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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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

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

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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Theater Tol was founded in 1998 by Lot Seuntjens, and this international company became known for its multidisciplinary performances, using images, drama, music, amd hardly any spoken text. And while they do perform all over the world, They don't use conventional theaters, instead preferring “unusual” locations: the site of an old factory, a park, a market square, a beach or the banks of a river. Whether its summer or winter, performances are held outdoors, sometimes tailor-made for a specific location or in collaboration with other artists and theater companies.

Two members of Theater Tol join the podcast: performer Hannah Snow and composer Benjamien Lycke. Together, we discuss what it’s like to tour internationally with massive gear, adapt to unpredictable weather, and perform in places as far-reaching as Colombia, Taiwan, and Spain.

We also talk about the realities of post-Covid touring, the frustrations of unreliable arts funding, and the magic that keeps them coming back to the sky—despite it all. Whether you're an artist, a theater lover, or just someone fascinated with what it takes to bring large-scale performance to life above a crowd, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain (or rather, up in the clouds).

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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

In the previous episode, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes shared the winding paths that led them to co-lead Why Not Theatre, and how they’ve forged careers on their own terms. It was an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation—but there’s still more ground to cover.

That’s why I’m so glad to have them both back with me for the Final Five Questions. This is where we get a little more personal—digging into the lessons they’ve learned along the way, the changes they hope to see in this industry, and what continues to fuel their work as artists and storytellers.

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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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Toronto is home to the third-largest English-speaking theatre district in the world—and at the heart of its thriving independent scene is Why Not Theatre, co-led by Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes. In this episode, they share their winding and deeply personal journeys through an industry that often made them question whether there was a place for artists like them.

Ravi opens up about balancing the security of institutional roles with the pull of founding his own company, while Miriam talks about being cast in limited, unimaginative roles and eventually choosing to train abroad—despite losing all her funding. Both faced major turning points where leaving the business seemed like the only option.

But together, they’ve carved out a new kind of space—most recently with Mahabharata, a sweeping, two-part adaptation of the Sanskrit epic that blends ancient philosophy with modern theatrical storytelling. From Toronto to the Barbican to Lincoln Center, their work is reshaping what Canadian theatre can be. And our conversation is about risk, reinvention, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start creating the work you want to see in the world.

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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

—

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

With Boop! The Musical earning three Tony nominations this year—including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, and Best Leading Actress for Jasmine Amy Rogers—I’m joined by cast member Aubie Merrylees for a conversation that goes beyond the awards buzz. We talk about the fun and energy of Boop!, but also the moments that shaped his career long before this Broadway run.

From a season of missed opportunities that led him to grad school, to the high expectations and quick closure of KPOP, Aubie shares how he’s navigated the uncertainties of this business. We also talk about how last year’s strikes pushed both of us to pivot and rediscover different parts of our craft. It’s a candid look at the many turns a career can take—and the unexpected joys that come along the way.

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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

Every June, Broadway’s biggest night reminds us just how thrilling and transformative live theater can be. The Tony Awards don’t just celebrate excellence—they spotlight the stories, the voices, and the people who are shaping the stage and pushing it forward. Since 1947, the Tonys have been honoring some of Broadway’s best, and this year is no exception, with Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending leading the pack at 10 nominations each.

But the Tonys also mark milestones that ripple far beyond the theater district. Just two years ago, J. Harrison Ghee, along with Alex Newell, became the first openly non-binary performers to win a Tony Award. It was a pivotal moment—not just for Ghee’s life and career—but for what the Tonys represent and who they recognize. So in this episode, you’ll hear about Ghee’s Tony journey and the milestone highs and lows along the way. Then you’ll get a glimpse behind the curtains on Kinky Boots and Some Like It Hot and how they have come to define Ghee’s talent and artistry.

We also talk about Only Make Believe and the wonderful work they do in bringing interactive theater to children in hospitals, schools, and care facilities. To learn more or donate to this worthy nonprofit, go to their website.

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