Learning to decide which projects to work on and which ones to say no to. 

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss what to consider when choosing projects to work on in your career for those right out of college and also those that are further in their career.

• What are some red flags for projects?
• Is it wise to take every job?
• When do you say no to a job?

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

How do we avoid burnout? Musical Theatre requires more than the everyday 9 to 5 job description. We often overwork ourselves and give too much. How do we take action and learn to say no.

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can take steps to avoid burnout in an industry that always asks for more. What aspects of your auditions can you control? What aspects can you not control in the room?

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

Accepting that many aspects of our career in musical theatre are out of our control is a challenging aspect of this industry. We are one of the few career paths that require regular interviews, auditions and submissions since we live job to job and contract to contract whether you are an actor, designer, director, choreographer, music director, stage manager, and all of the other people it takes to create a musical.

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we all can learn to accept that some things are out of your control. What aspects of your auditions can you control? What aspects can you not control in the room? What can you control during a rehearsal process: as either a performer or creative? Ashlee and Tim both share their most embarrassing audition moments. 

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

How do we change the perception of the way actors are viewed based on their physical appearance?

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can teach our audience to move past personal bias based on the color of an actor's skin or their physical appearance, and accept the illusion of reality onstage.

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

How can we let go of what does not serve us to create space for what WILL serve us.

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can begin to free ourselves of negative emotions or events and pave the way for new found creativity and positive fulfillment. Tim shares what he is actively going to "let go" as a director to create space for 3 new tasks to include into his daily life in 2020. Ashlee shares what she is letting go that we can all relate to as a musical theatre performer so she can make space to be free of the constraints of "type" or fitting into the box for auditions and callbacks.

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

How can we address the stigma of body image in musical theatre? 

• Starts with casting: Actively cast curvy performers for more roles that do not rely or refer to their physical appearance. 
• Open Conversations: with young actors, high school level, college level to encourage them to audition for all roles and all musicals
• Creating a new norm with body image on stage: focusing on the content of the character and not the perceived physical appearance.

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can begin to change the stigma of body image in musical theatre. 

Articles and videos referenced in this podcast episode:

• The Rockettes Discuss Diversity in new hires
• Antonio Banderas Interview on The Big Ticket podcast
• Alysha Umphress Broadway World Article in Response to NY Times Critic
• News Video with Interviews of Alysha Umphress regarding NY Times Critic

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

How can we advocate for effective collaboration and communication within the creative team? What factors go into a fully developed concept when directing a musical?

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can effectively collaborate within the creative team and how to work together in a positive, productive atmosphere. Shout out to all the amazing designers and stage managers out there. Your work does not go unseen.

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

What is the reaction when a musical is reimagined or is different than the original concept? How do we keep an open mind, encourage creativity and express new ideas that relate to the current audience?

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can begin to advocate for supporting new versions of old concepts with highlights of Broadway and regional theatre news from the week and a puzzler question for all of you musical theatre lovers out there.

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

Since it's a holiday weekend: Enjoy a rerun of Breaking the Fourth Wall! Taking it back to our very first episode where it all began.

Tim and Ashlee discuss female representation in the role of director in musicals on Broadway and in regional theatre. Where are we after last Tony Awards season and what changes are currently being made? Is it enough? Are we making progress and what we can do to advocate for the change we want to see?

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]

How do we make auditions more inclusive? What steps can casting directors, directors, choreographers, music directors, and producers (all of those at behind table) take to provide an environment that supports all people.

Casting breakdowns:

• Utilize “person first” language in casting breakdowns
• Incorporating gender neutrality in casting breakdowns

Open calls and callbacks:

• Make sides and songs accessible for all 
• Large print font
• Audio recordings of sides

In this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall, Tim and Ashlee Espinosa discuss how we can begin to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive environment at auditions with highlights of Broadway and regional theatre news from the week and a puzzler question for all of you musical theatre lovers out there.

Visit our podcast website for a transcription of this episode and all previous episodes of Breaking the Fourth Wall.

Visit our online homes:
AshleeEspinosa.com
TimEspinosa.com

Instagram:
@ashleelynnespinosa
@timespinosaofficial

Twitter:
@AshleeLEspinosa
@TheTimEspinosa

Email us at: [email protected]