Why I‘ll Never Make It

Misha Osherovich is a Russian-American actor, filmmaker, and mental health/LGBTQ+ activist.    Misha's latest short film E.VERY D.AY is currently screening at festivals internationally. The film is autobiographical - written and produced by Misha - that gives the audience a look inside the minds of people affected by eating disorders and distorted body image.   You can also catch Misha in AMC's ne...

Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, as they give concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given are surprising and revealing, showing another side to Janine DiVita... If you could have any other job outside of the arts what would it be? What is a bucket list role or show you s...

This is part two of my conversation with Janine DiVita. Last time was a Spotlight episode on her work with the USO Show Troupe. In this episode she and I dig into what drives her as an actor and singer, the choices she’s made in her career, and how she maintains a work/life balance since getting married. Janine opens up about going to therapy and how it’s helped her focus on what truly matters, es...

November is National Military Families Month, and in honor of that I have Janine DiVita joining me today to talk about her work with the USO Show Troupe in New York City. Now when most people think of the USO, the first thing that comes to mind, understandably, is the legendary entertainer Bob Hope, who first performed for U.S. troops in California in May 1941, just a few months before the Pearl H...

As I’ve mentioned since the beginning of the season, I’m currently in a production of FOOTLOOSE on Norwegian Cruise lines. And so on today’s episode I’m talk about the show and the process of putting it together now that we’ve opened here on the ship, Also, joining me is fellow actor Megan Hoxie who plays the role of Ariel in the show. After that conversation I answer a listener question about cru...

Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Terri Dollar. In the previous episode we focused on STAR, her program working with special needs theater artists in Raleigh. Normally this would be another Final Five episode. However, after our initial conversation about her work with special needs actors I had a lot more questions about the other work that she does. So today in this bite-sized epi...

If you ever feel like you can’t do something or or get down about hard this business is, then this episode it for you (and me). Terri Dollar shares her own story of working with special needs actors in Raleigh, NC. She talks about the commitment and dedication they put into each class and performance and how hard she pushes them to do their very best at all times. You’re bound to walk away from th...

Welcome to another FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions each guest will be asked all season long, giving concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given are surprising and revealing, showing another side to Lauren Kennedy... If you could have any other job outside of the arts what would it be? What is a bucket list role or show you still h...

Having worked with Lauren Kennedy at Theatre Raleigh on BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, she joins the podcast today to talk about her transition from Broadway back to doing theater in her hometown of Raleigh. From her time growing up and studying theater in college to landing her first Broadway show and ultimately deciding to direct, Lauren shares her own experiences in auditions and what she now looks...

These are the five questions I'll be asking each guest all season long, giving concise and focused insights not covered in our conversations on Wednesday.   If you could have any other job outside of the arts what would it be? What is a bucket list role or show you still hope to do one day? Who do you look up to? A mentor or someone who inspires you. Name a lesson or trait that took you awhile to...

Bret Shuford has dedicated his life to creating theatre. Most recently, he played Robbie in Cirque Du Soleil’s Paramour. Other credits include Broadway shows, national tours, and principal roles in feature films; including Martin Scorsese's The Wolf Of Wall Street.   As the Broadway Life Coach, Bret helps people find their full potential, get clear about their purpose, and create balance and self-...

The very first FINAL FIVE Bonus Episode! These are the five questions each guest will be asked all season long, giving concise and and focused insights not covered in our main conversation. The answers given are surprising and revealing, showing another side to both Bowman and Ghee... If you could have any other job outside of the arts what would it be? What is a bucket list role or show you still...

Welcome to Season Three and part two of my interview with J. and Caroline! These two Broadway performers join me to share their own journey to the Great White Way. We also discuss how to deal with detractors, handling disappointment in auditions, and finding confidence in being yourself. Caroline Bowman has played Elphaba in WICKED, Eva Peron on the EVITA National Tour, and is Elsa in the current...

Welcome to Season Three! These two Broadway performers join me for three episodes to share their own journey to the Great White Way. We also discuss the pressure of playing a leading role, handling criticism, and knowing who you are. Caroline Bowman has played Elphaba in WICKED, Eva Peron on the EVITA National Tour, and is Elsa in the current National Tour of FROZEN. J. Harrison Ghee has performed...

A surprise bonus episode this summer...I just couldn't stay away! And also introducing the first-ever listener question. - First and foremost, I'd love to hear from you and get your thoughts on this podcast. Share what you love and especially what bothers you about WINMI episodes or the blog or the online presence. It's all fair game in the Season Two Feedback Survey: survey.winmipodcast.com - The...

For the final episode of Season 2, Ben Davis joins me in St. Louis to talk about the life of an actor on the road and in New York. His accomplishments on Broadway and elsewhere are many and magnificent, from his award-winning turn in La Boheme to the epic leading man in BBC's Kiss Me, Kate. His journey is both inspiring and instructive in what it means to make it.  "Davis' seductive baritone is sw...

Audition season is winding up here in New York City as we prepare for the summer months. I hope you have some good plans for the summer. For myself, I will be doing a couple of shows: one in St. Louis the other in Raleigh.  My special guest today is also keeping himself busy. Ethan Paisley is a writer, producer, and director, with a TV series this summer on DVD Netflix called Set Life. Other proje...

The Tonys have all been handed out and another Broadway Season comes to a close. While the trophies themselves are the main attraction, it was really the speeches and heart of the awards ceremony this year that captivated my attention and truly moved me. I talk about some inspiring acceptance speeches from winners like Andre DeShields, Rachel Chavkin, and Ali Stroker as well as the acceptance spee...

Welcome to WINMI's first international episode! Joining me on the show today is Sherryl-Lee Secomb from Australia. With over thirty-five years on stage, creating roles in musical theatre, farce and dramatic works, she began working as a freelance theatre director, creating large scale musical theatre productions in her home town of Brisbane, Australia. ​In 2011, she was appointed as Communications...

The third and final Awards Season Bonus Episode features Kelvin Moon Loh of BEETLEJUICE, nominated for eight Tony Awards. We discuss his audition for the role of Otho...or rather lack of an audition. Then there's the other fellow performers who Kelvin simply gushes about, sharing his love and gratitude for such a wonderful group to perform with. But we also delve into the business itself and what...

Broadway is all abuzz with the latest shows and performances making all the headlines. But theater in New York is so much more than what happens on the great white way. There's important and significant work being done off-Broadway and by theater companies around the city.  One such company is Leviathan Lab, and today I'm talking to Ariel Estrada . . . an actor, singer, arts advocate, producer, an...

Having already won the Best Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle. James Monroe Stevko and the entire FIDDLER cast and crew wait to see if their winning continues with the upcoming Drama Desk Award. But before becoming the rabbi's son, James was an instrumental musician and at the age of 18 decided to become a dancer. Transforming himself into a dancer through college, he landed his first jo...

The job of a stage manager may be behind the scenes, but all that they do makes its way into each and every performance we actors give onstage. Matthew Stern joins me today to explain the very nature of their work, giving insight into the art and craft of stage management. He recounts of his time with LES MISÉRABLES, 700 SUNDAYS, SPIDER-MAN, and other shows in New York and on the road. This is a m...

The first Award Season Bonus episode of 2019! And it's a musical that's tied for the most Tony nominations with 12, including Best Musical. (A full list of those nominations can be found here.)  Joshua Morgan plays Shelly Berger, who was the real-life manager of the Temptations as well as The Supremes and Jackson 5. Josh is no stranger to Broadway as he was in the closing cast for the most recent...

You're not likely to hear a more infectious laugh than on today's episode with Lothair Eaton. His joy of life and performing shine through in this engaging conversation about life on tour with STARLIGHT EXPRESS, the struggles of finding work here in NYC, and how we learn and grow as performers. Lothair was also seen in the ’95 UK Tour of 5 GUYS NAMED MOE. Throughout Germany and the UK Lothair has...