Built For The Stage Podcast

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). 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

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. 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

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! 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

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. 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

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). 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

Natalie Chua / @natalie_chua1 Training: Sylvia Young Theatre School and The Urdang Academy. Theatre credits include: Understudy Erma in Anything Goes (Barbican Theatre), Ensemble understudy Cynthia and Diva 2 in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK tour),Consuelo and understudy Maria in West Side Story (The Royal Exchange), Spinotti in Bat Out of Hell (International tour and Dominion Theatre); Disco Girl, Understudy Mia, Helen, Oberon and Vinnie in The Donkey Show (Proud Camden), Yoko Ono in The Sessions Live! (UK Arena Tour); Ensemble, understudy Ellen and Gigi in Miss Saigon (The Prince Edward Theatre), Diane Lee in Bare (Union Theatre), Jasmine in Aladdin (Theatre Royal Plymouth), Ensemble in Dick Whittington (Harlow Playhouse). Film/TV credits: Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway; The Entire Universe BBC; Harry Potter; Nurofen Commercial. Other credits: Angelis – Syco Music/Sony BMG. 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

Alexandra Nylund / @alexxinee From our guest: I'm a Swedish speaking Finn, born in Helsinki, Finland. Basically a viking from up North of the world. The population of Finland is only 5,5 million which is like half of the population of New York City. As most of us in this industry, I've always loved film, filmmaking and writing. Most of our home videos from my childhood are filmed by me, directed by me, annoyingly narrated by me. I loved playing with different settings, recreating scenes and I usually choreographed something and made my younger sister perform it with me. At the age of 6 we did our first "movie" in arts class, we had a great teacher, I remember wanting to narrate the sound of the bus doors so badly because I thought I could do the best bus sound everrrr lol. We drew the characters ourselves and recorded their dialogues and every sound effects with the teacher. That's what inspired me to film my own stuff at home. My great grandpa was a writer (wrote plays for theatre and poems and performed) and owned a radio store (I never knew him) otherwise most of my family members have been entrepreneurs or worked at the bank or stuff like that, so I didn't really know anyone who worked in this field and didn't know I could. Whenever I mentioned art related stuff or acting jobs to my grandpa he pretended like he couldn't hear me and asked about my other jobs. He was more academic. I realized the power of Facebook quite early on and contacted people online whenever I was traveling somewhere with my family and told them that I'll be in town and asked them could I please come on set for one day to learn, watch or help out for free. I was so young so people usually just thought it was cute and let me come. I did that in Europe and New York where I got to visit set in Milk Studios. (Alexi Lubomirski) He was absolutely wonderful. One of the best experiences in this industry. That sparked some hope. I've always wanted to act too, but at first it started as modeling, I was scouted for some small shoots then eventually asked to represent Finland and once Sweden in competitions abroad, at the age of 17, Top Model Worldwide (in the UK) and as 18, Miss Model of the World (in China) modeling wasn't really my priority but I thought ok I get to meet people, perform, maybe this will open some doors. I wanted to study film, got into film school, did some modeling on the side, got even more interested in acting. Took me long to find the courage to pursue it because the modeling affected how I was looked at. Thankfully I've always had many hobbies and speak different languages so that helped me open some doors. I could list plenty of skills. Started as an extra and worked my way to better roles. I've played the piano for a few years, sang in the choir, Girl Scouts, figure skating, handball, Savate, kickboxing, etc.... the list goes on so I used that and filmed my own material in the beginning. Then one day while I was working as Security between some jobs within media, I got home, I was exhausted, I saw my parents watch one of my favorite Nordic TV Dramas and something inside me told me to write the casting. I did, didn't think much of it since it was almost Christmas Eve... Well the next day while at a security shift, I noticed a missed call, it was casting, they asked me if I could come in ASAP to try out for a role.... so I said yes, did the casting, they told me they will let me know before Christmas (which was that weekend). They called me the next day after my audition and told me I was exactly what they had been looking for, so I was super excited. That only goes to show that you shouldn't take any no's personally. Once I wasn't even able to be background or extra and now I had my own character. Timing is everything. Keep believing. Visit bpn.fm/builtforthestage for the full description. 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

Joe Rosko / @builtforthestage Tune in to hear how The Avengers lead to this week's guest accepting his claim to fame as “The Broadway Trainer.” We even get a few off-the-cuff renditions of Shut the Eff Up Alan! Joe Rosko is the founder of Built For The Stage, Broadway’s #1 online fitness training platform, and its accompanying podcast on Broadway Podcast Network (with over 200 episodes to date!). In the past six years, Built For The Stage has trained clients in over 50 Broadway shows and on international stages around the globe. BFTS clients can currently be seen in such Tony-nominated and Tony-winning shows as “Some Like It Hot,” “& Juliet,” “New York, New York,” “Wicked” and “Hamilton." Joe has some terrific fitness and overall wellness tips about preparing for this busy and exciting time leading up to Broadway’s Biggest Night. Joe began his professional career as a trainer and actor at the exact same time in 2007. Since then, it has been his mission to build a bridge between the worlds of fitness and theatre. Joe believed that actors were truly professional athletes but didn't feel as though the theatre community was equipped with the proper resources to train like said athletes. This realization led to the creation of Built for the Stage. Joe and his coaches pride themselves on having the unique abilities to continue a performer’s fitness progress while being in or out of a show. Connect with Joe on his website, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Broadway performers are the Olympians of theater. It’s important to challenge your body in different ways to protect it during such rigorous work as eight shows a week. How the hell did Joe get here? It was the perfect storm of three specific things: He started playing sports at the age of 4 A middle school girlfriend talked him into trying out for the school play An entrepreneurial spirit. Joe studied theater in college and continued to do both theater and sports. While performing in school shows he was also playing football which is a little nuts, if you ask us. Built for the Stage really started in college when he started training fellow actors at the age of 18. Although his fellow athletes gave him a little shit, they were always supportive and sat in the front row when he did a show. Everything in life is mental. It’s all about what you decide to make it. After college training was a “survival” job. He discovered Crossfit in NYC and ended up managing a gym which led to early virtual training. In order to be accessible to Actors, no matter their work status, all of Built for the Stage’s programs have always been virtual. During the pandemic, Joe lowered the cost of the Built for the Stage app and donated proceeds to the Actor’s Fund. While it may look like it’s all rainbows and butterflies it’s not. Joe works countless hours, drives and flies thousands of miles, and puts his whole heart and soul into the work. Although Joe does have a bit of a Midas touch, he embraces failure with the mindset of “never be afraid to ask” and this has helped lead to his massive success. Having a really great niche is game-changing! Built for the Stage Podcast on BPN. Joe is a big believer in the power of no. Stay focused and don’t say yes to things that don’t serve you. 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

Donald Craig Manuel / donaldcraig is a an actor, singer, songwriter, and voiceover artist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. He received the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA, and also holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He is a member of the professional music fraternity, Mu Phi Epsilon. Donald, a highly accomplished opera singer, has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and other ensembles throughout the city of Chicago. He has performed on various stages throughout Europe in the international tour of Porgy and Bess. Over the past few years, Donald has worked with Disney, performing in mainstage productions aboard the Disney Dream, as well as performing the roles of Scar and Gaston at Hong Kong Disneyland. Donald has also been seen in the West End production of the Phantom of the Opera. Donald is currently in the West End production of Les Miserables! 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

Collette Guitart / @colletteguitart is a British Actor, Singer, and Dancer. She previously played Eleanor and understudied Anne Hathaway in the west end production of & Juliet. Her final performance was on the 25th March 2023. Theatre credits include: Dance captain/Understudy in Six (Arts, Lyric, and Vaudeville theatre) Swing in Bat Out of Hell (Dominion Theatre) Swing in Rip It Up 60s (Garrick Theatre) Dancer in Royal Variety Performance (London Palladium) Swing in Wonderland (UK Tour) Ensemble/cover Fate in 27 (Cockpit Theatre) 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

Kyla Bartholomeusz / @kylalouiseb Training: Full-time Scholarship Student – Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, 2012. Theatre: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TML); Dirty Dancing (Gordon Frost Organisation); We Will Rock You (Gordon Frost Organisation); Dance Captain: American Idiot (Shake & Stir); Siren in Velvet Rewired (Rix Management). Television: The Voice Australia (Nine Network); Dancing with the Stars (Network Ten); The Masked Singer (Network Ten); Australia’s Got Talent (Nine Network); TV Week Logie Awards (Seven Network); AFL Footy Show (Seven Network); The Morning Show (Seven Network). Film: Ellie Was Here – short film ( JTown Productions); I Shall Wear Midnight – short film (Hiboux /We Are Crispy). Commercials: Bumble. Concerts: Cosentino’s Anything is Possible National Tour (Frontier Touring); Co-Choreographer for Immersive Cinema’s Dirty Dancing (Mushroom Group). Awards: JOIP on Broadway Scholarship. Other: Music Videos: Ruel “Real Thing”; Ruel “ALAYC”; Bobby Fox “Shopping For Clothes”; Samantha Jade “Fire Starter”. Campaigns: Energetiks “Roar”; Sportsgirl “Get Dressed, Lets Dance”; Cointreau. Kyla is a proud member of MEAA since 2014. 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

JORDAN DOBSON / @jordandobson (Prince Sebastian). Broadway: Hadestown (Orpheus), A Beautiful Noise (Shilo, OBC), West Side Story directed by Ivo Van Hove (Tony). Select regional: Austen’s Pride, Into the Woods (ACT of Connecticut); The Wanderer (Paper Mill Playhouse); Cabaret, Gypsy (Arden Theatre Co.); The Color Purple (Theatre Horizon). Upcoming film: William in Netflix’s Maestro directed by Bradley Cooper. Much love to his incredible family and Dave at Creative Talent Company! 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

Kevin Shen / @_kshen Kevin Shen is an Asian-American and British East Asian actor currently appearing as Mr. Okamoto in LIFE OF PI on London's West End. Originally from Orange County, California, Kevin has worked as an actor in London and Los Angeles for the past twelve years. Prior to becoming an actor, Kevin studied Computer Systems Engineering and Sociology at Stanford University and received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, before working in the corporate world in New York City and London. He began his acting career in London by producing and starring in the UK Premiere of David Henry Hwang's Pulitzer Prize Finalist play YELLOW FACE, which opened north London's Park Theatre and subsequently transferred into the National Theatre. He was also part of the first ever all-East Asian cast at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Recent television credits include Industry (HBO), Devils (The CW), and the upcoming Litvinenko (ITV). He can also be seen as King Tai in the third installment of the popular Netflix A CHRISTMAS PRINCE films. In addition to acting, Kevin also writes in an effort to increase representation for East Asians and other underrepresented demographics on stage and screen in the US and the UK. His work has been selected to the CAPE List (feature film screenplays centering AAPI stories curated by the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and the Black List) and longlisted for the UK's prestigious Bruntwood Prize for playwriting. He is a recent participant of the BBC Writer's Room London Voices television writing program, as well as playwriting programs at the Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre, and New Earth Theatre, among others. www.kevinshen.co.uk 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

Gabrielle Mariella / @gabriellmariella is a graduate of NYU Tisch where she received her BFA in Drama from the New Studio on Broadway for Musical Theatre. She has performed regionally, as well as in NYC in pre-Broadway and Off-Broadway workshops, labs, & staged readings of new musical theatre (Almost Famous, The Visitor, etc.). Gab has recently gained recognition for her vocal impressions online, with her viral videos garnering more than 6 Million views. ( TikTok, IG) She is also a successful voice actor, lending her voice to various commercial projects (Walmart, TD Bank and more.) Behind the camera, Gab is a Sony Alpha Female+ Grant Winning Cinematographer, winning a grant from Sony in 2021 with which she filmed and directed ENOUGH, a documentary short film about female Broadway creatives. She has served as the DP on over ten new series on Broadstream, Prospect Theater’s Company’s Vision Series of New Musical Theatre on Film, brand films (Harridan Vodka, Chelsea Table + Stage, The Broadway Sinfonietta) and many more. As an artist, Gab believes the stories we tell on stage and screen matter and have the power to create positive change. When she’s not performing, on set, or behind her editing desk, Gab can be found on the hunt for the best Caesar salad or geeking out on sci-fi films typically involving time travel (don’t ask.) Gab is a second generation American who lives to make her ancestors proud. GABRIELLE MARIELLA: BROADWAY LEADING LADIES SING, FEAT. BEN FANKHAUSER & MORE! https://54below.com/events/gabrielle-mariella-broadway-leading-ladies-sing/ For info on videography and editing: https://www.gabriellemariella.com/about 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

Georgia Tapp / @georgiatapp is a US native who currently is performing on the West End in Back to the Future the Musical in London. Training: The Boston Conservatory of Music UK Theatre Credits: u/s Cinderella in Cinderella (Gillian Lynne Theatre); Carmen Diaz in Fame (UK Tour/Troubadour Wembley Park) US Theatre Credits: u/s Ellen in Miss Saigon (Diablo Light Opera); Olive Ostrovsky in 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Ellie in Some Enchanted Evening (Cape Playhouse); Kathy Seldon in Singin’ in the Rain, Natalie in All Shook Up and Jill in Equus (Forestburgh Playhouse). Other: Lead Vocalist for Celebrity Cruise Lines & Aida Cruise Lines. Georgia would like to thank her family and friends for their continuous love and support! 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

Joe Rosko / @builtforthestage gives away $400 worth of coaching and swag in this episode as he speaks about the power of starting regardless of feeling unprepared. 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

Carl Man / @carlmanofficial - Theatre credits include: understudy Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Rory in Proud (Turbine Theatre), Nintendo in Starlight Express (The Other Palace), Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin (USA), understudy Galileo in We Will Rock You (RCCL), Tiger Bay The Musical (Wales Millennium Centre), The Who’s Tommy (USA). Workshops include: Dezza in Great British Bake Off The Musical, David in If/Then. Other work includes: Voice of Joseph The Boy Scientist in Cosmic Rhapsody (Animated Film), The West End Men (Park Theatre), Kings Of Broadway (Palace Theatre), Unlimited: The Songs Of Stephen Schwartz (Thespie), Christmas on Ice (USA and Canada). 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

Laura Delany / @_lauradelany - SWING / ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN (SHE/HER) TRAINING: Royal Academy of Music. THEATRE CREDITS INCLUDE: Sex With Friends, Don’t Say Macbeth (Edinburgh Fringe); Merrily We Roll Along (Royal Academy of Music); Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Sondheim); Maria Friedman & Friends – Legacy (Menier Chocolate Factory); Treason the Musical (Workshop); The Emperor’s New Clothes (American Repertory, USA). 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

Ricardo Castro / @rico_castro was last seen in London on the West End in Come From Away and is now touring the US playing the role of Heathcliff in the in "Wuthering Heights"! 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

Joe Rosko / @builtforthestage discusses how the time you establish your worth is not when in a show but while in the waiting. He also goes over blockades that people struggle with that deter them from the ability to give themselves a chance to succeed. Joe Rosko began his professional career as a trainer and actor at the exact same time in 2007. Since then, it has been his mission to build a bridge between the worlds of fitness and theatre. Rosko believed that actors were truly professional athletes but didn't feel as though the theatre community was equipped with the proper resources to train like said athletes. This realization led to the creation of Built for the Stage. Over the years, BFTS has had clients represented in over fifty Broadway shows, as well as stages on the West End in London, Australia, and other countries around the world. Rosko prides himself in having the unique abilities to continue a performer’s fitness progress while in the midst of being in or out of a show. All professional athletes train a certain way while in season or out of season, and with actors it’s no different. Actors are athletes, and thus, they should train like one. 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

Rodney Vubya / @rodneyvubya is currently in the cast of Frozen and certainly no stranger to the stages of the West End! Cinderella The Musical [West End] World Premiere Adaptation, 2022 Ensemble The Book of Mormon [West End] Original West End Production, 2021 Ensemble [Replacement] Tina - The Tina Turner Musical [West End] Original West End Production, 2021 Performer (Swing) Evita [West End] Regent's Park Open Air Theatre London Revival, 2019 Ensemble 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

Tavio Wright / @tavio_wright can be seen starring in Back to the Future on the West End! Training: Arts Educational School. Stage Credits: Swing in Back to the Future (Adelphi Theatre); Booker T. Washington in Ragtime (ArtsEd); Skimbleshanks in Cats (ArtsEd). 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

Tom Bowen / @tombowen91 was recently seen in GET UP STAND UP, the Bob Marley musical, on the West End as DOCTOR, CHRIS BLACKWELL U/S. Training: Tiffany Theatre College Theatre Credits: Dirty Dancing (UK Tour), Privates on Parade and Opening Up (Union Theatre), and Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre). Film Credits: Rogue Trader Television Credits: David Lee Roth in Breakup Of The Bands, Jack in Bail and Policeman in Call The Midwife. 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

Cameron Bernard Jones / @cbjarts is set to be seen next on the West End in Ain't Too Proud! Cameron Bernard Jones is a London-based performing artist, voice actor and accent coach originally from New York City. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Voice & Opera Performance at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, located in Chicago, USA. While at Northwestern he also studied musical theatre, German, Italian, and linguistics. Professionally, Cameron has performed in the spheres of musical theatre, opera and choral singing. Major credits include: Porgy & Bess (Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen; Spoleto Festival, USA), Showboat (Landestheater Linz), Hairspray (Bühne Baden, Austria), Motown the Musical (West End), and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (West End). As a voice actor Cameron has done voiceover work mainly for TV and film post-production. Projects include: Black Mirror season 5 episode 1 “Striking Vipers” (Netflix), Avenue 5 (HBO), the new 2019 Aladdin film, and the film Show Dogs. Cameron began professionally coaching American accents and dialects while in Motown, where he served as the in-house dialect coach. Since then, he has continued to coach a wide range of young and adult students, and professional actors of the screen and the stage, with in-person and online private coachings and masterclasses. https://cameronbernardjones.com/ 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

Isabella Glanznig / @isabella.glanznig is half Austrian, half Filipino, born in the Philippines, raised in Nigeria, then Malaysia, all while going to an American international school. She now finds herself in this magical place called Arendelle since joining the cast of Frozen in the West End! You can see Isabella in the ensemble on most nights, but during others, as Bulda and Queen Iduna when she fulfills her role as the understudy. 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

Danny Mahoney / @dannymahoney1 grew up in small-town Ontario and began acting at an early age. He made his professional debut at the age of 13 playing Louis in The King And I. He went on to study drama and psychology at Queen’s University before training at LAMDA in the UK. He has lived in London for 13 years and has recently obtained his British citizenship. Film credits include The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Love Will Take Over, and Florence Foster Jenkins. He received an Indie Series Award nomination last year for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Purgatory. He has performed both on and off London’s West End as well as internationally. His most recent theatre credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, White Fang, Afterglow, and he is currently performing in the Olivier Award winning production of Cabaret as Ernst Ludwig. 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

Jamie Bogyo / @JamieBogyo recently concluded his time on the West End in Moulin Rouge playing the lead role of Christian. Training: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. As Playwright and Screenwriter: Safe Space (RADA Festival – London production in 2022); Macho; Intimacy, Fantasy and Pornography; and The Great Whitehopes. Jamie is proud to be making his professional debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. 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

John Michael Fiumara / @john7michael is currently tearing up the stage with his taps in FUNNY GIRL on Broadway. From John Michael via Bloc Agency: I was born and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania! I grew up as a dance competition kid, which is what got me into dancing in front of audiences. It allowed me to become more comfortable, and confident in front of them as well. My first inspiration for dance came from watching the classics, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Sammy Davis Jr. Those men were the reason why I went to a dance studio in the first place. My dance studio’s name was the Abby Lee Dance Company, which is where I received most of my dance training, along with dance conventions like NYCDA, JUMP, NUVO, etc. I started out as more of a tap dancer, but realized how important ballet was once I had started doing the Youth American Grand Prix competitions. That’s what really helped contribute to my technique. 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

Maya Britto / @mayabritto_ is a standby for all three of the Schuyler sisters in the West End production of HAMILTON. Theatre: The Magician's Elephant (RSC); Tokyo Rose (UK Tour/Edinburgh Fringe Festival/NDI); Beyond the Circle (workshop, National Theatre); Becoming Angela (workshop, National Theatre); Arabian Nights (Hoxton Hall). Hamilton marks Maya's West End debut. TV: "British Airways 100"; "Someone You Thought You Knew" (season 2). Recording: Tokyo Rose Original Cast Album (Burnt Lemon Theatre); Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (Alfonso Casado/Arturo Cardelús). How did you get into acting, was there a particular performance you saw that resonated with you? I remember going to the theatre for the first time to see THE LION KING when I was about 10, and couldn’t believe how fun it all looked to be a part of. It seemed so unreachable to be where they were, but still I never forgot that feeling. It wasn’t until I was 16 doing a school production of West Side Story in Nepal did it occur to me that singing, acting and dancing is as fun as it looks and is actually something I could pursue as a career. From thebespokeblackbook.com/interview-with-maya-britto/ by Emily Healey-Lynham 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

Joaquin Pedro Valdes / @joaquin.pedro.valdes is a Filipino actor living in the United Kingdom. He started his career at a very young age in the Philippines and has extensively worked in the TV, Concert, Film and Theatre industries in Manila. Some of his work includes Manila premiere productions of INTO THE WOODS, SPRING AWAKENING, KINKY BOOTS, MATILDA, VANYA, SONIA, MASHA & SPIKE, and John Logan's RED. Since moving to the UK, Joaquin has done UK tours of MISS SAIGON and THE KING & I. More recently, he has been seen in FANNY & STELLA - THE SHOCKING TRUE STORY (London), VANARA THE MUSICAL (Hackney Empire), and HEATHERS THE MUSICAL (West End). Currently, he is wrapping up a major UK and International Tour of DISNEY's THE LION KING covering SIMBA. 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

Anika Larsen has performed on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Avenue Q, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Rent. Off-Broadway, she was in Zanna, Don’t!, Myths and Hymns, Closer Than Ever, Miracle Brothers, How to Save the World…, Disaster! and Unbroken Circle. Anika is from Cambridge, MA with nine brothers and sisters of different ethnicities and countries. See her now in Almost Famous! 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

Tom Stacy / @tomstacy is an Olivier Award winning Actor & Puppeteer currently appearing in Life of Pi on the West End, where he is also the Movement & Puppetry Associate on the show. Since graduating from Rose Bruford (BA Acting) Tom has performed both nationally and internationally in a number of shows, including, The National Theatre's 'War Horse', as well as Theatre Témoin's 'The Marked' which won best physical theatre show at the Edinburgh Fringe. With a background in theatre, dance, sport and comedy, Tom has also performed alongside comedian Romesh Ranganathan in 'Romesh and Friends'. 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

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.' 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

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/ 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

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/ ___ 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

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 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

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. 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

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/ 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

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! 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

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 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

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. 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

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.” 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

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/ Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! builtforthestage.com/free-trial broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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

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 and get tickets to his upcoming live shows at Get tickets to his upcoming live shows at jchrisofficial.com/live/. 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! 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

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 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

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/ 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

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 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

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/ 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