The Mental Game of Musical Theatre

David Eggers

A career in musical theatre is hard, no matter how wonderful your training is or how developed your skills are, because of the vulnerability it requires, the rejection you have to continually face, plus all the fierce competition at every audition, and the head-games and negative self-talk we get into with ourselves. The Mental Game of Musical Theatre is all about helping you persevere through the mental challenges that inevitably come up along the way, while you’re pursuing, building, and maintaining your musical theatre career. Host David Eggers and his esteemed guests - working musical theatre artists at every level and at every point in the journey - share the most intimate details of their experiences while building their musical theatre careers... - the self-doubt - the audition nerves (and ways to handle theme) - the ”almost but not quite” jobs - the dream jobs - the Tony awards - the breaks that seemed like pure luck - the healthy practices - the best advice ever received - things they know now that they wish they knew then ... and so much more in every episode! SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! Upcoming guests include: Gavin Creel, Raymond J. Lee, Kelli O’Hara, JoAnn M. Hunter, Francis Jue, T. Oliver Reid, Darren Lee, David Hyde Pierce, Deb Monk, André Ward, Bonnie Milligan, Sutton Foster, Robyn Hurder, Telly Lueng... and many, many more! LEAVE A TOP NOTCH REVIEW if you like an episode, at all! Please. That will help make this podcast visible to more more people. And the more people we reach, the more musical theatre folks we’ll be able to help to persevere in their efforts toward achieving their musical theatre dreams! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Now go download the some episodes! David Eggers Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT Contact: david@profeggers.com

  1. 08/02/2024

    Kate Reinders

    KATE REINDERS - From understudy on tour to OG Chicago GLINDA, to High School Musical The Musical The Series’ Favorite Drama teacher, Miss Jen…. Kate Reinders career has stood the test of time.   Did she really take a leave of absence from a Broadway revival in order to do a kids’ show?  Did she really miss a performance of said kids’ show in Minneapolis to fly to London to audition for a different Broadway show?  What’s it like doing a sitcom in front of a live studio audience?  And what’s the correlation between comedy and music?   Hear about Kate’s youthful confidence, and not taking no for an answer… following her gut… standing up for herself…and what philosophies continue to guide her..    Kate reminds us “It’s all how you think about it…. it’s not life or death…. We don’t really have anything to lose.” She talks about trying to reconnect and remember why you put up with all the stuff that’s not so great in the business.     And her matter-of-fact concept that, “You could get a job that could change everything… or you could not get it and that would change nothing….” so go for it!   Join me as I laugh along with Kate and we “consider the evidence” of navigating a long and winding trajectory in an industry full of twists and turns and disappointments and challenges… and TONS OF WONDERFUL!!!  KATE on INSTA: @KateReinders  —----------------------- FOLLOW / SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! And if you like this episode, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review! It will help make this podcast more visible, and reach more musical theatre lovers! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Feel free to share this on your socials.  And thank you for listening! David Eggers ---> Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com ---> Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT / Contact: david@profeggers.com

    42 min
  2. 09/11/2023

    André Ward (part 1)

    André Ward (part 1) - This week, join me and my old friend, André Ward. As one of his teachers once said, “André’s a delight… but he talks a lot in class.” And believe me, his stories are not only wonderful and full of wisdom and joy, but filled with a LOT of laughs!    How did this powerhouse performer, and grounded balanced soul get to where he is today?  How does a whole childhood of pretending he was on Oprah and Donahue, and scripting his own soap operas and making his friends perform them on the playground, translate to a huge Broadway, TV, and film career, and lead to playing Toulouse-Lautrec in the mega-hit Broadway show Moulin Rouge! ?   Learn about his “sometimes crippling insecurity.” And did he really make an entrance swinging in over the audience on a rope? And learn the sage advice, imparted by a beloved broadway “Mama,” that André carries with him to this day!    I hope you enjoy this conversation and laugh along with us. And come back for part 2! - ProfEggers   Instagram: @theandrelward   —----------------------- FOLLOW / SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! And if you like this episode, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review! It will help make this podcast more visible, and reach more musical theatre lovers! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Feel free to share this on your socials.  And thank you for listening! David Eggers ---> Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com ---> Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT / Contact: david@profeggers.com ***************************************************************************************

    35 min
  3. 19/10/2023

    Tripp Hanson

    Tripp Hanson - Okay, kids… buckle up for some solid #TruthBombs and life-altering content from my good friend, TRIPP HANSON. Tripp’s life is constantly evolving from a backstory that includes tapping on the street, to traveling the world with Tommy Tune, to helping create Crazy For You, to acupuncture, and now to the Mindmasteryinstitute.com. So, join us as we talk about living life with agency and intention, and get a peek into processes that can help you “tell a better story about your life,” all backed up with actual brain science. Tripp reminds us that everything in the universe is Energy…. Including us… and our believing, and our manifesting. Well, to put it bluntly, “This shit is real.” For Tripp’s free course that he mentions, click here: Peak Performance Mastery. A free mini-course with accompanying journaling prompts, and…BONUS! 3 Guided Meditations to fast track your progress. Morning, Evening and a Moving Meditation, for embodying your capital “S” self on the go! Free Course! PEAK PERFORMANCE MASTERY! For any questions for Tripp, email him at: learn@mindmasteryinstitute.com Tripp’s WEBSITE: https://mindmasteryinstitute.com/ INSTAGRAM: @tripphansonofficial  |  Facebook: Tripp Hanson —----------------------- FOLLOW / SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! And if you like this episode, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review! It will help make this podcast more visible, and reach more musical theatre lovers! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Feel free to share this on your socials.  And thank you for listening! David Eggers ---> Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com ---> Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT / Contact: david@profeggers.com ***************************************************************************************

    1hr 6min
  4. 12/10/2023

    Jacqueline B. Arnold (part 2)

    Part 2 - This week I talk with Jacqueline B Arnold, a versatile triple threat, who is one of the iconic original (and current) stars of Moulin Rouge, about her unconventional path to Broadway… about her personal journey and personal struggle(s)… about the catch 22 of rejection (”you can’t really be that mad about it… but you kinda are…”) and about balance and authenticity.   Be sure to listen to find out what groundbreaking show Jackie booked after showing up at a cattle call with a blurry headshot in which she sported a Leopard Print Jacket, and bleach blonde hair with grown out roots…. And did she really get a callback from singing 8 words….…In a bathroom?   Jackie’s warmth and wisdom permeates right to the heart as she reminds us “You need to remember where you came from,” and does her best to “live Jackie Arnold’s life as much as [she] possibly can.”   Instagram: @jacquelinebarnold MMV Talent with Shannon Arnold https://www.mmvtalent.com/ and on Instagram @mmvtalent ------------------------------- FOLLOW / SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! And if you like this episode, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review! It will help make this podcast more visible, and reach more musical theatre lovers! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Feel free to share this on your socials.  And thank you for listening! David Eggers ---> Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com ---> Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT / Contact: david@profeggers.com

    28 min
  5. 12/10/2023

    Jacqueline B. Arnold (part 1)

    Part 1 - This week I talk with Jacqueline B Arnold, a versatile triple threat, who is one of the iconic original (and current) stars of Moulin Rouge, about her unconventional path to Broadway… about her personal journey and personal struggle(s)… about the catch 22 of rejection (”you can’t really be that mad about it… but you kinda are…”) and about balance and authenticity.   Be sure to listen to find out what groundbreaking show Jackie booked after showing up at a cattle call with a blurry headshot in which she sported a Leopard Print Jacket, and bleach blonde hair with grown out roots…. And did she really get a callback from singing 8 words….…In a bathroom?   Jackie’s warmth and wisdom permeates right to the heart as she reminds us “You need to remember where you came from,” and does her best to “live Jackie Arnold’s life as much as [she] possibly can.”   Instagram: @jacquelinebarnold MMV Talent with Shannon Arnold https://www.mmvtalent.com/ and on Instagram @mmvtalent ------------------------------- FOLLOW / SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! And if you like this episode, please leave a 5 ⭐️ review! It will help make this podcast more visible, and reach more musical theatre lovers! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Feel free to share this on your socials.  And thank you for listening! David Eggers ---> Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com ---> Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT / Contact: david@profeggers.com

    32 min
  6. 05/10/2023

    JoAnn M Hunter (part 2)

    JOANN M HUNTER (part 2) - The legend herself! A prolific dancer and performer turned choreographer, Joann’s been dazzling us on stages around the world for many, many years, and she shows no signs of stopping!   Join us to learn about her unique and wild story…from being born in Japan, to dropping out of high school and moving to New York on her own at age 17! Find out what incredible lessons she learned from dancing with Jerome Robbins himself. And just how many times was she typed out for Cats?  Do students today even know who Liberace is? And what did a notable director say to her at an intermission that resulted in her giving her notice that very night?    Join me for a joy-filled discussion about Joann’s epic journey, and what she’s learned about both sides of the business. And settle in… it’s a two parter! So, as Joann herself says, “Bring some wine, and listen!”     INSTAGRAM: @joann_m_hunter  |  WEBSITE: joannmhunter.com ---------------------------------- Follow / Subscribe so you never miss an episode! And please take 2 minutes to leave a 5 ⭐️ star review if you like this episode! It will help make this podcast more visible, and reach more musical theatre lovers! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Feel free to share this on your socials!  David Eggers   ---> Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com ---> Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT / Contact: david@profeggers.com

    52 min

About

A career in musical theatre is hard, no matter how wonderful your training is or how developed your skills are, because of the vulnerability it requires, the rejection you have to continually face, plus all the fierce competition at every audition, and the head-games and negative self-talk we get into with ourselves. The Mental Game of Musical Theatre is all about helping you persevere through the mental challenges that inevitably come up along the way, while you’re pursuing, building, and maintaining your musical theatre career. Host David Eggers and his esteemed guests - working musical theatre artists at every level and at every point in the journey - share the most intimate details of their experiences while building their musical theatre careers... - the self-doubt - the audition nerves (and ways to handle theme) - the ”almost but not quite” jobs - the dream jobs - the Tony awards - the breaks that seemed like pure luck - the healthy practices - the best advice ever received - things they know now that they wish they knew then ... and so much more in every episode! SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode! Upcoming guests include: Gavin Creel, Raymond J. Lee, Kelli O’Hara, JoAnn M. Hunter, Francis Jue, T. Oliver Reid, Darren Lee, David Hyde Pierce, Deb Monk, André Ward, Bonnie Milligan, Sutton Foster, Robyn Hurder, Telly Lueng... and many, many more! LEAVE A TOP NOTCH REVIEW if you like an episode, at all! Please. That will help make this podcast visible to more more people. And the more people we reach, the more musical theatre folks we’ll be able to help to persevere in their efforts toward achieving their musical theatre dreams! Your positive review really does make a huge difference! Thank you for being here! Now go download the some episodes! David Eggers Sign up for info about the upcoming book, The Mental Game of Musical Theatre (Routledge Publishing) here: https://profeggers.com Follow: @profeggers on IG and TT Contact: david@profeggers.com