Shows
Fourth Wall: the podcast005: Breaking the Mold w/ Hillary FisherYou’ve seen her make her Broadway debut in The Notebook, and now she’s swimming into history as Ariel in The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill Playhouse — but Hillary Fisher is doing so much more than just singing under the sea.In this episode, we dive deep with Hillary about what it means to break the mold as a Black woman in theatre, how to hold your ground when the industry pushes back, and why playing an iconic role is both powerful and political. We also talk about wellness, movement, and making space for joy — from Pilates to...2025-06-2532 min
Fourth Wall: the podcast004: Money TALKS w/ Ethan SteimelMoney! Everybody needs it, but everyone hates talking about it. Let’s dive in with our special guest and host of Artistic Finance, Ethan Steimel! Want to know more? Don't just read about it—press play to dive into today's episode. Check out Ethan’s podcast and website to get all those amazing resources and even more gems!https://www.artisticfinance.com/resources.htmlEntertainment Community Fundhttps://entertainmentcommunity.orgListen to our old episode on Artistic Finance...2025-05-2152 minFourth Wall: the podcast003: Is the Grass Greener Abroad?🧠 Is it time to move to London? And NO this is not just because I am binging Bridgerton for the 10th time... Want to know more? Don't just read about it—press play to dive into today's episode. ✍🏽 Read Along (or instead): Prefer to skim instead of stream? Check out the episode’s SparkNotes on Substack: 📩https://thisisfourthwall.substack.com/📣 Got thoughts or stories to share? We want to hear from YOU. Whether it’s your experience, a hot take, or an idea for a future episode: 📬 fourthwallthepodcast@gmail.com📲 Let’s stay in the loop: Follow the pod: @ThisIsFou...2025-05-1510 minFourth Wall: the podcast002: Theatre & TikTok: Is Going Viral the New Open Call?new episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple & more🧠 Who needs to take the A train to Pearl Studios when Telsey can watch that TikTok you made in your room... Want to know more? Don't just read about it—press play to dive into today's episode. ✍🏽 Read Along (or instead): Prefer to skim instead of stream? Check out the episode’s SparkNotes on Substack: 📩https://thisisfourthwall.substack.com/📣 Got thoughts or stories to share? We want to hear from YOU. Whether it’s your experience, a hot take, or...2025-05-0715 minFourth Wall: the podcast001: Who REALLY Gets to Be on Broadwaynew episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple & moreSkip to 03:28 to miss all of my ramblings about being back! 🧠 We’re breaking the fourth wall on theatre’s biggest conversations, and this one’s no exception. This dream is EXPENSIVE and sometimes the winners are the ones who had enough dollars to stay in the game... Want to know more? Don't just read about it—press play to dive into today's episode. ✍🏽 Read Along (or instead): Prefer to skim instead of stream? Check out the episode’s SparkN...2025-04-3027 min
Fourth Wall: the podcastEp. 26: We're (Not) Back!Welcome back to a star-studded new episode of Fourth Wall!*disclaimer this was recorded before the recent announcements of COVID-related shutdowns so we don’t talk about it*Today, Alaina and Corey catch up and recap 2021. It’s been a YEAR YALL! Corey is in NYC and thriving, Alaina is MOVING to NYC with a new job at Playbill. Plus, you KNOW we had to talk about the Broadway news we missed. Tony Awards, Sondheim, Movie Musicals, ALL OF IT! We end the ep manifesting our dream Broadway shows and dream 4W guests!Do y...2021-12-221h 00
Artistic Finance64: We See You WAT with Alaina Newell (Part 2 of 2)Part two of a discussion on the finance related demands of We See You WAT, the movement calling for racial equality in American Theatre.
Listen to part 1 here:
https://www.artisticfinance.com/episode/CVO8NDKdbdnemQajgTCF
Alaina Newell is a multi-hyphenate black, female, cisgender artist dabbling in acting, singing, directing, and writing. A recent BFA graduate, Alaina has taken her experiences from oppressive institutions and formed an artistic form of release. She created Fourth Wall, a podcast that brings on the players on both sides of the industry to investigate di...2021-08-1656 min
Artistic Finance61: We See You WAT with Alaina Newell (Part 1 of 2)A discussion on the finance related demands of We See You WAT, the movement calling for racial equality in American Theatre. In June 2020 they published a list of demands for making American Theatre more equitable. Theatre artist Alaina Newell joins us for the first of two episodes discussing each finance related demand. Some are free or inexpensive, which theatre companies of any size can accommodate. Others require a bit of money and are aimed at bigger theatre companies and commercial productions including Broadway.
Alaina Newell is a multi-hyphenate black, female, cisgender artist dabbling in acting, s...2021-07-2647 min
Sisters In Music RadioMixing It Saturday LIVE - Special Guest: Alaina BlairSinger/Songwriter Alaina Blair and Guitarist Daniel Newell on an all new Mixing It - Saturday LIVE - Hosted by Nicki KrisBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sisters-in-music-radio--4767597/support.2021-07-0531 min
SIM Radio NetworkMixing It Saturday LIVE - Special Guest: Alaina BlairSinger/Songwriter Alaina Blair and Guitarist Daniel Newell on an all new Mixing It - Saturday LIVE - Hosted by Nicki Kris2021-07-0531 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 25: Making Space w/ Brandon Michael NaseWelcome back to a star-studded new episode of Fourth Wall!
Today, Alaina and Corey sit with Brandon Michael Nase, performer and Founder/Executive Director of Broadway For Racial Justice. Brandon talks with the 4W gang about why he felt compelled to start BFRJ, how they are using social media to promote social justice, and why we need to stop just talking about Broadway, when we are discussing equity in the arts!
Do you have an experience to share about Representation in the Arts or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it...2021-01-2149 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 24: For Us, By Us w/ Drew ShadeWelcome back to a star-studded new episode of Fourth Wall!
Today, Alaina and Corey sit with Drew Shade, performer and founder of Broadway Black, the ONLY media platform for artists of color in theatre. Drew talks with the 4W team about intention, living in the moment, and the importance of pushing yourself.
Do you have an experience to share about Representation in the Arts or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we can get your perspective and possibly share it on the show! → fourthwallthepodcast@gmail.com.
FIND...2021-01-141h 21Fourth Wall: the podcastEp 23: Just Wait On It w/ Amber ImanWelcome back to Fourth Wall the podcast! Happy New Year! Let’s hope 2021 acts RIGHT!
Today, we sat with the actress, songbird, filmmaker, producer, PRINCESS AMBER IMAN! We talked about life, racism, not rushing your destiny, and Red Lobster. Sit back and enjoy!
Do you have an experience to share about any of the topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we can get your perspective and possibly share it on the show! → fourthwallthepodcast@gmail.com. (mailto:fourthwallthepodcast@gmail.com)
FIND GUEST ONLINE:
Instagram: @amberiman_ (instagram.com/amberiman_)
Twitter: @amberskyez (twitter.com/am...2021-01-081h 04
Balance Matters: A neuro physical therapist’s journey to make “Sense” of BalanceImpacts of Lower Limb Lymphedema on Gait and Balance with Alaina NewellAlaina Newell, PT, DPTBoard Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncological Physical TherapyBoard Certified Clinical Specialist in Women's Health Physical TherapyAlaina received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA in 2012. She completed her Women’s Health residency at UPMC and joined the team in 2014. She is one of the few Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncology as well as Women’s Health Physical Therapy. She is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist from the Lymphology Association of North America. She enjoys treated a wide variety of oncological diagnoses from mela...2020-12-2932 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 22: Making a Way w/ Jackie AlexanderWelcome back to a fresh new episode of Fourth Wall!
Today, Alaina and Corey sit with Jackie Alexander, the Artistic Director of NC Black Rep, who also produces the National Black Theatre Festival! We talk about growing up in black theatre, how to follow your purpose, and what it means to be a black artist in this time.
Do you have an experience to share about Representation in the Arts or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we can get your perspective and possibly share it on...2020-12-0930 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 21: At What Cost w/ Selena RobinsonIs it Wednesday already?? Settle in for this beautiful, scrumptious, new episode!
Today, we talk with performer and Equity and Inclusion consultant Selena Robinson about the importance of representation, our favorite thing about Aint Too Proud, and why we are all in this together. We clearly loved this convo and hope you do to!
Do you have an experience to share about Equity and Inclusion or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we can get your perspective and possibly share it on the show!
FIND GUEST ONL...2020-12-021h 04Fourth Wall: the podcastEp 20: Purpose w/ Victor JacksonWelcome back listeners! I hope you are ready for a fresh new episode of Fourth Wall: the podcast!
Today, Corey and Alaina sit with rockstar Victor Jackson! He has been all over the world and he drops some major wisdom for any young artist looking to follow their dreams. We talk about music, church, purpose, and some of our current obsessions!
Do you have an experience to share any of the topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we can get your perspective and possibly share it on the show! → fourthwallthepodcast@gmai...2020-11-2652 min
The 10glo Show'Musicals as the Voice of The People' With AriDy NoxGuest: AriDy Nox Host: David Brush Theme music composed by Rachel Dean Episode 1 10glo.com/user/aridynox/ aridynox.com Music from this episode: "Apocalyptic Lit" from Metropolis by AriDy Nox and Brandon Webster Tristan: Cory Barrow Kuwasi: HK Hall The Rebels: Tayler Harris, Tyler McKenzie, Max Morter, Caleb Spainhour, Marthaluz Velez, Alaina Newell "Jefferson's Girl" from Black Girl in Paris by AriDy Nox and Jacinth Greywoode Sally - Morgan Smart The Ancestors - Britney Coleman, Britney Simpson, Christian Thompson, Emma Claye You can check out AriDy Nox's videos at 10glo.com/user/aridynox/2020-11-2446 min
Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. BoddieEpisode 36: Alaina Newell - Leading with Grace and JoyCourtney speaks with Alaina Newell, creator of the podcast "The Fourth Wall," as part of the video series “We Can’t Go Back.” In this insightful episode, Courtney and Alaina discuss Newell's podcast and its inception, and they confront the contradiction of theatrical safe spaces (and its severe lack of brave spaces). Candidly, Alaina admits that she has approached her participation in the field with compassion, but that compassion has not always been reciprocated, highlighting deeply-rooted institutional racism. One commonality that is very present in this episode is how and why Courtney and Alaina have both created their respective brave virtua...2020-11-1952 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 19: We Can’t Go Back w/ Courtney J BoddieEp 19: We Can’t Go Back w/ Courtney J Boddie
Welcome back to a whole new episode of Fourth Wall! Today, Alaina sits with Courtney J. Boddie, an artist and educator based in NYC! She is the host of the Teaching Artist podcast as well as the Creative Generation video series, We Can’t Go Back.
Both black women in theatre who have podcasts, Courtney and Alaina talk about the struggles that come with code switching and constantly having to adapt in theatrical spaces. We also flip the script, and Courtney interviews Alaina, which you can...2020-11-1855 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 18: Leading the Way w/ Cody Renard RichardEP 18: Leading the Way w/ Cody Renard Richard
I hope you are ready for this treat! Today, Alaina sits with the hottest SM on Broadway right now, Cody Renard Richard!
Alaina talks to Cody about his love of the arts, the lack of representation in technical theatre, and the scholarship he has launched to help BIPOC artists live their dreams.
This week’s episode is sponsored by Prism Candle Co.
Shop all of their delicious scented candles at www.prismcandleco.com and IG: @prismcandleco
Do you have an experience to share about any of the topics we’ve discussed on 4W? W...2020-11-1132 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 17: 4W RewindHello and welcome to Fourth Wall: the podcast! Settle down and get ready for this hilarious new episode.
Today, Alaina sits down with our fearless Executive Producer Tyler, and our new host Corey Barrow to talk about some of our 4W favorites!
Episodes featured:
Ep. 4: Allyship 101 w/ Reneé Rapp
Ep. 7: The Miseducation of Black BFAs
Ep. 16: Protecting your Joy w/ Mykal Kilgore
Do you have an experience to share about Discrimination/Bias or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shi...2020-11-041h 36Fourth Wall: the podcastEp. 16: Protecting Your Joy w/ Mykal KilgoreToday, Alaina will try not to fangirl as we welcome MYKAL KILGORE to the podcast! He is one of the most skilled voices in the theatre world and his debut album, A Man Born Black, is changing the game! Today, Alaina sits with Mykal and they talk about how he approaches a role, how he protects his joy, and how others can too! Sit down, cozy up, and check out this new episode of Fourth Wall the Podcast!
Do you have an experience to share about discrimination or bias in the theatre or any of the other...2020-10-1448 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp. 15: Art & Accessibility w/ Grace BarberHey y'all, welcome back to Fourth Wall! Today we're sitting down with Grace Barber to hear her experience as an actress, musician, and composer with a hearing impairment (otosclerosis, to be exact). Make a mug of your fave tea or hot cocoa and get comfy for this lovely conversation about healthy representation, creating art for everyone, fostering best practices for accessibility, and why you owe it to the world to tell your story.
Do you have an experience to share about hearing impairments, accessibility, or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna rea...2020-10-0734 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp. 14 “Diversity” vs Anti-Racism w/ Jenna ZhuToday, we at Fourth Wall are ECSTATIC to talk with Jenna Zhu! Not only a badass actor and artist, Jenna is helping to pave the way in Anti-Racism training in our theatre community! Alaina sits with Jenna and talks about the industry, what they are doing now to try and fix the issues in our community, and is it enough.
Do you have an experience to share about Anti-Racism or Creating Spaces to Learn or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we can ge...2020-09-3048 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp. 13: New Game. New Rules. w/ Aaron J. AlbanoWelcome to another glorious Wednesday here at Fourth Wall! Today we talk with Aaron J. Albano, an insanely talented performer with NINE Broadway shows on his record. NINE!!? Not only that, you can catch him on HBO's Succession! We talked all about his journey to the arts, the complicated relationship POC artists have with the industry, and why we love what we do!
Do you have an experience to share about not seeing yourself represented in theatre or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on 4W? We wanna read that shit! Send it to us so we...2020-09-2339 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp. 12: Creating Your Own Path w/ Tiffany Nichole GreeneWelcome to another beautiful Wednesday beyond the Fourth Wall! Today we’re joined by Tiffany Nichole Greene; an incredible actor and director with stories to tell and discoveries to make. She is sharing her unique experience as a black female director and what that means for her art: claiming and holding space, challenging industry standards, maintaining truthful storytelling, collaborating and growing with passion, and much more.
Tiffany Nichole Greene is the Resident Director for the Philip Tour of Hamilton: An American Musical, as well as the director of countless productions, workshops, and readings of existing and new works at universities an...2020-09-1647 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp. 11: Conscious Casting w/ Kate LumpkinHappy Wednesday! Today we’re talking to Kate Lumpkin, CSA to investigate the roles and responsibilities of the casting director in context. She’s dishing on her experience as a young woman in casting, how she built her own business, and how she actively advocates for change in the theatre industry. How is Kate working to create more equitable stage pictures and why is she asking us to ditch the phrase “behind the table?” Press play to find out.
Kate Lumpkin is a casting and creative director based in NYC. Her casting credits include new works at The Kenn...2020-09-0933 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp 10: Aspire to be Inspired w/ Elijah CaldwellElijah Caldwell is Black Excellence. He is a multi-hyphenated artist in every sense of the word; he is a pianist, actor, singer, historian, professor, and activist based in NYC and he’s here to serve. Serving not only truth, but a taste of his new theatre history course. The Great White Way vs. The Industry of Today was designed with the whole truth (not just the white-washed version of theatre history) in mind.
Why doesn’t Elijah Caldwell subscribe to the term “BIPOC?” What would the musical Grease look, feel, and sound like if Sandy was black? It’s all...2020-09-0257 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp. 9: The Fund for College Auditions w/ Ellen LettrichWelcome to another beautiful Wednesday beyond the Fourth Wall!
August is almost over, which means that 4W's Month of Education is also coming to a close. To send us off, we invited Ellen Lettrich (Founder and Executive Director of The Fund for College Auditions) to discuss the infamous college audition process - and why there is so much work to be done before the admissions system is equitable and accessible for all prospective students. We'll give you a hint: it costs about $16K for ONE student to train, prepare, and perform their auditions for one college audition s...2020-08-2657 minFourth Wall: the podcastEp: 8: The Accountability of White BFAsNot every story is ours to tell- let's discuss.
Welcome to the second installment of our student panel series; last week we spoke with three black BFA theatre majors to hear their experiences with bias in higher education. This week, we invited three white BFA theatre majors to share their experiences on the same topic. How can we hold each other accountable for bias and discrimination at school? Is there a right way to stand up to the malpractices of a theatre program? What must we do as students and friends to empower and amplify our BIPOC b...2020-08-191h 32Fourth Wall: the podcastEp 7: The Miseducation of Black BFAsLast week we heard the perspective of diversity in higher education from the educators- this week, we hear the same topic from students Jackson Alexander, David André, and Phillip Johnson Richardson (students from Penn State, BoCo, and CCM). These experiences you are about to hear are intimate and authentic. They have a right to listening ears, empathy, and understanding. Period.
Today, we urge our listeners to do just that; press play. Listen intently to what these students have to say. Then reflect on what these true experiences mean for the students who lived them and what accountability m...2020-08-121h 27Fourth Wall: the podcast6: A Tale of Two Deans w/ Harvey Young and George BrownHiya! For the entire month of August, we’ll be highlighting experiences of diversity in the world of educational theatre- because after all, that first day of fall classes(virtual, hybrid, or otherwise) is right around the corner.
To kick us off, we sit down with George Brown and Harvey Young, who are both deans of the fine and performing arts colleges at their respective universities. Listen as we discuss the realities of running a theatre program, including the deans' responsibilities to cultivate a safe place to learn and grow, faculty accountability, student empowerment, and more on th...2020-08-0540 minFourth Wall: the podcast5: Crushing Caricatures w/ Katie LadnerWell, hello there! We’re so glad you’re here- grab a cold brew and your trusty masterclass notebook because they’re gonna come in handy today…
What are the shared experiences of people who identify as plus-sized? How are the stories of plus-sized people being told on stage(and off) and what can we do to separate type from stereotype? Can somebody truly love bread AND zucchini??? Have no fear, because Katie Ladner(Original casts of HEATHERS, BE MORE CHILL, FREAKY FRIDAY, ALMOST FAMOUS, and more) is here! She’s the freakin best and she’s helping us u...2020-07-291h 14Fourth Wall: the podcast4: Allyship 101 w/ Reneé RappAllyship won’t get you a f*cking cookie and it def doesn’t come wrapped up in a little bow. Instead, Allyship is earned- just ask today’s very special guest, Reneé Rapp. This betch is so fetch: she won the 2018 Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress, the 2018 Blumey Award winner for Best Actress, and reigns supreme as Regina motherfreaking George in MEAN GIRLS on the damn Broadway.
Today, Reneé is helping us serve the whole truth on what it means to be an ally. We’re talking eeeeverything: how to make mistakes(and keep it mo...2020-07-2249 minFourth Wall: the podcast3: Two Sides of the Same Token Part 2 w/ Kyle DupreeAs we continue our conversation on tokenism in theatre, we sit down with the sweet, sweet Mr. Kyle Dupree (Nat. Touring casts of CHICAGO, MAMMA MIA, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, as well as Dance Lab NY Spring Cycle 2020, yoga instructor, loving cat dad). Get cozy and press play to hear Kyle’s intimate perspective and personal stories about grounding through family, concealing bandaids onstage, clocking racist behavior, speaking up to costume designers, and the cultural significance of cutting his dreads for the sake of his career.
Don’t miss a beat! Follow us on Instagram (@thisisfourthwall) to stay up-to-date with spec...2020-07-1536 min
Fourth Wall: the podcast2: Two Sides of the Same Token w/ Kayla PecchioniToday we sit down with Kayla Pecchioni (Nat. and Intl. Touring casts of BOOK OF MORMON, DREAMGIRLS, THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL) to get her two cents on tokenism: What is tokenism? How does it feel to be a token? How does tokenism shape her perspective of the craft and the industry as we know it? We’re digging into these questions and more on this episode of Fourth Wall: the podcast.
Don’t miss a beat! Follow us on Instagram (@thisisfourthwall) to stay up-to-date with special guests, discussion topics, and other exciting news!
2020-07-0843 minFourth Wall: the podcast1: Meditating on Melanin w/ Tyler McKenzieFor our SERIES PREMIERE(whaaaat???), we called on Broadway Alum Tyler McKenzie(HAMILTON, MAMMA MIA!, MATILDA) to share his holistic experience as a gay black man in theatre and how we can all participate in proactive change.
Get your fave beverage and turn up the volume because Fourth Wall: the podcast is here to stay. Don’t miss a beat! Follow us on Instagram (@thisisfourthwall) to stay up-to-date with special guests, discussion topics, and other exciting news!
If you’re feeling inspired, you can send us questions, reflections, feedback, person...2020-07-0130 minFourth Wall: the podcastWelcome to Fourth Wall!Pull up a chair and get ready to join the conversation. New episodes every Wednesday starting July 1st!
Don’t miss a beat! Follow us on Instagram (@thisisfourthwall) to stay up-to-date on our special guests, discussion topics, and other exciting news!
If you’re feeling inspired, you can also send us questions, reflections, feedback, personal stories, and submissions for our anonymous advice column to hello@fourthwallpod.com.
~
Fourth Wall: the podcast
is created with TLC by hosts Alaina Newell (@alainanewell) and Abigail Brazier (@thenameisabstract)
Produced with grace and elegance by Tyler McKenzie Creative Studio (@tylrmckenzie)
With original music by Ben Bail...2020-06-2001 min
Tough to Treat042: Complex issues with pain and fear avoidanceTough To Treat Masterclass: In this episode we have guest PT, Alaina Newell, who presents us with one of her tough male patients with a primary complaint of abdominal issues. Sometimes what our patients present with is only the tip of the iceberg. We clinically reason through the evaluation but move very quickly into diagnosis and movement. It is interesting how the story of this complex case unfolds over time. We brainstorm some great treatment ideas and various ways to change this gentlemen's fear avoidance. This is a fascinating story that can teach us all a lesson that healing...2019-03-1457 min
TabootyPhysical Therapy and Rectal Discomfort with Alaina NewellIn this month’s Taboo-ty Podcast episode, Alaina Newell, physical therapist in Denver, CO talks all about physical therapy and how it can help a wide array of side effects from pelvic radiation.2017-06-1426 min