Dan is joined by actor, musician, singer, director, producer, visual artist, Thomas Dekker. This was such a fun, open, and honest chat. Loved talking to Thomas! Such a lovely human.

We talk about his appearance in Star Trek: Picard Season 3, memories of working on films as a kid, working with John Carpenter, wanting to become a director, not having pushy stage parents, the moment he thought he was done with acting, the need to always be making something, pleasure being less of an interest than creating, becoming comfortable as an actor on The Sarah Connor Chronicles, creating music as a personal journal, coming from a punk place, concealing who you are, becoming free in his writing, directing, & music, the stress of doing press, putting all the cards on the table, throwing himself into other work, developing a thick skin, working more on his own creative projects, getting older, seeing creative works to completion, Seinfeld, working on his first musical in Reefer Madness, and a whole lot more!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 12 as Dan is joined by an actor you've seen in a million things, including Groundhog Day.... the movie! Stephen Tobolowsky who played Ned Ryerson in the film comes onto the podcast in a bonus episode within this series of episodes.

We talk about whether or not Stephen has seen the musical, being asked to be in Groundhog Day (again) in London, Stephen's thoughts on the film being made into a musical, Stephen's inspiration for Ned Ryerson, filming the movie, how long the time loop really lasted for, repetition, playing "making movies" as a kid, having adventure in his life, dancing with regret and hope, sticking with the truth, celebrating what is gone, learning lessons in flexibility, getting rained on playing a judge on TV, a strange experience working with Steven Seagal, being a strong advocate for your character, the last time Stephen saw Tim Minchin, and a whole lot more!

Some great stories in this one! This episode also marks the end of this first batch of Groundhog Day themed episodes. There will be more to come as I still have 7 cast members yet to be on the podcast.

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 11 as Dan is joined by the one and only Tim Minchin!

We talk about Tim's comedy rock star status, the impact of Groundhog Day, delivering meaning and theme in art, seeing the good in the bad, learning to be present in the beauty of now, curating your circle of pain, the limited Groundhog Day runs, digging deep into the text, the Australian cast, Tim's thoughts on Matthew Hamilton taking on Phil Connors for Andy Karl, being a theatre kid, altering the way he saw himself as a lyricist, performing with an orchestra, telling stories to yourself, thoughts on imposter syndrome, letting yourself off the hook, taking breaks, the first acting gig on Californication, and so much more!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 10 as Dan is joined by Michael Lindner (Jenson)

We chat about why I'm collecting the cast members from Groundhog Day, the life lessons from the show, relief after getting the job on Groundhog Day, self worth, loosing confidence in auditions, strength in vulnerability, the learning pit, the idea behind Michael starting his own podcast, the healing experience of the show and the podcast, getting outside of your comfort zone, a recent audition experience, learning from others through the podcast, handing yourself over to authenticity, being a perfectionist, working as a teacher, former issues with validation, overcoming the negative voices, awkward moments not defining us, becoming a different person after Groundhog Day, meeting his husband, getting lost in Berlin, wanting to be a VET, being a empathetic person, hating injustice, surprising yourself, the day of the pepitas, and so much more!

Go and have a listen to Michael's own incredible podcast, And I Know Things Now.

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 9 as Dan is joined by Grant Almirall (Ensemble/Hot Dog Guy)

We talk about Grant's character name, life after the show, fans flying in to see the show, savouring every second of the last few shows, being in a in-between stage in his career, the road getting to Australia, a love for animation, playing the saxophone, following the flow of things, studying in South Africa, incorporating more drawing into his life, balancing life as a performer, first job on Cats, working on Singing in the Rain in Australia, touring shows, contending with self criticism. struggling to make decisions, starting over in Australia, figuring out where you fit in, the differences working in South Africa vs. Australia, workplace traditions, the advantages of living with another musical theatre performer, rating Grant's dance abilities up against Jack Chambers, watching Matthew Hamilton perform Phil Connors, timing in shows, making long term friendships, and a whole lot more!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 8 as Dan is joined by Madison Green (Swing) and Kate Cole (Ensemble/Piano Teacher and no relation to Rachel Cole)

We chat about life after the show, the Groundhog Day group chat, the opportunity to watch the show, the joys of working with this cast, Andy & Elise's leadership, closing night, Andy's cry on stage in the last show, stage mishaps, the costume changes, Kate's move from Ballarat to Sydney to be in 42nd Street, Madison's eye opening experience seeing Rent, the influence of the movie Tootsie, knowing you're good, unbridled confidence, the importance of having supportive parents, a crisis of confidence, realising and acknowledging things are out of your control, a helpful lesson with a singing teacher, combating negative self talk, being open to change, teaching jobs in between performing jobs, Madison's tattoo, and a whole lot more!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 7 as Dan is joined by Matthew Hamilton (the Sheriff). Matt also went on as Ned Ryerson AND Phil Connors!

We chat about what it was like running into Kaya, getting straight back into life after Groundhog Day, the specialness of the show, rehearsing the show, covering for Phil Connors, stepping in for Phil unexpectedly when Andy Karl was off, being in the moment, wanting to be a pilot, getting the creative bug, first professional job at a theme park, getting a Disney cruise ship contract, band life, Channing Tatum, meeting his soon to be Aussie wife in Tokyo, the moment Matthew decided to move from America to Australia, crashing the Wicked auditions, being quietly self assured, becoming versatile to stay employed, doing the work, the difficulty of breaking people's perceptions, creating your own work, writing, making a dance video with Andy Karl, and a whole lot more!

Matthew is such a wonderful storyteller!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 6 as Dan is joined by Kaya Byrne (Larry).

We discuss being OK with the show ending, the first Tuesday without the show, exploring other opportunities with your own work, working on Gilligan's Island with former guest of the show, Riley Nottingham, being hit in the face on stage, surprises on stage, forgetting his camera on Groundhog Day, the power of Groundhog Day, the craziness of backstage, busking, being in a band, going to VCA, Kaya's dancing abilities, working on Come From Away, realising what you have to offer, writing music, recording his EP, healthy critiques, missing the opportunity to play his own music, running the entertainment industry race, putting theatre jobs on pause, toxic productivity, craving a mild level of stress, being laid back, not feeling guilty while not working creatively, admin, performing his EP on the stage of the Princess Theatre, and a whole lot more!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 5 as Dan is joined by Tim Wright (Ned Ryerson) & Etuate Lutui (Jonathan/Deputy).

We open with Tim & Etuate's thoughts on being only a few shows away from closing night, the unexpected love for Groundhog Day, the life changing experience from Groundhog Day, being grateful for the show, living your best life, Tim's Ned Ryerson, Etuate's Hamilton gig, enjoying the show while they still can, going from Mamma Mia to Groundhog Day, the emotionally taxing experience on the last week of a show, raving about the incredible cast, Andy Karl being the captain of the ship, Tim's commute from Geelong, Etuate trying a lot of different things and being easily influenced, the rough move from New Zealand to Australia, Tim's nursing background, giving things a crack, keeping the flame on, the sadness felt from the show ending, and a whole lot more!

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Groundhog Day Week(s) continues on Day 4 as Dan is joined by Jacob Steen (Fred) and Jacob's Mum, Hope!

We talk about the idea behind Jacob wanting to bring his Mum onto the podcast, getting Hope's thoughts on being asked to come onto a podcast, watching Jacob's career journey up to this point, pulling off the repetition in Groundhog Day, the craziness of being in a Tim Minchin show, the spontaneity of being cast in Groundhog Day, feeling secure in your abilities, shaking on stage in Mary Poppins, whether or not Mum gets nervous for Jacob before a performance, reading old primary school reports, being from an all or nothing type of family, doing drama at school, Jacob's plan to get out of Year 12, the first big audition, taking kids along to the theatre, being transformed by theatre, the strange story of being cast in Mary Poppins, and a whole lot more!

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