Transitioning from competitive swimming to the stage requires a specific kind of discipline, but Sadie Dickerson has mastered the pivot. She opens up about the intense audition process for Just in Time, which spanned months and a cross country move to Los Angeles, only to receive the life changing offer while house sitting with some very old dogs. She also shares stories about her time working at a Comic Con t-shirt stand and coaching swim lessons before finally getting her big break.

Stepping onto a Broadway stage for the first time is daunting enough, but doing it after sitting backstage for an entire act adds a unique layer of anticipation. Sadie discusses the nerves of that first performance, the supportive environment backstage, and how she balances the technical precision of camera acting with the energy required for live theater. We also get into her love for Newsies and the drive that keeps her pushing for perfection.

Sadie Dickerson is an Austin, Texas native and a graduate of Missouri State University where she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre. She was previously seen Off-Broadway in Vladimir at Manhattan Theatre Club and is currently making her Broadway debut as Sandra in Just in Time.

Connect with Sadie:

 * Instagram: @Sadie.Dickerson
 * TikTok: @Sadie.Dickerson

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep424 - Sadie Dickerson: From Competitive Swimming to Sandra Dee

Christian Cowan’s journey to the top of the fashion world is anything but traditional. He opens up about applying to Central Saint Martins with a literal soup can instead of a standard portfolio and explains how a childhood obsession with insects helped him understand high fashion structures. He also shares the wild story of receiving a commission from Lady Gaga at just 18 years old while he was still a first-year student who barely knew how to ship a package.

Now making his Broadway costume design debut with The Queen of Versailles, Christian discusses the challenge of translating high glamour into durable stage wear. He reveals details about touring Jackie Siegel’s massive closet which features a stripper pole and round bed, and breaks down the technology behind the 3D printed vases on his Marie Antoinette costume. We also geek out over his love for animation, his collaboration with The Powerpuff Girls, and his desire to design for sci-fi films.

Christian Cowan is a British fashion designer known for his vibrant and sculptural aesthetic. He launched his eponymous label in 2017 and has dressed global icons including Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Miley Cyrus. He was a finalist for the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund and has collaborated with brands like Cartoon Network and Adobe. The Queen of Versailles marks his Broadway debut as a costume designer.

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Connect with Christian:

 * Instagram: @christiancowan

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep423 - Christian Cowan: Dressing Lady Gaga at Eighteen with Super Glue and Sequins

Kevin Del Aguila has one of those careers that feels impossible on paper but makes perfect sense once you hear him talk about it. He shares how acting and writing grew side by side almost accidentally, from staging one-acts with unemployed friends to becoming the secret ingredient that finally unlocked Altar Boyz. Kevin opens up about years of temp jobs, the anxiety of switching to a full-time artistic life, and the surprising moment he quietly “quit acting” without telling anyone—only to find himself pulled back in through Peter and the Starcatcher, where collaborating with Christian Borle reignited his love for performing. His stories from backstage, especially the legendary “silent aria” of laughter waves, remind you why the magic of theater is so addictive.

We also explore the second creative empire Kevin has built in children’s entertainment, from Wonder Pets to his Emmy-winning work on Peg + Cat, to writing the lyrics for Click, Clack, Moo and the wildly popular Dog Man: The Musical. He breaks down why kids instantly know when something has been sanitized, how a little edge goes a long way, and why he’s drawn to writing that treats young audiences with intelligence and respect. Kevin also reflects on his full-circle return to The Baker’s Wife more than twenty years after first performing it, now taking on Antoine in the highly anticipated Classic Stage Company revival. The episode is full of craft, heart, humor, and the reminder that longevity—not overnight success—is the real engine of a creative life.

Kevin Del Aguila is an Emmy Award–winning writer and Tony-nominated actor whose career spans theater, television, and children’s entertainment. He wrote the book for the long-running hit Altar Boyz and the lyrics for Click, Clack, Moo and Dog Man: The Musical. His Broadway and stage performances include Some Like It Hot, Frozen, and Peter and the Starcatcher. His television writing earned him an Emmy for Peg + Cat, and he appears in the newest season of Hazbin Hotel. Kevin currently stars as Antoine in the Broadway revival of The Baker’s Wife.

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Connect with Kevin:

 * Instagram: @kevinoftheeagle

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep422 - Kevin Del Aguila: The Actor Who Accidentally Became Everything

Gabrielle Nevaeh’s journey to Stranger Things: The First Shadow feels like a real-time coming-of-age story. In our conversation, she opens up about growing up painfully shy in Florida, discovering acting at a performing arts school, and then making the leap to Los Angeles at just twelve years old with nothing but six suitcases and a dream. From navigating the whirlwind of Nickelodeon fame, to essentially attending “Nick High,” to juggling seven different shows while finishing high school, she shares how she slowly learned to trust her instincts, embrace her authentic self, and listen less to the external noise. That confidence is exactly what carried her into one of the wildest audition processes I’ve ever heard, including a full seven-hour callback in New York where she literally performed the entire play as a one-woman show.

Once she stepped into the world of Stranger Things, everything changed. Gabrielle talks about finding her voice onstage eight shows a week, building Patty Newby from the ground up, and experiencing that electric moment when the season five trailer drops in the theater and the audience erupts. We dive into the emotional weight of this role, the physical demands of doing an “action movie” every night, and why she actually loves a rowdy audience member who shouts back at the actors. She also reflects on how surreal it is to walk the line between longtime Nickelodeon kids who know her comedy work and the massive Stranger Things fans who now show up dressed like Patty or get props from the show tattooed on their bodies.

Gabrielle Nevaeh is an award-nominated actor known for standout work on Nickelodeon’s All That, That Girl Lay Lay, Danger Force, and as the voice of Clawdeen Wolf in Monster High. Her credits also include Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, Curses, and hosting duties for major Nickelodeon events including the Kids’ Choice Awards. She earned a Young Artist Award and an Emmy nomination for her on-screen work before making her Broadway debut as Patty Newby in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, where she continues to shape the character in collaboration with the creative team.

This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

Connect with Gabrielle:

 * Instagram: @gabriellenevaeh
 * TikTok: @gabriellenevaeh

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep421 - Gabrielle Nevaeh: Flying From All That Into the Upside Down

Kimiko Glenn brings a mix of honesty, humor, and delightful chaos to this conversation, opening up about the vulnerable journey behind her new single Hang Out Forever [https://youtu.be/96nWApFdADk?si=Or8IM8pR7QOciqf3] and why the music video takes such a hilariously dark turn. She talks about songwriting as her personal diary, how she finally found the courage to share it publicly, and why creative control feels like oxygen after years of being the “vessel” for other people’s visions. We dig into the surprising things that make her the most self-conscious, the unexpected fears that shaped her early career, and why being an “impatient cheerleader” might be her truest personality trait.

She also speaks candidly about the realities behind the fame surge during Orange Is the New Black, including the overwhelming moments she endured in public and the long path toward reclaiming safety and boundaries. Kimiko shares the story of developing panic disorder during Waitress, how she learned to manage anxiety in different performance environments, and the tools she’s built to protect her joy. We also get into identity, community, vulnerability, the pressure to perform online, and what she hopes her upcoming music — including the acoustic version of Hang Out Forever [https://youtu.be/96nWApFdADk?si=Or8IM8pR7QOciqf3]— will reveal about her.

Kimiko Glenn is an actor, singer, songwriter, and multi-hyphenate creator whose work spans Broadway, television, film, animation, and music. She originated roles in Waitress and the National Tour of Spring Awakening, earned global recognition as Soso in Orange Is the New Black, and became one of the most distinctive voices in animation with roles in Hazbin Hotel, Kiff, Centaurworld, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, DuckTales, My Little Pony, and more. Her latest artistic chapter focuses on original music, beginning with her single Hang Out Forever and a forthcoming EP that blends emotional storytelling with sharp comedic edge.

This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

Find Kimiko Online

 * Instagram: @kimikoglenn, @kimiko.wav
 * TikTok: @itskimiko
 * Watch Hang Out Forever [https://youtu.be/96nWApFdADk?si=Or8IM8pR7QOciqf3]

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep420 - Kimiko Glenn: Hang Out Forever and the Art of Being Unapologetically You

This conversation with Nathan Lee Graham goes deeper than expected, mixing sharp humor with real insight into a career built on consistency, curiosity, and craft. He reflects on growing up between St. Louis and Los Angeles, navigating a childhood shaped by divorce, experimental schools, and parents who understood early on that the arts were his home. Nathan talks about discovering his calling in high school, the moment Marin Mazie encouraged him to move to New York, and how that one decision launched decades of steady work across stage and screen. Along the way he opens up about playing twins on Scrubs, aging in Hollywood, the discipline required to keep his instrument ready, and why he still sees himself first and foremost as a working actor rather than someone chasing fame.

We also dive into the surprising path that led him to Zoolander the day after The Wild Party closed, the unique challenge and joy of creating memorable moments with only a handful of lines, and how he approaches every medium — stage, film, TV — with the same mindset and integrity. Nathan shares what it means to trust collaborators, what he’s learning during previews of The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company, and why patience, perspective, and self-care have become essential to his life and artistry. It’s a thoughtful, warm, and often funny look at a career defined not by one role, but by the sum of its parts and the relationships that shaped them.

Nathan Lee Graham is a Grammy winner for Best Classical Album (Songs of Innocence and of Experience), a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award recipient for The Wild Party, and a Drama League Award nominee for Wig Out. His stage work includes originating roles in The Wild Party and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, with national tours of Hadestown and Show Boat. On screen, he is known for Zoolander, Zoolander 2, Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch, The Comeback, Scrubs, LA to Vegas, Mid-Century Modern, and more. He currently stars as Marquis in The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company.

This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

Connect with Nathan:

 * Instagram: @nathanleegraham

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep419 - Nathan Lee Graham: The Working Actor’s Working Actor

Two artists with big hearts take center stage to talk about building a true home for kids in the South Bronx. Casimar Valles shares how The Haus of Performing Arts grew from an uncle’s dream into a community hub that picks students up after school, feeds them, and lets them stand up and create instead of being told to sit still. Broadway powerhouse Nasia Thomas jumps in with lived proof of what early arts access can do, reflecting on mentors who poured into her and why representation matters when a dark-skinned Black girl sees someone like her headed to rehearsal. Together they unpack real needs on the ground from mirrors to meals to hygiene supplies while celebrating the kids’ artwork, dancing, and the joy of a safe space to go and grow.

They also invite us to show up for “A Night in December,” a fundraiser on December 1 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, doors at 6:00 PM, with Broadway friends slated to perform and all proceeds supporting The Haus’s programs. If you cannot attend, you can still donate here [https://thehaus.nyc/].

Listen for how The Haus celebrates neurodivergent students, why community grandmothers helped it blossom, and the moment Casimar decided that every child deserves a place in the front row.
Nasia Thomas is a Broadway artist and educator whose credits include Six, Ain’t Too Proud, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Casimar Valles is a co-founder of The Haus of Performing Arts in the South Bronx, a multi-disciplinary nonprofit for ages 5 to 17; a ballroom and Latin dancer; and an educator with a master’s in education committed to making arts training accessible, affirming, and safe.

This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

Connect with Nasia, Casimar and The Hause:

 * Nasia Thomas: Instagram @nasiathomas
 * Casimar Valles: Instagram @casimar
 * The Haus of Performing Arts: thehaus.nyc [https://thehaus.nyc/]

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep418 - Nasia Thomas & Casimar Valles: The Haus Is Where Where Kids Go and Grow

We go deep with Phillip Johnson Richardson on the real stuff behind a Broadway glow up. He opens up about being a young Black man showing vulnerability onstage, the pressure to be perfect, and how identity, belonging, and mental health shape the work. We talk about choosing when to step away, the cost of staying, and the tools he uses to keep his center steady when the noise gets loud. Quick heads up: if you hear a low rumble while I am speaking, that was the rain hammering the studio during our recording.

We also get into the creative process behind his original music, the difference between chasing applause and building a life that feels true, and the practical ways performers make it work in New York. If you want to see him live, his final performance in Hell’s Kitchen is November 30. This one is candid, grounded, and full of takeaways you can actually use. Phillip Johnson Richardson is an actor and musician whose Broadway credits include Hell’s Kitchen as Knuck and the recent revival of The Wiz as the Tin Man. On screen, audiences have seen him in projects like Sharper, Little Voice, The Last O.G., Chicago P.D., Proven Innocent, and The Other Two. He writes and records original music and continues to build a multi hyphenate career across stage, film, television, and the studio.

Connect with Phil:

 * IG: @philsgoodmusic [https://www.instagram.com/philsgoodmusic/], @glaeddad [https://www.instagram.com/glaeddad/]
 * Web: https://philsgoodmusic.com/, https://glaeddad.com/

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
 * Twitter & Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theatre_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/theatre_podcast]
 * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep417 - Phillip Johnson Richardson: Mental Health, Identity, and the Work

Originally recorded for my other podcast Was It Chance? with my co-host Heather Vickery, this conversation with director, producer, educator, and author David Armstrong felt like a perfect fit for The Theatre Podcast as well.

David shares stories from his remarkable 40-year career in theatre — including his years leading Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre, where he helped develop Hairspray before it became a Broadway smash. We dive into his new book, Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical, and explore how marginalized voices shaped the art form we love today.

From childhood performances in Cincinnati to mentoring future generations through his course at the University of Washington and his Broadway Nation podcast, David embodies what it means to take creative risks, honor history, and build the future of theatre.

Make sure to check out Was It Chance? [https://bpn.fm/wasitchance] wherever you are listening now.

Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical ⁠ [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/broadway-nation-9781350428317/]— available everywhere books are sold (or through Bloomsbury for a discount!)



Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
 * Twitter & Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theatre_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/theatre_podcast]
 * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast]
 * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheTheatrePodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://thetheatrepodcast.com/]
 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep416 - David Armstrong: Broadway’s Untold Story- Who Really Created the American Musical

Tony Award–winner Ariel Stachel sits down for a candid and deeply personal conversation about his new Off-Broadway solo show Other. More than just a performance piece, the show is a marathon of vulnerability — exploring identity, anxiety, and the pressure to belong — and Ariel shares how it feels to put his entire self on stage for 90 minutes without a break.

We talk about why he treats performing like athletic training, why therapy has become a non-negotiable part of his process, and how he went from hiding his background and struggles to embracing them as the very heart of his art. His honesty about anxiety, identity, and purpose reveals a side of Broadway life we don’t often get to see.

Ariel Stachel is a Tony and Grammy Award–winning actor, singer, and writer. He won the 2018 Tony Award for his Broadway debut as Haled in The Band’s Visit. His screen work includes Zola, Don’t Worry Darling, and The Night Agent. With Other, he steps into the role of both writer and performer, bringing his story of identity and belonging to the Greenwich House Theater Off-Broadway.

Connect with Ariel

 * Instagram: @arielstachel [https://www.instagram.com/arielstachel]
 * TikTok: @arielstachel

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

 * Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast]
 * Twitter & Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theatre_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/theatre_podcast]
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 * Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://instagram.com/alanseales]
 * Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.



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Ep415 - Ari’el Stachel: When Performing Becomes Survival

Intimate, personal conversations with the biggest talents from professional theatre, tv, film, and more. Hear their secrets, what makes them laugh, stresses them out, and how they manage the anxiety of success. We feature both stars and creatives such as producers, stage managers, directors, press and marketing agents, or even the people who own the theaters or productions themselves.

This is a podcast for artists, made by artists. With over 2 decades of experience in film and theatre both as cast and creative, host Alan Seales speaks with Broadway, TV, film and beyond’s biggest talents to learn more about not only how the world of theatre and performing operate, but also what makes it so real and human. In-depth, personal, behind-the-scenes conversations will highlight special details of the industry that most people may not know exist, will always find out what makes the guests love their craft, what makes them tick, and what truly inspires them.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network. [http://bpn.fm]

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