The Voracious Student – Details, episodes & analysis

Joseph Siravo was born on March 11 and on the day of his birth, we celebrate his life with a re-release of our tribute to him. Thirty people from Joe’s life joined forces for this special episode, originally recorded in 2021. They share their memories of Joe, talk about the influence he had on their lives and, collectively, they tell his story. 

A magnificent actor best known for his work in The Sopranos, Carlito's Way and American Crime Story: The People vs. O. J. Simpson, Joe was also a gifted teacher, proud father and incredible friend. This episode was a highlight of The Voracious Student podcast and we are proud to re-release it on Joe's birthday in celebration of his extraordinary life.

With Special Guests:

Julia Barrett-Mitchell
Ray Brahmi
Karl Bury
Paul Calderón
Gregory Connors
Bryan Fenkart
John Gardiner
Kelvin Garvanne
Maury Ginsberg
Jonathan Hadley
Jessica Blair Herman
Buck Hujabre
Daniel Jenkins
Terry Knickerbocker
Aaron Lazar
Bruce MacVittie
Elizabeth Masucci
Brian Patrick Murphy
Kelli O'Hara
Allegra Okarmus
Cambra Overend
Heather Parcells
Garry Pastore
Rachel Pickup
Michael Raynor
Laila Robins
J.T. Rogers
Fay Simpson
John Douglas Thompson 
Barbara Walsh

Conductor Kwamé Ryan is the final guest for Season 2 of the podcast. Mr. Ryan's international career includes holding the position of General Musical Director of Freiburg Opera, Musical and Artistic Director of the National Orchestra of Bordeaux and Musical Director of the National Youth Orchestra of France. As a guest conductor, he has worked with the Paris Opera, Belgian National Opera, English National Opera and many more. In 2011, he was inducted as an officer in the Order of Arts and Letters, one of France's highest honors. Kwamé and Denis discuss education, language, interpretation, serving the composer and the personal nature of his most recent project, The Time of Our Singing. His musical journey is a unique and inspiring one. We'll be back in 2022 with Season 3!

Kwamé Ryan:
Website: www.kwameryan.com
Podcast: 8 Minute Idea

Denis:
Website: www.denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: www.thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Devin Shacket is an on-camera acting coach, actress and casting professional. Devin talks about auditioning for TV and Film, what she focuses on in her on-camera classes and how her experience in casting has influenced her approach as a teacher. Devin shares how and why she created the New York Drama Center and gives insight into the work of some of the acclaimed faculty at the Center, including Jim Calder and Olympia Dukakis. Devin and Denis also debate the term "master teacher", discuss the pros and cons of grad school for actors and have an unexpected conversation about what it means to be truthful.

Devin Shacket:
Website: www.devinshacketoncamera.com
Instagram: @devkara
The New York Drama Center: www.thenewyorkdramacenter.com
Photo: Todd Estrin

Denis:
Website: denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Enrique Martínez Celaya is an artist, author and former scientist whose work has been exhibited and collected by major institutions worldwide. His work is held in over 50 public collections internationally, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His book On Art and Mindfulness, based on workshops he taught at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, moved Denis greatly. This episode explores many ideas in the book including the importance and challenge of solitude, why our opinions are trapped in our time, how experience does not  equal excellence, "summary words" and why nothing in life is neutral.

Enrique Martínez Celaya:
Website: www.martinezcelaya.com
Instagram: @studioenriquemartinezcelaya
Photo: Christopher Michel

Denis:
Website: denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Aneesh Sheth, a singer, actress and activist in New York, speaks about visibility and what it means to her. Aneesh and Denis also discuss her journey with Shakespeare, her background in classical music, representation in the theater industry, finding your own path and the significance of some of her career highlights including playing Gillian in the third season of Jessica Jones and Carly in Southern Comfort at the Public Theatre.

Aneesh Sheth:
Website: www.aneeshsheth.com
Instagram: @aneeshtheactress
Twitter: @aneeshshethacts

Denis:
Website: denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Karl Bury is a New York based actor and the founder of the Karl Bury Studio. Denis sits down with his longtime scene study teacher to ask him about some of the ideas he returns to often in class. They chat about why Karl encourages his students to stay with one role for a long time, what the purpose of his class warm up is, how resistance interferes with progress and why he doesn't pretend to have all the answers.

Karl Bury:
TKBS: www.thekarlburystudio.com
IMDB
Photo: Hannah Thomson

Denis:
Website: denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Nathaniel J. Hall (It's a Sin) is an award-winning theatre-maker, performer, writer and activist based in Manchester. Nathaniel talks about putting his own life onstage in his play First Time and how it helped him confront stigma and shame both in his own life and the lives of people in his audiences. Nathaniel and Denis discuss the unique power of autobiographical storytelling as well as its unique challenges. They also chat about the miniseries It's a Sin and the huge contribution it has made to the conversation about HIV in the UK.

Nathaniel J. Hall:
Website: www.nathanieljhall.co.uk
Twitter: @NathanielJHall
Instagram: @nathanieljhall
Dibby Theatre: www.dibbytheatre.org
Photo: Anton Meller

Denis:
Website: denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Kimberly Marable, a Hadestown original cast member and one of the co-founders of Broadway Serves, talks about forging a path for herself in the industry. Kimberly tells a story from her time in The Lion King and Denis and her unpack the lessons behind it. Kimberly also talks about how being of service brings her joy and about why it's important to learn how to advocate for yourself and to develop a strong business sense.

Kimberly Marable:
Instagram: @misskimizzo
Twitter: @misskimizzo
Facebook: /MissKimberlyMarable
Broadway Serves: www.broadwayserves.org
Photo: Ambe J. Photography

Denis:
Website: www.denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: www.thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Emmy and Tony Award winning set designer Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, A Soldier's Play) chats with Denis about his design process. Derek reveals a memorable obstacle in his career and breaks down several of his sets in detail. He talks about how he learned to never settle and why he believes a lot of set design is the study of character.

Derek McLane:
Website: www.derekmclane.com
Instagram: @derekmclane
Twitter: @derekmclane
Photo: Monique Carboni

Denis:
Website: www.denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: www.thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent

Amy Jo Jackson, the recipient of the 2019 Denovan Fellowship in Cabaret, is a popular and brilliant cabaret performer who has performed at every major cabaret venue in New York City. Amy Jo breaks down the process behind some of the shows they have created, talks about what makes cabaret work for them and has a fun discussion with Denis about a sometimes misunderstood art form that they both adore.

Amy Jo Jackson:
Website: www.amyjojackson.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/AmyJoJackson
Instagram: @amyjojackson
Patreon: www.patreon.com/amyjojackson/posts
Podcast: And Almost Starring
Eschaton tickets are here
Photo: Austin Ruffer

Denis:
Website: www.denislambertonline.com
Instagram: @denis_e_lambert

Podcast:
Website: www.thevoraciousstudent.com
Instagram: @thevoraciousstudent
Facebook: /thevoraciousstudent