The Story Project

Mariah Reives is a dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur who is currently performing in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Her previous credits include Funny Girl on Broadway, Cassandra on the 1st National Tour of ‘Cats’ The Musical, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. In today's episode, Mariah discusses her time performing on Broadway, why she stepped dow...

Brooklyn based Clinton Edward (he/they) is a choreographer, writer, actor, educator, and creator who has been the associate choreographer on productions including the Met Gala (with headliner, Ariana Grande), and Urinetown at City Center Encores (starring Jordan Fisher and Rainn Wilson), the assistant dance captain in the original cast of Queen of the Night (off Broadway), and founder of an immers...

Deepti Menon is an actress, animator, and filmmaker whose work spans music videos, commercials with companies including Nike, Facebook and Converse, and TV roles on Law & Order (NBC), The Equalizer (CBS), and I Think You Should Leave (Netflix). In today’s episode, Deepti shares her honest insight into the entertainment industry as a performer and creator and discusses: How she booked her telev...

Writer-performer ⁠Isabelle Barbier⁠ shares all of the details of her creative process including her journey from improv to scripted projects, where all of her plentiful ideas live, how she turns an idea into a full fledged film, and the impact of professional training (acting school!) on creativity. Isabelle and Jess discuss the importance of community and collaboration, the ins and outs of indie...

In this episode, Broadway performer Chantelle Good discusses the pressing issues within the performing arts industry, emphasizing that representation alone is insufficient and highlights the importance of valuing the hard work of performers. She shares insights into the daily life of a Broadway performer, the challenges of being a swing, and the necessity of fostering empathy and compassion. Chant...

In today’s episode, Chantelle shares about her journey to becoming a swing on Broadway, the importance of setting boundaries in performance spaces, and learning to use your voice.  Chantelle and Jess discuss the unfortunate prevalence of body image issues in the performing arts community and practice navigating conversations about the topic.  This episode is for you if you're questioning how t...

Multidisciplinary artist Spinks shares her journey through dance, acting, writing and ceramics as a queer, biracial woman. She shares why she walked away from musical theater, how she found freedom in commercial work, and the profound reason she hasn’t returned to a dance class…yet. Spinks and Jess also discuss the impact of capitalism on joy, creativity, and a building a career in the arts. This...

Spencer Martinez, a South Jersey native with a love for Musical Theatre, earned her BA at FDU, becoming the first in her family to graduate. After backpacking through Europe, she kicked off her career with an Off-Broadway production in NYC. Adapting during COVID, she founded the LimeLight platform, providing accessibility and education to the industry. Recently booking UGC for various companies an...

Davalois Fearon is a critically acclaimed choreographer, dancer, and educator, who is currently a Core Faculty Lecturer at Princeton University . Davalois was a 2017 Bessie awardee and a 2021-22 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow finalist. Her 12 years with the Stephen Petronio Company is now reflected in her work as founder and director of Davalois Fearon Dance (DFD).  DFD pushes artistic and social bound...

LOLO (also known as Lauren Pritchard) is an artist, songwriter, actress, composer and mom who has spent the last two decades writing and performing all over the world. She originated a starring role in the 8-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening and has released 4 full length albums as well as numerous singles and features.  LOLO’s songwriting work with the band Panic! At The D...

Tamisha Anthony is an illustrator working for clients such as Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishers, Little Brown, and Chronicle Books. She recently finished her 6th ⁠picture book⁠ within 4 years, and is now working on her 7th and 8th. Tamisha has taught at the New-York Historical Society and the Harlem School of the Arts, and is currently teaching an art history + illustration class called "...

Karma Jenkins⁠ is a multi-hyphenate artist whose work on screen includes The Time Traveler's Wife (HBO), Ghost: PowerBook II (Starz) and The Last O.G (TBS). She’s appeared in commercials for Amazon Prime & William Hill Winery and is a member of SAG/AFTRA & Actors Equity. Karma has worked across the United States at reputable regional stages such as The Old Globe, 5th Ave Theatre & The...

In today’s episode, Dinah Hampson discusses: The importance of providing performers with the tools and resources to have sustainable career Challenging the narrative that dancers must suffer and have short careers Her online platform, Pivot Dancer , which offers resources and classes to help performers take care of their bodies and prevent injuries The need for empowerment and mental performance s...

In today’s episode, Jhansi discusses:  Her recent move from India to America   The process of creating her music video “We Break Up Because of Family Reasons” The challenges she faced as a musical theater artist in India  The cultural expectations and challenges of arranged marriages   Loneliness and struggling to find connection in New York City  Setting goals and exploring many interests  Jhansi...

In today’s episode, Heidi Miami Marshall discusses: the importance of celebrating individuality in acting the need to remove the concept of right and wrong in artistic expression the connection between personal experiences and the interpretation of scenes   the challenges of navigating grief while immersed in professional work the spiritual nature of art and the profound impact it can have on both...

In today’s episode, Chryssie Whitehead discusses: Her 25 year career across film, television and theater Making her Broadway Debut in the 2006 Revival of A Chorus Line and being part of the accompanying documentary “Every Little Step” Navigating rejection in the entertainment industry  Discovering the acting bug and the importance of staying true to oneself   Her experiences with depression and me...

In today’s episode, Lauren Mariasoosay discusses: The challenges and fulfillment she experienced when crafting the role of Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical The importance of vulnerability in theater Dealing with imposter syndrome The impact of performances on both performers and audience members  The importance of swings and how difficult the job is  How family influence can affect one’s career c...

In today’s episode, Tuan Malinowski discusses: their non-traditional path from musician to grass-roots choreographer imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a choreographer the importance of setting boundaries for mental health and how it has helped ease their anxiety their experiences of quitting jobs because of emotionally unsafe and toxic environments the impact of white supremacy in the theater in...

TW: Sexual assault In the final episode of Season 2, Honza Pelichovský interviews Jess to follow up on last week's solo episode. Jess shares: The three changes she believes dance programs can make to improve the lives and careers of their dancers Advice and loving words that she would tell my younger self Whether or not she would take back her traumatic experience because of how it’s shaped he...

In this solo episode, Jessica Altchiler dives into her personal journey and the evolution of The Story Project podcast. She reflects on her experiences, sharing anecdotes from her college years that shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for storytelling. Jessica recounts a pivotal moment in her life — her experience with sexual assault — and candidly discusses the profound impact it had on...

Jenna Ushkowitz is a SAG and Tony Award Winning Actress & Producer, voice actor and Podcast host. She is known for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang on the Fox TV show Glee and has appeared in Broadway shows such as The King & I, Spring Awakening and Waitress.  In today’s episode, Jenna discusses the beauty and pain that came from Glee, how she learned to separate her worth from her career, and...

Lisann Valentin, an established film and television Actor, a New York Times Best Selling Author, and Certified Spiritual Coach guiding creatives into personal transformation. From hit shows like Manifest , Narcos , and The Blacklist, to the New York Times best-selling anthology Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It , Lisann captivates audiences and readers with her raw vulnerability and empowering wisdom. ...

Kaia Goodenough is a freelance curator, writer and facilitator in London, particularly interested in interdisciplinary and collaboratively embodied practices. Kaia originally trained as a contemporary dancer at London Studio Centre and her choreography has been performed at Lillian Bayliss, Sadlers Wells, DanceEast, Battersea Arts Centre, The Place and the Point, and Eastleigh. She recently studie...

Lee Hubilla is an actor whose performances have graced the screen on Law & Order: SVU, Dash & Lily, and FBI: Most Wanted and on the stage at The Magnet, The PIT, and Ars Nova. She was an acting mentee under Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab and had a writing mentorship under Giant Leap’s inaugural accelerator program. In today’s episode, Lee and Jessica discuss the deeper rewards a...

Lexi Garcia-Toye is a distinguished dancer currently enchanting audiences with the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida. She previously performed in Broadway's "Hamilton," the touring productions of "Finding Neverland" and "Hamilton," as well as "Mamma Mia" at The Fireside Theater, "Whiskeyland" at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and &quo...