Built For The Stage Podcast: Recent Episodes
Broadway Podcast Network
Host Joe Rosko founded Built for the Stage with the goal of creating a bridge for the theatre community that would transport actors from the initial discomfort of how to workout to a guided experience to train like the true actor-athlete they are. This podcast is all about theatre, inspiration, laughs, and some fitness. Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
Scott Stangland / @scottstangland on getting through the tough times within the theatre industry: "I think dreaming gets a bad wrap. There's an element of being a dreamer and hopeful... Listen, i have negative streaks in me too. There are days i think, this city is beating me up and what's the point. But, I guess ultimately it's just a matter of choosing your focus." SCOTT STANGLAND is a New York-based actor and musician. Broadway: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Pierre); Once (Eamon). Off-Broadway: Cyrano (New Group). Select TV: The Blacklist (FOX); The Deuce (HBO); Wu Tang (Hulu); New Amsterdam (NBC). Scott also plays in the band Youth in a Roman Field. IG/Twitter: @scottstangland
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Clyde Voce / @clyde.voce What Clyde credits some of his consistent success in this tough industry: "Make mistakes. I make mistakes all the time. I have no problem being wrong. It's gonna happen anyway."
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Tinovimbanashe Sibanda / @tino_naledi "I had to decide that there's something that I had to tell as well. Then I just put my mind to absorbing and learning. I could still learn, but I also had something to offer. I used to stand behind these giants in my eyes and copy them and try to figure out what they were doing that helped them so much. So the imposter syndrome was still definitely there when I started. I just had to decide I deserved to be there." Currently Appearing in Guys and Dolls at The Bridge theatre Other Theatre credits include: Ensemble/ Cover La Chocolat in Moulin Rouge( Piccadilly Theatre); Swing/ Dance Captain in Hairspray (London Coliseum) Dance Captain / Swing in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe; Dance Captain / Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican Centre); Ensemble in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre); Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre); Ensemble in Dick Whittington (National Theatre) Ensemble in Cinderella (Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury); Ensemble in Peter Pan (Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury)
Workshop: Back to the Future: The Musical Insta : tino_naledi & Ezomgido (Creative page) https://builtforthestage.com/ - fill out the form and ask about our next fitness challenge! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kristina Leopold / @tinapold24 - "With basketball specifically, I was always stealing the ball. That’s what I did, so even still, my parents when I was younger, would say, “Swipe that ball,” because that would kind of ignite a different energy that would come out of me. Even if you scroll back to my text messages from my parents, as I was walking into the audition room for SIX, I have a text from my mom that says, “Swipe that ball.”" KRISTINA LEOPOLD she/her (Alternate), originally from LA, is stoked to be making her Broadway debut with the Queendom! Select credits: Festival of the Lion King (Nala and Storyteller/Rafiki, Hong Kong Disneyland), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier, Broadway at the Gardens), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda, The California Theatre). Romans 13:12. @tinapold24 Book Reference: Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Beals
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Ian Campayno / @icampayno - "It will happen. You just have to be committed to sticking with it. Nothing will ever really be handed to you. There are times now when I wanna just quit. They’re always gonna be moments when things seem unfair or they seem like they should’ve gone another way that is out of your control. So all you can really do is go into an audition room and be your absolute best and be your true self. And if you’re not what they’re looking for, you’re not what they’re looking for and that has absolutely nothing to do with you as a person, or as a performer.”
Bio - Thrilled to be back on Broadway in Some Like It Hot! Broadway: Mary Poppins Off-Broadway: Trip of Love Tours: Something Rotten!, Chicago, Mary Poppins TV/Film: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Lovestruck: The Musical Regional: Arvada Center, NSMT, Ogunquit Playhouse, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse. BFA Shenandoah Conservatory.
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Traci Lee / @tracelaine - "I know I love to move my body and I’m much better when I move my body. I do it every day intentionally. And because of it, I know for sure my voice is better, my show is better, and more connected to anything I have to do on stage."
Traci Lee is a Dallas, Texas native and pumped to be making her Broadway Debut at The Nederlander Theatre in Shucked! National Tour: Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (First National), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (First National). Off-Broadway: safeword. TV/Radio/Voiceover: Whataburger, Indeed, Aflac. BFA Musical Theatre - SHSU. “Endless gratitude to my family, my village & my team at Avalon Artists Group.” IG: @tracelaine
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Matt Gillett / @mattdgillett is a dance captain for the production of Frozen on the West End in London!
Swing / Assistant Dance Captain / Understudy Oaken and King Agnarr
Place of Birth: Sussex, England.
Training: Arts Educational.
Theatre: Matilda (UK tour); 42nd Street (Theatre Du Chatelet); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour); Jersey Boys (UK tour); Hairspray, Gypsy and Hello Dolly! (Curve Theatre); Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre); West Side Story (Sage Gateshead); White Christmas (UK tour / Edinburgh); Ultimate Broadway (Shanghai); Dames At Sea (Union Theatre); Sleeping Beauty (Wyvern Theatre Swindon); Broadway To West End (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).
Television: BBC Proms – The Broadway Sound.
Other: 2011 Olivier Awards (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ross Carpenter / @rosscarpenteruk has recently finished in the West End cast of THE BOOK OF MORMON as Elder Davis and playing the title role in PETER PAN at the Opera House Manchester.
Credits include: Angel in Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Elder Grant in The Book Of Mormon (West End), Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever (MMP/Guernsey) & Ensemble/Cover Bertie in Mrs Henderson Presents (Toronto).
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Anna Woodside / @annawoodside is currently the dance captain for the West End production of Frozen!
More on Anna: Theatre: White Christmas and We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre); Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre); Man Of La Mancha, Sunset Boulevard, Carousel and The Wizard Of Oz (London Coliseum); Dick Whittington (London Palladium); The Last Tango (Phoenix Theatre); Cats (London Palladium / Wintergarden, Blackpool); Dance ‘Til Dawn (Aldwych Theatre / UK tour); My Fair Lady (Sheffield Crucible); Candide (Osaka / Tokyo); Shall We Dance (Sadler’s Wells); Guys And Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre); Never Forget (UK tour); Peter Pan (Birmingham Hippodrome); Saturday Night Fever (Victoria Apollo, UK tour / Germany); Fame! (Edinburgh Playhouse / Larnaca, Cyprus); Starlight Express (Victoria Apollo).
Television: The Royal Variety Performance (ITV); Parkinson (ITV); Blue Peter (BBC). Film: Artemis Fowl; The Goodbye Girl.
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Joshua Rivera / @shuarivera is currently the dance captain in the Hamilon Germany cast! Joshua was the first person in the world to perform in Hamilton in TWO languages! Listen to his journey on this episode of Built for the Stage Podcast!
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Amanda Lindgren / @amandili was previously seen as Anne Boleyn in SIX on the West End in London!
More on Amanda: Amanda graduated from Base23, ‘Stockholm Musical Education’ in Sweden in 2015. Her recent credits include Cover Liat and Ensemble in South Pacific (Chichester Festival Theatre); Ensemble in Cabaret (Gothenburg Opera House, Sweden). Other stage credits include: Cover Tuptim and Ensemble in The King and I (U.K. and International Tour); Cover Gigi and Ensemble in Miss Saigon (U.K. and International Tour); Ensemble in We Will Rock You (Royal Arena Copenhagen, Denmark); Ensemble in Spring Awakening (Stockholm City Theatre, Sweden). Amanda had a leading role in the TV-gala for the 70th birthday of Queen Silvia of Sweden and has participated in several TV-shows and commercials in Sweden. This is Amanda's West End debut and she is thrilled to be one of the Queens in SIX.
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Ben Irish / @bencirish, from Portsmouth, England, currently can be seen as Pabbie in the West End production of Frozen!
Training: Arts Educational
Theatre: 9to5 The Musical (Savoy Theatre, London); Guys and Dolls (The Mill at Sonning); The Toxic Avenger (Arts Theatre, London); GHOST The Musical (Asia tour); Sasha Regan’s All Male HMS Pinafore (UK tour); Ultimate Broadway (Shanghai Culture Square); Sasha Regan’s All Male Pirates of Penzance (UK Tour); Cinderella (Stag Theatre); Great British Musicals (St James Theatre); Dick Whittington (Grove Theatre); West End Heroes (Dominion Theatre); 42nd Street Gala (London Palladium); Three Composers, Three Countries (Landor Theatre); Cinderella (Wakefield Theatre Royal); London the Summer Musical (Sunway Amphitheater, Malaysia); Snow White (Grand Theatre Blackpool); Broadway to Westend (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Jack and the Beanstalk (Malvern Theatre).
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Romy Vuksan / @romyvuksan trained from a young age in all aspects of the performing arts at The Ritz Performing Arts Centre. Originally from Brisbane, Romy moved to Melbourne in 2013 and was awarded a full scholarship to Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance.
Since graduating the Full Time Course in 2014, Romy has gone from strength to strength as a performer, working within many facets of the industry, whilst also exploring her leadership skills as a member of various creative teams.
Most recently, Romy was Dance Captain for David Venn Enterprises hit national tour of ‘The Wedding Singer’, and Assistant Choreographer to Michael Ralph on James Terry’s ‘Legally Blonde’. She has worked alongside some of Australia’s best choreographers including Kelley Abbey, The Squared Division, Yvette Lee, Michael Ralph, Marko Panzic, Chris Horsey and Jason Coleman. Other performing credits include originating a lead role for Tony award-winner Warren Carlyle on ‘Havana!’, ‘Immersive Cinemas: ‘Dirty Dancing’, Resident Choreographer for ‘Legends In Concert’ from Las Vegas, ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ for The Production Company. Her TV credits include Channel 10’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘The Masked Singer’, as well as dancing for artists such as Tones and I, Guy Sebastian, Red Foo and Dami Im.
Romy is incredibly humbled to be taking on the position of Dance Captain/Swing, and to have the opportunity to be a part of sharing this powerful and iconic production of 'Jagged Little Pill.'
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Julius Thomas III / @juliusthomas3 recently ended his time with Hamilton where he played the title character, Alexander Hamilton.
Julius Thomas III is a NAACP Theatre award Nominated actor from Gary, In. He stars as Alexander Hamilton in the smash hit musical, Hamilton. He is one half of the critically acclaimed entertainment team, The Kings of Soul & Swing. Recently Julius has appeared as the lead of the mega box office hit, Motown: The Musical, as Berry Gordy. TV appearances include Modern Family, Sesame Street, Odd Mom Out, The Capitol Fourth Celebration, and more. His resume boasts 4 Broadway Show, 6 Broadway National Tours, and a host of Regional Theatre appearances. As a teaching artist, Julius has given lectures, master classes, and private lessons to students of Wichita State University, Indiana University, Cal State Fullerton, Southern Methodist University, and more. A passionate fan of the arts, Julius prides himself on passing on what he’s learned to the performers of today, and tomorrow.
http://www.juliusthomas3.com/
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Sophie Naglik / @sophienaglik
Sophie Naglik plays Jennifer Parker in the West End production of Back to the Future. In addition to Sophie starting at an early age in the West End's, Matilda, she also began a journey of becoming an amazing singer-song writer. See more below!
Sophie on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4C8VdnWpDiTdPb36b14PII?si=nqx8kBxwR1-LMaNNQzyWJQ
Sophie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sophienaglik
Sophie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sophienaglik/
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Josh Breckenridge / @j.breckenridge.music
Josh Breckenridge is a Southern California native. Joshua Russell Breckenridge began writing music in his early high school years. He left the warmth of the west to earn a BFA from The University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music where he became the recipient of the Laurie Beechman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Performance. Upon graduation Josh traveled further east to New York City to pursue his passion for performance. After three short months J. made his broadway debut and has since enjoyed a colorfully consistent career in the arts as an actor - singer - dancer on Broadway, Film and Television. He can be seen most recently on the 2020-21 season of The Blacklist (CBS), Blue Bloods (NBC), FBI (CBS) and American Rust (Showtime). Josh also performed as a Principal Singer on NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast (2021) and was in Broadway's Tony Award Winning show Come From Away. Throughout his career, he's worked alongside legendary musical talents like Huey Lewis, The Scissor Sisters and David Bryant of Bon Jovi. Josh is in Broadway Podcast Network's original audio comedy, Rolling Calls.
Whether east or west, J. Breckenridge has discovered that home is where the ART is, planting firm roots in the craft of storytelling, with acclaimed, diverse talents branching widely across entertainment mediums. Out of tragedy indeed comes beauty. One positive outcome of his Covid quarantine is that it allowed an opportunity to focus on this long awaited music venture. MONOTONY's beat was born from this humdrum state of absolute isolation.
www.j-breckenridge.com
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TANVI VIRMANI / @tanvi_virmani_ Training: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2022. Theatre Includes: The Tempest (Bath Theatre Royal) This is Tanvi’s West End debut in Life of Pi.
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Jeff Gorti / @jeffgorti
Jeff Gorti grew up in North Philly where his love for the performing arts began in the dance studio. Jeff began training in his youth with The Rock School and The Princeton Ballet in Philadelphia. Growing up in Philly as a multi-racial kid, he quickly learned the power of his heritage and began using it to fuel his storytelling. Jeff went on to study Theatre with a minor in Dance at Point Park University Conservatory of the Performing Arts, in Pittsburgh, PA.
While attending Point Park University, he was able to make connections at the Pittsburgh CLO, where he received his equity card and performed in CLO's production of "Damn Yankees". A few of Jeff's favorite credits include "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" at The MUNY, "The Wiz" at Broadway Sacramento Playhouse, and "A Chorus Line" at Signature Theatre where Jeff was humbled to have received the 2020 Helen Hayes Award for Best Supporting Actor
https://www.jeffgorti.com/
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Colin Barkell / @colinbarkell
Colin Barkell saw the VHS of River Dance at a young age and the rest is history. His love for Irish dancing led to him touring the country. While on tour he learned to play guitar which birthed the start of his career in music. Due to his abilities in both Irish dancing and music, he found himself making his Broadway debut in Paradise Square. Listen for more on this week's episode!
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Lina Lee / @linalee512
Originally born in Seoul, South Korea, Lina Lee moved to the states when she was about 5 years old living in NOVA just outside of DC. Born to parents in the music industry, Lina started singing as soon as she started to speak. She picked up her first guitar in elementary school, playing along to the country music radio. She danced throughout her teenage years, training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. After grade school, she headed to the happiest place on earth, James Madison University, studying musical theatre, dance, classical voice, acting, directing/choreography, and physical theatre while also competing on the JMU Competition Cheerleading team. She graduated in May 2015 with a B.A. in Theatre and Dance. She is now working out of NYC.
Lina spent her first year out of school performing all over the U.S. including Tennessee, Louisville, Tampa, New York, and Oregon. Shortly after moving back to NYC, she joined the cast of the Tony nominated Broadway revival, Miss Saigon.
In her spare time, Lina enjoys photography (linaleephotography.com), yoga, snacking (special skills include being able to eat two Chipotle burritos in one sitting), singing with her much more talented baby brother, and binging procedural shows with her wiener dog Churro.
www.linalee.com
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Krystal Joy Brown/ @krystaljoybrown
Krystal Joy Brown is currently starring as Eliza in Hamilton on Broadway where she stops the show each night with mid-song applause during her big number, “Burn”! Aside from this role, she can be seen in season 2 of Power Book III: Raising Kanan which premiered on August 14th on STARZ. Krystal plays Renée Timmons who is an anger management therapist. She can also be seen in the upcoming Hallmark film, "Girlfriendship" premiering on October 1st.
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NNAMDI K. NWANKWO / @nnamdinwankwo
NNAMDI K. NWANKWO (man in orange) (he/him) is a Chicago-based actor, singer, director, and writer. As a versatile performer, he has performed in various genres of performance like opera, musical theatre, theatre, film, commercial, and voiceover. Recent engagements include “Once on this Island” at Town Hall Arts Center for which he received a Henry Award nomination for Outstanding Actor, and the world premiere of critically acclaimed “Elephant” at Benchmark Theatre as well as workshopping Intelligence, a new opera by American operatic composer/librettist duo, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer, with Eklund Opera’s New Opera Workshop.”
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Leslie Blake Walker / @leslieblakewalker has been crawling to the Broadway stage since being an infant. Learn more about Leslie below and please share this episode with a friend!
From Leslie: It all began on the night I was born; the night that Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear in an epic and legendary battle in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holding his severed ear, Holyfield climbs into his limousine and heads to Sunrise Hospital where only a few floors above him, I was being brought into this world! The newspaper headline from that hot summer day read “Tyson Bites Twice!”, so you could say I grew up accustomed to dramatics. After my exciting early childhood in Vegas my family moved to Missouri where my love for musical theatre flourished. I was a competitive dancer, as well as a member of my high school show choir (national champs babyyy!). I knew I wanted to pursue my passion as a career after spending nine summers in a row at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, a summer stock 45-minutes away from my home town. I chose to get my BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School, and after graduating I made the big move to the big city! Myself and my long legs now reside in Manhattan, where I am currently making my Broadway debut in the revival of Funny Girl! My favorite color is cerulean, I am an expert on Beatles trivia, and on a normal Friday night you can find me eating Ben & Jerry’s and watching The Office on Peacock. leslieblakewalker.com/
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Joe Rosko / @builtforthestage is talkin' goals!!! How to best accomplish them.
Joe Rosko grew up as a 3-sport athlete, theatre kid that eventually majored in musical theatre and played Division 1 college football at the same time. This life of sports and theatre led him to creating Built for the Stage, Broadway's #1 Fitness Platform. Listen in to our 150th episode to get to know more about Joe and BFTS!
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JChris joins us on episode 171! Don't miss JChris's 54 Below show coming up on Sept. 18th! Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer Chris Urquiaga, known as JChris, is lauded for his exciting performance energy and smooth voice. Hailed as “…the next big thing” by Metro Weekly magazine, this Latin pop virtuoso is internationally recognized for his pop compositions which are laced with Latin, Afro and Brazilian influences. His music explores themes of gender fluidity and queer culture. Chris started playing piano at the age of 7 and started playing at churches at the age of 9. During Chris’ childhood years, his performance experiences as a soloist and with choral and instrumental ensembles brewed an interest in composition. Throughout high school and college, Chris developed a desire to tell his own story through his own music. After studying composition at the Eastman School of Music, Chris became highly active as a singer-songwriter, releasing indie pop albums under the stage name Chris Urquiaga. Chris’ desire to deepen his connection with and express his Brazilian, Peruvian and gay identity, led him a new direction. In 2020, Chris rebranded himself as an urban Latin artist under the stage name JChris. As JChris, he has already seen great success with the release of his singles. His 2021 single, Caliente (featuring major Latin artist Naldo Benny), has reached over 1 million views on YouTube. Chris’ Spotify channel has over 500,000 streams. As a gay Latino artist, Chris had the honor of presenting his own headlining concert at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC entitled Latin Music Night, featuring guest artists from Broadway and Television. New York is a city that Chris has fallen in love with. In October 2021, he made his Off-Broadway debut performing his original music at the Triad Theatre for a play entitled Dig Deep. Choral music has followed Chris for most of his life, giving him experience as a conductor, composer, accompanist, guest vocalist and clinician. In 2022, Chris became the Assistant Director for Grace Chorale of Brooklyn, working with his colleague and Artistic Director, Jason Asbury. Music education is something that Chris deeply values, as it changed his life for the better. In New York, Chris is a music teacher at the prestigious Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, teaching vocal and instrumental music to middle school and high school students. In 2022, Chris was the professor and curator for the Arts Conservatory For Teens’ singer-songwriter program in St. Petersburg, Florida. Chris was entrusted with the task of developing and directing the conservatory’s singer-songwriter program for its very first season. On top of working with such incredible industry professionals, Chris shows his support for the LGBTQ+ community through his continued involvement with local organizations. Chris was selected as the featured artist to perform at the 2021 Capital Pride Walk and Rally, for thousands of spectators and distinguished guests including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Chris also shows his support for the LGBTQ+ community with his own drag persona, Cara Linda. Cara Linda first made an appearance in the 2020 music video for “Ya Yo Te Olvidé” and continues to make appearances via her personal Instagram page and Chris’s TikTok. Chris is currently composing a musical comedy about gentrification called “Mr. Manhattan!” with lyricist Jordan Silver in New York City. The musical’s protagonist, like Chris, is also of Brazilian and Peruvian descent. Learn more about JChris at jchrisofficial.com. Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tia Altinay / @tiaaltinay
Tia Altinay is currently starring as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway! Tia was also seen on Broadway in A Christmas Story and Mary Poppins. Tia shares her amazing story and gives us all the inspiration we needed on knowing your worth and going for it! If you liked the episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah Sigman / @sarahsigman_ Sarah Sigman recently made her Broadway debut in MJ the Musical! Credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (national tour), On Your Feet! (The Muny), Chicago (national tour). Regional: A Chorus Line (Cape), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (ARLT). Dance Lab NY. Get to know Sarah in this very fun episode as she shares her inspiring story!
Sarah's dance reel: youtu.be/lceGLVGIr5g
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Alexa Magro / @alexa_magro
Alexa Magro is currently travelling the country with The Prom tour! More from Alexa! I am a New York City based actor, dancer, singer, and voiceover artist originally from The Woodlands, Texas (Houston Metro). As a youngster, after giving up my short-lived dream of being a mail carrier, it was clear that I was better suited for a career in the entertainment industry.
I competed my first tap solo at the age of five and for the next six years, I found much success in the dance competition and convention circuit through my passion, dedication, and tenacity. At age eleven, I had to put dancing on hold for a year and a half as I recovered from surgery. During that time, I took interest in acting and singing and began my training at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) education academy, The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. During my time at TUTS, I was given the opportunity to perform in a number of mainstage productions. I learned a tremendous amount from all the artists I had the good fortune of working with, and the experiences/exposure served as the ultimate learning ground.
I am currently in my Senior year in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment program at The University of Arizona as a part-time student. Completing the remainder of my education online is giving me the flexibility to pursue performance opportunities while living in NYC.
Some of my simple joys include family, fitness, nature walks, coffee, John Mayer, volunteering, word searches, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, and ethnic foods.
https://www.alexamagro.com/
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Tim Dolan / @broadwayupclose
Tim Dolan lives a life that is an example for the power of passion, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of the arts. What started as an idea, evolved into a masterful business in the face of one adversity after the other. Listen to our story to be inspired by Tim's unwavering pursuit to fulfill a dream.
At Broadway Up Close we strive to give you a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway, utilizing the 41 iconic Broadway theaters as the framework to tell our stories. Incorporating rare photos and videos displayed on iPads, our Green Team of actors and stage managers will share architectural oddities, ghost stories, anecdotes, fun facts, and more!
https://www.broadwayupclose.com/ - BOOK A TOUR / BUY MERCH
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Kara Menendez / @kara.menendez
Kara Menendez is a New Jersey native. She began her dance training at the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble. Kara went on to further her dance studies at Marymount Manhattan College, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance, with a Ballet Concentration and a Business Minor. Kara has performed works by Emery Lecrone, Paul Taylor, Darrell Moultrie, Norbet De La Cruz, Adam Barruch, Breton Tyner-Bryan and Larry Keigwin. She has also had the opportunity to train at the Vancouver Arts Umbrella, San Francisco Conservatory, Ballet Hispanico, Northwest Dance Project, Movement Invention Project, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Parsons Dance. Kara is a Springboard Danse Montreal alumni, where she had the honor of performing work by Peter Chu.
As a professional artist, Kara has been fortunate to work in many facets of the entertainment industry. In addition to concert dance, her professional credits include singing and acting in Off- Broadway shows at Royal Family Productions, Virginia Repertory Theatre, and Axelrod Performing Arts Center. Internationally, she has performed in Tokyo Broadcasting Service’s production of West Side Story at IHI Stage Around; a 360 degree theatre in Tokyo, Japan. Kara has also been featured in a music video for the pop-rock band KITTEN. She had the honor of performing on the 74th annual Tony Awards for the presentation of Broadway’s Back! with the cast of MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical.
Kara is a proud recipient of the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Artistic Leadership and Excellence in Dance. She is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and is represented by Clear Talent Group.
Kara believes in giving back to the community as she shares her passion and craft with many students around the state of New Jersey. Kara continuously returns back to her high school as a choreographer. Kara is also a dance competition adjudicator for Starbound National Talent Competition.
https://www.karamenendez.com/
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Isaac Bradley / @iamisaacbradley
Isaac Bradley was recently seen in Hamiltion in Australia as a swing. Isaac has a background in classical music where he toured the world, basketball, and break dancing. Isaac has lived a life filled with vast experiences and a multitude of skills. In addition, Isaac has established himself as a seasoned performer while growing up with two speech impediments. Enjoy our conversation!
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Bret Shuford / @bretshuford
Bret Shuford performed, produced, choreographed and directed dozens of Broadway, Regional, National tours, viral videos, television and film productions from Wicked to the Wolf of Wall Street. As a certified life coach Bret has the honor to help creatives all over the world move from imposter to influencer with his program. Having worked with colleges, universities, and corporations such as Disney and Marketing Impact Academy, He's a highly sought-after speaker and educator for professional creatives. Bret's insights have been humbly featured in leading outlets like The Huffington Post, Backstage, Today Show, Good Morning America, America’s Got Talent. And as a certified life and career coach he can help any creative with inconsistency in their business, experience greater impact and income through private coaching.
Bret is also ½ of the lifestyle blog Broadway Husbands, with his husband Stephen Hanna.
https://www.bretshuford.com/
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Blaine Krauss / @blainkr
Blaine Krauss is currently appearing in the National Tour of “Hamilton” as the standby for both Hamilton and Burr. To join Blaine's fitness challenge on July 5th (we also will be doing it again later in July) DM us @builtforthestage on IG and just say that you're in for Blaine's challenge! ;)
Blaine was thrilled to be part of the second season of “Pose” which he filmed while appearing in “The Cher Show” on Broadway. He starred as ‘Lola’ in “Kinky Boots” shortly after making his Broadway debut in the smash hit “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.” Blaine traveled the world as ‘Simba’ in “The Lion King” and starred in the Radio City Summer Spectacular. Blaine regularly performs with symphonies around the globe and is a regular performer at Feinstein’s/54 Below. His talents led him in 2011 to be a feature performer for the largest Commemoration of 9/11 outside of the U.S at the Trocadero in Paris, France. In 2010 he was selected to be 1 of 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts by the White House and Presidential Scholar Commission. This venture led to having met President Obama and concluded with a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He was selected to be the Feature Vocalist at the 2010 July 4th Celebration at the US National Archives; was a selected participant at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland. His theatrical credits include Godspell and Spelling Bee at the West Virginia Public Theatre, Evita, Into the Woods, Civil War, Make Me A Song, Chess and Jean Valjean in CCM’s Les Miserables. Blaine is a mentor on the faculty of Spot-On Arts Academy and a proud graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
"Haus of Love" by Blaine Krauss - https://open.spotify.com/album/15Jbl3x08YR9ZcZF5a4OKe?si=gmJDR5YCTX6ND8iZUbO7VA&dl_branch=1&nd=1
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Legna Cedillo Jobert / @legnacedillojobert
Legna Cedillo Jobert is a first-generation American from Kansas City and a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. She is an NYC-based singer/songwriter, actor, voiceover artist, and dancer.
She graduated from the University of Kansas with BA in Psychology and promptly moved to NYC in pursuit of opportunities in the arts. Along with her best friend, they started soul-pop duo, LUMOS. Their EP, Only Wonder, as well as two singles, Why Would I and Heal, are available on Spotify, iTunes, and all other listening platforms. They have performed at various venues in NYC and Boston, including Rockwood Music Hall and Bowery Electric.
Along with her passion for singing and songwriting, Legna has a deep love of musical theatre and acting. She has lent her voice to various voiceover projects, most recently, MLS All-Star Challenge in both English and Spanish. She has worked with Hasbro, Disney, Warner Bros., Nissan, Spin Master, etc.
Legna believes wholeheartedly in the power of collaboration and opportunities to use our voices to empower others.
Recently seen as Ceci Lopez in the Off-Broadway musical, ¡Americano!, at New World Stages.
https://legnacedillo.com/
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Jennifer Khan / @scenerybags / @jenwkhan
Jennifer Khan is a former Broadway stage manager that noticed the repeated waste of backdrops and other materials after the closing of a show. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to the creation of Scenery Bags.
SCENERY gives new life to retired theatrical materials from all over the country. Instead of sending these pieces of theatre history to a landfill, theatres send them to us to upcycle.Each product is handmade in the USA and comes with a tag that tells you the show it is from and the number you have out of the limited collection.The magic of live theatre has shaped our lives in profound ways. To ensure this magic is accessible to future generations, a minimum of 10% of all proceeds from every purchase is donated to with TDF’s Introduction to Theatre Program.Thank you for helping us decrease waste, save art, and foster a new generation of theatergoers.
www.scenerybags.com
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Mikey Scirrotto / @michaelscirrotto Mikey Scirrotto is currently a part of the cast in Chicago on Broadway. We chat fitness, life in Florida, and how he also does commerical finance while being a Broadway actor!
NY: Camelot, Lincoln Center. Nat'l Tours: A Chorus Line, West Side Story. Regional: Paper Mill; Goodspeed; Barrington Stage; Maltz & Northern Stage. International: Tokyo Disney. Proud Graduate of Dreyfoos S.O.A. & New World S.O.A.
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Talia Robinson / @taliasrobinson
Talia Robinson shares her inspiring journey of getting up at 2AM some mornings to commute into the city to live out her dream of making it on Broadway. Talia toured for two years with Les Miz before making her Broadway debut in Dear Evan Hansen as the principal character, Zoe.
https://www.taliarobinson.com/
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Jared Grimes / @grimeystepz
Jared Grimes steals scenes as Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s (played by Beanie Feldstein) faithful friend and confidant. Associated Press called him “a bright spark of talent and energy” and Deadline applauded Jared with “delivering the show’s real star turn in a crowd-pleasing tap dance routine.” In addition to FUNNY GIRL, Eddie is well-known as the cult leader, Adrian Shannon, on the Netflix hit, MANIFEST which is currently filming its 4th season.
He started out dancing in the subway when he was 16 before he landed a gig as a backup dancer for Mariah Carey (check out his NY Post story here). When he was just 24, Jared became the youngest solo choreographer in Cirque du Soleil history for his theatrical show, Banana Shpeel. Jared has also choreographed several musicals, most recently including The Tap Dance Kid, at the NY City Center in February. Additional Broadway credits include A Soldier’s Play and After Midnight.
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Arian Keddell / @ariankeddell
Arian Keddell took a less-travelled road to the Broadway stage and it sure does make for an amazing story. Enjoy our conversation!
Broadway: CHICAGO the Musical. Tours: CHICAGO the Musical, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story 50th Anniversary. Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. Company: Ballethinic Dance Company, Atlanta Ballet. TV: One Night Only: The Best of Broadway, Good Morning America
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Chip Abbott / @chipstergram
Chip Abbott is a NYC based choreographer, director, and dancer who’s performance career spans the worlds of concert dance, commercial dance, and Broadway. Chip served as assistant choreographer, dance captain, and swing to Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse on the Broadway Revival of On The Town (Tony nominee for best choreography) and he was also seen on Broadway in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
His choreography was most recently seen at ACT of CT in their world premiere of a newly adapted version of Working, under the artistic advisement of Stephen Schwartz. As a director, Chip created two IAAPA Brass Ring Award winning shows Dance, Dance, Dance, Heartbeat (Best Theatrical Production Worldwide) and The Enchanted Journey (Most Creative Christmas Show) both produced by RWS Entertainment Group at HersheyPark. Chip has directed numerous shows for HersheyPark and Azamara Club Cruises in addition to choreographing for Step One Dance Company on Holland America Line and The Little Mermaid at Red Mountain Theatre Company.
Chip was associate director/choreographer to Tony Yazbeck on the YoungArts Gala 2017 and assistant choreographer to Joshua Bergasse for Bernstein at 100 Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as Bernstein at 100 Wolf Trap with the National Symphony Orchestra and starring Misty Copeland. Additionally, Chip was associate choreographer of On the Town at San Francisco Symphony (Bergasse choreography re-staged.)
Other performance credits include NYC theatre: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. 1st national tours: R+H’s Cinderella, Andy Blankenbuehler’s Joseph… Dreamcoat. TV/Film: Isn’t It Romantic?!, The Tony Awards, The Today Show, Avon’s “Boss Life,” British Vogue, and MAC Cosmetics. Chip is a member of guest faculty at Steps and Broadway Dance Center in New York City and has taught master classes in many schools across the country including PACE University, Oklahoma City University, Point Park University, the Boston Conservatory, and University of Central Oklahoma. Proud graduate of Oklahoma City University.
ChipAbbott.com https://vimeo.com/380981797
Also, if you are curious, here’s a preview of season 1 Gilded Age. Excited to be back for season 2! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKj1cMz3yfI
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Sidney DuPont / @sidneydupont
Sidney is now starring in the new Broadway show, Paradise Square! Sidney is humbled to bring this character and powerful story to the stage. DuPont was last seen in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, as well as the 1st National Tour and Australian Company. Some other favorite National Tours include: Memphis: the Musical and A Chorus Line. DuPont has also appeared in regional productions including the world premiere of Paradise Square (Berkeley Rep.), Man of La Mancha (The Shakespeare Theater), In the Heights (The Geva Theater), and Gypsy (North Carolina Theater). Television: FBI: Most Wanted (CBS). In recent years, DuPont has also stepped behind the scenes as a director, editor, cinematographer, and award-winning screenwriter. A gigantic thank you to my incredible family, friends, and agents, you all inspire me daily. Who am I?…I am the conclusion of my Ancestors’ story and I am the prologue to my descendants wildest dreams.
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Lee Siegel / @lee_siegel
Lee grew up singing along to Jesus Christ Super Star and Annie the Musical. Fast forward to Lee's Broadway debut in...you guessed it, JCSS! On top of it, the show was in the Neil Simon Theatre, and the the first show to ever run in the theatre was, Annie! Lee is now a part of the cast of Paradise Square on Broadway. Enjoy our conversation! @Lee_Siegel (for Instagram & Twitter) @LeeSiegelMusic (on Facebook)
@NewWerxProductions (for my theatre company, on insta and Facebook)
NewWerxProductions.com - Lee's Theatre Company
Singing Performances: https://youtu.be/naAjdC8ccCg
https://youtu.be/OEwBI-Zq9ag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZb9_8TKht0
https://youtu.be/DcMkvMxHktw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHoy1ttmIWA
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Oge Agulué / @iamoge
Oge Agulué is currently in the ensemble of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway! Growing up, Oge went from Atlanta, to Nigeria, back to Atlanta, and then off to Purdue for college where he began studying aeronautical engineering technology. During his time at Purdue, Oge started taking theatre elective classes and the rest was history!
https://ogeagulue.com
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Cherry Torres / @cherrytorres
Cherry Torres is currently touring the country with Hamilton as the Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy cover!
More on Cherry: Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cherry Torres has been performing professionally since the age of 10. After graduating Berklee College of Music, she went on to travel the world singing and acting in multiple shows aboard various cruise lines including Disney Cruise lines and Celebrity Cruises. Following her time at sea, she went on to star in multiple regional productions. Some of her favorite credits include "Smokey Joe’s Cafe" (Brenda), "Rock of Ages" in Chicago's Drury Lane theater where she played Sherri, and "In the Heights" at the John W. Engeman Theater where she portrayed the role of Nina and was nominated for a BroadwayWorld Regional Award. At the moment, she is touring the country with the 1st national tour of Hamilton as a cover for Angelica, Eliza....and Peggy. Alongside performing, Cherry has a passion for teaching and sharing the knowledge she's acquired throughout the years with kids, teens, and adults alike. After doing various master classes, workshops, and summer camps throughout her time with Hamilton, she began offering one-on-one coaching and audition prep for people of all ages. She continues to help her students gain confidence and feel more comfortable in audition settings.
www.cherrytorres.com
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Johanna Moise / @johanna.moise
Johanna Moise grew up in Florida and was first enrolled into dance classes by her parents due to being born pigeon-toed. Since then, Johanna has danced her way to her Broadway debut in Hamilton with not much prior experience. Listen in to Johanna's brave and incredible story of how she went on multiple flights with no guarantees of being seen to audition and ultimately how it led her resume finding favor amongst a stack of hundreds of others. If you enjoy this conversation, please subscribe and share it with a friend!
https://www.johannamoise.com/
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Joe Rosko /@builtforthestage
Joe grew up as a 3-sport athlete, theatre kid that eventually majored in musical theatre and played division 1 college football at the same time. This life of sports and theatre lead him to creating Built for the Stage, Broadway's #1 Fitness Platform. Listen in to our 150th episode to get to know more about Joe and BFTS!
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From Eric / @ericanthonyjohnson: I was born in Essexville, Michigan. Almost instantly, I had the power to destroy everything that came into my path; carpets, rugs, bottles of milk, you name it, I had somehow found a way to make it my own, or change it into something that meant more. Now I use the word destroy because that is exactly what I did, something that was once a simple coffee table meant more, to my 3 year old self, having my name carved into. Mother was not pleased with this "process." So, I was enrolled in gymnastics, then dance, then the community theater. For as we all know, play practice and rehearsal are cheaper than daycare.
It is then that my addiction started. I was obsessed with everything that happened on a stage--dance, drama, singing, the occasional rollerblading/acrobatic routine... I simply could not get enough. In fact, my father built me a stage in our basement (which still exists). So, this was my life until I was 18 and carried my obsession to Boston, where I attended The Boston Conservatory to get my BFA in Musical Theatre performance. It was during my time at The Boston Conservatory where I realized that these hobbies I had growing up would become my livelihood. It's pretty great when you actually get to do what you love for a living.
So, 4 years of college later, I set off to New York City, to try and make "The Dream" happen. It was in my first month of being in the city that I got an audition for the the revival of West Side Story that was already out on tour. I auditioned, had a callback, then another, and made it to the last day. Two weeks went by and I got a call that changed my life--I would be going on tour for the next year playing one of the Sharks and understudying some of the Jets!
Cut to a few... uhhhh, several years later, and I've completed 5 Broadway tours, and will do a 6th later this year, countless regional gigs, I've worked with TONY winners, EMMY winners, been around the world, danced for hundreds of thousands of people, and somehow turned my experiences into an ever-changing teaching and choreography career. Now, I'm not done, and I don't intend to ever be done, but that's where I come from, and where I'm at now. I cannot speak for the future, but I think it will be the same thing that has been true the whole time--I will do awesome shit.
XO, EAJ
http://www.ericanthonyj.com/
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Ethan Slater / @ethanslater
Ethan Slater is an actor and a writer. He recently starred as SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical on Broadway (and now on Paramount Plus!), for which he won Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, TheaterWorld Awards (and more) and earned a Tony Nomination. He recently closed Assassins at CSC as The Balladeer and Lee Harvey Oswald. Ethan is now performing in Chicago in the new play, Good Night Oscar. (You can also see him on TV in things like Fosse/Verdon, Murphy Brown, Law and Order: SVU and more. It's all on imdb.com). As a writer, he has a number of things in development including the musical Edge of the World written with Nick Blaemire (the concept album starring Norbert Leo Butz, Lilli Cooper and Ethan is available wherever you listen to music), the upcoming films the Interveners (with Nadja Leonhard-Hooper), Silent Mode (with Marshall Pailet), and more. You can check out more of his music on Spotify or wherever you listen.
Edge of the World https://open.spotify.com/album/0QrI6q1Qb1pnfb80FwAWHX?si=Z6rrMddURUmW3nVBTz0xlg
Broadway Records announced today the forthcoming release of Assassins (The 2022 Off-Broadway Cast Recording). The album will preserve Stephen Sondheim’s full score with the recent Classic Stage Company cast with direction by John Doyle. Assassins is available for pre-order at Broadwayrecords.com. The album will be available digitally on March 18, with a physical CD release date of April 15, 2022.
https://www.ethanslater.com/
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Javier Ignacio / @iamjavierignacio
Javier Ignacio moved to Wichita, KS at the age of ten from Venezuela. Javier started his career as a teenager at Music Theatre Wichita. He is now a part of the Broadway revival of Company. However, Javier wasn't always performing under the bright lights of Broadway. Javier went four years before making his Broadway debut in Side Show. Listen in to hear his inspiring journey from Venezuela to Broadway.
https://www.javierignacio.com/
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Angelo Soriano / @gelosaurus
Angelo Soriano joins us from the Broadway cast of Aladdin where he swings 12 ensemble tracks and a handful of principal characters! Angelo hails from the Philippines, relocated with his family to California and just before enlisting in the Air Force found a love for musical theatre. Once Angelo made this discovery, he traded his dream in to be air borne in a plane for being air borne mid-leap on a Broadway stage! Enjoy our conversation!
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Eddie Noel / @eddienoelr
Eddie Noel is currently touring the country as a swing in the tour of Hadestown! Check out more about Eddie here: http://www.eddienoel.net/about.html
References from interview: https://youtu.be/JKzQN0_SpmY
Documentary trailer of RESIDENTE (René Calle 13) https://youtu.be/mWd1QKLUhGU
One of Eddie's favorites songs https://youtu.be/vXtJkDHEAAc
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Tayler Harris / @sheistayler
Tayler Harris is currently playing Grizabella in the national tour of Cats! Tayler was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Tayler grew up in a musical family. She studied Liberal Arts at University of South Carolina Lancaster, did a summer semester abroad in Italy studying devised theatre work with La Mama Umbria International and then finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance at Western Carolina University.
Outside of acting, she enjoys being outdoors, bike riding, spending time with friends, painting, and going to museums (the MoMA in NYC is one of her favorites). During the initial Covid-19 Lockdown/Quarantine from March 2020 - Early June, she completed 15 acrylic paintings on canvas.
Tayler is also a singer-songwriter who plans to release her first EP in 2022.
https://www.taylerharris.com/
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Tyrone Davis Jr / @tyronedavisjr
Tyrone Davis Jr stepped into the role of Ogie in Waitress after having performed as an ensemble member and understudy in the production since 2017. Before the shutdown, he was last seen in the off-Broadway revival of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, helmed by Kathleen Marshall and starring Beth Malone. Tyrone originated the role of Ronny Lule in the 2015 off-Broadway production of Invisible Thread. He also toured the country in the first national tour of Shrek The Musical, directed by Jason Moore.
In this episode we chat making the character Ogie, mental health, Nickelodean in the 90's and more!
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Vaibu Mohan / @vaibumohan
Vaibu Mohan is blazing a trail for young producers of theatre while still finding time to perform, go to grad school, and run a half marathon. Make sure to take a listen to Nayika Mixtapes after tuning into this episode. The link is down below.
Spotify link to the Nayika Mixtape: https://open.spotify.com/album/7JCdLMuZkN1rbb5Gl3QC95?si=MNsHdljGQ52lGKV3y1W1BA
Upcoming shows at 54 Below:
Feb 11- https://54below.com/events/new-musical-and-then-she-ran-by-kat-cartusicello-and-alex-becker/
Feb 20- https://54below.com/events/new-musical-in-concert-for-show-by-carrie-caffrey-and-earl-marrow/
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Jonalyn Saxer / @jksaxer
Jonalyn Saxer is currently starring as Karen in the first national tour of Mean Girls after appearing in the original Broadway cast in the ensemble and as an understudy for Karen, Cady, and Regina. She is a Jet girl in the West Side Story movie remake directed by Steven Spielberg. Other Broadway credits include Cats, Holiday Inn, Honeymoon In Vegas, and Bullets Over Broadway. Other credits include Moonshine: That Hee-Haw Musical and Gotta Dance (now known as Half Time). Regionally, she was seen as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street at The Muny, and has performed at other theaters including Pittsburgh CLO, Maine State Music Theater, and the Fingerlakes Theater Festival. Proud graduate of Syracuse University.
BROADWAY: MEAN GIRLS CATS HOLIDAY INN HONEYMOON IN VEGAS BULLETS OVER BROADWAY
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Paloma Garcia-Lee / @palomagarcialee
Paloma Garcia-Lee is an established actress who gained notoriety for her standout performances on the Broadway stage and now is making an outstanding leap to television and film. Paloma’s career is on a meteoric trajectory, and there’s no chance of slowing down anytime soon. Dynamic and versatile, Garcia-Lee has captured the essence of what it is to be a singular show-woman with her raw, authentic and captivating acting, dancing and singing. Born into a theatrical family she was home schooled by her parents so she could pursue a career in the arts.
BROADWAY: MOULIN ROUGE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT ON THE TOWN CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
https://www.palomagarcialee.com/
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Spencer LaRue / @spencer_larue
Spencer LaRue is currently a swing in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. Spencer is a Florida native and will graduate from The University of Michigan in May of 2019 with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Throughout his four years at Michigan, he has performed in five main stage productions including the World premiere of One Hit Wonder directed by Hunter Foster.
Regionally Spencer has performed with Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Newsies (Finch) which was choreographed and directed by Christopher d’Amboise and Disaster! starring Seth Rudetsky (Ensemble). He has also been seen on stage in Sacramento with Broadway at Music Circus in Newsies (Romeo) which featured the original Broadway choreography for the first time since the tour closed.
When Spencer isn’t performing, he spends his time at the gym or with friends. He enjoys traveling and exploring new places while trying all of the food he can get his hands on.
https://spencerlarue.com/
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Nicole Benoit / @nicolbenoitonline
From Washington State's "Apple Capitol of the World" to New York's "Big Apple", Nicole Benoit has graced the stages of theaters worldwide from North America to Asia and even atop the waves of the Caribbean. A triple-threat chameleon, Nicole has portrayed such diverse iconic leading ladies from the starry-eyed-yet-sinister Roxie Hart in CHICAGO, to the charmingly damaged Sally Bowles in CABARET, to multiple lauded rounds as the Swedish blonde bombshell Ulla in THE PRODUCERS. And for something entirely different: jump-roping fitness queen Brooke Wyndham in LEGALLY BLONDE.
www.nicolebenoitonline.com
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Davon Williams / @daywilling
Davon Williams is an international performer, delegate for the Actors' Equity Association, and a TED Talk alum. Davon is committed to using his talents to bring about substantive social change. As a performing artist, Davon has been blessed to star in several national and international productions, working on multiple television shows and playing the lead in independent films. Davon & The Spectacle was founded in 2018 after Davon was asked to sing at a state dinner in Thailand. Davon and the Spectacle has since entertained audiences all across Southeast Asia before hitting the performance circuit in the US. During the pandemic, Davon launched the hit show, "The Receipts w/ Davon Williams," which garnered over 118,750 views with a reach of over 750,000 in less than a year with no formal producers, budget, or marketing. This show led to the creation of the Black Theatre Matters Bill, a series of over 100 resolutions designed to build a more equitable theatre industry, which recently passed at the Actors' Equity Association’s Inaugural Convention. The story of "The Receipts" and the Black Theatre Matters Bill has made its way into Deadline, Forbes, CBS, Playbill, The Daily Beast, BroadwayWorld, 60 Minutes, and numerous other platforms and publications.
Reserve tickets to the show - https://www.donttellmamanyc.com/shows/main/6449-davon-the-spectacle-12-19-21
http://www.davonwilliams.com/home
https://www.thereceiptswithd.com/
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Eleri Ward / @eleriward
Eleri Ward is a musical theatre performer who has recently burst onto the scene as a singer-songwriter. She recently released her album of Stephen Sondheim covers, A PERFECT LITTLE DEATH. Hear us chat about how she channels her inner-bravery to chase this passion that she has had since five years old.
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tDDozfRiM8hb85ptdVKUt?si=rnVOkRDBRdea9PO0z0SVBw&nd=1
Tickets for Rockwood Music Hall 12/13 - https://www.seetickets.us/event/Eleri-WardSamanthaJoyPearlman/449506
Tickets for Joe's Pub 3/2/22 - https://publictheater.org/reserve/reserve?productionseasonNumber=44794&performanceNumber=44795
https://www.eleriward.com/
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Michaeljon Slinger / @double_windsor
Michaeljon is a Broadway vet who shares with us how to establish a career in the biz from either side of the table. Enjoy our conversation!
CHOREOGRAPHY: MRS. DOUBTFIRE ALMOST FAMOUS THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT LA TRAVIATA (World Premiere) MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG MYTHIC (World Premiere) CHASING RAINBOWS (Workshop)
BROADWAY as Performer: HELLO DOLLY (Original Cast) MATILDA SIDE SHOW (Original Cast) EVITA (Original Cast) HOW TO SUCCEED WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (Original Cast) BILLY ELLIOT WEST SIDE STORY (Original Cast) GUYS AND DOLLS
https://www.michaeljonslinger.com/
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Olivia Valli / @oliviafvalli Olivia is set to hit the road as the lead, Vivian Ward, in Pretty Woman the musical! Olivia previously has toured with Wicked as the Elphaba understudy and played Mary Delgado in the Off-Broadway production of Jersey Boys. Olivia shares her career-long mantra of letting the work speak for itself. She certainly has put the work in and it certainly is paying off. We talk about coming out of a smaller collegiate theatre program having entered into it with no prior experience at all, starting a podcast during the pandemic, and the wild ride she took during the audition process of booking the lead in Pretty Woman! Please, enjoy our conversation. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Miracle Chance / @miraclechance Miracle is currently on West End as Christine Canigula in Be More Chill. She grew up in a very artistic home with her parents, which igniter her love and passion for music and performing arts. Miracle loves folk music and is a very talented folk singer. Miracle shares how she finds inspiration in her writing from the simplest things like the magazine on her coffee table, something a friend may say, and she is continually finding inspiration in the smallest daily things. Always stay alert and aware of the small moments each day, you may find creative inspiration in those moments. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Andrew Norlen / @anorlen It began as an artist’s desperate desire to express himself inside a worldwide pandemic, but in one year’s time it has grown into a theater industry and country-wide outlet for healing, grief, justice, and hope in the theater community—and beyond! When The Lights Are Bright Again immortalizes the stories, struggles, and successes of an industry that was first to be shut down and one of the last to return. Andrew Norlen weaves 200+ letters from Broadway theater veterans, devout theater goers, teenage dreamers aching for their day in the spotlight, long-time ushers, designers, creatives and countless other arts workers in tandem with a brand new breathtaking photo series by Broadway photographer, Matthew Murphy. Not only has the creation of this book allowed the theater community to grieve and express themselves in a new way, but for every copy purchased, a portion of the profits will directly benefit The Actors Fund. This book will continue to help support arts workers to thrive and receive financial stability for decades to come with every copy sold. The Covid-19 pandemic revealed what a world without live performance looks and feels like. This book captures a small fraction of the powerful and transcendent internal heartbeat that never went away within the theater community. When The Lights Are Bright Again is a love letter to the arts community and every theatergoer, but above all else, it is a meditation on the human experience. There is something for every broken, tired, angry and hopeless soul inside this book; hope. There is light in all of us -- there always has been! https://www.whenthelightsarebrightagain.com/ www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
T. Oliver Reid / @toliverreid A true Broadway veteran, T. Oliver Reid has performed in over 10 Broadway shows and is currently in Hamilton. He shares insight and wisdom from his many years of experience on and off the stage in the theatre industry. Reid encourages other artists to focus on doing the work and keeping things simple and focused, wether its always showing up early, being very attentive during rehearsal, living s life as a supportive creator, and he continues to do just that. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kimberly Marable / @misskimizzo Kimberly is making waves in the Broadway community, not only as an actress, but also as a social activist as a co-founder of Broadway Serves, a service organization created and operated by Broadway professionals who are looking to "be the change we want to see in the world." Their mission is to provide opportunities for community service to Broadway and theater professionals. Kimberly is currently in the workers chorus in Hadestown, and has also been in The Lion King and Sister Act. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com @bwayserves info@broadwayserves.org www.broadwayserves.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Malcolm Armwood / @marmwood214 Malcolm is making his Broadway debut as a swing in Hadestown, and shares parts of his journey with us. He believes in staying ready and continuing to show up, because many times he thought he would book and didn’t but kept at it and booked Broadway. Persistence is the key ingredient to Malcolm’s success. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Shawn W. Smith / @shawnwsmith Shawn is a true well-rounded artist who is in a band called “Stray and the Soundtrack” while also touring with the national tour of Waitress in the role of Earl. Shawn shares his passion for 80’s rock and how he always wanted to be a musician who is also an actor, which has led him to booking a lot of musical theatre work, as he uses his multiple passions and skill sets together to create a colorful career for himself.
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Karla Puno Garcia / @karlapunogarcia Karla has performed on several television programs, films, National Tours, and Broadway shows - the most recent being Hamilton: An American Musical, in which she was a swing for four years. She is now making huge name for herself as a choreographer, teaches at Steps and Broadway Dance Center regularly and has several upcoming projects she will be working on. Karla was recently hired to create additional choreo for the new Netflix film Tik TIk Boom that is being directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. She shares with us that she booked gigs by being willing to do tons of passion projects. Sometimes you just have to keep putting yourself out there and making work for yourself. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ariel Reid / @arieljreid Ariel joins us as a current cast member of Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, and she is also the Dance Captain for the captivating musical. But, what we learn about Ariel is not only is she and incredibly talented dancer, she’s also a mom! She is a prime example how much of a superhero moms on broadway really are. Not only does she juggle an entire cast but also home-life, and we find that pretty impressive. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stanley Martin / @stanleymartinthethird Joining us this week is the energetic and fun Stanley Martin! Stanley has been performing since the age of ten and is currently a cast member of Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. He has also been involved in the international tour of West Side Story. He produces his own work, and he truly believes that he can just do something and figure things out as he goes. He shares with us that the only way to become an expert is by starting as a beginner. Stanley is also the cast member of Aladdin who has performed the most shows.
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April Holloway / @april_r_holloway April Holloway is a dancer, singer, choreographer and all around performer. After graduating from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sport Science, April spent a summer at The Ailey School on a full scholarship. While studying dance in New York, she discovered her true love for Musical Theater. Her current role is in the ensemble of the Disney musical Aladdin on Broadway! April shares with us her love for dance, rowing, and her passion that keeps her moving forward and growing as a thriving artist.
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Juwan Crawley / @juwancrawley Juwan made his New York debut in the original cast of Spamilton, an award-winning, off-Broadway musical revue that spoofed Hamilton and earned him a nomination for the Clive Barnes award. At the age of 22, Casey Nicholaw created a role on Broadway for Juwan in Aladdin where he is a standby for the Genie, and where he debuted as the youngest person to ever play the role. He was also cast by Tina Fey to play Hudson – a 14-year-old kid - on one of his favorite shows, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He shares with us in our conversation how, each day, he sits down at the piano at the same time, to write and create music, whether he is in the mood or not. Juwan understands that dedication and commitment results in growth and success, and he shares that insight with us in this week's episode.
www.juwancrawley.com
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Adam Filipe / @filipe_navidad After going into quarantine and being unsure of what the future holds, Adam Filipe recognized one of his true loves was more than performing, which was self defense practice. He started as a kickboxer in martial arts at the age of four years old, and in the pandemic, it came back to the surface as something that he wanted to focus on. He is the fight captain for The Prince of Egypt on West End, but he said there was still something missing. He began by getting his license in self defense, and then began offering classes to others who might want to learn! Now, he has a personal side hustle business as well as being a part of the original cast of The Prince of Egypt, and he shares his insight of taking that dream and turning it into reality. www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sophie Salvesani / @sophie_salvesani This week, we are joined by a young but shining star, Sophie Salvesani. Sophie has been intently studying music and performance since she was a young girl growing up in Ipswich and Brisbane. She then went to perfrom multiple leading roles in community theatres around the Queensland area, such as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Cosette in Les Misérables and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Sophie then debuted her first professional role when she played the role of Maria in Opera Australia, GWB Entertainment and BB Group’s touring production of West Side Story. Two years later, she is revisiting this iconic role in the touring company visitng both Perth nad Brisbane. sophiesalvesani.com
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Abbie-Lee Lewis / @abbieleelewis All the way from Australia, Abbie-Lee Lewis joins us to share her experience as she plays Hermia in Bell Shakespeare's production of Midsummer Night's Dream. Abbie-Lee is an actor and Arts Educator for Bell Shakespeare in Australia and we are thrilled to hear her story.
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Nicole-Lily Baisden / @nicolelily1 Nicole-Lily joins us as she prepares to take the West End stage in Anything Goes as Hope Harcourt at the Barbican, starring alongside the Broadway legend, Sutton Foster. Nicole-Lily has only recently graduated from Arts Education Schools in 2019, but is already becoming a seasoned theatre professional. She went directly to the UK and International tour of Book of Mormon after graduating in 2019, playing the role of Nabulungi. She has experienced theatre in very different forms over the past two years, as she was a part of several projects through the pandemic such as BBC's Musicals: The Greatest Show and a production of A Christmas Carol. We are excited to continue following along on her journey as she takes the stage, again and again! www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Michael Mott / @michael_mott Michael Mott grew up in New York, studied Musical Theatre in college and then went on to have a successful career as a performer Off-Broadway, in Regional theatre and National Tours. He then chose to redirect his focus on writing and has since found himself in some really incredible spots with some of Broadway's biggest talent. Michael was even named Playbill's "Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriters You Should Know". Most recently, Michael has written a new musical "In The Light, A Faustian Tale", he has also scored his first short film and recently recorded an album with Jeremy Jordan, Ciara Renée and Solea. We are thrilled to have him on the podcast to share his story and the exciting projects he has and is a part of! "In The Light, A Faustian Tale: Highlights Recording" is available for pre-order now: BroadwayRecords.com
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Jack Sippel / @jackjsippel When talking to Jack Sippel, you are truly speaking with a theatre industry professional. From a very young age, Jack has been actively involved in professional theatre. He started at The Muny as a kid and was then asked to audition for their equity ensemble, which he booked and received his equity card at age 15! He then went on to land the Memphis National Tour as a senior in high school. Most recently, Jack has been the Dance Captain and Swing for The Prom on Broadway. He then joined the creative team for the Netflix film adaptation of The Prom as Assistant Choreographer. During the pandemic, he has also started his own podcast focusing on dance in theatre, called ""Again, From The Top""!
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Tanisha L. Spring / @tanishalspring Following her most recent opening night in West End's Prince of Egypt, Tanisha Spring joins us to share what the journey has been for her finding her way to the West End stage. Some productions she has previously appeared in include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Caroline or Change and Hairspray. Tanisha took on a new experience throughout the pandemic in producing an online theatre production called A Killer Party and has found her love for the other side of the table throughout that experience. She feels as though some of her other skills such as having a business mind have come in to play in a new way and she tells us how she came into theatre much later in life than many people do. She was an accountant before she started pursuing theatre as a fulltime career choice and is now finding some of that part of her becoming involved as she produces theatre.
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Mari McGinlay / @marimoomcg After studying acting at the Guildford School of Acting and training at the Dance School of Scotland, Mari McGinlay had laid a strong foundation to move forward in the theatre industry. She joins us on our podcast to share parts of that journey, as she then went on to work on the production of Oklahoma! at Royal Albert Hall, playing the role of Cinderella multiple times in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and now joining the returning cast Hairspray the Musical on the West End as Penny Pingleton!
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Stefan Lagoulis / @stefann96 Stefan Lagoulis comes from Down Under and is currently in Hamilton AU, experiencing coming back to the stage after more than a year of the shutdown and shares with us what that journey has looked like as he is rediscovering his strength and ability in the rehearsal room. He encourages other actors to give themself grace and accept that your best today is your best and move forward. It is a process and we have to be willing to embrace that process. Stefan has had the understanding and experience of putting in the extra work for most of his life. He grew up in regular school but then also attended performing arts school in the evening. He was encouraged by his family to chase his dreams and put in the work to achieve whatever it was that his heart desired. Stefan transitioned from a sports background into the world of dance and performance, and has moved forward in that passion with a focused mindset and determination. This drive has opened many doors, including being in the cast of Aladdin AU.
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Ryan Gonzalez / @rgonzy After starting at a young age pursuing to be a comerical dancer in Australia, Ryan then saw a live musical theatre production and was absolutely sold. He then did his first show at 18 and hasn't turned back. He is now opening Fun Home in Australia and will soon be joining Moulin Rouge Australia. Ryan shares in our conversation about experiences and interests that he has explored in the last year during the pandemic, such as a book to read that we have linked below and new cooking adventures. He also shares the joy of opening Fun Home and how the story really connects to so many different types of people and families, no matter what they family structure looks like.
Moulin Rouge Broadway Vlog Book Reference: Breath by James Nestor www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Daniel Assetta / @dassetta From a very young age, Daniel Assetta was no stranger to the perfoming world. He started taking dance as a child, and it was all about the show. He had a deep desire to learn and grow and perform. From there, he saw the tour of Lion King in Australia, and he quickly fell in love with the world of musical theatre. Daniel made his debut at the age of 19 in the 10th Anniversary Australian Tour of Wicked! Other shows he has been seen in are Cats, The Book of Mormon, A Chorus Line and West Side Story. Most recently, Daniel is playing Samuel Seabury in the Australian premiere of Hamilton. He shares with us what the expereience has been like to be returning to the stage after the last year and the challenges and joys that have come with preparing and getting back into a performance ready mindset. Daniel says that though there are new protocols and processes in place to keep everyone safe, it is all worth it just to be back on stage and doing what he loves to do!
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J. Harrison Ghee / @jharrisonghee It is so exciting to hear how Broadway is coming back to life, and our conversation with J. Harrison Ghee is no exception! He is soon to be seen in Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway, and he shares with us what the journey has been like returning to the stage. From a year full of cast zoom meetings to overthinking himself when trying to get back into the role, it has been quite an experience. J also shares with us the joy of working with brilliant colleagues on stage and how wonderful it is to create and originate a show from its beginning. J has been seen in Kinky Boots on Broadway as Lola and also on camera in Raising Dion, along with other films. He believes that no matter wether you're on stage or on camera "it is all based in truth. You've gotta find whatever the truth is for you and live that authentically."
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Amos Wolff / @amoswolff When Amos Wolff made his Broadway debut at the young age of 25 in Follies, he assumed that he would be completely fulfilled. Instead, he found that he still wasn't happy. In this moment, he began to realize there was much more to being a balanced and healthy human being rather than just the career success of landing a Broadway role. This challenged him to start a journey of yoga and therapy, leaning on incredible professionals around him to help him find a true contentment in each season of his life. Amos then went on to become a family and couples therapist himself and has joined the incredible team at Equity Therapy, a therapy program focused towards the performing arts community based in NYC, where he now works to help others find the balance and fulfillment that he, himself has found through such practice. He shares this journey and so much insight with us on the challenges and joys of taking time to focus on one's betterment and self. https://www.equitytherapy.com/ - Equity Therapy
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Jason Sparks / @jasonasparks Hello, Dolly!. Combining his training as a classical dancer, as well as a theatre performer, and his curiosity for how the world moves around him, Jason strives for the human body to be a lead voice in how his stories are told. Jason has also founded a unique nonprofit program called Fosters Theatrical Artist Residency. Fosters is a safe space created for actors, directors and playwrights to discover their approach, explore new ways of working and dive deeper into new works without judgement, allowing the process to be as much a part of the art as the product. Jason holds a B.F.A from Pennsylvania State University where he frequently returns to work with and learn from the young artist of today.
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Liz Flemming / @littlelizzybiz In 2016, Liz Flemming had the idea to do the production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown on a playground. She wanted to create a piece that used all disabled and BIPOC actors, and she set out with a dream that then became the company Out Of The Box Theatrics. Liz and OOTB focuses on creating theatre site specific locations that are in marginalized communities, creating space for inclusivity and equality at a professional level. This spring, Out Of The Box Theatrics produced a virtual production of The Last FIve Years, which they filmed in an actual NYC apartment. Liz shares with us the journey of bringing a production like this to life and how different it was to film a piece in a site specific location and the joy of still creating theatre even in such a challenging time our industy has seen in the last year. www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nasia Thomas/ @nasiathomas "I believe everyone has learned something about themself during this quarantine"...Nasia says as she reflects back on what the last year has looked like and what it felt like to be prepping for a Broadway show, Caroline, or Change, and then to be told it is all put on hold for a global pandemic. Nasia Thomas has been seen on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, National tour of Beautiful and Broadway production of Ain't Too Proud. Her most recent accolades come from her portrayal of the role of Cathy in Out of The Box Theatrics' virtual production of The Last Five Years. A reimagined production of the musical is filmed in an actual New York City apartment and can be found streaming online!
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Nicholas Edwards / @nickedwardsnyc You don't have to wait for anyone to tell you to do something"...and that is exactly what has happened in Nick's life over the past few months! When the quarantine shut down his upcoming opportunity to take on his first principal role on Broadway as Kristoff in Frozen, Nicholas knew he had to continue to find ways to make art. But there were no auditions and seemingly no theatre! And then comes along the theatre company Out Of The Box Theatrics, whose goal it has been to tell stories in a very different way than the traditional approach to new and classis works. The concept began to brew of creating a livestream version of The Last Five Years the musical, staged in an actual NYC apartment. Fast forward a few months, and it has become one of the most well-produced pieces of theatre that has come to audiences during this interesting time where theatre has been hard to find. Nicholas is no stranger to the stage, as he was an understudy for Kristoff in Disney's Frozen on Broadway, as well as the national tour of Les Miserablés. We know that you will love his voice and presence in The Last Five Years and we cannot wait to see where he goes next!
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Simon Gordon / @simongordon Joining us from the West End on today's episode is Simon Gordon! We are so excited to be talking to him about his upcoming role in the UK tour of Heathers the Musical. Simon always wanted to be an actor, but he didn't start his theatre career as many people do by going to college and studying the craft. Instead, he went to school to study law! He was in his third year of law school when he auditioned for Andrew Lloyd Webber, and that is when he knew he wanted to be doing theatre as a career.
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Dennis Stowe / @dennisstowe Have you ever had a dream that you thought would never come to pass as the years went by? Well, Dennis Stowe is the perfect example that good things come to those who continue to work hard and not lose focus of their dreams! And we get to hear all about that journey in our chat with him.
Dennis didn't make his Broadway debut until he was in his thirties. But, once he did, the work has continued to roll in! Dennis has been in nine broadway shows, including the original cast of Shrek the Musical! He was also in the revival of Annie and most recently Aladdin, where he has been moved from ensemble to standby for Jafar and Sultan! In our talk together, Dennis shares how he stays ready at all times and what it is like to truly be prepared for a role. The wisdom, insight and talent that Dennis brings to a rehearsal process is valuable information that anyone looking to be their best in the room should adhere to! Dennis is a true Broadway veteran, and he has the credits and heart to prove it.
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Mike Ruckles / @rucklesvoice Within the theatre industry, there are several components that are an absolute must that we focus on. One of those components is the training and care of our voice. But how do we do so correctly? What techniques should we use? How often should we train? Some of the same questions that we ask ourselves about fitness and weight training. An interesting correlation, we think! We were lucky enough to have the incredible Mike Ruckers, Vocal Technician and Singing Voice Specialist, join us and share some of his insight in how the voice and the body as a whole should be treated and trained. Mike maintains one of the city's premier voice studios specializing in healthy and transformative technique for Musical Theatre and contemporary commercial singing. His students comprise Tony and Grammy award winners, with clients appearing in leading roles on and off-Broadway, the West End, in national tours, and on concert stages across the world. As a pianist, Mike has worked with such luminaries as Hugh Jackman, Patrick Wilson, Tyne Daly, Rachel Bay Jones, Raúl Esparza, Ben Vereen, and Sherie Rene Scott. He shares several basic tips and insights with us that anyone who is training vocally and physically should adhere to and will benefit from!
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Kolby Kindle / @kolbizzle As so many of us are waiting to have the opportunity to walk back into a theatre, Kolby Kindle is living his best life as he is touring in Australia with the incredible musical Come From Away. He shares what it has been like to go through the pandemic and have the chance to return to the stage once again, bringing hope and excitement to everyone as we anxiously await that opportunity! Kolby grew up in Oklahoma and pursued an education in Ohio before moving to New York City to chase his dreams of performing on Broadway. He has now gone on to work on the tours of Waitress the Musical and Book of Mormon, as well as now creating art in his time with Come From Away, both before and now after the pandemic. Within the last year, Kolby has moved back and forth from Australia to New York and then back to Australia, not knowing exactly what was in store for his contract. But, in our conversation, Kolby shares with us how he has found a way to maintain his fitness goals and continue hoaning his craft as an actor and focusing on what is to come.
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Salisha Thomas / @salishathomas Have you ever met someone whose mere presence becomes the light and energy in the room? That is Salisha Thomas. A woman with the power and joy to lift the spirits of anyone who meets her. And in our interview with her, we have the privilege of getting to know what makes this amazing powerhouse tick. Salisha is a true multi-tasker who has found herself developing not only her acting career on Broadway and the tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, but investing time into other interests. Several that have now given her multiple platforms to share her story and have an even greater influence in the theatre community. She is now the host of the podcast Black Hair in the Big Leagues, where she speaks to black women and men on Broadway and talks all things hair! As we all wait with great anticipation for the return of Broadway, we can also be on the lookout for the potential appearance of Salisha Thomas in Once Upon A One More Time the Musical. Until then, we will continue to embrace Salisha's positive outlook on life and take each day step by step! www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alex Joseph Grayson/@alexjgsings How does someone raised as a military kid end up on Broadway? Alex Joseph Grayson shares his journey with us of how he found theatre later in life but once he found it, he couldn't be stopped. Alex was always compelled to perform, putting on performances for family and friends anytime he found the chance, including random dance performances of "Thriller"! He was known as the class clown and had a vibrant personality, but that didn't transfer into a career in theatre for quite some time. He first lived in India during his senior year of high school with his family and then pursued a career in nursing. But, after taking one acting class at a community college, a spark was lit inside Alex's heart that couldn't be put out. He knew he was made for the stage. He pursued a degree in theatre and then began auditioning in New York where he booked a contract with Disney Cruise Lines. After several back and forths from NYC to ships, Alex shares with us of being in the right room at the right time and landing his Broadway Debut in A Bronx Tale. The journey hasn't always been easy, and Alex gives great insight into the decisions you must make for yourself as an actor. Do you want to travel? Do you need to put down roots? Where do you belong? All of these questions led Alex to where he is today. Alex Joseph Grayson can be seen soon on The Asolo stage in Sarasota, Fl in the musical Camelot!
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Adam Jacobs / @adamjacobsnyc Not everyone can say they have ridden a magic carpet, but for Adam Jacobs, that became his daily routine as he played Aladdin in the Disney Broadway musical. But, hanging out with a genie every night isn't all there is to this Broadway star that we have all come to know and love. In our interview, Adam shares his insight on what it is like to be an actor who could fit into so many different types of roles and yet, still felt there was no place for him in the casting industry. Asking questions like "Where do I fit in?" and "What is my type?" drove him to start using this as a strength instead of a weakness. Now, He has starred in National Tours, on Broadway, and has been nominated for a Grammy and Drama Desk Awards. We also talk to Adam about his new cabaret "Behind the Curtain" that will soon be released on digital platforms for us all to enjoy! The cabaret will include Pop, Rock, Broadway and some surprises that Adam has up his sleeve...maybe even some secrets of showmances!
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Christian Thompson / @christianthompsonactor "Pivot"- A word we have all heard throughout our industry, over and over again. Christian Thompson, who plays Smokey Robinson and Damon Harris in Ain't Too Proud the Musical Christian has experienced so much in his journey, from cruise ship work to Rent National Tour. Then, to go from rehearsals for a promised Broadway show to working at the Hamilton merch store, he has felt the ups and downs of the journey. But even in the tough moments, he shares with us how he has found the drive to pursue passions and creative opportunities that, in the past, he had counted unattainable. Christian also expresses the joy in finding himself as a true, unique artist and the individuals along the way who have helped mold him into the person he is today! www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Maybe you don't recall seeing the name "Craig Feldman" on the front of a Playbill, but you can absolutely find his genius and skill spread across each design of Parodybill. As the founder and lead designer of Parodybill, Craig shares with us how he has taken his love of Broadway and infused it with his lifelong graphic design career to create what we know today as the witty and creative designs of Parodybill. It all started on a flight back home after seeing Mean Girls the Musical in previews and Dear Evan Hansen was bright in the Broadway lights. Craig's ideas began to swirl and he wondered ""what if these shows became a mashup in design?"" and Parodybill was born. It continues to grow and bring theatre-lovers fun, creative and inspiring designs built around the world that we all love--Broadway! You can now enjoy hundreds of his designs at @Parodybill on Instagram and shop their merch at shop.parodybill.com.
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Hillary Porter / @hillaryporter_ From competitive cheerleading to the Broadway stage, Hillary shares some of the incredible stories that have been the ups and downs of her journey. Find out how she booked her first Broadway show, in spite of forgetting choreography in the audition room. She also tells us about breaking her ankle and the mental and physical process back to the stage, and how she always strives to say YES!
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Brian Martin / @btmartz shared his booking Broadway journey with us!
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Justin Showell - @justinbshow joins us as he awaits the return of the Hamilton - And Peggy tour. A BFTS Fam member, recent Michigan grad, and all around beautiful human shares with us his journey and the importance of embracing the fact that it is your own personal, unique journey.
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Elyse Niederee / @elyseniederee was on BFTS Podcast a little over a year ago to talk about her Broadway debut in KING KONG. Since then, Elyse has become the head of our FLOW program at Built for the Stage. FLOW is a flexibility and mobility program specifically designed for performers. Elyse's 10+ years as a yoga instructor and her seasoned career in theatre, makes her the perfect coach for this program. Listen in and hear her advice on how you can stay grounded in such an uncertain time.
BROADWAY: KING KONG
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Kfir Danieli / @kfirmusic Born in Tirat Carmel, Israel, American/Israeli multi-hyphenate Kfir Danieli’s journey began at age 6 when one of his teachers encouraged him to enlist in ballet classes. From Israel to London’s Royal Academy of Dance to some of the biggest stages in the world including the Metropolitan Opera house in New York City and later in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom Of The Opera on the US national tour, Vegas and Broadway productions, Kfir who had grown up surrounded by music felt the need to express himself beyond dance. Kfir's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/kfirmusic1
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Raymond Baynard / @raymondbaynard joins us from the cast of Hamilton and will soon be seen premiering the new Michael Jackson Broadway musiical! We chat fitness, Hamilton, and the mentality he's shifted to while in this pandemic. Enjoy!
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Zachary Daniel Jones / @aspiredance shares with us not one, but two, funny audition stories where he booked Broadway on both occasions. We also chat a bit about how he has drawn inspiration from his mom throughout his career.
BROADWAY BEETLEJUICE CATS
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Riza Takahashi / @rizatakahashi joins us from the cast of Mean Girls! While Riza has been away from the stage she's still been performing and also finding the time to learn how to fly fish. Enjoy!
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Shereen Pimentel / @shereenpimentel chats with us about playing Maria in the Broadway revival of West Side Story, her new venture starting her MBA, and her new dog Thor! Enjoy!
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We were fortunate enough to interview a group of Broadway's finest to discuss how they've been staying motivated throughout the pandemic and their reaction to the recent election.
Dana Steingold / @dsteinface - Beetlejuice
Nadia Brown / @naughtya_or_nice - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Gabe Hyman / @gabehyman - Hamilton tour, King Kong
Jerusha Cavazos / @jerushacavazos - The Prom
Jennifer Noble / @thejennoble - King Kong
Will Mann - @uuillmann - Oklahoma!
Mo Brady - The Ensemblist, Addams Family
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Adrianna Hicks / @missadriannahicks from the Broadway show in waiting, SIX, shares with us about the day the show was scheduled to open, while simultaneously, the announcement to shutdown Broadway occurred.
BROADWAY
THE COLOR PURPLE ALADDIN SIX
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Christine Cornish Smith / @christinecornish was a special guest for our Built For The Stage University series that focuses on training the future Broadway stars of tomorrow. Christine shares with us some of her experiences at CCM and her Broadway career that followed. The wisdom she shares you might not expect...enjoy! Special thanks to our friends at The Ensemblist who conducted this interview. Make sure to subscribe to their podcast for content involving the most current, day to day pulse on the theatre industry!
BROADWAY: CATS MY FAIR LADY KISS ME KATE
bpn.fm/theensemblist - The Ensemblist Podcast www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthony Festa / @festafied & Emily Bautista / @em_bautista last were seen touring the country playing Chris and Kim in MISS SAIGON. They now joined us from upstate NY during the pandemic to chat about their experience on tour, the sudden stoppage, and now, life in the pandemic. Special thanks to our friends at The Ensemblist who conducted this interview. Make sure to subscribe to their podcast for content involving the most current, day to day pulse on the theatre industry!
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Patricia Kelly / @genekellylegacy is a film historian and the widow and official biographer of Gene Kelly. She has worked as a writer at a film production company, as a contributing scholar for the authoritative Northwestern/Newberry Writings of Herman Melville, and as a freelance journalist. She and Kelly met at the Smithsonian in 1985, when he was the host/narrator for a television special for which she was a writer. Soon after, he invited her to California to write his memoirs, a job for which she recorded his words nearly every day for over ten years. They were together until his death in 1996. Currently, she serves as Trustee of The Gene Kelly Image Trust, the entity Kelly established during his lifetime to govern the use of his name, voice, likeness, signature, and persona. She is also President and Creative Director of The Gene Kelly Legacy, Inc. a corporation established to celebrate Kelly’s artistry and to perpetuate his legacy worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles where she is completing the book about her late husband. As part of this work, she is preserving and cataloguing The Gene Kelly Archives—an extensive collections of letters, manuscripts, photographs, scripts, interviews, essays, poems, holograph notes, and memorabilia that will eventually be the basis of additional publications and, ultimately, the core of an innovative, virtual Gene Kelly “Experience.”
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Eric Bean Jr / @ebjdance is a loved member of our BFTS Fam, a cast member of The Lion King national tour, and a choreographer based out of Las Vegas, NV. Hear Eric's story of how one blown audition didn't slow him down from booking one of those most well known musicals in history! www.ebjdance.com www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paula Leggett Chase / @paulaleggett is a Broadway vet that was recently seen in Tootsie the musical. She shares great wisdom on how to establish a lasting career in this ever changing industry and also the hopeful message that it's never too late.
BROADWAY:
A CHORUS LINE CRAZY FOR YOU DAMN YANKEES KISS ME, KATE THE PAJAMA GAME DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS CURTAINS BYE BYE BIRDIE ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY TOOTSIE
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Jody Reynard / @otherblkguy joined us to chat about his journey to his Broadway debut, a golf cart crash in Legally Blonde, and his thoughts on what it takes to make it in this competitive industry.
BROADWAY: FOSSE SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER TABOO LEGALLY BLONDE SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL
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Terence Archie / @terencearchie chatted with us about his time playing Apollo Creed in Rocky on Broadway, his time in waiting during the pandemic as his current show Company on Broadway is paused, and a few other topics definitely worth a listen for.
BROADWAY:
RAGTIME
ROCKY
KISS ME, KATE
COMPANY
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Susie Carroll / @susiecarroll was recently seen as a vacation swing at Broadway's, The Prom and suddenly, in two weeks time, took a hop, skip, and a jump to Mean Girls on Broadway. Susie shares about her year long journey of simultaneously swinging two shows on Broadway.
BROADWAY
THE PROM
MEAN GIRLS
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Dan Lauria / @realdanlauria joins us to talk about his experience playing Vince Lombardi in the Broadway play, Lombardi. We also get to hear stories about his time starring in the famous TV series, The Wonder Years, his take on auditioning, how he got his start in acting, and more.
For more on Dan Lauria, go to www.thedanlauria.com BROADWAY A CHRISTMAS STORY LOMBARDI
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Michael Mindlin / @mindlin_choreo joins us to chat BRING IT ON in our series, "Fitness on the Broadway Stage." We also chat a bit about Michael's role as the dance supervisor for HAMILTON, the stresses of conducting online classes, and inspiring conversation about the simplicity of putting the work in.
BROADWAY CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG 9 TO 5 MAMMA MIA BRING IT ON ALADDIN HAMILTON
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Shonica Gooden / @shonica joins us to talk all things BRING IT ON, Broadway babies, and her story starting out her career where she didn't even want to do musical theatre!
BROADWAY CATS HAMILTON CINDERELLA BRING IT ON
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Vince Oddo / @vinceoddo talks to us about his Broadway debut in ROCKY and how he volunteered his way into a career in stunt work.
BROADWAY
MICHAEL MOORE: THE TERMS OF MY SURRENDER AMAZING GRACE ROCKY
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Jerry Mitchell / @jammyprod, Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics, Olivier award winner joins us as our first guest in our series, "Fitness on the Broadway Stage." We chat with Jerry about the iconic Legally Blonde number, "Whipped into Shape." Grab your jump rope, lace up your sneakers, and join us for a college tour where we revisit Harvard U.
BROADWAY
PRETTY WOMAN ON YOUR FEET KINKY BOOTS CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT LEGALLY BLONDE DIRTY ROOTTEN SCOUNDRELS LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
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Mark Peikert / @markpeikert joins us from our BPN neighboring podcast, "Today in Theatre History." Aside from hosting "Today in Theatre History,""he also serves as the editor in chief at Playbill so, we thought who better to join us to kick off our new podcast series, "Fitness on Broadway," than a theatre expert like, Mark. Listen to Mark and Joe chat about some well known Broadway favorites and how fitness was a vital part of them all.
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Alan H Green / @alanhgreen has a wild story about how he ended up on the Broadway stage! The story goes from college football, to singing for the President, to booking his first Broadway show. You'll want to tune in for this one!
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY SCHOOL OF ROCK SISTER ACT THE VISIT PLAY ON!
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Amber Iman / @amberskyez kindly shares how struggles during her career ultimately led to some of the best opportunities she'd ever come across. We also got to talk to Amber about the Broadway Advocacy Coalition and how a "one-time" event evolved into a full time movement.
BROADWAY SOUL DOCTOR SHUFFLE ALONG
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Ross Lekites / @rosslekites didn't really know what he wanted to do growing up as a kid. He knew that he was good at singing so, he decided to keep that up...it just happened that he was good enough to become a working actor on the Broadway stage.
BROADWAY TINA FROZEN KINKY BOOTS
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Tomás Matos / @tomatos_ chats with us about his soon to be Broadway debut in Diana the Musical. He was just weeks away from making his debut when Broadway closed its doors due to Covid-19. Listen in as we chat about learned lessons during the ups and downs of his young career.
BROADWAY DIANA
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Jelani Remy / @itsjelaniremy talks to us about his road to Broadway, his time as Simba in The Lion King, overcoming today's recent struggles, and how the things that seem so far away are actually quite attainable.
BROADWAY THE LION KING AIN'T TOO PROUD
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James Snyder / @thejamessnyder aka Harry Potter joins us on BFTS Podcast from his backyard that displays his newly finished jungle gym that he constructed himself for his kids. James is not only a talented builder of childrens' playgrounds, but also in building substantial characters of depth on the stage. Listen to us chat about his process while bringing to life on stage one of the most iconic character in the world. BROADWAY HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD IN TRANSITS IF/THEN CRY BABY www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your free trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Casey Garvin / @caseygarvin joins us from the cast of Mrs Doubtfire on Broadway. This episode is full of inspiration. Enjoy as you listen to Casey's story of ups and downs and how he truly has become, "Stronger Than Before."
BROADWAY: MRS DOUBTFIRE KING KONG MISS SAIGON DISASTER! BULLETS OVER BROADWAY
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Max Clayton / @maxmclayton joins us from the cast of Moulin Rouge. Max talks to us about his Broadway journey and shares his top tips that he credits helping him consistently book show after show on Broadway.
BROADWAY: GIGI ON THE TOWN SOMETHING ROTTEN BAND STAND HELLO DOLLY PRETTY WOMAN MOULIN ROUGE
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Brandon Leffler / @brandonleff joins us from the national tour of My Fair Lady. Brandon was kindly willing to share how an extreme hardship in his life caused him the loss of a theatre gig, but then ultimately lead him to return to this industry stronger than before. We hope you enjoy!
BROADWAY:
WICKED CINDERELLA ON THE TOWN
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Nasia Thomas / @nasiathomas comes to us from the cast of Caroline or Change on Broadway. Nasia shares with us the ups and downs of her career in theatre. Nasia inspires us with words of affirmation and positivity to take with us while traveling through this tough business.
BROADWAY:
BEAUTIFUL AIN'T TOO PROUD CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
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Davin De Santis / @davinds is currently a stage manager with Moulin Rouge on Broadway. This is Davin's 5th Broadway show he has stage managed and he shares with us the behind the scenes magic from one of the most beautiful shows on Broadway. Also take a listen to hear how Davin started his journey in theatre in an effort to help him get into the military. Enjoy!
BROADWAY:
MOULIN ROUGE LES MISERABLES THE ELEPHANT MAN MISS SAIGON CYRANO DE BERGERAC
https://youtu.be/5o8EU9QCXzw - YouTube Vlog with Davin and the Broadway show, Moulin Rouge www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your free trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jewelle Blackman / @elleshelley comes to us from the cast of Hadestown. We talk about creating her own art outside of the show, her Canadian roots, and her journey of making her Broadway debut while overcoming the status quo of the biz.
BROADWAY HADESTOWN
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James Brown III / @jamesbrowniii and Coach spent the day together during a two show day of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. They walked through Times Square, ate donuts, did a podcast interview, and still managed to be at the theatre for over 7 hours. Enjoy the podcast episode and click the link below to see more footage on our YouTube Vlog.
BROADWAY:
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD FROZEN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS ROCKY WICKED GHOST PRICILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT MEMPHIS THE LITTLE MERMAID THE COLOR PURPLE THE FROGS
https://youtu.be/xpE7oQ9eGqc - YouTube Vlog with James Brown III
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"Afra Hines / @afrahines joins us on BFTS Podcast in the midst of her 8th Broadway show! Afra is currently in the ensemble of Hadestown. She joins guest host, Kevin Jaeger, to chat about her experience growing as a performer thoughout her career, how to maintain your physical health during a career in theatre, and they also chat a bit about her time while on set for Fosse/Vernon.
BROADWAY: WICKED IN THE HEIGHTS GHOST SOUL DOCTOR MOTOWN SHUFFLE ALONG SUMMER HADESTOWN
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Michael Mott / @michael_mott is a NYC based lyricist/composer who as of late, has been leaving his mark in the industry. We chat about the journey of creating a show from inception to production, having some of Broadway's biggest names sing his material, and jokingly plan to book him to do live instrumentals for each BFTS Podcast show in the future.
Check out all that Michael Mott has going on here: https://linktr.ee/michael_mott
Listen to his album Abandoned Heart:
iTunes/Apple
Spotify
Google Play Music
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Tommy Bracco / @tommybracco joins us from BroadwayCon with guest hosts, Kevin Jaeger and Kimberly Cooper Schmidt from the BPN podcast, Broadwaysted. Tommy talks about his time on Big Brother, his fitness journey, and just shares a ton of laughs with the crowd at BroadwayCon!
NEWSIES PRETTY WOMAN
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Destinee Rea / @destineerea joins us from the cast of Tina on Broadway! This episode was guest hosted by BFTS FAM, Kevin Jaeger! She talks about the physicality required of her in Tina, her favorite workouts songs, and more!
AMÉLIE THE BOOK OF MORMON TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
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Kimberly Cooper Schmidt / @kimbercoops & Kevin Jaegar / @jaegerkev join us on BFTS Podcast! They are not only BPN Fam but, BFTS Fam as well! We talk about fitness journies, Broadway podcasting, and we honestly believe this is one of those most applicable, tangible episodes to date!
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Dana Steingold / @dsteinface joins from the cast of Beetlejuice on Broadway! Dana shares with us her experience being involved with Beetlejuice all the way back to its first reading, her journey to Broadway, keeping mental health in check, and more!
BEETLEJUICE
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Elliott Mattox / @elliottmattox joins us from the Broadway cast of Beetlejuice. We talk gourmet baking, know what makes you special in the audition room, as well as his podcast, Equity One.
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Anthony Festa / @festafied & Emily Bautista / @em_bautista are currently traveling the country in Miss Saigon playing the lead characters of Chris and Kim. Anthony and Emily are both BFTS Fam and both amazing people. We got to spend some time with them later on in New Orleans post interview during one of their performance stops and it was lovely. Visit out IGTV at @builtforthestage for more discussions with Anthony and Emily!
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Ian Paget / @ianpaget_ talks about the current out of town production of BLISS that is heading to Seattle, his journey of rebranding himself in the midst of his career, and how he overcame a serious back injury earlier in his career.
SOUL DOCTOR LEAP OF FAITH MAMMA MIA
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Jake Boyd / @jaykeboid is currently on Broadway playing Fiyero in Wicked. Jake talks to us about training, new works he's been involved with, as well as what being in this iconic show that he grew up on means to him.
WICKED ROCK OF AGES
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Kayla Davion / @kayladavion is appearing in her third Broadway show after very recently graduating from Ball State with a degree in Musical Theatre. We talk about the recent opening of TINA on Broadway and her experiences understudying such an iconic music star. Kayla shares a vulnerable story of how she found herself on Broadway but, at the same time, depressed. Tune in to get the inside scoop on TINA, helpful advice, and an inspiring story.
TINA KING KONG WAITRESS
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Lauren Boyd / @laurenmboyd is currently performing in Hamilton on Broadway. She shares a story of how serving the elderly lead her to founding the outreach, "Broadway Babes." Tune to hear how Lauren not only shares her talents on stage but, also how she shares herself with our elderly community.
HAMILTON
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Michael Fasano / @michaeldfasano recently hopped off a NCL cruise ship where he played Frankie Valli in JERSEY BOYS. This episode is highly informative touching on how Michael was able to balance the tough predicaments of cruis life for a performer while still bettering his fitness. He also shares helpful insight about mental health and his process in an audition room.
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Jenifer Foote / @jenyfoote is the definition of a "working actor." It actually wouldn't be an understatement to deem her the title of, "a legend." Jenifer has been seen in 15 Broadway shows! Without much of a description of this episode...we'd say it's worth your listen.
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN DRACULA HAIR ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY A WONDERFUL LIFE DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS A CHORUS LINE ROCK OF AGES FOLLIES THE MYSTERIE OF EDWIN DROOD ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY REVIVAL SHE LOVES ME HOLIDAY INN HELLO DOLLY TOOTSIE
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In this holiday episode, Coach sits behind the mic and shares some of his tips for how to crush 2020 on the stage, in the audition room, in the gym, and life in general!
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Ben Bogen/ @benmbogen chats with us about helpful audition experiences, his love for teaching, and making his Broadway debut.
FROZEN
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Ixchel Cuellar / @itsixchel was most recently seen on Broadway in MEAN GIRLS. She can now be seen touring the country in the show. She shares about the unique experience of transitioning out of the Broadway show to mount a new touring production that carries on the spirit of the show but, displays it in a whole new light.
FINDING NEVERLAND MEAN GIRLS
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Jacob Gutierrez / @jacobgutierrez shares with us about his Broadway debut in ALADDIN. Jacob is a part of the ensemble and goes on from time to time as Aladdin, while serving as one of the understudies. We also have some laughs together as he does a few impersonations for us. ALADDIN www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Harris Milgrim / @harrismilgrim chats with us about his time in TOOTSIE, as well as some great audition tips for actors.
TOOTSIE CATS
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Timothy Hughes / @timothyrhughes chats about embracing your type, filming THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, the social media viral video showing Tim snatching a Re-Elect Trump 2020 flag off a spectator in the midst of a FROZEN curtain call, as well as his current experiences in the Tony winning best musical, HADESTOWN!
CHAPLIN FROZEN HADESTOWN www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nina Lafarga / @ninalafarga shares with us her experience as a Broadway veteran! We chat a bit about IN THE HEIGHTS because who doesn't want to?
AIDA SWEET CHARITY IN THE HEIGHTS WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ON YOUR FEET FROZEN www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jacob Haren / @jacobdharen can be seen 8 times a week in Broadway's BOOK OF MORMON. Jacob is a seasoned vet in the show and can share some insight on how he continues to make performances fun and fresh. He also happens to be a Disney junkie and shares with us some of the top secret mysteries about Mickey and the gang. We also talk about self-worth as a performer and how important it is to love yourself in and out of a gig.
BROADWAY: BOOK OF MORMON
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Elyse Niederee / @elyseniederee recently made her Broadway debut in KING KONG. We chat about that exciting experience and the unique way she was brought into the show. She also just happened to make her debut during the recent NYC blackout. Elyse is a certified yoga instructor and talks about her practice and how it can help performers on and off of the stage. We also cover her love for hiking, misinterpreted obsession for free samples, and some other chuckle-worthy topics.
BROADWAY: KING KONG
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"Bradley Gibson / @bradgibson13 is currently playing Simba in THE LION KING on Broadway. Brad shares his experiences playing the iconic Disney role, some new original music he's been working on, and more! BROADWAY: THE LION KING A BRONX TALE ROCKY www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Giuseppe Bausilio / @giuseppebausilio is currently playing Charles Lee in HAMILTON on Broadway. Giuseppe shares how growing up with ballet dancers for parents, he danced for six to seven hours a day as a child. All that training paid off when he was discovered at a dance competition in NYC. That discovery would eventually lead him to the start of his Broadway career, playing the title role in BILLY ELLIOT. BROADWAY: HAMILTON HELLO DOLLY CATS ALADDIN NEWSIES BILLY ELLIOT www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Krystina Alabado / @krystinaalabado is currently playing as Gretchen Wieners in MEAN GIRLS on Broadway. Krystina chats about her time with the plastics, tips on making self-tapes, as well as her approach on mentally focusing/centering herself before an audition or show. BROADWAY: MEAN GIRLS AMERICAN PSYCHO AMERICAN IDIOT www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Built For The Stage Fam, Gideon Glick / @gidglick is currently playing as Dill Harris in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD on Broadway. Gideon was nominated for a Tony for his performance as Dill. Listen in to hear how Gideon went from playing his dream role, Todo, in THE WIZARD OF OZ to now being a part of his fourth Broadway show. BROADWAY: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD SIGNIFICANT OTHER SPIDERMAN TURN OFF THE DARK SPRING AWAKENING www.builtforthestage.com www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the final episode of Season 1, I break down the highlights from our first season! Listen in and also hear about exciting news with our partnership with the Broadway Podcast Network. Go to broadwaypodcastnetwork.com for more info! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 29 is a special one. I chatted with my college professor, best friend, and best man from my wedding. We chat about performing, auditioning, running a marathon while drinking beer, and stories from his past that influenced the creation of his music albums. David Bankston’s musical career began in the early 1970s when his folk-rock band, “Manchild,” was signed to Capitol Records. The group toured the United States performing in famous folk clubs of the era, universities, and concert venues on the same bills with Jimmy Buffett, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Martin, The Drifters, ZZ Top, Edgar Winter and White Trash, Steve Goodman, and many others. He later transitioned into theatrical and operatic singing, performing roles with Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Washington Opera, San Francisco Opera, Casa Mañana, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. His notable roles include Siegfried in Wagner’s Siegfried, Riccardo in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca, and Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat with Van Johnson and as James in Shennandoah with Howard Keel. He now records and performs concerts of his original compositions in the genres of Americana, contemporary folk music and jazz. His recordings feature some of the greatest players in popular music: Sonny Landreth, Sam Broussard, Steve Bailey, saxophonist, Stephen Riley, Byron House, Jeff Taylor and Jelly Roll Johnson. His albums Galvez Town and Jazz Blues Gospel Shoes can be streamed on Spotify and YouTube. He was educated in San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program and the Houston Grand Opera Studio. Dr. Bankston holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of South Carolina. He recently retired as Professor Emeritus of Music at Coastal Carolina University. David's students have performed on Broadway, national tours, international and regional opera. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BFTS Fam, @aaronreads chats with us about making his Broadway Debut in MEAN GIRLS. He goes on a 10 year journey from a children's theatre production of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL as Basketball Player #4 to a Swing in a Broadway production! Listen in and be inspired as we listen to Aaron Alcaraz's journey. BROADWAY: MEAN GIRLS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@fodg started out dancing in Vegas for Celine Dion, Cher, and other hit artists. He then ventured into the world of musical theatre and has had quite the career so far. Tune in with @builtforthestage fam, Fredric Odgaard, as we drive around Times Square NYC and eventually end up parking in front of his current Broadway show, MOULIN ROUGE. BROADWAY: FINDING NEVERLAND KINKY BOOTS MOULIN ROUGE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BFTS Fam, @caseygarvin joins me on BFTS Podcast. Casey is currently in the cast of King Kong on Brodway. This year was a big one for Casey. Casey an his cast mates were awarded Best Ensemble at the Chita Rivera Awards. He was named one of five performers in The Ensemble List's Stand Out Featured Ensemble Members in a Broadway Show. He was named one of Time Out Magazine's Sexiest Chorus Boys in a Broadway Show. And, he was also featured in Broadway Bare's official photo shoot to promote the event. Enjoy this episode with Casey Garvin. BROADWAY: BULLETS OVER BROADWAY DISASTER THE MUSICAL MISS SAIGON KING KONG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sheldon Henry / @d_only_don chats with me at Herald Square. He shares about being on The Late Night Show and his pursuit to get sponsored by Bass Pro Shop. BROADWAY: THE PROM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I got to walk in a circle in Columbus Circle, NYC with Jessica Ernest / @maritimegirl01 who is currently in the cast of CHICAGO on Broadway. You can catch up with Jessica on her website, www.jessicaernest.com BROADWAY: CHICAGO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Built For The Stage Fam, @michalkolaczko recently closed up a show with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. He now is transitioning into his Broadway debut with The Cher Show. Hear how a dreamer who grew up with Polish parents in Detroit, Michigan has made it to the bright lights of Broadway. BROADWAY: THE CHER SHOW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway Actress, Dog Mom, Entrepreneur, Britney Spears Impersonator... Need I say more? Join me on this episode with @rachel_schur as we sit in Bryant Park with some tea from her company Realitea Check and her little doggy sitting by. You can also see this full interview on @builtforthestage IGTV channel. http://shoprealitcheck.com/ BROADWAY: CHICAGO JERSEY BOYS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@mikelongofoto tells many secrets that are worth the listen. Tune in to hear Mike’s journey from $100 a week gigs to being an actor in now his second Broadway show. IGTV : https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bx8oq6RHFIu/ BROADWAY: BEAUTIFUL ALADDIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jacob Dickey / @biguglyjacob chats with me at Bryan Park about his Broadway debut where he played Aladdin in Aladdin. We talk about his strong mustache game and also his past as a theatre intern working crazy hours at a rate that would be worse than a Carnegie steel mill worker’s in the late 1800’s. IGTV : https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bxs51tvD59P/ BROADWAY: ALADDIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Built For The Stage fam, @thejohnriddle joins me on the podcast and talks about his time playing Hans in Broadway’s Frozen, funny broadway debut stories, sailing the Hudson, and more! You can also view this interview on @builtforthestage IGTV. We chat over some octopus at a restaurant, walk by the water of the South Street Seaport, and end our chat by the Brooklyn Bridge. IGTV : https://www.instagram.com/tv/BxZ1KBGjah8/ BROADWAY: THE VISIT, FROZEN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode with @thebrandiporter we talk about her Broadway debut, being amongst talent like Robert De Niro and Chazz Palminteri, how she stays extremely fit (see for yourself on her Instagram page), and her path in education. Enjoy! www.builtforthestage.com BROADWAY: A BRONX TALE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@happymeahl sits down with me in Times Square to chat all the things. In this episode we’ll talk about her experiences growing up as a Disney kid, making her Broadway debut, working along side the likes of Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster, Kelli O’Hara, and her point of view on falling in love with a city and ultimately how to love yourself. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bww59XjB0Co/ www.sarahmeahl.com BROADWAY: PARAMOUR, HELLO DOLLY, KISS ME KATE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our first dual interview with @jeffkuhr and @katiegoffman ! These two were just swings together in the recent Off-Broadway production of Clueless The Musical. Lots of laughs, lots of inspiration, hope you enjoy! www.jeffkuhr.net / www.katiegoffman.com / www.builtforthestage.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@ashleyblairfitzgerald is not just a superb dancer but, a Super Mom and grounded, intelligent woman. Listen in as we talk all things Broadway, working with Twyla Tharp and Chris Gattelli, and about being a giving wife/mother in the midst of a sometimes self-centered business. BROADWAY: THE CHER SHOW ON THE TOWN GIGI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode with @marija_abney is gold! Listen in as we talk about her experience filming AVENGERS and BLACK PANTHER, being in THE CHER SHOW on Broadway, women's empowerment, and what it truly means to be an athlete/actor. www.builtforthestage.com BROADWAY: THE CHER SHOW AFTER MIDNIGHT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode with Alanna Saunders / @alannasaun, we hear how she's truly, "livin' the dream," as she is currently in the cast of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD on Broadway. We talk about Alanna's experience playing Tiger Lilly in the NBC live telecast of PETER PAN, her lover for basketball, her recollection of learning to play multiple instruments as she toured with INTO THE WOODS, originally seen at Roundabout Theatre, and much more. Enjoy the episode! BROADWAY: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@jc_schuster is a proud Texan who was seen on Broadway in Soul Doctor, Finding Neverland, Fiddler on the Roof, and Spongebob Squarepants. He’s been seen dancing on a Madonna music video, Glee, and much more. This guy is not the typical “actor type” which made this episode quite interesting. Enjoy! www.jcschuster.com BROADWAY: SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical Finding Neverland Soul Doctor Fiddler On The Roof Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ben Jeffrey has currently played Pumbaa in The Lion King on Broadway for 9 years now. He shares a story about his move to NYC and how having no plans turned out to be the best plan of all. Tune in to this episode to also hear Ben share some of the magic of a Disney production, his journey in fitness, and a whole lot of laughs with this funny guy. BROADWAY: THE LION KING, ALADDIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@thejennoble is currently in King Kong on Broadway. Here’s a fun list: Gene Kelly, M&M’s, finding your worth, throwing towels at a Knicks’ game, learning how the magic of making King Kong come to life works, and going on as the lead for the first time in King Kong with less than two hours notice. Sound like a fun list? Tune in to hear about it! www.builtforthestage.com www.jennifernoble.me BROADWAY: KING KONG, GHOST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode we chatted with @jamesbrowniii via phone call while he was all the way over in Australia! Tune in to hear some Harry Potter talk, fashion, performing with Michael Jackson and more! www.builtforthestage.com www.jamesbrowniii.com BROADWAY: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD FROZEN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS ROCKY WICKED GHOST PRICILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT MEMPHIS THE LITTLE MERMAID THE COLOR PURPLE THE FROGS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@kylematthewhamilton goes from pro skateboarder to debuting in his first Broadway show via a short birthday video for Spongebob The Musical’s director, Tina Landau. Well, it wasn’t that easy...it took some practice, along side 11 year olds in tap class. www.builtforthestage.com www.kylematthewhamilton.com BROADWAY: SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Take a journey with CCS on this episode through Texas, Cincinnati, India, and now NYC. On this journey, Christine talks about her plants, wipe-outs during silent moments on the Broadway stage, and a handful of stories of how @christinecornish used grit, humor, and a life-long, student-like mindset to go from jobless to performing in now her third Broadway show. www.builtforthestage.com www.christinecornishsmith.com BROADWAY: Cats My Fair Lady Kiss Me Kate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode with @adammperry is overflowing with inspiring comeback stories from his career on and off the Broadway stage. Adam has graced The Great White Way seven times, and has garnered a reputation as one of Broadway's most assiduous and handsome, dancing ensemble members. However, don't get his story twisted. Adam shares his story of starting dancing very late in his young-adult life in "middle-of-nowhere," Tennessee. He talks about overcoming bullying, dreams of being a Dollywood performer, and his time being a brand rep at Abercrombie. Towards the end of the episode, @adammperry talks about how he went from carrying Broadway Playbills, to carrying 50 pound bags of mulch with the thoughts that his career might be over. If you want to get the whole story, tune in to the episode and get to know Adam Perry. www.builtforthestage.com BROADWAY: Wicked A Chorus Line Promises, Promises Anything Goes Nice Work If You Can Get It Rocky Frozen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@barbara_jo inspires us with the constant pursuit of her best. She shares huge road blocks that would have derailed most. But, through her values of respect, discipline, as well as showing up early and prepared, she finds herself performing in her second Broadway show while sharing the stage with Patti LuPone and now Laura Benanti and Norbert Leo Butz. Enjoy this episode with the talented, well-grounded, and genuinely lovely, Barbara Jo Bednarczuk. www.builtforthestage.com BROADWAY: War Paint My Fair Lady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@blainekr talks coffee, dogs, soul food, mounting The Cher Show on Broadway, doing his costume fittings with Bob Mackie, walking his way towards some of the best abs in the business, and much more. He’s into politics so, if you want to support his campaign, give him a follow on Twitter @blainekr ! Enjoy! www.builtforthestage.com BROADWAY: Kinky Boots The Cher Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@sharonesayegh talks peaks of The Band’s Visit, valleys of struggles in her career, and amazing audition advice for any listeners out there in the biz. She talks about saying she could skate in her audition for The Band’s Visit, when really it should have been more of a, “kinda skate,” response. We talk cultural outlooks in regards to the Middle East and really humanity in general. Sharone also dives into how she grounds herself on a daily basis to keep her moving forward on a path of health and productivity. Enjoy the episode with Sharone Sayegh! www.builtforthestage.com www.sharonesayegh.com BROADWAY: Mamma Mia! The Band's Visit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode we talk with @mrmattgibson about kicking Laura Benanti in Gypsy starring Patti LuPone. Conspiracy theories of Finian’s Rainbow and Toy Story. Matt talks fitness and what keeps him going during the daily grind of being an actor. www.builtforthestage.com www.mrmattgibson.com BROADWAY: GYPSY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
@ianpaget_ talks Broadway shows, movies, heroes, childhood Invisalign, the fear of possibly getting fired during his Broadway debut, Jay-Z, and a few fitness things here and there. Thanks @ianpaget_ for being on Episode 1! www.builtforthestage.com www.ipaget.com BROADWAY: Mamma Mia! Soul Doctor Leap of Faith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices