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. Whether you’re fresh out of school or years into your career, this conversation will inspire you to start making the work you wish existed—and to do it with people you trust and love.

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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 conversation about resilience, comedic timing, and the power of staying true to your weird, wonderful self—on and off stage. 

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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 Outer Critic’s Circle award for her performance as DeeDee Allen in the critically acclaimed Broadway show The Prom. She received Tony, Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and L.A. Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby It’s You. Other Broadway roles include Mrs. June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Tess in the original company of Crazy For You, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War, Ellie in Hal Prince’s Showboat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. Numerous TV, most recently The Ghosts of Christmas Always (Hallmark), The Walking Dead (AMC), and The Bite (Spectrum). Beth’s one-woman cabaret, It’s Not About Me, has played across the country to rave reviews and sold out venues. In her spare time, Leavel gives back and teaches master classes for students all over the world. MFA from UNC-G.

Visit bethleavel.net

You can find me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok ⁠⁠⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠⁠⁠. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠⁠⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠⁠⁠, follow ⁠⁠⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 Wanted” “Last Week Tonight.” A student at NYU’s Tisch, her eight films include Above the Shadows, A Christmas Melody (recording “Oh, Santa!” with director Mariah Carey), and Netflix’s upcoming “Fear Street: Prom Queen.”

Follow Fina Strazza on Instagram @finastrazza

You can find me on Instagram⁠⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠⁠ and TikTok ⁠⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠⁠. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠⁠, follow ⁠⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠⁠ on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 Musical Kinky Boots (for which he was also Tony nominated for Best Director) and the revival of La Cage aux Folles. Prior to Boop!, Jerry directed and choreographed Pretty Woman for Broadway and the West End, after directing the Gloria Estefan musical, On Your Feet!, for Broadway and the West End. Jerry was nominated for an Olivier Award for his choreography in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which he also directed and co-produced in London. Currently, he is the director and choreographer of Elton John’s The Devil Wears Prada on the West End. In the 35 preceding years, Jerry has been involved with more than 50 Broadway, West End and touring productions. His Broadway debut as Choreographer, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, was followed by The Full Monty (Tony nominated), The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray (Tony nominated, NBC Live), Gypsy, Never Gonna Dance (Tony nominated), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nominated), La Cage aux Folles, Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde (Tony nominated, which he also directed on Broadway and in London), Catch Me If You Can and Kinky Boots. For film, Jerry created memorable dance sequences for Scent Of A Woman, The Object Of My Affection, In and Out and Drop Dead Gorgeous, among others. Thirty or so years ago, Jerry conceived and created Broadway Bares, a comedy burlesque show performed annually for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, for which he was recognized in the form of a third Tony Award in 2023.

Follow Jerry Mitchell on Instagram @jammyprod

Broadway Bares

You can find me on Instagram⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠ and TikTok ⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠, follow ⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠ on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 Midwestern State University in Texas. He is also the Associate Talent Manager for Baker Management in NYC, where his client bookings have included top regional theaters, national tours, Broadway, television, and commercials. Additionally, his credits as a casting director (RJ Magee Casting) include Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Theality TV (streaming on Revry, YouTube, and Broadway On Demand), Flaviar (celebrity casting: Stephen Soderbergh, Carlos Mencia, Marc Summers, Aisha Tyler), and more. As an actor, his performance work has been seen at Arizona Broadway, Round Barn Theatre, Black Rock Theater, The Great American Melodrama, Tibbits, Roxy Regional, Dollywood Entertainment, and more. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, he also holds a BA from Temple University and an MFA from Minnesota State University, Mankato. RJ recently concluded a 9-month contract as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting at Longwood University (home of the 2016 Vice Presidential debate).

You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 Midwestern State University in Texas. He is also the Associate Talent Manager for Baker Management in NYC, where his client bookings have included top regional theaters, national tours, Broadway, television, and commercials. Additionally, his credits as a casting director (RJ Magee Casting) include Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Theality TV (streaming on Revry, YouTube, and Broadway On Demand), Flaviar (celebrity casting: Stephen Soderbergh, Carlos Mencia, Marc Summers, Aisha Tyler), and more. As an actor, his performance work has been seen at Arizona Broadway, Round Barn Theatre, Black Rock Theater, The Great American Melodrama, Tibbits, Roxy Regional, Dollywood Entertainment, and more. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, he also holds a BA from Temple University and an MFA from Minnesota State University, Mankato. RJ recently concluded a 9-month contract as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting at Longwood University (home of the 2016 Vice Presidential debate).

You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 theatrical influences, she has built a strong following through social media and original music. In 2025, she made her Broadway debut as Jane Seymour in Six. A strong advocate for mental health awareness, she uses her platform to encourage self-care and resilience in the entertainment industry.

Follow Kelsie Watts on IG: @kelsiewattsmusic

You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 feeling so moved and inspired!  

Follow Ali Stroker on Instagram @alistroker

You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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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 Good Man, Charlie Brown (Tony, Drama Desk Awards); The Frogs; Disaster!; Triumph of Love; Big River. Film: Trumbo, American Gangster, The Stepford Wives, The Producers, Hostel Part II, singing voice of Disney's Hercules "Go the Distance." Television: "Desperate Housewives," "Revenge," "Good Trouble," "A Series of Unfortunate Events," "How I Met Your Mother." For my brother, Randy.

Follow Roger Bart on Instagram: @rogerbartofficial

You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected].

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