Before the Curtain

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Johanna Sapakie, an aerial acrobat, dancer, choreographer, and coach to trace her path from a Midwestern dance kid to performing with Cirque du Soleil and choreographing for Hustlers and the Super Bowl. The episode covers career pivots, the rise of specialty choreography, industry battles over credit and pay, and practical advice on balancing creative ambition wi...

Sarah Sutter shares her journey from a small Colorado town to the stages of Jubilee and Crazy Girls, performing with top artists and teaching the next generation. She discusses the glamour, mystery, and history of the Las Vegas showgirl, her work preserving costumes and stories, and her mission to keep arts education alive. This episode explores behind-the-scenes life in Vegas, costume craftsmansh...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Megan Wilson — dancer, creative producer, and life coach — to trace her journey from Las Vegas performer to co-founder of Libra Productions and creative producer of The Last Show. They discuss Megan’s early career on the Strip, the nervous-system work that shifted her life, and how real performer stories inspired a new musical born backstage in Vegas. The episode...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with aerialist and acrobat Michael Raddiff to explore his journey from cruise-ship dancer to Iron Jaw specialist and Guinness World Record holder for supporting three aerialists by teeth (409 lbs). He discusses his training, performance credits in Las Vegas and abroad, and the unique challenges of Iron Jaw and other circus arts. The episode also covers his creative pr...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Dani Elizabeth, a former Las Vegas showgirl, dancer, and choreographer who has reinvented her performance career as a comedy magician. Dani shares her journey from dancing alongside stars like Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears to learning magic with her husband and mentor, touring, and appearing on Masters of Illusion Season 12. She discusses blending aerial and...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Brazilian-born dancer and choreographer Ferly Prado to trace her path from early ballet training in São Paulo to performing and choreographing for A-list artists and major productions. Ferly shares candid stories about training, overcoming eating disorders, influential teachers, and pivotal career moments with Tina Turner and Dita Von Teese. The episode explores...

Closing out Season 3 with a Curtain Call, host Abbie Campbell curates powerful highlights from the past 10 performers, featuring honest stories about purpose, perseverance, and the craft behind entertainment. Conversations cover magic, dance, auditions, mentorship, building a career in Las Vegas, and practical advice for creatives navigating success and setbacks. Find a podcast you're interested i...

Abbie Campbell sits down with Steve Judkins to trace his journey from suburban Melbourne to the West End and Las Vegas, highlighting his roles in major musicals, his work as a vocal coach at TAPS, and his time as dean of the Mayfair Supper Club. They discuss audition technique, storytelling through song, work ethic, and share memorable backstage moments—from Rocky Horror callbacks to a mischievous...

Abbie Campbell interviews Michael Forsch about his journey from Las Vegas performer to filmmaker and the making of A-List Casting Season 2, including a dance-heavy episode, indie production challenges, and the importance of cross-training for performers.   If you enjoyed his first appearance on the show, you definitely are going to want to hear his encore performance!  Watch and subscribe to A-Lis...

A dancer, choreographer, fire artist, and community advocate, BridgieNix shares her journey from performing on big stages to running for lieutenant governor of Nevada. They discuss her career, nonprofit work, and commitment to labor and civil-rights advocacy. The episode explores balancing art and activism, Nevada’s current policies, industry labor standards, tourism, policy proposals, and how cre...

Host Abbie Campbell interviews Tara Foy, a world-renowned ballet mistress whose career spans the Royal Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, Siegfried & Roy, and Nevada Ballet Theatre. The episode traces Tara’s training, international performance career, and evolution into a sought-after coach, choreographer, and dance medicine specialist. Through stories of resilience, teaching, and innovation, including...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Vegas comedian and creator Hailey Brooks, a former sports reporter turned in‑arena host, mom, and producer of the silent disco comedy show "Silent But Deadly." The episode explores Haley’s path from theater and sports media to stand‑up, her creative process, crowd work, resilience through motherhood and COVID, and the practical hustle behind building a career in...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Don Mirault to trace his unlikely path from the Navy and modeling to Broadway, TV, and film, exploring landmark roles, career-defining mentors, and the hard work behind the spotlight. He shares backstage stories of working with Michael Bennett, Michael Peters, Betty White, and Bea Arther that will leave you with a smile.  They discuss Don’s founding of Theater Ar...

Tyrese Parker shares his journey from Minnesota to cruise ship stages to performing and creative directing in Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil. He speaks about the challenges of ten shows a week, finding artistic balance, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the joy of performing for his younger self. In this episode, he discusses leadership, auditions, the meaning of fame, and why staying true to you...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with Gina Pero — ICF Master Certified Coach, former Radio City Rockette, somatic dance educator, and author — to explore her journey from overcoming scoliosis and a traumatic brain and spinal injury to finding healing through Simonson technique, coaching, and spiritual practice. The episode covers practical approaches to alignment and recovery, building a coaching pra...

Host Abbie Campbell sits down with award-winning magician Bill Cook to explore his beginnings with a childhood magic kit, the mentors and competitions that shaped his career, and the TV and stage highlights that took him around the world. They discuss the realities of the profession: touring, corporate and cruise gigs, nursing-home performances, creative process, communication challenges, and why...

Host Abbie Campbell interviews DJ Vin Duong (DJ Livin) about his move from Hawaii to Las Vegas, his transition from dancer to full-time DJ, and the founding and rebrand of his company to tackle large-scale, theatrical productions. They cover his open-format style, blending dance and emcee work, a memorable server-to-dancer reveal at an industry event, personal challenges he overcame, and his visio...

Host Abbie Campbell presents a special "Curtain Call" episode of Before the Curtain, pulling powerful, educational moments from past guests who work in dance, choreography, casting, and production. Guests share personal journeys—from learning to dance later in life and touring with artists to transitioning into agency and casting roles, building teams like Twerk Team USA, and creating platforms li...

An award-winning vocalist, actress, songwriter, and burlesque performer, Kaci Machacyk aka The Sweet Siren sits down to explore her journey from musical theatre to Las Vegas mainstages. Abbie and Kaci discuss her signature acts (including a one-song harmonica bit), songwriting, and what it takes to create confidence, comedy, and creativity onstage. This episode shares funny backstage stories, prac...

Join host Abbie Campbell as she sits down with Tony Coppola — gymnast-turned-percussionist-turned-dancer and choreographer — to explore his unconventional path into dance, influential mentors, commercial and theatrical work, outreach programs, and the creative drive that keeps him performing and teaching. Tony shares stories from touring with Donnie & Marie and the Osmonds, developing a signat...

We unravel the story of Brendan Paredes, a beloved figure in the Las Vegas dance community. Known for founding Boujee Block, Brendon shares his inspiring journey from organizing casual park sessions to establishing a platform that celebrates dance, creativity, and community culture. Join us as we explore Brendon's insights on street dance culture, the challenges of creating unique events, and his...

Host Abbie Campbell is joined by the multi-talented Sarah Leclear. Originally from California, Sarah's journey from an NBA dancer to a sought-after choreographer in Las Vegas is both inspiring and insightful. With experiences ranging from dancing on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to winning the Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search on CMT, Sarah shares her evolution in the entertainment industry. Now a promin...

Dive into the riveting journey of this award-winning filmmaker, actor, writer, producer, director, acting coach, singer, and musician who has worked alongside legends like Al Pacino and Vince Vaughn. Campanella shares his incredible experiences from the Las Vegas Strip to headline gigs at the House of Blues, and reveals his insights into acting, teaching, and the evolution of the entertainment ind...

Join Abbie Campbell in "Before the Curtain" as she delves into the inspiring journey of Zelda Fairfax, a self-taught performer who transitioned from a 13-year career as an esthetician to captivating audiences in Las Vegas. This episode explores Zelda's pivotal decision during the 2020 shutdown to pursue her passion for performance, leading to her dynamic roles in the Venetian's Streetmosphere show...

In this exciting episode of Before the Curtain, host Abbie Campbell interviews actor Raf Adame, who has been thriving in the film scene since he started his acting career in 2015. Raf shares stories from his journey in the competitive world of entertainment, including his transition from a technical writer to an actor and the thrill of working on films. Join us on a captivating exploration of Raf'...