Why I‘ll Never Make It

A short talk about upcoming bonus episodes focusing on this NY Theater Award Season. Also, check out the WINMI Blog with guest blogger Maggie Bera. Find it all on winmipodcast.com!

You're not likely to hear a more infectious laugh than on today's episode with Lothair Eaton. His joy of life and performing shine through in this engaging conversation about life on tour with STARLIGHT EXPRESS, the struggles of finding work here in NYC, and how we learn and grow as performers.

Lothair was also seen in the ’95 UK Tour of 5 GUYS NAMED MOE. Throughout Germany and the UK Lothair has performed in many Musical Galas and events, as well as his own Cabaret shows to rave reviews!

In New York, Lothair was seen in the original cast of NUNSENSE A-MEN as Sister Mary Hubert to wonderful reviews! Also in the York Theatre production of LOST IN THE STARS. And the Papermill Playhouse production of SHOW BOAT, which was also taped and shown on P.B.S. Great Performances. Enjoying time in Vegas, he went back to play the Master Of Laughter (no surprise there!) in EFX at the MGM Grand Hotel starring Tommy Tune!

But before all that Lothair was born in Chicago, into a musical family. His father, Cleveland J. Eaton is a famous Jazz musician, playing Contra Bass with the incredible Ramsey Lewis Trio, as well as the World famous Count Basie Orchestra. (See this video of him with Count Basie.)

Follow Lothair on Twitter and Instagram as well as his website.

-----

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

After our great discussion of Broadway history, Tony Awards, and Dorothy Fields, Kristin was a sport enough to take on some trivia questions...and some of them were doozies. I didn't even know most of them before looking them up. So test your own Broadway knowledge and see how many you know in the first-ever WINMI Theater Trivia Challenge!

Follow Kristin on Twitter and learn more about her at DrBroadway.com.

-----

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

-----

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

After being on WINMI Episode 32, fellow podcaster Clayton Howe invited me to return the favor and come on his podcast. We chatted about my own journey as an actor and what led to the creation of WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT. I share my own fears and battles with not "making it" but also what keeps me going and hoping along the way.

There's plenty of wit and wisdom in this great conversation with my friend, and I'm so glad to have been a part of his podcast. Enjoy!

Subscribe and listen to ENTERTAINMENT(X) and follow Clayton on Instagram.

-----------

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

As part 2 of the focus on auditions, John Ort joins the podcast. He is a member of CSA (Casting Society of America) and works on TV, film, new media and theatre.

His insights on the audition process are informative and useful as we continue to navigate this sometimes rough and mysterious process. John sheds light on on-camera vs theater auditions, how best to do self-tapes, and even tackles some of your questions.

John's work includes: CBS’s “Bull,” feature films Last Ferry and Anya, and short films The Water Song and Etymology. Associate credits include season 1 of the series “Ozark” (Netflix) for which he won an Artios Award for outstanding casting, the pilots of “Bull” (CBS) and “Blindspot” (NBC), “Younger” seasons 1 & 2 (TV Land), and the last 2 seasons of “Royal Pains” (USA). Previously, John was Manager of Casting at ABC Primetime NY searching for series regulars for numerous pilots and series.

For 7 years he oversaw the casting and production of the annual Disney | ABC Talent Diversity Showcase in NY. Independent theatre projects include musicals, plays and cabarets produced downtown at the legendary Joe’s Pub at The Public, Green Room 42, The Cherry Lane Theatre, Le Poisson Rouge, The Duplex Cabaret and various venues in the NY International Fringe Festival.

Follow John on Twitter.

He is also on the board the Artist's Patron Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity founded in 2016 that provides fiscal sponsorship of mid-career artists, with project-specific grants. http://artistspatronfund.org

-----

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

A big thank you to each of my guests for sharing their personal tales of triumph and dismay and also to you for joining me on this fun and insightful episode.

-----

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

Welcome to your favorite holiday: Tax Day! One of the most difficult but important issues we face in the arts is our finances. How to make more of it and how to spend (and save) it in the best way possible.

Rebecca Selkowe, head of the Financial Wellness Program at The Actors Fund, covers some of the challenges people working in performing arts and entertainment face when trying to balance variable income and expenses, and also touches briefly on important tax issues. A performing artist’s financial life is complex, so it’s easy to get confused when trying to organize your money. This episode will help you distinguish between regular and irregular income, and determine what this means for building yourself a financial cushion, saving for periodic expenses and investing for your future.

The overall goal of the Financial Wellness program? Establishing a stable method of managing your finances. So check out their free classes and seminars today!

Learn more about Rebecca Eve Selkowe and her book Dominate Your Debt.

--------------

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

Kelly and I talk about the mindset needed to get through the ups and downs of this business, and as founder of Triple Threat Therapy she even gives me a bit of therapy, asking questions and giving insights into my own thinking when it comes to auditions and making decisions for my career. 

But it all started the ripe old age of 4, when Kelly stepped on stage for the first time during a kindergarten musical. From that moment on, she was hooked. Most of us have a story similar to that, right? She performed throughout my childhood but focused on choir and singing during high school and college.

In her 20's, she started auditioning for local community theater productions. Up to that point, she had never been to a professional or semi-professional audition and had no clue what to expect. So she learned by doing and was soon performing regularly at a local theater. But she struggled to move beyond chorus, or small featured roles. Now in her 30's and after taking several years off from auditioning and performing, she focuses on family and her vocal students. 

She also writes a blog, which is how I first found out about Kelly. Her honesty and openness about the rejection that comes with auditioning and performing was both eye-opening and refreshing...

"We all know that we aren't supposed to take rejections personally...but seriously?! How can we NOT? It stings when someone doesn't see our talent, or sees our talent but just doesn't want us. We have poured our heart and soul into that performance and their response is simply, "thanks but no thanks" or "we'll call you." ⁣So what do we do with that rejection?"

Read the full blog article here.

Kelly is also starting a brand new Masterclass series, featuring many artists and professionals, including myself and former guest, Maggie Bera. To learn more about her Journey to Broadway Masterclass and the other coachings and consultations she provides, visit her website.

You can also follow her on Instagram & Facebook. 

-----------

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

Fellow actor and podcaster, Clayton Howe, riffs on the business of auditioning as well as creating new work and making a difference in the world...whether that world is our own theater community or a larger presence influencing millions.

He even brings up one influencer, Casey Neistat, who is a filmmaker and was ticketed here in NYC for not riding his bike in the bike lane. Through his videos and mission to fight back against the ticket, he ended up exposing a flaw in the enforcement of bike lanes and galvanized a strong following behind him. Watch the video that started it all. Notice the 22+ million views so far!

Okay, now back to Clayton...he and I first met during my contract with Disney Cruise Line. He was Vocal Captain and became a true friend on the ship. Since being back on land, our careers have led us in similar directions as we pursue more theater gigs around the country.

Born and raised on Long Island and schooled at State University of New York (SUNY), Clayton has a resume that stretches from New York theater to regional theater and beyond. He most recently performed in From Here to Eternity at Ogunquit Playhouse and just finished a production at Gateway Playhouse for Cabaret.

All of this has brought Clay to a higher understanding of what it means to change the world through storytelling, which is why he created his podcast Entertainment(x). Clayton believes in understanding the roots of one's successes and struggles so others can learn from them and live a more fulfilled life...sounds familiar, eh? 

Much like WINMI, Clayton brings in names you might recognize, names you won't, and names you don't yet. In fact, in the coming weeks he'll be bringing me on his show. So stay tuned as your favorite host turns into Clayton's favorite guest! :)

Follow Clayton on Twitter and Instagram. 

-----------

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