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The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

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The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
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  • The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

    Ep443 - Melissa Barrera: Rose-ing To The Occasion

    12/05/2026 | 1h 3 mins.
    Melissa Barrera joins the show to discuss her long-awaited Broadway debut as Rose in the hit musical Titanique. She shares the determined journey that led her to the St. James Theatre, including the decision to fly herself to New York to audition in person rather than settling for a Zoom session. Melissa reflects on the unique "lightning in a bottle" energy of the Titanique company and the challenge of maintaining a straight face while her castmates, including Marla Mindelle and Jim Parsons, deliver their most ridiculous improvisations.

    The conversation also dives into Melissa's extensive screen career, from her early days in Mexican telenovelas to leading global franchises like Scream and In the Heights. She opens up about the physical and emotional exhaustion of filming the survival drama Keep Breathing and the catharsis she found in the horror-romance Your Monster. Beyond the credits, Melissa discusses the mental resilience required to tune out social media "noise" and how her mother’s example as a hardworking primary breadwinner instilled the drive that continues to fuel her career today.

    Melissa Barrera is a versatile actor and singer who gained international recognition as Vanessa in the film adaptation of In the Heights. Her television credits include the critically acclaimed series Vida, the Netflix survival drama Keep Breathing, and the Peacock thriller The Copenhagen Test. On the big screen, she led the fifth and sixth installments of the Scream franchise and starred in the title role of Carmen. Before moving to Hollywood, she was a prominent figure in Mexican media, appearing on the reality show La Academia and starring in various telenovelas.

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    Connect with Melissa:

    @melissabarreram

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    Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think.

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  • The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

    Ep442 - Michael Arden: Playing Vampire Mad Libs with The Lost Boys

    05/05/2026 | 33 mins.
    Michael Arden joins the show to discuss the monumental task of bringing The Lost Boys to Broadway and the technical alchemy required to turn a cult classic film into a soaring musical experience. He opens up about his "mad lib" approach to stagecraft, explaining how he utilizes traditional theatrical tools in unexpected ways—like tilting the entire orientation of a set to keep an audience off-balance or ensuring the set moves entirely on its own to make the space feel "alive". Michael also reflects on the high-stakes pressure of bypassing an out-of-town tryout, the "fearless skydiving" energy of his cast during a grueling preview process, and his years-long quest to convince his favorite band, The Rescues, to join him in the theater.

    The conversation also dives into Michael’s deep-seated love for the "visual feast" of theater, tracing back to his childhood days rigging special effects in his garage. He shares how his collaboration with the design team at At Rise Creative allows for a "crash and burn" mentality that eventually leads to the most innovative solutions, from the irising neon boxes of Maybe Happy Ending to the complex verticality of the Palace Theater. Looking ahead, Michael previews his upcoming work on Happy Feet, discussing the challenge of mashing up music and integrating massive puppetry to bring the Antarctic to the stage.

    Michael Arden is a distinguished, two-time Tony Award winning director, recently honored for Best Direction of a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. In 2023, he won the Tony Award for the acclaimed revival of Parade, following previous nominations for Once On This Island and Spring Awakening. He is the co-founder of At Rise Creative and has directed a wide range of works, including the 2024 Met Gala and Ben Platt’s concert residencies. Beyond his directing credits, Michael is an accomplished performer who has appeared on Broadway in Big River and King Lear, as well as in television and film projects like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Source Code.

    Connect with Michael

    @michaelarden

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    Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think.

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  • The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

    Ep441 - Brandon Contreras: The Math of Mincemeat

    28/04/2026 | 51 mins.
    Brandon Contreras is a New York City born and raised creative whose energy and versatility have made him a standout on stages ranging from the Golden Theatre to New World Stages. A graduate of Pace University, Brandon made his Broadway debut in the original company of Almost Famous and appeared in the first national tour of In the Heights. His diverse credits include playing Cal in the hit musical Titanique and appearing in Jerry Springer: The Opera with The New Group, as well as Road Show and Titanic at New York City Center Encores!. Beyond the stage, he is an accomplished filmmaker and writer, co-creating the award winning sketch platform The Homo Sapien Experience. Currently, Brandon is starring as Charles Cholmondeley and others in the Broadway production of Operation Mincemeat.

    In this episode, Brandon shares what it was like growing up in Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and the Upper West Side, describing himself as a "city kid" who learned to rollerblade before he could ride a bike. He discusses the pivotal role his sister played in his introduction to theater and the unwavering support of his parents throughout his journey. Brandon opens up about the tenacity required to break into the industry, including auditioning for In the Heights 11 times and negotiating his first national tour contract from the back of a New Jersey Transit bus at age 20. He also speaks passionately about queer and Latin representation, the journey of embracing his curly hair, and the importance of showing a delicate, sensitive side of brown men on stage.

    Brandon also takes us behind the scenes of Operation Mincemeat, a show he describes as "the final destination show" due to its incredible technical specificity and fast paced nature. He explains the "math" of comedy, the transition from understudy to principal performer, and the joy of sharing the stage with his real life best friend. Throughout the conversation, Brandon emphasizes the power of being unabashedly yourself and the motivation he finds in love for his craft and community.

    This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

    Connect with Brandon:

    @ohhey_brandon

    @thehomosapienexperience

    Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

    Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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    Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think.

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  • The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

    Ep440 - Ellenore Scott: Scheduling a C-Section Around Opening Night

    22/04/2026 | 52 mins.
    Ellenore Scott joins the show to discuss her historic season, where she has achieved the rare feat of having multiple productions running simultaneously on and off Broadway. She shares the incredible story of her son Ford’s birth, which took place less than twenty-four hours after she walked the red carpet for the opening night of Ragtime at Lincoln Center. Ellenore reveals the logistical gymnastics of negotiating with her doctor to delay her C-section so she wouldn't miss her opening night, and how she transitioned from celebrating a professional milestone to welcoming her first child the very next morning.

    The conversation dives deep into her creative process, specifically how she builds a unique movement language for vastly different shows like Ragtime and Titanique. Ellenore explains her history as a "TikTok girly" during the pandemic and how she successfully choreographed the viral Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical entirely over Zoom. She also breaks down her secret "choreographic signature"—the "bitch swerve"—and tells us exactly where to look for it in her current productions.

    Ellenore Scott is an acclaimed choreographer, director, and performer whose work spans Broadway, television, and digital media. A former finalist on So You Think You Can Dance, she has choreographed Broadway productions including Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night, and the current revival of Ragtime, as well as the long-running Off-Broadway hit Little Shop of Horrors. She is a multiracial artist with a heritage encompassing African American, Indigenous, Filipino, Mexican, Hawaiian, and Irish roots. Ellenore is also the founder of her own dance company and has served as an associate to Andy Blankenbuehler on the Broadway revival of Cats.

    This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day.

    Connect with Ellenore:

    IG: @helloellenore

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    Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think.

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  • The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

    Ep439 - Zhailon Levingston: Building a New Breed of Cats

    15/04/2026 | 54 mins.
    Zhailon Levingston joins the show to discuss his incredible trajectory from selling concessions in Broadway houses to becoming the youngest Black director in Broadway history with Chicken and Biscuits. He dives deep into the "cosmic synergy" of his career, explaining how a chance meeting at a concert led to a Broadway debut and how he managed to stage a production during a global pandemic by building a set literally on top of another show's equipment. Zhailon also shares how his ADHD serves as a creative asset, allowing him the high capacity and patience required to lead a room as a director.

    The conversation centers on his current hit, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a production that marries the legendary score of Andrew Lloyd Webber with the vibrant, radical joy of Ballroom culture. Zhailon explains the meticulous process of ensuring authenticity while moving the show from a downtown "happening" to the Broadhurst Theatre. From the "human spectacle" of live performance to the profound connection found in "chosen families," he illustrates how this reimagining invites a multi generational, cross cultural audience to see themselves in the poetry of the text.

    Zhailon Levingston is a director, writer, and activist who serves as the Artistic Director of Inheritance Theatre Project and sits on the board of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. In addition to his historic work on Chicken and Biscuits, his directorial credits include the Obie Award winning Cats: The Jellicle Ball at PAC NYC and the acclaimed Table 17. He co created the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University School of Law and has served as a resident or associate director on major productions including Hadestown, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and Reconstructing.

    Connect with Zhailon:

    IG @zhailon

    Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

    Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheTheatrePodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think.

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About The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
Intimate, personal conversations with the biggest talents from professional theatre, tv, film, and more. Hear their secrets, what makes them laugh, stresses them out, and how they manage the anxiety of success. We feature both stars and creatives such as producers, stage managers, directors, press and marketing agents, or even the people who own the theaters or productions themselves.​ This is a podcast for artists, made by artists. With over 2 decades of experience in film and theatre both as cast and creative, host Alan Seales speaks with Broadway, TV, film and beyond’s biggest talents to learn more about not only how the world of theatre and performing operate, but also what makes it so real and human. In-depth, personal, behind-the-scenes conversations will highlight special details of the industry that most people may not know exist, will always find out what makes the guests love their craft, what makes them tick, and what truly inspires them. Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
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