Built For The Stage Podcast

Tom Stacy / @tomstacy is an Olivier Award winning Actor & Puppeteer currently appearing in Life of Pi on the West End, where he is also the Movement & Puppetry Associate on the show. Since graduating from Rose Bruford (BA Acting) Tom has performed both nationally and internationally in a number of shows, including, The National Theatre's 'War Horse', as well as Theatre Témoin's 'The Marked' which won best physical theatre show at the Edinburgh Fringe. With a background in theatre, dance, sport and comedy, Tom has also performed alongside comedian Romesh Ranganathan in 'Romesh and Friends'. https://builtforthestage.com/ - fill out the form and ask about our next fitness challenge! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Romy Vuksan / @romyvuksan trained from a young age in all aspects of the performing arts at The Ritz Performing Arts Centre. Originally from Brisbane, Romy moved to Melbourne in 2013 and was awarded a full scholarship to Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance. Since graduating the Full Time Course in 2014, Romy has gone from strength to strength as a performer, working within many facets of the industry, whilst also exploring her leadership skills as a member of various creative teams. Most recently, Romy was Dance Captain for David Venn Enterprises hit national tour of ‘The Wedding Singer’, and Assistant Choreographer to Michael Ralph on James Terry’s ‘Legally Blonde’. She has worked alongside some of Australia’s best choreographers including Kelley Abbey, The Squared Division, Yvette Lee, Michael Ralph, Marko Panzic, Chris Horsey and Jason Coleman. Other performing credits include originating a lead role for Tony award-winner Warren Carlyle on ‘Havana!’, ‘Immersive Cinemas: ‘Dirty Dancing’, Resident Choreograp

Julius Thomas III / @juliusthomas3 recently ended his time with Hamilton where he played the title character, Alexander Hamilton. Julius Thomas III is a NAACP Theatre award Nominated actor from Gary, In. He stars as Alexander Hamilton in the smash hit musical, Hamilton. He is one half of the critically acclaimed entertainment team, The Kings of Soul & Swing. Recently Julius has appeared as the lead of the mega box office hit, Motown: The Musical, as Berry Gordy. TV appearances include Modern Family, Sesame Street, Odd Mom Out, The Capitol Fourth Celebration, and more. His resume boasts 4 Broadway Show, 6 Broadway National Tours, and a host of Regional Theatre appearances. As a teaching artist, Julius has given lectures, master classes, and private lessons to students of Wichita State University, Indiana University, Cal State Fullerton, Southern Methodist University, and more. A passionate fan of the arts, Julius prides himself on passing on what he’s learned to the performers of today, and tomorrow. http://

Sophie Naglik / @sophienaglik Sophie Naglik plays Jennifer Parker in the West End production of Back to the Future. In addition to Sophie starting at an early age in the West End's, Matilda, she also began a journey of becoming an amazing singer-song writer. See more below! Sophie on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4C8VdnWpDiTdPb36b14PII?si=nqx8kBxwR1-LMaNNQzyWJQ Sophie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sophienaglik Sophie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sophienaglik/ ___ https://builtforthestage.com/ - fill out the form and ask about our next fitness challenge! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Breckenridge / @j.breckenridge.music Josh Breckenridge is a Southern California native. Joshua Russell Breckenridge began writing music in his early high school years. He left the warmth of the west to earn a BFA from The University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music where he became the recipient of the Laurie Beechman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Performance. Upon graduation Josh traveled further east to New York City to pursue his passion for performance. After three short months J. made his broadway debut and has since enjoyed a colorfully consistent career in the arts as an actor - singer - dancer on Broadway, Film and Television. He can be seen most recently on the 2020-21 season of The Blacklist (CBS), Blue Bloods (NBC), FBI (CBS) and American Rust (Showtime). Josh also performed as a Principal Singer on NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast (2021) and was in Broadway's Tony Award Winning show Come From Away. Throughout his career, he's worked alongside legendary

TANVI VIRMANI / @tanvi_virmani_ Training: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2022. Theatre Includes: The Tempest (Bath Theatre Royal) This is Tanvi’s West End debut in Life of Pi. https://builtforthestage.com/ - fill out the form and ask about our next fitness challenge! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Gorti / @jeffgorti Jeff Gorti grew up in North Philly where his love for the performing arts began in the dance studio. Jeff began training in his youth with The Rock School and The Princeton Ballet in Philadelphia. Growing up in Philly as a multi-racial kid, he quickly learned the power of his heritage and began using it to fuel his storytelling. Jeff went on to study Theatre with a minor in Dance at Point Park University Conservatory of the Performing Arts, in Pittsburgh, PA. While attending Point Park University, he was able to make connections at the Pittsburgh CLO, where he received his equity card and performed in CLO's production of "Damn Yankees". A few of Jeff's favorite credits include "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" at The MUNY, "The Wiz" at Broadway Sacramento Playhouse, and "A Chorus Line" at Signature Theatre where Jeff was humbled to have received the 2020 Helen Hayes Award for Best Supporting Actor https://www.jeffgorti.com/ https://builtforthestage.com/ - fill out the form and a

Colin Barkell / @colinbarkell Colin Barkell saw the VHS of River Dance at a young age and the rest is history. His love for Irish dancing led to him touring the country. While on tour he learned to play guitar which birthed the start of his career in music. Due to his abilities in both Irish dancing and music, he found himself making his Broadway debut in Paradise Square. Listen for more on this week's episode! Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lina Lee / @linalee512 Originally born in Seoul, South Korea, Lina Lee moved to the states when she was about 5 years old living in NOVA just outside of DC. Born to parents in the music industry, Lina started singing as soon as she started to speak. She picked up her first guitar in elementary school, playing along to the country music radio. She danced throughout her teenage years, training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. After grade school, she headed to the happiest place on earth, James Madison University, studying musical theatre, dance, classical voice, acting, directing/choreography, and physical theatre while also competing on the JMU Competition Cheerleading team. She graduated in May 2015 with a B.A. in Theatre and Dance. She is now working out of NYC. Lina spent her first year out of school performing all over the U.S. including Tennessee, Louisville, Tampa, New York, and Oregon. Shortly after moving back to NYC, she joined the cast of the Tony nominated Broadway reviv

Krystal Joy Brown/ @krystaljoybrown Krystal Joy Brown is currently starring as Eliza in Hamilton on Broadway where she stops the show each night with mid-song applause during her big number, “Burn”! Aside from this role, she can be seen in season 2 of Power Book III: Raising Kanan which premiered on August 14th on STARZ. Krystal plays Renée Timmons who is an anger management therapist. She can also be seen in the upcoming Hallmark film, "Girlfriendship" premiering on October 1st. Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NNAMDI K. NWANKWO / @nnamdinwankwo NNAMDI K. NWANKWO (man in orange) (he/him) is a Chicago-based actor, singer, director, and writer. As a versatile performer, he has performed in various genres of performance like opera, musical theatre, theatre, film, commercial, and voiceover. Recent engagements include “Once on this Island” at Town Hall Arts Center for which he received a Henry Award nomination for Outstanding Actor, and the world premiere of critically acclaimed “Elephant” at Benchmark Theatre as well as workshopping Intelligence, a new opera by American operatic composer/librettist duo, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer, with Eklund Opera’s New Opera Workshop.” Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leslie Blake Walker / @leslieblakewalker has been crawling to the Broadway stage since being an infant. Learn more about Leslie below and please share this episode with a friend! From Leslie: It all began on the night I was born; the night that Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear in an epic and legendary battle in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holding his severed ear, Holyfield climbs into his limousine and heads to Sunrise Hospital where only a few floors above him, I was being brought into this world! The newspaper headline from that hot summer day read “Tyson Bites Twice!”, so you could say I grew up accustomed to dramatics. After my exciting early childhood in Vegas my family moved to Missouri where my love for musical theatre flourished. I was a competitive dancer, as well as a member of my high school show choir (national champs babyyy!). I knew I wanted to pursue my passion as a career after spending nine summers in a row at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, a summer stock 45-minutes away from my home town.

Joe Rosko / @builtforthestage is talkin' goals!!! How to best accomplish them. Joe Rosko grew up as a 3-sport athlete, theatre kid that eventually majored in musical theatre and played Division 1 college football at the same time. This life of sports and theatre led him to creating Built for the Stage, Broadway's #1 Fitness Platform. Listen in to our 150th episode to get to know more about Joe and BFTS! https://builtforthestage.com - fill out the form and ask about our next fitness challenge! www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JChris joins us on episode 171! Don't miss JChris's 54 Below show coming up on Sept. 18th!    Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer ​Chris Urquiaga​, known as JChris, is lauded for his exciting performance energy and smooth voice. Hailed as “…the next big thing” by ​Metro Weekly​ magazine, this Latin pop virtuoso is internationally recognized for his pop compositions which are laced with Latin, Afro and Brazilian influences. His music explores themes of gender fluidity and queer culture.   Chris started playing piano at the age of 7 and started playing at churches at the age of 9. During Chris’ childhood years, his performance experiences as a soloist and with choral and instrumental ensembles brewed an interest in composition. Throughout high school and college, Chris developed a desire to tell his own story through his own music. After studying composition at the Eastman School of Music, Chris became highly active as a singer-songwriter, releasing indie pop albums under the stage name Chris Urquiaga. Chr

Tia Altinay / @tiaaltinay Tia Altinay is currently starring as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway! Tia was also seen on Broadway in A Christmas Story and Mary Poppins. Tia shares her amazing story and gives us all the inspiration we needed on knowing your worth and going for it! If you liked the episode, please share it with a friend! Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Sigman / @sarahsigman_ Sarah Sigman recently made her Broadway debut in MJ the Musical! Credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (national tour), On Your Feet! (The Muny), Chicago (national tour). Regional: A Chorus Line (Cape), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (ARLT). Dance Lab NY. Get to know Sarah in this very fun episode as she shares her inspiring story! Sarah's dance reel: youtu.be/lceGLVGIr5g Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexa Magro / @alexa_magro Alexa Magro is currently travelling the country with The Prom tour! More from Alexa! I am a New York City based actor, dancer, singer, and voiceover artist originally from The Woodlands, Texas (Houston Metro). As a youngster, after giving up my short-lived dream of being a mail carrier, it was clear that I was better suited for a career in the entertainment industry. I competed my first tap solo at the age of five and for the next six years, I found much success in the dance competition and convention circuit through my passion, dedication, and tenacity. At age eleven, I had to put dancing on hold for a year and a half as I recovered from surgery. During that time, I took interest in acting and singing and began my training at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) education academy, The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. During my time at TUTS, I was given the opportunity to perform in a number of mainstage productions. I learned a tremendous amount from all the artists I had the good

Tim Dolan / @broadwayupclose Tim Dolan lives a life that is an example for the power of passion, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of the arts. What started as an idea, evolved into a masterful business in the face of one adversity after the other. Listen to our story to be inspired by Tim's unwavering pursuit to fulfill a dream. At Broadway Up Close we strive to give you a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway, utilizing the 41 iconic Broadway theaters as the framework to tell our stories. Incorporating rare photos and videos displayed on iPads, our Green Team of actors and stage managers will share architectural oddities, ghost stories, anecdotes, fun facts, and more! https://www.broadwayupclose.com/ - BOOK A TOUR / BUY MERCH Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kara Menendez / @kara.menendez Kara Menendez is a New Jersey native. She began her dance training at the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble. Kara went on to further her dance studies at Marymount Manhattan College, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance, with a Ballet Concentration and a Business Minor. Kara has performed works by Emery Lecrone, Paul Taylor, Darrell Moultrie, Norbet De La Cruz, Adam Barruch, Breton Tyner-Bryan and Larry Keigwin. She has also had the opportunity to train at the Vancouver Arts Umbrella, San Francisco Conservatory, Ballet Hispanico, Northwest Dance Project, Movement Invention Project, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Parsons Dance. Kara is a Springboard Danse Montreal alumni, where she had the honor of performing work by Peter Chu. As a professional artist, Kara has been fortunate to work in many facets of the entertainment industry. In addition to concert dance, her professional credits include singing and acting in Off- Broadway shows at Royal Family P

Isaac Bradley / @iamisaacbradley Isaac Bradley was recently seen in Hamiltion in Australia as a swing. Isaac has a background in classical music where he toured the world, basketball, and break dancing. Isaac has lived a life filled with vast experiences and a multitude of skills. In addition, Isaac has established himself as a seasoned performer while growing up with two speech impediments. Enjoy our conversation! Try a Free Trial of BFTS and work 1 on 1 with Coach Joe! https://builtforthestage.com/free-trial www.broadwaypodcastnetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices