Why I’ll Never Make It - An Actor’s Journey

After our conversation on the previous episode, Roberto answers the Final Five. He shares his love of CBS Sunday Morning and his dream of playing the Baker in INTO THE WOODS as well as that the time he forgot to press the record button.

Do you have other ideas for Final Five questions? Let me know at contact.winmipodcast.com.

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The time and expense needed to bring these guests and conversations to you each week is sometimes challenging but always rewarding. Please consider buying me a coffee to support this work that goes into each episode: ko-fi.com/winmipodcast

• For further insights on the topics covered in this episode: twitter.com/winmipodcast/ 
• Quotes and unreleased audio clips: instagram.com/winmipodcast/ 

Season 4 Survey: https://winmipodcast.typeform.com/to/SdODaMU7

I first got to know Roberto when putting together the Season Three opener with Caroline Bowman. He had taken beautiful photos of her as she was preparing for the National Tour of Disney's FROZEN. I wanted him to come on the show to share his experiences and insights on making the best headshots possible. So get ready to take some notes. 

Little did I know, though, the backstory and struggles he's been through. From a family unwilling to accept his sexuality and being homeless in NYC to the "casual racism" he has encountered in the industry. Roberto really opens up and shares an enlightening story that can both inspire our craft and push us to change the underlying biases still present in theater. 

Follow Roberto: Instagram / Twitter / YouTube / Website 

Follow WINMI: Instagram / Twitter / Website / Medium 

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In this longer episode than normal, I am honored and grateful to have this enormously gifted artist on the show. Cris Eli Blak may only be a senior in college, but he has wisdom far beyond his years to share with all of us.

From thoughts on the current racial tensions gripping this country to how theater can be a voice in the midst of it, Cris shares from the heart and from his art. He opens up about his own challenges and struggles as a writer, how growing up without a father affected him, and the type of writing and storytelling he wants to give the world.

This is a touching and moving episode that will leave you with a better understanding of where we are and a brighter hope for where we can ultimately go.

Topics covered in this episode:

 - Do The Right Thing 30 Years Later 

 - Spike Lee on HuffPost Live 

 - The Brother's Survivor short film 

 - The World Changes Through Art 

 - Our Duty to Confront Racism in Theater Industry 

 - "Like Father, Like Son" on the Logue Lounge 

 - All-White Production Of HAIRSPRAY In Texas Raises Eyebrows 

 - Should There Be All-White Productions of HAIRSPRAY? 

Follow Cris: Instagram / YouTube / Medium 

Follow WINMI: Instagram / Twitter / Website / Medium

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WINMI is a Top 20 Podcast thanks to you! https://blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts/ 

The third and final look at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Michael McBride, a 10-year veteran with the company. Through this organization he not only gained skills and experience in collaborating with some of the best dancers and choreographers on the planet, but he also found the love of his life, Samuel Lee Roberts, a fellow dancer in the company.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Michael. He's had some hard lessons to learn along the way and he talks about some of those, especially in the Final Five questions, also included in this episode.

Topics and People Mentioned:

• Alvin Ailey's REVELATIONS - https://www.alvinailey.org/performances/repertory/revelations 
• Michael's engagement to Samuel - https://www.dancemagazine.com/when-two-ailey-dancers-get-engaged-of-course-there-are-professional-ba-2404644366.html 
• Michael and Samuel dancing together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aD9fGhW7xI 
• Hope Boykin Teaches Revelations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QefuHRw5948 
• Matthew Rushing - https://www.dance-enthusiast.com/features/video/view/Matthew-Rushing-and-Hope-Boykin-Rushings-Surprise-Role-in-LIFT-by-Aszure-Barton-/#.XumIcmpKgWo 

Follow Michael: Instagram / Website

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WINMI is a Top 20 Podcast thanks to you!  https://blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts/ 

Samantha Figgins is currently in her sixth season with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. But what many people don't know is that this gorgeous dancer suffers from single-sided deafness. As a baby, Figgins contracted spinal meningitis, which caused her to lose all hearing in her right ear. She never gave up on her dance dreams, though, and fought her way through uncomfortable situations, never missing an opportunity to learn and grow. In this episode, she shares her love of dance, her passion in telling stories, and the discipline that makes it all possible.

Listen to the previous episode all about Alvin Ailey.

Dance Spirit cover in 2013 

Watch Samantha dance in Revelations on TED: https://youtu.be/0f4wtD8eXNk 

Follow her: Instagram / Twitter 

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WINMI is a Top 20 Podcast thanks to you! 
https://blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts/ 

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"I Been 'Buked" and "Fix Me, Jesus" arranged by Hall Johnson. G. Schirmer, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.

"Kitty In The Window" by Podington Bear is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License. Based on a work at http://soundofpicture.com

When it comes to the performing arts and certainly to dance, there are few people more worthy of admiration, of inspiration and imitation than Alvin Ailey. He was both uniquely gifted and qualified to tell the African-American experience which he lived and saw and reacted to through the art of dance. 

At the end of our previous insightful conversation, Douglas Sills gave his answers to the Final Five questions. He shares a story of his mentor who recently passed away as well as his interests finance and veterinarian medicine. After his answer to best advice, I kept the recording going and it opened into a deeper conversation about happiness and feeling (un)motivated.

Do you have other ideas for Final Five questions? Let me know at contact.winmipodast.com.

     ----------     

The time and expense needed to bring these guests and conversations to you each week is sometimes challenging but always rewarding. Please consider buying me a coffee to support this work that goes into each episode.

• For further insights on the topics covered in this episode: https://twitter.com/winmipodcast/ 
• Quotes and unreleased audio clips: https://www.instagram.com/winmipodcast/ 

His iconic Broadway debut in SCARLET PIMPERNEL may have made Douglas Sills a Broadway star, but his head has never been in the clouds. In today's episode, he has his feet firmly on the ground and shares how he left the business (twice) and what brought him back.

His insights are a seasoned look not only at his career but at the kind of person he wants to be. From understanding luck's role in his career to realizing that having a life means so much more than making a living, Douglas is both confident and vulnerable in this honest look at what "making it" really means.

That Tony Awards performance that inspired me and made me a fan of Douglas Sills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpAXrY2rf_s&list=RDgpAXrY2rf_s&start_radio=1

Follow Doug: Twitter / Instagram 
Follow WINMI: Instagram / Twitter

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May this podcast be a resource for you as you discover more ways to pursue a career in this industry and sustain it through the many ups and downs that follow. 

• Reach out to me with comments or questions: https://contact.winmipodcast.com 
• WINMI is supported through kind donations of listeners like you: https://ko-fi.com/winmipodcast 

Music in this episode: "Little Idea" by Scott Holmes is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.

After our conversation on the previous episode, Mykal and Hannah answer the Final Five questions. They share stories of the individuals who have inspired them as artists as well as their interests in education and geology. They finish with why it's so important to be on time and the proper place for performance in an artist's life.

Do you have other ideas for Final Five questions? Let me know at contact.winmipodast.com.

     ----------     

The time and expense needed to bring these guests and conversations to you each week is sometimes challenging but always rewarding. Please consider buying me a coffee to support this work that goes into each episode.

• For further insights on the topics covered in this episode: https://twitter.com/winmipodcast/ 
• Quotes and unreleased audio clips: https://www.instagram.com/winmipodcast/