Going For Broadway Podcast

Matt Burke, recently cast in Jurassic World, joins Eryn Woo on this Going for Broadway Episode. 

Anna-Lee wright recently starred as a series regular playing herself on MTV's hit comedy show Ladylike. A four year apprentice of Ann Reinking's prestigious Broadway Theatre Project, she grew up training and working intimately with masters of musical theatre such as Gregory Hines, Ann Reinking, and a few others. She also attended the Circle in the Square Theatre School in NYC. She has performed in regional theatres across the country, as well as sung opera internationally in China. Currently, Anna-Lee is in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon. When not teaching or performing Anna-Lee is spending time on the pole practicing her aerial specialty skills and dividing the rest of her time between her guitar and her rubik's cube.

Today, Going for Broadway welcomes Julie Benko. Remarkably, at only 18 years old, she moved to New York City to go to school at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, but was shortly casted in the National Tours of Spring Awakening.

In this episode, we welcome Alison Ewing. This week Cabaret is at the Peace Center here in In Cabaret, she plays the challenging part of Fraulein Kost where she not only is a triple threat, she is a quadruple threat having to act, sing, dance and play the accordion! Alison has been performing all her life. As a child and teenager, she grew up acting in community theatre and taking acting classes culminating with Musical Theatre at Milliken University in Illinois.

This Going for Broadway episode features Nathan Lucrezio. Nathan Lucrezio started at a very young age with Irish dance, competing at the World class level…placing 12th in the WORLD in Irish Dancing in 2005. He then received his BFA in Musical Theatre at Penn State University. From there, he went on the national tour of A Chorus Line as Alan DeLuca, as well as landing his Broadway debut in Cinderella.

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Kristine Reese joins Eryn. Even though she had a late start in the business, Kristine is a graduate off the University of Cincinnati with a BFA in Musical Theatre College Conservatory of Music. She was in both the first and second national Tours of Wicked as a swing, but was quickly put in the role of Nessarose, a role which she played over 1000 times!

Actor Shane Willimon joins us today! Acting since high school, Shane has worked on a national TV show for 3 seasons. He has been in an NBC TV movie and several films. Acknowledging that comedy is where his genius resides, Shane considers himself to be an “old school comedy” guy.

Natalie Wisdom is originally from St. Louis, Missouri where her love of performing began at the St. Louis MUNY in 1995 when she performed in the Children's Chorus of Cinderella. She had trained all throughout her life in the performing business and went to Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts and moved to New York shortly after Graduation with a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Christianne Tisdale made her Broadway debut in 1995 as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, with an unprecedented two days of rehearsal. From then on she has been in a various amounts of Broadway productions including Triumph of Love as Leonide, Titanic as Caroline Neville, a featured actress in I Get A Kick Out Of Blue, and an ensemble member and the understudy of Madame Thenadier in which I recently saw her in!

Eryn is joined by Mr. Kevin Carolan on this episode of Going for Broadway. Kevin Carolan is an award-winning actor and singer, building a successful career over the last 25 years and directed by some of the most talented artists in show business.

Eryn is joined today with Beth Norris, someone she met at the FAC where Beth was interning. Beth Norris is a senior at North Greenville University where she will be graduating in December with a bachelors in Theatre Performance.

Eryn is joined with Nick Sullivan on this episode. Eryn recently saw Nick on the national tour for Kinky Boots as Mr. Price. Alongside touring, Nick has appeared in the Broadway productions of Footloose, Moliere Comedies, and Black Comedy. Some other credits include Sebastien in the Tempest, Kraler in the Diary of Anne Frank, and Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet. He has appeared on multiple Law and Order episodes, One Life to Live, All My Children, and Spin City.

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Mr. Andrew Cao joins Eryn to talk about his life as an actor. Andrew is currently in Aladdin on Broadway in the ensemble and as Omar’s understudy. Prior to Aladdin, he was in the Broadway productions of Anything Goes and Nice Work. Andrew Cao received his BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in Dance from the University of WI Stevens Point. 

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Eryn is joined by Sean Seymour. Sean had just graduated from the University of Michigan in the class of 2014, and is currently on the road in Cinderella in the ensemble and as Prince Topher’s understudy.

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Eryn is joined from a teacher she had this past summer at the Governor’s School. Mr. Andrew Pastides discovered acting in high school; He attended the Governor’s School in the summers of 2000-2002.  After High School, Mr. Pastides attended and graduated from the prestigious University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Eryn is joined by an actor that she has grown up and learned so much with. Sam McCalla currently serves as Associate Artistic Director at the Greenville Little Theatre where he grew up. A graduate of College of Charleston, Sam performed numerous roles while at school served on the board of the student-run theatre company and was awarded the Emmett Robinson Scholarship, the highest award given to a College of Charleston theatre major. 

Eryn is joined on this episode today with Mr. Benjamin Jay Davis. Ben will be starring as Captain Von Trapp in the new national tour of The Sound of Music coming up this year. This isn’t his first national tour; he has also been in Spamalot as Galahad and Les Mis as Enjolras and the understudy of Marius in which he joined at the age of 22!

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Eryn is joined with Ms. Teri Hansen. From Opera to Broadway, Teri Hansen has received International recognition for her crossover abilities as a singing actress. Miss Hansen began her career “Rose” in the film version of Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. She has sung leading roles with the Houston Grand Opera, Theatre in Pfalsbau, Glimmerglass Opera, Theatre des Westens, and many more.

Eryn welcomes on a friend that she has worked with many times before, Griffin Binnicker. Just starting his freshman year at the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre getting his BFA in Musical Theatre, Griffin is from right here in South Carolina. Doing shows growing up all the time at community theatres like the South Carolina Children’s Theatre where he was in a number of productions including The Sound of Music, A Christmas Story, he has always had the love for performing.

Going for Broadway welcomes Tim Dolan on this episode! Tim moved to the Big Apple shortly after graduating high school to pursue a career in the arts. He graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, otherwise known as AMDA, in NYC. On television, Tim was featured on Season Two of HBO's Boardwalk Empire.

Eryn is joined with one of her favorite teachers ever! Currently, the Head Instructor of the Theatre discipline at the Fine Arts Center in the Upstate SC, Teri Parker Lewis is an actress, dancer, and choreographer from Laurens, SC. Teri received her B.A. in Theatre from the University of Massachusetts. She also received her M.F.A. in acting from Columbia University in New York City, where she studied with some of the top theatre professionals of our time including Anne Bogart, Kristin Linklater, and Andrei Serban.

Named the “wittiest” and “most talented” in her high school yearbook, Shay Brown joins us on Going for Broadway with Eryn. Eryn and Shay have done a few shows together including A Christmas Story at SCCT. Shay was raised in Columbia, SC and studied theatre at Winthrop University and the University of South Carolina. She then found her way from suburban South Carolina to LA for the bright lights of theatre, film, and television.

Eryn is joined on Going for Broadway with Cogsworth on the national tour of Beauty and the Beast…Samuel Shurtleff! Samuel Shurtleff is a native Texan who emigrated to NYC in 2012.  Prior to moving to New York City, he performed in numerous regional theater productions throughout Texas.

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Samuel Floyd joins us on the show with Eryn. Samuel Floyd is an actor based out of New York City. He is a BA Theatre Graduate from East Tennessee State University, and also holds his minor in dance from there.

Sally Cade Holmes is a freelance producer who most recently produced Dylan Frederick's Summer Valley Fair at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and The Twentieth-Century Way with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. She served as the Producing Associate at Williamstown Theatre Festival where she worked on Broadway and off-Broadway productions of The Bridges of Madison County, Fool for Love, Living on Love, The Old Man and The Old Moon, and The Visit.

Eryn is joined on this episode with an actor that has been in many productions with her. John Patrick ("J.P.") McLaurin is a theatre artist based in South Carolina. He is currently pursuing a BFA in Acting at Coastal Carolina University, where he will be directing José Rivera’s Marisol this fall.

Kevin Sizemore joins us today on Going for Broadway. Eryn has worked and learned from Kevin a lot in the past to prepare for different auditions. Kevin Sizemore has portrayed many memorable characters on television, such as Gary Humphrey on RESURRECTION, Paul Randolph on UNDER THE DOME and Greg Miner on STALKER as well as characters on NCIS, 24, Rizzoli & Isles & DROP DEAD DIVA and many more. 

Emily Pate is a really good friend of Eryn’s and has the same goal as all of us… Going for Broadway! With this dream in mind, she has performed in regional and community theaters for the past 8 years starring in productions including Tarzan, All Shook Up, Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Mermaid and The Wizard of Oz.

Rick Connor was in Eryn’s very first show ever! Rick is a community theatre regular for many years now here in the Upstate of South Carolina. Recently he was seen as Sheriff Earl in All Shook UP at the Greenville Little Theatre, and in Smokey Joe’s Café, A Christmas Carol as Jacob Marley which he has played several times and will play once again this coming December at GLT along with Eryn. 

Jaycie Dotin is a seasoned actress who is currently on her first National Tour as Lorraine in Jersey Boys (which in coming to Greenville where Eryn is). Considered a true “triple threat”, an actor who can act, sing and dance, Jaycie is a Wright State University alumna where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre. 

We are joined today with one of Eryn’s favorite directors, Kim Granner. Kim Granner studied Art and thus, her original career choice was to become an artist but to make a living, veered off (in her words) and worked as a graphic artist for 30 years.       

Arbender Robinson joins us today on this episode of Going for Broadway. Arbender is a native of Chicago and a Graduate of Viterbo University. After his Broadway debut in Hairspray, Arbender has had many more successful runs in a number of Broadway shows in The Book of Mormon, the original casts of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Little Mermaid, Ragtime, and currently as the Constable and Montparnasse in Les Mis (he is also the understudy of Marius), in which Eryn got to see if him in.  

Coach Robert has served as Eryn’s voice teacher for about 6 years now. Robert Hoefer is president of the South Carolina Institute for Vocal Training (SCIVT) and CEO of Pitch Doctors, LLC.  Coach Robert has been in the music and voice industry his entire life, beginning his vocal training as a child under the tutelage of the distinguished Hungarian instructor Dr. Arpad Darazs. 

Originally from South Carolina, Justin has made a professional career in theatre. He has gone from starting with community theatre in Greenville, South Carolina and moving on to the regional theatre scene in Atlanta, Georgia, Justin at both the Serenbe Playhouse where he has played Demetrius in Midsummer’s Night Dream and Craven/Weatherstaff in The Secret Garden, and at the TheatreSquared where has acted in Look Away and One Man, Two Guvnors. Coming up, Justin will be Jason in Wit at the Aurora Theatre, a theatre center that produces professional plays based in Georgia, and Ventecelli in Amadeus at Theatre Squared. In this Episode, Justin and Eryn discuss his training at North Greenville and the prestigious University of Arkansas. They also talk about the different regional theatres he acts at and the environment in which they come. Justin is always back and forth between working in different locations of theatre, but finds Atlanta to be the place to be. Justin talks about the life as an actor. He is always looking for work and makes it a point to say that the agent can only get you the appointment, and the rest of the work is all on you. They close out the episode with his word of advice being to “have fun.” It’s hard work and there’s always time to be serious, but if you’re not having fun then it’s all wrong. Justin tells the parents to support their young performers and keep on with the encouragement.      

Samuel Farnsworth join us today on this episode. Eryn and Samuel have known and acted together since the beginning of both of their acting experiences. Samuel Farnsworth is a sophomore Drama student at University of North Carolina for the Arts in Winston Salem, widely acknowledged as one of the top drama programs in the U.S. Eryn and Samuel discuss a lot about all of the training that he has done. He has gone through many classes and performances at many local theatres, as well as trained at the Fine Arts Center and the Governor’s School. They talk a lot about the National Unified Auditions and the convenience and benefits of these type of auditions. They also go into being able to choose the right program for you to attend. Tour schools, get the right “feel” of the school and know what you want in order to know where you’re meant to be. Samuel believes that you must do what you love to do and do the art for yourself, not anyone else. “Be curious and find your love of the play… If you love it, it won’t get old and you will become better.”  

Amelia is a USA-based singer, actor, songwriter, musician and voice-over artist with international credits in music theatre, theatre, cabaret, film and television, and voice-over. She first trod the boards of a professional stage at 13, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Really Useful Group). She completed a BA (Performance Studies) at the University of Sydney, before graduating from WAAPA in 2004 with a BA (Music Theatre). And Eryn recently saw her in Kinky Boots when it came to Greenville! Amelia talks about the many things she has accomplished in her performing career. She talks about her involvement in theatre, film, touring, singing at award shows, and voiceover work. She goes into detail about the differences in performing at different places all around the world and how they vary. “If you can dream it, you can do it,” she says. If you are passionate about it enough, then it will happen. You have to prove to the universe that you can take a risk. As artists, never be afraid to create your own work and keep on honing your craft.  

Joining us today, is Ms. Kimberlee Ferreira. Kimberlee was dancing professionally in New York by the age of 18. A sought-after teacher and choreographer, Kimberlee is director of the jazz companies at the Upstate Carolina Dance Center. Eryn has worked with her in a number of productions with something amazing choreography! In this episode, Eryn and Kimberlee talk about her experience in dance, choreographing, and special skills and sparks within an actor. She believes that it is ok if your dance skills aren’t the best, but your acting and voice are; It does not limit you. There are many other shows and musicals that aren’t “Chorus Line”-esque. Kimberlee always says to stay in class and never stop learning and growing. Always be the hardest working person wherever you’re at because someone will always notice your determination. Something will always come out of your trying. Parents, always keep supporting and don’t judge or compare.

Eryn is joined by Suzanne McCalla on this episode of Going for Broadway. Eryn has worked under Suzanne’s direction at the Greenville Little Theatre since 2009, and is a dear friend to her. Suzanne joined GLT in 1993.  She is head of design; designing costumes and sets for the past twenty-one seasons. Suzanne’s early career was spent primarily at The Dallas Theatre Center with legendary director Adrian Hall and Tony Award winning designer, Eugene Lee. Their vision of theatre has always been her primary source of inspiration. Suzanne talks about being in the right place at the right time to help you get success, as well as having connections. The two discuss auditioning for everything versus things that you are only good for. She believes that you must know what you are good that, and only audition for those certain opportunities and not go out for something that you aren’t the best at. Of course, you can work your way up to getting that skill, but that shouldn’t be the start of it. Know yourself! Suzanne’s word of advice comes from being able to have lots of life experience, keep your eyes open, and know that there are many ways of working your way up. She says to meet lots of people as well. Parents, keep those checkbooks open; be an investor and supporter in the arts!

Originally from Mississippi, Beth received a degree in Broadcast Journalism from The University of Southern Mississippi. She was hired by CNN in Atlanta and later transferred to their offices in New York where she worked while attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In the following years she learned it ain't all 5-star hotels; sometimes it's no-star hotels, but it's the work that matters. Beth makes it a point that if a director pulls you off to the side for a note or for a tip, then it means that they see something in you. They want you to improve and are looking to talk to you again. You must also be tenacious, if you see something you like that another actor, ask them what they are doing to put themselves on their level. The advice that Beth would give to aspiring actors is that you must subdue all of your fears and that you must make a good relationship with every single person you work with. You are always investing in yourself and investing in the people in the room. It doesn’t matter if the person is dismissive, you must make sure you greet them and remind them of you, but also move out of their way quickly. “The show business is the one career that there is no set path, you can choose your own path.”

Eryn is joined by Rachel Izen on this episode of Going for Broadway. Rachel started at a young age performing, but mainly as a dancer. She studied at a conservatory that was purely dance training. Her transition into being an “actor” was really just auditioning for different opportunities. Rachel discusses how she ended up working in the West End and how she got her green card to be able to travel to the US where she toured and performed on Broadway in Mary Poppins and currently in Les Mis, in which Eryn got the chance to see her in. Not only does she talk about her journeys towards performing, she also explains the rather exhausting work life of an actor balancing eight shows a week along any other gig you’ve signed up for.  She goes into explaining her film work that comes through her agent and the difference between acting on stage and on television.  The show wraps up with Rachel talking about how to learn from experiences from going out and auditioning and learning from everything. She thinks that feedback from another person isn’t the most reliable to work with and to always continue to work on your craft. 

In this episode of Going for Broadway, Eryn is joined by the award-winning, Dr. Roy Fluhrer. Dr. Fluhrer was born into theater, sleeping in a theater trunk as a baby while his parents performed. He is currently the director of the Greenville County School District’s Fine Arts Center, has worked as the artistic director of the Toledo Repertoire Theater, vice chancellor of the North Carolina School for the Arts, and chairman of the theater department at the University of Idaho. Even though he grew up in the theater, his love for theater didn’t shine through until the age of 13, when he was forced by his mother to attend a performance of Henry VIII. Dr. Fluhrer talks about his work at the Fine Arts Center and their mission of encouraging talented students to pursue their path through the fine arts. He shares what he looks for in an audition and how he can tell whether it’s a good fit after the first 10 seconds. Eryn and Dr. Fluhrer discuss child actors on stage and different aspects of young acting. Dr. Fluhrer explains his philosophy of failure being a learning opportunity. He adds great advice and insights about pursuing your career in areas of your strengths or weaknesses and nurturing your abilities. Dr. Fluhrer discusses different methods used in the fine arts, and being able to use and understand the method appropriately. Eryn and Dr. Fluhrer wrap up with focusing and being willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.

On this Going for Broadway Episode, Eryn is joined with Chante Carmel. Currently in Motown the Musical on tour, Chante talks about all of her experience and journeys leading up to today. Chante has always had a passion for music and would tour with her dad’s choir at a very young age. Once she got the taste for touring and traveling the world, she never looked back. She has continued to do a couple more national tours such as Rent, and talked about her path that led her into this show. Eryn and Chante also talk about her time working and performing on the Disney Cruiseline. She says that her transition into the film world was tough but she has found a way to balance out her busy work life and be prepared for everything that she does. Chante finishes by saying that even though this acting business is hard, you must always hold on to your belief, fate, and what you want. She tells parents to never stop supporting their child and their dream as her parents have done to her.  

Eryn talks with Adam Jacobs on this episode today. Eryn recently saw Adam in Aladdin on Broadway, and was thrilled to discuss with him what paths brought him all of his success today. He got the acting bug in high school and had many mentors that encouraged him to go on with his career and interest in the arts. He knew for sure when he felt the encouragement and the applause from the audience that this was what he wanted to do. Adam goes through his training at university, his learning experiences in summer programs, and how this work as brought him his success today. He goes into the lifestyle of touring nationally with Les Mis, as well as his work on Broadway. He explains the differences of rehearsing and learning a show that has been running and is very established already, such as Lion King, versus being in the original cast of a production. To wrap up the show, Adam talks about how the actor must tap into the magical part of himself to stay positive and keep on working. He tells parents not to be too worried and how the skills they can develop in college can be a great base and be transferred into any other career.

On this Going for Broadway episode, Eryn has one of her fellow actors join her, Evan Harris. Evan has been acting locally since 1995 and has worked with The Greenville Little Theatre, Centre Stage, The South Carolina Children’s Theatre, The Warehouse Theatre and the Upstate Shakespeare Festival. He has studied acting with The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC and is a member of the Laughing Stock Improv Group. Evan and Eryn discuss his comedic nature and how it is what sticks with him always. He mentions that one should know what their type is and what would work for you to audition for, as well as taking a shot at what may not be your strongest niche to help you grow and expand. Alongside balancing out his work life and doing community theatre, Evan has his own podcast and works as a writer and an actor on multiple web or YouTube series. Evan’s big word of advice to aspiring actors is to always continue to learn, get new material, and work to get better every day. He emphasizes that people should always be easy to work with in order to keep on working.

On this episode of Going for Broadway, Eryn talks with Darius Wright about his journey towards going on tour with Matilda currently. Growing up, Darius never really knew that working in musical theatre was an actually thing. But as he goes through college with the help of some colleagues, he was able to figure out his dream. Darius talks about his training at Oklahoma City University and performing at regional theatres. Eryn and Darius talk a lot about how he was able to be on the tour of Matilda and what it is like touring nationally with a show. He goes through the audition and call back processes he went through and how he was able to land the role in the ensemble as well as cover for Michael Wormwood and the Escape Artist. The show concludes talking about the ways Darius continues to train and discover as he goes on to working in different aspects of the performance arts in the future. He thinks that actors should accept the way that they are as a person both physically and mentally and being patient for the right role to come.

On episode 1 of Going for Broadway, Eryn is joined by long-time friend and fellow actor, Brian C. Coker. Brian has been acting since his teenage years, and is well-known in the upstate South Carolina community theaters, and even starred in Eryn’s first play with her. He loves to make people laugh, especially kids, but theater is his first love. Brian’s dream of acting began after watching The Carol Burnett Show as a kid, and was inspired by Tim Conway’s power to make his costars laugh. He didn’t study acting, with the exception of a class his 8th grade teacher recommended, but has 20 years of experience that has shaped his career. Brian shares his opinion on whether his improv-style sense of humor can be learned and lists the key players that inspired his style. He demos some of his character voices and discusses his start in mimicking. Brian shares his insights on always learning and growing and how he enjoys watching new talent perform on stage. He also talks about his most recent on-stage roll in Into The Woods. The show wraps up with Brian discussing his love for the stage as he provides insightful tips and advice for stage and film acting. Brian tells aspiring actors to keep taking chances and learning from their mistakes, and gives parents a push to be the loving and encouraging parents that young actors need.