Built For The Stage Podcast

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! 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

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/ 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

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 www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ 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

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 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

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. 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

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/ 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

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. 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

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 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

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 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

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. 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

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 https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com ​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ https://builtforthestage.com/subscribe - $1 coaching for your first month + unlocking a 20% discount code on apparel! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 [email protected] 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. www.builtforthestage.com - free trial sign up www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com https://music.apple.com/au/album/stray-and-the-soundtrack/1571267910 https://open.spotify.com/album/70KqExXm0h1e1RmeEUxTHt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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""! www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. www.builtforthestage.com - Schedule your one week trial today! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices