• First Online with Fran Podcast | Hosted by Dr. Frances McGarry

April 17, 2020

Coping with Covid-19: Just Get Messy!

An interview with children’s author Rita Meade The impact of reading out loud books to kids is transformative in so many different ways. Children respond differently to the “messy message”…

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April 10, 2019

It’s All A Game: an interview with Erin Cronican, Executive Artistic Director, The Seeing Place Theater

The take away for audiences who come to see The Maids is to “make people stop and think about how they treat people, particularly people who are in service; that…

February 15, 2019

For a Good Time Call Old Ringers at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

Published on Thursday, 14 February 2019 14:37

February 7, 2019

Theater Review: Theater Barn Cast Definitely Not Phoning It In

February 19, 2018

Baayork Lee: Bring It ON!

League of Professional Theatre Women’s Oral History series Monday, February 12th at The Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Honoring…

December 19, 2017

Review: That’s How Angels Arranged by Lillian Isabella

That's How Angels Arranged: Inspired by Jonas Mekas The Godfather of Avant-Garde Cinema That’s How Angels Arranged was inspired by the community of people who inhabit the East Village.…

October 27, 2017

Testimonial #48: Bryan Austermann, NYC Actor

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

October 27, 2017

Testimonial #48: Bryan Austermann, NYC Actor

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

September 29, 2017

There’s No Place Like Art…The Reviews at IN!

September 13, 2017

There’s No Place Like Art!

First Online With Fran's First Podcast There's No Place Like Art... National Arts in Education Week is a way to recognize this impact and share the message with friends, family,…

August 22, 2017

A Conversation with …Marcina Zaccaria, Playwright/Director VILLAGE, MY HOME

Being a playwright, a critic, and a theater director has given me the opportunity to work with such smart, creative people, who every day search for deeper meaning. The world…

July 13, 2017

Extraordinary Women Telling an Extraordinary Story: SHADOWS ROUND THE MOON

"This is a story of incredible love and extraordinary loss. The play is a chance to introduce an amazing woman to the world since Mary Shelley has not received the…

June 19, 2017

Pan Asian Repertory presents ACQUITTAL

ACQUITTAL, by Shahid Nadeem, expresses the thematic thrust of the play: tightly woven narratives about four women who lived in Pakistan in the early 1980's during the aftermath of the…

May 9, 2017

Leveraging Theatre for Social Good

Before it was fashionable to be an advocate or activist, my acquaintance Jessie Fahay invited me to join her very new theatre group. She had a vision to pair advocacy…

October 1, 2016

Presidential Proclamation — National Arts and Humanities Month, 2016

This month, we acknowledge all those who have proudly and passionately dedicated their lives to these diverse, beautiful, and often challenging forms of expression. In our increasingly global economy, we…

August 19, 2016

Continuing the Conversation with. . . Marisa Vitali: Part II

Marisa Vitali returns home to Northport, LI to show the premier screening of her movie, GRACE at the John W. Engeman Theater. To raise awareness of the plight of recovering…

October 26, 2015

Georgia Stitt: Her Need to Tell. . . through Music

Her love of literature coupled with a flair for creating her own melodies as a child pianist coalesced into becoming the career choice for composer/lyricist Georgia Stitt. “I have always…

October 20, 2015

Making Music: The League of Professional Theatre Women Networking Event

TAKE IT AWAY! captures the passion and promise of this event to represent the mission of

September 1, 2015

An interview with…Cheryl Navo, Playwright LIE OF OMISSION, World Premiere Play

“As a female playwright I believe strongly that I need to concentrate on writing good, strong roles for women. For each play I write, I've made a personal commitment to…

June 10, 2015

Excellence in Theater Award Corey Mitchell

Theater Education Matters! Corey Mitchell accepting the Excellence in Theater Education Award during the Creative Arts Awards portion of the 2015 Tony ceremony with Carnegie Mellon University. [youtube 2015 Award…

June 9, 2015

The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University Honor Teachers with the Excellence in Theatre Education Award

[youtube Behind every great performance is inspiration, and behind that inspiration is a great teacher. Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards have announced Corey Mitchell, theater arts teacher at…

June 4, 2015

On the Red Carpet at SOHO International Film Festival

First Online With Fran got to ask the official participants and attendees of the 2015 SOHO International Film Festival how the arts play a vital role in our society. Listen…

June 2, 2015

Connecting Communities: as easy as ABC

The Alphabet Series at Metropolitan Playhouse Lillian Rodriguez as Jonas Mekas Jason C. Brown as Jeanise Aviles Tammy McNeill as Jimmy Webb Inspired…

June 2, 2015

Connecting Communities: as easy as ABC

The Alphabet Series at Metropolitan Playhouse Lillian Rodriguez as Jonas Mekas Jason C. Brown as Jeanise Aviles Tammy McNeill as Jimmy Webb Inspired…

May 13, 2015

Continuing the Conversation with. . . Marisa Vitali, actor/screenwriter/producer

SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WINNER In 2013, Marisa Vitali, Alysia Reiner and I sat down to talk about GRACE, the movie: its message, its momentum and its moving evolutionary progress. …

April 21, 2015

Here Come The Tempest Ladies!

Interview with Stella Berg & Katherine Elliot By Frances McGarry In 2008, six Syracuse University Acting students imagined a novel approach to presenting Shakespeare. Inspired by a semester abroad program…

April 21, 2015

Testimonial #47: Katherine Elliot, Actor/Producer The Tempest Ladies

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

March 12, 2015

Jack Black Thanks the Teacher Who Inspired His Acting Career

Written by Casting Frontier, March 8th, 2015 When you think of Jack Black, what do you immediately think of? His enormous zeal for life? Are you awestruck that he’s one…

February 17, 2015

Testimonial #46: Erik Abbott, Theatre Artist, Producer, Scholar, Critic and Teacher, Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg

“Madame French Teacher had a limited background in theatre, but she had an infectious spirit, an ability to inspire -- and high expectations: she demanded commitment and discipline and hard…

February 10, 2015

Testimonial #45 Adam Crane: StringQuest.com

[youtube= How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow…

February 4, 2015

Testimonial #44: Victoria Orvañanos Archer, Writer Televisa

"Every time my mother punished me, locked me in my room and hit me yet again, I would listen over and over again to 'The Phantom Of The Opera'…

November 18, 2014

Testimonial #43: Julie Angelos, Staff Writer at Jbulie’s blog/an Online Journal

How are the arts re-igniting your community and sparking innovation and creativity in your local schools? When I was just a kid, like second grade, my teacher assigned me the…

November 15, 2014

An Introduction to the State Policy Pilot Program

[youtube= Americans for the Arts Narric Rome, Vice President of Government and Arts Education Affairs for Americans for the Arts, introduces the exciting new State Policy Pilot Program which will…

October 20, 2014

Testimonial #42: David Morehead, Executive Director, Calling From The Dream

“I did not have a teacher that influenced me to actually pursue the arts. My decision to do so was pretty much pre-determined genetically at an early age. Music, acting,…

October 13, 2014

Testimonial #41: Joseph Crawford, Creative Producer/Artist

“The reality of the Arts as an industry is that you will be made to work hard, adapt to foreign situations, work for free (for a bit), and take your…

October 6, 2014

Testimonial #40: Jennifer Lavern, CEO of AURAA UNLIMITED

“These women, I give voice to, because their voice is my voice. Their voice is our voice. They have broken traditions, fought to express themselves and because they're fierce like…

September 30, 2014

Testimonial #39: David McGinnis, Theatre Professor

“I would never have finished high school without it. Period. I have no idea what I would be doing without theatre.” How has your life been indelibly touched by a…

May 29, 2014

Testimonial #38: LindaAnn Loschiavo, Journalist, Dramatist, and a long time magazine columnist

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

April 15, 2014

Testimonial #37: Edwina Issa, BBO Jordan

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

March 22, 2014

Testimonial #36: Yvette Heyliger, Playwright/Individual Artist/Teaching Artist

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

February 14, 2014

Testimonial #35: Alice Christy, Voice Building/Piano/Speech & Acting Teacher

This true story is an example of how art education and passion for your dreams can lead to overcoming personal challenges and create a productive happy life. How has your…

February 4, 2014

Testimonial #34: Elizabeth Sophia Strauss, Production Assistant for Transport Group Theatre Company on Almost, Maine

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

January 28, 2014

Testimonial #33: Tara Handron, Actor/Playwright

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

January 22, 2014

Testimonial #32: Pamela Blunt, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Therapeutic Solutions, PLLC

Many of my clients say: "I'm not creative." But I know that creativity is our birthright and together we find a means of expression that feels safe as a bridge…

January 7, 2014

Testimonial #31: Solomon Epstein, Cantor and Music Director

"The arts are contagious, and your kid has caught the bug." How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge…

January 2, 2014

Educate ~ Enlighten ~ Entertain: Echoes of the Past

Stage Struck: from Kemble to Kate A First Online With Fran Interview with Mari Lyn Henry

November 5, 2013

Testimonial #30: Lorenzo Dawson, Hope for Miami

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

October 6, 2013

Testimonial #29: Paula Jacobs, Arts Education Program Director, Newark Arts Council

How are the arts re-igniting your community and sparking innovation and creativity in your local schools? In Newark, NJ arts education stakeholders have aligned to create a structure for membership…

October 6, 2013

Testimonial #29: Paula Jacobs, Arts Education Program Director, Newark Arts Council

September 11, 2013

Testimonial #28: Andrew Swensen, Publisher and Founder of The Muse Dialogue; Producer of Journey to Normal: Women of War Come Home; Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra, and Program Manager of the Pittsburgh Music Alliance

How are the arts re-igniting your community and sparking innovation and creativity in your local schools? I have been especially impressed with the programs in both music and the visual…

August 15, 2013

Testimonial #27: Tom Cestaro, President Celebrities Plus, Inc.

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

July 31, 2013

Art for Art’s Sake: The Impact of Arts Education Report

The Arts are Extra-Curricular and Disposable July 23, 2013 by Guest author Following the publication of

July 31, 2013

Testimonial #26: Tanisha Christie, Owner/Producer/Director at Aya Arts and Media

[youtube= How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow…

July 31, 2013

Testimonial #26: Tanisha Christie, Owner/Producer/Director at Aya Arts and Media

[youtube= How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow…

July 22, 2013

Testimonial #25: Annie Gordon, Performing Musician

"To have a career based solely in performing is no longer sustainable or relevant in today’s society and economy. I am proposing a paradigm shift. I propose that every musician…

July 22, 2013

Testimonial #25: Annie Gordon, Performing Musician

"To have a career based solely in performing is no longer sustainable or relevant in today’s society and economy. I am proposing a paradigm shift. I propose that every musician…

July 12, 2013

Testimonial #24: Susan Chase, Actress/Playwright

"Here's the amazing thing. . . I got past my crippling shyness and began to enjoy performing, enjoy telling a story in a way that moved my audience.” How has…

July 12, 2013

Testimonial #24: Susan Chase, Actress/Playwright

"Here's the amazing thing. . . I got past my crippling shyness and began to enjoy performing, enjoy telling a story in a way that moved my audience.” How has…

July 3, 2013

Marisa Vitali: Life Imitating Art: This is NOT an Act

“It’s been a long road . . . but there is actually a moment when you choose to say, ‘THIS is what I’m going to be doing with the rest…

June 6, 2013

Testimonial #23: Kathleen E. LoPinto Vignolini, Retired, substitute K-8 & Art K-8; BA Art Ed K-12 Teacher

For me the old proverb, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention." has always been a truism, as creativity sparks more creativity. How has your life been indelibly touched by a…

June 6, 2013

Testimonial #23: Kathleen E. LoPinto Vignolini, Retired, substitute K-8 & Art K-8; BA Art Ed K-12 Teacher

For me the old proverb, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention." has always been a truism, as creativity sparks more creativity. How has your life been indelibly touched by a…

May 28, 2013

Testimonial #22: Joel Kahn, Math Teacher/Graphic Artist

How are the arts re-igniting your community and sparking innovation and creativity in your local schools? My wife is a public school art teacher who has been plugging away at…

April 23, 2013

Every Child Needs This: Learning Bravery with Compass Creative Dramatics

By Cathlyn Melvin, Development Director Compass Creative Dramatics My summer vacations as a kid were a whirlwind of gymnastics practice, camping across mosquito-infested Wisconsin, and terrifying just-after-dark sessions of “Ghost…

April 23, 2013

Testimonial #21: Cathlyn Melvin, Director Compass Creative Dramatics

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

April 23, 2013

Testimonial #21: Cathlyn Melvin, Director Compass Creative Dramatics

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you…

April 12, 2013

Sir Ken Robinson – Educating the Heart and Mind

[youtube Sir Ken Robinson speaks during the Dalai Lama Center's Educating the Heart Series. He discusses the importance of an education that educates not just the mind, but also the…

April 9, 2013

Ask YoYo Ma About Arts Education

[youtube= Panelists will discuss why they believe arts education is important for today's generation, and question what needs to be done in society to ensure the arts play a prominent…

April 9, 2013

Arts Advocacy Day 2013: Why is it important?

[youtube= Each year, Arts Advocacy Day brings together a broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with grassroots advocates, to underscore the importance of developing strong public…

February 28, 2013

The Madrid’s Edie Falco on Carmela, Jackie and the High School Musical That Launched Her Career

By Kathy Henderson Twitter @KatH_NY February 27, 2013 Read more... Role That Changed My Life “I was a shy, awkward kid—I didn’t know how to be popular and never wore…

February 22, 2013

First Online With Fran: 7,388 Views

First Online With Fran is endorsed by the

February 21, 2013

Testimonial #19: Lynne Harrington-Crick, Self-employed free lance photographer-filmmaker/ retired elementary school teacher

[youtube= is something people will always remember and be grateful that they had stuck it out learning to play or sing. It is something one carries with them all their…

February 13, 2013

Designing for Deep Space | News | About | RISD

[vimeo RISD's artists and designers are attempting to answer a question that's had NASA engineers scratching their heads for decades: how do you make a glove tough enough to withstand…

February 7, 2013

The Vagina Monologues 2013 at HERE Arts Center

[youtube= One Billion Rising

February 7, 2013

The Vagina Monologues 2013 at HERE Arts Center

[youtube= One Billion Rising

February 4, 2013

GEM Magazine Spring 2013

Women In The Arts Long Island: Theresa Statz-Smith, Executive Director Long Island Arts Alliance For the past two years as its Executive Director for Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), Theresa…

February 4, 2013

Spotlight on: Theresa Statz-Smith

You never really know what’s in your own backyard until… For the past two years as its Executive Director for

February 4, 2013

Spotlight on: Theresa Statz-Smith

You never really know what’s in your own backyard until… For the past two years as its Executive Director for

January 29, 2013

First Online With Fran Pilot Episode

The pilot episode of First Online With Fran with featured guest, Angelina Fiordellisi is posted on

January 17, 2013

The results are in! 2,939 Views and Counting!

Here are some of the comments about the pilot episode of First Online With Fran:

January 17, 2013

Will less art and music in the classroom really help students soar academically?

Will less art and music in the classroom really help students soar academically? By Tyleah Hawkins Journalism students at Howard University’s school of communications were deeply engaged in this year’s…

December 18, 2012

Pilot Episode: First Online With Fran with Angelina Fiordellisi

[youtube= "I think that one of our greatest responsibilities as theater providers," asserts Angelina Fiordellisi, "is to sensitize the tribe . . . deepening our primal connections, our primal needs,…

December 4, 2012

Gem Magazine Long Island

Women In Arts & Entertainment Read about Northport's Isabella Eredita Johnson, founder and director of Opera Night Long Island in the winter issue of

November 20, 2012

Giving Thanksgiving to The Arts

“I'm a disabled woman who didn't think I'd amount to much, but now I have an instructional hand drum DVD/Book published that just became an instant play on

October 9, 2012

Testimonial #18: Georgina Galanis

Georgina Galanis,

October 4, 2012

Gem Magazine Long Island

The Beauty, The Business & Learning About Art Me? Collect Art? WHY? Art is not just for collectors. Everyone, young and old, can have an appreciation for creative expression visible…

October 1, 2012

The Sequel: Arts cutbacks hurt state, but only rural areas cry foul

You know the poem And Then They Came for Me? We ignored the signs because it didn't affect our state, community, village. And then, all of a sudden, arts funding…

October 1, 2012

The Sequel: Arts cutbacks hurt state, but only rural areas cry foul

You know the poem And Then They Came for Me? We ignored the signs because it didn't affect our state, community, village. And then, all of a sudden, arts funding…

September 27, 2012

Testimonial #17: Jill Sager

Testimonial #17: Jill Sager,

September 26, 2012

Testimonial #16: Margot Knight

Testimonial #16: Margot Knight ,

September 25, 2012

How The Arts Transformed My Life…

Well, I for one know that the arts have SAVED my life. Growing up in Harlem in the 70′s wasn’t exactly a picnic and so the chance to attend one…

September 25, 2012

Testimonial #15: Laurie Vega

Testimonial #15: Laurie Vega, Office Manager of Star Management How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they…

September 25, 2012

Testimonial #15: Laurie Vega

Testimonial #15: Laurie Vega, Office Manager of Star Management How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they…

September 24, 2012

Without the Arts, It’s Not Education

WE know there's a drama, art, music, dance, classroom teacher who changed your life. Every educator knows that within EACH and EVERY child lies an artistic soul waiting to be…

September 20, 2012

Opera Night Gala

Opera Night Gala An Opera Night Gala fundraiser will take place October 28th, Sunday 4:00-6:30 at 270 Main Street, Northport. $20 contribution Entertainment includes Opera, Operetta, Musical Theater, Refreshments, Raffles, etc.…

September 20, 2012

Opera Night Gala

September 20, 2012

Isabella Eredita Johnson: Founder & Director of Opera Night Long Island

Food for the Soul: A Night At the Opera! Where there’s a venue there’s a way to make opera affordable and accessible to local communities. “Our goal,” says founder and…

September 18, 2012

Testimonial #14: Marisa Vitali, Actor, Producer, Writer

Marisa’s film

August 30, 2012

Testimonial #13: Van Brown

Best to you, Van

August 30, 2012

Testimonial #13: Van Brown

Best to you, Van

August 30, 2012

The First 100 Stories: Testimonial #12

Gabrielle Ieda: Emergency Medical ServicesHow has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the…