Stage Combat The Podcast

Haywood Productions, LLC
  • 4.6 (218)
  • PERFORMING ARTS

Stage Combat the Podcast is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the dark side of the entertainment industry which also asks the question:  how can we make our workplaces better for everyone?  Hosted by attorney/advocate/actor Sean Hayden. In Seasons 1 and 2, Sean Hayden took the listeners into his own harrowing workplace nightmare in the style of a "true crime podcast."  Now, Stage Combat the Podcast, in Season 3, is a riveting platform for entertainment workers from everywhere to come together, to share their own stories and to advocate for themselves and for change.    Claim Your Story today. Season 4 premiering Spring 2026!

  1. 11/24/2025 · BONUS

    BONUS: "The Thanksgiving Catch-Up Episode"

    Sean's back with an all-new Thanksgiving Catch Up Bonus Episode!  We're catching you up on all things Stage Combat the Podcast (BIG news about Season 4?). PLUS Sean's got some choice words about Actors' Equity Association and what it did (or didn't do) with the recently ratified Broadway contract which averted a strike!  And he's not holding back! Hear more of Sean's conversation at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON and his thoughts about whether Equity President Brooke Shield is the right leader for the union during these difficult times. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing and mixing by Alex Griffitt.   Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform! Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    28 min

  2. 02/24/2025

    "Walking Away From Broadway"

    SEASON 3 Season Finale! Episode Eighteen. "Walking Away From Broadway" Synopsis:   At the end of a season of incredible stories, Sean looks to the future and finds inspiration chatting with Bobby Steggert:  an actor who experienced a life-changing epiphany while working on a Broadway stage. Content warning: Strong language. Thank you to Bobby Steggert.   And thank you to YOU for your support for this Season 3 of the podcast!  We could not have done it without you.  Hear more of Sean's conversation with Bobby Steggert at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast And experience at Patreon our chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform! Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    35 min

  3. 02/11/2025

    "The Court Watson Story Part Two"

    SEASON 3 Episode Seventeen. "The Court Watson Story Part Two" (Be sure to Listen to Ep 16 First: The Court Watson Story Part One") Synopsis:   Court Watson sets out to tell his story to the media and to hold his former employer accountable for what happened to him on Roanoke Island. Thank you to Court Watson.  Content warning: Content dealing with sexual harassment and sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.   Hear more of Sean's conversation with Court Watson at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast It's the companion to Season 3. And experience at Patreon our chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform! Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    39 min

  4. 02/10/2025

    "The Court Watson Story Part One"

    SEASON 3 Episode Sixteen. "The Court Watson Story Part One" Synopsis:   Sean investigates what happened between Tony award-winning Broadway costume designer, William Ivey Long, and college student, Court Watson, on Roanoke Island some twenty years ago.  Thank you to Court Watson and Adam Stocker.  Content warning: Content dealing with sexual harassment and sexual assault.  If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.   Hear more of Sean's conversation with Court Watson at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast It's the companion to Season 3. And experience at Patreon our chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform! Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    34 min

  5. 01/28/2025

    "Franki Takes A Bow"

    SEASON 3 Episode Fifteen. "Franki Take A Bow" Synopsis:   Sean investigates whether the unsafe practices of a college theatre program contributed to a young woman's tragic mental health spiral. Special Guests: Franki Mastrone, Jessica Webb, Professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.  Content warning: Content dealing with sexual assault.  If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.  That’s 988.  Coming up in 2 weeks: "The Court Watson Story."  In a special two-part episode, costumer Court Watson, in his first podcast interview, details his explosive allegations against Tony award winning costume designer William Ivey Long.  Hear more of Sean's conversation with Franki at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast It's the companion to Season 3. And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform! Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    48 min

  6. 01/14/2025

    "Sean Has Questions for the Union"

    SEASON 3 Episode Fourteen. "Sean Has Questions For The Union." Synopsis:   After hearing the frustrations of listeners about the lack of action by the actors' union in many of the season's workplace stories, Sean goes looking for answers from the union. Special Guest: Abbey Crowley, Business Representative for the Division for Harassment and Discrimination. Special thank you to Abbey Crowley and Gabriela Geselowitz of Actors' Equity Association.  Additional thanks to Eddie Pendergraft, Brass Bass and Bret Shuford.  If you're being bullied, harassed or you're facing discrimination in a union theatrical production, contact the Actors' Equity Lighthouse hotline 1-833-550-0030.   You can also report anonymously www.lighthouse-services.com/actorsequity  or download the "Anonymous Reporting" App by Lighthouse Services.  You can contact Abbey Crowley directly by email at  acrowley@actorsequity.org Coming up in 2 weeks: "Franki Takes A Bow" Did the unsafe practices of a college theatre program contribute to a young artist's tragic mental health spiral? Hear more of Sean's conversation with Abbey Crowley at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast It's the companion to Season 3. And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform! Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    49 min

  7. 12/31/2024

    "Loving Someone Traumatized By The Industry"

    SEASON 3 Episode Thirteen. "Loving Someone Traumatized By The Industry" Synopsis:   Sean's investigating the mental health ripple effect that occurs when an employee is traumatized by an employer.  Actor Eddie Pendergraft (the actor from Wicked in Ep 10 "Another Wicked Story"), Eddie’s husband Tony and clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman are all on board to share their insights. Special thank you to Eddie Pendergraft, Tony Mansker, and Dr. Michelle Sherman.  And Carole and Ian. Order Dr. Michelle Sherman's book "Loving Someone With A Mental Illness Or A History of Trauma" here: Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey: Sherman, Michelle D., Sherman, DeAnne M.: 9781421450506: Amazon.com: Books Coming up in 2 weeks: "Sean Has Questions For The Union” Hear more of Sean's conversation with Eddie and Dr. Sherman at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast It's the companion to Season 3. And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    45 min

  8. 12/17/2024

    "The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!"

    SEASON 3 Episode Twelve. "The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!" Synopsis:  Sean's reuniting with some of our guests from Season 3 for the holidays to ask probing questions such as "Would you choose The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree or the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree?" Special thank you to Bret Shuford, Brad Bass, Pamela Bob, McKey Carpenter, Kaylin Seckel, Chryssie Whitehead, Alex Griffith and Justin Gerrish.  And Ian.  Coming up in 2 weeks: Ep 13 "Loving Someone Traumatized By the Industry" At STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON Sean is getting some mental health tips for the holidays from friend to the podcast, Dr. Michelle Sherman. patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast It's the companion to Season 3. And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD. Hosted by Sean Hayden Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) Contact us with a DM at our instagram: Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified.  As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.

    50 min
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4.6
out of 5
218 Ratings

About

Stage Combat the Podcast is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the dark side of the entertainment industry which also asks the question:  how can we make our workplaces better for everyone?  Hosted by attorney/advocate/actor Sean Hayden. In Seasons 1 and 2, Sean Hayden took the listeners into his own harrowing workplace nightmare in the style of a "true crime podcast."  Now, Stage Combat the Podcast, in Season 3, is a riveting platform for entertainment workers from everywhere to come together, to share their own stories and to advocate for themselves and for change.    Claim Your Story today. Season 4 premiering Spring 2026!

Information

  • Creator
    Haywood Productions, LLC
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stage Combat The Podcast
  • Show Website
    Stage Combat The Podcast

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