Stage Door, a theatre podcast hosted by two average guys. Hosted by: Kyle Omlor, Thom Ovacek, Ron Ma – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special episode, we sit down with Mariah Burks, a standout cast member in the national tour of CLUE, playing the role of the Cook in the hilariously suspenseful stage adaptation of the beloved board game and cult-classic film. A proud Bowling Green State University Theatre alum, Mariah shares her journey from local stages like Waterville Playshop and 3B Productions to the national spotlight, and what it means to bring this laugh-out-loud murder mystery home to Toledo.

With CLUE set to take over the Stranahan Theater from May 6–11 as part of the 24–25 Broadway in Toledo Series, Mariah gives us a behind-the-scenes peek into the show’s outrageous antics, her favorite moments on tour, and the thrill of performing for a hometown crowd.

Tickets for CLUE are available now at BroadwayInToledo.com and StranahanTheater.com. Don't miss your chance to crack the case—who did it, where, and with what?

Performance Dates: May 6–11 | Stranahan Theater, Toledo, OH
Clue on stage. Laughter guaranteed. Murder? Optional.

n this special episode of Stage Door Podcast, we dive deep under the sea with the talented students of Springfield High School as they prepare to stage the beloved children’s story Rainbow Fish. From shimmering costumes to heartfelt messages about kindness and sharing, this production promises to enchant young audiences and inspire budding performers. Join us as we chat with the cast and crew about their creative process, what it’s like performing for kids, and how they’ve brought this colorful underwater world to life on stage. Don’t miss this peek behind the curtain of a show that's making waves in youth theatre!

Join two passionate directors, each leading their own production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the same spring season—yet working hand-in-hand, not in competition. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has come to life at Perrysburg High School (April 24-27) and Sylvania Southview (May 1-4), and these two directors are here to share their journey. From creative challenges to collaborating across schools, they talk about what it’s like producing the same show from different perspectives. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the unique challenges, teamwork, and excitement that come with bringing Willy Wonka’s magical world to life. Plus, get the inside scoop on what audiences can expect when they attend both productions!

Rock of Ages, Teen Edition: We had St. Ursula in the house!! They’re doing Rock of Ages, Teen Edition. Make sure you download and listen to some amazing young ladies telling us about this exciting show, and the great SUA theatre program.

Play-write and Director Timothy Frost is here to talk about his world premier of "Finding Home" coming to Fort Findlay Playhouse January 12-14. Tickets available at:

fortfindlayplayhouse.org

Love on the Stage: Who knew that theatre would help change their lives, and bring these two couples together for life. Andrew, Courtney , Sarah, and Michael sit down with Stage Door, and tell how they fell in love

Cassie Okenka is a performing artist, teacher, and life enthusiast. She recently appeared on Broadway in SCHOOL OF ROCK after making her Broadway debut in BONNIE AND CLYDE. She has played to critical acclaim in the national tours of WICKED and THE WIZARD OF OZ. A Toledo native, Cassie earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from The Baldwin Wallace College – Conservatory of Music.

TV audiences will recognize Cassie as a finalist on MTV’s “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods”. She has been profiled and performed on “Good Morning America” and “The Martha Stewart Show”.

Cassie guest starred with the Toledo Symphonic Band’s Music Under the Stars and has sung “The Star-Spangled Banner” at numerous MLB stadiums. She has voiced music for the web series “Invaders” and has recorded with Ben Morss’s band Onward Chariots

In addition to her theatrical endeavors, Cassie shares her passion for the performing arts through master classes and private voice lessons. She is currently an Adjunct Voice Instructor at Marymount Manhattan College in their Musical Theatre department and a founding member of Theatre Horizon’s 42nd to Main St. Concert Series.

She resides in Brooklyn with her husband and her rescue dog, Bandit.

https://www.cassieokenka.com

Cassie Okenka Voice Studio

https://voice.cassieokenka.com

I was bitten by the Musical Theatre bug in 3rd grade. My first show was Annie Warbucks where I played the littlest orphan Molly. My voice education started in middle school with private voice lessons to enhance my musical theatre love. This blossomed into a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Baldwin Wallace College-Conservatory of Music. I continued to specialize in Commercial Contemporary Music with the Voice Teacher Training Certification from New York Vocal Coaching while performing 8 shows a week in School of Rock on Broadway.

Continuing the quest for knowledge, I hold a Certificate of Distinction in Vocal Pedagogy from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Recently, I’ve attended levels I, II, and III Somatic Voicework™, The LoVetri Method. These programs gave me tools for vocal injury prevention and functional cross-training.

As a member of the NATS, PAVA, MTEA, and The Lessac Institute, I’ve mentored with Bel Canto Can Belto’s Mary Saunders-Barton, Complete Vocal Fitness’ Claudia Friedlander, and Soul Ingredient’s creator Trineice Robinson-Martin. My continuing education include masterclasses with Matt Edwards, Amanda Flynn, and The Singing Athlete’s Andrew Byrne.

But a voice without acting is just…boring! During repertoire work, I add in Laban techniques and Viewpoints to help singers create a fully realized piece.

Outside of the Private Voice studio, I am an adjunct Voice Instructor at Marymount Manhattan College and University of Wisconsin- Parkside in their Musical Theatre departments. I also teach masterclasses for various NYC Broadway based organization’s including Broadway Workshop, Broadway Classroom, and all over the country with local theatre programs. I made my directorial debut with the premiere of THE ADDAMS FAMILY Younger@Part Pilot Workshop.

The Performing Arts School of Metropolitan Toledo 

Hanf Dance Studio

Children's Theatre Workshop

Toledo Opera Youth Choral

Baldwin Wallace University

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/214M4OKBbWcDivndnc2MTu

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stage-door-a-theatre-podcast-hosted-by-two-regular-guys/id1573865415