bay Area Theatre We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us o

April 27, 2025Episode 81 hr 9 min

We Live in the Performative!

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Phaedra, ShawnJ and Liz, are joined by Bay Area native multi-hyphenate and Grammy nominee, Ryan Nicole Austin! She drops bars of creative knowledge and promotes her upcoming World Premiere Musical, "Co-Founders!" A new segment, " The Real T (heatre)," in depth conversations, sits down with the cast of S.F. Playhouse's "Fat Ham" as they reflect on their unique experience, and you know we didn't leave out Center Stage Shade. Baby, there is so much good T all up and through this episode! Prepare to have your thirst quenched! Recommendations: Creatively Shaded Blackout Nights Coming Soon: "Government Housing 2" at Lower Bottom Playaz On stage now Fri, Sat 2 & 8pm until May 4. Tickets at lowerbottomplayaz.com "Two Trains Running" at American Conservatory Theatre On stage April 15 - May 4, 2025 tickets available at act-sf.org "The Comedy of Errors at American Conservatory Theatre On stage April 22 - May 3, 2025 tickets available at act-sf.org "The Last of The Love Letters" at Crowded Fire Theater at Z Below On stage April 24 - May 3 Tickets at crowdedfire.org "Crumbs from the Table of Joy" at Aurora Theatre Company On stage April 26 - May 25, 2025 tickets available at auroratheatre.org "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf" presented by Tavia Percia May 2, May 3rd at 8pm at Sweets Ballroom in downtown Oakland tickets are $20 sold at the door. https://www.gofundme.com/f/foster-theater-spaces-for-women-of-color "Come Thru: a cultural Celebration" Play reading of Lisa B. Thompson's "African Stew" with Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Saturday May 17 at 4pm at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Tickets @lhtsf.org A World Premiere Hip-Hop Musical "Co-Founders" at American Conservatory Theatre. On stage May 29 - July 6 tickets at act-sf.org Black Out Nights: June 6,7,8 Ways to support the Black Theatre Community African American Shakespeare Company Please donate to help AF. AM. Shakes to continue their mission of “Envisioning the Classics with Color” to give, visit african-americanshakes.org “Come Thru: A Cultural Celebration for Black theater artists and the theater-curious." at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre May 5-9 at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Learn more and save your spot at lhtsf.org/come-thru We want to hear from you! Email us at creativelyshaded@gmail.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram at @creativelyshaded, @phaedratboughton, @starshawnj, @elizasenoj. You can also watch this episode and others on YouTube: @creativelyshaded Voice over: Margo Hall @margogot Editor: James Oh @jamesaaronoh

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