Out Chicago (Full Episodes)

On this week's show: – “Gangsta Baby” playwright and actor Camerson Rasdaal-Monro and director Rikki Beadle-Blair. Open Space Arts is presenting the American premiere of the London hit September 19-October 5. – Jeffrey McHale, director of “It’s Dorothy,” playing Sunday, September 21, as the Documentary Centerpiece of Reeling 2025: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Duff is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are: – Ceramic artists and community organizers Lesley Bevan and Susan McBride; they talk about Pots to the People: Seconds for the First Amendment, happening Saturday, September 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Countess Luann de Lesseps, who brings her show "Marry F Kill" to Chicago's Vic Theatre, Saturday, September 13th at 7:30 p.m. – (Queer) Sacred Space Salon's curator and creator Rob Lindley, with special guests Anthony Hudson and Claire Kaplan of The Mary and Judas Show Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: – Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Equality Illinois – Ellen Krug, Trans Activist, Lawyer, Author of "Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change" and "Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life" – Hayley Rice, Artistic Director of Babes with Blades and Fighting Words Festival Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: – Alison Gash, professor of political science at the University of Oregon, contributor to The Washington Monthly, and co-founder/president of OurSchool, a nurturing and creative anti-racist space for LGBTQ+ young people – Anjali Bhimani of “Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern,” now playing at Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place – Jess Levine, associate director of Camper Experience for Action Camp Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: – Chicago’s very own Brandon Lee Harris, star of the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical “MJ,” returning to Chicago for a run at the Nederlander Theatre, August 12-31 – Suzie Toot, tap dancing star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, the Queen of She Already Done Had Herses, and the star of the queer horror film “Big Easy Queens” Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show, Scott Duff is joined by guest co-host Tania Richard and their guests are: - Allie N. Steve Mullen of "Dear Steve . . . It's Allie," a "a theatrical autobiography told with songs and stories and pictures," at The Steppenwolf August 8 and 9 - Griffin Binnicker, cast member in "Parade," Aug 5-17 at CIBC Theatre - Jonathan "Jojo" Alsberry and Michael Anderson of Dance For Life 2025, "a one-of-a-kind annual performance and benefit event that has showcased over 50 Chicago-based dance companies, as well as numerous choreographers, artists, and designers." This year’s Dance For Life takes place Aug. 10 at the Auditorium Theater. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: – State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-IL), candidate for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois – Sasha Velour, gender-fluid drag queen and visual artist performing “The Big Reveal Live Show” at Steppenwolf, August 1-3 – Brooke Eden, country artist performing August 9 at Northalsted Market Days Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: – Chilina Kennedy, star of "Billie Jean," playing through August 10 at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre – William Lindsey Cochran of Great Moments in Vinyl; they'll be performing music of The Police August 7 at Evanston SPACE. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: – Jack Schneider, assistant curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art‘s new exhibit, “City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago” – Zahra Baker and Shanta Nurullah, co-creators and performers in “OM Mission,” playing through June 28th at the About Face Theatre – Manny Petty and Queeny from Thirst Trap Salon, June 26 at Zanies Old Town Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: - Regene Odon, cast member in the touring company of "Kimberly Akimbo," the Tony Award-winning musical playing at the CIBC Theatre through June 22nd. - Leah Rauch, education director at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which on June 19th hosts author Wendy Holden for a powerful conversation about her new novel, "The Teacher of Auschwitz," based on the true story of Fredy Hirsch. Hirsh identified as a gay man during the Holocaust, a time when being out was rare. - John Manchester from Windy City Sweets, live from Andersonville's Midsommarfest! Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: - Melissa McMahon of Woodstock Pride - Austin Nelson Jr, cast member in "42 Balloons," playing through June 29 at Chicago Shakespeare - Ricky Sim, star of the comedy solo show "Coming Out To Dead People" at the Annoyance Theatre June 14 - Charlie Wein, director of marketing and communications for the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, talking about Midsommarfest, June 13-15 Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Out Chicago" is live at the Buffalo Grove Pride parade and hosts Ken Mejia-Beal, Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by: - Peter Thaddeus, artist and Youth Outlook lead - Allie Gillies Palatine, volunteer and advocate for many causes and mom to a trans daughter who helps other parents to navigate - Kristal Larson, the first trans elected official in Lake County - Kevin Morrison, Cook County commissioner and candidate for Congress - Ashton Wagner, newly out trans high school counselor at Wheeling High School - Carolyn Pinta, BG Pride founder - drag performer most known for competing on season 13 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: - Tracy Baim, co-founder and owner of Windy City Times, talking about "Windy City Times @40: Breaking News. Breaking Silence." The exhibit opens May 30 at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. - Spencer Tweedy, musician - Kristal Larson, executive director of LGBTQ+ Center Lake County Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth Ilesa Duncan Will Wilhelm Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: - Actor Mark David Kaplan, star of "Titanic: The Musical," playing at the Marriott Theater through June 1 - Ed Hall, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre artistic director, on the 2025/2026 season, which will feature a new play about tennis legend Billie Jean King and the U.S. premiere of "Broke Back Mountain." Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show Scott is joined by Tania Richard (filling in for Ellen Miller) and their guests are: - Jaylon C. Crump, currently starring as the messenger god Hermes in the North American Tour of the 2019 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, "Hadestown." It is playing at Chicago's CIBC Theatre through May 18. - Art historian Jonathan Katz, curator of Wrightwood 659's new exhibit "The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity 1869-1939." It features over 300 works of art from 40 countries. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show: - Channyn Lynn Parker, CEO of Brave Space Alliance, talking about the May 15 Partners in Dignity Soiree - Terry Guest (writer, cast member) and Paul Michael Thompson (cast member) of The Story Theatre's "At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen," playing through May 11 - Jane Lepauw, executive director at the Benjamin Marshall Society; May 5 is Benjamin Marshall Day - John Parker and Jim Pounds of "The Gaily Show," now airing weeknights from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellen Miller is joined by guest co-host Kathy Voltmer (in for Scott Duff) and they talk here to Second City's Cat McDonnell and Second City alum Claudia Martinez about their new pilot sketch show "Meant To Be Seen." Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellen is joined by guest co-host Kathy Voltmer (in for Scott) and their guests are: - Second City's Cat McDonnell and Second City alum Claudia Martinez on their new pilot sketch show "Meant To Be Seen" - Charlie Ockerlund, Logan Square Arts Foundation board member - Mortgage broker and playwright Shimmy Braun on the world premiere, in London’s West End, of his new work, "Faygele" - Kim Swinton and Linda Martin from the band Vintage Blonde Chicago Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.