Shows
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAudition Stories 2025It’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 of unforgettable moments from the audition room. These are the kinds of stories that stick with you long after the casting table has cleared: the ones that make you laugh, cringe, and nod in recognition at just how unpredictable this business can be.
From quick recoveries and bold risks to the kind of mishaps you can’t help but retell, these guests pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to st...
2025-09-261h 24
Why I‘ll Never Make ItStephanie Torns Has Been Both WICKED and a WAITRESS and Now Brings Her Talents to EPIC PlayersWhen it comes to Broadway, few shows have captured hearts quite like Wicked. Its spellbinding story, unforgettable songs, and iconic performances have become a cultural phenomenon—especially now, with the movie adaptation igniting fresh excitement. And among the very few to take on one of the hardest roles in all of musical theater is our guest, Stephanie Torns.Stephanie has soared to incredible heights—literally—during her time in Wicked, where her breathtaking performances have cemented her place among Broadway’s finest. She's also won hearts in Waitress, showcasing her extraordinary talent and the resilience needed to shine in...
2024-12-0432 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItRyan Bauer-Walsh Finds New Life as an Artist After Mother's DeathRyan 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 also known for voiceover as well. After the death of their mother, Ryan created the world's first LGBTQ+ lullaby album with a team of over 50 LGBTQ+ stars and composers, which was shortlisted for a grammy nomination. Ryan also owns Banana Duck Clothing, a hand painted gender-free clothing line. Their art can be seen in homes and businesses around the world, the NYTimes and the National Archives.----------
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2024-11-2057 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMatthew LaBanca Creates a One-Man Show After Being Fired From a Private Catholic SchoolA 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 harsh accusations he faced for being gay and married. Well, another friend and fellow actor of mine also heard that episode and reached out to me with his own story to tell about being fired from his teaching job for the same thing.Matthew LaBanca has starred on Broadway in the original companies of Young Frankenstein, White Christmas, and A Christmas Carol. We touch on auditioning or both onstage and on-camera...
2024-11-0646 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItChad Beguelin Uses His Own Broadway Failure as Inspiration for His Debut Novel SHOWMANCEIn 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 uncertainty and setbacks. For writers, especially, the journey from writing a script to getting it produced is anything but predictable. As an actor, I know firsthand that without writers, I wouldn’t have a character to play or lines to say. It’s their words that bring us to life on stage, and one of my greatest joys is collaborating with writers—especially on new works—helping to refine characters and the dialogue...
2024-10-2346 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDwayne Washington Left the Industry Twice But "La Boheme" Kept Bringing Him Back"Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” This is how renowned acting teacher Sanford Meisner defined what it means to be an actor. This principle helps performers build empathy with our characters and forge meaningful connections onstage. But as our guest today reveals, this approach can also be a powerful guide for navigating life offstage.Dwayne Washington, with the help of the prestigious Juilliard School, mastered the craft of acting and singing, but life itself has been one of his greatest teachers. From his time as a retail manager to his work as a high school teacher, Dw...
2024-09-2646 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItKelvin Moon Loh Brings Otho to Life in Beetlejuice on Broadway (REWIND)As I leave New York City to join the North American Tour of Beetlejuice (to play the role of Otho and understudy Charles and Maxie) I wanted to share a special rewind episode of my memorable conversation with Kelvin Moon Loh from 2019, the original Otho on Broadway and a wonderful friend, who was an invaluable resource during my auditions for the show. In this episode, Kelvin shares the story of how he landed the role of Otho and his own unique audition process. He also gushes about his fellow cast members and the show's journey from movie t...
2024-06-031h 06
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFINAL FIVE with Conor Tague from How to Dance in OhioIn the previous episode you heard from Conor Tague, one of the stars from the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio. He shared his experiences in that history-making production as well as the struggles he faced early on as an actor, both at school and in the audition room. Well, now Conor is back to talk more about his Broadway debut and share how auditioning is still a challenge for him by answering the Final Five questions in this bonus episode.To listen to bonus content like Auditions Stories and get early access to these full c...
2024-05-2711 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItConor Tague Is an EPIC Performer Who Learns How to Dance in OhioEvery Broadway season, one of the most heated discussions about the Tony Awards centers the snubs—those notable shows that didn’t get any nominations. This year they include musicals like The Wiz, Harmony, and The Heart of Rock and Roll. Another one of those shows that was left out made history as being the first Broadway musical to cast autistic actors in autistic roles, and it was called How to Dance in Ohio, based on a Peabody Award-winning documentary of the same name. And today's guest is one of the stars of the musical, Conor Tague.The...
2024-05-2048 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFINAL FIVE with Des McAnuff, Broadway Theater DirectorLast week you heard from theater director Des McAnuff as he shared his experiences with three of his biggest shows, Tommy, Jersey Boys, and Big River. We discussed his approach to each of these unique musicals. Well, now Des is back to talk his musicianship and his composition efforts as well as share the lessons and insecurities he’s discovered in the director’s chair by answering the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode of Why I’ll Never Make It.To listen to bonus content like Auditions Stories and get early access to these full conver...
2024-05-1319 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDes McAnuff Offers a Candid Discussion on the First Revival of TOMMY and Other MusicalsThe Who's Tommy is back on Broadway for its first revival, 30 years after the original production. And directing this revival is the original director from that first Broadway run, Des McAnuff. While he is known for his work in musicals, he is also quite adept in the works of Shakespeare and other classical works, having been Artistic Director of Canada‘s Stratford Festival.And we will touch on some of his other projects, but today’s conversation will mostly focus on three of his standout shows: Tommy and this season’s revival of it, the Best Musical smash hit...
2024-05-0652 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFINAL FIVE with Jack Viertel, Theater Producer and HistorianIn the previous episode, you heard theater producer and historian Jack Viertel share stories of how his talents and interests weren’t in acting, his interactions with playwrights like Lanford Wilson, and the process of adapting a novel into a musical. Now he’s back to talk about his new book Broadway Melody as well as share more lessons learned by answering the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode of Why I’ll Never Make It.To listen to bonus content like Auditions Stories and get early access to these full conversations ad-free, become a subscriber by goi...
2024-04-2920 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJack Viertel and the Secret Life of the American MusicalJack Viertel has the kind of knowledge I wish I had about Broadway history, having studied the various journeys of great shows for his book The Secret Life of the American Musical, but he’s also worked with playwrights like August Wilson and Tony Kushner. He’s even conceived the long running Smokey Joe's Café and the critically acclaimed After Midnight and served as dramaturg as well for Hairspray and Dear Evan Hansen. And through his many colleagues over the years he’s learned the fine art of collaboration.
Subscribe or Donate to WINMISubscribing helps sup...
2024-04-2245 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItKerry Sandell & Marci Duncan Explore the Dissonance in Race RelationsTheater can serve as a powerful platform for difficult discussions, especially offering a space for nuanced exploration of racial dynamics. It allows audiences to empathize with characters from diverse backgrounds, challenging preconceptions and fostering dialogue. It provides a visceral experience that can elicit strong emotions and provoke introspection.Kerry Sandell and Marci Duncan wrote such a play that was born from their own backgrounds, preconceptions, and even misunderstandings. They took on a difficult subject yet were both open to where it would take them. For the purposes of our conversation today, it’s important to note that Ke...
2024-04-081h 06
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSara Gettelfinger Shares Her Long and Struggling Journey Back to BroadwaySara Gettelfinger's Broadway debut came in 2000 with the musical Seussical. And she worked steadily on Broadway through the years until she and I met and worked together on The Addams Family national tour in 2011. But then she had to take a break from acting, a break from New York City as well. And except for an Off-Broadway musical in 2014, Sara focused instead on her life and let the career she loved so much take a back seat.She’s now back on Broadway in a new musical, Water for Elephants, that opened at the Imperial Theatre on Ma...
2024-03-2558 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItGabrielle Ruiz Discusses the Addams Family National Tour and Female Representation in the ArtsAs we talked about in Part One, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is what put Gabrielle Ruiz on the map. However, it was her theater training and performance abilities that made it possible for her to be cast in the show. In this rewind episode from 2021, we talk more about her time on the stage and what drives her most as an artist.
Subscribe or Donate to WINMISubscribing helps support this podcast, while also giving early access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Donating can be done on a one-time on ongoing basis. So whether you s...
2024-03-1842 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFINAL FIVE with Ann Harada, Actress and SingerIn the previous episode, you heard actress and singer Ann Harada share her stories of grinding it out as an Asian actress trying to fit in with what she thought casting directors wanted but then discovered her superpower as an artist, being herself. Now she’s back to share more lessons she’s learned and answer the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode of Why I’ll Never Make It.
Podcast theme music created by host and producer Patrick Oliver Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-03-1126 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAnn Harada Learns That Her Greatest Asset as an Actor Is Being HerselfAnn Harada will be the first to tell you that finding happiness and satisfaction in the acting business didn’t come quickly or easily for her. In fact, her first Broadway credit came as a production assistant, not as an actor. She followed that up with ensemble roles in M. Butterfly and Suessical. But between those two shows was a ten-year gap, and it wasn’t until her next Broadway show that Ann Harada truly made a name for herself as Christmas Eve in Avenue Q. In our conversation, she talks about those lean years before Avenue Q but also...
2024-03-0437 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFINAL FIVE with Lydia-Renee DarlingLast week you heard actress, writer, and entrepreneur Lydia-Renee Darling share her stories of growing up in an immigrant household and then her own experiences of living and working in other countries as an artist. Now she’s back to answer the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode.To get more bonus content like Auditions Stories and listen to these full conversations ad-free, then become a subscriber by going to whyillnevermakeit.com and click Subscribe.Podcast theme music created by host and producer Patrick Oliver Jones. Learn more about your ad...
2024-02-2615 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItLydia-Renee Darling Embraces Change and Learns to Become a Better ArtistLydia-Renee Darling is the very definition of a well rounded, multi hyphenate artist. She got her BFA in musical theater from Webster University in St. Louis and a Masters in writing for stage and broadcast media from the Royal Central School in London. She’s a filmmaker and a playwright and founded her own DEI entertainment marketing and virtual production company called Oh! (My Gosh) Creative. Being someone who has both embraced and been challenged by changes throughout her life, Lydia-Renee shares with us how they serve as a motivation to continually better herself as an artist and an in...
2024-02-1942 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSteve Cuden Discovers His Talent for Animation Writing & The Art of StoryBeatsAs an actor I fully appreciate and recognize that I couldn’t do what I do without a writer doing what they do. Their words and characters are the basis for any work I’ve had in theater, television, or film. The writer’s strike this past summer highlighted just how important they are, because without them there is no entertainment industry.In part one of my conversation with writer Steve Cuden, we talked about the process of creating the musical Jekyll & Hyde with Frank Wildhorn. For this second part of our discussion, we dive into his work i...
2024-02-1255 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSteve Cuden Talks About Leaving the "Jekyll & Hyde" He Helped CreateFor the first guest of this season, I’m talking with writer Steve Cuden, who was a part of a musical and its beginning stages, but was eventually replaced right before it began to take off and become the hugely iconic Jekyll & Hyde musical we all know.In fact, it was Steve's first foray into writing with another unknown composer and writer at the time, Frank Wildhorn. And in part one of our conversation, Steve opens up about their personal and professional relationship in ways that he has not done so before publicly.A little ba...
2024-02-0559 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItA Moment to Revisit The Band's Visit on BroadwayFive years ago, "The Band's Visit," a musical defying convention, closed on Broadway after a year and a half of acclaim. Composed by David Yazbek and written by Itamar Moses, it emerged as a masterpiece, transcending Broadway norms. At the 2018 Tony Awards, it earned 11 nominations, winning 10, including Best Musical, beating stiff competition like SpongeBob Squarepants and Frozen.Now, in 2024, amidst current Middle East headlines dividing people, let's revisit this Arab-Israeli musical that explored human connection over 598 performances with an encore presentation of my 2018 interview with Jeff Theiss, associate conductor of "The Band's Visit." We delve into its...
2024-01-1625 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItClifton Duncan Addresses Groupthink in the Theater CommunityWith politics becoming more and more a part of our daily lives, the theater and acting profession are certainly no strangers to it influence and impact. While it can be a force for change and understanding, my guest today talks about the ways in which it can further divide as well. In the first part of my conversation with Clifton Duncan, he shared deeply personal reflections on the complexities of the theater industry's response to the pandemic and the challenges he faced as an individual in the midst of it all.For part two, our conversation turns...
2023-12-3054 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItClifton Duncan Embraces Authenticity and Its ConsequencesMeryl Streep once said that "acting is not about being someone different. It is about finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.” She is in essence urging us to discover the common threads in our seemingly diverse experiences. And the final guest of the season has had quite a few experiences these past couple of years.Clifton Duncan is a seasoned performer on stage and screen, with appearances in critically-acclaimed productions on and off Broadway and a TV slate that included work for NBC, Fox, CBS and Starz. But after the pa...
2023-12-1857 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItEmily Grace on Directing Ourselves and Our Own CareersWe read and hear a lot these days about how actors need to be their own producers and creating their own work. In my own career about the only thing I’m creating are self-tapes, which are truly productions in and of themselves for sure--based on all the requirements and props and lines and technical aspects that are required to just put together a one-minute audition. But actually writing producing directing starring in our own work is a daunting task, so I wanted to talk to someone who is not only doing this, but helps those of us novices do...
2023-12-0438 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItLuke Yankee Highlights the Mishaps and Misadventures We All Endure as ActorsGet ready for a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of the acting world with today's guest, Luke Yankee, who is no stranger to the trials and triumphs of the industry. As a versatile artist sporting multiple hats, Luke draws inspiration from the incredible legacy of his mother, the legendary Eileen Heckart—a powerhouse who clinched the Oscar, Drama Desk, Golden Globe, and Emmy Awards with a special Tony Honor as well.In this engaging conversation, Luke unveils the behind-the-scenes tales of his journey, sharing the hard-fought lessons and uproarious moments that have shaped his career. Fr...
2023-11-2038 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSharon Catherine Brown Live at BroadwayCon 2023!In an enjoyable BroadwayCon encounter this past summer, I found myself in the heart of all things Broadway, rubbing shoulders with the stars and hosting live interviews for the Broadway Podcast Network. While my conversation with Jelani Alladin about Frozen and Hercules was already shared in a previous episode, today we delve into my interview with the talented Broadway actress Sharon Catherine Brown.I had the pleasure of working with her on a new musical last year, and we dive into some of the other shows on her resume, with a primary focus on her role in...
2023-11-0633 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItTjasa Ferme Engages Audiences by Blending Science and TheaterTjasa Ferme is more than an actress; she's a dynamic creator who writes, produces, and stars in her own work. Her artistic vision revolves around transformation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and challenging traditional relationships between actors and audiences. Tjasa shares her journey from Europe as a rock star's daughter and early experiences on the Slovenia stage, to becoming a fearless actress and artistic director in the heart of New York City. We'll dive into three stories that have shaped her life and career...
In Slovenia, Tjasa never used a headshot, but that changed once she...
2023-10-2343 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJohn Rubinstein, a Man of Many TalentsJohn Rubinstein was born the son of renowned pianist Arthur Rubinstein, and his early exposure to theater in the 8th grade ignited a passion that would shape the trajectory of extraordinary career. He catapulted to Broadway stardom originating the title role in Pippin, directed by Bob Fosse, and won a Tony Award for his compelling performance in Children of a Lesser God.A true renaissance man, John's artistic pursuits extend beyond the stage into television and film as well, both as an actor and composer, where he’s written the scores or theme songs for several movies an...
2023-10-091h 08
Why I‘ll Never Make ItRichard Maltby Jr. and the Curious Case of Nick & Nora's Failure on BroadwayThis summer marked the beginning of my new podcast venture, Closing Night, where I delve deep into the captivating world of Broadway history. Our journey takes us through the tales of shows that have graced the Marquis Theater in the heart of Times Square. Among the unforgettable productions is the notorious musical Nick & Nora, boasting a creative team brimming with legendary figures of musical theater: director Arthur Laurents, composer Charles Strouse, and lyricist Richard Maltby Jr.Several years back, during my very first off-Broadway contract, I had the privilege of collaborating with Richard. He held the title...
2023-09-2544 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJocelyn Panton Finds Freedom After Failure in the Pageant World and Being $50K in DebtAs a child, Jocelyn Panton attended a musical theater production that came to her hometown in Canada, and she just knew that’s what she wanted to do one day. Well, she stuck to that dream and has gone on to do television and film, including Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, and the CW’s DC‘s Legends of Tomorrow, among others.But as any actor will tell you, money becomes an important part of our career, whether you actually have it or not. It can inform the decisions we make and the opportunities we can or can...
2023-09-1152 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDan Knechtges Goes from Broadway Director to Artistic DirectorRegional theater is really the lifeblood of the performing arts in America. It’s the place where we get that first spark and inspiration to become lifelong theatergoers or decide to become actors ourselves. But in recent years regional theaters have been struggling to find audiences and to just stay open. The pandemic caused some to close their doors for good, and the ones that remain suffered through uncertain futures.Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, Texas was one such theater that canceled their season and lost millions of dollars in revenue and donations. But it slowly ca...
2023-08-281h 00
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJelani Alladin Brings Disney Characters to Life OnstageIn July of this summer, I did my very first BroadwayCon, which is an annual conference here in New York City about all things Broadway and theater, and while I was there, I got to be a part of events hosted by the Broadway Podcast Network. I conducted live interviews with two actors that I’ve had the pleasure of working with before: Jelani Alladin and Sharon Catherine Brown. Sharon’s interview will actually be featured in a few weeks on my other podcast Closing Night, so follow that theater history podcast on my episode about Jekyll & Hyde.Bu...
2023-08-1431 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItNoah Crandell Finds a Silver Lining in the Struggles of Being an ActorIn the midst of the devastating impact of the pandemic on the arts, there's a unique perspective rarely explored--that of artists just entering the performing arts world when Covid struck. In this episode, Noah Crandell shares how he not only survived these challenges but also experienced a profound personal and artistic transformation.Noah's visionary approach to theater sets him apart, and we delve into how college programs prepare actors (or fall short) for the real world of acting. Interestingly, he turned down auditions for Hamilton not once, but twice. We'll also uncover the deeper meaning and purpose...
2023-07-3155 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWelcome to Closing Night!Last year, the idea for a new theater history podcast came up as Dan Delgado and I were working on The Little Prince episodes. Well, it took me awhile to get the ball rolling, but the first season of Closing Night is finally here with a focus on Broadway's Marquis Theater.This first episode preview covers the contentious history of this theater and the protests that surrounded its construction. Future episodes will chronicle the many troubled productions that have come and gone in this theater's young history.Click here to follow and listen to Closing...
2023-07-1739 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItLisa Lampanelli, The Queen of Mean Makes Nice and Gets Personal About Life on the StageI was in college when I first discovered Lisa Lampanelli, a stand-up comedian, insult comic, actress, and writer who is known for her sharp wit, fearless humor, and ability to push the boundaries of comedy. She has legions of fans around the country and has performed on countless stages across the country, released numerous albums and appeared on various TV specials.So it is an honor to have Lisa on the podcast as we explore her unique style of comedy that made her a staple in the entertainment industry. It's an intimate and no-holds barred conversation of...
2023-07-0353 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItE. Clayton Cornelious on Persistence and Opportunity as a Broadway Actor and ProducerE Clayton Cornelious has been a part of 10 Broadway shows: in the ensemble, as an understudy and swing, as well as in starring roles, and even as a producer. And in one of those he made an appearance in voiceover. And it is this diversity of work that we will be talking about today. It will shed light on the fact that things haven’t been as easy for him as it may seem.He’s had to overcome some definite obstacles, and gather a bit of persistence along the way. So from the bright lights of Broa...
2023-06-1945 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItTony Award Nominees Talk About RAGTIME and XANADU on BroadwayMy first conversation is with Marcia Milgrom Dodge, who I am so grateful to have met for the first time in this interview. We had a wonderful discussion about her 2009 production of Ragtime that started at the Kennedy Center in D.C. and then transferred to Broadway later that year. Though that revival had a short run, she did receive a Tony nomination for best direction.The second conversation is with Dan Knetgches, and we have worked together on a couple of shows. The first was Seussical at The Muny in St. Louis, and the other was...
2023-06-0744 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWhy I’ll Never Make It Joins the Broadway Podcast Network!Well, after more than five years, Why I’ll Never Make It is taking a big leap forward as a Podcast, joining the highly respected and expansive Broadway Podcast Network. So over the coming weeks, you’ll notice some changes to the podcast format. You’ll hear that short ID tag before every episode, and there will also be something that this podcast has never had: advertisements. For years I have remained a tried and true independent podcaster, but with the ever-increasing costs of producing a podcast, this move to the Broadway Podcast Network is an exciting new cha...
2023-05-0801 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItCorrie Legge Shares How Choices Have Shaped Her Acting CareerPrevious guest Michael Kushner loves to use the term multi-hyphenate to illustrate the many ways we can express our creative selves. Well, Corrie Legge describes herself as a multi-passionate actor, having performed in television, film, theater, commercials, video games, audiobooks, and more. She's also a filmmaker and a coach, helping others to build thriving creative careers without having to sacrifice a fulfilling personal life in the process.Corrie and I spoke earlier this year about a particular struggle she faced that actually led her into work as a voiceover artist, which she now balances with her other role...
2023-05-0852 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItRemembering Phantom of the Opera with Cast Member Jeremy Stolle (REWIND)It took 35 years, but Phantom of the Opera has finally left Broadway. It was a show that I first discovered in high school, and I went on to perform “Music of the Night” several times in high school and college. So when I moved to New York in 2008, Phantom was certainly at the top of my list of musicals that I wanted to audition for. I did actually get to audition for Raoul as well as Monsieurs Fermin and Andre, with multiple packets of music and sides, but it just wasn’t meant to be. #whyillnevermakeitHowever, I’ve k...
2023-04-1738 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWelcome to Season Seven!Welcome to Season Seven of Why I’ll Never Make It, an award-winning theater podcast. After a few weeks off, I’m so excited to be back for another year of great guests and wonderful discussions. Some of these artists are just getting started in the business, while others are Tony-nominated actors and directors. I’m your host and producer, Patrick Oliver Jones, an actor and singer living in New York City with more than 30 years of experience. This season I’ll be talking with guests every other week as they share meaningful stories and experiences that have affe...
2023-01-2303 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItBettering our Acting Training and Practice with Brooke Macnamara (REWIND)Happy New Year! Thank you for listening to Why I’ll Never Make It!The next season is just a few weeks away and I wanted to start off the year by going back to conversations I had to with two psychologists in 2020. I think their insights are a good reminder for us as we continue to grow and better ourselves as artists.In this episode you’ll hear from Brooke MacNamara, Ph.D. We talk about the amount of training, coaching, and practice it takes to continually hone our craft as performers. One often talk...
2023-01-1057 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItBen Curtis Found Fame as the Dell Dude But Found Himself as the Wellness DudeDo you want to be famous or do you want to be an actor? Very few truly achieve both. For most of us it’s a choice, and the direction we choose impacts the roles and opportunities that we pursue going forward. Today’s guest has been presented with both during his career and came to discover which one mattered more to him. Bettering Ourselves, Bettering Our Careers (Part 3)In the early 2000s, Ben Curtis was training to be a serious actor at NYU, but one commercial audition for Dell computers completely changed the trajectory of hi...
2022-11-2852 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItElaine Romanelli Battles Criticism and Self-Doubt as a Singer and SongwriterOne of the greatest obstacles to becoming a better performer is thinking you aren’t good enough, that the dreams and aspirations you have for yourself are just too far out of reach and beyond your capability. So in today’s episode we explore that feeling with someone who knows all too well the crippling effect of self-doubt and self-criticism.Elaine Romanelli is a singer, songwriter, and actress who has performed off Broadway and on radio as well as hosted an improvised streaming show and released three vocal albums of original music. She also teaches singers and comp...
2022-11-211h 01
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJules Helm Explores Personal Growth and Self-Discovery On Stage and OffJules Helm chats about how to focus on self-care and personal growth by using movement and acting techniques to bring both our mind and body into alignment. He will be sharing his own journey of self discovery as he learned to better love himself and be more comfortable with others, keeping performance onstage rather than having it mask the rest of his life as well. We will also get into the various techniques he teaches to bring actors into a more authentic presentation of themselves as well as their characters. As Jules says, “The first step toward great acting is...
2022-11-1458 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJoe DiPietro and How Theater Has Made a Difference in His Own Life and OthersJoe DiPietro is certainly no stranger to theater and has been writing for the stage since 1991. His musicals and plays have received multiple awards and nominations on and off-Broadway, including Memphis starring Montego Glover and All Shook Up with Cheyenne Jackson. He talks about these two talented performers and shares his affection for Only Make Believe, a non-profit theater company that has been creating and performing live in-person and virtual interactive theater for children in hospitals, care facilities, and special education programs for 23 years.We also get into two of his most recent Broadway shows: Diana, the...
2022-10-3154 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItRicky Schroeder and Why Booking a Show Doesn’t Always Mean You’ve Booked the ShowThe life of an actor is often a cross between a seesaw and a rollercoaster. Sometimes it’s as simple as an up or down choice between opportunities and trying to find the balance between life and work. Other times we are just along for the ride, going in directions we can’t control. Today’s guest reminds us how unpredictable that rollercoaster be and the difficulty in finding balance.Ricky Schroeder has been dancing since he was 3 years old and has gone on to do a variety of projects from musicals like Kinky Boots and Hairspray Live...
2022-10-1750 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItKate Baldwin Looks for Deeper Creative Purpose Than Just PerformingFor only the second time in my career, I’m doing back to back shows at the same theater. First there was Anne of Green Gables this past summer and now there’s 42nd Street here at the Goodspeed Opera House. It’s a show I’ve did a few years back and in the same role as too, only this time there’s a lead producer who’s working to bring this production (and hopefully its cast) to Broadway. It has Carina-Kay Louchiey as the young starlet Peggy Sawyer and Max von Essen as the hard-nosed director Julian Marsh. I’m i...
2022-10-1049 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMarc Acito and the Steep Learning Curve from Theater Writer to FilmmakerSometime before the pandemic, I auditioned for a small off-Broadway production of the Lerner and Loewe musical The Day Before Spring. It was at the York Theater, which is known for refreshing older musicals that have had a shorter shelf-life. I wasn’t cast in that particular production, and like most failed auditions I put it out of my mind as soon as it was done, but I never was able to forget the director behind the table, and so I finally reached out to bring him onto the podcast.Marc Acito is a playwright, novelist, and di...
2022-09-2659 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSteve Harper Talks About Non-Traditional Casting & Writing for Superheroes Like StargirlSteve Harper is an actor, writer, and producer of the stage and screen. He shares his actor’s nightmare in a Shakespeare production in Cincinnati, but we also discuss the pivotal time when he found himself lacking a plentiful array of shows and roles he could connect with, so he began writing and producing theater, which in turn led him into television and writing for superheroes like Stargirl. He shares how through that process, he became aware of the nuances between the collaborative process of TV writing versus his singular process of writing for theater.Steve introduces a...
2022-09-1954 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDaryl Eisenberg and the Evolving Role of the Casting Director for the Stage and ScreenAs noted in the previous episode, auditions are the backbone of this industry, but there is an important gatekeeper when it comes to submitting our self tapes or actually getting in the audition room: The Casting Director. You’ve heard from actors and their experiences in front of the proverbial table, but now it’s time to hear from the other side of that room and learn what goes in to casting and the vital role casting directors play in the production for the stage or screen.Daryl Eisenberg, along with fellow casting director Ally Beans, works to c...
2022-09-121h 07
Why I‘ll Never Make ItBarton Cowperthwaite from Tiny Pretty Things Discovers He’s More Than Just a DancerBarton Cowperthwaite is a dancer first and foremost, with performances ranging from the opera La Traviata to Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound dance tour. The esteemed choreographer Lar Lubovitch describes Barton as a “movement poet” and credits him with having what he calls musical visualization. “Rather than hearing the music, this kind of dancer has the impression of being the music." This connection to music is evident in Barton's experience singing the music in productions at City Center Encores and in the national tour of American in Paris. He has also crossed over into the world of being a triple-t...
2022-08-291h 00
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAndrew Lippa Shares Disappointments and Lessons Learned as a Broadway Composer & Lyricist (REWIND)Back in the summer of 2020, there was a new Netflix docuseries everyone was talking about, a little show called Tiger King. Well, in the midst of all that I sat down with composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa. He talked about a few of his bigger profile shows like The Addams Family, Big Fish, and of course The Wild Party, as well as a Tiger King parody he did with Kristin Chenoweth.We discuss the years of writing and rewriting he's put into his various shows as well as the challenges and big budgets that come with creating...
2022-08-2253 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItGina Harris Finds Magic in the Ordinary Things of Life and TheaterIn the previous episode, I spoke with a musical writing team about their process of writing a full show for the stage with a cast and creative team bringing their story to life, but in today’s episode I’m speaking with a singular artist about her one-woman show and the long journey it took to go from thoughts and ideas in her head to an actual production and a dramatic podcast as well.Gina Harris has performed in theaters and jazz clubs in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. She’s a veteran of the famous...
2022-08-1553 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFINAL FIVE: Composer Matt Vinson & Book Writer and Lyricist Matte O’BrienIn the last episode, I spoke with composer Matt Vinson and writer Matte O'Brien about their new musical Anne of Green Gables. It was the first time I’ve spoken with a musical writing team here on Why I’ll Never Make It, and so for the two of them I thought I would bring back a bonus episode I haven’t done in a while: The Final Five.After that main interview they answered five final questions about what “making it” means to them, lessons they’ve learned both as individuals and as a writing team, as well as usefu...
2022-08-0824 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMatt Vinson & Matte O’Brien on the Joys and Challenges of Bringing a Musical to the StageWriting a musical is a long process, and once the writers are have finished that last page…that’s really only the beginning of their journey. By the time an actor comes along to audition for it, there’s usually been years of drafts, workshops, and revisions. Listeners of this podcast know that this summer has been a welcome return to the stage for me in a new theatrical adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, my first musical since the covid shutdown and it all started with a self-tape audition back in February of this year that then cu...
2022-08-0153 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAdam Stocker and the Theater Interview That Went All WrongJust like actors show off their skills in the audition room, other artists and creatives have their own ways of showcasing talents to prospective theaters, directors, or employers, and these interviews can be just as anxious and nerve-racking as what we actors face, especially if you aren’t as prepared as you could be.Adam Stocker is a Broadway costumer and returns for this bonus episode to share a story from his junior year at Western Michigan University. He recounts an interview he had for what would’ve been his first internship. However, from the moment the phon...
2022-07-2509 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAdam Stocker Shows How Broadway Costumers Are Like Engineers & Should be Paid AccordinglyThis past week as Anne of Green Gables went into tech rehearsal and we finally had our first public performance, I was reminded that there is a very particular important step that happens as you leave the rehearsal studio and finally start working on stage and that is the introduction of costumes. For me as an actor the adding of costumes is a big step forward in the development of my character. It informs how I move, how I stand or sit, and gives a sense of class or position, even the confidence my character has and so today...
2022-07-181h 00
Why I‘ll Never Make ItBrian Patacca Lets Go of Expectations and Finds Artistic FreedomAmong the many repercussions of the Covid pandemic, it caused actors, including myself, to question our purpose, our abilities, and our own belief in what it means to be an artist. Well, today’s guest had many of these same doubts and questions well before there was any pandemic affecting our industry. He felt an internal struggle between what he wanted to do and what he thought he should to be doing.Brian Patacca is a life coach and podcaster (Brian Breaks Character) as well as a non-denominational minister, but he started out as an actor, grinding it...
2022-07-0453 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAshley Victoria Robinson Never Settles, Constantly Pushing Herself as an Actor and CreativeThis past week I started rehearsals up in Connecticut at the Goodspeed Opera House doing a new musical version of the beloved Anne of Green Gables. It’s a well-known story around the world but especially in its home country of Canada. So in honor of that I thought I would bring a Canadian onto the podcast. Ashley Victoria Robinson is an actress, writer, producer and podcaster, and though she and I won’t be talking about Anne of Green Gables, we do hit upon some of the themes from that story...dealing with the loss of family...
2022-06-2156 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItTreating Yourself as a Business with Jonathan Cerullo and Artistic FinanceEthan Steimel talks with Jonathan Cerullo about seeing ourselves and our careers as more than an artistic craft in this special collaboration and presentation with Artistic Finance.There are two fundamental sides to every actor: the artistic part of us that loves rehearsing and performing, and then there’s the business aspect which handles money, contracts, and other details. It is so important that our business side gets just as much attention and preparation as the creative side, because both are crucial to our success. While we are good at taking lessons, being coached, or joining classes to...
2022-05-091h 02
Why I‘ll Never Make ItCarmen Cusack and the Journey to Finding Her Bright StarOne of the main themes and messages of this podcast has always been that success can mean different things to different people and the path of how someone gets there, if they get there, is always unique to the person. Today’s episode is with someone that I had the privilege of working with in the musical adaptation of First Wives Club back in 2015 in Chicago (with Faith Prince and Christine Sherrill). We were gearing up for a hopeful Broadway transfer that unfortunately never happened.However, Carmen Cusack gave a memorable performance in that show and a fe...
2022-04-251h 02
Why I‘ll Never Make ItKevin Spirtas Takes the Stage and Shares from the HeartBack in January 2022, this podcast held its first ever live event: a night of conversation with Emmy-winner Kevin Spirtas. He not only shared stories and struggles from his time on Broadway and television, but he also sang five songs that evening that highlighted the work he has done and moments that have meant the most to him throughout his career.On today’s episode you’re going to hear a portion of this cabaret performance and discussion that was presented here in New York City at the Green Room 42. In fact, BroadwayWorld was there that night and call...
2022-03-2831 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJudy Tenuta Shares Her Journey from Stage to Standup and Her Battle with CancerIn 1987, HBO had a comedy special called Women of the Night. It featured four women who were known regionally and at certain comedy clubs, but had yet to really reach a national audience. They were Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner, and today’s guest Judy Tenuta. In fact, for the next four years each one of these women would be named Best Female Stand-up Comic at the American Comedy Awards, with Tenuta being the first in 1988.Throughout the 1980s and 90s Judy was a part of a big boom for women in comedy. She branded herself as...
2022-03-2134 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItBlack History Month - Vinnette Justine Carroll and Alvin Ailey (Encore)In honor of Black History Month, this episode is an encore presentation of two pioneering Black artists and the legacy they left in the performing arts.
Vinnette Justine Carroll, PhD - Actress, Playwright, Director, Teacher
Alvin Ailey - Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director
Vinnette Justine Carroll’s professionalism in theatrical arts paved way for black professionals in the industry. She was an actress and playwright who expressed herself through gospel music. In a 1979 interview, Carroll told The Times, “I decided my salvation was to create something for myself, a theater for myself and others where your...
2022-02-2122 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWelcome to Season Six!After a few weeks off, I’m so excited to be back for another year of great guests and wonderful discussions. As you can see there’s a new look to the WINMI podcast artwork and logo, the WINMI blog is coming back, and live events are coming, so here’s a little preview of what to expect in 2022.
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Why I’ll Never Make It Stories
This year will offer a slightly different approach to conversations with fellow creatives. Guests will now be sharing three spe...
2022-01-1702 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDebra Ann Byrd (Part 2) - A Black Girl‘s Journey to Becoming OthelloThe experiences of our lives influence the paths we choose and shape who we are. In Part One of my conversation with Debra Ann Byrd, she revealed the ups and downs of her own life that eventually ignited a desire to perform and pursue a life on the stage. In this second half of our conversation, we discuss how Debra’s path toward becoming an actor was slow, but steady, and how her first steps as a producer started from very meager beginnings.At her very core, Debra is a storyteller and that is on full display in...
2021-12-2041 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDebra Ann Byrd (Part 1) - Classically-Trained Actress Shares Her Bumpy Road to TheaterI first found out about Debra Ann Byrd through an article in the Guardian titled “Black Shakespeare champion working to change views on color blind casting.” She was just starting a residency at Stratford upon Avon, and this article talked about one of Debra's college professors who discouraged her from getting into classical theater. That story alone piqued my interest, so I reached out to her and the conversation that we ended up with certainly had many more stories than that one instance.Most actors can talk about how they got into theater and then trained and grew...
2021-12-1339 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItKevin Spirtas - Broadway Actor and Soap Opera Star Forges His Own Career PathEarlier in 2021, I spoke with Emmy-winning actress Erin Cherry, who won that award for her supporting role in an Amazon Prime series called AFTER FOREVER. And this episode features the co-creator and producer of that series, Kevin Spirtas, who has also produced shows on Broadway as well.
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However, Kevin really made his name for himself is as an actor both onstage and screen, particularly as Dr. Craig Wesley in the long-running soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES. But even for someone as persistent and confident as Kevin, there are t...
2021-12-0659 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMichael Learned Bravely Shares Her Struggles and Secrets to Longevity in the ArtsIn this day and age of everything going digital, and especially with zoom becoming an important part of both personal and professional connections, it’s a very rare moment to have a phone interview. Back in August of 2021, I had the privilege of calling up a wonderfully talented actress both on stage and on screen, four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned. Though she is best known for playing Olivia Walton, on the long-running 70's TV show The Waltons, it’s important to point out that she has had a stellar Broadway career as well, which began in 1969 with a production of A...
2021-11-2943 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMatt Sav Shares His Process of Storytelling Through Musical CompositionThe main focus and message of this series has been on storytelling. From Kate who talked about how to use our voices and acting skills to connect with casting directors as well audiences, to Max who broke down the elements of a good story and how to craft that for print, stage, or screen.On this episode, I’m talking with composer and audio producer Matt Sav about musical storytelling and how the path from initial idea to an actual finished product can be a long and sometimes stumbling journey. While we focus in on his audio dr...
2021-11-2249 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMax Stossel Shows Us How to Improve Our Storytelling with Words That MoveThough the theater is my main focus as both an actor and a podcaster, it is often interesting and educating to talk with those outside the theater world. Today’s guest has performed on many stages, but he is the last person who would consider himself to be an actor of any sorts. Nonetheless, Max Stossel has a lot to teach us actors about how we present and perform stories, and maybe even write our own. Max is an award-winning poet, filmmaker, speaker and a former media strategist, named one of the best storytellers of 2016 by Forbes. Max...
2021-11-1552 min
Why I‘ll Never Make It"Standby for Places" Uses Podcasts to Exercise and Explore an Actor‘s CreativityThis is a continuation of part one’s look at voiceover work and acting behind the mic. You will hear from a group of actors, directors, and producers applying voiceover and acting techniques into their radio play podcast called Standby for Places. As the pandemic was shutting down most opportunities for actors, this group of artists found a way to keep acting and producing throughout the pandemic.Standby for Places was co-created by Freda Mattea, Margie Zarcone, and Graydon Gund. They then brought on Dunya Karam and others to make it a full audio drama production team. I’...
2021-11-0837 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItKate McClanaghan Helps Actors Find Their Voice by Giving SOUND ADVICEToday begins the second annual presentation of this month-long series with actress and voiceover coach Kate McClanaghan. We will be touching on the various aspects of voice work and technique but also addressing some fundamental struggles every actor faces.About 30 years ago Kate founded Actors’ SOUND ADVICE with fellow producer and coach Jeff Finney. Together they sought to provide an honest and personalized approach to career consulting, voiceover coaching, and demo production. As both an actress and casting director, Kate has a unique dual perspective of what is expected of us as actors, both in the audition ro...
2021-11-0146 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItPatrick Millsaps Goes from Political Theater to Talent Management and ProductionOne of the themes of this podcast is how we as actors are constantly changing, adjusting, tweaking our careers as we transition between to stage, screen, commercials, and voiceovers. That same kind of transition happens for those behind the table as well.Patrick Millsaps has had a unique journey of started off as an attorney, turned political adviser and pundit, and then pivoting to becoming a talent manager AND THEN, ultimately a movie producer and studio head at Kane Studios. Today we talked about how he took skills from one job to the next. Patrick’s story is...
2021-10-2553 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItPeter Allen Vogt - Actor and Comedian on Weight Loss, Jealousy, and the Need to Reinvent Ourselves as ArtistsAs an actor, one of the more difficult attitudes for me to manage is that of jealousy and an elevated sense of competition for roles and status in this industry. I’ve particularly noticed this since theater has opened up again after the long pandemic shutdown and other actors, not me, are back onstage again. My guest today, Peter Allen Vogt, is a talented actor in his own right but has struggled with this as well from time to time, especially considering he has a well-known identical twin who is also an actor and comedian. I first got...
2021-10-181h 00
Why I‘ll Never Make ItAlessandra Mai Vinh Navigates American Immigration as She Pursues Her DreamsEvery year more and more artists come to this country and face the challenges of the language and the culture while facing the nuances of auditioning and performing in America. Born in Italy with a Vietnamese background, Alessandra Mai Vinh began dancing at the age of 13. In Italy, she became known for working on national TV shows, commercials, and tours, as well as choreographing and dancing for several popular artists. In 2012, on a mission to pursue her dreams, she decided to move to New York City, where she attended Broadway Dance Center. Years later she moved to h...
2021-10-1134 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItBrad Oscar & Diego Prieto - Theater Husbands on Balancing Marriage and CareersBalancing work and life is a tough juggling act for most any actor or artist. Adding a relationship to the equation can be even more difficult to maintain and actors as a whole aren’t known for the longevity of their relationships.Brad Oscar and Diego Prieto are actors and husbands who have learned their own lessons in both living and working as a couple. Brad has appeared in nine Broadway shows and is a Tony-nominee for his performances in The Producers and Something Rotten. Diego has performed at some of the biggest regional theaters and is al...
2021-10-041h 00
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMisty Rosas (Part 2) - Saying ”Yes” to Ourselves Is the First Step Toward Realizing Our Full PotentialIn part one of our conversation, Misty Rosas talked having the opportunity to pursue one of her first passions as an artist -- singing -- and the thrill of opening for her favorite band Air Supply.In the second half of our conversation, we talk a bit more about that journey to becoming a singer, but first, Misty shares the joy and fulfillment that can come from finally saying yes to yourself and how to handle our own inner critic. I’ve even included the final five questions in this episode, where we do an even deeper di...
2021-09-2946 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItMisty Rosas (Part 1) - Performance Artist from Star Wars‘ The Mandalorian Opens Up About Her Hearing LossI’ve been a fan of The Mandalorian since it debuted in 2019, and when I found out that one actor had played two wonderful characters on the show (Kuiil and Frog Lady) I was really impressed with her work. That’s when I looked up Misty Rosas and discovered her long résumé of other character work besides the Disney+ Star Wars series. She is also a dancer, singer, gymnast, stunt woman, and voiceover artist.While her résumé is impressive, it was when I read her personal story that I truly became a fan of Misty. So, whil...
2021-09-2742 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItNate Patten on the Strange and Wonderful 2020 Tony Award Nominations (REWIND)We're less than a week away from the 2020 Tony Awards ceremony (finally!) so I wanted to bring back this special episode all about those surprising Tony Award Nominations and the fallout that came from the announcement. My conversation is with music director, conductor, and fellow podcaster Nate Patton. Nate and I first met when he was associate conducting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway. And his podcast called Booked It.The title to one of his episodes on his podcast, Booked It was “Broadway is broken and I alone can fix it.” It's this kind of witt...
2021-09-2049 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItRodney Hicks (Part 2) - Broadway Actor Shares His Difficult Journey of Self-DiscoveryWhen it comes to work as an actor, there’s that old adage of "feast or famine." For myself that has meant going 11 months without any work…all while still auditioning of course, but there have been other times when three shows come up at once, and I had to decide which ONE of them I’m going to do.In Part Two of my conversation with Rodney Hicks, we’re going to be talking about the feasts and famines of his career -- various shows and original casts he’s been a part of as well as the sho...
2021-09-1529 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItRodney Hicks (Part 1) - Musical Theater Actor Opens Up About What Caused Him to Leave BroadwayHere in America, we just marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and on the eve of that anniversary a live recording of the Broadway production of Come From Away was released. It featured many past and present members of the cast, but one of the original cast members, Rodney Hicks, was absent from the filming. In part one of our conversation, Rodney takes us through his long journey with the show and how it came to a sudden end. He reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is still some light to be found.Listen...
2021-09-1342 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWill Swenson (Part 2) - Actor/Singer on the Changes He Hopes to See in Theater, Especially BroadwayAs we came to the end of Part One of our conversation, Will Swenson and I were talking about the deeper questions of who we are as artists and the absolute importance of bringing our full selves to the stage. In this episode, Will’s performance in the Broadway revival of HAIR back in 2009 and how the show and the character of Berger allowed him a freedom and an energy that he had never gotten the chance to express on stage before. We also continue to explore the more personal side of who we are and Will opens up ab...
2021-09-0830 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWill Swenson (Part 1) - Broadway Actor Talks About Failed Shows and Leaving the Mormon ChurchFor the next three weeks I’ll be talking with two Broadway actors and a music director about their careers in New York and their own thoughts on the the theatre world and the Tony Awards. I start today with actor and singer Will Swenson, a Tony nominee for his outstanding work in the revival of the musical HAIR back in 2009. He's someone I’ve known since the late 90s when we were working at Disney World in Orlando, both sharing the role of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. We are both baritone leading man, who grew up in t...
2021-09-0639 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItDarren Darnborough - British Actor and Producer & CEO of WeAuditionWhether from personal experience or hearing stories from the past two episodes on this podcast, you know that almost anything can happen in an audition room. Sometimes it’s defined by magical moments, while other times it is filled with frustration. Yet even still, the most “perfect“ audition doesn’t always lead to a call back or a contract. It is this uncertainty that can bring both excitement and dismay. Not to mention the fact that auditioning for the stage is slightly different from auditioning for the screen. With me today to discuss these differences is television and film actor Da...
2021-08-3056 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItEff Your Fears with Actress and Model Ashley Monique MenardFor the past week I have been doing a deep dive into podcasting at a yearly conference called Podcast Movement. It's a place where podcasters like me can learn how to make better episodes, conduct riveting interviews, sincerely engage with listeners, and figure out ways to make my podcast both sustainable and profitable. The goal is to give you and future listeners even more reasons to come back week after week for another episode. At last year‘s conference I actually met a guest you’ve already heard from earlier this season, Ashley Monique Menard. She is energ...
2021-08-091h 03
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSeason Five PreviewWell, we somehow made it through 2020 and have arrived at Season Five of Why I’ll Never Make It. Covid may still be here and theaters are still shut down, but this podcast keeps rolling with great new guests and content coming your way.
Here on the WINMI podcast you’ll learn how artists and creatives handle the setbacks and challenges that come with a career in the performing arts. Interviews and conversation are hosted by host Patrick Oliver Jones, a professional actor and singer for almost 30 years and a Backstage Expert who knows first hand the ups...
2021-01-1302 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSammi Cannold (Part 2) - Don’t Keep Your Distance from This Innovative Theater DirectorToday’s episode is part two of my conversation with the final guest of Season 4.Sammi Cannold is a remarkable artist and director. She was even named to the 2019 Forbes List of 30 under 30 in entertainment for her innovative and unique approach to directing for the stage. And today’s conversation is going to be focusing on a few of those productions: her remarkable staging of the musical Violet on an actual bus AND her 2019 New York City Center Gala production of Evita.I have my own personal connection to Evita having done the national tour of t...
2020-12-1838 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSammi Cannold (Part 1) - Director Who Shows How Theater Can Be COVID-SafeHere we are at the final guest of Season Four...In part one of my conversation with New York director, Sammi Cannold shares the details of an article she wrote for The Stage, detailing how South Korean producers have made theater safe and possible for both creatives and audiences.While Sammi remains more diplomatic, I am not gentle in my rebuke of the Broadway League and Actors Equity, who have either kept silent for much of this pandemic or have actually been a hindrance to getting theater up and running again. We highlight the leading...
2020-12-1641 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItCharlotte Canning, PhD - The History of Pandemics and Theater ClosingsBritish historian and philosopher R.G. Collingwood said, "History is for human self knowledge, the only clue to what men can do is what man has done. So with an ongoing pandemic and theaters shut down for the foreseeable future, what can history teach us about dealing with such hardships and what to expect going forward? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this episode with Professor Charlotte Canning, Ph.D, a theatre and performance historian at the University of Texas at Austin.
Topics discussed in this epiosde:
Actor's Equity First Strike - American Theatre
...
2020-10-2155 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItFinancial Wellness (Part 1) Rebecca Selkowe from The Actors Fund (REWIND)Since 1955, April 15th has been Tax Day, until this year...the year of COVID-19 and economic uncertainty. With so many unemployed, especially those of us in the arts, what are we to do. How can we manage our money? What money!?
In this episode, I'm sharing my conversation a year ago with Rebecca Selkowe, author of DOMINATE YOUR DEBT and head of the Financial Wellness Program at the Actors Fund in New York City. This is part one, where she gives us the basics of how we need to approach financial matters, not just from a numbers...
2020-04-1555 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSeason Four PreviewHello and welcome to Season 4 of Why I’ll Never Make It! This is now a year-round podcast...more work for me and more conversations for you. The central theme of Why I’ll Never Make It remains in tact of course: to feature meaningful conversations with actors, singers, directors, and other creatives on the setbacks and stumbles we all us face in the performing arts and how we overcome them, all while challenging the notion of what it really means to “make it” in this business.
I’m your host Patrick Oliver Jones, now entering my 3rd year as...
2020-01-0600 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItSeason Three PreviewWelcome to Season 3 of Why I’ll Never Make It, a weekly show, featuring insightful conversations with actors and fellow creatives on the realities of a career in the arts. In each episode we explore the setbacks and stumbles each of us face and how we overcome them, sometimes...all while challenging the notion of what it really means to “make it” in the entertainment industry.
I’m your host Patrick Oliver Jones, a professional actor and singer for than 25 years. From national tours and pre-Broadway productions, to developmental workshops and regional theaters across the US. I’m also a di...
2019-09-2200 min
Why I‘ll Never Make ItWINMI Host Patrick Oliver Jones on ENTERTAINMENT(X) with Clayton HoweAfter being on WINMI Episode 32, fellow podcaster Clayton Howe invited me to return the favor and come on his podcast. We chatted about my own journey as an actor and what led to the creation of WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT. I share my own fears and battles with not "making it" but also what keeps me going and hoping along the way.
There's plenty of wit and wisdom in this great conversation with my friend, and I'm so glad to have been a part of his podcast. Enjoy!
Subscribe and listen to ENTERTAINMENT(X) a...
2019-05-021h 08
Why I‘ll Never Make ItJoey Fatone - Singer with *NSYNC, TV Host, Broadway StarBefore he became a part of the worldwide phenom *NSYNC, Joey was a theater kid in Orlando, Florida. And since his days of touring around the world, he has been on Broadway, appeared in films and television, and has hosted more shows than he can count.Through it all, he makes time for his family and friends and even our little podcast. We catch up with him on the phone from his home in Florida to chat about life in the spotlight and how his career is constantly evolving. There is no better way to say "bye bye...
2018-06-251h 12
Why I‘ll Never Make ItGrace McLean - Actress, Singer from GREAT COMET & Them ApplesThe “electrifying” (Huffington Post) and “phenomenal” (NY Times) Grace McLean joins us in-studio to tell a couple of jokes and give insight on how we might make it. You might recognize her from Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 or her career both as a solo artist and with her band Grace McLean & Them Apples.Learn it all at www.gracemclean.com!!!-----Support WINMIProducing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcas...
2018-04-091h 01
Why I‘ll Never Make ItErin Cronican - Theater Actress, Producer, Director, CoachThe actor and all-around fun gal, Erin Cronican joins us "in studio" to discuss her own formula for making it in the entertainment industry. From coaching to her theater company, Erin keeps a lot of irons in the fire. Learn more about those irons at http://www.erincronican.com/.Update: Erin Cronican passed away on June 30, 2022, so this episode remains as a tribute to her talent and contributions to theater in New York City and beyond.-----Support WINMIProducing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and...
2018-02-2657 min