From playing the oboe in northern Minnesota to casting spells as Ginny Potter on Broadway, Sarah Killough's story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Sarah chats about her early musical roots, growing up surrounded by theater in a creatively rich family, and the pivotal decision to attend Interlochen as a teenager. She shares how she carved her path through school, summer stock, and eventually New York City—where a survival job as an audition reader turned into a backstage pass to the industry and a surprising pipeline to major roles.

Now captivating audiences eight shows a week in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Sarah discusses the emotional weight of the role, the fandom surrounding the show, and what it’s like to portray a character as iconic as Ginny. She reflects on being part of casting processes from the other side of the table, the joys and challenges of working in a high-tech, high-stakes production, and what it means when fans tell her she is the “book Ginny.” Full of heart, humor, and a few tales of audition room mishaps, this conversation showcases the magic behind Sarah’s grounded presence on stage and off.

Sarah Killough is an actor, musician, and dialect coach currently starring as Ginny Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. Her stage credits include Leopoldstadt, The Lehman Trilogy, Travesties, and Long Day’s Journey Into Night. A Minnesota native and graduate of the Hartt School, she also serves as a trusted audition reader for major casting offices in New York.

Connect with Sarah:

 * Instagram: @rhymeswithpillow

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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Ep404 - Sarah Killough: How to Audition Without Touching the Reader

Matthew James Thomas opens up in this heartfelt conversation about his journey from a rebellious, bullied teen in the English countryside to finding truth and belonging on stage. Growing up feeling misunderstood, he found safety and purpose in acting, discovering early on that truth-telling through performance was his way of making sense of the world. He shares the emotional weight he carries playing Harry Potter on Broadway, how he navigates the show’s intense emotional peaks night after night, and why live theatre never gets old — even after over 135 performances.

We also dive into the legacy of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, his love-hate relationship with social media, and why he believes musicals are only great when they get it exactly right. And yes, there’s some mutual fan-girling over Severance, a hilarious attempt at explaining Les Misérables, and plenty of insight into what makes live theatre both terrifying and electrifying.

Matthew James Thomas is a British actor, director, and songwriter. He originated the title role in the 2013 Broadway revival of Pippin, starred as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, and has appeared in Accused, Summer of Rockets, Britannia High, Billy Elliot, and About a Boy. He currently stars as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.

Connect with Matthew:

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

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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Ep403 - Matthew James Thomas: Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and Severance Theories

Rachel Christopher brings a poet’s heart and a scholar’s mind to the stage eight times a week as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In this conversation, she opens up about her lifelong love of language, her background in translating ancient Greek poetry, and the deeply personal connection she feels to storytelling—both on stage and off. Whether she’s talking about her time at Epcot or reflecting on how imagination shaped her childhood, Rachel reveals just how much joy and intention she pours into her work.

From cooking lamb meatballs and tending to her city garden to revisiting classic Greek texts, Rachel’s passions outside of theater are just as vibrant as the characters she portrays. She shares what it means to step into the legacy of Hermione, how theater expands what we imagine is possible, and why making space for community and curiosity is at the heart of her artistry.

Rachel Christopher is an actor and poet currently playing Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. Her stage credits include For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf and Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Her screen credits include The Girl on the Train and The Upside. A graduate of Vassar College, she double-majored in drama and classics, and has collaborated on stage adaptations of The Aeneid and The Iliad.

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

Connect with Rachel:

 * Instagram: @rachel_e_christopher

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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Ep402 - Rachel Christopher: When Poetry Meets Platform 9¾

Theatre and magic collide as Erik Christopher Peterson kicks off a seven-episode Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast takeover on the podcast. In this deep-dive conversation, Erik reflects on growing up with a theatre educator dad, trading in his baseball glove for the stage, and eventually making his Broadway debut as Scorpius Malfoy. He shares the inspiration behind some of his original plays (like the hilariously surreal The Tragedy of Clownpheus and EuridIceCream), how Shakespeare continues to influence his work, and the joy of building his version of Scorpius eight shows a week.

Erik talks about navigating the illusion-heavy world of Cursed Child, from mastering time turners and flaming trolleys to discovering emotional nuance in the show’s father-son themes and the beautifully complex friendship between Scorpius and Albus. He opens up about performance anxiety, self-care, and the unexpected fan art that continues to move him. It’s a candid, heartfelt look at what it means to debut on Broadway in one of its most technically complex productions.

Erik Christopher Peterson is a writer, director, and actor whose credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, Othello, and several original plays he co-created, such as The Tragedy of Clownpheus and EEuridIceCream. He graduated from Webster University and currently stars as Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.

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

Connect with Erik

 * IG: @erik.c.peterson

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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Ep401 - Erik Christopher Peterson: Magic, (de)Mentors, and the Malfoy Legacy

From growing up in Eastchester, New York with dreams of joining Saturday Night Live to becoming one of the most beloved cast members in its history, Bobby Moynihan’s story is packed with heart, humor, and a lot of unexpected turns. In this episode, Bobby reflects on his nine seasons at SNL—including the anxiety, the magic, and the behind-the-scenes chaos—and shares how improv and the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) shaped his creative voice. He opens up about working with legends like Keenan Thompson and Colin Jost, the surreal experience of being called into the 50th anniversary show just hours before it taped, and the moment he realized he’d become “Drunk Uncle” to a new generation of kids.

Bobby also talks about his pivot into animation, voicing memorable characters in Inside Out 2, IF, LEGO Star Wars, and Loafy (which he also created), as well as the joy he finds in writing children’s books like Not All Sheep Are Boring [https://amzn.to/4nrZOIK]. With stories about his massive toy collection, his dream to pitch an all-star SNL season, and the advice he’d give to anyone stepping into the pressure cooker of Studio 8H, this is a hilarious and heartfelt conversation you won’t want to miss.

Bobby Moynihan is a comedian, writer, and voice actor best known for his nine-year run on Saturday Night Live, where he created iconic characters like Drunk Uncle and Anthony Crispino. His screen credits include Me, Myself & I, Girls, Documentary Now!, Inside Out 2, IF, Summer Camp Island, The Bravest Knight, and Loafy. He is also the co-author of the children’s book Not All Sheep Are Boring [https://amzn.to/4nrZOIK].

Connect with Bobby:

 * Instagram: @bibbymoynihan
 * BlueSky: @BibbyMoynihan
 * TikTok: @bibbymoynihan

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.

Ep400 - Bobby Moynihan: Collectibles, Comedy, and Catharsis

From growing up in a modest neighborhood known as "Cardboard Village" in Oak Park, Michigan, to becoming one of the most influential producers in Broadway history, Jeffrey Seller's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep love of musical theater. In this candid and insightful conversation, Jeffrey reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from the early days of Rent to launching Hamilton, and how he’s always championed new voices that challenge the status quo. He opens up about his unique childhood, his bold choices as a young producer, and why he felt compelled to write his new memoir, Theater Kid [https://amzn.to/4k1z4fr].

We talk about the emotional impact of revisiting his past, his creative process, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that brought shows like In the Heights, Avenue Q, and Hamilton to life. He also shares the significance of working in Times Square since 1986 and what it means to literally see his professional history from the studio window. Jeffrey’s perspective is raw, honest, and deeply inspiring—a must-listen for anyone who loves theater and believes in the power of storytelling.

Jeffrey Seller is a five-time Tony Award-winning producer behind landmark musicals including Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights, and Hamilton. He also produced The Cher Show, De La Guarda, and The Inheritance, among others. He is the co-creator of Broadway’s first ticket lottery and a champion for innovation in access and storytelling. His memoir Theater Kid chronicles his remarkable journey from Oak Park, Michigan, to the heights of Broadway.



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



Connect with Jeffrey:

 * Instagram: @sellerj [https://www.instagram.com/sellerj]
 * Theater Kid (Memoir) [https://amzn.to/4k1z4fr]– available wherever books are sold

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.

Ep399 - Jeffrey Seller: Storytelling, Struggle, and the Rise of a Broadway Giant

Dive into a magical behind-the-scenes journey with the cast and creative team of The Little Mermaid, now running at Paper Mill Playhouse through June 29th! This special bonus episode takes you inside the rehearsal room and onstage with the artists who are reimagining the classic Disney tale with heart, humor, and fresh perspective. From the emotional depth of the parent-child relationship to the physical challenges of portraying life under the sea, this production brings new layers to a story we all thought we knew.

Hear from director/choreographer Joanne Hunter on how she approached the story from a modern lens, and enjoy candid conversations with the cast as they share what makes this version of The Little Mermaid so special. From bold audition choices to unexpected emotional moments, this episode is a celebration of theatrical creativity and connection.

Get your tickets now at https://papermill.org/.

Interviewees (in order of appearance):

 * Joanne Hunter – Director & Choreographer
 * Aubrey Mae Davis – Flounder
 * Hillary Fisher – Ariel
 * Haven Burton – Ursula
 * Jared Goldsmith – Scuttle
 * Sean Patrick Doyle – Flotsam
 * Nick Cortazzo – Jetsam
 * Kyle Taylor Parker – Sebastian
 * Graham Rowat – King Triton
 * Lawrence Dandridge – Prince Eric
 * Christopher Gurr – Grimsby

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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 * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

BONUS - "The Little Mermaid" Cast & Creatives at Papermill Playhouse

What starts as a conversation about acting quickly turns into a heartwarming reunion between two North Carolina natives who had no idea they practically grew up next door. Molly Griggs opens up about her Southern roots, early theater experiences at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and how growing up in Fayetteville shaped her worldview both on and off stage. From MerleFest memories to reflections on leaving—and later embracing—her hometown identity, this episode is full of unexpected nostalgia.

Molly also talks about her emotionally charged role in John Proctor Is the Villain on Broadway and why it felt like the universe handed her the script at just the right moment. She reflects on the vulnerability required to bring parts of her younger self to the stage, the tension between people-pleasing and truth-telling, and what it means to play “the one you love to hate” in Netflix’s The Residence. It’s a layered, funny, and refreshingly honest look into how personal growth and performance are deeply intertwined.

Molly Griggs is a stage and screen actor currently starring as Bailey Gallagher in John Proctor Is the Villain on Broadway. Her previous credits include Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly!, as well as TV roles in Succession, Servant, Doctor Death, and Netflix’s The Residence, where she plays Lily Schumacher.

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

Connect with Molly:

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

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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Ep398 - Molly Griggs: Between Southern Comfort and Broadway Grit

Rob Madge grew up staging living room musicals with wigs, smoke machines, and the unwavering support of their parents and grandmother—but what started as childhood play eventually became the viral, heartfelt, and Olivier-nominated solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). In this episode, Rob shares how those home videos evolved into a theatrical sensation, and how a show born during lockdown has become a powerful celebration of queer joy, family, and radical acceptance—now heading to New York City Center for its limited U.S. debut.

We talk about everything from queer theory and comedy as activism to being a theater kid in a small UK village and why their grandmother was the ultimate co-conspirator. Rob opens up about the emotional weight of visibility, the importance of letting kids be themselves, and the unshakable confidence that comes from being loved early and completely. Plus, they reflect on their journey from Gavroche to leading their own story—and the joy of tweaking the show for each new audience.

Rob Madge is a writer and performer whose solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) earned an Olivier Award nomination following its West End run. They began their career as a child actor in Mary Poppins, Oliver!, and Les Misérables, and trained at Sylvia Young Theatre School before studying English Literature at Warwick University. Rob also stars as the Emcee in Cabaret on the West End, and continues to explore themes of identity, family, and theatricality through their writing and performance.

Connect with Rob

 * Instagram: @robmadge02 [https://www.instagram.com/robmadge02]

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.



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep397 - Rob Madge: A Smoke Machine Wish, Tons of Wigs, and a Dream

Anthony Veneziale and Aneesa Folds return to the podcast with the same brilliance and warmth that made their first appearances unforgettable—this time teaming up to talk about their new boundary-breaking musical, Co-Founders, premiering at ACT in San Francisco. With its Bay Area hip hop roots, tech satire, and cutting-edge stage visuals powered by Unreal Engine, the show challenges both theatrical norms and late-stage capitalism, all while telling a deeply personal story about representation, equity, and belonging. We unpack the eight-year journey behind the show’s creation, how Aneesa came aboard, and how both artists bring authenticity and heart into every moment—onstage and off.

We also dive into hip hop’s regional influence on the show’s score, the emotional toll of being labeled a “breakout star,” and why community and kindness are non-negotiable parts of the creative process. And if that’s not enough, we improvise the plot of a musical called Mystical Desperate Zebras. This episode is a celebration of art that disrupts, heals, and uplifts—don’t miss it.
Anthony Veneziale is a Tony Award-winning co-creator of Freestyle Love Supreme and co-founder of FLS Academy. He’s known for blending freestyle rap with neuroscience and education to foster creativity and collaboration. Aneesa Folds made her Broadway debut in Freestyle Love Supreme and has since become a standout performer and educator, known for her powerhouse presence and vibrant improvisational skills. Together, they now star in Co-Founders, a new musical blending activism, technology, and Bay Area hip hop culture.

Connect with Anthony & Aneesa

 * @twotouchfls (Anthony)
 * @aneesafolds (Aneesa)

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Ep396 - Anthony Veneziale & Aneesa Folds: Hip Hop, Humanity, and Hacking the Stage

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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