Was It Chance?

Unexpected tragedy may have led Jenny to her amazing successful theatrical producing career. After losing her brother in her late 20s, she founded Ars Nova to honor him and continue his legacy in the arts. Jenny is a Tony Award winner who started in “the biz” as an entry level intern and is now a producing powerhouse. She’s worked alongside some of the greatest in our industry including Tina Fey, Joel Gray, Sir Patrick Stewart, Josh Groban, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, just to name drop a few. She co-founded Ars Nova, co-founded a Japanese animation studio called Ultra Super Pictures. She is also one of the masterminds behind bringing Freestyle Love Supreme to Broadway. Make sure to follow Jenny on 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 @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @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 In life, we grow from our failures, not our successes. Art is essential. You’ll likely find beauty on the other side of tragedy. Work for personal satisfaction, not awards. Theater, art in general, is a cathartic experience for both the artist and the audience. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Embrace them go all in! The unknown is scary, it’s also where the gold is. Don’t assign judgment (good or bad) to words, thoughts or feelings. Be open-minded. There is endless possibility when we take risks. You can have it all, but you can’t have it all at the same time. We feel the most joy and happiness when we’re pursuing the things we’re most passionate about. Each of us has inherent gifts that we were born with, that come naturally and easy to us. Because they come so easy to us we often don’t recognize them as superpowers. It takes reflection to be aware of our superpowers, prioritize it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you take a $10,000 fantasy and make it feel like reality? Well, we have no idea but Alison Burns and Lulu Picart, hosts of 10KDollarDay do! This hilarious and creative podcast came to life because Alison and Lulu embraced chance over and over again. In this episode, Heather and Alan chat with Alison and Lulu about the crazy, winding road of chance and manifestation they kept putting them together and eventually led to their two wildly successful podcasts. From high school theater to Disney World, to Broadway, and now taking over the podcast scene, their stories are both hilarious and inspiring. Both performers, teachers, and coaches in their own right, they are two people who have embodied the mantra of this podcast by embracing chance opportunities. This is the first time our little theme song, STFU Alan has been performed as a duet and it’s too damn good to miss! Thanks to Alison and Lulu for taking up the challenge so willingly - They crushed it! Listen to 10KDollarDay and The Daily Happy and where you enjoy podcasts. And if you’re an aspiring podcaster check out their podcaster retreats! Details are available on their website. You can also follow along on their super fun journey by connecting with them on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. 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 @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @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 Podcasting allows you to be whoever you want to be. When it comes to creating, let your imagination run wild. There’s nothing stopping you. Sometimes not being overly prepared allows you to relax and just say “what the fuck.” It might turn out just right. Try things imperfectly. You can’t figure anything out unless you try. You can go from not knowing how to do something to being extremely well respected in the industry. But you have to be willing to do the damn thing. Don’t erase your early moments because it’s powerful to see how you’ve learned and grown. It might even be inspiring for others. You can’t do day two if you don’t have day one. Ask your audience what resonates with them. There’s so much you can learn from them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who’s excited to hear our theme song, “STFU Alan" sung as an Aria!? Well, tune in because this week's guest, Lauren “Nightingale” Jelencovich does it and it’s ah-maz-ing. She gives previous “STFU Alan” composers, James Harkness, Drew Gasparini, and Josh Breckenridge a run for their money, that’s for sure! The incredible list of achievements Lauren Jelencovich has under her belt is, quite frankly, astounding! From winning Star Search to being the featured singer on tour with Yanni (where she earned the nickname “Nightingale”), this lady is the real deal. While still in high school, Lauren won the grand prize on Ed McMahon's Star Search. She is an incredible singer whose style is a mix of pop, musical theatre and opera. By age 20, she had performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. She’s performed privately for Andrea Bocelli, is world traveler having visited over 60 countries, has recently worked with Project Runway’s Isaac Mizrahi, graduate from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, and is currently on a world tour with Yanni as his featured vocalist. Once again, hosts, Heather and Alan have way more fun than should be allowed chatting with Lauren about the chance encounters she dove into, head first, and how they have helped her manifest the musical career of her dreams. The release of her new album is slightly delayed but keep an eye out for its release (we promise to update and share the information here as well). You can learn more about Lauren on her website and be sure to follow her on Instagram. She also has a killer TikTok game going (and a viral song!) so find her there as well. Hell, Lauren even has a Wikipedia page. Listen to Lauren perform with Yanni here. It’s breathtaking! 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 @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @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 If there’s a song in your heart, listen to it! You never know what’s going to happen. Throw your hat in the ring and try things. Try it all!!! If you have a unique talent, don’t hide from it, put it out there. Lauren sings the most amazing rendition of STFU Alan - As an Opera Aria. Heather may or may not have turned it into her phone ring tone (ok. She did). You are not required to pick just one lane or specialty. Embrace all of your talents. Technology has made it possible for anyone with talent to put themselves out there and peruse their dreams. Don’t hide your talents, share them with the world. Even the most successful people have limiting voices and fear that they must work through. I’d you never do “it” you’ll never know if it was good enough. Open your arms to all of the opportunities Your “chances” increase when you have a wonderful network. Get out there, meet people, connect! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes our dreams take decades to manifest. And while this is completely true, we can also have several different successes on the way to what is most meant for us. This week's guest, Xochitl Gonzalez, has worn many hats in her professional life but none so rewarding as finally becoming a published author. Her debut novel was a New York Times bestseller months before its release and they also made a pilot for a series on Hulu. While we won’t know if the pilot will be picked up for another few weeks, there’s no doubt that the road ahead for Xochitl’s book, Olga Dies Dreaming, is prosperous. Xochitl received her MFA from the University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop and she’s the recipient of the Michener-Copernicus Prize in fiction and the winner of the 2019 Disquiet Literary Prize. She’s been published in Bustle, Vogue, and The Cut and is a contributor for The Atlantic where you can also find her newsletter “Brooklyn Everywhere.” Keep up with the going’s on in Xochitl’s exciting work via her website. You can also follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Get your copy of Olga Dies Dreaming by clicking here. 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 @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @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 There’s a difference between “paying attention” and understanding what will truly fill you up. Don’t become a slave to your business. You have earned all of your pain points, don’t hate them or discredit them. They are there for you. What happens when you choose, actively, NOT to be defined by something? As a creative, it’s so valuable to own what you know and not hide from it. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Always find your joy! Perhaps middle age is more of a mid-life catharsis rather than a crisis. Learn to edit the use of your time and you’ll be more successful. Batch task your time, especially as a writer. Let yourself have “social” days and then deeply “focused” days. Most success comes after a lot of hard, focused work, and then a waiting period. Lean into the waiting period. Allow it to be ok. Every moment doesn’t have to be about building your business. It’s important to make yourself the focus some of the time. Consider manifesting things you’re afraid of because then they become less scary. If you’re going to “go in” be sure you go “all the way in.” Intentionally stop doing what you don’t want to do in order to focus on what you most desire. Only then will you be able to create it. You don’t always have to be chasing something new. It’s ok to sit still. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are no words to describe how honored and excited Alan and Heather were to sit down with the incredibly brilliant, Jim Jimirro (except these words we just used). But when the opportunity to interview the founder of The Disney Channel presents itself, you ask no questions and just get it on the schedule. Jim Jimirro is the creator and founding President of The Disney Channel and Walt Disney Home Video. During his tenure at the helm of The Disney Channel, Mr. Jimirro was responsible for the conception, development, and launching of the fastest-growing pay service in history. He’s an Oscar Awards voter, is the subject of a documentary called Jim J’s Jukebox, hosts his own lecture speaker series at the prestigious 92nd Street Y here in NYC, and is the executive producer of The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company, founded before the pandemic, which is just now starting its second season! Be sure to follow J2 Spotlight on Instagram! Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Sometimes the dreams we have as seven-year-olds can become our reality. Believe in yourself and your dreams. Trusting your instincts can take you all the way. Sometimes we have to “create” our chance by paying attention, showing up, and being persistent. Don’t be intimidated by people’s titles or resumes - All growth comes from communication. If you don’t have an ingrained sense of confidence, you face a tougher challenge but these things can be gained with good support and mentorship. Take calculated risks. Seriously. JUST TAKE THEM! You may have to give up your lifelong dream and walk away from something that’s really good, to embrace something really great. There’s a possibility that you can have two, active, dreams coming true at once. Don’t limit yourself. You have the power to be a creator of “unrealistic” dreams. Hardware developers are the key to all technological advances. The “best” technology doesn’t always win. It’s about marketing! You can thank Porn for the Disney Channel (you’re going to have to listen to learn more!) If you keep track of hardware advancement, you will be on the cutting edge of business growth opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Art brings us hope. This week’s guest, Rain Ross, has embraced an artistic approach to life in every possible way. She uses dance as a way to create community connections. Rain helps people find themselves through movement as a dance professor at Stockton University. In 2011, she participated in the first annual International Dance Day Festival in Lebanon and then became the Guest Artist Coordinator for the festival, which ran for a decade until COVID-19 shut it down. Her most recent work with the Lebanese dance community is a dance film that just finished the editing process. The film looks at the impact of the economic crisis, revolution, COVID-19, and the Beirut explosion on everyday people in Lebanon and asks the question, “What does home mean to us when it can no longer sustain us?” For Rain, dance has always been a pathway to creating her dreams. She joins Alan and Heather to talk about her journey towards dance and hope as a way of life and how she has manifested her dreams, travel, and adventure. Follow Rain on Instagram and on Twitter. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS What happens all over the world can and does create an impact on us. Art, like all creation and expression, heals. We have to fail in order to grow. If there is never failure, you’ll stay stuck and small. Failure shapes us. The mind-body connection is deeply related to movement. When you have a dream or desire, look for a way to create it but think outside the box. It’s wildly important to follow up. The follow-up is a key part of what takes something from “chance” to creation. Traveling is a conduit to growth, connection, greater understanding. Calculated risk must be vetted and have a backup, safety plan. Your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. If you’re living authentically and vulnerably it will be completely unique. How can you utilize art to create a space where all people can experience it? If we don’t create art, what’s the point of anything? Movement is a way to connect with your mind, body, and spirit as well as your community. Peer-to-peer mentoring is incredibly important. Art is humanity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When chance met the thirst trap that is Josh Breckenridge the angels began to sing... Ok. Maybe not, but our hosts Heather and Alan fell in love with Josh and we’re pretty sure you will also! Josh Breckenridge is a Broadway superhero - otherwise known as a swing and standby. He’s currently working in Come From Away on Broadway and serving as a super hero for several different roles as well as the dance captain. This guy seriously does it all! Josh is also a musician who recently released a brand new album, Monotony, complete with music videos. The album explores life in quarantine during the pandemic and it’s so good! Last, but in our world, currently not least, Josh provided us with his own take of our signature song “Shut the F**K up Alan” and it is not to be missed! Follow Josh on Instagram for updates on his career and incredible thirst traps. Find his music videos on YouTube and he’s also on Twitter and TikTok (@J.Breckenridge) so let’s show him all the Was It Chance love! Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS There are so many gifts that appear when we’re experience something we perceive as “bad.” We just have to look for them! Don’t underestimate the importance of Highs School drama programs. Missed opportunities can lead to greatness so don’t waste your time feeling bad about what didn’t work out. Stay focused and move on. Sharing what you’re passionate about may inspire others. Getting creative - trying new things - can make a much bigger impact than we might imagine. Keep a list of your wins and successes and positive feedback because we all need those reminders. Pursuing a passion is hard work, even when you love what you do. That’s ok though, you can do hard things. Sometimes it’s the little things that remind you that you’re “pretty darn amazing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Drew “Fuckin’” Gasparini. Get ready to be greatly entertained in this hilarious episode with composer and lyricist Drew Gasparini. Honestly, these show notes are hard to write because we had so much fun and talked about such a vast array of topics. You’re gonna have to listen to the entire thing folks, it’s just that good. From meeting his childhood hero, Marc Summers, and becoming BFFs, to proudly declaring that his newest Broadway project, “The Karate Kid - The Musical” is going to blow our minds - Drew’s lively personality draws you in over and over again. Special thanks to Drew for his unscripted, and personal rendition of “Shut The Fuck Up, Alan.” This little segment is quickly becoming a fan favorite (and Heather’s favorite!). Don’t miss anything Drew is up to. Follow him on Instagram, and Twitter (seriously, follow him there and be nice!). Oh, and he shared his email address with us. Be sure to listen to the show if you want to connect directly with Drew, ask him questions, or collaborate with him. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Putting yourself out there is scary AF but you only need it to “work” a handful of times. Don’t claim to be an expert because you’re always changing and evolving. Offer to help others achieve and grow, it’s the best thing you can do for your life and your career. Get creative with your own art - Think outside the box. Ditch your pride and ask for support when the opportunity is presented to you! There’s room for everyone, be kind, be supportive, and don’t quit. Put your heart and soul into what you do, people can tell the difference. No matter what the show is or how big of a project you’re working on, you must be willing to dive all the way in and put yourself on the line in an authentic way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A chance encounter with Burt Bacharach led Steven Sater to collaborate on a decade-long project to produce a full-length musical concept album featuring some of the industry's biggest artists. Now 93, Burt hasn't written anything for the stage since Promises, Promises in 1968. Steven felt drawn to Burt, this project, and their mission to explore what it's like to write love songs for couples after the "newness" of the relationships are over, and they've settled into their routines. This album is a must-listen, and this podcast episode is ... an even muster-listener. Find Some Lovers on Spotify, or everywhere you stream music: https://open.spotify.com/album/1tEyFYVH36zYUYfFK58gPN. List of featured artists include: Christy Altomare Kristin Chenoweth Lilli Cooper Auli'i Cravalho Santino Fontana Molly Gordon Jonathan Groff Jennifer Holiday Derek Klena Katrina Lenk Lea Michele Laura Osnes Ashley Park Graham Phillips Conrad Ricamora Colton Ryan Ari'el Stachel Ethan Slater Tracie Thoms Betsy Wolfe Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The broadway actress and lead violinist for The Eagles, Erica Swindell, gets straight to the heart of the matter of how taking a massive chance opened doors she actively tried to previously keep closed. She first picked up a violin at the age of three but after joining her high school theater program decided to pursue acting rather than music. That’s not, however, what fate had in store for Erica. While performing in Broadway Tour of Once, an unexpected audience member completely changed the course of Erica’s life. Who was the audience member? None other than Eagles founding member Don Henley. Erica has long believed that embracing chance opportunities, taking thoughtful risks, and having a damn good time in the process is the key to success. Make sure you catch all of the amazing things Erica is up to by following her at @ericaswindell and go see her light up the stage on The Eagels Runion Tour: https://eagles.com/ Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS If you want to be successful you have to accept that you’re going to fail a lot! Work hard, but stay open to change and new opportunities It’s really important to laugh, have fun, and experience joy when you’re a creative When you stop worrying what other people think, your energy shifts, and people are attracted to that Sometimes you need to create a “persona” to help you step into the uncomfortable and do hard things There are ways to communicate that go well beyond language Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor James Harkness made his Broadway debut in Aida back in 2001 before moving on to productions such as Chicago, The Color Purple, Guys and Dolls, the Dreamgirls tour, and Beautiful. Now that Broadway has returned he resumed his role as Paul Williams in Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway. A navy veteran, James seized an unexpected opportunity and took a chance when he walked into a dance studio while on leave and forever changed the trajectory of his life. James shares how embracing chance, taking intentional risks, and learning to trust his instincts lead him to a beautiful and unintended career working alongside mentors such as Tiger Martina and Sergio Trujillo, and performing alongside some of the greatest in the arts, including John Legend, Julie Andrew and many others. Y’all don’t want to miss everything James is up to. Follow him at @iamjamesharkness and go see him in Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway right now: https://ainttooproudmusical.com/. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Missed opportunities may be hidden gifts Manifestation only works when you work hard Resharing our experiences and stories brings new awareness Learning to trust your intuition Running towards fear rather than away from it Resting is an important part of being ready to embrace “chance” Staying connected to creativity by being flexible in the moment to always do your best Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways. We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we chat with other successful people about the risks they took, and continue taking, to put themselves on a path to creative success. WAS IT CHANCE? The podcast about embracing opportunity and taking intentional risks for your creative life. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram and Threads, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices