Casting Director Karlee Fomalont (CSA) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss how we can make auditions kinder for both actors and CDs, amazing advice for artists, why she sleeps out for Covenant House and much more.

Casting Director Karlee Fomalont (CSA) was born and raised in Los Angeles and currently resides in New York City. She is a 2-time Artios Award Nominee and graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where her acting training made for a seamless transition into casting. She began her career at CBS Primetime NY and ABC Primetime NY, then transitioning into independent, working on projects such as Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series "The Get Down," Steven Spielberg's "The Post" and Tamara Jenkins' "Private Life" (both for which the casting team was nominated for an Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting). Karlee has worked with Rori Bergman for over 7 years, with credits including "Yearly Departed" (Amazon), "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" (Starz), "Run the World" (Starz), "Living With Yourself" (Netflix), "Love Life" (Netflix), "The Good Cop" (Netflix). Film credits include J. Blakeson's "I Care a Lot," Charlie Kaufman’s "I’m Thinking of Ending Things," Nicole Holofcener’s "The Land of Steady Habits," among many others. Karlee also casts short films and features independently, including Amazon Studios' feature film "I'm Your Woman" starring and produced by Rachel Brosnahan.

Most importantly, Karlee gives back! For her 5th year in a row, she is leading Team Casting to sleep out in support of the young people who call Covenant House home. Covenant House works tirelessly to meet the most basic and immediate needs of at risk young people overcoming homelessness, but also sets them up to work towards their brightest futures through educational programs, job training, legal + mental health services and more.

Special thanks to: Rachel Brosnahan for taking part in our Compliment Game and Matt Feeney for audio editing assistance!

Support Karlee's Convenant House Fundrasier here!

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Happy Halloween! Disney's Hocus Pocus 2 Costume Designer and Costume Designer Guild President Salvador Perez joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss how he put his own magical spin on the franchise while still paying homage to the original cult classic, acts of kindness from stars like Bette Midler during brisk night shoots on Rhode Island, the fantastical alternate ending to Hocus Pocus 2 and much more!

Salvador Perez is a one of a KIND costume designer with a diverse resume. He has designed for many TV series including CASTLE, MOONLIGHT, VERONICA MARS and 6 Seasons of THE MINDY PROJECT where he was nominated for an Emmy for costume design. Salvador has also worked on movies such as PITCH PERFECT 1, 2 and 3, THINK LIKE A MAN 1 and 2, MEN OF HONOR and DRUMLINE. Born and raised in Central California, Perez moved to Los Angeles to attend The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to pursue a career in fashion design. Once other Costume Designers discovered his costume manufacturing talents, he began running the costume workrooms and assisting on films like TITANIC, THE FLINTSTONES, and BARB WIRE. Outside of film and TV, Salvador designed and developed the “Movie Legends Line” for the J. Peterman Catalog, he designed a line of Jewelry for Bauble Bar, and designed a signature line of colorful coats for GILT.COM. He most recently designed Hocus Pocus 2 with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. Salvador is also the elected president of the Costume Designers Guild.

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "I Put A Spell on You" Disney & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Tony-winner Gavin Creel (Into the Woods) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul LIVE from the red carpet of Jay Armstrong Johnson's I Put A Spell On You Hocus Pocus benefit to talk acts of kindness, onstage giggles and more. Enjoy this special LIVE 60th episode!

Gavin Creel is a bonafide Broadway star, shining bright ever since he made his debut as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he received a Tony nom by the way. He then starred in Broadway productions of HAIR (also Tony-no​minated​​​​), La Cage Aux Follies, She Loves Me, Waitress and Book of Mormon (which he also did on the West End and got an Olivier Award for). Gavin finally won a well-deserved Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in HELLO, DOLLY! starring Bette Midler. Most recently, Gavin has graced the star-studded cast of New York City Center Encores! critically acclaimed production of INTO THE WOODS starring as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince. The celebrated production has transferred to Broadway and keeps getting extended.

Gavin has ​also ​shone on screen in tv shows like Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Stories” and the sweet movies “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime.”​ ​Of course, nothing makes Gavin shine brighter than the kindness he exudes. From co-founding Broadway Impact, the first and only grassroots organization to mobilize the nationwide theater community in support of marriage equality, to treating his castmates and crew with kindness, Gavin is a beacon of light.

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "I Put a Spell on You" by Jay Armstrong Johnson & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Broadway star Jay Armstrong Johnson (On the Town, The Phantom of the Opera) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss acts of kindness on Broadway, his Hocus Pocus-inspired benefit concert I Put A Spell on You and more!

Over the course of his 5 Broadway shows, Jay Armstrong Johnson has cemented himself as a triple threat. From his debut in Hair, which he shares a kind story about during our chat, to his more recent turn as Raoul in Phantom of the Opera’s 30th anniversary year, Jay is always a standout. Following Phantom, Jay originated the role of Banko in Roundabout Theatre Company’s world premiere show Scotland, PA. His performance earned him critical nominations from both the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. He was also the recipient of a 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honor for his performance. Jay’s other Broadway credits include the original casts of Catch Me if You Can, Hands on a Hardbody, and the celebrated revival of On the Town. On screen, Jay is also known to audiences worldwide as genius hacker Will Olsen in ABC’s Quantico.

Jay created the annual live show I Put A Spell on You as a tribute to the beloved cult classic movie Hocus Pocus with larger-than-life performances and choreography, over-the-top costumes and makeup and a healthy dose of Broadway magic. In their search to find beauty, youth and immortality, the bewitching and beloved Sanderson Sisters return from the dead and gather their most famous friends to help them lure the children of New York. This year, those famous friends include Broadway stars like Gavin Creel, Krista Rodriguez, Robyn Hurder and more. The show will be ALIVE at Sony Hall in Times Square on October 23 at 8PM. Most importantly, it benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Tickets start at $35 for the dance floor and are on sale now at broadwaycares.org/spell.

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "I Put a Spell on You" by Jay Armstrong Johnson & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Disney Legend Jodi Benson joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss working on The Little Mermaid, her new book Part of My World, learning to let go of perfectionism and much more.

Jodi Benson has been a part of all of our worlds since she swam on the scene in 1989 as the voice of Ariel in Disney's iconic animated film The Little Mermaid. Of course, Jodi has also lent her talents to some other incredible characters over the years. An accomplished, singer, dancer, and actress, Jodi got her start on Broadway performing the iconic song "Disneyland" in the Howard Ashman/Marvin Hamlisch musical Smile, and she earned a Tony nomination for her role as Polly Baker in the hit Gershwin musical Crazy for You.

After striking animation gold with The Little Mermaid, Jodi went on to voice Barbie in Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 and delighted Disney fans with a cameo in Enchanted before reprising her role as Ariel once again in Ralph Breaks the Internet. In 2011, the Walt Disney company honored Jodi's contributions by officially naming her a Disney Legend. It’s a well-deserved accolade as Jodi carries the torch of being a Disney princess with such grace and joy. Of course, people on the outside always wonder what it must be like to live the life of a Disney royal. Lucky for us all, Jodi has shared a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories in her new book Part of My World: What I’ve Learned from the Little Mermaid about Love, Faith and Finding My Voice. She also wrote the forward for Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara, which explores the legacies of the Princesses and what they represent today. Both books are available now.

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Part of Your World" by Jodi Benson & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

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Hocus Pocus creator and producer David Kirschner returns to The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for part 2 of his interview spooktacular! The creative discusses the origins of Hocus Pocus, acts of kindness from the Sanderson sisters, making the upcoming sequel: Hocus Pocus 2 and much more! There may even be a special guest or two in this one...

Today’s guest is the iconic producer, screenwriter, illustrator and all-around creative mastermind David Kirschner. His career is like the perfect trick-or-treat bag, brimming with a variety of treats. Kirschner began his illustrious career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters, and also creating art for prolific talents like Neil Diamond. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place.

Success struck like lightning in 1986, when Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail alongside Steven Spielberg, which went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney producers animated feature of all-time and spawned several sequels and a tv spinoff. In 1989, Kirschner was appointed the chairman of Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he worked on countless iconic properties from The Addams Family to the Flinstones to The Pagemaster, which is one of my all-time favorites. 

You may also know him as the creator of Chucky, the insidious doll that has been terrorizing viewers across a hit franchise of slasher films and most recently a television series. Currently the head of his own production company, aptly named David Kirschner Productions, here are some other highlights along the way: the golden globe-nominated film Miss Potter starring Renée Zellweger, the Curious George franchise and an animated special of Ray Bradbury’s legendary book The Halloween Tree.

Of course, we are here today to focus on one particularly glorious story that was plucked from the patch of David’s spooktacular mind: Hocus Pocus. David first conjured up the idea for three evil witches vying to suck the life out of children as a bedtime story for his own kids. As magic so often does, it seemingly took on a life of its own. Almost three decades later, Hocus Pocus is a cult classic and there’s a sequel on the way!

Hocus Pocus 2 soars on to Disney+ on September 30, with all three witches - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy - reprising their wicked roles. Ahead of the sequel, David so graciously talked with me about the kindness he felt making the original and then returning to the story. As he zoomed in from his otherworldly office, he showed me the original Black Flame Candle, Winnie’s spell book, and above all else, kindness.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Spook 2" by PeriTune, & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer David Kirschner joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul for a 2-part interview spooktacular! The creative discusses the origins of Hocus Pocus, acts of kindness from the Sanderson sisters, making the upcoming sequel: Hocus Pocus 2 and much more!

Today’s guest is the iconic producer, screenwriter, illustrator and all-around creative mastermind David Kirschner. His career is like the perfect trick-or-treat bag, brimming with a variety of treats. Kirschner began his illustrious career as an illustrator for Jim Henson's Muppet and Sesame Street characters, and also creating art for prolific talents like Neil Diamond. At 23, he wrote and illustrated a series of children's books entitled Rose Petal Place.

Success struck like lightning in 1986, when Kirschner created and executive produced An American Tail alongside Steven Spielberg, which went on to become the highest-grossing non-Disney producers animated feature of all-time and spawned several sequels and a tv spinoff. In 1989, Kirschner was appointed the chairman of Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he worked on countless iconic properties from The Addams Family to the Flinstones to The Pagemaster, which is one of my all-time favorites. 

You may also know him as the creator of Chucky, the insidious doll that has been terrorizing viewers across a hit franchise of slasher films and most recently a television series. Currently the head of his own production company, aptly named David Kirschner Productions, here are some other highlights along the way: the golden globe-nominated film Miss Potter starring Renée Zellweger, the Curious George franchise and an animated special of Ray Bradbury’s legendary book The Halloween Tree.

Of course, we are here today to focus on one particularly glorious story that was plucked from the patch of David’s spooktacular mind: Hocus Pocus. David first conjured up the idea for three evil witches vying to suck the life out of children as a bedtime story for his own kids. As magic so often does, it seemingly took on a life of its own. Almost three decades later, Hocus Pocus is a cult classic and there’s a sequel on the way!

Hocus Pocus 2 soars on to Disney+ on September 30, with all three witches - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy - reprising their wicked roles. Ahead of the sequel, David so graciously talked with me about the kindness he felt making the original and then returning to the story. As he zoomed in from his otherworldly office, he showed me the original Black Flame Candle, Winnie’s spell book, and above all else, kindness.

Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us:

[email protected]

Follow us

@artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul

Support the show!

(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok)

Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez, "Spook 2" by PeriTune, & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Ruhl joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss breaking through the entertainment industry as a model, actress and now filmmaker and acts of kindness along the way.

Emily was thirteen when she was scouted while attending New York Fashion Week. Shortly thereafter, the Dallas native signed her first modeling contract in Tokyo. She later returned to NYC to sign with top modeling agency Marilyn Management. She has since appeared in Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, WWD, Seventeen Magazine, Nylon, and Elle Canada amongst others. She has been the face of many cosmetic companies including Smashbox, Too Faced, the Kardashian’s KKW Beauty, and MAC. On the acting front, Emily starred opposite Nicholas Hoult in the film NEWNESS, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She also made a cameo appearance in Troian Bellisario’s short film, LIFE ON MARS.

The talent made her producing, directing, and writing debut with the short film BLUE MOON. Additionally, she co-wrote and produced the theme song to BLUE MOON titled HER. She is currently in production for her first TV series, 13TH STEPPING, which she also wrote, directed, and stars in.

Featuring: surprise guest - the best person ever - Cassie!!

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Music:

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Kevin Tuerff, Come From Away's Real-Life Kevin T, joins the Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul podcast to discuss his charity Pay It Forward 9/11's special 11 Days of Kindness campaign.

Kevin Teurff inspired one of the characters featured in the hit musical Come From Away. As you see in the musical, Kevin was one of the thousands of refugees stranded in Gander on September 11, 2001 after US airspace closed. Kevin took his experience there and poured it into a book called Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11, which you can buy now. He also used it to found the charity Pay It Forward 9/11, a kindness movement that not only pays it forward, but pays tribute to lives lost in the terrorist attacks. Kevin is thrilled to once again be launching his “11 Days of Kindness” campaign TODAY, September 1. This initiative encourages people around the world to perform acts of kindness by September 11th.

Learn more about Pay It Forward 9/11:

www.payitforward911.org

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Music:

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Tony-nominee Jared Grimes joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss Funny Girl on Broadway, acts of kindness from Beanie Feldstein, why he loves auditioning and more.

Jared Grimes is a quadruple threat, making his mark on the entertainment world with singing, dancing, acting and choreographing. Though he is now a bonafide Broadway star, Grimes started out tap dancing on the New York City subways at the age of 16. As fate would have it, years later he wound up getting paid for that passion, choreographing at theaters around the nation and notably being cast as a dancer for icons like Mariah Carey, Salt-n-Pepa and even at Barack Obama’s illustrious Kennedy Center Honors.

Jared’s got to flex his acting chops over the years as well, getting recognized on a wider scale for his television roles on Netflix’s hit series Manifest and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and in films like Paramount’s The Marc Pease Experience starring Ben Stiller. Of course, he never strays too far from the lights of Broadway. Jared’s glowing stage career includes After Midnight which is performed and choreographed in, A Soldier’s Play and, most recently, Funny Girl where he plays Fanny Brice’s upbeat dancer friend Eddie Ryan. 

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Music:

"Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio

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