Broadway Unexpected : Chronicles of their journey

In this interview, Hannah Bayles talked about how how she didn’t need a degree to become a better teacher—she needed the right way to learn.  Have you ever felt more seen by hands-on learning than lectures?

For years, she thought the answer was more school, more rules, more proving herself.  But the real shift happened when she found a teacher who was kind, technical, and actually made her voice feel safer to use.

That changed everything.  She stopped chasing "perfect" and started understanding what her voice was doing.  She realized safety matters just as much as skill.  She learned that teaching should feel like support, not punishment.  That’s the part people miss about growth.

It’s not always about doing more—sometimes it’s about finally finding the method that fits you.

The biggest lie in singing?  That you’re either “a singer” or you’re not.
Has anyone ever made you believe that?

Christina Licatalosi said the thing so many performers need to hear - most people are not tone deaf, they just need the right tools, the right coaching, and a little patience.  And honestly, that changes everything.
Good teaching should make you feel safe enough to try. Technique matters, but confidence changes the sound too.

The goal is not to sound like someone else - it’s to sound like you.
That’s why I loved this conversation so much. It’s a reminder that voice work is never just about notes - it’s about trust, truth, and helping people feel like they belong.

Save this for the next time you start doubting your voice.

Daniel Assetta moved from Australia to Broadway — and said the hardest part wasn’t the dance calls, it was starting over in a city where nobody knew his work.

Daniel talked about what it really feels like to build a career from scratch in New York after already being established back home.  The industry is way bigger in the U.S., but that also means more ways to get lost in it.

His first Broadway audition was West Side Story, and it felt like the start of a whole new life. & Juliet became the perfect fit because it matched the exact kind of performer he was as a kid.

There’s something powerful about hearing someone say, “I know who I am — now I just have to prove it in a new place.”

It was fascinating to listen to Lucy Moss and her journey to co-creating Six.  She explores how the hardest thing isn't writing songs but it's making stories that actually work. Have you ever loved a show, movie, or book and couldn’t explain why it landed so hard?

What I loved about this interview:
Big ideas only work when the characters’ choices keep colliding in the right order.  Autobiography is useful, but it’s not the same thing as a story. Sometimes the “simple” version of a thing is secretly the most difficult to build.

Failure is beautiful.

That’s the whole Secret Circus philosophy—and honestly, it changed the way I think about performing, creating, and even living.

Have you ever had a “messy” moment turn into the best part?

Chanel Samson said something that stuck with me:
On stage, failure isn’t the end—it’s where the real magic shows up.
If the audience feels safe, they stop protecting you and start playing with you. Kids get this instantly. Adults just need a reminder.
That’s why Secret Circus works—it’s not trying to be perfect.  It’s trying to be honest, alive, and a little bit wild.

Maybe that’s the lesson: the best art doesn’t hide the cracks. It uses them.

“Theater is timing, alchemy, and a million things you can’t predict.”

That line hit me hard.  Jennifer Tepper breaks down why Merrily We Roll Along and Chess hit differently when they came back—and why star casting is only one piece of the puzzle.

What really makes a show land?

The right book revision
The right director
The right moment in culture
And sometimes, just the right audience

That’s the part people miss. A show isn’t only about how it did the first time around.

It’s about whether the world is finally ready for it.

Listen to the full conversation for the backstage brain behind Broadway history, producing, and the magic of revival seasons. 

"I thought a Broadway credit would make the hustle easier. It didn’t."

if you’ve ever thought the next milestone would finally make things feel “stable.”, Clair Rachel Howell said it best - even after booking Wicked, the grind never really stops.

Swing life means you’re always learning, adjusting, and making peace with imperfection.  Self-tapes are brutal when you’re a perfectionist and can hear every tiny thing back. The real win isn’t “having it figured out” - it’s staying ready when the call comes.

And honestly? That’s such a real reminder for anyone chasing something big. The job changes, but the work stays.  Maybe that’s the part nobody tells you.

Welcome to this week’s edition of Broadway Unexpected, where we dive into the fascinating world of theater marketing with Arthur Jones, head of marketing at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Arthur shares his journey from a childhood filled with theater magic to navigating the complexities of marketing in this vibrant industry.

Tobi LaCroix, a remarkable young talent in the world of pop music, joins us this week to share his journey into songwriting and composition. Starting at the tender age of four, Tobi has quickly risen in the indie pop scene, captivating audiences with relatable lyrics and catchy melodies.

Pop music is not brain dead.

Tobi LaCroix said the quiet part out loud: simple is harder than complex, and derivative doesn’t mean lazy.

Have you ever loved a song because it just hits. Save this for the next time someone acts like pop is “easy.”  This conversation dives into the difficult objective of creating hooks and lyrics that resonate.

In this heartfelt conversation, we delve into the creative processes of composer Gianluca Cucchiara and choreographer Eleesha Drennan, who are collaborating on the new musical "Ayla". They share personal stories that illuminate their paths into the world of theater, highlighting the impact of music and family on their artistic journeys.

Ayla is a new musical that Gianluca, Eleesha and Academy Award winning producer Giovanna Romagnoli are ready to take the next step and present it to the world.  Yesterday, they announced a one-night only concert at The Other Palace in London on November 30th.  Among those scheduled to perform is Astrid Harris who was very recently on Broadway Unexpected.  Tickets are on sale now!