Ditch Your Backup Plan

Peter Royston (he/him) is an equity stage manager based in New York, and originally from the Bay Area area. His credits include: Blue Man Group, The Public Theater, The Lark, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Theatre Works, among others. Since 2017, Peter has become a vocal advocate and ally to the disabled community, specifically through his lived experience as a White Gay man with Cerebral Palsy. Peter hopes to see disabled stage management representation on Broadway and increased visibility of disabled artists across all aspects of the industry. Show Notes and Transcription at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Elsie Escobar is a 14 year veteran in the podcasting industry and inductee to the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. She is the co-founder of She Podcasts, a podcasting community for women + non-binary that has over 19 thousand members with a corresponding podcast and conference. She's a podcasting advocate, pundit and mentor to primarily women podcaster leaders. She also has an MFA in Acting!   Elsie is Libsyn’s Community Manager and co-host/producer of The Feed: The Official Libsyn Podcast   Elsie loves to drive dialogue in the podcasting industry focusing on podcasts’ impact on society, diversity, and culture as well as their power to drive social change.

Noah Lindquist is a member of AEA, a singer and actor, and the creator of the viral videos, "Wear a Mask," and "I Just Can't Wait for Vaccines." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Kimberly is a New York City based award-winning singer, actor, performer, and educator who recently originated the role of Maya in the New York City premiere of Sideways (based on the Academy Award Winning film). Top theatre critics have dubbed her a "golden-voiced vocalist," "a luminous life-force with a crystalline soprano voice," and "one of the best voices I've heard in musical theatre." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Logan is an actor in NYC with a passion for social justice and human equity. Over the past almost ten years, Logan has crafted a pretty nifty little life for herself, filled with some very cool flexible side hustles that enable her to drop everything on a dime and take an audition or a booking.. and she’s like really proud of that. Most notably, she is an ambassador for a fair trade fashion brand, called Noonday Collection. Noonday partners with artisans across the globe to create dignified work in their communities and combat the modern day slavery crisis. Over 70% of the artisans Noonday partners with are women!! Having this job in particular has been a definite bright spot in a dark year. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Alison Franck (CSA) is a casting professional with over 20 years of Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring, Regional Theatre, TV, Film, Commercial and Voice Over Casting experience. For a decade, she was the Casting Director for the prestigious regional theatre Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, where she cast over 50 productions with some of the theatre community's finest talent. Notable credits at Paper Mill include the Broadway transfer of I’m Not Rappaport starring Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen, Anything Goes starring Chita Rivera, The Baker’s Wife starring Alice Ripley, The Chosen starring Theodore Bikel and John Lloyd Young, Baby starring La Chanze, Norm Lewis, Carolee Carmello, Michael Rupert and Chad Kimball, The Full Monty with Elaine Stritch, The Importance of Being Earnest with Lynn Redgrave, and was the original Casting Director behind the Broadway transfer of Godspell, which included Telly Leung and Uzo Aduba. SHOW NOTES at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Damion Taylor spent the last 15 years applying data and technology to entertainment. Both analytical and creative, he brings a unique skill set that’s in high demand for brands and media companies. He effectively translates data in a way that is meaningful to creatives talent and has become a respected leader in audience growth and producing data-informed creative. He has lead Audience Development for large traditional media companies (e.g., Warner Bros. and NBC Universal) as well as innovative digital leaders (e.g., Machinima, Mitu and New Form) Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Elizabeth is a New York actor and teaching artist.  She is the creator and instructor of the N2NYT: New to New York Theatre online course. Show notes at: DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Gianmarco Soresi is a stand up comic, actor and writer but the first line of his obituary will probably say “guy from all those General Electric commercials.” Check out his comedy special on Amazon Prime: "Shelf Life." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Sherita Carthon is a Celebrity Brand Precision Expert who has helped more than 3k celebrities, artists, entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate their brand. An award winning speaker, Sherita has been featured on VH1 | FOX | ABC | MARKET WATCH | ASK.COM and most recently Live with Les Brown discussing her innovative project: The Celebrity Sales Method. Show notes and links at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Guests from 2020 answer the question, “Have you made it?” 00:53 Becca Kötte- Broadway actress and recording artist 1:30 David Valentine - Puppet Builder at Jim Henson Co. 2:52  Lauren Hirsh- Broadway child guardian 3:27 Clyde Voce- Actor 4:14 Sarah Schreiber-WWE backstage correspondent 5:50 Ross Evans- Screenwriter 6:17 Katie McClellan- TV, film, theatre & voiceover 7:38 Tim Murray- Actor, comedian 8:42 Grace Douglas 9:42 Mariand Torres- Broadway actress 11:15 Logan Jones- General manager, About Face Theatre, Chicago 11:52 Jenna Rubaii- Broadway actor 12:47 Alanna Saunders- Broadway actor 14:11 Anne Cofell Saunders- Television writer, executive producer 17:22 Lindsay Levine- Casting director 18:06 Carrie Compere- Actor 19:12 Julie Fleischer 20:07 Joshua Henry- Artist and Performer 20:37 Josh Fiedler- Producer 21:04  Travis Cloer- Broadway actor, Las Vegas performer, recording artist 21:42 Nick Francone- Scenic designer for theatre, art director for television and film 22:35 Theresa Squire -Broadway Costume Designer 23:13 Shaun J. Brown- Actor, writer and producer 23:52 Maya Lynne Robinson- Film, TV, stage actress, and writer/producer 24:09 Michael McElroy-Tony and Grammy nominated Broadway performer 24:35 Qui Nguyen-TV and film writer and playwright 25:24 Chantal Bilodeau- Playwright, founder of the Arctic Cycle organization 26:14 Bliss Griffin- Entertainment industry inclusion strategist 20:10 Kiki Rivera- Theatre artist and playwright 26:36 Kiki Rivera -Playwright and Activist 26:57 Laura Camien- Writer, producer, Co-host of The Spark File podcast 27:21 Vincent J. Cardinal- Chair of University of Michigan Musical Theatre DitchYourBackupPlan.com  

Guests from 2020 answer the question, “What was your biggest risk?” 1:07 Becca Kötte- Broadway actress and recording artist 1:40  Lauren Hirsh- Broadway child guardian 2:16 Clyde Voce- Actor 2:55 Sarah Schreiber-WWE backstage correspondent 3:36 Ross Evans- Screenwriter 4:44 Katie McClellan- TV, film, theatre & voiceover 5:34 Tim Murray- Actor, comedian 6:32 Mariand Torres- Broadway actress 7:12 Logan Jones- General manager, About Face Theatre, Chicago 7:48 Jenna Rubaii- Broadway actor 9:15 Alanna Saunders- Broadway actor 9:47 Anne Cofell Saunders- Television writer, executive producer 12:00 Lindsay Levine- Casting director 12:48 Carrie Compere- Actor 13:12 Joshua Henry- Artist and Performer 14:02 Josh Fiedler- Producer 14:22 Travis Cloer- Broadway actor, Las Vegas performer, recording artist 15:23 Nick Francone- Scenic designer for theatre, art director for television and film 16:02 Shaun J. Brown- Actor, writer and producer 16:37 Maya Lynne Robinson- Film, TV, stage actress, and writer/producer 17:02 Michael McElroy-Tony and Grammy nominated Broadway performer 17:53 Qui Nguyen-TV and film writer and playwright 18:23 Chantal Bilodeau- Playwright, founder of the Arctic Cycle organization 19:22 Bliss Griffin- Entertainment industry inclusion strategist 20:10 Kiki Rivera- Theatre artist and playwright 20:45 Jerry Jay Cranford- Director, choreographer, performer professor 21:15 Laura Camien- Writer, producer, Co-host of The Spark File podcast 21:51 Vincent J. Cardinal- Chair of University of Michigan Musical Theatre 22:35 Alisa Hurwitz- Psychologist, Dr. Drama DitchYourBackupPlan.com  

In the first episode of 2021, guests from 2020 answer the question, “Did you have a backup plan?” 2:00 Becca Kötte- Broadway actress and recording artist 2:22 David Valentine- Puppet builder at Jim Henson Co. 2:56  Lauren Hirsh- Broadway child guardian 3:22 Clyde Voce- Actor 3:58 Sarah Schreiber-WWE backstage correspondent 4:07 Ross Evans- Screenwriter 4:44 Katie McClellan- TV, film, theatre & voiceover 5:36 Tim Murray- Actor, comedian 6:25 Grace Douglas- Story producer, unscripted (reality) TV  7:25 Mariand Torres- Broadway actress 7:49 Logan Jones- General manager, About Face Theatre, Chicago 8:30 Jenna Rubaii- Broadway actor 9:21 Alanna Saunders- Broadway actor 10:09 Anne Cofell Saunders- Television writer, executive producer 10:55 Lindsay Levine- Casting director 11:21 Carrie Compere- Actor 11:42 Sara Andreas- Broadway Actor and Julie Fleischer- TV writer, script supervisor and Sara’s mom 12:29 Joshua Henry- Artist and Performer 13:02 Josh Fiedler- Producer 13:17 Travis Cloer- Broadway actor, Las Vegas performer, recording artist 14:00 Nick Francone- Scenic designer for theatre, art director for television and film 14:33 Theresa Squire- Broadway costume designer 14:47 Shaun J. Brown- Actor, writer and producer 15:13 Maya Lynne Robinson- Film, TV, stage actress, and writer/producer 15:37 Michael McElroy-Tony and Grammy nominated Broadway performer 15:54 Qui Nguyen-TV and film writer and playwright 16:18 Chantal Bilodeau- Playwright, founder of the Arctic Cycle organization 16:42 Bliss Griffin- Entertainment industry inclusion strategist 17:023 Kiki Rivera- Theatre artist and playwright 17:21 Jerry Jay Cranford- Director, choreographer, performer professor 17:50 Laura Camien- Writer, producer, Co-host of The Spark File podcast 18:18 Vincent J. Cardinal- Chair of University of Michigan Musical Theatre 18:33 Alisa Hurwitz- Psychologist, Dr. Drama DitchYourBackupPlan.com          

Dr. Alisa Hurwitz is Dr. Drama! She gives away mental health advice for artists on her Mental Health Live Series on Instagram. In this episode, she discusses her consulting work for the stage, the importance of self care, boundaries and success, and the impact brain development has on the ability to process the challenges of an industry shut down. As a  psychologist who has a lifelong passion for musical theater, Dr. Hurwitz offers her clinical insight into the characters you know from the shows you love. On her website you will find articles on the mental health aspects of your favorite musicals, discussion of new works and access to mental health resources, as well as interviews with some of your favorites from Broadway. http://www.drdrama.com/ Join other fearless friends in the Ditch Your Backup Plan Facebook Community Group to learn more about each interview and to connect with Jen. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Jen shares how artists register risk differently and how protocols in theatre lead to a fearless community that is accepting of risk and supportive to adjustments.

Jen's longtime mentor, Vincent J. Cardinal is the Arthur and Martha Hearron endowed professor of musical theatre, chair of the department of musical theatre, and professor of music at the school of music, theatre, and dance at the University of Michigan.  Vince shares the importance of goals and what purpose they really serve and how to find "your people." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.Com

Host, Jen Vellenga goes solo and talks about adaptation in the digital moment and how she's owning her digital space. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Laura Camien is a Broadway producer, playwright and screenwriter, and, along with Susan Blackwell, Laura is Co-host of the popular creativity podcast, The Spark File. She was a long time VP of Communications for Blue Man Group, as well as Creative Director and Head Writer for Blue Man Group's book, Blue Man World. As a teacher, she specializes in public speaking, media training, writing and communication. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Jen talks about the dangers of complacency for an artistic life and some strategies for overcoming embarrassment and resistance in order to show up.  

Jay has made his career as an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, and educator. He has performed on Broadway (Les Miserables), international and national tours (Les Miserables, Evita European Company as featured dancer, Singing in the Rain as Don, Anything Goes as Billy), regional stages, television and spent 3 years as the Genie in Disneyland's stage musical Aladdin.  He is currently an Associate Professor at Kansas State University. Jay has been a proud member of Actors Equity for nearly 30 years but none of the above credits compare to the joy that is being a husband and father to two beautiful daughters. Show notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Jen shares some research on Imposter Syndrome and advises listeners to ditch doubt, identify a super fan, and believe in themselves. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Kiki Rivera (she, they, we, wrasse) is an internationally produced, award-winning theatre artist, educator, and arts activist with her BA in Theatre and MFA in Playwriting from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). Original plays include Puzzy (featuring award-winning New Zealand Playwright Victor Rodger), and Faʻalavelave: The Interruption. Their work focuses on cultural and sexual identity and the effects of colonization. Kiki is one of many voices for Pacific Islanders in the diaspora and is published in Samoan Queer Lives edited by Yuki Kihara and Dan Talaupapa McMullin and believes in self-reflective storytelling from a contemporary indigenous perspective and creating space for marginalized theatre artists of color. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Jen talks about how to define the Backup Plan, the career pivot, the survival job, the side hustle, and the dream job. What does your mindset need to be to DitchYourBackupPlan?

Bliss Griffin's career is driven by a deep belief that the societal benefit of art is immeasurable. She believes that too often we value the art above the artist, trading their safety and well-being for our own entertainment. She is committed to creating an arts & entertainment industry culture that uplifts artists in their employment relationships. SHOW NOTES at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Playwright Chantal Bilodeau is the founder and artistic director of the Arctic Cycle organization and close friend and collaborator of host, Jen Vellenga. Chantal dives into her impactful work as a storyteller who uses theatre to encourage communities to take action on local and global climate change.  Show notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Qui Nguyen is a TV and film writer, playwright, and self-identified geek. His career has gone from co-founder and artistic director of the Obie award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company to Daytime Emmy award winning Hollywood screenwriter.  Qui believes in celebrating failure, working hard, and he prefers climbing mountains with a team over a solo journey.

Tony and Grammy nominated Broadway performer, Michael McElroy is the founder of Broadway Inspirational Voices, for which he won a 2019 special Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre. He recently founded Black Theatre United to combat systemic racism within theatre institutions and beyond. He believes in following your passion, but putting in the work. Process is part of the journey when you ditch your backup plan. For Michael, this is what has led to a lifetime of growth. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Film, TV, stage actress, and writer/producer, Maya Lynne Robinson plays Michelle on the sitcom The Unicorn on CBS. She spent 13 years working off and on in human resources before she made her living completely as an actress. Her long road to success from humble beginnings has taken courage, discipline, and perseverance. Maya Lynne shares how she made the big move to Los Angeles and all the ways her early actions helped her to succeed.  Show notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Shaun J. Brown from the CBS TV show The Great Indoors shares his personal journey starting with training in musical theatre to his pivot to the screen. A writer and producer, Shaun has learned how to continually hone his craft to stay relevant in the fast-paced industry of TV and film. Show notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Theresa Squire, Broadway costume designer never knew her job existed when she started her undergraduate degree in Business with a focus in Fashion Merchandising.  She eventually received her M.F.A. in Costume Design from NYU and designed The Lieutenant of Inishmore and High Fidelity on Broadway. She served as the resident costume designer for Keen Company for 10 years. She’s a Pilates instructor and a mom and she learned how to avoid burnout by setting clear boundaries.  

Nick Francone on Wicked as his lucky start, answering the phone, and reading like a storyteller. Nick is a scenic designer for theatre and an art director for television and film. This husband and dad of twins takes us on a brisk run-through of his career with insights from his 15 years as an assistant designer on Wicked to his more recent work as a production designer for New Years Eve with Carson Daly in 2019 and 2020. Fathers in June final episode.  Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Travis Cloer from Jersey Boys on making "real" money, and taking initiative. He's a Broadway actor and the Longest Running Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. This Las Vegas performer, recording artist, husband and father of two talks about the risks he's taken, leaving it all in the audition room (or on the audition tape), and how to turn times of uncertainty into opportunity. Father's Day episode. S1 E20. Show notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Josh Fiedler on Avenue Q, letting go of fear, and avoiding complacency. This Producer for Broadway and Bucks County Playhouse shares how he found his way to producing early in his career. With insights into how he and his casting director husband manage busy careers while also raising their twin daughters, episode 19 celebrates fathers in June and Gay Pride Month. S1 E19. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Amplifying the voices of BIPOC without silencing them and learning from mistakes made as an ally.  A Just Jen bonus episode after a week of pause and protests. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Joshua Henry on Hamilton and coming up alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, on patience, growth, and working your mind along with your craft.  This three-time Tony award nominee, musician and TV/Film actor, husband and father shares how his fulfilling career was built from a deep investment in training and intentional focus on personal growth. First "Fathers in June" interview. S1 E18. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Sara Andreas and Julie Fleischer talk Will and Grace, The Big Bang Theory, Legally Blonde, and the Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary tour. They both found ways to get a foot in the door on Broadway (Sara) and in TV (Julie). They share their career risks, terrifying New York apartments, finding success with family support, and the importance of lifting up other women. Mother's Day episode 4 of 4. S1 E17. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Carrie Compere on SHREK, City on a Hill with Kevin Bacon, The Color Purple, and Shout, Sister, Shout! This Broadway and TV/Film actor and super-mom shares her incredible story of how her mother's death fueled her passion, how she worked to put food on the table, the ways she finds family balance- all while not relying on a "Plan B." Mother’s Day episode 3 of 4. S1 E16. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com  

Lindsay Levine, casting director on Cats choreography and giving up her character shoes. This former musical theatre actor, educator, and mom shares the importance of persistence and how she ditched performing for casting.  Mother’s Day episode 2 of 4. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com  

Anne Cofell Saunders on Star Trek: Discovery, Battlestar Galactica, The Boys and working as a television writer and executive producer while raising two daughters. She shares her stories of taking risks when there are no safety nets, the importance of failure, and never letting others tell you who you are. This mom gives the whole perspective from growing up in a small town in South Dakota to becoming an award-winning and respected television writer and producer in Hollywood.  Mother’s Day episode one of four. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

College theatre students share how they are staying creative and productive during times of isolation and uncertainty. They share activities that elementary through high school students can try out for themselves.  SHOW NOTES AT DitchYourBackupPlan.com 1:14 STERLING OLIVER, Kansas State University 4:39 OLIVIA CARTER, Kansas State University 8:09: JACKSON BERLAND, Kansas State University 11: 25: KATIE HAYES, Rockford University 13:29: TRACE CAMPBELL, Kansas State University 16:48: KENEDI KELLEY, Kansas State University 18:42: TREVOR SEYL, Wichita State University 21:34: JACKIE OVASSAPIAN, University of Illinois 24:28: ZACHARY SMALLEY, Kansas State University 27:34: GRACE ROUSH, Wichita State University 30:02: DANIEL MASSEY, University of Illinois 33:27: KRISTEN CRUZ, Kansas State University

Alanna Saunders on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and losing herself in order to find herself.  She shares how she keeps a routine, shows up and gives her best, and the importance of self care. This Broadway actor takes us from growing up as a young performer with her twin sister and siblings in Seattle to getting her first gig as Tiger Lily on Peter Pan Live! to the international journey that led to her becoming her own person. SHOW NOTES at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Jenna Rubaii on the Jesus Christ Superstar 50th anniversary tour, Groundhog Day, and American Idiot.  This Broadway actor shares the importance of flexibility during inevitable career ups-and-downs and continually loving your own individuality. From her start singing in an all-girls group as a youth, she takes listeners on her career journey as a singer and actor.   Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Logan Jones on About Face Theatre- Chicago, asking for what you want, and doing your best work. He shares how he went from being an unpaid apprentice to becoming a full-time theatre artist and general manager in the Chicago theatre scene in the span of just five years.  Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Mariand Torres on playing Elphaba in Wicked and never saying, "Never!" This Broadway actress shares her incredible journey from starting out not knowing that musical theatre was a career to working on Broadway with her musical theatre heroes and being inspired by powerful women in artistic leadership. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Grace Douglas on unscripted (reality) TV and working in Los Angeles. She talks about self-comparison being the thief of joy and the importance of curiosity and building community. This associate story producer shares her journey from BFA actor to feeling confident and creatively fulfilled in her work in television where she uses her theatre degree every day.  Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Tim Murray on stand-up comedy, Voldemort the Musical and moving from NYC to LA. Tim shares his journey from disappointment to forgiveness--starting over and ignoring the voice in your head that says, "You can't." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com 

Katie McClellan on voiceovers, J.J. Abrams, and working between NY and LA in TV/Film and Theatre. Katie shares how she survives and thrives as an actor without running out of fuel (self care!), finding a flexible and fulfilling side job, and how upholding one’s self worth can lead to a healthy outlook. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com  

Ross Evans on screenwriting, the transition from NYC's Broadway scene to the Hollywood writer's hustle, and how his degree in musical theatre led him to making his living as a screenwriter. Ross shares his perspective on "sellouts" and why getting specific leads to finding success in a career you will love. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan

Sarah Schreiber on WWE announcing, hosting on the Home Shopping Network, and telling off David Letterman. She shares how Shakespeare and musical theatre prepared her for the wrestling entertainment world and how important it is to sell yourself as your own business. She stresses the importance of experiencing everything, being proud of your work, and self care. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Clyde Voce on making history in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as the first black actor to play the role of Willy Wonka on the Broadway tour. He describes the different duties of understudies and swings and shares how health, wellness, and personal finances need to be in order to survive as a working actor with no regrets. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com

Lauren Hirsh on Disney's Frozen on Broadway and her surprising career as a Child Guardian. This Broadway veteran describes how stage management led her to child wrangling and she give tips on how to break into this unique industry to find a job you will love. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com