Why I‘ll Never Make It
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Why I‘ll Never Make It
The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and...
Episoade Recente
384 episoade
Audition Stories 2025 with Lynn Nottage, Aubie Merrylees, Elizabeth Hess, Simon Tam, and More!
It’s been several seasons since the last time Audition Stories took center stage, but they’re finally back — and this time with a brand-new collection...
FINAL FIVE: Jennifer Apple, Actress and Founder of Empowered Artists Collective
Jennifer Apple returns for this bonus episode to tackle the Final Five Questions. From her very first professional show of Spring Awakening to the les...
Jennifer Apple Turns Setbacks Into Artistic Growth and Community
A serious back injury could have ended her career before it really began. Instead, it became the turning point that led to new opportunities—earning a...
FINAL FIVE: Patricia McGregor, Artistic Director of New York Theater Workshop
Patricia McGregor’s first steps into the world of professional theater were marked by a sense of awe and a drive to make every moment matter. From per...
Patricia McGregor on Making Bold, Tough Choices and Shaping the Future of Theater
Patricia McGregor’s journey to becoming artistic director of New York Theatre Workshop has been anything but linear. Growing up in the Virgin Islands,...
Sònia Victoria Werner Is Reshaping the Arts By Making Space For Women
From childhood improv classes to building a women-led production company, Sònia Victoria Werner has carved out an artistic path that’s as bold as it i...
FINAL FIVE: Sònia Victoria Werner, Co-Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Ladies
In the previous episode, Sònia Victoria Werner and I dove into her background as an artist and the creation of Lighthouse Ladies, and while that was s...
FINAL FIVE: Joseph Zellnik, Musical Theater Composer and Author
Joseph Zellnik is back for a candid and insightful bonus conversation about his journey as a writer and composer in the world of musical theater. Thro...
Joseph Zellnik Combines Murder, Mystery, and Musical Theater
Joseph Zellnik is a musical theater composer, and along with his playwright brother David they are best known for their 2010 musical, Yank! This Off-B...
FINAL FIVE: Nick Rashad Burroughs, Broadway Actor in Kinky Boots and King Kong
In the previous episode, we explored Nick Rashad Burroughs' journey from Alabama to Broadway. And now we're getting even more personal. Join us as Nic...
Nick Rashad Burroughs Embraces His True Self and Finds a Path to Broadway
Think Alabama isn't a breeding ground for Broadway stars? Think again! This week, we're joined by the phenomenal Nick Rashad Burroughs, who defies exp...
Theater Tol Takes Performing Arts to New Heights - Hannah Snow and Benjamien Lycke
Theater Tol was founded in 1998 by Lot Seuntjens, and this international company became known for its multidisciplinary performances, using images, dr...
FINAL FIVE: Ravi Jain & Miriam Fernandes, Artistic Directors of Why Not Theatre in Toronto
In the previous episode, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes shared the winding paths that led them to co-lead Why Not Theatre, and how they’ve forged care...
Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes Push the Bounds of Theater and Keep Asking Why Not
Toronto is home to the third-largest English-speaking theatre district in the world—and at the heart of its thriving independent scene is Why Not Thea...
FINAL FIVE: Aubie Merrylees, Actor in BOOP! and a Theater Coach
Now in his third Broadway show, Aubie answers five final questions about his career and theater journey.In this bonus episode, Aubie Merrylees returns...
Aubie Merrylees on the Joys of BOOP! and the Disappointments of KPOP
With Boop! The Musical earning three Tony nominations this year—including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, and Best Leading Actress for Jasmine...
Tony Winner J. Harrison Ghee Finds Joy and Freedom in Theater and in Life
Every June, Broadway’s biggest night reminds us just how thrilling and transformative live theater can be. The Tony Awards don’t just celebrate excell...
SPOTLIGHT: Stephanie Torns Brings Broadway to EPIC Players
This is a special presentation of The Spotlight Series, which highlights organization making a difference in the arts and beyond...
Steph...
Closing Night - Anthony Rapp Almost Makes His Broadway Debut
Back in 2022, I had the chance to talk with Anthony Rapp—which, for me, was both a thrill and a bit surreal. I’d been following him on Instagram for a...
FINAL FIVE: George C. Heslin, Actor, Director and Producer.
In our last episode, George Heslin shared some incredible stories about founding the Origin Theatre Company and his work as an Irish actor coming to N...
George C. Heslin Helps Bring Irish Theater to New York City
George Heslin came to New York in the mid-‘90s, but it wasn’t quite his idea to come here. So when he landed in the city he didn’t exactly hit the gro...
Bret Shuford Turns Broadway Lessons into Guidance for Others (REWIND)
Bret Shuford has spent his career balancing two passions—performing on Broadway and helping others achieve their creative goals. From The Little Merma...
FINAL FIVE: Moshe Lobel, Actor and Filmmaker
In last episode with Moshe Lobel, we covered so much ground, from why he left his Hasidic roots and pursued a career as an actor to his latest film pr...
Moshe Lobel Leaves Hasidic Roots to Pursue Theater and Filmmaking
Leaving behind everything he once knew, Moshe Lobel walked away from his Chasidic faith and roots to pursue a life in theater and film—an unthinkable...
FINAL FIVE: Akiko Aizawa, Actor and Teacher of Viewpoints/Suzuki Method
In our previous conversation with the talented Akiko Aizawa, we delved into her journey from a modern dancer to a dedicated actress facing challenges...
Akiko Aizawa Leaves the Dance World and Embraces Uncertainty as a Theater Actress
When I worked at Tokyo DisneySea, I fell in love with Japan—the culture, the food, the people. But working there was a whole different experience. The...
FINAL FIVE: Elizabeth Hess, Founder and Director of The Hess Collective
Last week, actor, director and playwright Elizabeth Hess shared some of her missed opportunities as well as the creation of her own theater company Th...
Elizabeth Hess Brings Resilience and Creativity to Her Theater Work
Elizabeth Hess is Founder of The Hess Collective and has developed various theater projects off-Broadway as well as traveling the globe with her own a...
FINAL FIVE - Lynn Nottage, Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright
Last week you heard from the award-winning playwright Lynn Nottage as she shared the joys and struggles of being a writer. Well, now Lynn is back to t...
Lynn Nottage Writes Through Some of Life’s Hardest Moments
As a playwright, Lynn Nottage has crafted fascinating stories and emotionally rich characters. She is a true artist with the credentials to back in up...
Welcome to Season 9!
Well, here we are it's 2025 and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to Season 9 of the Why I’ll Never Make It podcast! Every other week this sea...
Gregg Daniel Faces Life’s Hardest Moments with Grace
With more than 100 television and film credits, including his memorable four-season run as Reverend Daniels on HBO’s True Blood, Gregg Daniel brings t...
Jennifer Tepper Explores Women Writing Musicals and the Legacy That History Books Left Out
In this special video podcast combo between Why I’ll Never Make It and Closing Night, I’m joined by theater historian and author Jennifer Ashley Teppe...
Stephanie Torns Has Been Both WICKED and a WAITRESS and Now Brings Her Talents to EPIC Players
When it comes to Broadway, few shows have captured hearts quite like Wicked. Its spellbinding story, unforgettable songs, and iconic performances have...
FINAL FIVE with Ryan Bauer-Walsh, Actor and Writer
In the previous episode, you heard from actor and writer Ryan Bauer-Walsh and the creative journey to composing and producing an LGBTQ lullaby album....
Ryan Bauer-Walsh Finds New Life as an Artist After Mother's Death
Ryan Bauer-Walsh is an actor and artist living in Harlem. Ryan has starred in shows such as Les Miserables and the Billy Elliot national tour and is a...
FINAL FIVE with Matthew LaBanca, Performing Artist and Teacher Fired from his Job
In the previous episode, you heard from actor and teacher Matthew LaBanca and his new show that just opened called Communion, a one-man show about his...
Matthew LaBanca Creates a One-Man Show After Being Fired From a Private Catholic School
A couple of months ago, I talked with a friend and fellow actor Dominic Thrasher about his experiences with a catholic church and the criticism and ha...
FINAL FIVE with Chad Beguelin, Broadway Lyricist and Book Writer
Producing theater is often difficult and never a guarantee. In fact, anything produced for the stage can be hit or miss. Just a few hours before I sat...
Chad Beguelin Uses His Own Broadway Failure as Inspiration for His Debut Novel SHOWMANCE
In the world of Broadway, success can seem like a dazzling dream. But behind every show that makes it to the stage, there are countless moments of unc...