Carefully Taught: Teaching Musical Theatre with Matty and Kikau

Kikau and Matty speak with the amazing Adam Moxness on today's episode. Kikau was inspired to bring Adam on after his incredible presentation at the Musical Theater Educators' Alliance annual conference in New York City. They discuss Universal Design for Voice and Theatre Teaching (UDVTT). Adam's recommendations include CAST.org, which is the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) website, Think Protein Bars (specifically the peanut butter chocolate ones), John & Jen by Andrew Lippa, and the Sunset Boulevard revival by Andrew Lloyd Weber. Kikau shares that he is currently listening to Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera with Patrick Pacheco.

Adam Moxness is a dedicated educator, accomplished performer, and innovative researcher serving as an instructor of musical theatre voice at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. With an MFA in musical theatre vocal pedagogy from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Adam has emerged as a leader in the field of inclusive voice education. His groundbreaking work in Universal Design for Voice and Theatre Teaching (UDVTT) focuses on accessibility-based and neurodiversity-affirming pedagogical approaches, aiming to create inclusive learning environments where every student, regardless of ability or background, can thrive.

Adam’s expertise extends beyond the classroom. He has presented his research at national and international conferences, including the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance, Pan American Vocology Association, and the International Congress of Voice Teachers, as well as through workshops and online courses designed to empower educators to adopt more inclusive teaching practices. His research and pedagogy have been recognized with grants from Berklee College of Music and collaborations with institutions such as the Voice Study Centre and Bowling Green State University.

Matty and Kikau discuss what they have been up to on this break. Spoiler Alert: We talk Hawaii and the Musical Theater Educator's Alliance Conference in New York. At the end of the episode, they discuss two very different documentary recommendations. Cheers to 2025!

Matty and Kikau talk about some of their favorite episodes of 2024. It has been quite a ride. Go back and take a listen to some of these great moments. Happy Holidays! We will see you soon with all new episodes and fun in 2025!

Kikau interviews RJ Magee who is a professional educator, actor, director, talent manager, and casting director. In addition to serving as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, RJ is currently an Associate Talent Manager for Baker Management in NYC where some of his recent client bookings include many of the nation's top regional theaters, national touring companies, and NYC episodics, as well as various Broadway shows.

We discuss what it means to be a Visiting Professor and how being a talent manager and casting director is helpful in the classroom. RJ recommends a new movie called Saturday Night.

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Richard (RJ) Magee is a professional educator, actor, director, talent manager, and casting director. In addition to serving as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, Richard is currently an Associate Talent Manager for Baker Management in NYC where some of his recent client bookings include many of the nation's top regional theaters, national touring companies, and NYC episodics, as well as various Broadway shows. Through his own casting office, RJ Magee Casting, Richard's casting credits include Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Iron Bridge Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Top Hat Productions, Esther's Follies, The Girl Behind The Curtain Productions (Off-Broadway's Truffles), Flaviar (celebrity casting: Stephen Soderbergh, Carlos Mencia, Marc Summer, Aisha Tyler, and more), New City Stage Company, FunikiJam World Music, Childsplay Theatre, MainStreet Musicals: Philadelphia, and more. His most recent casting project, the hit reality series Theality TV, is currently streaming on Broadway On Demand, Revry, and YouTube. He has also been called upon to share expertise by serving as an entertainment industry adviser to prestigious market research and management consulting firms EY-Parthenon and Third Bridge. Richard is a proud member of the Music Theatre Educators Alliance. He is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and holds a bachelor's degree in musical theatre from Temple University. Additionally, Richard received an MFA in Theatre Arts from Minnesota State University, Mankato and recently concluded a 9-month contract as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting at Longwood University (home of the 2016 Vice Presidential debate).

Matty put together a fantastic episode that includes interviews with Vicky Bussert (Oberlin College), Josh Grisetti (California State University, Fullerton), Jacob Brent (Elon University), Michael E. Mckelvey (Carnegie Mellon University), and Aaron Brown (Texas State University). 

This is one of those episodes that you are going to want to listen to and then share with your colleagues as it is a conversation happening in many institutions across our MT educator community.

If you like what you hear, it is helpful to like and review our podcast on all of the platforms. If you would like to join us or have an idea for an episode, reach out to [email protected].

Matty and Kikau reconnect about our Thanksgiving holiday and talk all things WICKED. We have a couple more episodes before 2024 ends so be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends. We really love doing this. If you are interested in a particular topic or would like to be a guest on the show feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

Enjoy.

In this very special episode, Ben Lundy interviews Matty and Kikau. Ben is working on an article about the MT Podcast scene for the upcoming MTEA Journal. Take a listen because this was super fun!

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Ben Lundy is the chair of theatre at Wallace Community College and teaches theatre and speech courses while directing productions. Lundy is a Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance member and has presented his research at the organization's Atlanta and New York City conferences.

Lundy’s goal is to use the transformative art form of theatre to encourage students to find their voice, become content creators rather than passive culture consumers, and recognize the humanity in one another, making students not just career-ready, but, more importantly, community-ready.

In our series interviewing folks who are transitioning to a new institution, Matty and Kikau chat with André Garner who recently joined the Department of Musical Theatre as an assistant professor in the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. We talk about the strong UMICH alum community, how we nurture curiosity and rigor, and so much more! 

Andre’s recommendation is The Morning Show on Apple TV and we chat about America’s Sweethearts on Netflix.  

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Garner’s Broadway credits include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Music Man, Marie Christine, and Grease. Off-Broadway, he starred as the title character in Langston Hughes’s Little Ham, as well as performing in From My Hometown. Garner appeared in the national touring productions of The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Miss Saigon. Internationally, he toured with the European and Asian companies of A Chorus Line.

Garner has taught at Ball State University, Baruch College, New York Film Academy, and California State University, Long Beach. His professional memberships include SAG-AFTRA and the Actor’s Equity Association, and he currently serves on the executive board of the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance.

Garner received a BS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an MFA from California State University, Long Beach.

Jacob Brent joins Matty and Kikau in their series on MT educators who are transitioning to new institutions. Jacob is now an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Elon University. Jacob's recommendations are the Netflix show The Perfect Couple and Jeffrey Kaplan Videos.

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Jacob Brent is a 10 year veteran Broadway performer with an MFA in Musical Theatre.

With extensive experience performing, directing, choreographing and teaching, Mr. Brent has been recognized by The New York Times as knowing how to inspire actors.

As a performer, Jacob is probably best known for his portrayal of Mr. Mistoffelees in the Broadway, London and DVD productions of Cats. Now on the other side of the table, he brings the same commitment and passion for performing to directing, choreographing and teaching. 

Mr. Brent is actively involved in the International Junior Theatre Festival and pilot productions of new Broadway Jr. musicals. He adapted the high school editions of CHICAGO and A CHORUS LINE and has directed the premiere productions of LEGALLY BLONDE JR., RENT school edition and AVENUE Q school edition. 

Jacob is passionate about inspiring the next generation of artists and audiences.

In our series of folks who are transitioning to new positions, Matty and Kikau chat with the incredible Lauren Haughton Gillis, who is the new Director for the BFA Musical Theatre Program at Florida State University. We talk about all of the amazing things that the program has to offer, serving the needs of the students, and the importance of work/life balance. Lauren's recommendation is the FX tv show, The Bear.

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Lauren the new Director for the BFA Musical Theatre Program at Florida State University. She was previously an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at the Indiana University Department of Theatre & Dance where she won the 2022 Trustees Teaching Award. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and is the Head of Dance/Vice President of Conferences for Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance International (MTEA). She holds a BFA from Syracuse University and an MFA from San Diego State University.