About

About Audio Theatre Central

An Overview

Audio Theatre Central is a podcast and blog where we explore family-friendly audio drama through news, reviews, and interviews with cast and crew. Audio drama critic, J.D. Sutter, and a rotating cast of co-hosts and blog contributors discuss new releases and updates from series such as Lamplighter Theatre, Adventures in Odyssey, Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, Heirloom Audio, Brinkman Adventures, and Jonathan Park. They will also introduce you to the work of other producers that the team thinks you'll enjoy and address industry topics that are of interest to the fanbase. On the show, you’ll hear in-depth reviews, interviews with cast and crew, and all the latest news in the world of family-friendly audio drama. The Audio Theatre Central podcast is a production of Porchlight Family Media.

The Full Story

When it began in 2010, the podcast was hosted by J.D., Roy, and Andrew, who were all huge audio drama fans and had been for many years. Adventures in Odyssey was one of the first radio dramas that they ever experienced, and they were hooked from then on. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre came along several years after AIO, and this series was also a huge hit. Just a little before ATC launched, Lamplighter Theatre was introduced to listeners around the world, and the guys were instant fans.

In terms of acting, production, sound design, …well, frankly, in all points, J.D., Roy, and Andrew felt that these three drama series were the most superb dramas being produced. Therefore, the Audio Theatre Central podcast started out primarily focusing on them and referred to them as The Top 3. But not too much later, Heirloom Audio launched The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty, and then independent producers began producing some very high-quality shows as well, so the scope of Audio Theatre Central expanded to begin covering more great audio dramas. At the end of 2022, Andrew and Roy stepped back from co-hosting the podcast, and now J.D. hosts the show with a rotating cast of guest hosts who join him for reviews.

On this audio drama industry podcast, you will hear the following about the big, professional shows in the space:

• Commentary and reviews on recent episodes
• Exclusive interviews with cast and crew
• Behind the scenes info
• News on upcoming releases
• Any other tidbits that we can find

Additionally, the podcast will offer information regarding any other audio dramas that are family-friendly and have reasonably good quality in acting and production. The purpose is to stimulate conversation/discussion among fans of the audio drama medium, give them a more in-depth look into the production of these great shows, and have a great time while doing it. If you love good audio drama, then Audio Theatre Central, the premier podcast for fans and creatives of family-friendly audio drama, is for you!

Curious about the clips we use in our show segment transitions? You can find all the details in this spreadsheet.

About The Host

J.D. Sutter

J.D. Sutter is the founder of Porchlight Family Media, a media production network whose aim is to be Your Source for Family Centered Content. J.D. was born in The City of Roses, also known as Portland, Oregon. Since his birth, he has lived in 14 different cities in 5 states. He currently resides in The Valley of the Sun. 

J.D. is the host and producer of the Audio Theatre Central podcast and editor of the blog. A lifelong fan of audio drama, he is an industry critic who has guest lectured and spoken at conferences on the subject. J.D. is also a voiceover artist, podcast consultant, and chair of the ATC Seneca Awards, the annual awards for the family-friendly audio drama industry.

In addition to his work with Porchlight Family Media, he also enjoys reading, listening to great music, and eating. He blogs about technology, content creation, and anything else that pops into his head at jdsutter.me.

Random Facts About JD: His ice cream flavor of choice is vanilla, he is a coffee lover, and he enjoys camping and the outdoors.

See all JD's posts

Our Contributors

Austin Peachey

Austin Peachey is a die-hard reader and audio drama fan. He ran the Adventures in Odyssey Blog for over 12 years and has produced a few audio dramas of his own, including FaithFilled Stories. He's also helped work on the 2nd edition of The Official Guide to Odyssey and is a member of the Audio Drama Alliance.

See all Austin's posts

Joah Pearson

Joah Pearson is an audio drama junky residing in the Goober State. He and his nine younger siblings have grown up on OG Jonathan Park and FOTF Radio Theatre - with a smattering of AIO and a good dose of Lamplighter Theatre. If he's not listening to audio drama, he's probably starting a new book instead of finishing the 19 others he already started.

See all Joah's posts

Michael Schroeder

Michael Schroeder has been passionate about stories and writing since he was a child. Through helping with short, audio drama skits, acting, and personal writing projects, Michael grew in his love for all things story. He attended the Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines in New York several years in a row to get creative training from masters within the world of Christian audio drama. He resides in Northern Colorado and has been involved in writing, Bible studies, and teaching voice acting with Lost Marbles Theatrics.

See all Michael's posts

Robert Thacker

Robert Thacker worked on his first audio drama when he was six years old (using one of those nifty player/recorder cassette combos - iykyk).  Since then he has been a sound designer and special effects technician for live theatre.  In his free time he writes novels and scripts, hikes up the tallest mountains he can find, and rolls around on Heelys (usually without even falling)

See all Robert's posts

Christopher Green

Christopher Green is a passionate storyteller who enjoys working in various mediums, such as audio dramas, comics, and video. He has experience in multiple roles, including producer, writer, sound designer, actor, cinematographer, editor, and illustrator. Some of his projects include creating and producing "Shadows & Daylight," show developer and head writer for "Greenhorn Tales," and founding the Audio Drama Alliance.

In his free time, Christopher loves exploring new culinary experiences and taking walks with his wife, Hannah.

To learn more about his storytelling projects and find storytelling tips, visit storiesbychrisgreen.weebly.com.

See all Christopher's posts

About Our Former Co-Hosts

Andrew Jones

Andrew was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and from a very early age, he has been exposed to audio drama in many forms from Adventures in Odyssey to the dramatizations of Louis L'Amour’s writings. He has always been fond of stories and enjoys discussing them and listening to them. Therefore, when JD approached Andrew about becoming a host on Audio Theatre Central, he jumped at the chance to discuss these audio dramas. In addition to work on Porchlight Family Media, Andrew is an avid reader and a lover of Southern Gospel music. Also, and this should come as no surprise, he is a great fan of old-time radio and almost any other form of audio drama to be found on this planet.

Random Facts About Andrew: Math is his favorite subject, he's currently teaching math and science high school classes, and he sings high tenor in a quartet. Just kidding. Actually, it's bass. And he loves Italian food.

Roy Allison

Roy has worked as recording engineer and editor for Audio Theatre Central as well as sound designer and foley artist for Porchlight Family Media's audio dramas. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona and now currently resides in Glendale, Arizona. He enjoys recording and producing good Christian media, along with going to church, spending time with family and friends, eating Asian food, and listening to southern gospel music and audio dramas.

Random Facts About Roy: He likes to go kayaking and spelunking. His favorite number is 4.

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