Jennifer Apple returns for this bonus episode to tackle the Final Five Questions. From her very first professional show of Spring Awakening to the lessons she’s still learning today, Jennifer opens up about how she defines success, the advice she’d give her younger self, and the changes she hopes to see in the industry’s future. A future she’s shaping through here Empowered Artists Collective. It’s a candid and thoughtful conversation that goes beyond the stage and into the heart of her journey.

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A serious back injury could have ended her career before it really began. Instead, it became the turning point that led to new opportunities—earning an MFA at ACT in San Francisco, training in Italy, and finding fresh ways to grow as a performer.

In this episode, we talk about resilience, artistic reinvention, and how those setbacks eventually inspired the creation of the Empowered Artist Collective, a community and podcast supporting women and non-binary artists. Her story is a reminder that recovery can fuel both personal growth and collective change.

Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you!

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Patricia McGregor’s first steps into the world of professional theater were marked by a sense of awe and a drive to make every moment matter. From performing under Orlando’s bright lights as a child to taking on demanding roles and responsibilities backstage in New York, Patricia learned early how powerful a single theatrical moment could be—sometimes just a gasp in the audience, or a split-second splash of stage blood. These formative experiences, guided by inspiring collaborators, forged her understanding of the artform’s potential to both shock and transform.

Patricia’s story is one of connection: she speaks passionately about balancing mentorship and peer relationships, and learning to trust her instincts along the way. For her, success is about honoring the baton passed down from mentors and preparing the way for a more diverse and inclusive future in theater. Even as she leads and innovates, Patricia stays grounded in her desire to create room for others—both onstage and behind the scenes.

Her vision looks forward: she advocates for systemic industry changes like accessible healthcare, artist housing, and collective problem-solving, believing that supporting artists’ basic needs and building trust is key to nourishing a thriving artistic ecosystem. Perhaps most importantly, she continues to work on giving time and space for bold ideas to flourish, maintaining that joy and resilience are crucial for both personal and communal growth.

Patricia McGregor’s journey is a testament to intentional leadership and the enduring power of artistic collaboration. Her commitment reminds us that when we support one another and hold space for transformation, we open doors for generations to come.

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Patricia McGregor’s journey to becoming artistic director of New York Theatre Workshop has been anything but linear. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, she and her sister created performances wherever they could, laying the foundation for a lifelong devotion to storytelling. Later, in New York, Patricia faced tough choices, financial struggles, and unexpected opportunities that tested her resolve but also expanded her vision as an artist.

Now leading one of the city’s most influential theaters, Patricia reflects on what it takes to balance creativity with leadership, the importance of nurturing new voices, and the lessons she’s carried from her early challenges to her current role. Her story is a reminder that the hardest crossroads can often lead to the most meaningful paths forward.

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In the previous episode, Sònia Victoria Werner and I dove into her background as an artist and the creation of Lighthouse Ladies, and while that was such an insightful conversation, there’s still so much more to explore! That’s why I’m thrilled to have Sonia back here with me for the Final Five Questions. These are where we get a little more personal—uncovering lessons learned, hopes for the industry, and a deeper look at what drives her as an artist.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you!

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From childhood improv classes to building a women-led production company, Sònia Victoria Werner has carved out an artistic path that’s as bold as it is inspiring. An actor, writer, producer, director, makeup artist, content creator, and entrepreneur, she thrives on telling authentic stories that cross cultures and push boundaries. You’ll soon hear her voice in a highly anticipated Netflix animated reboot and an upcoming AAA video game, but that’s just one part of her ever-expanding career.

In our conversation, Sònia takes me back to the scrappy, no-budget film that first sparked the idea for Lighthouse Ladies and how that small project grew into an award-winning company with a team of eighteen. She talks about the challenges of standing out in an industry that so often relies on name recognition, the sting of rejection and ghosting, and the ways she continues to create space for women and underrepresented voices. And as a special bonus, she shares one of her audition stories—something usually reserved just for subscribers.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you!

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Joseph Zellnik is back for a candid and insightful bonus conversation about his journey as a writer and composer in the world of musical theater. Through these five final questions, Joseph shares personal stories from his early career including the lessons learned from his first professional show and the challenges of trying to resonate with an audience. He opens up about the evolution of his writing style how he now defines success and the importance of finding stories that you are uniquely qualified to tell. The discussion also touches on changes he’d like to see in the industry—like making theater more affordable and recapturing the energy of the collaborative process—and the importance of having passions and fulfillment beyond the stage. 

Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you!

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Joseph Zellnik is a musical theater composer, and along with his playwright brother David they are best known for their 2010 musical, Yank! This Off-Broadway production picked up Best Musical nominations from the Drama Desk Awards, the Outer Critics’ Circle, and the Lucille Lortel Foundation. Beyond that, Joseph has also written mystery novels, including The Sound of Murder, the first in his "Musicals Are Murder" series, which cleverly combines fictional crimes with real theater history. He even has an upcoming book, The Periodic Table of Broadway Musicals, written with his husband.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you!

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

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Think Alabama isn't a breeding ground for Broadway stars? Think again! This week, we're joined by the phenomenal Nick Rashad Burroughs, who defies expectations and proves that talent truly knows no geographical bounds. From his early life in a deeply religious family in Birmingham, Alabama, Nick's sports-focused journey took an unexpected turn with an accidental audition that led him away from sports and the idea of becoming a pastor.

Nick also shares the raw and inspiring story of how he reconciled his artistic truth with his upbringing, the deeply personal challenges he faced coming out, and the profound significance of his mother witnessing him perform in drag on a Broadway stage. We dive deep into his remarkable career, from his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots right out of school, to navigating the massive spectacle of King Kong (and its critical reception), and the intense emotional demands of portraying Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. He even earned a Broadway World Award for his portrayal of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.

This is a conversation about trusting your instincts and committing to your authentic self, creating an extraordinary life even when the path is completely unexpected and requires immense courage and creative risk. This is a story about guts, grit, and the incredible rewards of fully embracing who you are.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you!

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