Dear Multi-hyphenate

“Being open to the idea that your dreams coming true often look very different to how you first imagine them.”  Bringing compassion and kindness; intentional generosity into whatever space is possible. That’s what Come From Away’s Christine Toy Johnson is all about. In fact, that’s what this whole episode is about. From sharing where we were on 9/11 to global world views in casting a representatio...

“It’s not going to be perfect, but nothing is perfect. The hardest thing about making music is finishing music.” How does the multi-hyphenate differ from coast to coast? On this episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate, dj-choreographer-producer-performer, wasn’t originally drawn to the word multi-hyphenate or “Renaissance Woman”. But in 2021, Penny Wildman, who also goes by PENNYWILD, resonates with the p...

“I don’t feel good about myself in the day unless I’m making something.” This inspiring and hysterical episode is just two gay, Jewish boys kibbitzing about our trajectories in the theatre while breaking down stereotypes and expectations. If you’re a fan of the hit web series Indoor Boys, breaking heteronormitve barriers, selling projects, and… The Hindenburg… then this episode is for you.  Alex W...

Casting directors are often seen as gatekeepers to opportunities in the industry - but does the multi-hyphenate approach help them? The answer is yes. We’ve all had audition horror stories - and whether or not it’s the casting directors fault our own, it’s never too late to live and learn. And as always, knowing yourself as a multi-hyphenate often is the answer to avoid those icky situations. Join...

Tsilala Brock is letting life thrill her, though she originally had trouble with coming to terms with her multi-hyphenate identity. Her journey was calling upon skills and proficiencies that she didn’t necessarily study in college. Why do we feel guilt when moving away from our past? Yet Tsilala would experience her multi-hyphenate mindset and would help her on the national tour of Book of Mormon,...

"When someone asks you to do a job - you just say yes and then you figure out how to do it later on." Though that might sound backwards - the lesson is to open the door and at least welcome opportunity - that's what this episode is all about. How did two fabulous women with similar backgrounds begin working on a completely new (and scary!) endeavor? After Erin Slattery Black posted an idea on Face...

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. And now Tik Tok? After changing her major seven times, Kaisha Huguley went from Government worker to fresh faced artist in NYC. When her co-workers asked her where she'd be working in New York, they expected her to say The United Nations - but Kaisha had other plans... to be an actor. Upon moving to NYC, Kaisha quickly understood that her collegiate experiences could...

Used to being looked at like a crazy person, Kimberly Faye Greenberg spins many different plates. She is an actor, an educator, a dresser on Broadway, created her own one woman show based on the life Fanny Brice, and the founder of her business, The Broadway Expert. What's it like leading a life without rules? Learn how Kimberly would be doing TWO Off Broadway shows at once... then run to the Impe...

This episode, featuring Carly Valancy, focuses on creating a condition in which something might happen. One action, one motion and bam - you're able to tell your story from your perspective. Sounds simple - and it's something that Carly, founder of The Reach Out Party, has mastered. Carly's objective is to be a full time artist, which comes with so many different meanings, perspectives, and forms....

Journeys are filled with lots of hills and valleys, or valleys of preparation. In those valleys, there are moments that are needed because there is something you have to navigate or move through to appreciate when you're standing on the mountaintop again. Michael McElroy joins Dear Multi-Hyphenate in this emotional, thought provoking, and intense conversation with one of the biggest hearts in the...

A multi-hyphenate is usually busy, and that's seen as a compliment - but why? And does it have to be a compliment? Great Comet's Grace McLean has a lot of interests all stemming from the same seed, and in this episode, the ferocious Broadway actor and musician chats about her latest endeavour, In the Green, which played Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3's Claire Tow Theater in 2019. Not only was she a p...

Priya Mahendra loves show business. After growing up in an Indian household filled with music, she grew up to live the life we see on Entourage, but just recently decided to start performing. She created The Princess Possibility Project, a consciously inclusive video series made during quarantine that brings to life the hopes, constraints, dreams and desires of seven Princesses through their “I Wa...

Rona Siddiqui is an award-winning composer/lyricist, orchestrator and music director. As well as music directing the Pulitzer Prize winning A Strange Loop (Michael R. Jackson), she is the recipient of the 2020 Jonathan Larson Grant and the 2019 Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award, and was named one of Broadway Women's Fund's Women to Watch. In this episode, we chat all things musical multi-hyphenation: ho...

Olivier Award Winning Sophie Thompson has been one of Michael's inspirations since he studied abroad in London and saw her play Mrs. Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre. Sophie may not think she is a multi-hyphenate, but does Michael have what it takes to convince her? Listen to this absolutely lovely conversations as they talk about the joys of being odd, activism, and a l...

When is it time to explore something knew? There is no letter that falls out of the sky telling you it's time to start your next journey - but there are hints, Universal hints, and conversations that lead you in that direction. Tia Altinay (Mary Poppins, Hamilton) began following impulses when a friend asked her if she wanted to produce. With Broadway performance and producing credits under her be...

Mei Ann Teo is the current Artistic Director of Musical Theatre Factory in New York City. They are a queer immigrant from Singapore making theatre & film at the intersection of artistic/civic/contemplative practice. As an artistic director, they allow budding multi-hyphenates thrive and create new work. Teo is an extremely grounded, soulful, and charming person who allows for some spiritual co...

Anthony Norman (The Prom) is a budding multi-hyphenate who identifies as an actor / musician and coffee enthusiast. Anthony is an incredible, sensitive, and hysterical artist who made his Broadway debut in a different way than he expected. During Quarantine, he is exploring the song writing aspect of himself as well as daily routine and relationship with social media. Follow Anthony on Instagram a...

This episode with Tony Nominee Brad Oscar is simply a love letter to the greats of Broadway like Madeline Kahn and Jonathan Freeman. We don't talk much about multi-hyphenating, but if you like two Jewish boys connecting over musical theatre, Broadway debuts, and Beshert moments... this episode is for you. Plus, Brad gives amazing advice for younger artists starting in the industry and Michael talk...

Alet, a punk-ass-bitch (as someone called her in a lingerie store) is a force, but didn't tap into it until she achieved sobriety after going to rehab. "You're going to be extraordinarily productive - the way your brain works," her social worker told her. And it's true. The electricity began after Alet left her end of the line bootcamp rehabilitation center. She is now an incredibly inspiring mult...

When do you know it's time to stop what you're doing and change paths? Sometimes multi-hyphenating isn't about doing everything you've always known to be true. Sometimes it's going on a journey and learning new things. Lori Wheat went on ONE audition in NYC and shifted gears. She didn't quit the industry, but she did figure out how to best tell her stories and help those around her. Though there i...

John Schwab is a West End performer, producer, director, and creator of the online database ‘Curtain Call’. He started his journey with computer technology in South Korea... how did he end up in the arts? And how does he use knowledge of technology to this day? All these questions are answered - including a fabulous discussion of the multi-hyphenate super power - on this episode of Dear Multi-Hyph...

What is work? It looks differently for everyone. We can work all day, but at the same time not work at all. Ned Donovan is a high-tech, fast thinking actor, fight choreographer, content creator, and producer who is always on the move and constantly learning new proficiencies. But when is it appropriate to commit to a project thinking we can handle it ourselves or choose to find someone else to hel...

Alexandra Silber is a Broadway & West End actress, two time novel writer, and educator. This episode covers a lot of bases, but most importantly the common denominator is courage. When do we start to at a hyphen to our identity? How do we even discover our hyphens? Can't we all just be like cats? Okay, that last one seemed a little random but Al makes a brilliant point that we all should be mo...

In this special how-to episode, Mean Girls’ Kate Rockwell and Empress 1908 Gin’s Tracey Eden join Dear Multi-Hyphenate in some cocktail making fun. This amazing cocktail is Karen from Mean Girls inspired and is literally... so good. Kate and Tracey both share their experiences on how their love for wine and cocktails influenced artistic freedom when not performing. L’chaim! Watch the video compani...

Lindsay Lavin is a talented performer and make up artist. Because of her new found love of make up and hair artistry, Lindsay has been able to spend energy on projects she wants to do, not has to do. Through her new hyphen, Lindsay has discovered her place in the industry is more clear than ever. This episode has great insight to producing your own concert, how to explore a new passion, and great...