Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts

Discover the story of Jake, a shining talent in the performing arts, as his mother Ellen Sauchelli joins Leesa Csolak on the Making It Happen podcast. This episode emphasizes the importance of spotting and nurturing talent early on, guiding young performers through the industry, and the essentials of finding effective training programs. Moreover, the discussion tackles the crucial role of networki...

Join Leesa Csolak, renowned CEO and founder of 'Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts', as she hosts a special guest, Glenn Cook, in Part 2, an enlightening podcast episode focused on guiding young talents into the performing arts industry. This episode provides an in-depth exploration of Glenn's own experiences, nurturing his children, Ben and Emma Cook's artistic talent while ensurin...

In this compelling episode of "Making It Happen - A Career in the Performing Arts," Leesa Csolak, the CEO, founder and our seasoned host engages with Glenn Cook, a parent who has effectively steered his children's careers in the entertainment world. Glenn shares about his journey, full of audition misadventures and Broadway triumphs, and how he supports his children in the demanding performing art...

In this enlightening episode of 'Making It Happen', host Leesa Csolak speaks with Shannon Tubman, a mother, who successfully guided her daughters' journey in the performing arts industry. Shannon opens up about the importance of nurturing unique talents, learning industry etiquettes, and the reserve of parents in the face of challenges and auditions.  Dive headfirst into the reality of managing an...

Episode Overview In this enlightening episode of Making It Happen, join host Leesa Csolak as she discusses the intricate world of the performing arts industry from the unique perspective of a parent. Speaking with guest Teresa Pfefferle, mother of a young performer, listeners will gain practical strategies and valuable insights for helping their child seamlessly break into this incredibly competit...

In this episode of "Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts," we present an engaging conversation with Teresa Pfefferle, the driving force behind her child's successful performing career. Hosted by Leesa Csolak, this episode unveils the intriguing roller-coaster journey of parenting a child actor, offering practical advice, insights and a peek into the intricate world of child acting. Fr...

Dive into the captivating episode of 'Making it Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts' with Leesa Csolak and actor, dancer, and singer Curtis Holland. Known for his contributions on Broadway, Holland shares insights into breaking into the performing arts industry, finding professional representation, and establishing a successful career. In the episode Holland shares his journey in the performin...

In the latest episode of 'Making It Happen', our podcast tailored for budding performers, we explore Broadway artist Curtis Holland's journey in the performing arts. From his initial steps at arts schools and dance companies, to making the top 20 on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance television show, to his successful career on Broadway, Curtis reveals the trials and triumphs of his path. Worthwhile...

Join Leesa Csolak as she interviews guest, JoAnn Shober , mom of singer, actress, dancer, Quinn Fucci.  Quinn has been represented by an agent since a young age of five. She is now 14 years old, and is repped by a huge bi-coastal agency and is auditioning for top national and worldwide projects. The change in her representation occurred after her mom took Leesa's online course, Professional Kids &...

Please welcome, Meg Paul, ballet & Broadway dancer and presently associate artistic director for world-renowned contemporary ballet company, Complexions and the Complexions Academy director. If you are a parent of a young dancer specializing in and passionate about ballet and contemporary dance, this episode will give you insight and an opportunity to see into the life of an extremely successf...

Guest Annie Nunes shares how her daughter, Norah Nunes landed the role of Young Anna in the National Tour of Disney's Frozen, the Musical, the steps she took as a parent to offer her young daughter opportunities beyond her small town in Texas, and how she navigated it. If you have a young child or teen who can perform acting, singing, or dancing and is asking to get on bigger stages, listen and le...

2024 Emmy Award Winner, Choreographer, Karla Puno Garcia is making huge waves as the 'it' girl for new works in the stage performance world and for TV and film. Based in NYC, Karla most recently was the first Filipina and First woman of color to choreograph the Tony Awards. Her work is seen in the Opening Number and the tribute to Joel Grey and John Kander. This past spring, Karla co-choreographed...

Guest actor, singer, dancer, Kurt Csolak shares details of what it takes to understudy a leading role on Broadway. Having had his debut just one week prior to this interview, Kurt explains his methods and preparation leading up to taking the stage at the August Wilson Theatre in NYC as Nick Arnstein in the hit musical revival of Funny Girl.   Playing opposite the phenomenal Julie Benko as Fanny Br...

Listen as Keerati Jinakunwiphat shares her journey becoming a professional choreographer and dancer, A.I.M. dancer/choreographer, named one of Dance Magazine's 25 choreographers to watch, and being the first Asian female choreographer to create for New York City Ballet and much much more. The past few years have been particularly busy for Keerati, whose parallel careers as a dancer and choreograph...

Listen as Broadway singer, dancer, and actress Amy Laviolette shares her journey. Her honest and reel conversation from a young girl dreaming of the Broadway stage to her recent success on various New York City stages that culminated with her Broadway debut at the August Wilson Theater in the highly acclaimed Funny Girl with Lea Michelle offers an insider look at training, networking, decision mak...

Recently signed to professional representation, commercial dancer, Carolyn Chester and her mom, Patty candidly share their journey from determining readiness as a young dancer through the collegian experience to obtaining a top agent and literally falling into top choreographic opportunities via networking. This episode is perfect for parents of competition or conservatory dancers considering a ca...

Listen as Broadway star, tap dancer, singer, actor John Manzari shares his journey and insight on the professional performance space, how to navigate it and succeed. His honest conversation on how he landed at the top of the stage performance industry as a tap dancer, singer and actor without professional representation is refreshing. A true entertainer and entrepreneur, John is a focused and hard...

Meet Tim and Kelly Anne Kieffer, parents of professional child actor and singer, Tayten Kieffer. Tayten has been signed to professional representation for 3 years and auditions regularly for top of the industry Stage, Broadway, Film, TV, Commercials and Voice Over. Tayten has booked national commercials and voice over and has performed in live stage shows as well, yet his journey is just beginning...

The magical photographer & make-up artist team of David & Lena Kaptein have created top of the industry headshots for hundreds of new faces entering the performance arts and modeling industry. Many of whom became well known in their chosen areas of performance. A List film and television actors, world renowned music artists, and top models have all sat in Lena's chair and stood in front of...

Let’s go! Is it time to jump into the world of hiring a publicist? Or do you wait? This is a question that comes up quite often for performers navigating their performing arts careers. LA based entertainment publicist, Melissa Berger explains it all and shares her personal journey to working in one of the fastest paced jobs in the industry. Listen and learn what it takes to be successful in this s...

Cameron Richardson is one of the most sought after voice teachers literally in the world. He instructs vocalists of varied experience levels from all over the world. Cameron Richardson-Eames is a pianist and tenor based in London and New York. A graduate of The Juilliard School and Cambridge University, he has performed in many of the world's most prestigious venues, on major radio stations and ex...

Jake Vincent shares his journey to becoming a professional concert dancer in the world famous Paul Taylor Dance Company. One of only sixteen dancers that make up the company, Jake was the last new member added to the company by Paul Taylor himself (prior to his passing). Listen as Jake explains what it takes, physically and mentally, to continue to impress audiences across the globe with the techn...

Listen as guest, Amanda LaCount shares her story, her journey, and her perspective to becoming a sought after professional commercial hip hop dancer, choreographer and model. Her credits speak for her talent, grit and fortitude. She shares details of her challenges along the way and her mission to break the stereotype and seek equality for performers of all sizes. Amanda is a huge social media inf...

Anthony Abeson is the most sought after Acting Teacher, Coach and Mentor in the NYC area. His methods for developing great actors for stage, television and film go unsurpassed. Listen as he shares what inspired him and drew him to a career in the arts. You will be surprised and intrigued by his experience working in the room as a young adult actor with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, who together...

Listen as Broadway & film actor, singer, dancer, director and filmmaker Kurt Csolak shares his journey and insight on breaking into the professional performance space.  His focus and philosophy of creating balance and assessing one's career desires with a healthy perspective cleared an atypical path to booking the original cast of Funny Girl on Broadway and much more. He offers members of the...