Live from Mount Olympus

Onassis Foundation

Season 3: Get ready for the story of an unexpected hero! Atalanta is abandoned at birth in the deep forest, where all expect her to perish. Instead, she’s adopted by a mama bear, who raises her as her own.  As Atalanta grows, she knows she is loved but senses that she is different  – she doesn’t look like her brother and sister, she runs on two legs faster than they can on four, she has no fur of her own. But if she’s not a bear, then what is she? Artemis teaches the bear girl how to hunt, Athena teaches her the finer points of human society, and Atalanta becomes a skilled archer, ready for adventure. When she meets the greatest heroes in Greece (who are none too happy about having a girl in their midst) Atalanta surprises them all.

Season 2: Persephone longs for the chance to do more than paint the flowers that suddenly bloom wherever she steps as she trails behind her mother Demeter. When Persephone breaks free to join her friends Artemis and Athena for a picnic, she is suddenly stolen away to the underworld, full of intimidating gods and misunderstood monsters. On her own for the first time, Persephone struggles to find her way in the dark world below. Demeter tears apart the world above to bring her daughter back to the sunlight, and nothing can grow.  When nothing grows, humans starve. Can the gods stop fighting  so humanity can survive?

Season 1: When young Perseus makes a rash promise to save his mother from the clutches of an evil king, he has to strike out on a dangerous quest.  Hermes, god of luck and thieves (Hadestown's André De Shields), is our host for this tale of terrifying monsters, powerful gods, and a brave girl who will change our hero’s life forever.

Combining the artistry of foremost contemporary theater-makers with the timeless stories of Greek myth and the imaginative power of audio, Live from Mount Olympus is an adventure for tweens and families of all ages. This podcast is a production of the Onassis Foundation.

This bold and original audio drama is created and produced by Peabody Award-winning showrunner Julie Burstein, co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theater ensemble The TEAM, and directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin, Zhailon Levingston, Ahmad Simmons, and Keenan Tyler Oliphant. Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer.

Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX.

Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus

Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org.

read less

Mythlet: "I Bestow Upon Thee My Adamantine Sword"
14-09-2021
Mythlet: "I Bestow Upon Thee My Adamantine Sword"
Remember the moment in Episode 2 when Hermes gives Perseus that cool sword?  In our first Live from Mount Olympus Mythlet, find out what makes the sword so special – and why it has that wicked curve to it.  Dr. Kate Birney, who is an expert on ancient weapons and teaches archaeology at Wesleyan University, is our guide to the mythical roots of this powerful weapon. Live from Mount Olympus is a production of the Onassis Foundation, and co-produced by The TEAM. The podcast is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) and created by Peabody Award-winning producer Julie Burstein. Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include Vinie Burrows, Jill Frutkin, Divine Garland, Amber Gray, Adrienne Hopkins, Natalie Hopkins, Modesto "Flako" Jimenez, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Nehemiah Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Kristen Sieh, Jillian Walker, Baby Perseus is played by Calvin Samuel Blanch and Whit Vega Margolin-Vaughan, and André De Shields is Hermes. Our production team includes: sound designer David Schulman; production assistant Tessa Zitter; writer Nathan Yungerberg; music composed and performed by Magda Giannikou with Luca Bordonaro; and illustrations by Jason Adam Katzenstein. Our guest today, Dr. Kate Birney, is Chair of the Archaeology Department at Wesleyan University. Our mythlets are produced by Tessa Zitter and Julie Burstein and mastered by John Melillo.
Mythlet: "Don't Drop Your Shield!"
12-10-2021
Mythlet: "Don't Drop Your Shield!"
Perseus has his hands full when he enters the Gorgons’ cave – and Dr. Kate Birney says it’s remarkable that our hero was able to juggle Hermes’ sword and that magical bag while brandishing Athena’s shield at the same time. In Mythlet 2, we find out more about that magical shield, which Dr. Birney says was probably like the enormous shields that Greek warriors carried into real ancient battles. Live from Mount Olympus is a production of the Onassis Foundation, and co-produced by The TEAM. The podcast is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) and created by Peabody Award-winning producer Julie Burstein. Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include Vinie Burrows, Jill Frutkin, Divine Garland, Amber Gray, Adrienne Hopkins, Natalie Hopkins, Modesto "Flako" Jimenez, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Nehemiah Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Kristen Sieh, Jillian Walker, Baby Perseus is played by Calvin Samuel Blanch and Whit Vega Margolin-Vaughan, and André De Shields is Hermes. Our production team includes: sound designer David Schulman; production assistant Tessa Zitter; writer Nathan Yungerberg; music composed and performed by Magda Giannikou with Luca Bordonaro; and illustrations by Jason Adam Katzenstein. Our guest today, Dr. Kate Birney, is Chair of the Archaeology Department at Wesleyan University. Our Mythlets are produced by Tessa Zitter and Julie Burstein and mastered by John Melillo.
Mythlet: A Mouth Like Flame and Breathing Death
16-11-2021
Mythlet: A Mouth Like Flame and Breathing Death
When Perseus cut off Medusa’s head, shouldn't she have lost her power? Dr. Kate Birney says “Definitely not!” and reveals the Middle Eastern origins of this ghastly Greek monster. Dr. B also shows us how the ancient Greeks used Medusa’s terrifying power to protect themselves from evil spirits. Check out our Instagram @OCCNY or search #livefrommountolympus to see some scary images of Medusa and her Mesopotamian inspiration, Humbaba! Live from Mount Olympus is a production of the Onassis Foundation, and co-produced by The TEAM. The podcast is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) and created by Peabody Award-winning producer Julie Burstein. Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include Vinie Burrows, Jill Frutkin, Divine Garland, Amber Gray, Adrienne Hopkins, Natalie Hopkins, Modesto "Flako" Jimenez, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Nehemiah Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Kristen Sieh, Jillian Walker, Baby Perseus is played by Calvin Samuel Blanch and Whit Vega Margolin-Vaughan, and André De Shields is Hermes. Our production team includes: sound designer David Schulman; production assistant Tessa Zitter; writer Nathan Yungerberg; music composed and performed by Magda Giannikou with Luca Bordonaro; and illustrations by Jason Adam Katzenstein. Our guest today, Dr. Kate Birney, is Chair of the Archaeology Department at Wesleyan University. Our mythlets are produced by Tessa Zitter and Julie Burstein and mastered by John Melillo.
Mythlet: "I Belong to No Man!"
14-12-2021
Mythlet: "I Belong to No Man!"
When Athena burst from her father’s head she looked just like a hoplite warrior, with armor and a helmet.  Dr. Kate Birney tells us about this fierce aspect of the goddess as well as the civilized attributes of the patron goddess of Athens.  No wonder she’s Danae’s favorite goddess – and maybe yours too? Visit our pages on social media or search #livefrommountolympus to find images of Athena made by the residents of the city that bears her name with pride.  Live from Mount Olympus is a production of the Onassis Foundation, and co-produced by The TEAM. The podcast is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) and created by Peabody Award-winning producer Julie Burstein. Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include Vinie Burrows, Jill Frutkin, Divine Garland, Amber Gray, Adrienne Hopkins, Natalie Hopkins, Modesto "Flako" Jimenez, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Nehemiah Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Kristen Sieh, Jillian Walker, Baby Perseus is played by Calvin Samuel Blanch and Whit Vega Margolin-Vaughan, and André De Shields is Hermes. Our production team includes: sound designer David Schulman; production assistant Tessa Zitter; writer Nathan Yungerberg; music composed and performed by Magda Giannikou with Luca Bordonaro; and illustrations by Jason Adam Katzenstein. Our guest today, Dr. Kate Birney, is Chair of the Archaeology Department at Wesleyan University. Our mythlets are written and produced by Tessa Zitter and mastered by John Melillo.
Mythlet: "The God of Middle Children"
05-04-2022
Mythlet: "The God of Middle Children"
We know Hermes is the god of liars, travelers, and thieves. But what other powers does he hold? Turns out, he’s one of Dr. Kate Birney’s favorite gods – and in our Mythlet she tells us why she connects with our favorite trickster (hint – Dr. B is a middle child…). Live from Mount Olympus is a production of the Onassis Foundation, and co-produced by The TEAM. The podcast is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) and created by Peabody Award-winning producer Julie Burstein. Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include Vinie Burrows, Jill Frutkin, Divine Garland, Amber Gray, Adrienne Hopkins, Natalie Hopkins, Modesto "Flako" Jimenez, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Nehemiah Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Kristen Sieh, Jillian Walker, Baby Perseus is played by Calvin Samuel Blanch and Whit Vega Margolin-Vaughan, and André De Shields is Hermes. Our production team includes: sound designer David Schulman; production assistant Tessa Zitter; writer Nathan Yungerberg; music composed and performed by Magda Giannikou with Luca Bordonaro; and illustrations by Jason Adam Katzenstein. Our guest today, Dr. Kate Birney, is Chair of the Archaeology Department at Wesleyan University. Our mythlets are written and produced by Tessa Zitter and mastered by John Melillo.
Live From Mount Olympus Season 2 Trailer
12-04-2022
Live From Mount Olympus Season 2 Trailer
When a young goddess strikes out on her own for the first time, she is pulled into a terrifying journey, and must find her power in the darkness. Her mother fights to get her back – and the fate of all humanity lies in the balance. Combining the artistry of foremost contemporary theater-makers with the timeless stories of Greek myth and the imaginative power of audio, Live from Mount Olympus is an adventure for tweens and families of all ages. The podcast is a production of the Onassis Foundation. This richly imagined audio drama is created and produced by Peabody Award-winning showrunner Julie Burstein, co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theater ensemble The TEAM, and directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet) and Keenan Tyler Oliphant (Associate Director of Hadestown and director of PlayCo’s upcoming U.S. premiere of Ebru Nihan Celkan’s Will You Come with Me?). Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include: Kayla Bennett, Eric Berryman, Vinie Burrows, Jaaliyah Casey, Divine Garland, Mari Harris, Joanne Hernandez, Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, Anna Kendrick, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Kimberly Marable, Nehemia Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Isabella Rossellini, Kristen Sieh, Nidra Sous la Terre, Eierene Tuakora, and Ching Valdes-Aran. And André De Shields is Hermes. Special thanks to Calvin Samuel Blanch, Elliot Byler, Sam Chavrichs, Adrienne Hopkins, Caroline Hopkins, and Natalie Hopkins. The TEAM’s Producing Director is Alexandra Lalonde, and Producing Manager is Laura Elliot.  We had casting support from Melissa Friedman of Epic Theater Ensemble. Our writer is Nathan Yungerberg.  Tessa Zitter is assistant producer and Yonatan Rekem is assistant editor.  Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Live from Mount Olympus music is composed by Magdalini Giannikou; edited, mixed, and mastered by Luca Bordonaro; and performed by Banda Magda. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is our series humor consultant. Michael Kendrick is Program Director for Onassis USA.  Marketing and social media management by Karina Grudnikov and Caroline English.  Press by Blake Zidell.  Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org.
Persephone 1: You Don’t Trust Me to Strike Out on My Own!
19-04-2022
Persephone 1: You Don’t Trust Me to Strike Out on My Own!
Persephone is tired of always being tied to her mother’s side. But when she runs off to attend a picnic with her friends Athena and Artemis, her curiosity leads to a terrifying fall and the beginning of a perilous journey. Combining the artistry of foremost contemporary theater-makers with the timeless stories of Greek myth and the imaginative power of audio, Live from Mount Olympus is an adventure for tweens and families of all ages. This podcast is a production of the Onassis Foundation. The richly imagined audio drama is created and produced by Peabody Award-winning showrunner Julie Burstein, co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theater ensemble The TEAM, and directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet) and Keenan Tyler Oliphant (Associate Director of Hadestown and director of PlayCo’s upcoming U.S. premiere of Ebru Nihan Celkan’s Will You Come with Me?). Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX. Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include: Kayla Bennett, Eric Berryman, Vinie Burrows, Jaaliyah Casey, Divine Garland, Mari Harris, Joanne Hernandez, Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, Anna Kendrick, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Kimberly Marable, Nehemia Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Isabella Rossellini, Kristen Sieh, Nidra Sous la Terre, Eierene Tuakora, and Ching Valdes-Aran. And André De Shields is Hermes. Special thanks to Calvin Samuel Blanch, Elliot Byler, Sam Chavrichs, Adrienne Hopkins, Caroline Hopkins, and Natalie Hopkins. The TEAM’s Producing Director is Alexandra Lalonde, and Producing Manager is Laura Elliot.  We had casting support from Melissa Friedman of Epic Theater Ensemble. Our writer is Nathan Yungerberg.  Tessa Zitter is assistant producer and Yonatan Rekem is assistant editor.  Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Live from Mount Olympus music was composed by Magdalini Giannikou, edited, mixed, and mastered by Luca Bordonaro, and performed by Banda Magda. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is our series humor consultant. Michael Kendrick is Program Director for Onassis USA.  Marketing and social media management by Karina Grudnikov and Caroline English.  Press by Blake Zidell.  Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org.
Persephone 2: Where is My Daughter?
26-04-2022
Persephone 2: Where is My Daughter?
When she hears Persephone’s cry, Demeter runs to the meadow where Artemis and Athena are searching for their friend.  But Persephone has completely disappeared. Demeter turns to Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, magic, and the night, for help.  Together they stop Helios from taking the sun across the sky until he tells them what he knows.  It’s worse than Demeter had feared.  While Demeter mourns, the earth withers. Combining the artistry of foremost contemporary theater-makers with the timeless stories of Greek myth and the imaginative power of audio, Live from Mount Olympus is an adventure for tweens and families of all ages. This podcast is a production of the Onassis Foundation. The richly imagined audio drama is created and produced by Peabody Award-winning showrunner Julie Burstein, co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theater ensemble The TEAM, and directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet) and Keenan Tyler Oliphant (Associate Director of Hadestown and director of PlayCo’s upcoming U.S. premiere of Ebru Nihan Celkan’s Will You Come with Me?). Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX.  Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include: Kayla Bennett, Eric Berryman, Vinie Burrows, Jaaliyah Casey, Divine Garland, Mari Harris, Joanne Hernandez, Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, Anna Kendrick, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Kimberly Marable, Nehemia Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Isabella Rossellini, Kristen Sieh, Nidra Sous la Terre, Eierene Tuakora, and Ching Valdes-Aran. And André De Shields is Hermes. Special thanks to Calvin Samuel Blanch, Elliot Byler, Sam Chavrichs, Adrienne Hopkins, Caroline Hopkins, and Natalie Hopkins. The TEAM’s Producing Director is Alexandra Lalonde, and Producing Manager is Laura Elliot.  We had casting support from Melissa Friedman of Epic Theater Ensemble. Our writer is Nathan Yungerberg.  Tessa Zitter is assistant producer and Yonatan Rekem is assistant editor.  Audio production and mix by John Melillo.   Live from Mount Olympus music was composed by Magdalini Giannikou, with help from Luca Bordonaro, and performed by Banda Magda. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is our series humor consultant. Michael Kendrick is Program Director for Onassis USA.  Marketing and social media management by Karina Grudnikov and Caroline English.  Press by Blake Zidell.  Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio.  Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org.
Persephone 3: Are You Kidnapping Me?
03-05-2022
Persephone 3: Are You Kidnapping Me?
Wrenched out of the sunlit meadow, Persephone confronts Hades, ruler of the underworld, and his three-headed dog, the terrifying yet strangely affectionate Cerberus.  Persephone runs away from Hades’ gloomy palace, but learns there is no way home. Combining the artistry of foremost contemporary theater-makers with the timeless stories of Greek myth and the imaginative power of audio, Live from Mount Olympus is an adventure for tweens and families of all ages. This podcast is a production of the Onassis Foundation. The bold and original audio drama is created and produced by Peabody Award-winning showrunner Julie Burstein, co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theater ensemble The TEAM, and directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet) and Keenan Tyler Oliphant (Associate Director of Hadestown and director of PlayCo’s upcoming U.S. premiere of Ebru Nihan Celkan’s Will You Come with Me?). Karen Brooks Hopkins is the executive producer. Live from Mount Olympus is presented by TRAX from PRX.  Find out more at Onassis.link/Olympus Our actors include: Kayla Bennett, Eric Berryman, Vinie Burrows, Jaaliyah Casey, Divine Garland, Mari Harris, Joanne Hernandez, Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, Anna Kendrick, Libby King, Ian Lassiter, Zhailon Levingston, Christina Liberus, Kimberly Marable, Nehemia Luckett, Jake Margolin, James Harrison Monaco, Isabella Rossellini, Kristen Sieh, Nidra Sous la Terre, Eierene Tuakora, and Ching Valdes-Aran. And André De Shields is Hermes. Special thanks to Calvin Samuel Blanch, Elliot Byler, Sam Chavrichs, Adrienne Hopkins, Caroline Hopkins, and Natalie Hopkins. The TEAM’s Producing Director is Alexandra Lalonde, and Producing Manager is Laura Elliot.  We had casting support from Melissa Friedman of Epic Theater Ensemble. Our writer is Nathan Yungerberg.  Tessa Zitter is assistant producer and Yonatan Rekem is assistant editor.  Audio production and mix by John Melillo.   Live from Mount Olympus music was composed by Magdalini Giannikou, with help from Luca Bordonaro, and performed by Banda Magda. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is our series humor consultant. Michael Kendrick is Program Director for Onassis USA.  Marketing and social media management by Karina Grudnikov and Caroline English.  Press by Blake Zidell.  Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio.  Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org.