Short-listed Independent Podcast Award 2024 and Golden Lobe 2025

Ira Seidenstein, PhD (Mischa, Freddie the dog, Zeus)

Ira Seidenstein, PhD (Mischa, Freddie the dog, Zeus) Profile Photo

Actor

Ira Seidenstein has worked in over 140 live productions. After working in Cirque du Soleil's Corteo he created such projects as: The Madness of King Lear (Avignon, Edinburgh); The Book of Clown (Adelaide 2017), Commedia Toto (Italy); Cubist Clown Cavalcade (Paris): A Flower of the Lips (Sydney); and directed 18 actors in the uncut Antony & Cleopatra (Sydney). He has worked in 20 Shakespeare productions including 10 of the plays such as directing Henry the Fifth with 12 women; and, 10 adaptations including his comedy A Girl's Guide to Hamlet. In 2012/13 Ira was in Slava's Snowshow in Europe and Australia. As a veteran performer he trained 6 years in Suzuki Actor Training Method and worked in ten Suzuki style productions. He has portrayed over 75 clown characters including: Corteo's White Clown, and, Dead Clown; and playing "Harlequin" over an 8 years span. He trained as an Iyengar yoga teacher, was a tumbling and comic acrobat, mime, slapstick comedian, classical actor, director, playwright, and choreographed over 200 comic sketches and slapstick acts. His Masters Degree is in Visual and Performing Arts and his Doctorate is in Education. Recently he performed for the first time in a full scale ballet as a centraI character actor. Ira Seidenstein's workshops are practical and creative use of body-mind-spirit. The practical base is physical using "The Four Articulations for Performance" (see Method). He is the Founder of ISAAC - International School for Acting And Creativity and personally mentors clowns, teachers, choreographers, and directors internationally.

1
Jan. 17, 2025

What Would Helen Do?

Thunder's Mouth Theatre Presents... Am I Old Yet, Welcome back. Here's an extended episode to get us started on Season 11. Helen has been out shopping, and would like nothing better than to put her feet up and relax with a nice hot coffee. Friends and family, however, are in need of her very specific help and advice. You know how it is... Enjoy The cast was as follows Helen, Janey, Susan were played by Flloyd Kennedy Popsy the kitten miaowing, and Apate the Trickster Goddess were played...
8
Aug. 30, 2024

Breakfast with the Gods

Hera has brought Helen to her home on Mt Olympus, after their short visit to the Amazon rain forest. Zeus is so happy to see her that he just can't help singing about it. And so it came about, that this episode has turned into a musical. You're welcome... Hera - Wendy Lap Helen - Flloyd Kennedy Zeus - Ira Seidenstein Music - "In the Labyrinth", Song of the Goddess Diana" and "Song of the Minatour", composed and performed by John T La Barbera Please Support the Show. You can either...
8
April 5, 2024

Saving Mina

Episode 8 continues on with Susie, Charlie and the goddess/nymph Cyllene at Helen's place, coming up with a plan and finding out what Susie and Charlie are up to. Zeus and Hera settle into the homeless shelter, and carry on arguing about who's entitled to help whom. I'm so proud to have been included in the AIRMedia AMPLIFY New Voices programme this year. The workshops are helping enormously with upgrading our marketing and promotional skills. The rest of the cohort are all creating stunning po...
7
March 29, 2024

A Rescue and a Plan

Episode 7 finds Helen enjoying the sunshine in the garden with her neighbour, 103 year old Nana Madeleine. Zeus and Hera have no idea that they've become famous again, René is working part time as a barista in between acting jobs, and Helen calls on Susie and Charlie to help her to put her plan into action, with Cyllene tagging along. Do let me know if you prefer the longer episode! And do you enjoy my little meta digs? Cast: Ira Seidenstein as Zeus Wendy Lap as Hera Christopher McDougall as H...
5
March 14, 2024

We've Got Bagels!

Episode 5 and Helen finds dealing with Greek royalty to be a challenge. She seems to be able to manage her great age rather better than they do. Hashtag Not All Old People...fill in your own cliche. And Nana Madeleine is concerned about the welfare of Mina, the homeless lady. This weeks episode features: Wendy Lap as Hera, Ira Seidenstein as Zeus, Roy J Carruthers as Harry (from next door) and Flloyd plays Helen, Nana, Janey and Susan. The theme music is from John T La Barbera's album "In The ...
4
March 8, 2024

Divine Dilemma and a Rooftop Parley

Picking up from where we left off at the end of Episode 3, Helen enjoys a catchup coffee with her neighbours Jennifer, Harry and Nana Madeleine, while Hera and the children try find the 'buzzard' that flew off. Zeus thinks he's so clever, but he's not the only one who can transform in the wink of an eye. Thank you so much for your support. Please remember to spread the word, tell your friends, your grandparents, your grandchildren. You're never too young, or too old, to enjoy a silly story abou...
3
March 1, 2024

Feathered Friends

Episode 3 finds Zeus and Hera visiting London for the first time (that we know of). Helen arrives home from her holiday and Suzie is up to something. This week's cast is: Wendy Lap - Hera, Moira McGinty, Child 2. Ira Seidenstein - Zeus Sarah Golding - Darlene the lady on the bus, Child 1, Mina the homeless lady Flloyd Kennedy - Helen, Jennifer, Susie Music is from John T La Barbera's album, "In the Labyrinth". SFX - Freesound.org 75526__robinhood76__01153-great-wings-in-motion 539954__dougla...
8
Sept. 8, 2023

Epilogue - and now for something completely different

Episode 8 brings Season 8 to a conclusion with the Epilogue. Zeus reads the riot act to his disobedient children Artemis and Hermes, and his granddaughter Persephone. Helen gets good news on the political front from Serena (Jonas Scillily's secretary) and Rene's acting career is launched. Featuring Ira Seidenstein as Zeus, Christopher McDougall as Hermes, Rene, and as Rene playing David Balfour, Frankii Phoenix as Serena and John Warner returning as Helen's son-in-law, Jonathan. The theme music ...
4
Aug. 11, 2023

Family Feud and a Friendly Catchup

There's trouble on Mt Olympus, when Zeus (Ira Seidenstein) arrives home to find out what his favourite child Hermes (Christopher McDonald) has been up to. Rene (also Christopher McDonald) gets the result from his audition for "Kidnapped", and Helen is called to a meeting in the park with Demeter and Seffi. Lots going on as the adventure continues... Our Patreon patrons can join in the fun by suggesting a name for a new character (in Season 9), or by asking a question of any of the characters so...
Feb. 24, 2023

S7 E3 Home Again, Jiggety Jig

Helen's mathematician friend Misha has a plan to tidy up the sky littering problem started by Helen and the stray dogs, and Helen has been befriended by a couple of Greek Gods. As you do. Janey agrees to take her home at last, and the BBC World Service has some surprising updates on the side effects of the new strain of poppy seeds that Helen brought into being. Support the show You can leave a comment or review at www.amIoldyet.com/reviews, and donate towards our production costs at amIoldyet....
5
Nov. 18, 2022

S6 E5 Tricky Times

Susie's old professor is behaving suspiciously, Helen enjoys a chat with her neighbour Jennifer, and the international scientific community doesn't seem to be helping. Helen and the dogs carry on cleaning up the streets, but - look out! Support the show You can leave a comment or review at www.amIoldyet.com/reviews, and donate towards our production costs at amIoldyet.com/support. @AmIOldYet2 The music featured in Seasons 6, 7 and 8 is from "In The Labyrinth" by John T LaBarbera, available on...
3
Nov. 4, 2022

S6 E3 Hotting Up

S6E3 Team Helen have come up with a plan to shield Helen's identity, while she discovers a fresh way to spread her powers. But the press are hard on her heels. Support the show You can leave a comment or review at www.amIoldyet.com/reviews, and donate towards our production costs at amIoldyet.com/support. @AmIOldYet2 The music featured in Seasons 6, 7 and 8 is from "In The Labyrinth" by John T LaBarbera, available on Bandcamp. https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1708289 Thanks for liste...
2
Oct. 27, 2022

Team Helen

S6E2 Helen's granddaughter Susie and Charlie the boyfriend try to enlist some expert help to promote Helen's newfound superpower. Jonathan, Helen's son-in-law doesn't think it's such a good idea... Cast: Edward Donnelly - Dr Les Penser, News Announcer Christopher McDougall - Charlie, Prof Shrodinger Ira Seidenstein - Dr Mischa Zachariev Frances Broudie Oldridge - Josie Harkins John Warner - Jonathon Flloyd Kennedy - Susie, Janey I do hope you will take a moment to rate, review, or comment...
4
May 6, 2022

Collecting People in the Park

Episode 4, Season 4 finds Helen dozing on a park bench on a lovely warm day. A kindly stranger interrupts her, and the ensuing conversation takes some surprising twists and turns. So, what is the difference between a mathematician and a clown? Listen in to find out! Ira Seidenstein joins the ensemble of performers contributing to this little audio drama/comedy. Ira has performed with Cirque du Soleil, and the Slava Snow Show, as well as training many performers all over the world through ISAAC ...