Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Magin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hi! My name is Phillip Magin. From an early age, I was always fascinated with the arts, entertainment, or just using creativity as a way to nurture my boredom. From writing and drawing comic books to starting my own newspaper called “The Daily Phil” in elementary school, I’ve always been hungry to create and try different things.
I started performing after nabbing what might still be the most competitive audition of my life- the role of “The Emperor” in “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at Solana Vista Elementary School when I was in third grade. I’ve been performing ever since, in youth theatre productions, high school, and now in college. (You can see me next in Macbeth at Coronado Playhouse this October).
I did a lot of filmmaking growing up, and I continue to do so. Some of the films I made with friends were in film festivals. I wrote, directed, and produced two shows for the San Diego International Fringe Festival in 2016 and 2017 (under the production company name “Pump Pictures”). The shows were “Lady Windermere’$ FAM” and “Fulcrum”, where we received reviews in San Diego Story and the San Diego Union Tribune.
In early February 2018, I started doing a radio show on KCR College Radio at San Diego State University, with my co-host Tom Block. I came up with the name for it: Mainstage Mavericks, describing ourselves and the people we’d have on the show. People that push the mold of what it means to be a creator or a performer taking center stage in the world. On the show, we recorded radio plays, discussed theatre and film-related topics, and had people on to interview. This summer, I’ve taken full reign for the show while Tom is back home in Sacramento.
For the new one-hour show format, I’ve taken the liberty of having many people on the show and talking to them. My interviews are like a chat: I talk to them about themselves and their lives and I chime in about myself and how we’re similar or involved in the same types of things.
I’ve gotten to interview filmmakers, actors, authors, directors, who have all proven to be incredible people. My hope with the show is to get higher profile guests and continue to build my reputation. Mainstage Mavericks is not just a radio show, but also a new Theatre and Film company (replacing my earlier one “Pump Pictures”). The company has most recently co-produced a short film, titled “All Too Well” (which I co-star in) directed by Safi Jafri, which is in the process of being submitted to film festivals.
I hope soon to direct a feature-length theatrical production under the Mainstage Mavericks moniker. I want to continue to build our brand the best way we can. Our handles for Instagram and Facebook and YouTube are @mainstagemavericks. We hope to get inspiring people on our show and feel free to DM us directly if you feel you should be interviewed.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Pursuing a successful career in the arts is a shot in a dark for many people. I’ve had many peaks and valleys throughout my young life, but throughout the passage of time I’m learning more things and gaining more prosperous connections that were not present before.
I had a lisp when I was younger. I had to attend speech a couple days a week from Kindergarten to Third Grade. I remember showing off to my parents that I could say “Pirate” and hit the “R’s” in the word, versus my usual word “Piwate”. My favorite film growing up was “Pirates of the Cawwibean”. Elmer Fudd’s got nothing on me.
I overcame it through and nabbed the lead role in the Third Grade play three months after “graduating” speech therapy class. I got a cherry dr. pepper at the ceremony too, not bad.
Three years ago while performing in a show at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, I tore my meniscus from doing power slides on the stage. I shouldn’t really have been doing them in the first place, but I was always the creative type. It required surgery and taught me to take better care of myself as a physical performer.
While at San Diego State University, I appeared in several short films that were hit and miss but proved rewarding by learning about what kind of people I work best with. This year, I’ve had at least ten unsuccessful auditions before I landed a role in Macbeth at Coronado Playhouse.
To audition for a show, to get a callback, and then to not get cast is a frustration that every actor faces many times in their career. Of course, the only remedy is to keep going and not look back. I’ve gained a lot of grit this year as well as no longer being afraid of auditions.
I made a decision to not put up another show at the San Diego International Fringe Festival this year. It was a tough decision, but without the right people attached to make it work and with script changes that were being delayed, I thought it best to not put a product that wasn’t my best out there and sacrifice my artistic integrity.
For the radio show, we’ve had cancellations and missteps with trying to get guests on the show and figuring out the technology behind it all, whilst improving upon branding and figuring out what we’re trying to do (also, learning you can’t curse on the live radio because there could be fines).
The college environment is hard. You’re going to meet all kinds of people who are similar to you or not and you learn how to work well with others. You’re going to meet people who preparing an interview beforehand is essential, and finding ways to get answers out of guests if the conversation goes null and it seems every topic has been covered.
There’s going to be SO many more obstacles I’m going to face that will turn into challenges depending on how I react to them. Life is not easy but if you take it day by day and take in everything that’s great about it, little blips like not getting a role or a frustration with technicalities won’t hamper your day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mainstage Mavericks – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Mainstage Mavericks is a Theatre, Film, and Radio company. Currently known primarily known for our radio show, currently every Monday evening from 7-8 PM on the KCR College Radio Page on www.tunein.com
The show specializes in interviews with people in the Theatre/Film/Art/Entertainment world and Radio Plays, casting students from San Diego State University.
We’re different from other radio shows at SDSU because of the uniqueness and niche of our subjects. We’re not catering to everybody but to people that would have an interest in learning about unique individuals in the arts who are worth knowing, especially in the thriving San Diego community.
I’m really proud of the guests we’ve gotten on the show, such as Richard Baird, Amanda Schaar, Sebastian Slovin, John Tessmer, and many others. I hope to get more and more great guests in the future.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I plan to get higher profile guests on the show by networking and reaching out to people as best as I can. I want to produce a theatrical production under our brand name, and produce it at San Diego State University or at the San Diego International Fringe Festival.
Currently, in development, a short film titled “The Prince of Del Mar” is underway and is directed and written by myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tunein.com/radio/KCR-College-Radio-s24879/
- Email: mainstagemavericks@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mainstagemavericks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mainstagemavericks/
Image Credit:
Phillip Magin, Susan Farese
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
