Amanda Braun is on the podcast this and next week! Amanda first joined Hamilton as a swing in the original cast of the first national tour. After a short break from the Angelica Tour, she returned to Hamilton as a universal swing for two years (a VERY long time to do what is possibly the hardest gig in theatre), and is currently a swing on Broadway. Pretty impressive for someone who saw Hamilton at The Public and convinced herself the choreography was too hard for her to ever be cast in the show! Amanda started dancing at three years old and thrives on expertly navigating any challenge that is thrown her way. From taking childhood dance lessons from Stephanie Klemons, to doing her sophomore year of college online because she was on tour with Catch Me If You Can, to working with Andy Blankenbuehler on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Amanda has an arsenal of knowledge and experience.  Center Stage Dance and Theatre School Amanda on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#401: Amanda Braun // Swing & Universal Swing // Part One

In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka "The Cabinet", including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway,  and UK company--crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings!

When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it. 

If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you've come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA's at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Billy Nevers is currently in the UK/Ireland tour of Hamilton playing Lafayette/Jefferson. He’s also in the very rare position of being a principal who covers another principal - he’s the second standby for Aaron Burr, which is pretty unprecedented! Billy grew up in London in a very theatrical family, so he was surrounded by it from a super young age: music was always on, he was always going to see shows, his mom was a drama teacher. His talent and passion were undeniably there from the start but Billy learned early on about the gatekeeping people of color have to deal with when trying to break into this industry. In this episode Billy talks about the BIPOC experience in the arts and education world, how doing what you love is really hard work (and that's a good thing!), and doing Jesus Christ Superstar at an outdoor theater in the summer of 2020. Billy Nevers on TikTok Billy Nevers on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#415: Billy Nevers // Hamilton UK/Ireland: Lafayette/Jefferson // Part One

Rubén J. Carbajal (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton on Broadway) is wrapping up his three episode series and we are kicking it off with his punk rock version of The Story of Tonight! Plus, he’s taking questions from the Patreon Peeps which includes (but is not limited to!) his favorite LA food spots, adjusting to the East Coast, living life “heart-forward”, his love of Spanish music, and punking Pitbull on MTV.  Rubén recently made his Broadway debut as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, but not before over 1,000 performances on the road including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Rubén has always been so present in his journey to this point and one of the greatest parts about his journey is that he always let his personality come through no matter what. Rubén J. Carbajal on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#414: Rubén J. Carbajal // Laurens/Philip on Broadway // Part Three

Rubén J. Carbajal (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton on Broadway) is back for another round! This week, he talks about his multiple Hamilton auditions and explains his process: the flights, the preparation, the importance of always showing his personality, and the beauty of staying curious. Rubén talks about his experience on tour, the full circle moment of bringing Hamilton home to Los Angeles, and what it was like performing with Lin-Manuel Miranda in Puerto Rico.  And then… Rubén thought he was done with Hamilton in 2022 but some time away, a writers’ strike, and a very supportive partner led him to Broadway. Rubén J. Carbajal on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#413: Rubén J. Carbajal // Laurens/Philip on Broadway // Part Two

Rubén J. Carbajal is finally on the podcast after all this time, but honestly, the timing could not have been better. Rubén recently made his Broadway debut as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, but not before doing over one thousand performances across the country including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and performing alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda in Puerto Rico. Rubén has been performing since he was five years old, but it wasn’t until he did In the Heights for the first time that he felt truly connected to a role. He wants to do that show forever (that’s a quote) and so far he’s done it three times: once as Sonny and twice as Usnavi. When Hamilton came along Rubén was a superfan just like the rest of us, and we have a lot of fun revisiting those early days of the Hamilton fervor. What’s more exciting than being a fan of something and then actually being a part of it?! And for years, at that! It wasn’t an easy process and this episode ends with one of the busiest and most important days of Rubén’s life: an audition, the news about a call back, a Mets game, and standing on the turntable at the Richard Rodgers Theatre for the very first time. Rubén J. Carbajal on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#412: Rubén J. Carbajal // Laurens/Philip on Broadway // Part One

Vincent Jamal Hooper is back for round two! Vinny’s Hamilton experience took him to Puerto Rico, California, Texas, and Australia playing the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Lafayette/Jefferson, George Washington, and KGIII. This week, Vinny talks about going from Hamilton to White Girl in Danger to making his Broadway debut as Simba in The Lion King. Plus, Vinny explains the responsibility of tone setting in a production, tells us about all the playlists he made to get in character for his multiple Hamilton roles, all the "animal work" he did to prepare for Hamilton and Burr, and why video games are a parable life.  Vincent Jamal Hooper on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

#401: Amanda Braun // Swing & Universal Swing // Part One

Download our free app to listen on your phone