The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and… read more
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Sara Gettelfinger's Broadway debut came in 2000 with the musical Seussical. And she worked steadily on Broadway through the years until she and I met and worked together on The Addams Family national tour in 2011. But …
As we talked about in Part One, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is what put Gabrielle Ruiz on the map. However, it was her theater training and performance abilities that made it possible for her to be cast in the show. In this …
In the previous episode, you heard actress and singer Ann Harada share her stories of grinding it out as an Asian actress trying to fit in with what she thought casting directors wanted but then discovered her …
Ann Harada will be the first to tell you that finding happiness and satisfaction in the acting business didn’t come quickly or easily for her. In fact, her first Broadway credit came as a production assistant, not as an …
Last week you heard actress, writer, and entrepreneur Lydia-Renee Darling share her stories of growing up in an immigrant household and then her own …
Lydia-Renee Darling is the very definition of a well rounded, multi hyphenate artist. She got her BFA in musical theater from Webster University in …
As an actor I fully appreciate and recognize that I couldn’t do what I do without a writer doing what they do. Their words and characters are the …
For the first guest of this season, I’m talking with writer Steve Cuden, who was a part of a musical and its beginning stages, but was eventually replaced right before it began to take off and become the hugely iconic …
For Season 8, we're diving deep into the world of theater once agin with guests from Broadway, West End, and regional theaters near and far. From seasoned veterans to fresh faces on the scene, each episode is packed …
Five years ago, "The Band's Visit," a musical defying convention, closed on Broadway after a year and a half of acclaim. Composed by David Yazbek and written by Itamar Moses, it emerged as a masterpiece, transcending …
With politics becoming more and more a part of our daily lives, the theater and acting profession are certainly no strangers to it influence and …
Meryl Streep once said that "acting is not about being someone different. It is about finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.” She is in essence urging us to discover the …
We read and hear a lot these days about how actors need to be their own producers and creating their own work. In my own career about the only thing …
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of the acting world with today's guest, Luke Yankee, who is no stranger to the trials …
In an enjoyable BroadwayCon encounter this past summer, I found myself in the heart of all things Broadway, rubbing shoulders with the stars and …
Tjasa Ferme is more than an actress; she's a dynamic creator who writes, produces, and stars in her own work. Her artistic vision revolves around …
John Rubinstein was born the son of renowned pianist Arthur Rubinstein, and his early exposure to theater in the 8th grade ignited a passion that …
This summer marked the beginning of my new podcast venture, Closing Night, where I delve deep into the captivating world of Broadway history. Our journey takes us through the tales of shows that have graced the Marquis …
As a child, Jocelyn Panton attended a musical theater production that came to her hometown in Canada, and she just knew that’s what she wanted to do one day. Well, she stuck to that dream and has gone on to do …
Regional theater is really the lifeblood of the performing arts in America. It’s the place where we get that first spark and inspiration to become lifelong theatergoers or decide to become actors ourselves. But in …
In July of this summer, I did my very first BroadwayCon, which is an annual conference here in New York City about all things Broadway and theater, …
In the midst of the devastating impact of the pandemic on the arts, there's a unique perspective rarely explored--that of artists just entering the performing arts world when Covid struck. In this episode, Noah Crandell …
Last year, the idea for a new theater history podcast came up as Dan Delgado and I were working on The Little Prince episodes. Well, it took me …
I was in college when I first discovered Lisa Lampanelli, a stand-up comedian, insult comic, actress, and writer who is known for her sharp wit, …
E Clayton Cornelious has been a part of 10 Broadway shows: in the ensemble, as an understudy and swing, as well as in starring roles, and even as a …
My first conversation is with Marcia Milgrom Dodge, who I am so grateful to have met for the first time in this interview. We had a wonderful …
Cabarets have been an integral part of New York City's cultural fabric for over a century, offering a unique blend of entertainment, social …
Well, after more than five years, Why I’ll Never Make It is taking a big leap forward as a Podcast, joining the highly respected and expansive Broadway Podcast Network. So over the coming weeks, you’ll notice some …
Previous guest Michael Kushner loves to use the term multi-hyphenate to illustrate the many ways we can express our creative selves. Well, Corrie …
Writing is by its very nature, a solitary practice. Whether with pen and paper or in front of a computer screen, it is generally time spent alone, …
It took 35 years, but Phantom of the Opera has finally left Broadway. It was a show that I first discovered in high school, and I went on to perform …
There was a study that came out the year before the pandemic called “Quantifying and Predicting Success in Show Business.” It starts off by saying that the unemployment rate for actors hovers around 90% —now, this was …
Recently, I went googling for articles about downsizing and simplifying my life, and I found this one called Simple Living Manifesto, which sounded great. But then the title of the blog post was “72 Ideas to Simplify …
Music director Julianne Merrill and broadcast technology director Jessica Ryan join the podcast for Women's History Month, to talk about Maestra and …
As collaborative as theater can be, there are sometimes when the creative process can be more like herding cats—with no clear direction as everyone …
One of the important aspects of Black History Month is that it’s not just about what happened 50, 100, 200 years ago. It’s also about the present, the world around us and what’s happening now to bring greater …
One essential ingredient to any actors career is experience. It allows us to develop our craft and hone our skills over time. With each performance, we refine techniques, learn from mistakes, and develop greater …
One of the joys that can come from being an actor, besides getting to perform on stage and feeling the energy of a live audience, is that of working …
Welcome to Season Seven of Why I’ll Never Make It, an award-winning theater podcast. After a few weeks off, I’m so excited to be back for another …
As we start off this new year, I’m continuing where we left off last week with Brooke McNamara by talking with another psychologist, Alisa Hurwitz. …
Happy New Year! Thank you for listening to Why I’ll Never Make It!
The next season is just a few weeks away and I wanted to start off the year by …
Happy birthday and thank you for joining me as Why I’ll Never Make It turns 5 years old today! It was on December 28, 2017 that this theater podcast …
Back in October of this year we lost a beloved star of the stage and screen, Angela Lansbury. Her performing career spanned 80 years in which she …
Back in September of this year, news came out that both shook and shocked the Broadway theater world: Phantom of the Opera will be closing and have its final performance in February 2023. After 35 years, the longest …
During the past 30 years there’s been a growing list of pop and rock musicians trying their hand at musical theater. And they range in style and …
Do you want to be famous or do you want to be an actor? Very few truly achieve both. For most of us it’s a choice, and the direction we choose …
One of the greatest obstacles to becoming a better performer is thinking you aren’t good enough, that the dreams and aspirations you have for yourself are just too far out of reach and beyond your capability. So in …
Jules Helm chats about how to focus on self-care and personal growth by using movement and acting techniques to bring both our mind and body into …
Back in 2008, I made the move to New York City to finally pursue my acting career here. And after a couple of years of doing regional work, though, I …
Joe DiPietro is certainly no stranger to theater and has been writing for the stage since 1991. His musicals and plays have received multiple awards …
The art of theater is really just storytelling, and the stories that are told from region to region often come from within those communities and …
The life of an actor is often a cross between a seesaw and a rollercoaster. Sometimes it’s as simple as an up or down choice between opportunities …
For only the second time in my career, I’m doing back to back shows at the same theater. First there was Anne of Green Gables this past summer and now there’s 42nd Street here at the Goodspeed Opera House. It’s a show …
Sometime before the pandemic, I auditioned for a small off-Broadway production of the Lerner and Loewe musical The Day Before Spring. It was at the …
Steve Harper is an actor, writer, and producer of the stage and screen. He shares his actor’s nightmare in a Shakespeare production in Cincinnati, but we also discuss the pivotal time when he found himself lacking a …
As noted in the previous episode, auditions are the backbone of this industry, but there is an important gatekeeper when it comes to submitting our self tapes or actually getting in the audition room: The Casting …
As much as we actors wish it wasn’t so, auditioning really is our job. Performing it’s just an added perk, if we do that job really well. That being said though, there are times when we mail an audition and simply …
Barton Cowperthwaite is a dancer first and foremost, with performances ranging from the opera La Traviata to Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound dance tour. The esteemed choreographer Lar Lubovitch describes Barton as a …
Back in the summer of 2020, there was a new Netflix docuseries everyone was talking about, a little show called Tiger King. Well, in the midst of all that I sat down with composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa. He talked …
In the previous episode, I spoke with a musical writing team about their process of writing a full show for the stage with a cast and creative team …
In the last episode, I spoke with composer Matt Vinson and writer Matte O'Brien about their new musical Anne of Green Gables. It was the first time I’ve spoken with a musical writing team here on Why I’ll Never Make It, …
Writing a musical is a long process, and once the writers are have finished that last page…that’s really only the beginning of their journey. By the time an actor comes along to audition for it, there’s usually been …
Just like actors show off their skills in the audition room, other artists and creatives have their own ways of showcasing talents to prospective theaters, directors, or employers, and these interviews can be just as …
This past week as Anne of Green Gables went into tech rehearsal and we finally had our first public performance, I was reminded that there is a very …
For the past four weeks I’ve been in rehearsals for a new musical adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. During that time I even got Covid for the second time and had to miss several days of rehearsal while I was …
Among the many repercussions of the Covid pandemic, it caused actors, including myself, to question our purpose, our abilities, and our own belief in what it means to be an artist. Well, today’s guest had many of these …
This past week I started rehearsals up in Connecticut at the Goodspeed Opera House doing a new musical version of the beloved Anne of Green Gables. It’s a well-known story around the world but especially in its home …
June is always a busy time for New York City with two major events taking place: one is of course the month-long Gay Pride celebration and the other is the biggest day of the Broadway season -- the Tony Awards. And …
Four years ago this spring, a new play opened off Broadway called Church & State. It dealt with the contentious intersection of God, guns, and …
My on-camera agent Brian Keith Graziani and I have been working together since late 2020 for a range of projects--from commercials and industrials to TV dramas and docu-series. Brian himself started out as an actor and …
“There are few things that can cause joy, shame, contentment, anxiety and stress the way that money does,” says Korrena Bailie, Consumer Finance Editor at Forbes. “If your finances cause you stress and anxiety, it’s …
Ethan Steimel talks with Jonathan Cerullo about seeing ourselves and our careers as more than an artistic craft in this special collaboration and …
No matter how many conversations I have with artists, no matter how many episodes this podcast releases, I’m amazed at the variety of insights and lessons that each person brings to these discussions. In this episode, I …
One of the main themes and messages of this podcast has always been that success can mean different things to different people and the path of how someone gets there, if they get there, is always unique to the person. …
Years after the failed Lerner & Loewe movie musical of The Little Prince, producer Joseph Tandet tried again with composer John Barry and a full …
As an actor it is rare to have long stretches of employment, especially in theater. Television actors can certainly be a part of a successful show …
Today’s episode is going to be slightly different from most episodes of Why I’ll Never Make It, because it was born out of a collaboration between …
Back in January 2022, this podcast held its first ever live event: a night of conversation with Emmy-winner Kevin Spirtas. He not only shared stories and struggles from his time on Broadway and television, but he also …
In 1987, HBO had a comedy special called Women of the Night. It featured four women who were known regionally and at certain comedy clubs, but had yet to really reach a national audience. They were Ellen DeGeneres, …
In the final episode of Season Five, I spoke with a talented and passionate actress and producer Debra Ann Byrd. In our conversation, she mentioned Elizabeth Swain as one of the professors who had a significant impact …
The art of performing is certainly filled with joy and passion and can offer a creative fulfillment not found another professions, but as this …
Back in 2014, I met Terron Brooks as we were both working on a workshop of a new musical based on the hit movie FIRST WIVES CLUB. We both continued on with the show as it traveled to Chicago for its out of town …
In honor of Black History Month, this episode is an encore presentation of two pioneering Black artists and the legacy they left in the performing …
No matter what profession you’re in, setting goals is an important part of finding the best path to get you there, but just because you know your goals, does that mean you also have a clear picture of your mission as an …
With live theater happening once again here in New York, one of the joys has been seeing friends back on stage doing what they do best. I certainly …
The act of creating is both a testament to and a full embodiment of its creator. An actor gives so much of themselves to the role that they’re …
Sometimes the biggest obstacle standing in our way as actors is ourselves. Whether it’s self-doubt and a disbelief in our own abilities or maybe it’s giving too much weight to the criticism or expectations of others, or …
Normally at the end of each season I take a chance to look back at the guests and conversations we’ve had throughout the year, but for this special episode you aren’t gonna be getting some "best-of" retrospective …
The experiences of our lives influence the paths we choose and shape who we are. In Part One of my conversation with Debra Ann Byrd, she revealed the ups and downs of her own life that eventually ignited a desire to …
I first found out about Debra Ann Byrd through an article in the Guardian titled “Black Shakespeare champion working to change views on color blind …
In this day and age of everything going digital, and especially with zoom becoming an important part of both personal and professional connections, it’s a very rare moment to have a phone interview. Back in August of …
The main focus and message of this series has been on storytelling. From Kate who talked about how to use our voices and acting skills to connect with casting directors as well audiences, to Max who broke down the …
Though the theater is my main focus as both an actor and a podcaster, it is often interesting and educating to talk with those outside the theater world. Today’s guest has performed on many stages, but he is the last …
This is a continuation of part one’s look at voiceover work and acting behind the mic. You will hear from a group of actors, directors, and producers applying voiceover and acting techniques into their radio play …
Today begins the second annual presentation of this month-long series with actress and voiceover coach Kate McClanaghan. We will be touching on the various aspects of voice work and technique but also addressing some …
One of the themes of this podcast is how we as actors are constantly changing, adjusting, tweaking our careers as we transition between to stage, screen, commercials, and voiceovers. That same kind of transition happens …
As an actor, one of the more difficult attitudes for me to manage is that of jealousy and an elevated sense of competition for roles and status in …
Every year more and more artists come to this country and face the challenges of the language and the culture while facing the nuances of auditioning …
Balancing work and life is a tough juggling act for most any actor or artist. Adding a relationship to the equation can be even more difficult to …
In part one of our conversation, Misty Rosas talked having the opportunity to pursue one of her first passions as an artist -- singing -- and the thrill of opening for her favorite band Air Supply.
In the second half of …
I’ve been a fan of The Mandalorian since it debuted in 2019, and when I found out that one actor had played two wonderful characters on the show …
We're less than a week away from the 2020 Tony Awards ceremony (finally!) so I wanted to bring back this special episode all about those surprising Tony Award Nominations and the fallout that came from the announcement. …
When it comes to work as an actor, there’s that old adage of "feast or famine." For myself that has meant going 11 months without any work…all while …
Here in America, we just marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and on the eve of that anniversary a live recording of the Broadway production of Come From Away was released. It featured many past and present members of …
As we came to the end of Part One of our conversation, Will Swenson and I were talking about the deeper questions of who we are as artists and the …
For the next three weeks I’ll be talking with two Broadway actors and a music director about their careers in New York and their own thoughts on the the theatre world and the Tony Awards. I start today with actor and …
Whether from personal experience or hearing stories from the past two episodes on this podcast, you know that almost anything can happen in an audition room. Sometimes it’s defined by magical moments, while other times …
For most theater actors, Broadway is the ultimate status to attain in this industry. It’s the highest level any of us can reach and is the utmost …
Actors have been returning to the stage this summer as some regional theaters have returned to normal with live audiences. That, of course, has brought in a fresh wind of auditions. So, it is with great pleasure and …
For the past week I have been doing a deep dive into podcasting at a yearly conference called Podcast Movement. It's a place where podcasters like me can learn how to make better episodes, conduct riveting interviews, …
Last year I started releasing bonus episodes to those who supported this podcast on a monthly basis. Well, this is one of those special episodes with Kristen Hetzel. I brought along the co-hosts of Olympic podcast Keep …
As the Olympics head into their second week, it’s been a great reminder of the lessons we as artists can learn from these Olympians.
Remember the episode with Sally Wilfert? She reminded us singers how we are small …
When it comes to theater we all know Broadway and the big lights of New York City. There’s also organizations like the public or playwrights horizons that present notable off Broadway productions as well. But for the …
During this past year as Covid wrecked the theater scene, ending so many shows and seasons, Andrew Lloyd Webber was doing his best to bring musicals back to the West End. And in much the same way, although for very …
Communication and interacting with each other through words is really at the heart of what it means to connect and relate to other people. This is even more clear as actors and writers in the way that we tell stories …
in many ways today’s episode is almost a masterclass from beginning to end in how to bridge the gap between being artist and an entrepreneur. Ashley Danyew is a musician and educator who shares how she has had to branch …
Well, here we are at the third and final installment of my young artist series. And it could be argued that I’ve saved the most prolific artist for …
When it comes to actors, we really are part of a family and community with one another, and no matter how long or how short a time we’ve been in this business, there’s always something we can learn from each other. I …
Being a coach and leading master classes has been something I truly enjoyed doing. Imparting my experience and insights to students and watching them …
In this past year, as most actors and artists were forced to stay at home, we found new ways to keep creating. The most obvious is the explosion of zoom readings and productions of both new and existing works. Others …
This week I'm sharing a conversation I had on another podcast called Blatantly Honest. At the end of this episode I also talk about the recent survey …
Last week on the podcast I spoke with an acting teacher (Terry Knickerbocker) about techniques and the creative process for us actors. Well, this week a publicist will guide us through the business side of our …
The last time a couple came on the podcast was way back in Season 1. And on today's episode Evelyn LeBel and her fiancé Chris Stepanek join me to …
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Ever since I became WINMI's sole host and producer, I have wanted to have an acting teacher on this …
As you and I certainly know there is so much more to Theater then just what happens on stage. There are those behind the scenes and backstage, contributing just as much to the production of any show. The next four …
It’s really no big secret that having children involved in the performing arts can have a major impact on them in school and out of school. Well, …
In the last episode we learned the importance of producing our own work as actors. Well today's guest, Joel B. New, will show us that just because you build it doesn't mean people will come. After the hard work of …
At one point or another there is a lesson that all actors have to learn, and this past year has driven home that lesson even more so, and that is the need to create our own work. Today’s guest, Ashley Kate Adams, Not …
On today’s podcast journalist Marcus Scott shares his love of telling stories and how he suddenly found himself writing musicals.
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Real life writing, that’s really the best way to …
While natural talent certainly plays a part in the capabilities of any actor to perform, there’s one skill that has to be learned and nurtured for any actor to really make it in this business, and in part two of my …
Almost every actor would seize upon the opportunity to be in a big TV show. But even with a BFA in acting and conservatory theater training, none of …
On December 23, 2020, Broadway and musical theater lost one of its most beautifully talented leading ladies, Rebecca Luker. In the second half of my …
Sally Wilfert is a Broadway actress and an amazing vocalist who understands the rigors and demands of performing at the top of her game. In part one …
As we talked about in Part One, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is what put Gabrielle Ruiz on the map. However, it was her theater training and performance abilities that made it possible for her to be cast in the show. In this …
My good friend and amazing performer Gabrielle Ruiz joins me for Women's History Month to chat about her journey from ensemble member on Broadway to …
Fifty years ago this month 10 people were inducted into the songwriters Hall of Fame. Included on that list are well-known names like duke Ellington, Ira Gershwin, and Alan J Lerner. The only woman in that group was …
This week for Women’s History Month, I’m sharing a special conversation with Dr. Broadway about prolific lyricist and librettist Dorothy Fields, who …
The church plays and school musicals of Carrie's childhood eventually gave way to on-camera acting and her desire to become a "black girl James …
Carrie Bernans is the perfect person to kick off Women's History Month. She is a strong individual who knows who she is, what she wants, and usually how to get there. That’s not to say it’s been all smooth sailing for …
In part two of my conversation with Brie Eley, she talked about her latest project that has been such a mountaintop experience for her and we get into her organization that promotes and supports black actresses, …
When it comes to being an artist, Brie Eley is the very definition of a multi-hyphenate. She is a classically trained actress and improviser, spent …
One of the hardest lessons for any actor to learn is to not take constant rejection personally. Adrienne Walker and I continue in part two of our conversation with stories from our own struggles and failures in the …
While the goal of every actor is to perform, our day-to-day job is actually auditioning. As we continue Black History Month here on the podcast, Adrienne Walker from The Lion King on Broadway joins me for a very open …
In the second half of our conversation, Erin Cherry focuses on her weekly show Sundays with a Cherry on Top, a health and lifestyle show that …
For almost a year now Actors have had very little in the way of exercising and using our creative muscles, so in this episode I wanted to remind us of the craft and joy of acting. As Black History Month continues here …
The life of any actor is one of going in and out of employment. But for Geoffrey Owens back in 2018, his side job was captured in a photo and spread across the Internet. In part two of our conversation for Black History …
Throughout his career Geoffrey Owens has been an actor, director, and teacher. But for more than 35 years he has been known as Elvin from The Cosby Show. As we kick off Black History Month here on the podcast I sat down …
I think it’s fair to say that artist are an emotional bunch in general. We feel things deeply and react with conviction. And that goes for the …
In theater or really in any performing art, we have certain genres or types of characters and stories that fit us better than others. And today’s guest Ashley Monique Menard found her niche in comedy. But often, even …
As the host of NPR‘s the big listen, Lauren Ober was basically podcasting about podcasts and through that became a bona fide podcast expert. Maybe you’ve thought of starting your own podcast. In part two of our …
Here on Why I’ll Never Make It, we focus on the challenges and setbacks that artists face, but there is one podcast out there focusing on the …
Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Justin Guarini! He’s already shared pivotal moments from his childhood and given us a cautionary …
Happy New Year to you! And welcome to the premiere episode of Season Five.
Today’s guest is Justin Guarini, who you probably know from American Idol …
A look back at the year that was unlike anything we hoped for or would ever imagine. Still, this podcast had its good moments and a plethora of …
Merry Christmas! :)
In honor of the recent release of THE PROM movie on Netflix, here is a special combo episode of my conversations with star of the Broadway production, Caitlin Kinnunen (starts at 1:58), and one of …
Today’s episode is part two of my conversation with the final guest of Season 4.
Sammi Cannold is a remarkable artist and director. She was even named …
Here we are at the final guest of Season Four...
In part one of my conversation with New York director, Sammi Cannold shares the details of an article …
In part one of my conversation with Christophe Zajac-Denek, he talked about growing up with dwarfism, his love of music and drumming, and how he just kind of fell into the world of acting on camera. For part two, we …
If I’m being honest, I have never really met a little person. Maybe in passing, but never actually sat down and had a conversation with one. But once we got on Zoom, Christophe Zajac-Denek and I chatted for more than …
It's been one heck of a year, yet one arts group wanted to come together and make something to celebrate this season. They asked me to be a part of the event by hosting their Virtual Red Carpet. These interviews with …
This past summer, as we were in the midst of massive theater shutdowns and summer season cancellations, I found BroadwayMania on Instagram. It was mostly videos of singers belting out show tunes, well-produced …
When it comes to the arts, I aim to give as wide a field of experience and opinion as possible here on the podcast. Yet for the most part I steer …
Thanks for coming back to join me and Kristen Hetzel again! This is a bonus episode to the previous conversation, where we cover topics and five specific questions that we didn’t address on the last episode. Today, …
In this podcast’s continuing series, Bettering Ourselves, Bettering Our Careers we’re finding ways to improve how we work and create, how to push through challenges we face. So far we’ve looked at ways to better our …
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This interview was conducted back in August 2020, hence the reference to my air conditioner. Tony also mentions his episode with Lea Salonga, which has since been …
When it comes to our lives and our careers, perhaps no shift has been more dramatic or significant as our increase in time online and on our phones. The biggest driver of this is social media. Digital strategist Tony …
In part three of the month-long series bettering ourselves bettering our careers, this episode is a continuation from the previous conversation about …
When it comes to bettering ourselves as artists, it involves a lot of training, coaching, and practice. One popular strategy is called the 10,000 …
On this special bonus episode all about the recent Tony Award Nominations, I’m so happy to introduce music director, conductor, and fellow podcaster Nate Patton. Nate and I first met when he was associate conducting …
Meredith and I continue our conversation from the previous episode as she answers the Final Five questions. She shares her national tour ambitions and her love of interior design as well as what she learned from Ali …
In honor of Dysautonomia Awareness Month, Meredith Aleigha Wells joins the podcast to share her struggles and challenges onstage and in life all from the vantage point of a wheelchair. After becoming disabled at the age …
This month’s Recommendation comes from co-hosts Jill Jaracz and Allison Brown and their podcast: Keep the Flame Alive, the podcast for fans of the greatest sporting event in the world.
Each week, hosts Jill Jaracz and …
British historian and philosopher R.G. Collingwood said, "History is for human self knowledge, the only clue to what men can do is what man has done. …
Bienvenidos y gracias por acompañarnos en esta edición especial de Why I’ll Never Make It!
En esta segunda parte de mi serie sobre historias hispanas, escucharán a mis invitados anteriores compartir sus propias …
Welcome back to more conversation with Tadeo Martinez as he answers the Final Five. Tadeo shares two of his favorites pieces of advice and his dream to be on YouTube. He also talks about his award-winning performance in
When it comes to the guests on this podcast most of them are fairly well established. This allows me to the Google them, find pictures and stories about them, and get to know their body of work. But for Tadeo Martinez, …
Well, I hope you listened to our previous conversation because Bianca is back to answer the Final Five questions. She shares her disappointment in not getting to play Evita but also her joy to portray Chita Rivera in …
In today's wide-ranging conversation with Bianca Marroquin, one of the issues she addresses is that of language and accent. Growing up near the Texas border, she had the opportunity to learn both languages. So in …
Well, it's the last Monday of the month, so that means it's time for this month's podcast recommendation: THE INDUSTRY, hosted by Dan Delgado.
Every week Why I’ll Never Make It likes to highlight and dive into the areas …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Jaime talks about the process of voting on songs and albums for the Grammys, and then he answers the Final Five. He shares his love of Law & Order and his dream to …
For the next few weeks WINMI is going to be highlighting some amazing Hispanic artists, ranging from composers and dancers to actors and singers. And it's all in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
In addition …
Mid-March of this year was a uniquely devastating time for theater and the arts industry as a whole. Broadway and Off-Broadway here in New York as …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Alex answers the Final Five. He shares his love of Christopher Nolan movies and his dream to be on …
For the second month in a row Why I’ll Never Make It goes outside its own podcast walls to recommend another podcaster doing great work in the arts or beyond. The first one was The Ensemblist as part of the episode with
After our conversation on the previous episode, Bart Shatto answers the Final Five. He shares his broadcasting aspirations and his dream to do all …
Broadway is no cure against challenges or setbacks. Bart Shatto has experienced the joys and the hardships of a life in theater, both personally and …
Thanks for coming back to join me and Jason Odell Williams for the final five! This is a bonus episode to the conversation we had previously, covering topics and five specific questions we didn’t address on the last …
Jason Odell Williams is an award-winning playwright and Emmy-nominated television producer. But his first love was acting...until it wasn't. In this episode he shares that journey from saying the words to writing them.
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Well, here we are at the Final Five questions, a bonus episode to our previous conversation. Eric is back and shares his passion for branding and being a stylist. He also mentions what distinguishes Gayle King and why …
During his years in New York City, Eric Jordan Young bounced around from Broadway productions and national tours to regional shows and concerts. According to most performers, he was living the dream.
But he wanted …
After our conversation on the previous episode, David answers the Final Five. He shares his political aspirations, what he's learned from Broadway …
David and I first met last year as he directed the 90-minute version of FOOTLOOSE on Norwegian Cruise Line. But In New York, he spends his time working with some of the best directors on Broadway from SCHOOL OF ROCK and …
Thanks for coming back to join me and Mo for the final five! This is a bonus conversation covering topics and five specific questions we didn’t address on the last episode. Today, Mo talks about his love of NEXT TO …
Co-creator of The Ensemblist podcast and blog shares his love of theater, especially for those out of the spotlight and in the ensemble. Mo Brady grew up building sets and imagining a life on the stage. After finally …
Instead of answering the Final Five questions, Erin Cronican continues our conversation on producing theater for the online world as well as some insight into her cooking habits (or lack thereof).
For now, COVID has …
Erin Cronican first came on the podcast back in Season One, sharing the ups and downs of making theater while still being an actor. Today, she faces new challenges of producing theater in the middle of a pandemic while …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Chaz answers the Final Five. But first, he shares a hilarious audition story, then goes into his dream to work in physical therapy as well as how he learned the importance …
Chaz started dancing at the age of 2in Gahanna, Ohio, and several years later he won the Gold Medal at the US Tap Championships and then won Bronze …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Brian answers the Final Five, talking about software engineering and his dream to fix CHESS as well as lessons learned from Elizabeth Gilbert.
Do you have other ideas for …
Featuring the third composer of the season, Brian Lowdermilk is a fantastic contemporary songwriter who's found a great deal of success from the internet. And in this day and age where not much theater is happening …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Roberto answers the Final Five. He shares his love of CBS Sunday Morning and his dream of playing the Baker in INTO THE WOODS as well as that the time he forgot to press …
Season 4 Survey: https://winmipodcast.typeform.com/to/SdODaMU7
I first got to know Roberto when putting together the Season Three opener with …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Cris answers the Final Five. He shares why he'd love to teach and his dream to be in CATS as well as what he learned from Tyler Perry.
Do you have other ideas for Final …
In this longer episode than normal, I am honored and grateful to have this enormously gifted artist on the show. Cris Eli Blak may only be a senior …
The third and final look at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Michael McBride, a 10-year veteran with the company. Through this …
Samantha Figgins is currently in her sixth season with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. But what many people don't know is that this gorgeous dancer suffers from single-sided deafness. As a baby, Figgins …
When it comes to the performing arts and certainly to dance, there are few people more worthy of admiration, of inspiration and imitation than Alvin Ailey. He was both uniquely gifted and qualified to tell the …
At the end of our previous insightful conversation, Douglas Sills gave his answers to the Final Five questions. He shares a story of his mentor who …
His iconic Broadway debut in SCARLET PIMPERNEL may have made Douglas Sills a Broadway star, but his head has never been in the clouds. In today's episode, he has his feet firmly on the ground and shares how he left the …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Mykal and Hannah answer the Final Five questions. They share stories of the individuals who have inspired them as artists as well as their interests in education and …
Hannah Elless and Mykal Kilgore (and myself) first met doing a reading of a new musical called THE STAR CHILD. They have each gone on to do three Broadway shows, but they still love that new-car smell of a fresh, …
Welcome back to my talk with Andrew Lippa as he answers the Final Five questions. This is a bonus episode to the conversation we had previously, …
From his first intimate musical, john and jen, to his bigger productions on and off Broadway, Andrew Lippa has been a prolific and award-winning …
After our conversation on the previous episode, Hal Luftig answers the Final Five. He shares his love of teaching and his dream to work with Audra McDonald as well as what he learned from famed Broadway producer …
Welcome to a month-long look at previous Broadway seasons...the nominations, the wins, and the losses.
With four Tony Awards to his name, including two as lead producer, and two Olivier Awards, also as lead producer, …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode with Alina Alcántara! After our last conversation about staying motivated and the joy she found in performing, Alina sat down to answer five questions on topics and insights …
Former flight attendant Alina Alcántara is a New York native of Dominican heritage, who has lived in Florida for most of her life. And in this episode she shares the rocky road to finding her true calling in life as an …
It's been a month-long break, so welcome back to the FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode!
After our last conversation, Seán answers five final questions not covered in the previous episode. He talks about his bucket list Sondheim …
Seán Cullen is a Canadian actor, voice artist and stand-up comedian, known for combining improvisation with mimicry and music. He joins me today to …
In the last episode, Rebecca Selkowe reminded us of the groundwork needed to organize and manage our money. Today, she brings it to the present with …
Since 1955, April 15th has been Tax Day, until this year...the year of COVID-19 and economic uncertainty. With so many unemployed, especially those of us in the arts, what are we to do. How can we manage our money? What …
Overcome with laziness and procrastination, feeling unmotivated, stuck, and just can’t get started? Believe me, you are not alone.
But there is hope …
Well, coronavirus is all people can talk about. It has completely changed our daily lives and interactions with others, especially in the world of theater. So I wanted to address it head on with friend-of-the-podcast …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! After our last conversation Tiffany answers five final questions not covered in the previous episode. She talks about how she still hopes to do musical theater one day and …
Whether as sidekick or the lady in charge, Tiffany Coyne has made her mark on the popular game show LET'S MAKE A DEAL. She can keep up with Wayne …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! After our conversation on Wednesday about opera and directing, Charlotte gave her answers to five questions and topics not covered in the main interview.
Also, in honor of …
Charlotte Cohn was born in Denmark and raised in Israel where she served in the Israeli Army as a commanding officer. She was a founding producer of the New York Music Theatre Festival (NYMF) and MainStreet Musicals. …
MAESTRA MUSIC was founded by composer/lyricist and music director Georgia Stitt to give support, visibility, and community to the women who make the music in the musical theater industry. Their membership is made up of …
After our in-depth discussion on producing in NYC and balancing that with an acting career, Abigail now shares bucket lists and who she looks up to. These final five questions get into topics and insights not covered in …
For the first episode of Women's History Month, I'm talking to New York-Los Angeles actress and producer Abigail Rose Solomon, who founded Rosalind …
On the second half of AUDITION STORIES we dive into the comparison game with Justin Guarini. This kind of jealousy is so common to actors and affects us in the audition room more than we know.
Former guests share their …
The 2nd Annual Auditions Stories is here! And this is only part one...focusing on the Audition Book and debunking 5 myths about what this book is …
This podcast mainly focuses on the artist and the creative, the actor or composer or director, etc. But in today’s episode I’m turning the tables and focusing on the audience, specifically those who are deaf and hard of …
This is a special episode where someone I consider to be one of the best in podcasting joins the show to discuss what he's learned about this growing medium and how we as artists can use this as another outlet for our …
Welcome to the FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode with Megan Carver!
After our in-depth discussion on finding our artistic niche and creating work for ourselves, we then chatted about others job and where inspiration comes from. …
Whether in life or her profession, Megan lives by three simple mottos...
And it is these ideals that led …
Thanks for joining me and Remy for this week's FINAL FIVE!
After our discussion of the rigors and challenges of stand-up comedy, we got down to the serious business of bucket lists and sage advice. (I even throw in a …
Welcome to the first FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode of 2020!
These are five questions I ask each guest on topics and insights not covered in our main conversation on Wednesday. The answers given are surprising and revealing, …
Miata Edoga is the President and Founder of Abundance Bound, the premiere financial education company for actors, artists, and creative entrepreneurs.
She created The Artist’s Prosperity System, which has provided …
Welcome to the 2nd Anniversary episode of the podcast! And what a year it has been!
We’ve had wonderful guests from actors and singers to stage …Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, as they give concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given …
Mike Isaacson has led the Muny for almost ten years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In this episode he shares not only the challenges of producing 7 musicals in 10 weeks each summer, but he also opens …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, as they give concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given …
In the entertainment industry, we are all essentially storytellers. But there is one among us who is the spark and drive of those stories...the …
Happy Thanksgiving! We’ve all been with our families and gone around the proverbial table to say what we are grateful for. Well, it’s my turn and …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, as they give concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, as they give concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given …
This is part two of my conversation with Janine DiVita. Last time was a Spotlight episode on her work with the USO Show Troupe. In this episode she and I dig into what drives her as an actor and singer, the choices …
Now when most people think of the USO, the …
Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Terri Dollar. In the previous episode we focused on STAR, her program working with special needs …
Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions each guest will be asked all season long, giving concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given are …
Having worked with Lauren Kennedy at Theatre Raleigh on BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, she joins the podcast today to talk about her transition from Broadway back to doing theater in her hometown of Raleigh. From her time …
These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, giving concise and focused insights not covered in our conversations on …
Bret Shuford has dedicated his life to creating theatre. Most recently, he played Robbie in Cirque Du Soleil’s Paramour. Other credits include …
The very first FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions each guest will be asked all season long, giving concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given are …
Welcome to Season Three and part two of my interview with J. and Caroline! These two Broadway performers join me to share their own journey to the …
Welcome to Season Three! These two Broadway performers join me for three episodes to share their own journey to the Great White Way. We also discuss …
A surprise bonus episode this summer...I just couldn't stay away! And also introducing the first-ever listener question.
- First and foremost, I'd …
For the final episode of Season 2, Ben Davis joins me in St. Louis to talk about the life of an actor on the road and in New York. His accomplishments on Broadway and elsewhere are many and magnificent, from his …
Audition season is winding up here in New York City as we prepare for the summer months. I hope you have some good plans for the summer. For myself, I will be doing a couple of shows: one in St. Louis the other in …
The Tonys have all been handed out and another Broadway Season comes to a close. While the trophies themselves are the main attraction, it was really the speeches and heart of the awards ceremony this year that …
Welcome to WINMI's first international episode!
Joining me on the show today is Sherryl-Lee Secomb from Australia. With over thirty-five years on …
The third and final Awards Season Bonus Episode features Kelvin Moon Loh of BEETLEJUICE, nominated for eight Tony Awards.
We discuss his audition for …
Broadway is all abuzz with the latest shows and performances making all the headlines. But theater in New York is so much more than what happens on the great white way. There's important and significant work being done …
Having already won the Best Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle. James Monroe Stevko and the entire FIDDLER cast and crew wait to see if their winning continues with the upcoming Drama Desk Award.
But before …
The job of a stage manager may be behind the scenes, but all that they do makes its way into each and every performance we actors give onstage.
Matthew Stern joins me today to explain the very nature of their work, …
The first Award Season Bonus episode of 2019! And it's a musical that's tied for the most Tony nominations with 12, including Best Musical. (A full …
You're not likely to hear a more infectious laugh than on today's episode with Lothair Eaton. His joy of life and performing shine through in this engaging conversation about life on tour with STARLIGHT EXPRESS, the …
After our great discussion of Broadway history, Tony Awards, and Dorothy Fields, Kristin was a sport enough to take on some trivia questions...and some of them were doozies. I didn't even know most of them before …
After being on WINMI Episode 32, fellow podcaster Clayton Howe invited me to return the favor and come on his podcast. We chatted about my own journey as an actor and what led to the creation of WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT. …
As part 2 of the focus on auditions, John Ort joins the podcast. He is a member of CSA (Casting Society of America) and works on TV, film, new media and theatre.
His insights on the audition process are informative and …
Welcome to your favorite holiday: Tax Day! One of the most difficult but important issues we face in the arts is our finances. How to make more of it …
Kelly and I talk about the mindset needed to get through the ups and downs of this business, and as founder of Triple Threat Therapy she even gives me a bit of therapy, asking questions and giving insights into my own …
Fellow actor and podcaster, Clayton Howe, riffs on the business of auditioning as well as creating new work and making a difference in the world...whether that world is our own theater community or a larger presence …
From musical theater to opera, from Disney Cruise Line to New York's famed Town Hall venue,Amy Marie Stewart has seen first hand the struggles that singers and actors face. Most of it coming from our own preconceived …
Today, I'm joined by the wonderfully charming and talented Ilana Levine. She takes a break from her own podcast, LITTLE KNOWN FACTS, to talk with me …
Happy Promposal Day!
Caitlin Kinnunen may go to THE PROM eight times a week on Broadway as Emma, a high schooler who wants to bring her girlfriend to …
For the first Spotlight Series of 2019 I’m joined by Josie Whittlesey, the founder and Executive Director of Drama Club. The organization started in …
How would you like to learn 13 different roles for one show, and be ready at a moment's notice to perform anyone of them...or even combine two or …
The man who has been in more EVITA productions than Mandy Patinkin joins me on the podcast to talk about his back and forth in show business and finding the balance between "making it" and making a living.
As founder …
Tony Howell is a digital strategist for Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Oscar, and Olivier award-winning artists. His work has been featured by Google, Squarespace, SAG-AFTRA, Actors' Equity Association, and more. On today's …
We're now about halfway through the 2018-19 Broadway season, and several shows have closed and some still have yet to open. Ryan McPhee, Managing News Editor at PLAYBILL, joins the podcast once again to talk about the …
Maggie graduated from Texas State with a BFA in Musical Theatre just two years ago and has been pounding the NYC pavement ever since. In today's …
A good friend of mine and the podcast joins me for the first interview of 2019!
Tovi Wayne opens up about starting dance late in his performing career and how that put him behind other dancers but also motivated him to …
The first episode of the year has me chatting about my failed attempt to make Red Velvet Cupcakes...and I mean utter failure. I hurried through the prep and ended up with inedible red mushy hockey pucks. Such wasted …
It's been a wonderful ride despite some growing pains and losses along the way. My first year of podcasting has nonetheless taught me a great deal, …
In this episode, Patrick shares one thing that has kept him from auditioning and finding work lately...and that's jury duty. That civic obligation that many try to get out of has become yet another obstacle to making …
As the school year winds down, a Ph.D joins the podcast once again, this time to talk about fiction writing and The Promise of Failure. The most …
Andy Clausen is a New York-based composer, trombonist, bandleader, and graduate of The Juilliard School. Hailing from Seattle, Clausen relocated to …
These two writers and actors join the podcast to talk about their new show...WE NEED THIS MUSICAL TO KEEP US FROM KILLING OURSELVES: THE MUSICAL. (Oh …
In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of the New York Youth Symphony's Musical Theater Composition program under the direction of the talented Anna Jacobs. As an accomplished composer and lyricist, she …
Michael Wartella spent ten years in the city before landing his dream role and first major New York production, RENT at the Off-Broadway venue New …
For the next couple of weeks will be talking to directors of the New York Youth Symphony. Founded in 1963 as an orchestra to showcase the …
John McGinty lost his hearing at a young age and for years headed toward a career in Finance. But theater kept calling him, and he finally answered …
The first ever mini-episode with Patrick, focusing on why he'll never make it as well as why he's still here. Patrick talks about the wonderful …
In Part Two of our look at Only Make Believe, Patrick talks to Jackie Miller, Artistic Director of the acting company, and two of the actors, Dan Domingues and Jeanette Bonner.
They share the process of bringing …
Chris Coyne’s career in the entertainment industry spans more than 30 years, and in this episode he talks about his work onstage and in television commercials from Los Angeles to Europe as well as Las Vegas. where he …
Geraldine Sherman was born in Middlesex, England and became a busy actress on BBC and in film when she met and later married James Hammerstein. She is now known as theater producer Dena Hammerstein, President/CEO of …
When Scott Wojcik and Gayle Seay entered the entertainment industry, headshots were black and white and fax machines and beepers were high tech ways to communicate. The mode of casting has changed dramatically from when …
Before he became a part of the worldwide phenom *NSYNC, Joey was a theater kid in Orlando, Florida. And since his days of touring around the world, he has been on Broadway, appeared in films and television, and has …
With just a week to go before the Tony winners are announced, Patrick joins Ryan McPhee at the Playbill headquarters in midtown Manhattan to chat …
For the fourth Bonus Episode of our Tony Award series, Patrick catches up with Nicholas Belton, who understudies the lead role of Billy Bigelow in …
From the longest running Best Musical nominee this year comes Jeff Theiss, who joins Patrick on the third installment of the Tony Awards bonus series. This associate conductor shares how THE BAND'S VISIT has grown since …
Tying for the most Tony nominations this Broadway season, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS The Musical is as energetic and colorful as they come. In this bonus …
We chose to make our first Bonus Episode in honor of the Tony Awards! To celebrate those truly making it on Broadway we invited Alvin Hough, music …
The “electrifying” (Huffington Post) and “phenomenal” (NY Times) Grace McLean joins us in-studio to tell a couple of jokes and give insight on how we might make it. You might recognize her from Natasha, Pierre & the …
The actor and all-around fun gal, Erin Cronican joins us "in studio" to discuss her own formula for making it in the entertainment industry. From …
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