Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts

Host Leesa Csolak interviews Julian Thorn, veteran performer and longtime Showstopper MC, about his path from school choirs and Saturday dance classes to a 35+ year career onstage and behind the scenes.

Julian shares clear, practical advice on finding your voice and training, navigating auditions, staying connected with agents, using downtime productively, and embracing every body type and background in the arts.

He stresses hard work, perseverance, networking, and treating every job as a platform, encouraging parents and aspiring performers to seek proper training and keep exploring the many possibilities in a performing arts career.

Host Leesa Csolak talks with Bethany Tesarck about her journey from booking her first Broadway show, Gypsy at age seven to swinging on Broadway at twelve, originating a track in Diana, and filming the show for Netflix during the pandemic to Death Becomes Her and more. They discuss backstage life, quick changes, the role of stage crews, and emotional challenges unique to swings and child performers.

Bethany also covers practical career topics for parents and young artists: balancing school and stage, union rules (SAG/Equity), TV/film and commercial work (and residuals), and how developing side skills—like her styling business StyledByBethany—can sustain a creative career between shows.

Leesa Csolak interviews casting director Jason Styres about his journey from Alabama to New York and his approach to casting for theatre. They discuss auditions, first appointments, callbacks, internships, mentorship, and the practical realities of working in casting.

Key takeaways: understand audition terminology, build relationships with industry people, be persistent and open to learning, and recognize how budgets and logistics shape casting decisions.

Brandon J. Large shares his journey from early dance training and a theatrical family upbringing to touring nationally (Prom, Aladdin), working with Lady Gaga, and making his Broadway debut in The Great Gatsby. He describes balancing college, auditioning, swinging multiple tracks, and the realities of touring and Broadway life.

Brandon’s key advice: work hard, hone your craft, cultivate your individuality, and support young performers with practical discipline and encouragement — practical guidance for aspiring artists and parents alike.

Michelle C. Smith traces her journey from a world-class baton twirler to circus performer, stuntwoman, and actor, sharing candid stories about training, neurodivergence, and the culture that shaped her career.

She offers practical advice on skills (fighting, falling, choreography), networking, setting long-term timelines, and learning to validate yourself rather than waiting for industry approval—plus info on workshops and online training.

Leesa Csolak interviews dancer Blake Zelesnikar about his path from childhood recitals in Binghamton, New York to touring and Broadway—covering competitive training, partnering and weight-sharing classes, and early work with Bad Boys of Dance.

Blake shares how he learned vocals on the job, the realities of touring and per diems, balancing side work like cinematography, and launching The Source NYC to teach partnering workshops. His key advice: try everything and seek exposure to grow as a performer.

In this episode Leesa Csolak interviews casting director Michael Cassara about his path from musical‑theater kid to an established casting professional. He shares how internships, mentorships, and unexpected detours shaped his career and led him to work across theater, film, and TV.

Michael also explains how casting works, how self‑tapes changed the industry, and gives practical advice for young actors and parents: know the repertoire, be professional and kind, and use digital tools wisely to get noticed.

In this episode Leesa Csolak interviews Donovan Dreyer about guiding young people from “nest life” to their “best life.” They discuss identity work, building an inner compass, and practical steps for young performers and their parents to choose between college and professional training.

Donovan explains his three-level mental health triage (green/yellow/red), the importance of ongoing training, creating a resume 2.0 and intentional digital portfolio and presence, and how coaching can speed up growth while avoiding costly trial and error.

Listeners learn clear advice for parents and teens on experimentation, seeking credible mentors, and next steps to explore coaching and resources for a career in the performing arts.

Host Leesa Csolak talks with Broadway performer, Daniel Beeman about his path from small-town music and Irish dance to Broadway, how private training and smart choices opened doors, and the role of grit and community in a performing arts career.

They cover practical advice for parents and young performers, when to seek high-level training, how showcases and casting classes help, the realities of survival jobs and auditions, and the simple importance of being kind in the room. Find Daniel at danielbeeman.com and on Instagram @danielbeeman.

In this episode, host Leesa Csolak interviews performer and teacher Eureka Nakano about her training in ballet, overcoming injury and personal struggles, building a diversified performing career on stage, in film and on television, and landing a role on the U.S. national tour of Phantom of the Opera. Eureka shares candid stories about intense training, the challenges of finding work without citizenship, the grit required for low-paying indie projects, and how social media and persistence led to representation and major auditions.

She also discusses the realities of touring — rehearsals, tech weeks, travel life, staying in shape, and learning to sing — and offers advice for young performers and parents about building résumés, staying resilient, and focusing energy on what truly matters.