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Alyssa Fox is currently in "Wicked" on Broadway as Elphaba standby, having been a part of "Wicked" for around 12 years now. Her lifelong dream of becoming true Disney royalty and growing up watching Disney movies was her first introduction to acting and singing and theatrical expression. Alyssa shares her love for singing and performing live, discovering "Wicked" in senior high school and finding her calling. She talks about her "Wicked" journey, why she decided to drop out of college, and how she went to New York for the first time to audition for a non-equity cattle call she saw on playbill.com. From humble beginnings, she went from not having an agent to booking "Wicked" and only having $18 in her bank account. As we all know, we discuss how the understudy, standby, and swing life is much harder in a different way from your standard roles. She shares some of her experiences as “Frozen’s” Elsa and “Wicked’s” Elphaba standby, from remembering her lines and staying sharp on stage to stage mishaps, and talks about the sisterhood and connection that comes with playing the difficult character of Elphaba, and why despite finding touring hard, it's also where she felt the happiest and most fulfilled. Reflecting back on her work, she sees all her peers as equals, explains why she loves doing theatre, and the amazing connections made between the performer and the audience. Alyssa Fox is an actress born in Dallas, Texas who is currently in "Wicked" on Broadway as Elphaba standby, also having played the lead role on the national tour. Her other stage credits include "Frozen" (Broadway and Regional) where she was Elsa standby. Connect with Alyssa: Twitter: @alyssafox Instagram: @alyssajoyfox Facebook: @Allyfox22 Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longtime friends and creative partners, David Rossmer and Steve Rosen are currently working together as lyricists and songwriters for the "The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation" musical, which just opened for its world premiere at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. The two share their first meeting at a performing arts camp, and the rest, as they say, is history. Growing up in a musical household and a family that has an appreciation for art, it's no surprise that both David and Steve ended up having a career in the creative industry. The two talk about stage adaptation, what makes it exciting, and how their current project is a love letter not just to the Griswolds but also to theatre. They also deep-dive into their creative processes, including writing together, creating something and acting on it at the same time, etc. With all the successful projects both David and Steve have done together and individually, they're proud to say that they still make each other laugh. The two speak about their love for collaboration and their goal to keep making stuff, not only to fulfill their passion but also to get inspiration from other people and create an artistic community. David Rossmer and Steve Rosen are a talented duo with numerous Broadway acting credits under their name. Their recent Broadway production of “The Other Josh Cohen” received rave reviews. They created the successful variety show benefit, “Don’t Quit Your Night Job”. They have also worked together for Rated P, developed for television by Kelly Ripa’s Milojo Productions and bought by ABC Studios, and made comedy material for Zachary Levi, Sting, etc. Individually, both have created several podcasts, radio plays, and radio comedies. Currently, they are working together as lyricists and songwriters for the "The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation" musical. David's stage credits include “Les Miserables”, “Peter and the Starcatcher”, “Children and Art”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and “Titanic”. His TV credits include "Elementary", "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", and "It Could Be Worse". Meanwhile, Steve's stage credits include "The Little Mermaid", "A Confederacy of Dunces", "Disney's Beauty and the Beast", "Peter and the Starcatcher", "Guys and Dolls", "The Farnsworth Invention", "Monty Python's Spamalot". His TV credits include "Kings", "The Resident", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", "Blue Bloods", "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", and "Elementary". Connect with David and Steve: Instagram: @stevierosen, @davidrossmer, @rossmerrosen Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a young kid, he originally wanted to be a novelist. A audition for a high school production of Bye Bye Birdie landed him the lead role of Conrad, which blasted open the doors for him in the acting world. He ended up going to University of Michigan when they were first beginning to make a name for themselves as one of the best places to learn the craft, and then found his way easily onto the Broadway stage. He ended up shifting focus about 8 years ago to directing, where he found what he describes as his new passion for the stage. A quick call from an old friend led him to step in and perform as Clark Griswold in The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation brought him back to the stage, originating the role in the world premiere at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington, alongside Kate Rockwell. Hunter is an actor, director, writer and librettist with Broadway acting credits including Little Shop of Horrors (which earned him a Tony Award nomination), Urinetown, The Producers, Footloose, Les Miserables and Grease. He was named 2018’s director of the year by the Wall Street Journal for his productions of 42nd Street at the Bucks County Playhouse, and The Drowsy Chaperone at the Goodspeed Opera House, recently directed the critically acclaimed The Other Josh Cohen off Broadway here in NYC, is the Artistic Director for the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse, NY, and as we speak is originating the role of Clark Griswold in the Griswolds' Broadway Vacation. Connect with Hunter: Twitter: @Hunter_Foster IG: @hunter__foster Web: hunterfosterofficial.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mikayla Renfrow is currently making her Broadway debut as Nessarose in "Wicked", one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. Mikayla shares her background, including growing up in Cincinnati and moving around a lot. She talks about inherited trauma, a point in her life where she always felt like a black sheep, and how that changed thanks to the Cincinnati art school she went into. Mikayla recalls how her "Wicked" journey started, including sending one tape, getting a call back the following day, almost missing her Broadway debut due to a conflict in schedule, and eventually getting the role of Nessarose. She adds how it was a validation of her gut feeling that it was meant for her. Mikayla talks about her interest in astrology, why she believes that every milestone was meant to place her where she is at the moment, creating a routine and sticking to it and that everyone should go to therapy. She shares how the pandemic affected the trajectory of her life and career as well as using her dance skills to get another job. She also speaks candidly about her being a competitive gymnast and a national champion when she was younger. Mikayla looks back on writing her dream life in her journal and how she's living her dreams today, and why it's important to go back to our "why's" to help us keep going. Mikayla Renfrow graduated from Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts in 2017 and then from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music in 2021. Her regional stage credits include "Cinderalla" (Paramount Theatre), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (The Muny), and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" (The Fulton Theatre). She's currently making her Broadway debut as Nessarose in the hit show "Wicked." Connect with Mikayla: Instagram: @mikayla.renf TikTok: @mikrenfrow Twitter: @mikrenf Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Barrow is currently making his Broadway debut as the principal role of Boq in "Wicked", making him the first black actor to play the role in North America. He talks about how he got into performing—from joining a theatre camp to doing voiceover work and getting his first professional job when he was 13. He shares how didn't sing until he was 11 and even cried after getting the role of Danny Zuko and finding out he had to sing in front of people for a Grease musical in a summer camp. Jordan explains why he decided to go to school instead of pursuing acting right away (his agent ended up dropping him eventually). He shares his career journey from auditioning for Shakespeare in the Park in 2015 to booking a guest starring part on “POSE”. Jordan gets real about how the pandemic affected his work, wherein he lost 14 weeks of work removed, but despite that, it was also during the pandemic that he auditioned for "Wicked" and got the role of Boq. He shares that it was his fifth time auditioning and that he did not give up thanks to his mindset of how every audition is an audition for the next thing. He recalls his Broadway debut and what the experience was like, doing spot-check rehearsals, and what makes his work exciting and fresh. Jordan Barrow is an actor based in New York City currently making his Broadway debut as the principal role of Boq in "Wicked". He graduated from the University of Michigan in the Musical Theatre program and holds a certificate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts Shakespeare in Performance program. His other stage credits include "Sousatzka", "America V 2.1: The Sad Demise and Eventual Extinction of the American Negro", "Witness Uganda", "Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road", "The Tempest", "Hairspray" and "Peter Pan". He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including "POSE", "Broad City", and "Amy and Peter are Getting Divorced". Connect with Jordan: Twitter: @jordant_b Instagram: @jordant_b Website: jordan-barrow.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A live panel discussion with Elizabeth Teeter, Dana Steingold, Zonya Love and Michelle Aravena from Beetlejuice. This was recorded LIVE at BroadwayCon 2022 on July 8th, 2022. Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Page is a Grammy award-winning actor and playwright currently playing Hades in "Hadestown". He looks back on his early years growing up in Oregon and becoming a professional magician wherein he toured an illusion show and won awards. He shares how doing magic gave him the validation he needed and taught him about audiences and how to hold the stage. Patrick eventually got deeply interested in acting as a craft and pursued it as a career. While he decided to go for a Liberal Arts degree, he also spent his college years performing in plays. He shares his audition story for The Utah Shakespeare Festival despite being unqualified. Patrick shares how because he didn't go to acting school, he sort of learned by failing. He also talks about the first time someone told him his way of work was out of line and why he considers that a good thing. Apart from acting and writing, Patrick also has an acting studio in New York where he teaches. He talks about the importance of time management and knowing what you can do and offer, his hearing loss and the struggles that came along with it, including having to rely on muscle memory, and pursuing acting not because it's how you wish to be perceived but because it is who you are. Patrick Page is an actor and playwright known for his role in "In the Heights", "Flesh and Bone", and "The Good Wife". His other TV and film credits include "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", "The Blacklist", "Evil", "Chicago P.D.", "Elementary", and "Spirited". He originated the roles of Norman Osborn and Green Goblin in "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark", The Grinch in Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical", and Hades in "Hadestown". Patrick's Broadway credits also include "Saint Joan", "Spring Awakening", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Lion King". His long list of stage credits also includes "Cymbeline" (New York Shakespeare Festival), "Richard II" (The Public Theatre), "The Sound of Music" (Carnegie Hall), "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (The Papermill Playhouse), and "Rex" (York Theatre). He's an Affiliated Artist with The Shakespeare Theater Company in DC and The Old Globe in San Diego, has taught acting in numerous programs and classes and is the founder of The Patrick Page Acting Studio where he also teaches. Apart from acting, Patrick is also a playwright. One of his plays, "Swansong", was nominated for Best New Play by The American Theatre Critics’ Association and received many regional productions. In his early years, Patrick did magic and was honored by The International Brotherhood of Magicians as the “Best International Teen Illusionist” at their yearly convention in 1979. Patrick is also the recipient of The Grammy Award, The Tony Award nomination, the Helen Hayes Award, The William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theater, and The Emery Battis Award among others. Connect with Patrick: Twitter: @pagepatrick Instagram: @pagepatrick Website: patrickpageonline.com Facebook: @thebigbrothertho Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A live panel discussion with lead Actor Eric Sirakian, tabla phenom Salar Nader and Associate Director Damian Sandys from Broadway's The Kite Runner. This was recorded LIVE at BroadwayCon 2022 on July 10th, 2022. Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best known for his recurring role as FBI Special Agent Aram Mojtabai on the NBC hit TV show, "The Blacklist” is stage and TV actor Amir Arison who's also currently making his Broadway debut as Amir in "The Kite Runner". He shares one of the hardest scenes in the show for him, and that while playing his role can get tiring at times, he finds it "bizarrely energizing" and cathartic. Amir recalls the preparation he did for his role where he spent months not doing anything, practicing his lines and how his dog barking at him while doing so is a good thing. Amir shares an incident of a service dog barking in one of their shows and how he uses incidents like that as an opportunity to have a direct relationship with the audience. He shares the two moments that made him want to pursue acting, the support he's gotten from his parents who are both in the medical field, and why he thinks medicine is an art. Advocating for mental health, animal rescue and arts education, Amir makes sure to do good and that while he's alive, and why he believes that the one thing that transcends time and space is love. Amir Arison is a stage and screen actor best known for his role as FBI Special Agent Aram Mojtabai in NBC's "The Blacklist". His TV and film credits include "Billions", "Fringe", "Homeland", "The Mentalist", "American Horror", "NCIS", "Girls", "The Visitor", and "Jane Wants a Boyfriend". His stage credits include "Hamlet", and Off-Broadway productions like "The Way of the World", and "Aftermath". In 2018, he received the Mendez Award from the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown, an award given to those who use their platform to give back to the community. Aside from acting, Amir advocates several causes , including mental health, arts education, and animal rescue. He recently made his Broadway debut as part of the ensemble cast of the Kite Runner, playing the role of Amir. Connect with Amir: Twitter: @AmirArison Instagram: @amirarison Facebook: @amirarison Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, writer, director and producer Faran Tahir may be best known for his roles in “Iron Man” (he tried to kill Tony Stark!) and “Star Trek” (he was killed by Nero!) but is now currently making his Broadway debut as Baba in “The Kite Runner”. Faran talks about playing villain roles, the challenge that comes with it, and how he brings a level of humanity to his roles. He talks about his childhood and growing up in a family who has been in the arts, and why he wasn't initially supported in his goal of becoming an actor. Aside from playing a bad guy, Tahir also shares the challenge of playing a good guy and of finding flaws, why he thinks art is "about putting up mirrors so that we can look at and examine ourselves". He shares what he would tell his students when he used to teach acting, which was you can never say you've mastered something. He also reflects on his role as Baba in "The Kite Runner", finding your spiritual community, and how as humans there is always room for redemption. Faran Tahir is an actor, writer, director, and producer who came from a theatre family. He has appeared in over 50 stage productions across the US and the world. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his graduate degree from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. His film credits include "Iron Man", "Star Trek", "Escape Plan", and Elysium. He has also appeared in numerous TV shows, including "The West Wing", “12 Monkeys”, "Shameless", "Supernatural", "24", "Lost", "Prison Break", "Chuck", "Criminal Minds", and "How to Get Away with Murder". He's recently played the title role of Othello at Shakespeare Theatre Company and Richard III at Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. His other theatre credits include "Macbeth" at American Repertory Theatre, "Beast and Moon" and “A Perfect Ganesh” at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Tahir is currently making his Broadway debut as Baba in "The Kite Runner". Connect with Faran: Twitter: @farantahir_ Instagram: @faran.tahir Facebook: @OfficialFaranTahir Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damian Sandys is currently bringing his talent to the Broadway stage as The Kite Runner's associate director. The theatre director talks about the difference between the UK production and Broadway production of “The Kite Runner”, the importance of humor in the show, and how its US audiences are more vocal. He shares how he started getting into theatre directing, from watching and learning from his dad to meeting Cameron Mackintosh which opened up opportunities for him. Damian recalls how after graduating, he ended up taking a teaching job at a boy's boarding school where he taught English and Drama, and after putting on shows at the Edinburgh Festival, a producer who watched one of his shows offered him a directing job. He talks about working for the show, “NewsRevue” which was influential in his career. Damian also shares how he got connected with "The Kite Runner" production, why he decided to stay with the show for this long, and why he thinks a line from the show, "there's a way to be good again" is the key to life. Damian Sandys is a theatre director with productions across the UK, Edinburgh Fringe, the West End and internationally. He graduated from Oxford University and has directed over 50 productions at the Edinburg festival, including “Shakespeare For Breakfast: 25th Anniversary”. He has been the resident/associate director for several West End and international tours of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, “The Kite Runner”, and more. His other directing credits include “Aladdin”, “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Sleeping Beauty” among others. He's also been a part of the teams responsible for the London revival of “Tick, Tick... Boom!”, “When Midnight Strikes”, and “West Side Story”. Currently, he's the associate director for Broadway's "The Kite Runner”. Connect with Damian: Twitter: @munchkindamo Instagram: @munchkindamo Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Azita Ghanizada is currently making her Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" as Soraya, and is now the first woman of Afghan descent to originate a role on Broadway. As we learn, Azita's childhood life was far from ordinary and easy. Her family fled Afghanistan and ended up in the US as political asylum seekers. Similarly to what happens in “The Kite Runner”, she had trouble getting citizenship because she didn't have proper paperwork, including her birth certificate. She talks about growing up and learning how to speak English through watching tv shows and movies, which has also sparked her interest in acting. She shares how she pursued acting by buying a one-way ticket to Hollywood and ended up working at E! for a couple of years where she learned everything about show business. From finding a loophole in not getting jobs she used to get to being told she was white, Azita, together with other actors who joined her cause, successfully drafted a new SAG-AFTRA – AMPTP TV/Theatrical hiring contract for the first time in 37 years. She also talked about MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, an organization she founded to support and educate. Azita reflects on the issues we still need to fight for such as inclusion, and why we have to create from our heart and operate from a place of truth and integrity. Azita Ghanizada is an Afghan American actress who began her on-air camera career as a commercial model. Her family fled Afghanistan to the US and were granted asylum to remain. She has appeared in numerous television series, including “How I Met Your Mother”, “Entourage”, “Veronica Mars”, “The Wedding Bells”, “NUMB3RS”, “Bones”, “Psych” and “Castle”. Her film credits include "Killroy Was Here", “Our Friend”, “We Broke Up”, “Draupadi Unleashed”, “Complete Unknown”, “X's & O's”, and “A Kiss on the Nose” where she received a film festival best actress nomination for her performance. She's the Founder and President of MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, an organization she launched after helping build the MENA category into the SAG-AFTRA theatrical contracts. In 2020, she gave her first TEDx talk on the path to visibility in Hollywood. In addition to "Ballers," and Freeform's "Good Trouble," she's also got a recurring role on the CBS show, “United States of Al” and is currently performing in Broadway’s "The Kite Runner" as Soraya.   Connect with Azita: Watch Azita’s amazing TEDx Talk “The Invisible to Stereotyped: The Journey to Hollywood”  Twitter: @azitaghanizada Instagram: @azitagram MENA Arts Advocacy Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Sirakian recently made his Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" as both Hassan and Sohrab. With stage credits such as "The Jungle", "Twelfth Night", "The Comedy of Errors", and "Pericles", Eric is definitely putting the extracurriculars he did at Yale and his training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art into good practice. He recalls his first acting class and being introduced to London’s West End shows by his aunt and uncle, which helped him realize his passion for acting and gave him the push to pursue it as a career. He shares what it was like to attend school in London and New York and the difference between the two. Eric talks about how he got the role for “The Kite Runner” and how the entire process was done on Zoom, the preparation and research he did for his roles, including Afghan cooking and music. He talks more about his training, including how to deal with heavy subject matters and pushing himself to the extremes in a safe environment. He shares that he's been doing transcendental meditation for more than five years now, the difference between acting and therapy and that acting is “in service of something.” Eric Sirakian is a first-generation Armenian-American actor who graduated from Yale and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He starred in podcast series, "The Effect" and "Passenger List", and short films such as "Deadpan" and "Nightswims". He is set to appear in the upcoming TV mini-series, "Masters of the Air", and the Netflix movie, "Havoc". Eric is also making his Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" as Hassan and Sohrab. His other stage credits include "The Jungle" (West End), "Twelfth Night", "The Comedy of Errors", and "Pericles" (Shakespeare’s Globe). Connect with Eric: Twitter: @ericsirakian Instagram: @esirakia  Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With years of training with the best teachers, including Grammy award winner Ustad Zakir Hussain, it’s no surprise that Salar Nader is considered percussionist royalty. Apart from being the tabla artist and creating additional arrangements for The Kite Runner, Salar has also performed for the hit show and is playing the tabla for its current Broadway run. Salar passionately shares the history of tabla and the tradition that comes with it, treating instruments as a living entities and why it's important for him to connect with an instrument before playing it. No matter how long he's been playing and making music, Salar still considers himself a student who has more to learn--whether it's from performing or from the cast. He shares a story of buying three sets of tablas in 2020 to use for Stanley Clarke's concert, not knowing that the world is going to shut down two weeks later. He talks about the longevity of tablas, and why he would usually have a secret backup off stage in case they break on the spot. Salar recalls how he met Khaled Hosseini in the late 90s and how he eventually ended up making music for the Kite Runner's stage adaptation. For Salar, music has no boundary and is the most peaceful way of connection. He shares the emotional aspect of playing music for Kite Runner, and why it gets heavy at times. Salar Nader is a percussionist, composer, producer, beat maker, and one of the most sought-after Tabla virtuosos of his generation. He started his music career at an early age, doing classical training with Tabla bols as his main concentration. He also began studying with the Grammy award-winning Tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain, at the age of seven. With years of training and experience, he has become the leading pioneer in combining the art of Tabla with the musical sounds and rhythms from Afghanistan being the primary component. He is constantly expanding his musical language by weaving Tabla into contemporary music. In 2019, Saler launched the Salar System Collective which offers scholarships, as well as The Salar System album. He originally played the tabla and composed additional arrangements for the hit Broadway show, Kite Runner, which has been nominated for several awards. He has now played the tabla in seven “Kite Runner” productions, including its current Broadway run. He’s also currently touring with legendary bassist, Stanley Clarke. Connect with Salar: Twitter: @salarnader Instagram: @salar_system Website: www.salarnader.com Facebook: salartabla Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Ian Eisendrath, being an artist is like coming home. So many kids, Ian shares, don’t feel like they fit or belong until they find their creative outlet. By embracing chance, trusting his gut and putting himself out there in big ways, Ian has done just that. The University of Michigan School of Music graduate could never have predicted the path he would forge that has included various roles on the original Broadway version of Come From Away, which led him to a 2018 Olivier award and a 2017 Grammy nomination. Ian served as the Music Supervisor, Executive Music Producer, and Arranger for Come From Away. After the show's successful run on Broadway, Ian then music-supervised the Apple TV film version, which was recorded live on stage in New York City. Ian is currently the Executive Music Producer on Apple’s Spirited (starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell & Octavia Spencer) and his upcoming projects include Disney’s live-action Snow White (starring Rachel Zegler & Gal Gadot) and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (starring Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem & Constance Wu). Ian has traveled the world with his family and continues to take exceptional risks that seem to have beautiful rewards. He’s always looking for that “I can’t not do this” feeling as that’s his sign to go, go, go! We love when our creative worlds collide! Ian is also a big fan of former WIC guest, Josh Breckenridge (we’re big fans also!). It was fun to chat about that during the episode. Follow Ian on Instagram and on the web.  Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS So many artists are kids that felt they “didn’t have a place” when they were younger. Access to live theater and music can, literally transform a child life.  Mentors matter from a very young age.  You have to ask for it … take the risk, put yourself out there. It’s with the risk because you never know what the answers will be if you don’t ask.  Sometimes we can love what we do so much that it induces fear of failure.  It’s amazing what people will do for and with you once they know how deeply and passionately you care. That you won’t lead them stray because you care too much to let it fall apart.  Art, music, and theater are so powerful. They help people heal, grow and learn.  Look for that “I can’t NOT do this” feeling and then go, go, go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonoya Mizuno recently made her stage debut as Maggie in the first Off-Broadway production of the Tennessee Williams classic, "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof". The actress slash ballet dancer and now a stage performer speaks candidly about her childhood, and how her uncle who was a stage actor inspired her to pursue acting. She talks about her ballet dancing career, auditioning and getting the role of Kyoko in Alex Garland's "Ex Machina" which was also her first feature film. She would later appear in Garland's other works as well. She shares what made her try theatre and how she got an audition for "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof", the production timeline and how the pandemic affected it, her favorite part about performing on stage, and why she prefers to play characters that are far from her personality. Sonoya Mizuno is an actress and ballet dancer who has appeared in movies, including Alex Garland's works like "Ex Machina" and "Annihilation". Her other film credits include "La La Land", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Crazy Rich Asians". She also appeared in film shows such as the Netflix miniseries "Maniac" and "Devs". Her upcoming works include the HBO Game of Thrones prequel series, "House of the Dragon" and the movie, “Civil War”. She made her stage debut as Maggie in the first Off-Broadway production of the Tennessee Williams classic, "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof". Get tickets to see "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof": https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/Cat-on-a-Hot-Tin-Roof/Overview Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A LIVE panel discussion with Rob McClure, Brad Oscar, and Analise Scarpaci of “Mrs. Doubtfire” talking about the roller coaster of being part of a Broadway show during a pandemic and the bond formed as they all dealt with the effects of COVID, including their show getting postponed. Rob recalls what it was like playing a role originally played by Robin Williams, and why he thinks the greatest adaptations of either material or performances are those that try to imitate how it made the audience feel. Analise shares her experience working with Rob and Brad, and how she helped her younger co-actors in the show. Coming from two shows back to back that dealt with serious matters in a comedic way, Rob shares the positive reception they got from people, and why comedy is such a good genre in that "you come to laugh and then through laughter we crack you open so that in the end we can deliver a message". Brad supports this by sharing how doing comedy is a means of catharsis. Rob explains the term "actually actually" that he cherishes particularly in comedy, and how acting is "reacting truthfully to imaginary circumstances". The three also talk about their favorite scenes, rehearsal as playtime, and the learnings they got from being in “Mrs. Doubtfire”. Rob McClure is an actor best known for his roles in musical theatre, particularly as Nick Bottom in "Something Rotten!" and Adam Maitland in "Beetlejuice". His performance in the title role of the musical "Chaplin" has earned him a nomination for the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and has won the Theatre World Award. His other theatre credits include "I'm not Rappaport", "Avenue Q", "Noises Off", "Honeymoon in Vegas", and the latest one, "Mrs. Doubtfire" where he was nominated for the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He won Best Actor at both The Queen’s World and Williamsburg Independent film festivals for the movie, "Recursion". His TV credits include "Person of Interest", "Elementary" and "The Good Fight". Brad Oscar has been seen on numerous Broadway shows, including "Something Rotten!" and “The Producers” where he earned two Tony Award nominations for his performance. He has also performed in "The Big Fish", "Nice Work...", "The Addams Family", "Spamalot", "Jekyll & Hyde", "Aspects of Love", and “Mrs Doubtire” among others. His Off-Broadway and Regional credits include “Damn Yankees”, “Forbidden Broadway”, “Sweeney Todd”, and both the “Phantom of the Opera” and “Young Frankenstein” national tours. He has also appeared in movies and TV shows such as "Ghost Town", "The Producers", "Madam Secretary", "Smash", "The Good Wife"', and "Law & Order". Analise Scarpaci made her Broadway debut in 2012's “A Christmas Story, The Musical” where she played the role of Esther Jane. Her other stage credits include "Matilda the Musical", "Lolita, My Love", and "Mrs. Doubtfire" which was her first principal role as Lydia Hillard. Analise has also appeared in the short films, "Thespians" and "We're Gonna Come Back". She recently released her debut EP, "Pathetic Little Dreamer" which received positive reviews. Apart from performing, Analise has also done activist work and raised money with her walking group, Broadway for Bellies, and is currently giving private coaching and lessons to teens and kids. Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analise Scarpaci is a powerhouse performer who landed her first principal role as Lydia Hillard in "Mrs. Doubtfire". She talks about how she coped when the pandemic hit, including playing the guitar and recording her first EP, "Pathetic Little Dreamer", finishing her Bachelor's Degree in Musical Theatre, and why it was a blessing in disguise for her when "Mrs. Doubtfire" got postponed. She shares why she got into performing, which started with her parents' love for Phantom of the Opera, listening to Shirley Temple, and seeing “Billy Elliot”. Analise also talks about what it was like to perform as a child and do eight shows a week, swing into multiple tracks, get notes for mistakes, and why despite the pressure, she appreciated being treated like they were adults—which framed the artist that she is today. She talks about how she got the role in “Mrs. Doubtfire”, recording the cast album and why she found it difficult. Analise opens up about getting diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and what pushed her to pursue her dreams, despite the odds. Analise Scarpaci is a New York-based performer who made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of 2012's “A Christmas Story, The Musical” as Esther Jane. Her other stage credits include "Matilda the Musical", "Lolita, My Love", and "Mrs. Doubtfire" which was her first principal role as Lydia Hillard. Analise has also appeared in short films, including "Thespians" and "We're Gonna Come Back". She recently released her debut EP, "Pathetic Little Dreamer" which received positive reviews. Analise has also done activist work and has raised money with her walking group, Broadway for Bellies, and is currently giving private coaching and lessons to teens and kids as one of her passions. Connect with Analise: Twitter: @analise_2999 Instagram: @analise.scarpaci Website: analisescarpaci.com TikTok: @analisescarpaci Facebook: @analise.scarpaci Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A man of many talents, Frankie Grande is currently playing Victor Garber and Luigi in the Off-Broadway production of “Titanique”. In a parallel universe, Frankie went to med school and became a doctor, but in this universe, he’s an unstoppable, multi-hyphenate creative and philanthropist. He speaks candidly about his upbringing, triple majoring in college, meeting Celine Dion, paving the way for his sister, Ariana Grande, and why he’s a “chronic 15-minute late person”. Frankie talks about starring in "Mamma Mia!" where he made his Broadway debut, and eventually produced shows on and off Broadway which include "Hamlet", "La Bête", and the recent Tony-winning production, “Dana H”. He shares his philanthropic work and why he does it. He also opens up about his alcoholism and drug addiction and how getting diagnosed helped him, and why you need to give yourself permission to fail and feel exhausted. Frankie Grande is currently starring as Victor Garber and Luigi in the Off-Broadway production of Titanique. An actor, philanthropist, dancer, singer, model, producer, television host, and YouTube personality, Frankie began his Broadway career on stage in “Mamma Mia!”. His other stage credits include "Rock of Ages" and "R.R.R.E.D.", the Off-Broadway revival of "Pageant", and the regional production of "Crazy For You". Frankie is also known worldwide for starring in the hit reality TV shows "Big Brother" and "Celebrity Big Brother UK". His credits for TV shows and movies include “Haters Back Off”, “Henry Danger”, “Worst. Post. Ever.”, “'Spree”, and more. He also has credits as a Broadway producer, which include "Hamlet", "La Bête", “Dana H” and "Born Yesterday". As a philanthropist, Frankie is a founding member of Broadway in South Africa, a global arts outreach group. In 2014, he was awarded by buildOn with their Global Impact Award for his charity work in Malawi. Connect with Frankie: Twitter: @frankiejgrande Instagram: @frankiejgrande Website: jaredmgrimes.com YouTube: frankiejgrande Facebook: @thebigbrothertho Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a career spanning decades, Marylouise still finds joy in acting and is now starring in Brian Watkins' new play "Epiphany" as Morkin at Lincoln Center Theater. She chronicles her journey of pursuing her dream of becoming an actress, from switching majors and going to grad school to getting a day job and attending an acting school, and eventually moving to New York during the 70s. She recalls what it was like doing free theatre in New York in the 70s and then gradually taking acting seriously. She talks about doing TV and movies, getting the role of Morkin for “Epiphany” and how she connected with her character immediately, and the theatrical experience she hopes the audience will get from the play. Marylouise Burke is an actress who has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway plays, including "Ripcord", "The Broken Pitcher", "Kimberly Akimbo", "Fuddy Meers" where she won Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Gertie, and the latest one, Brian Watkins’ “Epiphany”. She has also appeared in various films and television shows including "Sideways" where she played Phyllis, the lead character's mother, "Ozark", "30 Rock" "The Blacklist", "Fringe", “Hung”, and "New Amsterdam". Her Broadway credits include "Into the Woods", "Is He Dead", "Inherit the Wind", "True West", and "Fish in the Dark". Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices