Built For The Stage Podcast

Nicholas Edwards / @nickedwardsnyc

You don't have to wait for anyone to tell you to do something"...and that is exactly what has happened in Nick's life over the past few months! When the quarantine shut down his upcoming opportunity to take on his first principal role on Broadway as Kristoff in Frozen, Nicholas knew he had to continue to find ways to make art. But there were no auditions and seemingly no theatre! And then comes along the theatre company Out Of The Box Theatrics, whose goal it has been to tell stories in a very different way than the traditional approach to new and classis works. The concept began to brew of creating a livestream version of The Last Five Years the musical, staged in an actual NYC apartment.

Fast forward a few months, and it has become one of the most well-produced pieces of theatre that has come to audiences during this interesting time where theatre has been hard to find. Nicholas is no stranger to the stage, as he was an understudy for Kristoff in Disney's Frozen on Broadway, as well as the national tour of Les Miserablés. We know that you will love his voice and presence in The Last Five Years and we cannot wait to see where he goes next!

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Simon Gordon / @simongordon

Joining us from the West End on today's episode is Simon Gordon! We are so excited to be talking to him about his upcoming role in the UK tour of Heathers the Musical.

Simon always wanted to be an actor, but he didn't start his theatre career as many people do by going to college and studying the craft. Instead, he went to school to study law! He was in his third year of law school when he auditioned for Andrew Lloyd Webber, and that is when he knew he wanted to be doing theatre as a career.

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Dennis Stowe / @dennisstowe

Have you ever had a dream that you thought would never come to pass as the years went by? Well, Dennis Stowe is the perfect example that good things come to those who continue to work hard and not lose focus of their dreams! And we get to hear all about that journey in our chat with him.

Dennis didn't make his Broadway debut until he was in his thirties. But, once he did, the work has continued to roll in! Dennis has been in nine broadway shows, including the original cast of Shrek the Musical! He was also in the revival of Annie and most recently Aladdin, where he has been moved from ensemble to standby for Jafar and Sultan!

In our talk together, Dennis shares how he stays ready at all times and what it is like to truly be prepared for a role. The wisdom, insight and talent that Dennis brings to a rehearsal process is valuable information that anyone looking to be their best in the room should adhere to! Dennis is a true Broadway veteran, and he has the credits and heart to prove it.

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Mike Ruckles / @rucklesvoice

Within the theatre industry, there are several components that are an absolute must that we focus on. One of those components is the training and care of our voice. But how do we do so correctly? What techniques should we use? How often should we train? Some of the same questions that we ask ourselves about fitness and weight training. An interesting correlation, we think! We were lucky enough to have the incredible Mike Ruckers, Vocal Technician and Singing Voice Specialist, join us and share some of his insight in how the voice and the body as a whole should be treated and trained.  

Mike maintains one of the city's premier voice studios specializing in healthy and transformative technique for Musical Theatre and contemporary commercial singing. His students comprise Tony and Grammy award winners, with clients appearing in leading roles on and off-Broadway, the West End, in national tours, and on concert stages across the world. As a pianist, Mike has worked with such luminaries as Hugh Jackman, Patrick Wilson, Tyne Daly, Rachel Bay Jones, Raúl Esparza, Ben Vereen, and Sherie Rene Scott.

He shares several basic tips and insights with us that anyone who is training vocally and physically should adhere to and will benefit from!

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Kolby Kindle / @kolbizzle

As so many of us are waiting to have the opportunity to walk back into a theatre, Kolby Kindle is living his best life as he is touring in Australia with the incredible musical Come From Away. He shares what it has been like to go through the pandemic and have the chance to return to the stage once again, bringing hope and excitement to everyone as we anxiously await that opportunity!

Kolby grew up in Oklahoma and pursued an education in Ohio before moving to New York City to chase his dreams of performing on Broadway. He has now gone on to work on the tours of Waitress the Musical and Book of Mormon, as well as now creating art in his time with Come From Away, both before and now after the pandemic.

Within the last year, Kolby has moved back and forth from Australia to New York and then back to Australia, not knowing exactly what was in store for his contract. But, in our conversation, Kolby shares with us how he has found a way to maintain his fitness goals and continue hoaning his craft as an actor and focusing on what is to come.

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Salisha Thomas / @salishathomas

Have you ever met someone whose mere presence becomes the light and energy in the room? That is Salisha Thomas. A woman with the power and joy to lift the spirits of anyone who meets her. And in our interview with her, we have the privilege of getting to know what makes this amazing powerhouse tick.

Salisha is a true multi-tasker who has found herself developing not only her acting career on Broadway and the tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, but investing time into other interests. Several that have now given her multiple platforms to share her story and have an even greater influence in the theatre community. She is now the host of the podcast Black Hair in the Big Leagues, where she speaks to black women and men on Broadway and talks all things hair!

As we all wait with great anticipation for the return of Broadway, we can also be on the lookout for the potential appearance of Salisha Thomas in Once Upon A One More Time the Musical. Until then, we will continue to embrace Salisha's positive outlook on life and take each day step by step!

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Alex Joseph Grayson/@alexjgsings

How does someone raised as a military kid end up on Broadway? Alex Joseph Grayson shares his journey with us of how he found theatre later in life but once he found it, he couldn't be stopped.

Alex was always compelled to perform, putting on performances for family and friends anytime he found the chance, including random dance performances of "Thriller"! He was known as the class clown and had a vibrant personality, but that didn't transfer into a career in theatre for quite some time. He first lived in India during his senior year of high school with his family and then pursued a career in nursing.

But, after taking one acting class at a community college, a spark was lit inside Alex's heart that couldn't be put out. He knew he was made for the stage. He pursued a degree in theatre and then began auditioning in New York where he booked a contract with Disney Cruise Lines. After several back and forths from NYC to ships, Alex shares with us of being in the right room at the right time and landing his Broadway Debut in A Bronx Tale.

The journey hasn't always been easy, and Alex gives great insight into the decisions you must make for yourself as an actor. Do you want to travel? Do you need to put down roots? Where do you belong? All of these questions led Alex to where he is today.

Alex Joseph Grayson can be seen soon on The Asolo stage in Sarasota, Fl in the musical Camelot!

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Adam Jacobs / @adamjacobsnyc

Not everyone can say they have ridden a magic carpet, but for Adam Jacobs, that became his daily routine as he played Aladdin in the Disney Broadway musical. But, hanging out with a genie every night isn't all there is to this Broadway star that we have all come to know and love.

In our interview, Adam shares his insight on what it is like to be an actor who could fit into so many different types of roles and yet, still felt there was no place for him in the casting industry. Asking questions like "Where do I fit in?" and "What is my type?" drove him to start using this as a strength instead of a weakness. Now, He has starred in National Tours, on Broadway, and has been nominated for a Grammy and Drama Desk Awards.

We also talk to Adam about his new cabaret "Behind the Curtain" that will soon be released on digital platforms for us all to enjoy! The cabaret will include Pop, Rock, Broadway and some surprises that Adam has up his sleeve...maybe even some secrets of showmances!

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Christian Thompson / @christianthompsonactor

"Pivot"- A word we have all heard throughout our industry, over and over again. Christian Thompson, who plays Smokey Robinson and Damon Harris in Ain't Too Proud the Musical

Christian has experienced so much in his journey, from cruise ship work to Rent National Tour. Then, to go from rehearsals for a promised Broadway show to working at the Hamilton merch store, he has felt the ups and downs of the journey. But even in the tough moments, he shares with us how he has found the drive to pursue passions and creative opportunities that, in the past, he had counted unattainable. Christian also expresses the joy in finding himself as a true, unique artist and the individuals along the way who have helped mold him into the person he is today!

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Maybe you don't recall seeing the name "Craig Feldman" on the front of a Playbill, but you can absolutely find his genius and skill spread across each design of Parodybill. As the founder and lead designer of Parodybill, Craig shares with us how he has taken his love of Broadway and infused it with his lifelong graphic design career to create what we know today as the witty and creative designs of Parodybill.

It all started on a flight back home after seeing Mean Girls the Musical in previews and Dear Evan Hansen was bright in the Broadway lights. Craig's ideas began to swirl and he wondered ""what if these shows became a mashup in design?"" and Parodybill was born. It continues to grow and bring theatre-lovers fun, creative and inspiring designs built around the world that we all love--Broadway!

You can now enjoy hundreds of his designs at @Parodybill on Instagram and shop their merch at shop.parodybill.com.

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