http://lippertmedia.com
This Town OKC explores the people behind the cultures. Their origins, their motivations, their challenges, and their dreams. 

I’m Rick Allen Lippert. I’ve been in this town for over fifty years with a front row seat to seeing the culture grow from a dusty bus stop on the southern plains to a flourishing destination.

Join me as we meet the folks behind the culture on This Town OKC.]]>enArts2025https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/66c5e4bafc4d97461ef54f4b1634c0a1.jpghttp://lippertmedia.comWed, 08 Jul 2026 17:15:07 +0000Rick Allen LippertLippert Media LLClippertmedia@mac.comCities are defined by their cultures. Those cultures could entail sports, or business, or certainly arts and entertainment. Oklahoma City is thriving in all of these areas. But who makes that all happen? This Town OKC explores the people behind the...
This Town OKC explores the people behind the cultures. Their origins, their motivations, their challenges, and their dreams. 

I’m Rick Allen Lippert. I’ve been in this town for over fifty years with a front row seat to seeing the culture grow from a dusty bus stop on the southern plains to a flourishing destination.

Join me as we meet the folks behind the culture on This Town OKC.]]>falseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e16-allen-brown--72872061
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72872061Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:09:31 +0000Rick Allen LippertNot many architects get the opportunity to design an art museum. But Allen Brown did. Not only did he design This Town's flagship cultural institution, he changed the face of downtown. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art was in the original Metropolitan...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2754allenbrown,lippertmedia,okc,okcmuseumofart,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse216fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e15-rhonda-hooper--72333749
Sponsored by Carpenter Theatre
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72333749Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:47:21 +0000Rick Allen LippertFew women in This Town have had such a positive impact as Rhonda Hooper. As President and CEO of Jordan Associates, she has guided major advertising campaigns that have celebrated our state and city. We discovered in this interview a common, long-ago...
Sponsored by Carpenter Theatre
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
]]>3385jordanadvertising,jordanassociates,lippertmedia,maps,okc,oklahomastateuniversity,osu,rhondahooper,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse215fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e14-daniel-lapham--72176002
A fifth-generation Oklahoman, his great-grandfather was William Couch, the first mayor of This Town, and Daniel has the receipts to prove it. He's also a former student of mine who found his calling to be a storyteller while attending OKC Community College. In this interview, he tells of his travels around the country working for television networks as a freelancer and about the year he spent documenting the lives of the people of Uvalde.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop 
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72176002Tue, 26 May 2026 21:47:54 +0000Rick Allen LippertDaniel Lapham wishes he didn't have his national EMMY Award. He's proud of the work he and the team did to earn it by spending a year in Uvalde, Texas following the horrific school shooting there, but nonetheless, he'd be satisfied with the regional...
A fifth-generation Oklahoman, his great-grandfather was William Couch, the first mayor of This Town, and Daniel has the receipts to prove it. He's also a former student of mine who found his calling to be a storyteller while attending OKC Community College. In this interview, he tells of his travels around the country working for television networks as a freelancer and about the year he spent documenting the lives of the people of Uvalde.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop 
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2767daniellapham,lippertmedia,okc,okchistory,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokc,williamcouchfalse214fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e13-lyn-adams--71352056
After a wee bit of prompting, she recalls her favorite OCT production that coincidentally was written by your host.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71352056Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:43:46 +0000Rick Allen LippertShe created Oklahoma Children's Theatre out of necessity. Having moved to Oklahoma from her native Australia in 1980 to attend OU, Lyn Adams was working at Stage Center where she had created a children's program when the place closed. She moved the...
After a wee bit of prompting, she recalls her favorite OCT production that coincidentally was written by your host.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2247lippertmedia,lynadams,okc,oklahomachildren'stheatre,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse213fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e12-dan-mahoney--71200928
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop 
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71200928Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:24:31 +0000Rick Allen LippertAs the VP of Broadcasting for the OKC Thunder, Dan Mahoney oversees 70 major productions per year. His career took a circuitous route starting as the son of the DJ who introduced rock and roll to Philadelphia. So one might say that he was born into...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop 
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2516danmahoney,lippertmedia,okc,okcthunder,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse212fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e11-sunny-cearly--71010157
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponosred by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71010157Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:38:54 +0000Rick Allen LippertHer career is Oklahoma City. Starting at the Journal Record, then moving to the OKC Chamber of Commerce and now running Allied Arts, Sunny Cearly promotes This Town. From her small town upbringing in Gresham, Texas (look it up), she learned the value...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponosred by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2319alliedarts,lippertmedia,okc,rickallenlippert,sunnycearly,thistown,thistownokcfalse211fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e10-court-jeske--70874066
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70874066Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:47:52 +0000Rick Allen LippertNot many people get excited at the thought of stuffing envelopes, but Court Jeske did. As a sophomore, sports-loving business major at OU, Court badgered athletic director Joe C. until he relented. That led to a paid position of stuffing envelopes and...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2979courtjeske,echosoccer,lippertmedia,okc,okcesfutbol,okcforsoccer,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse210fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e9-marnie-taylor--70719724
Marnie's story begins in Fort Bend, Indiana. She learned to swim in Lake Michigan, and switched from cheerleading to swimming in high school.  After graduating with a Journalism degree from  Notre Dame, she began her career in Chicago working for the Tribune. Her marriage to Clayton took her to exotic places such as Denver, Houston, Aruba, and Oklahoma City. Once settled in This Town, she immersed herself in the community eventually serving on about 30 boards of nonprofits before assuming her current job of helping nonprofit organizations statewide to survive and thrive. Marnie describes how much of her work now centers on advocacy for the nonprofit sector.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70719724Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:49:01 +0000Rick Allen LippertMarnie Taylor is the President & CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, an organization founded many years ago by a formidable force of nature, Pat Potts. Marnie and I share our deep appreciation for Pat. Mine comes from her support of me in...
Marnie's story begins in Fort Bend, Indiana. She learned to swim in Lake Michigan, and switched from cheerleading to swimming in high school.  After graduating with a Journalism degree from  Notre Dame, she began her career in Chicago working for the Tribune. Her marriage to Clayton took her to exotic places such as Denver, Houston, Aruba, and Oklahoma City. Once settled in This Town, she immersed herself in the community eventually serving on about 30 boards of nonprofits before assuming her current job of helping nonprofit organizations statewide to survive and thrive. Marnie describes how much of her work now centers on advocacy for the nonprofit sector.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2485carpentersquaretheatre,fredobishop,lippertmedia,marnietaylor,okc,okcenterfornonprofits,okcnp,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse29fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e8-lucas-ross-pt-2--70584222
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70584222Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:52:41 +0000Rick Allen LippertThe conversation with Lucas Ross continues following the Muppets' 50th Anniversary TV special where he provided the banjo music for Kermit the Frog. Lucas tells some stories about that before getting into how he broke into the business including his...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>3328false28fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e7-julia-kirt--70432503
Post-Production by Fred O.Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70432503Wed, 04 Mar 2026 03:01:07 +0000Rick Allen LippertThese days Julia Kirt is known as a politician - the Oklahoma Senate Minority Leader, but her career started in the arts. She worked at a couple of important museums before becoming the first paid director of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. From...
Post-Production by Fred O.Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2524juliakirt,lippertmedia,okc,oklahomansforthearts,ovac,rickallenlippert,senjuliakirt,thistown,thistownokcfalse27fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e6-carlos-robinson--70099619
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70099619Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:27:41 +0000Rick Allen LippertHe's already made a name for himself as a proven leader, but as they say, "You ain't seen nothin' yet." Dr. Carlos Robinson  is now the President & CEO of the OKC Black Chamber of Commerce, a job he's most suited for with a history of recruitment,...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2265carlosrobinson,findingcarlos,hiphopnutcracker,lippertmedia,okc,okcblackchamberofcommerce,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e5-meg-salyer--69845196
She's still active in her business and her community having served on numerous nonprofit boards including the OKC Museum of Art where she had a hand in guiding a certain Oscar-winning actor through an exhibit of art from ancient Pompeii.

Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69845196Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:25:48 +0000Rick Allen LippertBefore Meg Salyer moved to This Town, she had already spent time in Europe, New York City, and much of the West Coast including Hawaii. Her up-close view of the Penn Square Bank debacle motivated her to leave banking as a career. Once permanently...
She's still active in her business and her community having served on numerous nonprofit boards including the OKC Museum of Art where she had a hand in guiding a certain Oscar-winning actor through an exhibit of art from ancient Pompeii.

Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop]]>2964lippertmedia,megsalyer,okc,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse25fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e4-david-todd--69594893
While he was born in Tulsa, David is certainly a local boy. Schooled in Moore, attending OKC Community College and the University of Oklahoma, he's also  played rock and roll guitar since high school including 25 years at the Festival of the Arts. A graduate of Leadership OKC Class 18, he confirms that his was the best class ever.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69594893Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:22:08 +0000Rick Allen LippertCivil Engineer David Todd has run the MAPS office for the City of Oklahoma City since 2012. MAPS is the acronym for Metropolitan Area Projects that voters first approved in 1993. It was a series of capital improvements that began the renaissance of...
While he was born in Tulsa, David is certainly a local boy. Schooled in Moore, attending OKC Community College and the University of Oklahoma, he's also  played rock and roll guitar since high school including 25 years at the Festival of the Arts. A graduate of Leadership OKC Class 18, he confirms that his was the best class ever.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>1622davidtodd,lippertmedia,maps,maps4,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse24fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e3-mary-blankenship-pointer--69455187
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69455187Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:55:19 +0000Rick Allen LippertHer roots in philanthropy and community support go back 100 years. Mary Blankenship Pointer was destined for a career in banking when her grandfather put a hundred-dollar bill into her infant hand. In her first banking job after college, Liberty Bank...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2415lippertmedia,maryblankenshippointer,okc,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse23fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e2-lucas-ross-pt-1--69343497
This podcast is a little longer than usual, and we didn’t even get to how our two careers have crossed. That will have to come later. Please stand by.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre




]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69343497Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:49:39 +0000Rick Allen LippertHe’s visible on TV and films in a variety of roles: morning show co-host, doofus Donnie in car spots, and even as a banjo player in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” And you’ve probably heard his banjo playing without realizing who was behind the...
This podcast is a little longer than usual, and we didn’t even get to how our two careers have crossed. That will have to come later. Please stand by.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre




]]>4474kermitthefrog,lippertmedia,lucasross,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e1-shoshana-wasserman--69274271
The saga of how the FAM grew from an idea to a world-class cultural institution exemplifies how much perseverance is required when one chooses to “dream big.”

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69274271Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:32:30 +0000Rick Allen LippertIf anyone was ever destined for their career, it’s Shoshana Wasserman, Deputy Director of the First Americans Museum. Her degrees and early professional life running a Native American dance company that traveled the world, with a couple important...
The saga of how the FAM grew from an idea to a world-class cultural institution exemplifies how much perseverance is required when one chooses to “dream big.”

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>3025firstamericansmuseum,lippertmedia,okc,rickallenlippert,shoshanawasserman,thistown,thistownokcfalse21fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e19-jackson-gifford--69009237
Jackson Gifford is one of those people who knew at an early age what they wanted to do with their life, and that is running a professional theatre. Precocious and audacious, his personal drive took him to prestigious schools where he grew as an artist while facing the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the first production of his fledgling professional theatre company (while still in college!) was mounted during the time of outdoor-only performances, and to a disastrous result. Undeterred, however, his Southern Plains Productions has flourished and is now in its sixth season.

Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69009237Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:17:19 +0000Rick Allen LippertNormally, This Town OKC highlights the people with decades of experience behind the cultures. This guest, however, barely has two decades of existence on Earth. He’s here because of his potential to enhance the culture of This Town. Jackson Gifford...
Jackson Gifford is one of those people who knew at an early age what they wanted to do with their life, and that is running a professional theatre. Precocious and audacious, his personal drive took him to prestigious schools where he grew as an artist while facing the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the first production of his fledgling professional theatre company (while still in college!) was mounted during the time of outdoor-only performances, and to a disastrous result. Undeterred, however, his Southern Plains Productions has flourished and is now in its sixth season.

Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop]]>2836carpentersquaretheater,carpentersquaretheatre,jacksongifford,lippertmedia,okc,rickallenlippert,southernplainsproductions,thistown,thistownokcfalse119fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e17-mike-knopp--68402740
Softball notwithstanding, the whitewater Canoe and Kayak events of the LA28 Games will be held in This Town thanks to a guy who staged some rather wild stunts to bring awareness to the unique opportunity for the Oklahoma River.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68402740Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:04:58 +0000Rick Allen LippertIt’s safe to say that one man is responsible for bringing international recognition to This Town’s river sports, and that man is Mike Knopp. Of course, he had help along the way, but from first seeing the U.S. Navy rowing team on Chesapeake Bay to...
Softball notwithstanding, the whitewater Canoe and Kayak events of the LA28 Games will be held in This Town thanks to a guy who staged some rather wild stunts to bring awareness to the unique opportunity for the Oklahoma River.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2771canoeandkayak,la28,lippertmedia,mikeknopp,okc,okcriversports,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse117fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e16-roberta-sloan--68208030
Known locally these days as the founding artistic director of Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma, Roberta was raised and educated in Chicago and eventually earned her PhD. in Theatre from the University of Michigan. Following a year in Israel and a stateside sabbatical in San Francisco, Roberta became the first female professor of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. It didn’t go well except for meeting and marrying Steven Sloan.

The television portion of her career began at OETA, the statewide PBS station, as the cultural coordinator, host of Arts Encounters, and eventually the production director. That led to advertising agency work and an adjunct teaching job at the University of Central Oklahoma which led to a full-time professorship in Theatre where she grew a program from 7 to 165 students in 16 years.

Chairmanships followed at the University of Central Florida and Temple University before she and Steve hit the high seas as lecturers on cruise ships. After 18 cruises to 80 countries over 6 years, she found on-camera film work in L.A. Back in This Town, Roberta helped Oklahoma City University transition to a new dean before starting Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68208030Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:22:43 +0000Rick Allen LippertIn theatre, the story is told in terms of acts. Legacy plays were all mostly written using the three-act structure; today’s plays have two at best. If one were writing the story of Roberta Sloan’s life, it would take at least five, if not six, acts....
Known locally these days as the founding artistic director of Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma, Roberta was raised and educated in Chicago and eventually earned her PhD. in Theatre from the University of Michigan. Following a year in Israel and a stateside sabbatical in San Francisco, Roberta became the first female professor of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. It didn’t go well except for meeting and marrying Steven Sloan.

The television portion of her career began at OETA, the statewide PBS station, as the cultural coordinator, host of Arts Encounters, and eventually the production director. That led to advertising agency work and an adjunct teaching job at the University of Central Oklahoma which led to a full-time professorship in Theatre where she grew a program from 7 to 165 students in 16 years.

Chairmanships followed at the University of Central Florida and Temple University before she and Steve hit the high seas as lecturers on cruise ships. After 18 cruises to 80 countries over 6 years, she found on-camera film work in L.A. Back in This Town, Roberta helped Oklahoma City University transition to a new dean before starting Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2919jewishtheatreofoklahoma,lippertmedia,okc,rickallenlippert,robertasloan,thistown,thistownokcfalse116fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e15-peter-dolese--67953042
In this interview, Peter expresses why the arts are essential, and he tells of his current endeavors before addressing the challenges the ACOKC faced in the wake of the Murrah Building bombing in 1995 and the challenges of moving the Festival back to Bicentennial Park.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67953042Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:22:35 +0000Rick Allen LippertVery few people in This Town have been so integral in the arts culture as Peter Dolese. Since the 1970s, he's been immersed in music, art, poetry, and food. He was in arts administration before he knew what that was, even showing obscure films for a...
In this interview, Peter expresses why the arts are essential, and he tells of his current endeavors before addressing the challenges the ACOKC faced in the wake of the Murrah Building bombing in 1995 and the challenges of moving the Festival back to Bicentennial Park.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2521acokc,artscouncilokc,carpentersquaretheater,carpentersquaretheatre,lippertmedia,okc,peterdolese,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse115fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e14-pt-2-rhonda-clark--67823841
Edited by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67823841Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:31:25 +0000Rick Allen LippertIn this second part of the interview, Carpenter Square Theatre executive artistic director Rhonda Clark tells of her early days with CST, starting with the first season, and takes us through all of the moves she and the theater endured and the...
Edited by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>3013carpentersquaretheater,carpentersquaretheatre,lippertmedia,okc,rhondaclark,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e14-pt-1-rhonda-clark--67648274
From her high school performing, to attending Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College, and transferring to the University of Oklahoma, Rhonda remembers fondly those fabulous years. And the stories of OU Theatre in the 1970s and of doing rep in Odessa, Texas (with most interesting travels on days off)! She also talks about doing a dinner theatre performance for an audience of two in Paducah, Kentucky (shortly before the place went bankrupt).

Once back in Oklahoma, Rhonda tells of finding work in a variety of jobs at the Oklahoma Theater Center (later renamed Stage Center) and also performing in some traveling troupes as artists-in-residence. It was during this period that she met some other actors who would become lifelong friends: Doobie Potter (RIP), Joe Long, Albert Bostick and others.

At OTC that Rhonda mounted a production of "Lonestar" that went on to win regional and national competitions and eventually play in Monaco.

In part two of this podcast, Rhonda recalls her history with Carpenter Square Theatre.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67648274Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:06:19 +0000Rick Allen LippertRhonda Clark is a mainstay of theatre in This Town as the executive artistic director of Carpenter Square Theatre. In the first part of this two-part interview, she tells of growing up in the Ozarks and what inspired her to seek a life in theater....
From her high school performing, to attending Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College, and transferring to the University of Oklahoma, Rhonda remembers fondly those fabulous years. And the stories of OU Theatre in the 1970s and of doing rep in Odessa, Texas (with most interesting travels on days off)! She also talks about doing a dinner theatre performance for an audience of two in Paducah, Kentucky (shortly before the place went bankrupt).

Once back in Oklahoma, Rhonda tells of finding work in a variety of jobs at the Oklahoma Theater Center (later renamed Stage Center) and also performing in some traveling troupes as artists-in-residence. It was during this period that she met some other actors who would become lifelong friends: Doobie Potter (RIP), Joe Long, Albert Bostick and others.

At OTC that Rhonda mounted a production of "Lonestar" that went on to win regional and national competitions and eventually play in Monaco.

In part two of this podcast, Rhonda recalls her history with Carpenter Square Theatre.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2780carpentersquaretheater,carpentersquaretheatre,lippertmedia,okc,rhondaclark,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse114fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e13-m-scott-carter--67511849
Following editor positions at both Northern OK College and OK State University, he recalls keeping his metal film camera warm under his armpits in a legendarily cold football game while working at the Stillwater News Press..

Scott worked in the media departments at the state Senate and House and shares insider observations on the different approaches to legislating in those bodies. He tells a particularly memorable story of meeting Vice-President Al Gore following the Murrah Building bombing and leaving the VP with a biological memento. He is also a professor of Journalism and tells some poignant stories of helping students find their way and, in one case, stay out of jail.

His novel, "Stealing Kevin's Heart"."was an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and he has written several others including the upcoming "The Capitol War" about the illegal moving of the state seal from Guthrie to OKC. In this interview, Scott tells of just some of the shenanigans that the governor and others pulled.

Post-production by Fred. O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67511849Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:16:40 +0000Rick Allen LippertA long-time political reporter and photographer whose byline has appeared in numerous newspapers, M. Scott Carter is also an author of both fiction and non-fiction. Raised in Yale, OK, he began his journalism career at the young age of 12 with a...
Following editor positions at both Northern OK College and OK State University, he recalls keeping his metal film camera warm under his armpits in a legendarily cold football game while working at the Stillwater News Press..

Scott worked in the media departments at the state Senate and House and shares insider observations on the different approaches to legislating in those bodies. He tells a particularly memorable story of meeting Vice-President Al Gore following the Murrah Building bombing and leaving the VP with a biological memento. He is also a professor of Journalism and tells some poignant stories of helping students find their way and, in one case, stay out of jail.

His novel, "Stealing Kevin's Heart"."was an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and he has written several others including the upcoming "The Capitol War" about the illegal moving of the state seal from Guthrie to OKC. In this interview, Scott tells of just some of the shenanigans that the governor and others pulled.

Post-production by Fred. O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2888lippertmedia,mscottcarter,okc,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse113fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e12-ashley-wells--67307592
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67307592Fri, 08 Aug 2025 22:46:32 +0000Rick Allen LippertBefore Ashley Wells became the executive producer of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, she had an exciting ride to get to Broadway where she appeared in "Hello Dolly" with Carol Channing for several years. You'll be amazed at the differences between a...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2046ashleywells,lippertmedia,lyrictheatre,lyrictheatreok,okc,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse112fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e11-scott-munz--67177941
But before he gets to that story, Scott tells about his start in the music business booking bands as a university student in upstate New York. A few of them you'll recognize: Billy Joel (whom he danced to while in high school and Joel was in local bands), Eagles, Shawn Phillips, B.W. Stevenson. He even booked bands through a small company called Harvey & Corky. The Harvey was none other than Harvey Weinstein. Yes, that Harvey Weinstein.

After moving to Tulsa in the mid-70s, he managed Cain's Ballroom where he worked with some of the biggest acts of the time: Sex Pistols, Police, Van Halen, Pat Benatar, the Ramones, and all of the Outlaw Country stars. Scott also tells of promoting professional wrestling in the 80s.

Since 1988, Scott has promoted the Fair. He sheds light on the strategy of fair attractions and fair food, and he shares some strong personal views on the state of the music touring industry.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67177941Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:17:20 +0000Rick Allen LippertChances are that if you've attended the Great State Fair of Oklahoma in the past 3+ decades, you've encountered attractions booked by Scott Munz. As the spokesperson for the Fair, he's in charge of all promotions, so you've probably seen or heard him...
But before he gets to that story, Scott tells about his start in the music business booking bands as a university student in upstate New York. A few of them you'll recognize: Billy Joel (whom he danced to while in high school and Joel was in local bands), Eagles, Shawn Phillips, B.W. Stevenson. He even booked bands through a small company called Harvey & Corky. The Harvey was none other than Harvey Weinstein. Yes, that Harvey Weinstein.

After moving to Tulsa in the mid-70s, he managed Cain's Ballroom where he worked with some of the biggest acts of the time: Sex Pistols, Police, Van Halen, Pat Benatar, the Ramones, and all of the Outlaw Country stars. Scott also tells of promoting professional wrestling in the 80s.

Since 1988, Scott has promoted the Fair. He sheds light on the strategy of fair attractions and fair food, and he shares some strong personal views on the state of the music touring industry.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2568lippertmedia,okc,oklahomastatefair,rickallenlippert,scottmunz,thistown,thistownokcfalse111fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e10-christy-zelley--66878661
Christy tells of the many cities in which her family lived and how they ultimately returned to this town. She details how the organization came to be along with the many different programs they offer and what the selection committees each year look for in applicants.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66878661Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:48:16 +0000Rick Allen LippertJust about everyone who does anything of importance in this town is a Leadership OKC alum. After all, their mission is to develop leaders.  Christy Zelley is the executive director, but she started as the administrative assistant to the first director...
Christy tells of the many cities in which her family lived and how they ultimately returned to this town. She details how the organization came to be along with the many different programs they offer and what the selection committees each year look for in applicants.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2466christyzelley,leadershipokc,lippertmedia,okc,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse110fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e09-jim-beaver--66583442
He tells a funny story about his big break in Norman Jewison's 1989 "In Country" with Bruce Willis when the director mentioned his name ahead of Willis'. And Jim tells more about the many TV shows he's worked including "Justified" and the show he considers to be the greatest of them all, "Deadwood."

Our paths crossed back in college when we both attended CSU (he in theatre, me in broadcasting) and also as gunfighters at Western theme park Frontier City. Jim sat for this podcast during the filming of a short film after an appearance at a fan convention for the TV show "Supernatural."

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66583442Mon, 16 Jun 2025 22:04:49 +0000Rick Allen LippertYou've seen him in numerous TV shows and some movies. But as a character actor, you wouldn't know this name. It's Jim Beaver. He tells tales of a working actor - from his college days at Central State University (now UCO) in Edmond to New York City...
He tells a funny story about his big break in Norman Jewison's 1989 "In Country" with Bruce Willis when the director mentioned his name ahead of Willis'. And Jim tells more about the many TV shows he's worked including "Justified" and the show he considers to be the greatest of them all, "Deadwood."

Our paths crossed back in college when we both attended CSU (he in theatre, me in broadcasting) and also as gunfighters at Western theme park Frontier City. Jim sat for this podcast during the filming of a short film after an appearance at a fan convention for the TV show "Supernatural."

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>3273deadwood,jimbeaver,justified,lippertmedia,okc,oralhistory,rickallenlippert,supernatural,thistown,thistownokcfalse19fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e08-billie-thrash--66494878
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66494878Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:32:14 +0000Rick Allen LippertTalk about a mainstay in OKC theatre! Billie Thrash came here in the 1970s on a whim and has since graced the stages of many theatre companies as a choreographer, director, and performer. In this podcast, she describes working with Carpenter Square in...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2562billiethrash,lippertmedia,okc,oralhistory,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse18fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e07-dick-pryor--66251890

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66251890Sat, 24 May 2025 14:54:26 +0000Rick Allen LippertThese days, you hear KGOU-FM general manager Dick Pryor on his weekly "Manager's Minute" along with other features. A long-time broadcast journalist, Dick actually started at KGOU while in college. His career began in sports radio in the 1980s and...

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2087dickpryor,kgou,lippertmedia,oralhistory,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse17fullhttps://lippertmedia.com/?page_id=11
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65925396Mon, 05 May 2025 17:32:44 +0000Rick Allen LippertCacky Poarch has made a name for herself as the executive director of the deadCenter Film Festival - twice. As she retires again after this summer's Festival, she tells her story of growing up in the red dirt, tumbleweed-strewn fields of Quail Creek,...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2119cackypoarch,deadcenterfilmfestival,lippertmedia,okc,oralhistory,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e5-randy-kemp--65443873
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65443873Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:43:38 +0000Rick Allen LippertWe've heard his voice for years on television and radio commercials as well as at sporting events. He got his start in radio at the age of 14 with a live, on-air audition orchestrated by his station manager father. Brought to OKC for a radio job at...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>3124lippertmedia,okc,oralhistory,randykemp,rickallenlippert,rk-1,rk-one,thistown,thistownokcfalse15fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e4-joy-reed-belt--64999084
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64999084Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:09:37 +0000Rick Allen LippertA vibrant city needs an arts district with a unique character. In Oklahoma City, that's The Paseo. And thanks to visionary John Belt and his wife Joy Reed Belt, OKC has the most distinctive district in this town and where Joy runs the JRB Gallery as...
Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2813joyreedbelt,lippertmedia,okc,oralhistory,paseookc,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse14fullhttp://www.lippertmedia.com

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64674962Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:18:56 +0000Rick Allen LippertTerry Veal has performed in virtually every theater in Oklahoma City over the past 40-odd years. He's been a mainstay at Carpenter Square Theatre since its first season. Following college, the Navy, and college again, he started his acting career at...

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>3050lippertmedia,okc,oralhistory,rickallenlippert,terryveal,thistown,thistownokcfalse13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e2-leslie-spears--64343756

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64343756Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:51:43 +0000Rick Allen LippertLeslie Spears has had a front row seat to the culture of Oklahoma City for a few decades now. Starting as a receptionist at a radio station and moving into promotions, she worked at the OKC Chamber of Commerce to promote the first MAPS projects that...

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre
]]>2766lesliespears,okc,oralhistory,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1e1-ben-hall--64150163
Ben also designs and builds sets for multiple theatre companies, churches, and film production companies. He tells his story - how he landed in Oklahoma City and how his career progressed to become a cultural icon in This Town.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64150163Sun, 02 Feb 2025 20:16:25 +0000Rick Allen LippertBen Hall is an Oklahoma City-based actor, director, writer, and scenic designer. He has appeared in many films both small, independent ones as well as Oscar-winning movies such as "Minari" and "Killers of the Flower Moon." Ben also designs and builds...
Ben also designs and builds sets for multiple theatre companies, churches, and film production companies. He tells his story - how he landed in Oklahoma City and how his career progressed to become a cultural icon in This Town.

Post-production by Fred O. Bishop
Sponsored by Carpenter Square Theatre]]>2460benhall,okc,oral history,rickallenlippert,thistown,thistownokcfalse11full