In this episode of Biola Backstage, our hosts James and Taylor talked with the Office of Campus Engagement to see what goes into organizing Biola's annual talent show. Punk N' Pie.

Biola Backstage is a production of the Torch Podcast Network which takes a behind-the-scenes look of Biola's many productions, from film to plays to on-campus events.

In this episode, our host, Marc Aguilera, talks with sophomore CMA major Elijah Smith about his upcoming film festival, Konch Fest. This is the first ever Konch Fest and will take place April 30 at 8 pm.

In this episode, founder and CEO of Pulchrum, George Khoury, walks us through what Pulchrum Conference is and the meaning of this year's theme: "Art in the Apocalypse."

Pulchrum is a Christian non-profit arts organization dedicated to cultivating artistic work oriented towards truth, goodness, and beauty. Learn more about Pulchrum here.

In this episode, our host, Reagan Glidewell, takes the red carpet at the Biola Film Festival. Hear from some of the winners.

Writers and actors Maddie Araman and Ashton Pulis walk us through the production of "Live from Lot F" which premieres tomorrow. "Live from Lot F" is a sketch show that features student written and student performed sketch comedy.

Showings December 10. See tickets here.

Director Kaylin Kenders and Production Stage Manager Lauren Tateishi walks us through the fully student-run show "They're Getting Married Again?" which premieres tomorrow. The pair talks all about the comedy, their experiences, and...stunts?

The show takes place ninety minutes shy of the renewal of vows for characters Avery and Madison. The maid of honor and organizer extraordinaire, Evelyn Adler, is sent into a tailspin as she tries to pull everything together for her best friend. Finding the groom unconscious proves to be the least of her worries as she deals with a missing priest, propaganda puppets and her mother to make sure everything is perfect - for better or for worse.

Showings November 20-23. For more details and to get your tickets, click this link.

Branching out from her CMA roots, Audrey Schnell walks us through her theatrical directorial debut of the classic American play, “It Pays to Advertise”. From funny moments in rehearsal, to overcoming the struggles of rehearsing without a set, Audrey gives us a peek backstage at what it was like to make this year's Torrey Theater play happen.

Drama, romance, and good clean humor. “It Pays to Advertise” tells the story of a young man that sets out to prove to his father anything can be sold if you advertise it properly—even if it doesn’t exist. Problems arise when his advertisements are more successful than he ever could have imagined, but he has nothing to deliver.

Showings April 4-5. For more details and to get your tickets, click this link.

Biola Backstage is back again for Season 3! Executive producer and host Hope Li talks to Biola Snyder School students Emma Broyles, Jonny Harmon ‘24 and Po Yin Sham about how in the world their award-winning film “A Lovely Ending” had its beginnings. Hear about certain actors’ casting rizz, Easter eggs, a tangent on Emma’s wedding cake goals and why we need to hug our moms more.

• (02:15) - Finding a lovely name
• (04:43) - Beginnings of the ending
• (10:15) - A lovely co-director
• (14:40) - Writing (and finishing) a lovely script
• (19:41) - Also, Emma and Po are roommates
• (26:41) - The lovely actors, and calling Dibs
• (40:04) - A love for musicals (and people) makes for a lovely film
• (54:50) - Locations, locations, locations ... Shout out BeReal!
• (01:02:35) - Easter eggs, tea and a wedding cake request
• (01:11:01) - Emma's mom and mothers' sacrificial love
• (01:16:17) - Therapy and the stress of making a lovely film
• (01:22:58) - Post-production: a lovely ending to "A Lovely Ending"
• (01:26:29) - Final remarks

About “A Lovely Ending”

“A Lovely Ending” is a film from Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema Media Arts that took almost two years to make, with almost 130 cast and crew members. It premiered at Biola University’s newly-renovated Ethel Lee Auditorium on Sept. 20, 2024. Watch the trailer here, and follow the film’s Instagram @alovelyending.musical as it continues on its award-winning journey. The official soundtrack to the film is available on Spotify and all the other music streaming platforms.

To watch the trailers of the films we mentioned in the episode, head to Jonny’s Linktree. For more of his work, follow him on Instagram @harmonmedia. Catch Emma’s recent scribblings on her Substack and her Instagram @emma_of_everywhere, and find Po cooking mushrooms, crocheting and on her Instagram @poyinsham.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Biola Backstage! If you are interested in learning more about the people we interviewed or have ideas for future guests, please email us at torchradio@biola.edu or DM us on Instagram @kbr_torch_radio.