Women & Theatre Podcast

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with composer/lyricist, actor, educator, and circus artist Megan McCormick about balancing different hats as a multi-hyphenate, embracing radical self-acceptance and a growth mindset, increasing female and nonbinary representation, and claiming power that isn’t patriarchal. As a bonus, we celebrate Women’s History Month by spotlighting Hallie Flanagan Davis, the director of the Federal Theatre Project. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Guest: Megan McCormick Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Hallie Flanagan Davis and the Federal Theatre Project Jane the Queen, book and lyrics by Nia Harvey Musical Theatre Writers Collective Guest Bio Megan McCormick (she/they) is a composer, lyricist, singer, educator, and circus artist based out of Brooklyn, New York. As an educator, Megan holds the position of Assistant Director for the New York Youth Symphony’s Musical Theater Songwriting program, Assistant Director for Tufts University’s Creative Arts educational program, Teaching Artist for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and staff for Trapeze School New York. Megan delights in performing and writing in many different genres with recent performing highlights including as a back up singer with Brooklyn-based rock band Geese on tour with Jack White, and the premiere of her original song and aerial straps act “Careful Lorelei” at the New England Center for Circus Arts. Recently, Megan has joined the Musical Theatre Writers Collective, where she is working on a full length musical about England’s first queens. Find Megan Online: Instagram: @megancaseysings Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with performer, producer, and playwright Kimberly Lara about the lived realities of immigrant families in the United States, the importance of cultural specificity in representation, crowdsourcing feedback on new shows in development, and the transformative quality of theatre. As a bonus, we celebrate Women’s History Month by spotlighting Vinnette Justine Caroll, the first Black woman to direct a show on Broadway. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Guest: Kim Lara Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Women’s History Month Spotlight: Vinnette Justine Caroll Starting Up: A New Musical Comedy (directed by Women & Theatre community member Jen Wineman!) The Musicals de Mañana at 54 Below Theatre Twitter, created by Ayanna Prescod Jacob’s Pillow Afro-Latin Immersion program Guest Bio Multi-hyphenated performer and creative, Kimberly Lara (she/her) is an American Musical and Dramatic Academy and New School Musical Theater BFA program Graduate. During her time completing her BFA, she became a contributing writer and published author for PopSugar Latina, has performed in multiple college productions, along with other works including performing with the Broadway cast of Chicago for Broadway Cares, appearing in CBS’s “The Code” and Nickelodeon’s “Club 57”, and recently performing at Jacob's Pillow as part of their first ever Afro-Latin Immersion Program. She assisted writer/composer Jesse Sanchez for "Sueños: Our American Musical" during its residency at NYTB, and now is the Associate Producer for New York Theatre Barn after taking on the role of Line Producer for NYTB’s Award-Winning New Work Series. She recently produced, co-hosted, and performed for NYTB'S Musicals De Mañana: Latin Heritage Month Celebration presentation at 54 Below this past fall. She is currently working as Associate Producer for Starting Up: A New Musical Comedy and Dorothy Dandridge: The Musical! Find Kim Online: Instagram: @kimberlyglara Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with producer, director, writer, and educator Megan Minutillo about the importance of education and mentorship in theatre, womanhood and motherhood as a complex work in progress, and building bridges through collaboration. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Guest: Megan Minutillo Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Megan’s Upcoming Events: March 4 Women of the Wings - Vol. 5 at 54 Below Instagram: @womenofthewings September 15 Duets: The Concert Series - Vol. 9 at 54 Below Other Resources Mentioned Becoming by Michelle Obama Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert CODA - 2021 film by Sian Heder Guest Bio Megan Minutillo Weiner (she/her) is a theatre producer, director, writer, and educator. Her theatrical work has been seen in theaters across New York, including, but not limited to 54 Below, Birdland Jazz, and Guild Hall of East Hampton. She’s the creator of DUETS: The Concert Series, and Women of The Wings: A Celebration of Female Musical Theatre Writers. Her writing can be found on Medium, Thought Catalog, Hello Giggles, Fertility Rescripted, and Collective World. Megan holds an M.A. in educational theatre and English education from NYU. She lives on Long Island with her husband and son. Find Megan Online: Instagram: @meganminutillo Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this bonus episode, Hayley and Amy celebrate Women & Theatre’s first birthday by reflecting back on lessons learned in the first year of the project and sharing some big dreams for the future. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Did you miss an interview? Between podcast seasons, take the time to catch up on the first year of Women & Theatre by reading our blog posts and listening to Season 1 episodes! Enjoy! Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with Broadway actor Kayla Davion about following your values and figuring out what makes you you, defining your own dreams and the stories you want to tell, recognizing the beautiful complexity of womanhood, and making the theatre industry equitable for all. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Guest: Kayla Davion Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Kayla’s theatrical projects discussed in the interview include: Waitress the Musical Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Perpetual Sunshine and the Ghost Girls White Girl in Danger Guest Bio Kayla Davion (she/her) - Broadway: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Tina), Waitress the Musical (Dawn US, Ensemble), King Kong (Ann Darrow US, Ensemble). Tv: “The Good Fight.",“Power Book III: Raising Kanan.” Film: "Better Nate Than Ever." Kayla is also a Chita Rivera Recipient. She sends all the Love and Gratitude to her Alum (BSU), her agents at Nicolosi, managers at Untitled Entertainment, beautiful family and incredible Tribe. "Thank you God for never withholding your promises... Lead with Love!” Find Kayla Online: Instagram: @KaylaDavion @AffirmedLiving Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy discuss the concept of producibility. What are the myths and stories we’ve been told about what makes a show producible? What kinds of shows would we like to see produced? And how does all of that fit into the current state of theatre finances? We start to answer some of these questions and offer ideas about how we can innovate and make bold choices as an industry. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Kate Anderson & Elyssa Samsel podcast episode Tidtaya Sinutoke & Isabella Dawis podcast episode Jen Wineman interview Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with up-and-coming musical theatre writer Rachel (Rae) Covey. We talk about writing about gray areas in a time of absolutes, balancing strength and sensitivity, and making the theatre industry a more supportive space to develop new works. Click here for a transcript of the episode!  Episode Notes Guest: Rachel (Rae) Covey Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Read about Rae’s theatrical projects on her website! Including: Painting Faye Salvez Noise - October 2022 off-Broadway workshop production at The Tank Where We Are - Song cycle based on From Here to There, a collection of found maps curated by artist Kris Harzinski Maestra mentorship program How I See It: A Personal and Historical View of Disability, a memoir by H Penny Mishkin Guest Bios Rachel Covey (she/her - Rae, to her friends!) is a playwright, composer, a member of the BMI Workshop, and a 2020 graduate of Northwestern University. She makes theatre that finds beauty in the most human moments. Her original musicals, PAINTING FAYE SALVEZ and NOISE, have received readings and workshops at the New York Musical Festival (NYMF), the Library at the Public Theater, Tuacahn Theatre, The Tank, Emerging Artists Theatre, Common Ground Theatre Company, and The Chicago Dramatists Guild. Favorite spots where her music has been performed include 54 Below, The Greenroom 42, the York Theatre’s New Works Concert, Titchfield Festival Theatre (UK), and Under the Arch Incubator’s New Work Cabaret (featuring the national touring cast of The Band’s Visit). Find Rachel Online: Website: www.rachelcovey.com Instagram: @rcoveymusic Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with musical theatre writing team Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson. We talk about writing authentic and multifaceted characters, women celebrating and supporting each other, and the importance of innovation and risk taking for producers, creators, and theatre audiences. Click here for a transcript! Episode Notes Guests: Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller See full episode notes here Guest Bios Elyssa Samsel (she/her) is a composer, violinist, pianist, and one half of the Songwriting team known as Samsel/Anderson, alongside Kate Anderson. They penned songs for Disney Animation’s Olaf’s Frozen Adventure and the hit Apple TV+ series Central Park. Elyssa and Kate met in the acclaimed BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Writing workshop in 2010 and have been writing partners ever since. Their musical BETWEEN THE LINES debuted off Broadway in July 2022 and their musical adaptation of THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak premiered in the UK September 2022. Kate Anderson (she/her) is a songwriter, improv comedian, sketch comedy writer, singer, and voice over actress. She has studied at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in New York, and performs regularly with her improv team Duran Duran Duran. Kate’s voice can be heard as the “Norwegian Cookie Lady” and “Cat Lady” in Disney’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure”. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Kate graduated cum laude with a degree in Music and Creative Writing from Gettysburg College, where she studied classical voice on scholarship at the Sunderman Conservatory. Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson are the songwriting duo behind Apple TV’s Central Park, Disney Animation’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” (Annie nomation), the off-Broadway Musical, “Between the Lines” , and “The Book Thief” which opened to rave reviews in the UK in 2022. Find Elyssa and Kate Online: Website: www.samselanderson.com Instagram: @SamselAnderson @kateoboyleanderson @elyssalynnesamsel Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with director and choreographer Marlo Hunter about advocating for yourself as a parent, practicing a feminism that rejects perfection and embraces mess, and learning how to survive and thrive as a freelance artist. Click here for a transcript! Episode Notes Guest: Marlo Hunter Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: Broadway Women’s Fund: 2022 Women to Watch on Broadway Watch American Reject on Amazon Prime and Apple+ Ever After Dedication by Nicola Kraus Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) - Learn more about advocating for parents in theatre Freelance Artist’s Manifesto Boot Camp Guest Bio Marlo Hunter (she/her) is a film & TV director, and theater director and choreographer who was recently honored as a “2022 Woman to Watch on Broadway” by the Broadway Women’s Fund. Her feature film directorial debut, American Reject -- a comedy featuring an original soundtrack -- is available on Amazon, Apple +. American Reject stars Kathleen Monteleone (also screenplay), Keala Settle, Annaleigh Ashford, Billy Ray Cyrus, and introduces Angelica Hale (“America’s Got Talent”). The film debuted at festivals in fall 2020 where it garnered multiple honors including Best Narrative Feature -BendFilm Festival. Marlo is currently helming the new musical, Ever After. The show is produced by Tony Award-winner, Kevin McCollum, with Music by Zina Goldrich, Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, and Book by Marcy Heisler & Kate Wetherhead. Upcoming: Streaming release of two episodes Marlo directed for a soon-to-be-announced Disney TV/ABC project (November 2022). She is in development as director and co-creator of the TV Series, Dedication, with writer Nicola Kraus (“The Nanny Diaries” novel), based on Nicki’s NY Times bestselling novel by the same name. Full bio available here Find Marlo Online: Marlo’s website: www.marlohunter.com Follow Marlo on Instagram Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Hayley and Amy speak with new musical theatre writing team Tidtaya Sinutoke and Isabella Dawis. We learn about the development processes for their musicals Half the Sky and Sunwatcher, and we talk about incorporating elements of other cultures into American musical theatre and lessons learned from the pandemic. Click here for a transcript! Episode Notes Guests: Tidtaya Sinutoke and Isabella Dawis Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews Music: Chloe Geller See full episode notes here Guest Bios Tidtaya Sinutoke (she/her) is a Jonathan Larson Grant, Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award, International Theatremakers Award and Fred Ebb Award-winning musical theatre composer, writer, and musician. Born in Thailand and now based in NYC, her compositions draw from multiple genres, combining classical music, traditional Thai/world music tonality, and the complexities of contemporary meters and pop hooks. Composition credits include: Half the Sky (The 5th Avenue Theatre's First Draft Commission & 20/21 Digital Season, Weston-Ghostlight New Musical Award); Sunwatcher (The Civilians R&D Group, Ancram Play Lab, Global Forms Theater Festival), and Dear Mr. C (NYFA’s City Artist Corps Grants, Polyphone Festival, The Crossroads Project). Her works have been developed and supported by the Composer-Librettists Studio at New Dramatists, Yale Institute for Music Theatre, Johnny Mercer Foundation, NYFA IAM Mentoring Program, Robert Rauschenberg Residency, Kurt Weill Foundation, Drama League, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and the American Opera Project. A proud member of ASCAP, Dramatists Guild, Maestra, MUSE, and Thai Theatre Foundation. BM: Berklee College of Music; MFA: NYU. tidtayasinutoke.com Isabella Dawis (she/her) is a Filipina-American playwright and performer. As a librettist and lyricist, she is the recipient of the 2022 Kleban Prize in Musical Theatre, the 2021 Fred Ebb Award, and the 2020 Weston-Ghostlight New Musical Award. She currently holds a Composers and the Voice Fellowship with the American Opera Project. Her musical theatre works include HALF THE SKY (5th Avenue Theatre Digital Radio Play/First Draft Commission, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Mu's New Eyes, Theater Latté Da's NEXT), SUNWATCHER (Civilians' R&D, Goodspeed’s Writers Grove, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Ancram Opera House, Tofte Lake Center), and BEFORE THE LAST METER (Atlanta Opera). Isabella’s writing has been supported by the Primary Stages Rockwell Scholarship, the Kurt Weill Foundation's Lotte Lenya Songbook, Musical Theatre Factory, Coalition of Asian American Leaders, and more. B.M. summa cum laude, piano performance, University of Minnesota, with vocal study at New England Conservatory. Find Tidtaya and Isabella Online: www.tidtayasinutoke.com www.isabelladawis.com Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!