The UNLV Department of Theatre launches the second season of POD115 "Las Estrellas" Oct. 28.
The popular podcast, named one of the top 20 sci-fi podcasts of 2020 by FeedSpot.com, focuses on the journey of fictional UNLV student Ana Lorena Suazo, an undocumented immigrant. Ana’s is a journey of discovering her own voice despite the ‘status’ assigned to her.
“We felt it was important this season - as members of the UNLV community and its proud MSI designation - that we dive deeper into the stories of the marginalized and ‘voiceless,’" said course instructor Adam Paul. "If POD115 is nothing else, it’s an opportunity to explore and express the disparities in our society. Hopefully, we shine a brighter light on issues while still being entertaining."
POD115 is the product of UNLV Theatre's undergrad Podcast: Creation and Production classes taught by Paul. A serialized fiction podcast, POD115 is created and produced in-class with students enrolled in UNLV's acting programs. Seasons 1 and 2 were both produced under pandemic quarantine constraints, with actors recording into smartphones in makeshift home studios.
The cast includes Deseree Whitt, Audrey Radef, Asheton Stoever, Romeo Lopex, Allison de Jong-Irving, Daniel Shim, Dulce Valencia, Day Hunter, Carmen Maher, and Blake Spicer.
Paul was classically trained as an actor at the American Conservatory Theater, where he earned my Masters Degree in 1992. He's written and directed for CBS's Emmy Award winning "The Inspectors," had a long career as an actor, including playing Mitch, ‘The Naked Man’ on the CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother.” He's appeared in numerous TV programs and films, including “The Informant!”, “One for the Money”, and “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.” He created and starred in “Hollywood Residential,” a comedy series for Starz’s first season of original programming. He's also an award winning commercial director and writer who has shot spots for VW, MasterCard, Lenovo and many more.
Reviews
Season 1 named 2020's top 20 sci-fi podcasts by
"A magic show with all kinds of misdirection and brilliant illusions"-
“A blending of reality and fantastical yet terrifying discovery”- Podcake
"A bold and exploratory approach to storytelling that leaves the listener questioning what is real. ... carrying them deeper into the storyverse wanting to know more." -Sean Howard, Producer “Alba Salix”; Co-Founder Fable and Folly
