This next episode features long time Ensemble Studio Theatre members: Janet Zarish and Cassandra Medley. In this episode we travel all the way back to 1970's New York City when Cassandra and Janet had just arrived, both transplants from the Midwest. The two talk about their artistic educations, finding EST in the '80s, and the lessons they've imparted to their students (past and present). This episode is for students of all ages and anyone interested in artistic education both inside and outside of institutions. Thanks for re:member-ing with EST Re:Members!

Cassandra Medley: was honored with the Helen Merrill Playwriting Award in 2023. Her plays have been widely produced across the United States, in Toronto and in Johannesburg. In 2022, Medley wrote the libretto for the "Fannie Lou Hamer
Opera," which was produced by The Trilogy Opera Company of New Jersey. Medley's play "Relativity" not only won the 2006 Audelco "August
Wilson Playwriting" Award but was also featured on Science Friday on National Public Radio and published by Broadway Play Publishing. Medley has been the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her career, including the "Going to the River Writers" Life Achievement Award in 2004, the Ensemble Studio Theatre 25th Anniversary Award for Theatre Excellence in 2002, and the Theatrefest Regional Playwriting Award for Best Play in 2001. She also received the New Professional Theatre Award and the Marilyn Simpson Award in 1995, was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Award in Playwriting in 1989, and won the National Endowment for the Arts Playwright Award in 1990.

Janet Zarish: As an actress, she has starring in such New York productions as The
Bookstore at 59E59th, Love Therapy at the DR2 theatre, Other People’s Money at the Minetta Lane Theater, The Square at The Public Theatre and Miss Julie and An Enemy of the People at The Roundabout Theatre. She has originated roles in new plays, working with such writers as Shel Silverstein, Wendy Wasserstein, David Mamet and Terrance McNally. She was an original member of John Houseman’s The Acting Company under Mr. Houseman’s direction. Film credits include Brooklyn To Manhattan, The Next Big Thing, Object of My Affection, Malcolm X, Danny, Mystic Pizza, Without a Trace, and The Zoo. She has directed at NYU’s Graduate Acting Program, The Juilliard School, Ensemble Studio Theater, The Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York Theater Workshop, The Sundance Institute and more. She directed the Off-Broadway production of Measure for Measure at the Duke theater. She is co-head of acting at NYU’s Graduate Acting Program and an active member of Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Producer & host: Rachel Lin

Sound Engineer: Rebecca Seidel

Cover Art: Kiera Wolfe

Music: Wendy Mancini