“The advice that I would give myself now is not that different than what I believed was true 30 or 40 years ago, which is the thing that makes you different… the thing that makes you unique, idiosyncratic, weird… that is your superpower as a writer. Maybe as a human being, but particularly as an artist or a writer.” – Tony Winner David Henry Hwang In David Henry Hwang’s play Yellow Face, he explores the Chinese concept of face, an idea that correlates directly to multi-hyphenating. Which is the face we are currently wearing? Which is the one we want the world to believe about us? Which one do we believe the most for ourselves? Hwang is a giant among us – his resume spans years from hits, to flops, to plays, to operas, to films to brilliant works penetrating the cultural zeitgeist. In this episode, we discuss multi-hyphenating, making choices in our plays, the weight of other people’s opinions, the concept of face, and the state of creating art today. This episode is wonderful for any episode, especially playwrights and soon-to-be playwrights as it is a masterclass of inspiration from one of our great living writers.  David Henry Hwang’s stage work includes the plays M. Butterfly, Chinglish, Yellow Face, Golden Child, The Dance and the Railroad, and FOB, as well as the Broadway musicals Aida, Flower Drum Song, and Disney’s Tarzan. M. Butterfly was revived on Broadway in 2017. His newest musical, Soft Power, a collaboration with composer Jeanine Tesori, received four Outer Critics Honors, a 2020 Grammy nomination and was a Finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Yellow Face was revived on Broadway in Fall of 2024, starring Daniel Dae Kim. Called America’s most-produced living opera librettist by Opera News, Hwang has written thirteen libretti, including five with composer Philip Glass. An American Soldier (with Huang Ruo) will receive its New York premiere at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in May 2024. Ainadamar (with Osvaldo Golijov) will be seen at the Metropolitan Opera in Fall 2024. His screenplays include M. Butterfly and he is penning an Anna May Wong biopic to star actress Gemma Chan as well as a musical feature for Paramount Pictures. For television, he was a Writer/Consulting Producer for the Golden Globe-winning television series The Affair and is currently creating and show running a new television series, Billion Dollar Whale. He also co-wrote the Gold Record “Solo” with the late pop music icon Prince.  David Henry Hwang is a Tony Award winner and three-time nominee, a three-time OBIE Award winner, a Grammy Award winner who has been twice nominated, and a three-time Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. A professor at Columbia University School of the Arts, Hwang is a Trustee of the American Theatre Wing, where he served as Chair, and sits on the Council of the Dramatist Guild. Recent honors include his 2022 induction onto the Lucille Lortel Playwrights’ Sidewalk, his 2021 election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and his 2018 induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame.  In 2016, The David Henry Hwang Society was founded by William C. Boles (Rollins College), Martha Johnson (University of Minnesota), and Esther Kim Lee (University of Maryland). The DHH Society is devoted to the scholarly examination of plays by David Henry Hwang.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where does a playwright start from? Would a playwright identify as a multi-hyphenate if they span genre, style, and medium of writing? How does a playwright break into both Broadway and the West End? Lindsey Ferrentino is one of our contemporary prolific voices in playwriting and she’s full of inspiring nuggets that will get anyone to put their ideas on paper.  In this episode we also discuss her upcoming play THE FEAR OF 13. Based on the extraordinary true story of Nick Yarris, Academy Award winner Adrien Brody makes his London theatre debut at the Donmar Warehouse in the world premiere of THE FEAR OF 13; a new play by Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone) directed by Justin Martin (Prima Facie).  Lindsey Ferrentino is an American playwright with three world premieres in the 2024 season. In May, she opened The Artist in the UK (co-adapted with Drew McConie, Theatre Royal Plymouth,) and this August, she will premiere the new musical The Queen of Versailles (book by Lindsey Ferrentino, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham, The Colonial Theater). Her other produced plays include Ugly Lies the Bone (The Lyttleton - National Theatre, UK, Roundabout Theatre Company, NY, over 100 productions worldwide), Amy and the Orphans (Roundabout Theatre Company), This Flat Earth (Playwrights Horizons), The Year to Come (La Jolla Playhouse) — among others. Her plays have been translated into Spanish, German, and Portuguese and have been produced across the US, in London, Germany, Spain, and Venezuela. This winter, Lindsey will direct her first feature film - an adaptation of her play Amy and the Orphans for Jason Bateman’s Aggregate Films. She has various film projects in development at Netflix and Sony Pictures — with producers including Higher Ground, 3 Dot Entertainment, Dylan Clark Productions, Defiant by Nature. Lindsey is the recipient of The Arc’s prize for Entertainment Industry Excellence for her writing centered on disability inclusion. Other prizes include: the Kesserling, ASCAP Cole Porter Playwriting Prize, Paul Newman Drama Award, Laurents/Hatcher Award, NYU Distinguished Alumna Award, and Hunter College’s 40 Under 40 Distinguished Alumna. Lindsey is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Felker & Associates. You can purchase tickets to The Fear of 13 here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people go to college for theatre so one can become an educated actor. Through technique and tools, this will help the actor sustain a healthy and rich career. But what are students getting in terms of theatre business? My NYU student, Natalie Rebenkoff, graduated and took off with flying colors by digging into her multi-hyphenate potential and producing her first piece of work, The Nursery, an unpublished Clifford Odets one-act. The production co-stars Cameron Monaghan from the ever popular television show, Shameless. So how does one graduate and produce their own work? What comes easy? What comes hard? What do we learn along the way? This episode is a great resource for actors who are deep in learning their technique but can also understand how to produce their own work – and not let each artform distract the other.  Natalie Rebenkoff is a New York-based actor, writer, and producer from Hermosa Beach, California. Her recent theater credits include Smokeshow (Edinburgh Fringe), Hamlet (RADA), MotherBoard (Experimental Theatre Wing), and I’m Sorry for Your Troubles (Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute). Her film credits include Don’t Look Up opposite Leonardo Dicaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. She would like to thank Walt Odets, Robert Ellerman, her family, and friends for all the support in bringing The Nursery to life and is excited to finally share this story. Cameron Monaghan is an American actor, writer, director, and photographer. With a career of over 25 years, he is perhaps best known for his series regular roles as Ian on ‘Shameless’ and ‘The Joker’ on Gotham. In addition, he stars in the ‘Star Wars: Jedi’ game series. Supporting roles include ‘The Giver’ with Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges, ‘Paradise Highway’ with Juliette Binoche and Morgan Freeman, and the lead role in ‘Jamie Marks is dead’ which premiered at Sundance, amongst countless other projects. He studied screenwriting at SNHU and has attended directing courses at the Australian Film and Television School (AFTRS), The Actors Studio at Pinewood UK, and Marjorie Ballentine Theatre Company. He most currently filmed TRON: ARES for Disney. Clifford Odets' The Nursery will be staged Off-Broadway October 10-12 at The Sam Theatre, with Stella Diji directing. The unpublished one-act will be presented by Point 5 Collective, in collaboration with The Lee Strasberg Creative Center.  Set in the 1950s, The Nursery follows an upper-middle class couple who are forced to confront the long-simmering fault lines in their troubled marriage. When the suppressed emotions of their union explode during a pivotal conversation, the strength of their love is tested. The Nursery was discovered in the archives of The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Visit TheNurseryPlay.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hannah Solow is probably one of the funniest people on the planet. She creates hysterical characters on social media, is a stand up comic, and musical theatre performer. In this very funny episode, we dive into specific social media practices, grabbing control of your career, how getting cast in Broadway’s hit OH, MARY! came to be, and brilliant gems of stories from being in the industry – including what it was like to tour the country in Daniel Fish’s OKLAHOMA!, for instance.  Hannah Solow is currently understudy to Mary Todd Lincoln and Mary’s Chaperone/Bill in Oh, Mary!, written by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, at The Lyceum Theatre on Broadway.  She received her BFA in drama from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and has performed everywhere from The Kennedy Center to a hostel in Chinatown. She traveled to over 20 cities across the country performing as “Gertie Cummings” in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” directed by Daniel Fish. She performed on Broadway at The Cort Theatre as the “understudy” to Mike Birbiglia in his show, The New One.  For many years she performed weekly at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade with musical improv team, Rumpleteaser, and monthly with house sketch teams. She has performed her original standup, characters and songs at The Bell House, Caroline’s, Club Cumming, Littlefield, and many more places/basements. She has taught improvisation to students pre-K through fifth grade across both Manhattan and Brooklyn. They were way funnier than she is. @babymcgoo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is absolutely loving HULU’s Only Murders in the Building? I am! On this episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate, we have the loveable Michael Cyril Creighton who plays Howard Morris on Only Murders in the Building on HULU. We discuss how Michael was compelled to create his own work and how it created a domino effect of constant work in the industry. It’s all about writing what you know, and Michael certainly proves that theory. How did he end up from working the box office to working on some of the most successful tv shows and films of all time? TELEVISION: Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” (Series Regular), Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (recurring) Showtime’s “Dexter: New Blood” (recurring), Netflix’s “Dash & Lily” (recurring), HBO's "High Maintenance" (recurring), EPIX's "Graves" (recurring), Amazon’s “A League of Their Own”, Netflix’s “AJ & the Queen”, FOX's "Bob's Burgers," Showtime's "Billions," "Horace and Pete," FOX’s “Bob’s Burgers,” CBS's "The Good Fight," Adult Swim's "Neon Joe Werewolf Hunter," Showtime's "Nurse Jackie," Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black,” NBC’s “30 Rock,” FX’s “Louie,” CBS's "2 Broke Girls," CBS’s “Person of Interest," FX's "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll," LOGO’s “Jeffery & Cole Casserole.” FILM: Cord Jeffereson’s “American Fiction,” Steven Spielberg's "The Post," "Game Night," "Spotlight," "Can You Ever Forgive Me?," “Seneca,” "Home Again," "Coin Heist," "Sleeping With Other People," "Fits and Starts," "3rd Street Blackout," “Towheads,” “How To Follow Strangers,” “Paper Spiders” and “The Outside Story.” THEATRE: Jordan Harrison's The Amateurs (Vineyard Theatre), Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss (Playwrights Horizons), Blood Play, Buddy Cop 2, You're Welcome and Cape Disappointment (all with The Debate Society), Joshua Conkel's MilkMilkLemonade and more. I was a founding member of the New York Neo-Futurists and performed weekly in “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind.” WEB: Michael created a web series called “Jack in a Box,” which he starred in, produced, wrote and co-directed. The series ran from 2009-2012 and consisted of 31 episodes, dozens of cupcakes and a fair amount of funny-sad humor. It was written about in several publications and on several websites, including The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Time Out New York, Le Monde Paris, The New York Daily News, The AV Club and Michael was named a “Digital All Star” by Backstage. The series won Best Web Pilot at the 2010 New York Television Festival and was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original New Media two consecutive years in a row (2012 & won in 2013). Other work on the web includes "High Maintenance," "The Outs," "Very Mary-Kate," "Eat Our Feelings" and more. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity and the Writers Guild. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Dear Multi-Hyphenate! It is Season Two and let’s kick it off with superstar multi-hyphenate Lea Delaria. In this episode we discuss all about how and when to identify as a certain type of artist, unheard stories of working with Lea’s idols, hysterical and inspiring stories about projects like POTUS and Orange is the New Black, and of course Lea’s new brunch show at 54 Below… Brunch is Gay, currently running one Sunday a month at 54 Below.  Lea was the first openly gay comic on television in America, and is an accomplished Jazz performer who has performed in concert venues all over the world. She is best known as ‘Big Boo’ from Orange is the New Black (3 SAG Awards). Lea can currently be seen in the indie feature film Potato Dreams of America, and in the Indigo Girls jukebox feature film, Glitter & Doom. Lea recently starred in the Off-Broadway Revival of Tennessee Williams' play, The Night of the Iguana, directed by Emily Mann. TV credits include Girls5Eva, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, East New York,The Blacklist, Physical, Reprisal, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Shameless, and Broad City. Film credits include Cars 3, Support The Girls, and First Wives Club. Broadway credits, POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive (Bernadette), The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie/Dr. Scott) and On The Town (Hildy), Obie and Theatre World Awards. @realleadelaria www.leadelaria.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I love self tapes in the post pandemic world.” Why? Why does Adam love self tapes when so many other actors don’t? How can we embrace them? In fact, how can we embrace and adapt post-pandemic practices into our lives? Let’s face it – the industry looks different. So, we have to shift. And Adam DeCarlo has done a great job at doing just that.  Adam DeCarlo is an award-winning actor and filmmaker based in NYC. Adam was born and raised in Orange County, California; where he began studying acting at the Tony Award-Winning regional theatre, South Coast Repertory. After graduating High School, he studied as a Theatre major at Fullerton College, where he performed in many of their productions and served as a Theatre Arts Ambassador for the department for two years. He then transferred to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) where he continued to study theatre and graduated with a BA, as a double major in Theatre and Media/Cultural Studies. Upon graduating from UCR, Adam moved to New York City and studied at the renowned Circle in the Square Theatre School. While living in NYC, he has appeared on several hit TV shows on Netflix, FOX, HULU, HBO, and A&E. Adam is the writer & director of two award-winning short films, ‘Lost & Found’ & ‘Skeletons’. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“What ever jobs you have on your path to where you're trying to get to to your vision all matter. And the fact that we call these things a side hustle or we talk about ‘the unwanted jobs' and all of those types of descriptions… it's not empowering people.” -- Jodi Carter When it comes to being an artist, what is the first thing we have to know about money?  According to Jodi Carter, it’s a new language. A wow, do we discover a new language in this episode. This episode is deeply, deeply personal and Michael and Jodi truly get into a vulnerable conversation about money. It might be something all artists can relate to.  What is “ifcome” and how does it change our perspective of money managing? How do we work around the starving artist paradigm? The pressure to say yes and show up. Is it healthy? The myth of uncertainty and the myth of someday. Things we make up to ourselves when it comes to money.  A big financial hug. Jodi Carter, CPA, has spent decades helping individuals, couples, and families – from all different financial levels and circumstances – make countless choices. This unique view sparked her desire to reach people how to live their best lives. Jodi founded Financial Insight Training to help people shift their lives from stress to freedom. As a lifelong supporter of the arts, Jodi knew she has to create a program specifically tailored to the unique needs of artists, who live with fluctuating income and need specialized guidance for managing their finances. The IfCome® Paradigm is the framework for creative people to live as thriving artists.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“If I were king of the mountain and I got to say how all arts education was – I would actually say the idea of being curiously creative is key; testing out all the ideas and options.” – Scott Barnhardt This is a wildly fun and informative podcast for artists of all ages – especially those looking into studying theatre in college. Here’s what you’ll find in this episode: The college audition mindset The falsehoods of being a “starving artist” What is true about being a “starving artist”? Lucrative ways of working in the theatre Leaning into the type of artist you want to be known as The worth of a college degree SCOTT BARNHARDT is a musical theatre actor, theatre maker, writer, educator and Independent Education Consultant (IEC). He is also the owner and creator of The Creative College Journey, a bespoke approach to college guidance working exclusively with creative applicants (writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers)—helping families handle both the academic and artistic aspects of a college application with the goal to lower stress and increase clarity and enjoyment throughout the process. As a teacher and administrator, he most recently served as Lead Faculty for the Contemporary Musical Theatre + Film BFA program at Hussian College Los Angeles, and before that as the Director of Musical Theatre at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). He is a graduate of Wagner College (BA, Theatre/Speech) and UCLA (MFA, Playwriting). His acting credits include the original Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon (Elder Harris/Elder Thomas, u/s Elder McKinley, Asst. Dance Captain) and the Deaf West Broadway Revival of Big River at Roundabout. Other NYC: Yank! (The Old Globe Workshop), Bye Bye Birdie (City Center Encores!). National tours: The Boy Friend directed by Julie Andrews, Deaf West's Big River, the Detroit company of White Christmas and the Japanese tour of Disney on Classic with the Tokyo Philharmonic. At OCSA, along with teaching audition prep and a class called Mind|Body|Voice, he directed the virtual production of Now. Here. This. (the first full-length musical to be shot and presented entirely during quarantine), Evita (in association with Musical Theatre West), the High School premiere of Jasper in Deadland, The Drowsy Chaperone, Xanadu, 9-to-5 (alongside Jessica Lea Patty). He was also seen in concert with students at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Coming Home with Krysta Rodriguez and Scott Barnhardt. Scott has taught workshops, master classes and built programming for UCLA, The Grammy Foundation, Professional School for the Arts, American Ballet Theatre, University of Michigan, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, MTCA of OC, Cal State Fullerton, Broadway Dreams, Broadway Classroom, International Thespian Festival, EdTA Professional Development, Florida Thespian Festival and The Performing Arts Project among others. Awards and grants include the 2004 Tony Honor (Big River), Grammy Citation for Best Cast Album (The Book of Mormon), Tim Robbins Playwriting Award, Sono Osato Scholarship, Caroline H. Newhouse Scholarship and the George Burns & Gracie Allen Fellowship in Comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Collaboration is the most crucial thing you can do. Even if you are writing a solo show for yourself, for your family’s story, show it to somebody – share it with somebody.” - Rob Madge Rob Madge is about to open their solo play on Broadway – so how did it go from home videos to fringe to West End to Broadway? Listen to this amazing episode and learn all about the new play My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). This is the second part to Dear Multi-Hyphenate's 100th Episode celebration! Transitioning from a child actor into an adult actor. How does a show go from Fringe to Broadway? Handling the weight of Broadway with humor. Sense of play.  Rob Madge is a theatre maker, writer and actor. They began working professionally in theatre at the age of 9, having spent the majority of their childhood forcing their family to help them put on shows in the living room, most of which are now documented on Rob’s social media channels. Rob is best known for their show My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) which was nominated for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Following this ongoing success, Rob won Best Creative Debut at The Stage Debut Awards, 2023 and the Attitude Award for Best Theatre Production, 2023. Most recent credits as a performer: Peter Pan (London Palladium). Theatre credits as a performer include: My Son’s A Queer (Writer/Performer: Turbine Theatre, Edinburgh, West End); Jack and the Beanstalk (London Palladium); Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), Macbeth (Gielgud Theatre), Oliver! (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Les Misérables (25th Anniversary International Tour and Concert), Matilda the Musical (Courtyard Theatre, RSC), Bedknobs & Broomsticks (UK Tour/World Premiere),Timpson the Musical, Held Momentarily, Leave A Light On, Roles We’ll Never Play. TV credits include: The Sarah Jane Adventures, That Mitchell and Webb Look, The Armstrong and Miller Show, Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire, Poirot: Appointment with Death. Rob’s debut play My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) played to sold out audiences at the Turbine Theatre in 2021 and won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off-West End Production. My Son’s a Queer is headlined the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Underbelly (George Square) in 2022, and debuted to five-star reviews at the Garrick and Ambassadors in the West End. The play script is published by Nick Hern Books. Rob graduated with a Masters in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music, being awarded the DipRAM. Rob writes and performs their own skits on their social media channels which, as a result, have amassed a following of over 300,000 collectively, with over 11.3 million likes. Twitter: @rob_madge_02 Instagram: @robmadge02 TikTok: @rob_madge_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The greatest success for actors comes … when they sort of let go of the idea that there's something that they need to be and they relax into the idea that who they are is the gift and they just need to bring that to the work.” - Busy Philipps Happy 100th episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate! We are celebrating with two parts of a big 100th episode celebration. Let’s start with the amazing Busy Philipps as we discuss… An artist’s superpower Rise to stardom Knowing yourself Bad rep, good rep How Tina Fey supported Busy Mean Girls… and so much more. Busy Philipps has starred in numerous movies and television since her breakout role in “Freaks and Geeks” in 1999. In 2018, Philipps released a collection of humorous autobiographical essays in her book, “This Will Only Hurt a Little,” that was immediately a New York Times bestseller, offering unfiltered and candid stories about her life. Currently, Philipps stars in the hit comedy series “Girls5eva” opposite Sara Bareilles, which Netflix recently picked up for a third season. Produced by Tina Fey, the acclaimed series centers on a one-hit wonder girl group from the '90s who try for another chance at pop stardom. Philipps can also be seen in “Mean Girls” playing Regina George’s Mom — a fan favorite. Recently, she also appeared in a scene-stealing recurring turn in three episodes of Freeform’s hit comedy series “Single Drunk Female.” In 2020, Philipps launched her podcast “Busy Phillipps is Doing Her Best” with her creative partner, Caissie St. Onge, featuring conversations reflecting on when setbacks led to better opportunities. @busyphilipps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“If I had just focused on this one thing, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to experience the life that I’ve had, which has been pretty sick.” -- Jordan Kai Burnett In this episode we discuss… Agism in the industry Is there a French Woods and Stage Door competition? Humping dogs! Are we ever too young to do a show in youth theatre? Allowing yourself to be a theatre nerd! What happens to your personal life when you open yourself up to new artistic experiences. Paying your bills based on your art. Checking off boxes. Maintaining family expectations. How acting has taken a backseat in performances today. JKB just finished the sold-out run in the world premiere production of Gene & Gilda, playing their comedy idol – Gilda Radner. They just returned from their Las Vegas debut starring as the Emcee for Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live which played at both the Hard Rock and legendary Sahara Hotel & Casino. They were featured in the same role for Finding Magic Mike on HBOMAX. Favorite credits include: Romy & Michele: the Musical - Heather Mooney (5th Avenue Theater, Seattle - Gregory Award Nom, best supporting actress in a musical) Found - Denise (West Coast Premiere, IAMA Theater Company directed by Moritz Von Stuelpnagel.) Scissorhands: The Musical as Scissorhands, in Los Angeles. Was lucky enough to work side by side with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo on their Romeo & Juliet Project as Benvolia. Co-creator of Daisy & Jordan's Sunday Brunch of Shame with comedy partner, Tony Award winner, Daisy Eagan. A graduate of Emerson College and a student of both The Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade. @JkaiB jkaib.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I don’t give you a trophy for showing up. I don’t applaud a bird for flying or a fish for swimming. You chose to be here and so you got to eat a little sand from the sandbox because it builds up your immunity.” In this episode we discuss… What do you do when you start to become a leader? What happens after you’re told no? What is good teaching? Hope Boykin, a two-time "Bessie Award" winner, is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer and artistic advisor known for her 20-year tenure with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and her choreography for various companies worldwide. With a passion for pushing artistic boundaries, she has co-directed Off-Broadway and regional theater productions, while her virtual works have earned acclaim from institutions like Carolina Performing Arts and theGuggenheim Works And Process Virtual Commissions initiative. As a motivating force, Hope has served as a keynote speaker for Lincoln Center Activate and received a grant for her Covid Safe residency #BoykinBubble. Hercreative endeavors extend to filmmaking, including the Emmy-nominated short film "Beauty Size & Color." Frompremiering "An Evening of Hope" at 92nd Street Y to directing performances like "The Other Side" for the KennedyCenter, Hope's artistry knows no limits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s really, really important for them to see cabaret, go and see other people… go and see who’s good, go and see who’s bad, go and see what they want to portray because what I have noticed in the past, a lot of young people do a cabaret and you say, “What have you seen, what inspired you?” And a lot of them say, “Well, I haven’t been.” - Tony Winner Frances Ruffelle Frankie and Beausy are an adorable couple… and they work with each other professionally. So, what’s that like? How do you collaborate with your partner and not want to choke them!? In this episode, we discuss… Individuality in the theatre Successful and organic networking How to work with your romantic partner Frankie and Norman’s upcoming show at 54 Below Frances Ruffelle (Frankie) originated the role of Eponine in Les Misérables in London and on Broadway, winning the coveted Tony® Award. Frances has performed in many musicals and plays, including as Roxie in Chicago, Queenie in The Wild Party, and Piaf in Pam Gem’s Piaf. Frances is also a recording artist, composer, and writer. Norman Bowman (Beausy) is currently appearing as Sam in Mamma Mia! in the West End having just finished filming the role of Sir William Herbert in feature film Firebrand alongside Jude Law’s Henry VIII. Other leading roles include Marius in Les Misérables, Danny in Grease, Munkustrap in Cats, and Sky in Guys and Dolls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Trail blazers very rarely get to reap the benefits of the very trail they helped blaze.”  This conversation with Jai Rodriguez is a perfect conversation when it comes to being a multi-hyphenate. What happens if we get pigeon holed into one thing? Jai had a tough time breaking out of what people thought they knew about him or what he could do after Queer Eye. So how did he lean into the full rounded multi-hyphenate he is now? In this episode we discuss… How he landed the original cast of Queer Eye on Bravo. The multi-hyphenate life he was leading while being a TV star. How he broke out of what people thought they knew about him. Gatekeeping.  Understanding the type of life and career you want to exist simulatenously. Avoiding bad professional relationships. Jai's upcoming 54 Below show, A Thousand Sweet Kisses Emmy Award winner and Broadway veteran Jai Rodriguez returns home to the NYC stage after 17 years, with his new cabaret show A Thousand Sweet Kisses, chronicling his hilarious journey through love, sex and relationships. Purchase tickets here.  Best known as the “Culture Guy” in the groundbreaking original “Queer Eye,” theater audiences first met Jai at the age of 18 when he played Angel in RENT, making him the youngest person ever cast in a leading role in that show. While in NYC, Jai appeared at Lincoln Center in Spinning Into Butter, as Carmen Ghia in The Producers and as Zanna in the cult classic Zanna, Don’t! While performing eight shows a week, Jai became a fixture in nightlife with his popular post modern pop cabaret night at XL called Twisted Cabaret. Since then Jai has become a regular fixture in TV and film guest starring on shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Rookie,” “The Magicians,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Fantasy Island,” and as the scene stealing Geoffrey in “Malibu Country” opposite Reba and Lily Tomlin to name a few. Most recently Jai was in the Judd Apatow film BROS and is in “Uncoupled,” which is about to shoot its second season. A Thousand Sweet Kisses is a hilarious and touching musical cabaret featuring Broadway and pop classics as well as never before told behind the scenes stories. Each night will feature a different surprise guest dueting “I’ll Cover You” from RENT with him. Join us for Jai’s unforgettable return to the NYC stage! Featuring special guests Claybourne Elder (Company, “The Gilded Age”) on October 26, Orfeh (Tony Award® and Grammy nominee, Legally Blonde) on October 27, and Dan Amboyer (“Younger,” “Uncoupled”) on October 28. The performance on October 27 will also be livestreamed. For tickets and more information, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s fascinating how other people, because they don’t feel comfortable with the changes you’re making, feel more comfortable if you are just one thing.” - Sarah Looper, Episode 95 of Dear Multi-Hyphenate If Sarah Looper is anything – she’s herself… but it took a second to get there. After questioning if she was too much because other people told her she was, she finally let that go and became the best artist she can be. She is finding her voice connecting with thousands of people on TikTok educating viewers on the wonders of food and wine through a hysterical and relatable approach. In this episode we discuss… Discovering your own confidence The wonders of wine! Being too this, being too that Overcoming negative experiences Building community through wine.  Taking risks and being specific. What is success? Sarah has been in the wine and food world for over twenty-five years. She is a Master Sommelier candidate, a Certified Wine Educator, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and a graduate of the WSET Diploma program. Her passion for wine lies firmly in educating and sharing her knowledge in an open, friendly, and non-judgemental atmosphere. She has been a wine educator for 15 years. She was a lead wine educator at New York City's Murray's Cheese for 9 years and taught specialized Italian wine classes at Astor Center for 4 years. She is an advanced gelato maker and she cooks at home most nights seeking to put her own stamp on classic and regional fare ranging from French haute cuisine to Szechuan. Whenever possible she collects and drinks Champagne, Barolo and German Kabinett Riesling but is an equal opportunity drinker. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in History and a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America's Baking and Pastry program. She can be found on Instagram @loopersomm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“At its core, fundamentally being a multi-hyphenate is, to me, about exploration and not limiting yourself to one particular thing just because your natural strengths lie in that one particular thing.” -- Shivani Desai In this episode, we discuss… The importance of keeping hobbies separate from our hyphens. Starting a new small business.  How multi-hyphenating helped get Michael out of a depressive episode. The importance of workflow.  The common traps of netweaving.  Leaning out and not overpitching yourself.  Small, yet important business tactics. When to appropriately accommodate for your clients.  It feels like everyday we wake up to news that is painful to read. That is why Shivani believes that art is so crucial in reminding us of the beauty that also exists in this world. She feels so connected to her purpose when she brings people hope, and comfort, and a smile through her work. That is why she’s an actor. Shivani Desai is a 25 year old actor from India currently living in Singapore. Having grown up watching Bollywood cinema, her interest in the arts was sparked at a young age and she has relentlessly pursued the path of making art for a living ever since. Now a working actor, Shivani has starred in short films, TV shows, original plays, music videos, documentaries, and commercials while also working as a model for local magazines and making guest appearances on reality shows and podcasts. Apart from acting, Shivani also runs her own coaching business full-time. Born out of a desire to help actors who live in non-major markets who don’t have access to same business coaching that their fellow actors in LA, NYC, or London do, she transitions actors stuck in the weird limbo between new actor and working actor into kickass business-savvy actors who operate globally. Shivani’s latest venture as an event developer involves taking on the mammoth task of organising an actor’s conference in Las Vegas this November. With this, she feels like she has flourished fully into a multi-hyphenate who is no longer bound by traditional definitions of what it means to be a working professional in the creative field. To her, film and theatre signify the desire to affect change, a means to living truthfully, and an unwavering commitment to the process. Apart from acting, Shivani also enjoys self-portrait photography, cooking and baking, and acrylic painting. You can find Shivani on Instagram @itsshivanidesai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The minute we think we know everything, or do everything… we become irrelevant.” – Jamie Forshaw What happens when we stop learning? What happens when we stop exploring? That’s what makes Jamie Forshaw’s artistry as a producer with Madison Wells Live extremely personal and special – he doesn’t stop exploring. We as artists always have to keep exploring… and sometimes that exploration heals us from a nervous breakdown or have massive commercial hits on Broadway.  In this episode we discuss… Why we do what we do Exploration What happens when you meet an idol respectfully? Art healing a nervous breakdown Do coincidences exist? How does a piece speak to Jamie when he is producing a project? Developing The Thing About Jellyfish and Jenkins Show doctors! Not every show needs to go to Broadway Finding the right theatre for a show Jamie Forshaw (Producer) leads Madison Wells Live as their Executive Producer. Under his oversight, Madison Wells Live has developed a robust-but-curated slate of stage productions focused on essential, artist-driven storytelling. Broadway credits include Shucked, The Old Man and the Pool, Company (Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Musical''), Hadestown (Tony Award for “Best Musical''), Pass Over and The Inheritance (Tony Award for “Best Play”). West End: The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Olivier nomination for “Best New Play”). Off-Broadway: Seven Deadly Sins (Drama Desk Award for “Best Unique Theatrical Experience”). Regional: Swept Away. Over the course of his 20+ year career working with an array of internationally recognized producers, including Cameron Mackintosh, Thomas Schumacher, and Michael Cohl, Forshaw has become a sought-after specialist in managing high profile, multi-million dollar budgeted global theater productions. He most recently served as V.P. of Production at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, where he oversaw its full global roster of First-Class productions. Mr. Forshaw holds an M.F.A. from Columbia University in Theatre Management and Producing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“For anybody that’s struggling or does not believe in themselves, you just have to keep going because one day it will happen and it will be the most glorious thing of your whole lives. So, never stop. Never stop.” – Marla Mindelle It’s BroadwayCon 2023! This special episode is filmed live in front of a BroadwayCon audience. We had such an amazing turn out and I already cannot wait until next year. This panel was loaded with incredible insight so let’s get into it. In this episode we discuss… Why it’s so important being a multi-hyphenate today. Creating Titanique Off Broadway Having a better relationship with money Bonding two seemingly contrasting hyphens but understand they meld perfectly Failure Workflow & more Rachel Wright Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT (she/her) is a distinguished psychotherapist and renowned speaker with expertise in modern relationships, mental health, and sex. Master’s Degree in clinical psychology. Podcast: The Wright Conversations - A Podcast About Sex, Relationships, & Mental Health. Rachel created the virtual workshop series What You Wish You Learned in School: Sex Ed and co-produced and hosted a show at Green Room 42 in NYC called “One Night Stand: A Night for Sexier & Healthier Broadway.” Previously SHAPE Magazine’s Sex + Relationships Coach and is currently one of mindbodygreen’s article review experts. Featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, PIX 11 (NYC), Women’s Health (online and print), Cosmopolitan (online and print) and NBC News Radio, among others.  Al Silber Al Silber is an actress, singer, writer and educator. She has performed roles on Broadway, in London's West End, on television and film, and concert stages. In London, she created the role of Laura Fairlie in The Woman in White, played Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and Julie Jordan in Carousel. In New York, she appeared in Hello Again, Master Class, created the role of Sara Jane in Arlington and as Tzeitel in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof.Her novels After Anatevka and White Hot Grief Parade were both published by Pegasus Books in 2018. L Morgan Lee L Morgan Lee (she/her) is a Tony Award® nominated actress and storyteller known for her history-making turn in A Strange Loop on Broadway. In London, she was seen playing famed artist Lili Elbe in a musical adaptation of The Danish Girl currently in development. Other work includes well over a decade of Off-Broadway, Regional, International/National concerts and tours. In the studio, L Morgan was the voice of Ornate Williams in Sugar Maple w. Fred Savage (Osiris Media) and can be found on Joe Iconis' album (Ghostlight Records), The Rainbow Lullaby Album (Broadway Records), and more. @lmorganlee | lmorganlee.com Marla Mindelle Marla Mindelle is an actress, writer and composer. 2023 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Performer in a musical for her portrayal of Céline Dion in the hit Off-Broadway musical, Titanique. As a co-writer, Titanique also won the Lucille Lortel for Best Off-Broadway Musical. She has received an Outer Circle Critics Nomination for her portrayal of Sister Mary Robert in the original cast of Sister Act on Broadway. Other Broadway: Stepsister Gabrielle in Cinderella, South Pacific (Broadway) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty, First National Tour). TV: Special on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Be as specific as humanly possible. Don’t tell someone that you want to be a trader. Tell them that you want to be the oil and gas exploration, large cap, single name, U.S. equity derivatives trader because then, the one time a year that position comes up, people remember…” In this episode we discuss…  Being there for your inner child Creating positive work experiences Being specific with your work How to start producing Fortress Productions and Production Resource Group Alex joined Production Resource Group (PRG) in early 2018 to help expand PRG’s international presence in TV and Film before transitioning to PRG’s Broadway division in 2020, where he manages the lighting, audio, and video teams from Secaucus, NY. Under Alex’s lead, PRG’s brilliant team of creative visionaries and technologists are truly the masterminds behind the immersive visual experiences that transport Broadway’s audiences to new worlds. Their technological developments have also helped to revolutionize theatrical productions, continuing to create an even more engaging experience at each show, including shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Some Like it Hot, Lion King, & Juliet, Take Me Out, and many more. Alex also owns and manages Fortress Productions, a live events and theatrical production company, and was Founding Executive Director of the Corkscrew Theater Festival, a multi-venue theatrical non-profit in New York City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“If you’re branching into the U.K. market post Brexit, it’s going to be a nightmare and I don’t say that to dissuade you, just to remind you that what I did was very specific.” - Lydia-Renee Darling In this episode we discuss: Pandemic panic! Grad panic!  What are the main differences and similarities for multi-hyphenates in the NYC and West End markets? How do you plant your feet when branching into new markets? What happens when you girl-boss too hard? Breaking out of the scarcity mindset. How does multi-hyphenating contribute to cultural preservation? The American Dream The concept of Ann Bogart’s Satz Lydia-Renee Darling is an actor-producer and founder with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts and an MA in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. As a biracial, second-generation Ghanaian-American, Lydia aims to explore identity, belonging and mental health within heightened worlds and uses live immersive theatre with digital interactive elements to enhance audience impact.  #rememberadam, a Zoom short produced, written and acted by Lydia in response to the Kenosha shootings in her home state, was chosen for the Lift Off Sessions festival, First Time Filmmaker Festival and Andromeda Film Festival. A portion of her play, The Thin Gray Line, has been seen at Bob Carter's Actors' Rep and she performed in her short play, Twenty-Five and Other Things, at The Pleasance in the Dear Black People Festival in July 2021.  Lydia is the Founder of Oh! (My Gosh) Creative Co., an international DEI audience development and co production company. A systemic lack of access to visibility and guidance in the entertainment industry has resulted in fewer BIPOC professionals, making fewer and fewer BIPOC want to enter the industry… and so the cycle repeats. OMG breaks this vicious cycle of underrepresentation. At Oh! (My Gosh) Creative Co., Lydia produces entertainment featuring marginalized creatives both onstage and backstage and specializes in reaching audiences that reflect the diverse faces of those casts. She most recently served as Associate Producer and Head of Marketing for the UK tour of Vitamin D. Lydia has been part of multiple accelerators for Oh! (My Gosh) Creative Co., which won a first place grant at Do It Now Now’s Black and Good: Build Hustle Grow 2.0. The first of its kind on DEI in entertainment, OMG will launch their virtual publication in January 2024. This is possible due to grant support from Do it Now Now and residency at Somerset House Trust, plus the input, support and mentorship of Rachel at Brick London, Nikita at Local Champions CIC, Louis at 7PK and the ECHO Young Entrepreneurship Accelerator. This is a much-needed publication by underrepresented creatives, for underrepresented creatives. Even if you're not underrepresented in the industry, we'll have stellar tools, takeaways and studies for allies. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Lydia now splits her time between Chicago and as a commonwealth citizen in London. To keep up with Lydia and Oh! (My Gosh) Creative Co., find her here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiareneedarling/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-renee-darling/  Website: https://www.lydiareneedarling.com Oh! (My Gosh) Creative Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmygoshcreative.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-my-gosh-creative-co/ Website: https://www.ohmygoshcreative.co  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s the people who hang in there the longest who get to reap the benefits.” Sometimes multi-hyphenating in the theatre includes hyphens we didn’t know could affect each other. This amazing episode includes insight from actor – Veteran – writer Renrick Palmer. In this episode, we also discuss… Accepting love Establishing relationships and a network Where to start in the industry Hanging around long enough Relationships with educators Knowing about yourself but being on a journey How being in the military has affected his journey in showbusiness Renrick Palmer was born in Kingston, Jamaica. After turning thirteen, his family decided it was time for a change and headed north to New York City where Renrick would eventually finish school. Despite being drawn to the arts, Renrick felt another calling. He soon found himself swearing in as an airman in the United States Air Force. His time in uniform took him around the world, including a tour of duty in the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, exposing him to numerous cultures and experiences most of us seldom have. Not only did this help Renrick develop as a person, it provided him with the foundation for all that soon followed. After leaving service, Renrick enrolled in Long Island University. He obtained a degree in Exercise Science and used it to launch his career. Renrick also graduated from the New York Film Academy and is active with the Public Theater (Military Resilience Foundation). His passion traces back to Shakespeare, fueling his drive to perform. Renrick has numerous accolades and accomplishments to his name, not the least of which being honored to play baseball great Jackie Robinson on the History Channel. He is best known for playing the part of Nelson Green in the off-Broadway Critic’s Pick Play Wedding Band. Never one to rest on his past achievements, Renrick won the Best Actor award at the Ignite Film Festival in 2022 for his portrayal of Hassim in the short film Hold Up. His book War Your Way to Success is currently available here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The only thing you can control is what you take into [the audition], I always like to think, like the work that you’ve done – and as you say – who you are. You can control that, you can work on that. Often we put that to the side and go, what do they want to see? What do they want to hear? What do I need to do in order to be able to impress them enough to get this job? And if you don’t get things, you then go, ‘Oh is it because I’m not X, Y, Z?’ And then the danger is that you can start to change without even really clocking it, and overtime you can drift away from what you originally were.” -- Giles Terera, Episode 88 of Dear Multi-Hyphenate The industry is not just New York or LA. It’s Chicago, it’s D.C. It's Miami. But it’s also across the pond in London. Not only did we have the British Invasion of the 1980’s with Phantom, Les Mis, and more… we continue to have a U.S. and U.K. by way in terms of artist exchanges. Giles Terera, Oliver Award Winner for Hamilton in the West End, gives us incredible information about the West End. And even though we are divided by the Atlantic Ocean, so many constants bring us together, but also there are quite a few things we can learn from each other. In this episode, we discuss: Truthfully staying true to who you are and how it leads to a Broadway / West End debut Fearlessness How being a reader behind the table helps auditioning Moving to a big city and what you need to know Agent outreach Giles’ new book Hamilton & Me Giles Terera MBE is award-winning actor, musician, and writer. He trained at Mountview Theatre School and has worked consistently at venues such as the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe. He is best known for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the London production of the award-winning musical Hamilton, for which he won the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. His other theatre credits include Rosmersholm, The Tempest, Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, 125th Street, Rent (West End); Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Hamlet, Death and the King’s Horseman, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, Troilus and Cressida, Candide, Honk (National Theatre); The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe); The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse); The Playboy of the Western World (Abbey, Dublin); The Ratpack (West End/international tour); Jailhouse Rock (Theatre Royal Plymouth/West End); The Tempest (RSC); among many others. As a writer his theatre work includes The Meaning of Zong (Bristol Old Vic), The Ballad of Soho Jones (St. James), and Black Matter (Crazy Coqs). As a filmmaker, Terera’s first documentary Muse of Fire, created with Dan Poole, premiered on BBC Four in 2013 and he wrote and directed the concert film Hello Harry! A Celebration. Giles was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honors for services to theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I am living my best life. Honestly, the multi-hyphenate life, for me, is the best life. I can wake up and I am never bored. I am engaged and driven to work on different things.” Jonathan Estabrooks went to Juilliard for opera, but just like many of us, turned his other interests into professional capabilities. And multi-hyphenates… we know how to pivot. During the pandemic, just like millions of others, spun the situation into something positive and became Vice President and head of recording for Emitha, a company which focuses on production, design, and production for artists, by artists. What goes into starting a new company? How do you balance the different responsibilities? What is spatial audio and how is Jonathan embracing it in his work?  As an active producer, mixing engineer, director and performer, Jonathan Estabrooks has amassed over 15 years of experience, 3+ Million views with a wide variety of content from short-form documentary, music videos and commercial content, to full album and single production. As a graduate of The Juilliard School he has been hailed by the New York Times as ‘a robust baritone’ his experience in front of and behind-the-scenes has given him a unique understanding of the industry and how to craft the most compelling stories through music and film.  As producer and mixing engineer he has worked on over 25 titles many of which have charted on Billboard. Notable credits include Black and Blue (NYFOS Records/#3 Billboard Classical Crossover), LAMENT (Lexicon Classics/#3 Billboard Classical) and Anna Christie (Broadway Records/#6 on the Billboard Classical) with libretto by the late Joe Masteroff and 12-time legendary producer Thomas Z. Shepard (Bernstein, Sondheim). He co-produced his debut album These Miles with 4-time Grammy-winning mixer Dave Reitzas (Streisand, Groban). He has collaborated with Grammy and Tony-winning producer Michael J. Moritz Jr. and his work has been featured in major National and international media including on the front page of Billboard.com and twice in the New York Times, CBC Television, CNN and NBC.  As an executive producer and director, he led the team behind a charity single and founded Artists for the Arts in 2017 to save the NEA. Released on Broadway Records the single and music video featured Annie Golden, Peter Hollens, Chris Mann, the cast of Hamilton and over 150 performers. In addition to his music producing credits, his film and video work is extensive including music videos, virtual contents, galas, behind-the-scenes content and two documentaries currently in production including a profile of the first Black tenor to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, George Shirley.. He was associate concert producer and IMAG live video director for the Leonard Bernstein Centennial concert at Wolf Trap, directing 11 cameras and featuring Misty Copeland, George Takei, Tony Yazbeck, Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, Paquito D’Rivera and the National Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Estabrooks is a voting member of the Recording Academy and is co-owner and Vice-President of Emitha LLC, a full service production company focused on a full suite of creative services including recording, mixing, mastering, design, photography, music distribution and promotion through thier two labels, Lexicon Classics and Crossover Records. Visit www.emitha.com to learn more! @jonestabrooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Well, I’m first generation post Civil Rights movement. I came out in 1985, right in the middle of the AIDS crisis. And we went straight to the front lines to fight for our lives. It was Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS and The Actor’s Fund that taught an entire generation how to activate. I was always activated, I have no other choice, I don’t know anything else.” - Billy Porter Billy Porter. Need I say anything else? An icon, mother, a trailblazer, an Emmy, Tony, and Grammy winner… and here’s what we talk about in this incredible episode: Incredible and inspiring stories of rejection in auditions Facing racism in the industry Saying ‘No’ and seeing what that did to his career Creating Lola in Kinky Boots Not working for 12 years and coming back Prepping for his new tour The Black Mona Lisa Tour: Volume One This episode is chock full of deeply personal insight, first hand stories, unabashed truth regarding the industry and Billy’s life. It doesn’t matter if you are an artist or not – this conversation is full of life lessons that will just make you an overall better human.  Billy Porter is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner. Porter began his music career in 1997 with the release of his self-titled (aka Untitled) debut album which spawned the Top 10 "Bubbling Under" single, "Show Me," and the monster ballad, "Love Is On The Way," which also appeared at the pivotal moment in the film, "First Wives Club." He went on to release "At the Corner of Broadway + Soul" (2005), "Billy's Back on Broadway" (2014), and "The Soul of Richard Rodgers" (2017) featuring Pentatonix, India.Arie, Leslie Odom Jr. and Cynthia Erivo, among others. Porter scored his first #1 with "Love Yourself" in 2019 on the US Dance Club Songs Chart. He followed that up with his 2020 reimagining of the legendary Buffalo Springfield anthem, "For What It's Worth," and a fierce collab with The Shapeshifters on "Finally Ready." 2021 saw Porter covering Juliet Roberts club classic "Caught in The Middle" for Red Hot + Free, which supports underserved communities afflicted with HIV/AIDS. He was also enlisted by multiplatinum international superstar Jessie J for "I Want Love." And he delivered a magical turn on Earth, Wind, and Fire's iconic "Shining Star" as Fab G, the Fairy Godmuva, in the 2021 remake of "Cinderella." Porter is a veteran of the theater (Miss Saigon, Angels in America, Grease), and a two time Tony(r) winner, including "Best Leading Actor in a Musical" for Kinky Boots in 2013 and "Best Musical" as a producer for A Strange Loop in 2022. He has also received a GRAMMY(r) for the Kinky Boots Official Soundtrack in the category of "Best Musical Theater Album" in 2014. Porter took home the EMMY(r) Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" in 2019 for his work as Pray Tell on Pose, making history as being the first openly gay man to do so. Time Magazine named him one of the "100 Most Influential People" of 2020. Billy released his highly anticipated memoir, "Unprotected," in October 2021. His directorial film debut, "Anything's Possible," dropped Summer 2022 to much acclaim. Now, Billy kicks off his next chapter in music, his first love, with new single “Baby Was A Dancer” arriving March 24th. @thebillyporter “Lin Manuel Miranda changed everything for me and I’m ten years older than him. The internet cracked open a space for the young people to understand their worth. I did not understand my worth early on – I did not understand that the stories could and should come from me. Who could tell the Black, Queer stories better than me? The audacity to understand that and know that and then step into the fullness of it. And that’s what I spent my 30’s trying to do!” - Billy Porter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“In this business, in this show-fucking-business, you have to reinvent yourself so many times. The attention span is zero and you have to also realize that most people who hire actors or any kind of performer or artist, will remember you from the first time they saw you. That will stick in their head, so reinventing oneself is a necessary evil. But you have to branch out as you grow as a person. Let your art grow. Multi-hyphenates do not sit on their laurels.” - Judy Gold on Multi-Hyphenating  Judy Gold knows the value of a good joke – and the steep price of silencing comedians. Unnerved and infuriated, Judy shares her reverence for the intimacy of collective laughter and her passion for the vital work comedians do to bring us together, make us think, and speak truth to power. Based on her book “Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble,” the comedy veteran is taking the stage to tell the fascists and crybabies to shove their hate and political correctness up their respective asses. This wickedly funny new one-woman show is a big-mouthed and big-hearted call for truth, kindness, common sense, and most of all, laughter. The show runs through April 16th, 2023 at 59E59 Theatres. You can buy tickets at https://www.59e59.org/shows/show-detail/yes-i-can-say-that/ In this episode we discuss… What it means to be Jewish Judy’s Off Broadway show Yes, I Can Say That! currently at 59E59 Theatres Why you have to take certain jobs Stupid politicians  Food Empathy Why comedy is important JUDY GOLD (Playwright & Performer) has had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central, and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix's Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. She is the author of Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come For The Comedians, We Are All In Trouble, a critically acclaimed book about free speech and cancel culture which debuted as the number one comedy release on Amazon and was featured in the New York Times Book Review. Judy is also host of the hit podcast, “Kill Me Now with Judy Gold.” Judy’s TV acting credits include “City On A Hill” (Cassndra Kassell), FX’s “Better Things” (Chaya), and Showtime’s “The First Lady” (Elizabeth Read). Judy also guest stars as Sophie in the much-anticipated Apple TV+ drama series “Extrapolations.” Other guest stars include Hulu’s “Life and Beth” and Season 2 of Peacock’s “Girls 5Eva.” She has had recurring roles on Comedy Central's “Awkwafina,” Netflix’s “Friends from College,” and TBS’s “Search Party.” Her recent film credits include Love Reconsidered and the upcoming She Came To Me and Eternal Buzz. Judy is one of the main subjects in the Hulu documentary Hysterical. She has appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Tonight Show.” From 1999-2010, Judy was the host of HBO’s “At the Multiplex with Judy Gold.” Judy also won two Emmy awards for writing and producing “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” She was also a writer on the final season of “Better Things.” Judy has written and starred in two critically acclaimed, Off-Broadway hit shows: The Judy Show – My Life as a Sitcom (Outer Critics Circle Nomination), and 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother (GLAAD Media Award – Outstanding NY Theater, Drama Desk Nomination – Actor). Judy received rave reviews as Gremio in The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park all-female production of The Taming of The Shrew. She also co-starred in Off-Broadway’s Clinton! The Musical and Disaster! The Musical. Judy has made numerous appearances on “The View,” “The Today Show,” “The Drew Barrymore Show,” and on MSNBC, CNN, and NewsNation as a free-speech advocate. She often pops up on The Food Network, but please do not mention “Chopped All Stars” or “Rachel vs. Guy” to her. Judy’s three albums, Conduct Unbecoming, Kill Me Now, and Judith’s Roommate Had a Baby, are available wherever you get your music. You can also check out her website, JudyGold.com, or follow her on Twitter, Instagram or Tik Tok @jewdygold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony and Emmy Winning Production Designer Derek McLane and Eila Mell have come together to create the new hit book Designing Broadway, available wherever books are sold! This episode is incredible for all artists – especially theatre designers who are beginning to explore their multi-hyphenate identities.  Together with other leading set design and theatre talents, McLane invites us into the immersive and exhilarating experience of building the striking visual worlds that have brought so many of our favorite stories to life. Discover how designers generate innovative ideas, research period and place, solve staging challenges, and collaborate with directors, projectionists, costume designers, and other artists to capture the essence of a show in powerful scenic design. With co-writer Eila Mell, McLane and contributors discuss Moulin Rouge!, Hamilton, Hadestown, Beautiful, and many more of the most iconic productions of our generation. Among the Broadway luminaries who contribute are John Lee Beatty, Danny Burstein, Cameron Crowe, Ethan Hawke, Moisés Kaufman, Carole King, Kenny Leon, Santo Loquasto, Kathleen Marshall, Lynn Nottage, David Rabe, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Wallace Shawn, John Leguizamo, and Robin Wagner. Filled with personal sketches and photographs from the artists’ archives, this stunningly designed book is truly a behind-the-scenes journey that theatre fans will love. Derek McLane is an Emmy and Tony Award winning production designer for Broadway and television, who’s nearly 350 designs include: Broadway credits such as MJ, The Michael Jackson Musical, Moulin Rouge! (Tony Award), A Soldier’s Play (Tony Nomination), American Son, Parisian Woman, The Price, Beautiful, Fully Committed, Noises Off, Gigi, 33 Variations (with Jane Fonda) (Tony Award), China Doll (with Al Pacino), How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying (with Daniel Radcliffe), Follies, Anything Goes, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (with Robin Williams), Ragtime, The Pajama Game, I Am My Own Wife. Off-Broadway: Buried Child, Jerry Springer The Opera, Merrily We Roll Along, The Spoils, If I Forget, Love, Love, Love; The Night of the Iguana, Sweet Charity, Buried Child, Into the Woods, Ruined, The Last Five Years, Television 6 years of Academy Awards, NBC Musicals: The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz & Hairspray. Derek is the Chairman of the Board of The New Group Theatre. His many awards include: 2 Tony Awards, 2 Emmy’s, 2 Obie’s, 2 Drama Desks, 3 Lucille Lortel Awards, and 3 Art Directors Guild Awards. @derekmclane Eila Mell is the author of Designing Broadway as well as the official guide to the hit television series Project Runway, titled Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion. Among her other books are New York Fashion Week and, with Ty Hunter, Makeover from Within: Lessons in Hardship, Acceptance, and Self-Discovery. Mell has been featured in the New York Times, Marie Claire, Glamour, and CBS’s The Insider, as well as in the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. She is the co-host of the podcast Jiffy Pop Culture with comedian Frank Liotti. @eilamell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if training to be on Broadway didn’t cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars? What if it didn’t come with some of the toxic environments students often experience when studying for their BFA? What if students can train intensively in a safer and more equitable space? That’s where Michael Minarik of IAMT comes in. What’s in this episode? Treating yourself after auditions or small wins Rejection is not about your soul Finding joy from within Not being debt after college Why the current model for the BFA Showcase is archaic The ability to choose in the industry  Audition accessibility Becoming someone’s favorite Michael Minarik is the director, acting head and cofounder of the institute for American Musical theatre located in Washington Heights, NYC – where alum is performing on Broadway, National Tours, regional theaters, film tv, cruise ships and other various performance venues.  Michael has been a performer on Broadway in Les Miserables (Grantaire u/s Javert and Thenardier) Rock of Ages (u/s Lonny, Stacee Jaxx, Dennis Dupree, Hertz Kleinman) and Matilda (Escape Artist u/s Trunchbull). He was also in the Broadway first national tours of Urinetown (Bobby Strong) and Little Women (John Booke) as well as numerous regional theatre productions including Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll) The Happy Time (with John Kander as a consultant) Jacques, The Rink with Leslie Uggams, Phantom (Phantom), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), Titanic (Barrett), Wedding Singer (Glen Gulia) and many more.  He is also a 12x singer for the New York Yankees singing God Bless America as well as the National Anthem. Michael is also an accomplished theatrical producer, with a Tony nomination for producing Rock of Ages on Broadway, the national tour, and the Toronto production. Michael was also the lead producer on the award winning musical Fat Camp as well as producing the off Broadway show, The Scene starring Tony Shalhoub and Patricia Heaton at second stage. Michael is also a successful real estate agent in Manhattan for over 20 years. Michael was a business major at James Madison University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ilana Levine has got a lot of stories. I mean, a lot of stories. From Mel Brooks to Edie Falco to Michael Mayer, Ilana’s career path is a testament to who she is: an incredible talent and a brilliant human being. This incredible informative episode tackles so much about networking, identity, and creativity.  What’s in a Jewish name? How Ilana’s 9 year old crush helped establish her career. When it’s necessary to burn a bridge. How her first musical she ever did was on Broadway. How Ilana joined Naked Angels Theatre Company. Saying No is just as important as saying Yes. What kind of lifestyle do you want to have? Ilana Levine is an actress best known for her role as Lucy Van Pelt in the Broadway revival of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown".  She also starred on Broadway in “Jake’s Women”, "Wrong Mountain" and "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" and performed at the Tony Awards.  Ilana has appeared in many television shows and movies, including the infamous Seinfeld episode, "The Contest", "Law & Order", "Tanner '88", "Damages", "Tanner and Tanner", "Failure to Launch", "Friends with Kids", "The Nanny Diaries", and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" among others. In 2016, she started hosting the podcast, “Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine” -along with "LKF" she also hosts the podcasts “And the Award Goes To... Hosted by Ilana Levine” and “How To Be More Chill”. She is the host of the Bryant Park author series " Live From The Reading Room" and hosts a celebrity interview series at The Atlantic Theater Company in NYC guests include Ben Stiller, Ted Danson, Isabelle Huppert , Duncan Sheik, Mary Steenburgen and more. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Dominic Fumusa, and their 2 children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway’s LaQuet Sharnell Pringle (they/them/she/her) is an absolute powerhouse. Here’s some of the incredible topics we cover: Making friends in our 30s Preparing for relationships to close after the closing of a show. Craving ensemble and family. What is the purpose of a multi-hyphenate? Why LaQuet started her new clothing brand Geared Up. Who wants to listen and not listen. Existing is trailblazing. How swinging made LaQuet a better business owner. LaQuet Sharnell Pringle (They/Them/She/Her) began their dance training at 14 in Dallas, Texas. To make up for lost time, they attended the acclaimed Booker T. Washington HSPVA. They also received additional training at The Dallas Powerhouse of Dance under the direction of Kim McSwain. While in HS, they won numerous awards from NYCDA (National Outstanding Dancer Finalist), Co.Dance (National Teaching Assistant), Jacob’s Pillow (Scholarship Recipient), Broadway Theatre Project (Scholarship Recipient and Showcase Soloist), NYU Summer Intensive (Scholarship recipient) and the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (Honorable Mention Modern Dance, Merit Award Jazz Dance). Upon graduating from Booker T, they trained at the University of NC School of the Arts as Contemporary Dance major. There they studied José Limón, Merce Cunningham, and Alwin Nikolais dance techniques and Improvisation. They are a proud graduate of the William Esper Studios. At William Esper Studios, they trained with Master Meisner Acting teacher William Esper.  Professionally, they've been seen on Broadway/National Tour: Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical (U/S Wanda Sellner), Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Lysistrata Jones (Myhrinne), Memphis The Musical (Ethel), The Lion King, Sweet Charity (Helene U/S perf), Off-Broadway: Make Mine Manhattan, Ave Q (Gary Coleman U/S), Regional: Candide (NYC Opera), The Wiz (Dorothy), Aint Misbehavin’ (Charlaine), Princess-A New Musical, Chicago (Cell Block Tango Girl), Footloose (Wendy Jo, U/S Rusty), AIDA, Nights on Broadway III (Vocal Swing), Shrek- The Musical (NY Workshop), Jawbreaker The Musical (Featured), Caty Bridgewater A Musical (Caty Bridgewater), Television/ Film: The Daily Show (Christmas Town News Anchor), Girls on the Bus (Rashida Moore) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Lion King Dancer), As the World Turns (Hair Stylist), Step Up 3D (Tango Dancer), Devoted (Short Film), Sylvia Plath Project (Short Film).  LaQuet created Geared Up By Fearless Young Artists with a fiery passion for inspiring artists to take a step, through clothes and accessories, into taking ownership of their bodies and artistic process while maintaining one's personal boundaries in a creative/professional environment. IG: @gearedup_by_fya TikTok: @gearedupbyfya Website: gearedupbyfearlessyoungartists.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I’m aspiring, even at 57 now, to try to be more free.” What’s in this episode? What is a multi-hyphenate to Mr. Guirgis? How writing made him respect other writer’s writing. Why do people think multi-hyphenates aren’t a thing? Scene work with Daphne Rubin-Vega “I can’t believe in myself 100%, but if I believe in myself 51% – it’s enough to keep going.” Work that isn’t as dangerous as it used to be.  Being okay with being hurt. Loving acting, but not loving writing. LAByrinth Theatre Company  Stephen Adly Guirgis is a Pulitzer Prize Winning American playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor. He is a member and a former co-artistic director of New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced both Off-Broadway and on Broadway as well as in the UK. His play Between Riverside and Crazy won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and is currently on Broadway, playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre through February 12th. Guirgis was most recently in the film Funny Pages and you can now purchase Guirgis’ newest play Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven, published by TCG Books. Stephen Adly Guirgis brings his prodigious gifts for exploring the lives of social outcasts to new heights in this play about the inner workings of a women’s halfway house in New York City, where the unmoored residents struggle with addiction, abuse, and mental illness. Between daily therapy sessions, they clash with the staff and each other, form alliances, and fall in love. Harrowing, humorous, and heartbreaking, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven roaringly brings to life the experiences of women who society has tried to shuffle out of sight and out of mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Broadway is like going to the NBA. But do you really want to play basketball everyday? That’s different – waking up and wanting to play ball is different than waking up and wanting to go Broadway. I’ve met regional actors in Seattle and Minneapolis who have full lives and they work year round and they are great actors – and they are not on Broadway. So are you chasing a dream for a status or are you chasing the craft?” What’s in this episode? Stories from Parade at Encores How an Instagram message sent Chicken and Biscuits to Broadway Longevity in the theatre Making money in the theatre Multi-hyphenating Changing the infrastructure  Making an impact Douglas Lyons is a multi-hyphenate artist originally from New Haven, CT. He wrote the 2021 Broadway comedy Chicken and Biscuits, which earned him a GLAAD nomination. As an actor, Broadway/NYC: Beautiful (Original Cast), Book of Mormon and Parade (NY City Center). Tours: Dreamgirls, Rent and Mormon 1st Nat’l. Regionally: Yale Rep, Hartford Stage Company, Huntington Theatre Company, 5th Ave Theatre, The Muny and more. As a writer: Apple TV's Fraggle Rock, Five Points (Theater Latte Da world premiere) now in development with Papermill Playhouse, Beau (ATF) and the 2018 Off-Broadway Alliance Award-winning musical, Polkadots. Douglas is currently developing television with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and Sky Dance. Douglaslyons.net. @Chocolatehipster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I think that multi-hyphenates, and I’m flattered to be included in that bracket, they’re just creatives. It’s like you have a drivers license but some days you drive a truck, and some days you drive a car, and some days you drive a forklift, or whatever – the vehicle changes but I think they artist’s heart is always the same. We love to create things, we love to express who we are, we love to maybe entertain, we love to connect with people in that way. So I don’t really think it’s a matter of what your skill set is, it’s just if you have that artist perspective and way of thinking and moving through the world, it translates to different things.”  What’s in this episode?  Queer eye and the original intent behind the show Carson’s love for drag His philosophy on saying ‘yes’ How Carson joined RuPaul’s Drag Race How opportunities are based on relationships The fulfilling yet terrifying experience of being in a musical Supernatural experiences involving Princess Grace! Michael’s Titanic past life story. Carson’s Joan Rivers’ connection. Emmy Award winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer, interior designer and New York Times best-selling author are some of the credits of the multi-talented and unforgettable Carson Kressley.  Carson started his career as an independent stylist and became invaluable to major designers such as Ralph Lauren. He took a leap into television & became a breakout star on Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which won a primetime Emmy and gained a worldwide following for Carson. In collaborations with Oprah Winfrey, Carson revolutionized America’s personal fashion sense of style. He’s hosted multiple TV shows including Lifetime’s How to Look Good Naked, & ABC’s True Beauty, appeared as a fashion critic & commentator on shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show & Good Morning America. Carson has competed on several reality shows including NBC’s hit show Celebrity Apprentice, Food Network’s Celebrity Cupcake Wars, ABC’s Celebrity Family Feud, and the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars where he was a fan favorite, raising awareness & donations for several charities. Carson is a key judge on TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race, which continues to win multiple Emmy's. New fan favorites included his interior design show, Get A Room with Carson & Thom, Freeform’s Wrap Battle, and his home entertainment talk show, Couched, where he interviewed A-list celebrities & elite interior designers. Amongst being a strong supporter of many philanthropic causes, when Kressley is not starring on stage or screen, he can be found astride one of his American Saddle-bred show horses, with which he has achieved World Champion status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I believe the world is a better place if there is more theatre in it. There is only more theatre in it if there are more people making it. So, I do everything I can to help inspire, educate people to make more theatre. Does that mean I can produce every show? Unfortunately not.”  What’s in this episode? Get a sneek peak into the brand new musical The Griswold’s Family Vacation! What exactly is producing? How do you pick a city to do an out of town tryout?  How does the industry treat multi-hyphenates? How are multi-hyphenates like small businesses? How does Ken commit to being an accessible producer? How Hal Prince inspired Ken by saying one simple thing.  What is successful producing?  Joy the Musical! “In the business world, if you invent a product – you are the creator of that thing. You are an artist. You just designed the thing – you made it out of nothing. And then you have to raise the money for it. So, you’re producing it yourself. All those people that go on Shark Tank, they are raising the money, they are doing the things. No one says, “Ugh, how dare you!” No, that’s what they do. That’s what Sara Blakely had to do for Spanx, that’s what Mark Zuckerberg had to do for Facebook – all of it. They create something and then they raise it – but in our industry people roll their eyes.” Ken Davenport (Producer) is a two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer whose credits include A Beautiful Noise, Once On This Island (Tony Award), The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Tony Award), The Visit (Tony nomination) as well the Off-Broadway productions of Altar Boyz, The Awesome 80s Prom and many more. Davenport’s productions have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world. He was the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and is the Theatrical Consultant for Primary Wave Music Publishing. His blog has been featured in every major publication around the world, from the New York Times to Vanity Fair. He conceived the best-selling boardgame Be A Broadway Star (available on Amazon) and he is an avid golfer. Ken is a Massachusetts native, raised in Sturbridge, MA, who grew up going to shows at the Colonial Theatre. He dedicates his career to his late father, Dr. Kenny Dipchand Hasija, an Indian immigrant who always dreamed about going into the theater but encouraged his son to do so instead. Other productions in development include Harmony by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation, Joy and The Ten. www.kendavenport.com Instagram: @kendavenportbway Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony-winning writer and performer, Sarah Jones, is making her directorial debut when her new film Sell/Buy/Date which Cinedigm will be releasing in theaters in LA on October 14th, NYC on October 21st, and streaming in November on Amazon Prime. The wide release announcement exclusive is out with Variety here. The deeply personal film is a witty documentary / narrative hybrid following Jones and her multicultural characters (she plays 5 characters in the film!) on a journey exploring our relationship to the sex industry via Sarah’s hilarious comedy and social justice lens. Sell/Buy/Date is written, and directed by Sarah Jones, and is executive produced by Meryl Streep with appearances by Ilana Glazer and Bryan Cranston.  “I want the whole world to know about Sarah Jones. I think she's an extraordinary artist--a once in a lifetime artist,” said Meryl Streep.  Sell/Buy/Date has seen various iterations over the past six years, first starting as Sarah's off-Broadway one-woman show in 2016, which she then remounted in Los Angeles in 2018. At the start of the pandemic lockdown in 2020, she brought some of her stage characters to life on social media for her #yesimsarahjones IG Live Show to ignite conversation around the black lives matter movement. And now, Jones is ready to debut her Sell/Buy/Date feature film. In the past Sarah and the live version of the show received feature coverage in Vogue and Vogue.com, The Economist, The New York Times, Town & Country, WMag.com and much more.   About Sarah Jones: Called “a master of the genre” by The New York Times, Sarah Jones is a Tony® Award-winning solo performer, writer, comedian and activist. She recently made her debut as a film director with the hybrid documentary Sell/Buy/Date, in which she also stars. The film, which is executive produced by Oscar-winner Meryl Streep, world premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and will be distributed (theatrical and streaming) by Cinedigm this fall. Jones is mainly known for her multi-character one-person shows, including Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel, also originally produced by Streep, and the critically-acclaimed play Sell/Buy/Date, which inspired the film. She has also appeared in various film and TV projects, including co-starring (along with Elisabeth Shue, Giovanni Ribisi, and Julie Delpy) in the Netflix series, On the Verge; Noah Baumbach’s Oscar® nominated film Marriage Story opposite Scarlett Johansson, and on the final season of Broad City. Jones also appeared in Chris Rock’s Good Hair documentary, and, at the request of Vogue and Anna Wintour, co-created and starred in a short film with designers Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Diane Von Furstenberg and Vera Wang, directed by Fisher Stevens for the CFDA Awards. Additionally, Jones’ writing credits include the Golden-Globe nominated Showtime series SMILF. Renowned as “a one-woman global village,” she has also given multiple main-stage TED Talks garnering millions of views, performed for President and First Lady Obama at the White House, and given a performance at The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland as the first artist on its stage normally reserved for heads of state. She has also been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, raising awareness of gender, ethnic, racial, and economic injustice and disparities, including in the United States. Jones recently launched Foment Productions, a social justice-focused entertainment company aligned with her progressive activism, with Sell/Buy/Date as its first production. The film tackles the intersection of race, gender justice, the economy, and various other issues through the unexpected lens of the sex industry. Using humor, investigative interviews, celebrity cameos (including Rosario Dawson, Ilana Glazer, and Bryan Cranston) and her own personal story, the film highlights how this topic is closer and more relevant to all of our lives than we may realize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There is something that I think gets in my way, or has gotten in my way in the past when thinking about the multi-hyphenate,” says é boylan. “And I think it’s the hyphen. It’s the idea why I like I’m a non binary human that doesn’t like to hyphenate the non and the binary because that’s another binary! It’s like the barrier in the middle. It feels sometimes like it’s divisive within myself.” Topics of conversation: individual approaches to the multi-hyphenate the pros and cons of branding capitalism in multi-hyphenating bragging about callbacks on social media misinformation on social media é’s new project The Doctor is Dead.  é is the creator of The Doctor is Dead, a new audio musical released by Musical Theatre Factory. This podcast series is a contemporary fantasy for queer imaginations following a secret society of trans outcasts living underground. Using their unique abilities to investigate a mysterious empty coffin, the outcasts sing a song of leaving, of grief that becomes giving, of what begins in the end. The production can be heard on all podcast platforms beginning September 2nd, with new episodes released weekly. You can listen to the trailer now, HERE.  é boylan (they/them) is a NYC based director, creator, and composer developing new work towards trans liberation. Selected Honors Include: New Writer in Residence at Lincoln Center Theater, 2019 Trans Lab Fellow, 2019-20 Manhattan Theatre Club Directing Fellow, 2021 Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriter, 2021 Prospect Theater Co. MT Lab, 2022 MTFxR Garage Artist, 2020-22 Roundabout Theatre Co. Directors Group, and currently Musical Theatre Factory's Makers Cohort. www.eboylan.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is special. I mean… really special. Ari Axelrod is an artist and I’ve seen him in action, growing throughout the years. The episode is sort of broken down into three parts. What crafts a great cabaret? Our views on the multi-hyphenate. And Jewish identities in showbusiness, which is a huge topic of conversation right now.  When it comes to cabaret, according to Axelrod, cabaret should be perfectly imperfect. It is the art of being yourself on purpose. So what are the pitfalls an artist creating a concert or cabaret can run into? What is the purpose for which you’re doing one? How can you best prepare? And what does it really mean when you choose not to memorize your lyrics…   “I want to hear the lyrics as you. I don’t want to hear it as the song because I’ll tune out. It’s the difference between being a tour guide and a travel agent. A tour guide says, “Let me show you all of the things. Let me facilitate your journey. The travel agent says, ‘Where do you want to go? I will help you go to wherever you need to go.’” When it comes to the multi-hyphenate, it’s simple to Ari. “It reminds me of what you said before. Straight, cis, white men – they have the keys to the door,” says Axelrod. “People who come from marginalized communities, and whatever marginalization that is, they have to find other ways into the building. And sometimes it means having multiple ways in because the front door is locked for them. So we have to climb through the window, or go through the chimney, or building another building. It’s exactly what you’re saying, that’s what being a multi-hyphenate is. It’s telling our stories in all of the ways, flexing all of our artistic muscles and integrity, to be able to reflect the full capacity of our world.” And the most important topic of this episode – what it means and feels like to be Jewish today. And how does that relate to our work in the industry? Anti-semitism, unfortunately, is rearing its ugly head once again. So, how do respond to it? And more importantly – how do we stop it? “Anti-semitism looks different on the left than on the right. It looks different here. Everywhere. I think the thing that people don’t understand – the main problem, specifically, within our industry is that there is a lack of education in terms of what a Jew looks like. What a Jew is.” Ari is an actor, director, singer, and Jewish activist. He recently received the 2022 Bistro Award for Theatrical Performance in Song for his show, "Ari's Arias." His award-winning show, "A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway," began with a sold-out run at the historic Birdland Jazz Club, featuring six-time Emmy & Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh, and has since grown to international acclaim performing to sold-out audiences around the world. In 2020, he received a MAC Award nomination for Best Male Vocalist and won the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Live Zoom Performance. Ari Axelrod's first solo show, "Taking the Wheel," directed by Tony Award winner Faith Prince, and music directed by multiple MAC Award winner Alex Rybeck, has been performed in numerous cities around the country. Ari's work as a director has been seen at the Tony Award-winning Paper Mill Playhouse, Birdland Jazz Club, 54 Below, and The Green Room 42. Ari is a recipient of The Jewish Week's prestigious 36 Under 36 Award, which "honors 36 noteworthy Jewish leaders, all 36 years old or younger, who make New York — and its many Jewish communities — better. These entrepreneurs, young leaders, and changemakers bring remarkable energy and new ideas to religion, philanthropy, the arts, Jewish learning, campus life, social action, inclusion, and justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“All of a sudden,” says Moellenberg. “While I was sitting there, I literally heard for about 15 - 20 minutes a deep, male voice, which I assumed was a higher being, telling me that I had a long life to live. It was going to be very productive and my purpose was to help create beauty in the world. And the suggestion was made that that beauty might be through helping to create theatre.” According to Carl, he came out at the absolutely worst time. And after being diagnosed with HIV in the 1980’s, he found himself undergoing a transition. A transition of spirit, a transition of healing, and a transition from investment banker into a producer. He became many things – a Reiki master, a counselor, an ordained minister – all things focusing on what multi-hyphenating is all about.  Regardless, Moellenberg couldn’t have started in a better place. The first project he invested in was Wicked and the first project he co-produced was Spring Awakening. Two very big hits. So what is a producer? What’s their responsibilities? How does one become a producer? Check out this episode to learn more about what goes into producing on Broadway. Plus, in this episode check out why a ‘Why’ Statement is incredibly important to have, how everyone can come together to make theatre more accessible, and learn about Carl’s new book, Carl Moellenberg's Story: Broadway and Spirituality as a Path to Survival — available wherever you purchase books now. Carl began his career in banking, and after debilitating illnesses threatened his life, he took a new approach to spirituality and healing, and re-found his love and passion for Broadway. He has since gone on to be on the producing teams for some of Broadway's most successful shows: Spring Awakening, War Horse, Hair, Death of a Salesman, Pippin, All the Way, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Dear Evan Hansen, Angels in America, The Band’s Visit, Oklahoma, Hadestown and Company. His aim has always been to tell compelling stories or to present stunning music which transforms people.  “I’m incredibly excited that I believe it is an inspirational story, and I believe it will encourage people that are maybe early in their career in the arts as you’ve been referring to. I believe it will be a story of surmounting obstacles in people’s lives. That’s my sole aim – I didn’t write it, again, to talk about me or my career as a producer or going through each show and talking at length about all the shows I’ve been involved with – I did it to talk about a personal journey in hopes that my personal journey will inspire other personal journeys. That’s what I’m excited about.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#themajesticisfitforaprince When Carol Burnett wants something done, it's gotta get done. That's why fashion writer and producer Eila Mell joined forces with Burnett to start the campaign The Majestic is Fit for a Prince, getting the Broadway, television, and film industries to rally behind the renaming of this legendary theatre. Yes, the very same theatre which has held The Phantom of the Opera for 35 years. In this episode we discuss how the campaign started, what Hal Prince means to the three of us, untold stories of how Hal helped Carol during the loss of her daughter, why The Carol Burnett Show is timeless, and, keeping it in theme of the podcast, how the multi-hyphenate has grown and adapted over time as well as how the principles of the multi-hyphenate is helping getting the campaign done. Make sure you get your voice across by posting a video on social media saying, "The Majestic is fit for a Prince" and use the hashtag #themajesticisfitforaprince when you post! Carol Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She is best known for her groundbreaking comedy variety show The Carol Burnett Show, which originally aired on CBS. It was one of the first of its kind to be hosted by a woman. She has achieved success on stage, television and film in varying genres including dramatic and comedic roles. She has received numerous accolades including six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and seven Golden Globe Awards. Burnett was awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2013 and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2015. Eila Mell is the author of the official guide to the hit television series Project Runway, titled Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion. Among her other books are Designing Broadway, New York Fashion Week and, with Ty Hunter, Makeover from Within: Lessons in Hardship, Acceptance, and Self-Discovery. Mell has been featured in the New York Times, Marie Claire, Glamour, and CBS’s The Insider, as well as in the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. She is the co-host of the podcast Jiffy Pop Culture.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“People are dying from your fatphobia and that’s wild. We are so hung up on the way theatre has looked forever that we can’t change our perspective enough to literally save people’s lives.”  TW: Discussion of eating disorders. I found Greg on TikTok. Greg is the founder of EveryBODY on Stage, which aims to break down stigma and fat-phobia in the arts. There is such multi-layered dialogue when it comes to each person’s experience. Being a CoVid long hauler changed my body by gaining weight – and even when I find the positives and self love when it comes to myself, my body, and the industry, it’s rooted in privilege.  And when it comes to weight and age – why is it that a bigger body in educational theatre equals playing someone older or someone not worthy of love? How does that affect someone in their formative years? Why is it we are praised for losing weight, even when it’s done in an unhealthy way? Greg and I breakdown how fatphobia dominates the theatre industry, while shedding light on the people who are doing their best to fix this. Plus, we also get into how Funny Girl on Broadway battled responses based in fatphobia and anti-semitism and how as an industry, we need to move forward by communicating with kindness.  Please note – the group I talk about in the episode who’s name slips my mind is The Industry Standard Group (TISG) who are innovating Broadway by finding new pathways toward equitable representation in commercial theatre. Also, use the code “MULTI” at the EveryBODY on Stage store for a discount at https://www.everybodyonstage.com/ “There is this narrative that a fat body is bad and ugly and gross. I’m done with that. I don’t care if other people find me attractive because I don’t need that anymore. I am happy in my body and I deserve to take up space in this body. So, like, I don’t know… get into it society.”  Greg Carruthers (he/him, she/her) is a Toronto-based choreographer, actor and body-positive activist (@EveryBODYonStage). Hailing from Bradford, Ontario, Greg studied Music Theatre Performance at St. Lawrence College which recently nominated him for an Ontario Premier's Award. Greg has choreographed for Theatre Sheridan, Hart House Theatre, Canada’s Wonderland, The Madinat Theatre (Dubai), and the July 1st ceremonies at Queens Park (Toronto). As a performer, Greg was most recently seen on the 1st National Tour of 'Trey Parker's Cannibal the Musical'. As the Artistic Producer and Founder of EveryBODY on Stage, Greg has produced projects for Musical Stage Co’s “Musical Moments” and Buddies in Bad Times “Queer Pride Festival”. With funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, Greg conceived, choreographed and produced a short film titled "Cell Block Tango: Reimagined" which was screened as part of the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show. Greg is very excited to be choreographing "Into The Woods" at the Grand Theatre in London this fall as well as developing a new queer musical and a dance film. www.everybodyonstage.com  Instagram: @gregcarruthers  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I’ve been blessed with a somewhat pragmatic view, and I had a good sense of who I was and what I had to offer.” Charles Busch has been around a while… and in the meantime. He is one of the first self-producers and self-advocates in the industry. Since he was eleven, he was writing three act places and found out very early at Northwestern that he would not find success in mainstream showbusiness. “Too gay” for the industry in the 70’s he says… so maybe the things that made him uncastable and unemployable could actually be what brings him success.  Even after going to an incredible acting program, Busch still didn’t feel he was able to find himself in the industry. He sold numerous pilots to networks, but still found himself back to putting on a show with people he loves. And sometimes even finding himself in places at the top of the food chain (like writing a book for a new musical) and saying to himself, “I really hate this!” And yes, we talk about Taboo, one of Broadway’s biggest flops. We also talk about his huge success on Broadway, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.  Charles also takes us down discovery lane as he found his love of drag, cabaret, a symbiotic relationship with his beloved manager, taking the road less traveled, and the upcoming 54 Below show, Backstage Babble, which he’ll be appearing in on September 6th at 7pm.  Charles Busch has forged a unique place in the world of entertainment as playwright, actor, director, novelist, cabaret performer and drag icon. He is the author and star of over twenty-five plays including The Divine Sister, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset, The Tribute Artist, The Confession of Lily Dare and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; one of the longest running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. His play The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife ran for 777 performances on Broadway, won the Outer Circle Critics’ John L. Gassner Award for playwrighting, received a Tony nomination for Best Play and is the longest running Broadway comedy of the past twenty-five years.  He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival. For two seasons, he appeared as Nat Ginzburg on the HBO series OZ and is the author of the auto-biographical novel Whores of Lost Atlantis. He has directed two films; the Showtime short subject, Personal Assistant, and a feature, A Very Serious Person, which won an honorable mention at the Tribeca Film Festival. Due to his love and knowledge of film and theatre history, he has appeared as a guest programmer and in numerous documentaries for Turner Classic Movies, and has lectured and conducted master classes at many colleges and universities including NYU, Harvard, UCLA and Amherst College. In 2003, Mr. Busch received a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright and was given a star on the Playwrights Walk outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre. He is also the subject of the acclaimed documentary film The Lady in Question is Charles Busch. He is a two-time MAC award winner and has performed his cabaret act in many cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, London, Paris, Barcelona and New York. In winter of 2016, his show The Lady at the Mic premiered at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. His first CD, Charles Busch Live at Feinstein’s 54 Below, was released by Broadway Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You have to choose yourself and other people will choose you.” – Robbie Rozelle on what he learned from the late Jan Maxwell.  There’s a lot of musical theatre references in this episode, folks. Proceed with caution!  Robbie Rozelle is a beloved performer, director, writer, graphic designer, and record producer who is responsible for some of the funniest and touching moments in the cabaret space of recent. Rozelle does shows all over the city… even across the pond in London. So how does he dominate the cabaret and concert scene?  “For me, I am very much a self starter. If I want to do something, I sort of will it into existence. A lot of that is a lot of cold emails. There are so many cold emails that I’ll send out, 'Hi, I am beloved, fully ignored, cabaret sensation, Robbie Rozelle.’ I’ll send the album and I’ll say, here’s the pitch. 9 times out of 10, I’ll never get an email back.” But don’t worry, Robbie’s concerts sell out in 26 minutes. That isn’t an exaggeration. How does he do it? How does he sell his shows? If you’re interested in producing your own cabaret and concert, this episode is loaded with goodies to help you. We also chat about social media helping or hindering the industry, pushing through performances even during a crumbling political environment, understanding that what we bring to the table in the industry is allowed to be specific, and the difference between a Renaissance person and the multi-hyphenate.  Robbie infiltrates the industry in such an interesting way, He has also directed and written or co-written sold-out cabaret shows for Tony Award nominee Melissa Errico (Amour), Tony nominee Kate Baldwin (Finian's Rainbow), Elena Shaddow (The Visit), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), Mauricio Martínez (On Your Feet), Nathan Salstone (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Mrs. Kasha Davis, and frequent collaborator Jessica Vosk (15th Anniversary Elphaba in Wicked). In 2017, he sold out Feinstein's/54 Below twice with his debut cabaret solo act, "Songs From Inside My Locker", which was nominated for a BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award (in addition to nominations for Best Director). He returned to Feinstein's/54 Below in 2018 to headline Pride weekend with his new show "Bustin' Out", selling out and earning rave reviews. He recorded his debut solo album of “Songs From Inside My Locker” live in front of two sold-out audiences in 2019; the album was released to rave reviews in June 2020. He also created and hosted “Tuesdays at 54… with Robbie Rozelle!,” which ran for seven months at Feinstein’s/54 Below in 2019-2020. Robbie is a Grammy voting member, and appears on the concert cast recording of Mia Moravis’ Session Girls. For three years, Robbie served as the graphic designer and creative director for Playbill, culminating in the design of the branding of #PlaybillPride, a 30-day initiative of the LGBT movement in the theatre that included a redesign of their historic logo for the month of June 2014, which continues each June to this day. He currently serves as the A&R Director and in-house designer for Grammy-winning record label Broadway Records, where he designed the iconic "What the World Needs Now is Love" in response to Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. He also runs Ghostlight Design. When not designing, he can usually be found tweeting jokes and random musings at @divarobbie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This amazing episode features an incredible live panel from BroadwayCon 2022, featuring some of the leading multi-hyphenates in the Broadway, television, and film communities. Topics include process and product, boundaries, and so much more.  John Cariani – Broadway: Caroline, or Change; The Band’s Visit; Something Rotten! (Outer Critics Circle Award nom.); Fiddler on the Roof (Tony Award nom.; Outer Critics Circle Award). Off-Broadway: The Atlantic, The Public, Transport Group. Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Old Globe, Center Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Several films. Television includes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Blacklist, The Good Wife, Homeland; recurring roles on Law & Order (CSU Tech Beck), Numb3rs, and The Onion News Network. Playwright: Almost, Maine; Last Gas; LOVE/SICK; cul-de-sac. Jen Waldman has been working in the Broadway community for over two decades, first as an actor (Wicked and Titanic) and now as a coach to some of Broadway's brightest stars. She is the founder and artistic director of Jen Waldman Studio (JWS), and her clients have appeared in nearly every single Broadway musical for the last 15 years. In addition to her work at JWS, her hypens include: director, choreographer, artistic director, keynote speaker, leadership coach, speaking coach, podcaster, actor, teacher, and mentor. Jen co-hosts the podcast The Long and the Short of It, with listeners in over 100 countries. JenWaldman.com Kaisha S. Huguley is a New York based actor, singer, entrepreneur, creative, & educator originally born and raised in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Kaisha performed in solo cabaret, @kaishacreates, A One Woman Showcial making her Green Room 42 Debut. When Kaisha is not on the stage, she’s creating content for her online fanbase on her TikTok, Podcast: A Kaisha Story, YouTube Channel, and Blog. Additionally, Kaisha is the Director of Diversity & Cultural Creative Initiatives as well as a Faculty Member at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York. She develops curriculum and teaches courses on the business of the arts & entertainment industry. Kaisha is committed to giving back to the next generation of artists & creatives. To follow Kaisha’s journey to her dreams, simply follow her on Instagram @KaishaCreates to join her Gram Fam :) Jennifer Ashley Tepper is producer of the musicals Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, and Love In Hate Nation. She is also the Creative and Programming Director at Feinstein's/54 Below, and the author of The Untold Stories of Broadway book series. She is the creator of The Jonathan Larson Project and historian consultant on the upcoming film version of tick, tick...BOOM! Tepper was recently named recipient of a 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Being a multi-hyphenate is not a disability – it’s an ability. It’s an advantage.” Jared Grimes is a Tony Nominated actor currently starring in Funny Girl on Broadway. His effervescent energy lights up the stage every night at The August Wilson Theatre. In this episode, his energy continues into our conversation as we discuss what being a “bag of tricks” in this industry actually means.  In this episode, we discover Grimes’ road to Broadway, how he turned his ADD diagnosis into multi-hyphenation, inspirations, getting people in power to understand the multi-hyphenate, and we chat about how tap opened up his eyes to the art of multi-hyphenating.  “At an early age I began to latch on to the idea that if you’re a tap dancer, that means you can be many things. It doesn’t mean that you just use your feet to connect with people or share with people. I’m looking at all my heroes and they are singing, they are acting, they are comedians, they’re lindyhoppers, they’re writers, they’re choreographers, they do camerawork – they are behind the camera, in front of the camera – all those guys did that and I was just like wow so that’s what it is to be a tap dancer. My earliest idea of what a tap dancer was, was a multi-hyphenate.”  Jared Grimes is a quadruple threat in the world of the arts where he is heavily making his mark in singing, dancing, acting, and choreographing. He received a Tony Nomination for his performance in Funny Girl on Broadway, which he is currently starring in. On numerous occasions, he has danced alongside legends such as Wynton Marsalis, Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Jerry Lewis and Fayard Nicholas. and also performed for Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy at the Kennedy Center. Most recently on Broadway, Jared could be seen in the Tony Award-winning production of A Soldier’s Play. Grimes has toured with Musical legend, Mariah Carey, under the choreography of Marty Kudelka, and danced for artists such as Common, Salt-n-Pepa, Envogue, Busta Rhymes and the Roots. Jared’s theater credits include, After Midnight on Broadway directed by Warren Carlyle, Twist directed by Debbie Allen, Babes in Arms at the Goodspeed Opera House choreographed by Randy Skinner, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes directed by John Rando at Encores and Broadway Underground directed by himself. In the world of acting, Jared is known for his recurring role of ‘Adrian’ on NBC’s hit show “Manifest.” He performed the lead role of ‘Jackson’ in the Annapurna feature film Swing Kids and Sammy Davis Jr.’s “Birth of the Blues” on Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook for PBS. Other film credits include Paramount’s, The Marc Pease Experience starring Ben Stiller, New Line Cinema’s Little Manhattan and Elevation Filmwork’s’ First Born starring Elizabeth Shue. Grimes has appeared in commercials for Coca-Cola, Subway, MTV and television shows such as CBS’ “Star Search,” “Showtime at the Apollo,” ABC Family’s “Dance Fever” and “The Jerry Lewis Telethon.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Visibility equals donors. The more work you do, the more you’re out there, the more people come to see the shows, the more you continue to maintain your lists of who is coming to see the work – the more easy fundraising becomes.” What is the future of theater making? How has creating theater in rehearsal rooms helped cultivate the multi-hyphenate, an economically friendly hiring option for producers? From the point of view from one of the most sought after directors and cultivators, Moisés Kaufman has incredible insight for anyone who wants to found their own company. What are the first steps? What should they be aware of? How do you raise money? Make your company official? Money can scare people – but it’s imperative to understand it when creating theatre.  On this episode we discuss being pushed into boxes and how that affected his journey of bringing the Tony Nominated musical Paradise Square to Broadway. Plus, there is a ticket giveaway where you and a guest can see the show! All you have to do are these two is: Follow in IG: @dearmultihyphenate Write a review – as long as you write a review from June 1st to June 13th, that review will be considered an entry! Mention how much you loved this episode with Moisés Kaufman! The winner will be announced on the next episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate released on June 13th.  Moisés Kaufman is the founder and artistic director of Tectonic Theater Project, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated director and playwright, and a 2015 recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Mr. Kaufman’s Broadway directing credits include the revival of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song, the revival of The Heiress with Jessica Chastain, 33 Variations (which he also wrote) starring Jane Fonda (Five Tony nominations); Rajiv Joseph’s Pulitzer Prize finalist Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with Robin Williams; and Doug Wright’s Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning play I Am My Own Wife with Jefferson Mays. His play The Laramie Project (which he wrote with the Tectonic Theater Project company) is among the most performed plays in America. Kaufman also co-wrote and directed the HBO film adaptation of “The Laramie Project,” which received two Emmy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Writer. He is an Obie Award winner and a Guggenheim Fellow in Playwriting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Birth is art. Birth is theatrical. Birth is a nothing to a something. Birth is a ceremony. Birth is a transformation. So, my art – my writing, my blog writing, my performing, my acting – has gotten so much wider ever since I’ve witnessed birth. Because, isn’t that what we do as actors? We breathe life into people. Isn’t that what we do as writers? We breathe life into characters that never existed before.” - Melissa Rose Hirsch on adding Doula as one of her hyphens.  Multi-hyphenating is an art form – and how you identify as one is up to you. By looking at it on paper, one might not think being a Doula would belong in a theatre multi-hyphenate persona – yet, Melissa Rose Hirsch does it. On top of being a performer, song writer, and blog writer, Hirsch beautifully interweaves the artistry of being a Doula into the rest of her multi-hyphenate artistry.  In this episode, we talk about how heartbreak and the industry viewing us a certain way forced us to look inward and create artistry that feels more personal and reflective of who we are.  “If I am going to be a vessel for art, I would like to be a vessel for my own art.”  Melissa Rose Hirsch is a singer, actor, writer, and birth doula. As a theatre performer, she has acted Off Broadway and found most passion in the development of new musical theatre works. Her musical, Bradical and the Pink Socks, co written with Christopher Hlinka and music by Preston Max Allen, has an upcoming performance this fall! Melissa not only writes her own music, available on all streaming platforms, but she most notably sang back up for PHISH at Madison Square Garden. She runs the blog Charged Thoughts on instagram, where she explores the human experience as romantically as possible and reminds her readers through love, loss, healing, and feeling, that “we are all the same, after all.” As a new birth doula and a person who is deeply passionate about the bodies of birthing people, Melissa finds fascination in all things birth, whether that be breathing life into new characters, new songs, or even new tiny humans. Follow along Melissa’s ride as a multi hyphenate @melissarosehirsch and @chargedthoughts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“When I was younger I tended to think that I was an artist, and now I tend to think I’m more of an artistic collaborator… at least in my job. I’m certainly and artist at heart but when it’s for work, it’s not about me.” Calling all artists who are collaborators! Roman Molino Dunn is one of the leading music producers and film scorers in our industry. Not only is a multi-hyphenate himself, he works with multi-hyphenates in our industry. His approach is different from many who collaborate – and gives himself over completely to the artist who is hiring him. In this episode, you can listen to how a collaboration with a leading music producer would go. Roman also has some great stories about working with some of our favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race queens like Peppermint and Pandora Boxx.  This podcast episode is all about expectations in collaboration and keeping our Ego in check – and Dunn certainly has that down to a science.  “It’s not yours,” says Dunn. “And you should be okay to essentially scrap something and not being offended. What I mean is, you need to write music that you love so much that you’re willing to submit it but not love it so much that you’re not willing to change it.”  Roman Molino Dunn is an award-winning composer, Billboard-charting music producer (a.k.a Electro- point), and co-owner of Mirrortone Studios. His film and TV composing work includes Huracán on HBO Max, Snakehead (Samuel Goldwyn Films), Laser Candy (Netflix), Ru Paul’s Drag Race All Stars (Para- mount+), Red Rocket (A24), Kid Correspondent (Participant) a Youtube Original, and the cult classic LGBTQIA feature film Bear City 3. Known for producing and mixing his own scores, in addition to a com- poser, as a film music producer and recording engineer he has most recently worked on The Card Counter (Schrader / Scorsese) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix). In 2021 he has worked on films that screened at three of the “Big Five” festivals: Cannes, Venice, and Toronto. TV networks that have used his work include HBO, E!TV, A&E, MTV, Oxygen, BET, Bravo, Netflix, Paramount+, VH1, Discovery, TLC, NBC, and NASCAR. Brands who have used his music include Burger King, PayPal, Marriott, Michael Kors, NBC, The Ad Council, Clinique, Snapple, Globe and Mail, Honeywell, Maserati, Tom Ford, Kopari, and many more. In addition to corporate and film music composition, as a music producer, he has worked with major and indie labels and Grammy-winning artists, including GLAAD-nominated al- bums, particularly with reality TV stars (Love & Hip Hop, Dr. Miami, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Real House- wives of New Jersey, Howard Stern, Bad Girls Club), and his productions and soundtracks have climbed both the Billboard and iTunes top 20 charts.  “Anytime I’m working on music, I should treat it as such… as art.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“For myself, I think for a long time I was worried that if I got my mental health and spiritual health in check… then I would lose the things that made me a really good artist.” Dani Stoller is unapologetic. An actor who takes risks, it bleeds into her other hyphens of being a writer and producer. She approaches her art by forming her own figurative rep companies – and while based in the “DMV” area (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) she has found that those communities create their own community, much like a rep company.  Following Dani on social media also reflects her unapologetic-ness… especially when it comes to Jewish advocacy. We dive deep into Jewish representation in the media – including non-Jews playing Jews, what we think Jews are ‘supposed’ to look like, and where they’re ‘supposed’ to be from.  “Throughout all conversations about Jewishness,” says Stoller, “Jews of color get written out of the conversation so quickly in terms of what does a Jew look like? Where is a Jew from? What is a Jew’s connection to anything – and so there’s this write out of that. What’s exciting is to see plays being written by Jews of color which shines a light on the incredible expanse of Jewish people. People think of Jews and they think of White, Ashkenazi Jew… they don’t think of Sefardi or Mizrahi or Swana or Beta Israel, or Igbo. We don’t think of it that way. Those stories are just as important.”  And speaking of these stories, Stoller explores how her next play, The Joy That Carries You, co-written with Awa Sal Secka, came to fruition and will have it’s debut at The Olney Theatre Center for the Arts. And how is this experience a reflection on socially responsible artistry?  “The thing I really admire about certain theatres in the ‘DMV’”, continues Stoller, “is their commitment to bringing in local talent. I think that we have a beautiful group of people there. Of course sometimes you have to bring in people from out of town. But I really do admire theatres who make a really diligent effort to utilize the people of that area to tell the stories of that area.” While this podcast has lessons applicable to all artists in all locations, Dani shares her stories which have happened in the Washington D.C. theatre scene. Multi-hyphenating happens everywhere – and even if you’re in NYC, LA, or London – this episode is applicable to YOU! Other topics found in this episode are becoming a good apologizer, casting director relationships, and using the things that make us unique to tell our stories.  Dani Stoller is an actor, playwright, podcaster & Jewish advocate in Maryland by way of Brooklyn, New York. She has performed all across the DMV from the Folger Shakespeare Theater to the Kennedy Center. Her play, Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes, had its premiere at the Tony Award winning Signature Theater in Shirlington, VA, and was featured in the New York Times at the beginning of the pandemic. Her upcoming play, The Joy That Carries You, co-written with Awa Sal Secka is opening this May at the Olney Theatre Center. When she’s not writing she hosts the podcast Zen & Sugar, which is centered on intuitive eating, balance, and healing disordered food and body relationships. Follow her on instagram @danidangerstoller or her website www.Danistoller.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices