Episode 7: April Showers – From April Showers to Unicorn Powers

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible April Showers, the powerhouse behind Afro Unicorn® and the first Black woman to own a major licensed character brand featured in major retailers nationwide.

But this conversation goes far beyond her business success. April opens up about her time at LACHSA (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts), how her arts education shaped her confidence and creativity, and why that foundation was essential to building the global brand she leads today.

We also talk about her return to the LACHSA community through LACHSApalooza at The Greek Theatre, where she’ll be partnering with the school once again to uplift the next generation of young artists.

It’s inspiring, funny, heartfelt — and full of unicorn magic.

Follow April: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrounicorn_official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfroUnicornOfficial Shop Afro Unicorn: https://afrounicorn.com

What does it really take to find your voice as an artist? 🎭✨

In this episode, John Constantine from The Hound joins Drama School Diaries to talk about the evolution of his creative identity—from training to real-world artistry.

We listen to his track “Can’t Let You Go” 🎧 and get into the story behind it—from the bold, provocative visual choices in the music video 🔥 to the deeper artistic instincts driving the work. John opens up about where the song has taken him—festival stages 🎪, recognition from outlets like Billboard and HuffPost 📰, and how it’s helped carve out his place in LA’s nightlife scene as a DJ and performer 🌃🎶.

We dive into the discipline behind the craft, the tension between structure and freedom, and the moments that shape who you become as a performer and storyteller.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, your process, or your place in the arts—this one’s for you. 🎙️

#DramaSchoolDiaries #JohnConstantine #TheHound #CantLetYouGo #IndieArtist #MusicPodcast #ArtistJourney #CreativeProcess #ArtsEducation #FindingYourVoice #MusicInterview #IndieMusic #LAArtists #EmergingArtists #PodcastLife #Storyteller #PerformerLife #BehindTheMusic #MusicIndustry #CreativeLife

In this engaging interview, Evelyn Yamauchi shares her journey from an untrained high school student to a successful realtor and performer, highlighting how arts education shapes resilience, structure, and confidence. Discover how her experiences at LACHSA and in opera influenced her career and life, offering valuable insights for aspiring artists and students.

Keywords:

arts education, LACHSA, performance, opera, real estate, resilience, arts training, career development, mental health, youth empowerment

Key Topics:

• Arts education impact on career and life
• Evelyn's journey from untrained student to professional
• The role of discipline and structure in arts training
• How arts training builds resilience and confidence
• The intersection of arts and real estate success

• From Untrained to Unstoppable: Evelyn Yamauchi's Arts Journey
• How Arts Education Shapes Success: Evelyn Yamauchi's Story

• "Belonging"
• "Laughter"
• "Progress over perfection"
• 
  

Guest Name:

Evelyn Jones-Yamauchi

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Virtual Episode Launch

02:05 Welcoming Guest Evelyn Yamauchi

04:44 Evelyn's Artistic Background and Training

10:55 Discovering Passion for Performance18:04Transitioning from Arts to Real Estate

23:27 The Art of Listening and Understanding Subtext

25:56 Translating Artistic Skills to Real Estate

28:37 Involvement of Family in the Arts31:58The Value of Arts Education

37:25 Cultural Background and Parental Support40:45Advice to Younger Self

44:11 Living Life to the Fullest

46:48 Outro

What does 65+ years of shaping artists actually look like?

In this episode of Drama School Diaries, we sit down with legendary arts educator Jerry Freedman to explore his extraordinary career at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and beyond. From the earliest days of the school to decades of teaching, mentorship, and advocacy, Mr. Freedman shares stories that span generations of students and the evolution of arts education in Los Angeles.

He reflects on working with alumni like Anthony Anderson and Josh Groban, the challenges of arts funding, and why creativity, discipline, and community are essential to a meaningful life. This conversation moves between history, humor, and heartfelt reflection—offering a rare inside look at a teacher whose impact has quietly shaped thousands of lives.

This episode is both a tribute and a reminder: arts education doesn’t just create performers—it builds identity, confidence, and lifelong purpose.

Expect stories, wisdom, rapid-fire questions, and a powerful closing reflection on what it means to dedicate a life to teaching.

What happens when your acting dream takes an unexpected turn—and leads you into the world of movie magic?

In this episode of Drama School Diaries, we sit down with Daniel Sukara, a former student of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, to explore his unconventional path from performing arts student to professional special makeup effects artist.

Daniel reflects on growing up in Pasadena and Eagle Rock, his early passion for acting, and the training, teachers, and mentorship that shaped his artistic foundation. He shares stories from his time at LACHSA, the audition process, and the key influences that guided him—including filmmakers like Rick Baker and his own instructors, Flora Plum and Norman Cohn.

What starts as an acting journey evolves into a deep dive into horror makeup, practical effects, and the creative pivot that changed everything. Daniel breaks down how arts education, community, and persistence helped him navigate uncertainty and ultimately build a career behind the camera.

This conversation explores reinvention, creative risk-taking, and the power of arts training to open unexpected doors—both in front of and behind the spotlight.

special effects, makeup effects, film industry, horror makeup, arts education, drama school, LACHSA, creative careers, acting to filmmaking, Hollywood behind the scenes, mentorship in arts

What really happens after drama school ends?

In the premiere episode of Drama School Diaries, hosts Kenny Ricci, Marivic Guevara, and Tenelle Cadogan sit down with Ronnie Kimble to revisit their time at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts—and everything that came after. From ambition and jealousy to unexpected career pivots, they unpack how arts training shapes who you become long after you leave the stage. It’s honest, funny, and a little too real—ending with a rapid-fire round and a reminder of why arts education still matters.