Breaking Broadway with Kerry Butler

Are you an actor tired of waiting for permission to make great art? In this episode, Michael Breslin, Patrick Foley, and Rory Pelsue share how they turned passion projects with friends into powerful, produced theater. From Circle Jerk to Last Bimbo if the Apocalypse , they talk about building creative teams, writing for yourself, and navigating the logistics of producing without losing the joy. Wh...

In this episode, we sit down with Julia Lester—star of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series , Tony-nominated breakout from Into the Woods and currently starring in my new favorite tv show- The Four Seasons.   Julia opens up about the wild ride of growing up in a showbiz family, facing rejection even after big wins, and how trusting her instincts led to her most unforgettable roles. It’s a...

Tony winner, Beth Leavel, shares everything from audition songs, tips to creating moments in shows like Old Friends, to how she almost didn't get cast in The Drowsy Chaperone. Tony Winner Beth Leavel was seen in 2024 on Broadway in the role of The Baroness in Lempicka. In 2025 she is in the Broadway cast of Sondheim's Old Friends. She was nominated for a 2019 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Out...

Follow Fina's career from child actor in Matilda The Musical to her Tony nomination for John Proctor is the Villain. Hear about her unique process when taking on new projects and more! Fina Strazza- Broadway: Matilda in Matilda the Musical. Off-Broadway: Animal, A Loss of Roses, Member of the Wedding. TV: “Paper Girls” (series lead), “Law and Order: SVU” (recurring), “Madam Secretary,” “FBI: Most...

We have "full-out" amazing choreographer & director, Jerry Mitchell with us! Jerry tells us all things Boop! The Musical, what to do and what not to do at those dance calls, and great tips on how to make it on Broadway! JERRY MITCHELL (Director/Choreographer) was nominated for the Tony Award for his choreography for Boop!, having previously received this Award twice—for the Tony Award-winning Best...

RJ Magee has worked as a manager and casting director for ten years. RJ Gave us great insight on how to build your career, how to get an agent, and what steps you can take on your own to be proactive in this business. Part 2 of 2. Richard (RJ) Magee is a professional educator, talent manager, casting director, actor, and director. He is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midw...

RJ Magee has worked as a manager and casting director for ten years. RJ Gave us great insight on how to build your career, how to get an agent, and what steps you can take on your own to be proactive in this business. Part 1 of 2. Richard (RJ) Magee is a professional educator, talent manager, casting director, actor, and director. He is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midw...

Kelsie Watts shares how she used TikTok to help build her career as a performing artist - and how it has been transitioning from concerts to doing 8 shows a week in Six on Broadway. Kelsie Watts is a vocalist, songwriter, and independent recording artist who first gained national recognition as a contestant on The Voice Season 19, where she landed on Team Kelly Clarkson. Known for blending pop and...

You'll love this episode with Ali Stroker, someone who really hasn’t let anything stop her. Even though no one in a wheelchair had ever been nominated for a Tony award, or even been on Broadway, she still let herself dream! (And win the Tony award!!!) Hear this incredibly inspiring episode about how she doesn’t take no for an answer. She finds ways to turn no’s into yes’s! I left this episode feel...

Roger Bart, one of the funniest people on Broadway, joins us this week. I really wanted to know how he approaches comedic roles- like Doc in Back to the future. He tells us all about his technique to finding the funny.   ROGER BART Originated the role of Doc Brown in Back to The Future in London and on Broadway. Broadway: The Producers (Tony, Drama Desk nominations); Young Frankenstein; You're a G...

My friends and castmates, Laura Bell Bundy & Marissa Jaret Winokur join me for a special announcement about our show Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now! We also talk about Marissa's career journey, audition songs, and memories from Hairspray. Marissa Jaret Winokur is perhaps best known for creating the role of “Tracy Turnblad” in the Broadway musical Hairspray, winning a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and...

Matt Lenz created In The Works- In The Woods. I always tell young actors to try to get in on the ground level of new shows- here is your chance! In The Works is a like a summer camp for creatives! There is an opportunity to create your own work, or audition to be in a new show, or go see a work in progress! Listen for all the info!   Matt Lenz is a New York-based theatre director whose career has...

Danya Taymor just directed her first big Broadway musical, The Outsiders, and got nominated for a Tony! She tells us all about the casting process, what draws her to a certain actor, and gives great advice on how to start your career and break into Broadway!   Danya Taymor is a Tony-award nominated and Obie-award winning New York based director, writer and translator. Recent direction includes the...

Musician, composer, and writer, Henry Koperski, joins Reeve Carney and Jeanine Tesori in our final installment of the live interviews from The Broadway Cruise. Henry Koperski is a composer, writer, and music director based out of Los Angeles. He has composed for stage and screen, and has scores and songs featured on Netflix, Audible and Showtime. The New York Times has called him “the connective t...

Jeanine Tesori talks casting, piano training, writing and more! She gives great advice on auditioning, and what she looks for in the room in part two of The Broadway Cruise! Jeanine Tesori is an American composer and music arranger, best known for her work in the theater. Tesori began her Broadway career as a dance music arranger for the 1995 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Tr...

We are going live from the Broadway Cruise!  Our first of three guests is Reeve Carney. He tells us about the highs and lows in his career, and how he takes control and creates his own work. Reeve Carney an American actor and singer/songwriter known for originating the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway and playing Orpheus in the original Broadway cast of...

How can you create your own work? Sandy Rustin started out as a performer and transitioned into writing. The Cottage, written by Rustin, recently played on Broadway and her play Clue is on tour. Today we will hear about her transition into writing and what she learned about auditioning from being behind the table.   Sandy Rustin is a Broadway playwright and actress. One of the most produced playwr...

Today's episode is a crossover with Jayke Workman's podcast, Oh My Pod U Guys. Oh My Pod U Guys Episode Description: From Hairspray to Beetlejuice, to a Tony Nominated performance as Kira in Xanadu, Kerry Butler has one of the most extensive careers on Broadway. I am joined by Bway icon, Kerry Butler, to chat all about her incredible career on Broadway and beyond! Kerry talks about her background...

We have casting director, Jason Styres, back for part two- giving insight into the casting process. Jason discusses casting from open calls- What makes someone stand out in auditions?  How to work on the material for auditions. Then we have Margot Plum on to chat about side hustles. Jason is an award-winning casting director whose work is currently globally represented, covering every facet of the...

We have casting director, Jason Styres, on this episode giving insight into the casting process. Jason discusses casting from open calls - What makes someone stand out in auditions?  How to work on the material for auditions. Then Margot Plum joins to give the logistics on finding open calls.   Jason is an award-winning casting director whose work is currently globally represented, covering every...

Back for Part 2! We have TikTok star and Wicked National Tour standby for Elphaba, Emily Kristen Morris. In addition to being a working actress and social media influencer, Emily is a certified vocal coach. Because she has so much to share, Emily is my guest for the next two episodes. She will share stories about her career and offer her favorite vocal tips. We will also learn all about her digita...

We have TikTok star and Wicked National Tour standby for Elphaba, Emily Kristen Morris. In addition to being a working actress and social media influencer, Emily is a certified vocal coach. Because she has so much to share, Emily is my guest for the next two episodes. She will share stories about her career and offer her favorite vocal tips. We will also learn all about her digital course and take...

It’s college audition time! I did a joint podcast with "Mapping the College Audition" and talked about MY college experience and how that is different from today. (Loved Ithaca College!) They don’t cut people anymore?!!! Hope this helps you trust the process! And trust you will get in where you are meant to be.   Follow Mapping the College Audition! Instagram: @mappingthecollegeaudition YouTube: @...

Your show is moving to Broadway! Actually, not happening. Your show may move to Broadway! Not yet... How do you handle the hope/stress and live your life while you are involved with a show that MAY go to Broadway?  After years and years, Jose Llana is finally back on Broadway with the hit show Here Lies Love.  Listen to his journey getting there!   Follow Jose Llana on Instagram @thejosellana and...

Douglas J. Cohen recently wrote a a book, How to Survive a Killer Musical, Agony and Ecstasy on the Road to Broadway, giving great insight into creating a new musical. Great insight for anyone who wants to get in on the ground level of creating a new show! Part two of two. Douglas J Cohen's composing credits: Music & Lyrics for No Way to Treat A Lady, The Gig, The Big Time, and The Opposite of Sex...