Season 4

Look Back at 2020 & the Last Final Five

A look back at the year that was unlike anything we would’ve hoped for or imagined. Still, this podcast had its good moments and a plethora of fantastic guests.
0:28 - Introduction
1:10 - COVID update
3:31 - Broadway Makers Alliance & Helium Radio Networks
5:42 - Season Recap and Top 5 Guests
7:55 - My two favorite episodes
10:51 - Season 5 Preview with Justin Guarini
12:19 - Final Five: Sammi Cannold
34:44 - Members-Only episodes
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THE PROM Special Episode with Caitlin Kinnunen and Abigail Rose Solomon (REWIND)

Merry Christmas! :)
In honor of the recent release of THE PROM movie on Netflix, here is a special combo episode of my conversations with star of the Broadway production, Caitlin Kinnunen (starts at 1:58), and one of the co-producers, Abigail Rose Solomon (starts at 35:18).
Also, this holiday season don't miss the 12 Days of Auditions, available at donate.winmipodcast.com. Become a WINMI Producer and listen to former guests share their most memorable audition stories.
Listen to Caitlin's full second season episode and audition story here.
And Abigail's full conversation and Final Five from season four is here.
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Don't forget to check out all the helpful offers available to you through WINMI guests and partners: resources.winmipodcast.com 
WINMI is a Top 20 Theater Podcast thanks to you!  blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts
There's also another way to listen to this podcast: https://vurbl.com/station/6Wr76KvsqOG  
 

Sammi Cannold (Part 2) - Don’t Keep Your Distance from This Innovative Theater Director

Today’s episode is part two of my conversation with the final guest of Season 4.
Sammi Cannold is a remarkable artist and director. She was even named to the 2019 Forbes List of 30 under 30 in entertainment for her innovative and unique approach to directing for the stage. And today’s conversation is going to be focusing on a few of those productions...
her remarkable staging of the musical Violet on an actual bus
her 2019 New York City Center Gala production of Evita
I have my own personal connection to Evita having done the national tour of the latest Broadway revival. Even our music supervisor Kristen Blodgette worked with Sammi in her production. In fact, It was that revival production that inspired Sammi to become a director in the first place.
Follow Sammi: Website / Instagram / Twitter 
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WINMI is a Top 20 Theater Podcast thanks to you!  blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts/  
 

Sammi Cannold (Part 1) - Director Who Shows How Theater Can Be COVID-Safe

Here we are at the final guest of Season Four...
In part one of my conversation with New York director, Sammi Cannold shares the details of an article she wrote for The Stage, detailing how South Korean producers have made theater safe and possible for both creatives and audiences.
While Sammi remains more diplomatic, I am not gentle in my rebuke of the Broadway League and Actors Equity, who have either kept silent for much of this pandemic or have actually been a hindrance to getting theater up and running again. We highlight the leading efforts by Andrew Lloyd Webber and how there is no equivalent here in the US.
Part two will be a conversation more about her directorial projects in New York and regionally as well as her affinity for all things Andrew Lloyd Webber. She was also on the 2019 Forbes List 30 Under 30 in Entertainment.
Follow Sammi: Website / Instagram / Twitter 
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Christophe Zajac-Denek (Part 2) - Twin Peaks Actor and Podcaster on Dwarfism

In part one of my conversation with Christophe Zajac-Denek, he talked about growing up with dwarfism, his love of music and drumming, and how he just kind of fell into the world of acting on camera. For part two, we continue that journey with the movie and experience that had a profound impact on his life. 
As we start this episode Christophe has moved back to Michigan to go to music school and return to his first love of drumming, but life had other ideas for what Christophe needed to be doing.
Follow Christophe: IMDB / Demo Reel / Website 
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Christophe Zajac-Denek (Part 1) - Little Person Actor and Musician on Finding Acceptance

If I’m being honest, I have never really met a little person. Maybe in passing, but never actually sat down and had a conversation with one. But once we got on Zoom, Christophe Zajac-Denek and I chatted for more than two hours and even then we still could’ve kept on talking. There were so many areas of his life and experience that were not only interesting but also inspiring. So this is actually just part one of that conversation.
His fascinating story is such a departure from most conversations I’ve had on this podcast. He answers questions about dwarfism was and the day-to-day life of someone living with this condition. Christophe also shares his love of music and how he found acting...or rather how it found him.
 
Follow Christophe: Website / Instagram / Podcast 
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Cecy Treviño (Part 2) - Her BroadwayMania Actors and Christmas Creative Team

It's been one heck of a year, yet one arts group wanted to come together and make something to celebrate this season. They asked me to be a part of the event by hosting their Virtual Red Carpet. These interviews with the actors and creative team behind BroadwayMania's Holiday Special were first shown Thanksgiving weekend and led up to the hour-long Christmas program.
Amanda Varelakis, singer/director (1:51)
Sean Milas, singer (5:15)
Amber Dickson, singer (9:38)
Toby Blackwell, singer/writer (12:43)
Sadie McCurry, singer (17:46)
Scott Polovitch Davis, singer (22:04)
Gray Norton, singer/technician (26:59)
Cecy Treviño, singer/producer (32:45)
To watch these Red Carpet interviews on YouTube as well as the Holiday Special, go to: https://youtu.be/OyK_xT3tY98 
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The instrumental music in this episode: "Christmas" by AShamaluevMusic 

Cecy Treviño (Part 1) - Founder and Artistic Director of BroadwayMania

This past summer, as we were in the midst of massive theater shutdowns and summer season cancellations, I found BroadwayMania on Instagram. It was mostly videos of singers belting out show tunes, well-produced performances that were earnest and passionate.
As I found out more about this organization and their mission to provide opportunities to performers around the world, I was truly captivated by their love of theater. While there are some professional artists in the group, many others come from a variety of backgrounds, from technology and teaching to advertising and the military. 
And Cecy Treviño is the force behind it all, founding the group in 2018 as a hodge podge group of people on a singing app to now a theater company that has just released a YouTube Christmas Special and Holiday album. Cecy shares this journey and the many lessons she learned to make this dream a reality.
The BroadwayMania Holiday Special: https://youtu.be/OyK_xT3tY98 
Their GoFundMe page: https://gf.me/u/zajjnw 
 
Follow Cecy & BroadwayMania: Website / Instagram / YouTube 
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Donate to the podcast and gain access to members-only bonus episodes: pod.fan/winmipodcast 
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WINMI is a Top 20 Theater Podcast thanks to you!  blog.feedspot.com/theatre_podcasts/  
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 we all face.