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Microphone On Stage

CURTAINS UP

A Historical Perspective on Drama

About

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Reimagining The Performing Arts through Storytelling and Community

 

Hello, I am Rohan. Welcome to Curtains Up!.

 

My mission is to connect the ancient roots of performing arts to their modern impact on society, wellness, and civic life. I do this by amplifying expert voices across the country working at the intersection of theater, academia, and community wellness. Through this work, I hope to demonstrate that investment in the arts is not simply support for entertainment, but an essential form of civic infrastructure that strengthens culture, community, education, and social well-being.  

I am deeply passionate about drama and theatre history, while also strongly drawn to the analytical worlds of business and economics. Whether I am  performing on stage or developing entrepreneurial ideas, I strive to combine creativity with analytical thinking in everything I do.

To further this passion, I founded Curtains Up! A historical perspective on drama, a podcast and blog exploring the history, business, and technological future of the performing arts, including the growing influence of AI. Through episodes that span from ancient Greek ritual theatre to Shakespearean drama and modern performance, the platform highlights the arts as both a vital cultural legacy and a space for innovation and social impact. You can also find my work on Instagram and curtains-up.org

Guest Speakers

Dr. Scott Magelssen

Dr. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, Floyd U. Jones Family Endowed Chair

Professor, Theatre History, University of Washington, Seattle

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Paul Menzer, PhD.

Professor of Shakespeare and Performance, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA.

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Jennifer Kulik, PhD

Founder and CEO of SilverKite Community Arts, Seattle, WA

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Prof Kathy A. Perkins

Prof Kathy A. Perkins

Lighting Designer, Theater Historian, Professor Emerita, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Dr. Erith Jaffe-Berg

Dr. Erith Jaffe-Berg

Professor of Theatre at the Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production at the University of California, Riverside,

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Dr. Carol Symes

Dr. Carol Symes

Professor of Theater History, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Professor Xing Fan

Professor Xing Fan

Professor of Chinese Drama, University of Toronto

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Dr. Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei

Dr. Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei

Professor Emerita of Theater, UCLA | Playwright | Scholar of Japanese and Intercultural Performance

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Mathew AJ Gregory

Mathew AJ Gregory

Teacher, actor, director, designer, School of Drama, New School. New York

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Nour Afifi

MFA in Costume Design at the University of Washington, Seattle


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Jerik Fernandez

Jerik Fernandez

MFA in Acting at the University of Washington’s School of Drama

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Moumita Bhattacharya

Moumita Bhattacharya

Director, Choreographer, and Storyteller. Seattle WA

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Ms. Chandrayee Bhattacharya

Kathak Dancer, Dance Teacher, Nrityangan Dance Studio

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David Alan Roby

David Alan Roby

David Roby (He/Him) Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

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Brooke Thomas

Associate Costume Director, Village Theater, Issaquah, WA

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Isabella Marziello

Assistant Stage Manager, Seattle

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Riley Leco

Sound Designer for Theater at High school and award-winning Thespian

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Lou Champoux-Roberts

High School Stage Manager | WA State Thespian Officer

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Empowering Young Artists.
Enriching Senior Citizens.

Curtains Up! is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to preserve, celebrate, and support the world of theatre. Our upcoming donation initiatives are designed to directly contribute to foundations, artist funds, and creative causes that keep storytelling alive. Whether you’re wearing it, gifting it, or supporting it, your contribution will help real stories reach real stages.

Instagram

Discover bite-sized theater history, global stagecraft, and conversations with experts on my Instagram page. Step behind the curtain to discover details about everything from medieval street performances to the dramatic duels of Chinese opera. Want the full story? Stream complete episodes on Spotify via the link in my bio.  

Blogs

Microphone On Stage

Curtains Up !

A Historical Perspective on Drama

Studio Microphone Closeup

Listen Where Stories Come Alive

From ancient drama to modern movements, explore the voices, histories, and ideas shaping the world of theatre. ​

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Learn from the Masters of the Stage

Every episode brings you closer to directors, historians, performers, and creators shaping theatre today.

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Causes I support through theater

As a student, I use theater to empower young performers while creating meaningful connections that improve senior wellness. Proceeds from Curtains Up merchandise are reinvested into youth theater funding and senior wellness initiatives. 

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