Check out our latest episode with the tremendous Jean Marie Koon! We get into some juicy understudy gigs, discuss what it's like to come back to theater after a long break, and finish with things that bring us joy. We hope you enjoy!By Scott Sawa and Elana Elyce

THEE Jessica Dean Turner came through and churned out the realness. Tune in to hear about Jessica’s journey from beatnik poet to president of the thespian club to in-demand stage goddess! Plus, you gotta find out what “EGO DEATH” is all about. JESSICA DEAN TURNER is an actor and educator from the west side of Chicago. As an understudy, she’s been a…

In this episode, we chat with the splendiforous Larry Trice! They talked about their recent experience understudying Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as well as a bunch of other exciting credits. Larry demonstrates their commitment to diversity, their relentless pursuit of artistic goals, and the positive attitude that makes them such a wonderful member …

If “The Art of Understudying” was a person, it’d be RJW MAYS!! A living example of how glorious leaning into your dreams can be. Our conversation is rich with joy, wisdom, and laughter. Listen for some strategies on getting in the game later in life, how making connections can keep you growing as an artist, and plain and simply see how it’s never t…

Breon Arzell in da HAUZ! We swear that’s relevant and not just us trying to be hip. We are so excited to bring you this conversation where joy and authenticity collide and makes evident why Breon is a sought after, world-traveling actor, dancer, and choreographer. This episode was a good time. Join us, won’t you?!?…

Laura Berner Taylor gets Season 4 jumping! Listen to this juicy episode, where amidst and betwixt her understudy shenanigans, she regales us with enthralling stories of personal and artistic growth. Vulnerable honesty rules the moment and hugs us like a cozy blanket, and you get to hear Scott pretend he isn’t a Type A personality. Check it out!…

Are you ready to be soothed by the dulcet vocals of one Mr. Timothy Edward Kane? Well you better get ready. Grab a warm beverage and a fireside, relax and listen to him talk about early career hard learned lessons, playing the romantic interest of his actual wife, and ask yourself, “how many times can one person understudy Hamlet?” Come on in, we’v…

Hold on to your butts! Connar Brown shares delightful stories from her high school’s version of Avenue Q, Jr. to dinosaur-sized storytelling to The SpongeBob Musical to that time she took on a one-line role and saved the day. Full of laughs and very few complaints, Connar’s career has been quite exciting and we can’t wait for you to hear all about …

“They say the mind is the first thing to go-go Gadget helicopter!” Join us as we try to get Derek to remember things he’s blocked out or can’t recall! Scott & Derek reflect on their respective and connected POSEIDON! experiences and Elana gets on a too-high horse about critics & reviews. This fun episode is a journey and we’re so glad you’re taking…

Japan. New York. Japan. D.C. Japan again! Go on an international theatrical adventure with us and Manatsu Tanaka (they/them)! Manatsu is a Japanese nonbinary Performer and an Artist with many creative outlets: dance, acting, singing, Tate (Japanese Sword Stage Combat/Fighting), improv on the piano, aerial silks, drawing and recently they have start…

There are smart people / kind people / wise people. Tania Richard is all of the people! Join us as we chat with, learn from, and are moved by Tania’s take on understudying, making career choices, and priceless advice. She takes us to school with life lessons that we can’t wait for you to hear. Oh and, check out her podcast Tania’s Take on race, cul…

Scott and Elana kick off Season 3 with New Yorker-turned-Chicagoan-turned-Angelino, Juan Francisco Villa! Anytime someone’s FIRST understudy gig is at Steppenwolf Theater, you know they have some exciting stories to share! Join us as we hear about Juan’s unique experiences, including having to take the stage without rehearsal!! Thank you for listen…

In our last episode of 2022, Scott and Elana speak with Kaleigh Cronin, our second Broadway understudy! Kaleigh fell in love with the thrill of understudying when she was thrown on last minute for Olive Octopus (a role she did not cover) in a summer theater production in her home state of NH and the rest is history. On Broadway, she stepped in for …

Y'all, we booked a BROADWAY UNDERSTUDY - And she does not disappoint! Roz has been in the business most of her life, and is so generous with her time and stories. Her acting journey has seen her on Broadway in plays by Katori Hall, Tom Stoppard, and Aaron Sorkin! She discusses acting with big stars, the "accoutrements" of being a Broadway actor, ho…

Scott and Elana welcome the south side's own Darren Jones to the podcast! After he fell into acting in the 90's, he's worked consistently as an actor, and often as an understudy! We talk about so many things in this episode, including being "discovered" while on a date after church, working with Spike Lee on "ChiRaq", and we discuss our experiences…

Y'all! We have Kim Fukawa on the show! Kim has understudied at The House Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Babes with Blades, and so many others, and we get the scoop on the understudy life in non-Equity Chicago storefront theatre. We talk dressing rooms, what happens when you end up understudying during an open-caption performance, how Kim is constantly …

Elana and Scott welcome Greg Geffrard to the podcast! Greg Geffrard has understudied at Steppenwolf (Bug), Goodman (Lottery Day, A Christmas Carol), Remy Bummpo (Seascape), and at least 7 other productions, many involving multiple tracks. Crazy. We talk about those experiences, the theatrical intimacy revolution, Langston Hughes, being the "first, …

#HashtagBooked Phenom and Commercial Superstar LaNisa Frederick joins Scott and Elana to discuss her experiences understudying at the Goodman Theater and Steppenwolf, among others. She talks about getting paid in pasta and pizza, the benefits of having learned Latin in high school, and that whole LA thing.…

In our Season 1 Finale, Scott and Elana chat with Michael Turrentine, a veteran understudy at Steppenwolf, Lyric Opera, and Theater Wit! We talk about those experiences, the magic and electricity of live performance, and the joy of upending audiences' expectations. Thank you for listening!!

Chicago Trans Icon HONEY WEST joins Elana and Scott to discuss her experiences understudying, particularly on Hell in a Handbag's Golden Girls and Bewildered, which Scott starred in. They discuss her appearances in Who Killed Joan Crawford (another US performance) and Porchlight's Gypsy, as well as her early days as a singing server. We also learn …

Scott and Elana welcome Kat Evans to YOIF! Scott understudied with Kat twice in his career, and we talk about those experiences at length - particularly how Scott was ill-prepared for both, oof! We also chat about using dialects to find our characters, gleaning business tips from our more experienced Equity overstudies, and how to snag a principal …

The hosts welcome Elana's United Flight 232 co-star Echaka Agba to You're On In Five! We talk about understudying at Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, and Pegasus Players, dive into the controversial Method acting technique, and discuss how to take care of ourselves better. Enjoy this very intimate, giggly, and loving conversation!…

Scott and Elana welcome Gaby Labotka to YOIF! Gaby has stories upon stories from her many understudy gigs, and they are WILD. She's understudied at the House Theatre, the Gift Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare, among others - and THREE productions of Peter and the Star Catcher! We talk about memorization techniques, unrehearsed Shakespeare, EMC points, “…

Elana and Scott welcome Nicholia Q. Aguirre to You're On In Five! Nicholia's many understudy experiences include gigs at Redtwist, Lookingglass, and Steppenwolf (under the direction of Phylicia Rashad!!). Alongside our episode 7 guest Patrick Byrnes, Nicholia starred in Casa Valentina, which Scott understudied. Nicholia did a show with Elana too! T…

Elana and Scott welcome Patrick Byrnes to the podcast! Scott was actually Patrick's understudy in Casa Valentina in 2019. We discuss Patrick's many many understudy gigs, we geek out about Sondheim, and so much more! Hyperfun Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) (in Ragtime ad) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativeco…

Scott and Elana welcome Jennifer Glasse to the podcast! An understudy at The Gift, Writers Theatre, Court Theatre, and Theatre Wit, Jennifer shares what it was like to understudy six roles at once (!), how she courted specific Chicago theatres and got her teaching artist job, and so much more in this extra giggly episode.…

Scott and Elana welcome Alberto Mendoza to You're On In Five! Alberto has understudied The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Red Theater, 2017) and The Light Fantastic (Jackalope Theatre, 2018). We talk about playing a pro wrestler, getting his insides crushed by the devil, and so much more!

In our first "Understudy/Overstudy" discussion, we welcome Nancy Payne and Sarah Gise to the podcast! Nancy understudied Sarah in Interrobang Theatre Project's Out of Love in 2019, and had to finish the run after Sarah broke her leg, literally. We talk about that, and lots more!

In this episode, Scott and Elana talk to understudy extraordinaire Joe Lino! We discuss what it was like understudying at Steppenwolf, we nerd out over Harry Potter, debate “theatre” vs. “theater”, identify non-Equity understudy policy best practices, playing Mario Kart backstage with Movie/TV stars, and SO MUCH MORE!…

Scott and Elana welcome Emjoy Gavino to You're On In Five! As an understudy, Emjoy has gotten to play princesses (Mirror of the Invisible World, Goodman Theatre), a teenage runaway, a savvy cat and a singing ghost (Kafka on the Shore, Steppenwolf Theatre), a strong willed ex-girlfriend, a loving little sister, and a flying ghost (A Christmas Carol,…

Scott and Elana welcome Josh Kemper to You're On In Five! Josh served as understudy on the production that brought them all together, Here Lies Henry, with Interrobang Theatre Project in Chicago. Josh has also performed/understudied with many Chicago storefronts such as Hell in a Handbag, Black Button Eyes Productions, and Metropolis Performing Art…