The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

• #459: Shonica Gooden // Hamilton on Broadway // Part Two

  Shonica Gooden (Hamilton Broadway's Woman 4) first joined Hamilton in December of 2015, just in time for the full on Hamilton madness with the original cast, including that legendary trip to the White House. Shonica reflects on over ten years of Hamilton, explaining how her life experiences (being a mother, experiencing a pandemic, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement) have changed her approach to the show. But guess what? She still looooooves it. She loves and respects all the time it took to really get it right and as Shonica says, "they didn't microwave it." Shonica also talks about being a founding member and the Executive Artistic Director of the Black Artists Dance Collective, an alliance of Black dance professionals who vow to uplift, support, inspire, and empower Atlanta’s Black dance community.  Shonica on Instagram The Black Artists Dance Collective Mutha Podcast /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

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• #458: Shonica Gooden // Hamilton on Broadway // Part One

  Shonica Gooden (Hamilton Broadway's Woman 4) was born and raised in Atlanta, where she focused on what was supposed to be a thriving modern dance career. She had zero interest in musical theatre and didn't see herself as a triple threat. Luckily, her teachers at DanceMakers of Atlanta did see her as a triple threat and strongly encouraged Shonica to audition for Bring It On. This led to callbacks and work sessions with Alex Lacamoire and Andy Blankenbuehler, and it would prove to be the start of a beautiful friendship with The Cabinet.  Shonica had the incredibly unique experience working with Andy Blankenbuehler in the pre-production phase of Hamilton, and she was one of the dancers Andy called to help him visualize what would end up being the choreography in the show. It was a shock to everyone (especially Andy) when Shonica turned down the opportunity to be a swing when Hamilton was transferring to Broadway. As Shonica explains, it was a terrifying decision that ended up being the right move. Plus, Shonica talks about being a mother on Broadway including not feeling guilty about having a child, what needs to change in the industry, refusing to make excuses, and teaching her son that being busy is normal because she's not giving up her career anytime soon.  Shonica on Instagram The Black Artists Dance Collective Mutha Podcast /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

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• #457: John Devereaux // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Three

  This week wraps up my series with John Devereaux, a standby on Hamilton's Philip Tour covering George Washington, King George III, Mulligan/Madison, and Lafayette/Jefferson. Remember when John told the story about booking Hamilton and almost passing on it? Yeah well that almost didn't even happen because this week you'll hear about how John actually did pass on the first audition! Yep, he just wasn't that into Hamilton. But then he heard Wait For It and couldn't stop crying and decided he absolutely had to be in the show. John walks us through his Hamilton process while also giving excellent advice (spoiler: whatever it is, take the note). He's also taking questions from the Patreon Peeps where you'll learn about "the multiverse of KGIIIs" and why he wants to sit down for a hard hitting interview with the real Aaron Burr. John on Instagram John on Tiktok Of Yours Products /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

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• #456: John Devereaux // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Two

  John Devereaux (standby on Hamilton's Philip Tour) is back for round two and this episode is all about authenticity and being as present as possible. For John, he never wants to "lose his elasticity", so a lot of his work as an actor has to do with constantly learning and being curious about himself and the world around him. This week, John shares stories about what he describes as "being tested" in auditions (...or was it just racism? You be the judge) and discusses his fantastic experience on the Rent 20th Anniversary Tour. From the importance of integrity to the true meaning of legacy to the "do no harm, take no shit" way of life, John is laying it all on the table. John on Instagram John on Tiktok Of Yours Products /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

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• #455: John Devereaux // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One

  John Devereaux is currently on Hamilton's Philip Tour covering George Washington, King George III, Mulligan/Madison, and Lafayette/Jefferson. He grew up in Houston, Texas, loving sports and wanting to eventually practice medicine. In high school, he did some friends a favor by stepping in as a last minute replacement but this does NOT mean he was a theatre kid, okay?! In fact, he went out of his way to make sure his bio in the program said that acting was just a hobby and he was *really* an athlete who was going to be a doctor. But we know how this story goes, right? He stepped on that stage and everything changed. Not overnight, of course. This week John talks about realizing he was too squeamish to be a doctor while in the middle of rotations, why a Monopoly reference made him ditch his business major, the beauty of being present on stage, and auditioning for Friday Night Lights. John on Instagram John on Tiktok Of Yours Products /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

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