Intimate, personal conversations with the biggest talents from professional theatre, tv, film, and more. Hear their secrets, what makes them laugh, stresses them out, and how they manage the anxiety of success. We feature both stars and creatives such as producers, stage managers, directors, press and marketing agents, or even the people who own the theaters or productions themselves. This is a podcast for artists, made by artists. With over 2 decades of experience in film and theatre both ...
…
continue reading

1
Ep406 - Ayanna Nicole Thomas: Embracing Neurodivergence, One Spell at a Time
49:19
49:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:19Ayanna Nicole Thomas didn’t follow a traditional path to Broadway—but that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling. After growing up between the Bronx and LA, she eventually made her way back to New York to study musical theatre. But right before her senior year, she booked her Broadway debut in How to Dance in Ohio—a show that celebrates neur…
…
continue reading

1
Ep405 - Aaron Bartz: The Redemption of Draco (and Dirty Birds at 8AM)
55:16
55:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:16Aaron Bartz brings a grounded, thoughtful energy to the role of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and in this conversation, he shares just how much life and imagination go into keeping the magic alive night after night. From flying and fire to illusions and high-stakes contingencies, Aaron walks us through what it’s like to debut o…
…
continue reading

1
Ep404 - Sarah Killough: How to Audition Without Touching the Reader
47:36
47:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:36From playing the oboe in northern Minnesota to casting spells as Ginny Potter on Broadway, Sarah Killough's story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Sarah chats about her early musical roots, growing up surrounded by theater in a creatively rich family, and the pivotal decision to attend Interlochen as a teenager. She shares how she carved …
…
continue reading

1
Ep403 - Matthew James Thomas: Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and Severance Theories
56:33
56:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:33Matthew James Thomas opens up in this heartfelt conversation about his journey from a rebellious, bullied teen in the English countryside to finding truth and belonging on stage. Growing up feeling misunderstood, he found safety and purpose in acting, discovering early on that truth-telling through performance was his way of making sense of the wor…
…
continue reading

1
Ep402 - Rachel Christopher: When Poetry Meets Platform 9¾
51:04
51:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:04Rachel Christopher brings a poet’s heart and a scholar’s mind to the stage eight times a week as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In this conversation, she opens up about her lifelong love of language, her background in translating ancient Greek poetry, and the deeply personal connection she feels to storytelling—both on stage…
…
continue reading

1
Ep401 - Erik Christopher Peterson: Magic, (de)Mentors, and the Malfoy Legacy
49:14
49:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:14Theatre and magic collide as Erik Christopher Peterson kicks off a seven-episode Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast takeover on the podcast. In this deep-dive conversation, Erik reflects on growing up with a theatre educator dad, trading in his baseball glove for the stage, and eventually making his Broadway debut as Scorpius Malfoy. He shares …
…
continue reading

1
Ep400 - Bobby Moynihan: Collectibles, Comedy, and Catharsis
58:14
58:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:14From growing up in Eastchester, New York with dreams of joining Saturday Night Live to becoming one of the most beloved cast members in its history, Bobby Moynihan’s story is packed with heart, humor, and a lot of unexpected turns. In this episode, Bobby reflects on his nine seasons at SNL—including the anxiety, the magic, and the behind-the-scenes…
…
continue reading

1
Ep399 - Jeffrey Seller: Storytelling, Struggle, and the Rise of a Broadway Giant
1:02:18
1:02:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:18From growing up in a modest neighborhood known as "Cardboard Village" in Oak Park, Michigan, to becoming one of the most influential producers in Broadway history, Jeffrey Seller's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep love of musical theater. In this candid and insightful conversation, Jeffrey reflects on the pivotal moments that shap…
…
continue reading

1
BONUS - "The Little Mermaid" Cast & Creatives at Papermill Playhouse
49:50
49:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:50Dive into a magical behind-the-scenes journey with the cast and creative team of The Little Mermaid, now running at Paper Mill Playhouse through June 29th! This special bonus episode takes you inside the rehearsal room and onstage with the artists who are reimagining the classic Disney tale with heart, humor, and fresh perspective. From the emotion…
…
continue reading

1
Ep398 - Molly Griggs: Between Southern Comfort and Broadway Grit
1:01:31
1:01:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:31What starts as a conversation about acting quickly turns into a heartwarming reunion between two North Carolina natives who had no idea they practically grew up next door. Molly Griggs opens up about her Southern roots, early theater experiences at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and how growing up in Fayetteville shaped her worldview both on and o…
…
continue reading

1
Ep397 - Rob Madge: A Smoke Machine Wish, Tons of Wigs, and a Dream
55:02
55:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:02Rob Madge grew up staging living room musicals with wigs, smoke machines, and the unwavering support of their parents and grandmother—but what started as childhood play eventually became the viral, heartfelt, and Olivier-nominated solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). In this episode, Rob shares how those home videos evolved into a the…
…
continue reading

1
Ep396 - Anthony Veneziale & Aneesa Folds: Hip Hop, Humanity, and Hacking the Stage
1:01:10
1:01:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:10Anthony Veneziale and Aneesa Folds return to the podcast with the same brilliance and warmth that made their first appearances unforgettable—this time teaming up to talk about their new boundary-breaking musical, Co-Founders, premiering at ACT in San Francisco. With its Bay Area hip hop roots, tech satire, and cutting-edge stage visuals powered by …
…
continue reading

1
BONUS - 2025 Tony Awards Predictions with Samantha Tuozzolo and Jason A. Coombs from Survival Jobs, a Podcast
27:05
27:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:05Just in time for Broadway’s biggest night, the 2025 Tony Awards, Survival Jobs hosts Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo drop a special bonus episode today featuring The Theatre Podcast host and Broadway insider Alan Seales. This fun, laid-back conversation is packed with 2025 Tony Award predictions, hot takes, and heartfelt reflections on th…
…
continue reading

1
Ep395 - Julia Knitel: Weird, Wild, and Wonderfully Herself
48:11
48:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:11Julia Knitel grew up immersed in theater, with parents who ran a community company out of a church basement. From an early age, she was surrounded by costumes, sets, and the collaborative chaos that comes with putting on a show — and she was hooked. After booking her Broadway debut as a teen in Bye Bye Birdie, Julia continued to carve her own path …
…
continue reading

1
Ep394 - Joy Huerta & Benjamin Velez: Pop Meets Plot in a Tony-Nominated Twist
1:02:52
1:02:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:52Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez might come from very different musical worlds — Latin pop and musical theatre — but their collaboration on Real Women Have Curves proves just how powerful a cross-genre partnership can be. Meeting for the first time over Zoom in the middle of the pandemic, these two composers built trust, respect, and a Tony-nominated …
…
continue reading

1
Ep393 - Taylor Trensch: A Pink-Eared Dog and a Tony Nominee Walk Into a Theater…
38:18
38:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:18After first joining the podcast back in episode 96, Taylor Trensch returns with a Tony nomination under his belt and a powerful performance in Floyd Collins that's leaving audiences breathless. We dive into the fascinating real-life story behind the show, his emotionally raw portrayal of journalist Skeets Miller, and how a tragic event from 100 yea…
…
continue reading

1
Ep392 - Kevin Csolak: Stages, Stadiums, and Spielberg
55:59
55:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:59Kevin Csolak shares his journey from growing up in his mom’s New Jersey dance studio to starring as Tulsa in the Broadway revival of Gypsy. He opens up about performing alongside Audra McDonald and Danny Burstein, the artistic influence of the live orchestra, and how the cast is breathing new life into a classic. Kevin also reflects on what it mean…
…
continue reading

1
Ep391 - Erika Henningsen: From Mean Girl to Sandra Dee and Everything Between
53:31
53:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:31Erika Henningsen opens up about the real ups and downs of a life in the spotlight, from early rejection to career-defining roles. Known for originating Cady Heron in Mean Girls on Broadway, Erika dives into the emotional rollercoaster of auditioning, the shift from seeking audience approval to prioritizing collaboration, and why working with people…
…
continue reading

1
Ep390 - Julia Lester: Acting with Carell, Singing with Sondheim
51:54
51:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:54Julia Lester brings heart, humor, and honesty to this deep-dive into her journey from a theatre-loving kid in LA to a Tony-nominated Broadway star. She talks about growing up surrounded by performers, how Into the Woods became a defining chapter in her career, and the surreal moment when Stephen Sondheim personally approved her audition tape. Julia…
…
continue reading

1
Ep389 - Erich Bergen: He Can Doo-Doo This!
1:12:06
1:12:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:06From recreating music videos on VHS as a kid to being cast by Clint Eastwood with no callback, Erich Bergen’s path in entertainment has always been uniquely his own. In this episode, he shares the early influences that sparked his creativity—like turning Brio trains into the New York subway system—and how his love of producing was hiding in plain s…
…
continue reading

1
Ep388 - Norm Lewis: Fame, Failure, and the Phantom Mask
1:01:19
1:01:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:19From church choir in Eatonville, Florida, to becoming the first Black Phantom on Broadway, Norm Lewis opens up about his unique path to the stage. He shares how early dreams of a tennis career turned into a life in music and theatre, and the surprising way a cruise ship job launched it all. In this candid conversation, Norm reflects on near-misses,…
…
continue reading

1
Ep387 - Ana Gasteyer: From SNL to Broadway and Beyond
51:10
51:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:10From opera student to comedy icon to Broadway belter, Ana Gasteyer’s career has been anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation, Ana opens up about her winding path through improv comedy, the creative chaos of Saturday Night Live, and why live performance continues to mean so much in a media-saturated world. She shares the real backstage re…
…
continue reading

1
BONUS - "Floyd Collins" Press Day with Jeremy Jordan, Lizzy McAlpine, Taylor Trensch, and more (Mar 11, 2025)
41:47
41:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:47Exclusive, behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and creatives from LCT's Floyd Collins musical. Recorded on March 11, 2025 in a rehearsal space at Lincoln Center Theatre. Interview order as follows: Ted Sperling Lizzy McAlpine Jeremy Jordan Sean Allen Krill Taylor Trensch Tina Landau Adam Guettel Jessica Molaskey Marc Kudisch Jason Gotay Get your…
…
continue reading

1
Ep386 - Caesar Samayoa: Trust the Team, Tell the Story
1:00:48
1:00:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:48Whether he’s helping shape a brand-new show or breathing life into real people onstage, Caesar Samayoa brings authenticity and heart to every role. In this conversation, Caesar shares what it's like building Just in Time from the ground up—balancing daily rehearsals with nightly performances, and trusting in the collaborative energy of a veteran ca…
…
continue reading

1
Ep385 - Cassie Silva: Surviving Reality TV and Thriving on Broadway
1:43:55
1:43:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:43:55It’s safe to say you’ve never heard an episode quite like this one. Cassie Silva joins me for a conversation filled with raw honesty, surprising twists, and a lot of laughter. We dive into everything from her unexpected life-changing trip to London, where & Juliet reignited her passion for performing, to the deeply complicated and emotional afterma…
…
continue reading