Episodes

  • “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. 

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  • “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 BarnhardtThis 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 mindsetThe falsehoods of being a “starving artist”What is true about being a “starving artist”?Lucrative ways of working in the theatreLeaning into the type of artist you want to be known asThe worth of a college degreeSCOTT 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 MadgeRob 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_02Instagram: @robmadge02TikTok: @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
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  • “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
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  • “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.
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  • “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.
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  • “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.
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  • “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.
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  • “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
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  • “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.
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  • “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.
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  • “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.
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  • “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 
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  • “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.
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  • “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-HyphenateThe 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 debutFearlessnessHow being a reader behind the table helps auditioningMoving to a big city and what you need to knowAgent outreachGiles’ new book Hamilton & MeGiles 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
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  • “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
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  • “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
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