The Story Project

Jessica Altchiler
  • 5.0 (8)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Story Project is a podcast for artists to heal through conversation, cultivate community, and create change in the industry and the world at large. Our mission is to create healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for performing artists. We focus on identifying, celebrating, and paying attention to all of the elements that make a whole artist and we offer conversations, tools, and resources to help artists prioritize their well-being. 

  1. On Broadway with Mariah Reives

    07/22/2025

    On Broadway with Mariah Reives

    Mariah Reives is a dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur who is currently performing in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Her previous credits include Funny Girl on Broadway, Cassandra on the 1st National Tour of ‘Cats’ The Musical, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. In today's episode, Mariah discusses her time performing on Broadway, why she stepped down as Dance Captain, and how she prioritizes her mental health. She gives advice including when NOT to get an agent, why we should focus on our weaknesses, and why she wishes she did more regional productions before Broadway. She also shares the story of her Broadway Debut, what it was like bringing her dog along on a National Tour, and why she created The Performer's Circle to give accessible information to performers. Enjoy our episode with Mariah Reives! Chapters: (01:13) Broadway’s The Great Gatsby (01:46) Stepping Down As Dance Captain (05:23) What is An Onstage Dance Captain? (08:24) To Dance Captain or Not To Dance Captain (13:51) Advocating for Your Needs in a Professional Setting (19:29) Enjoying the Ensemble Track (21:45) Giving Dancers Accessible Information (28:20) When NOT To Get An Agent (31:42) Don’t Rush to Broadway (33:55) Broadway Debut in Funny Girl (40:52) Mariah’s Human Bio (feat. Leo the Pup) (43:14) Dog Momming on a National Tour (46:08) Loving Words and Goodbyes About Mariah: Mariah Reives is a dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur who began dancing in Sanford, North Carolina at the age of three. She then went on to train at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for high school and then graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Teaching Dance. She is currently the dance captain and in the ensemble of The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Her credits include Funny Girl Broadway, Cassandra in the First National Tour of ‘Cats’ The Musical, Carmen, Me and My Girl , The New Yorkers, Jerome Robbins Broadway, and The Wiz. She has been seen on television for The Tony Awards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Reives created a professional workshop for aspiring artists called ‘The Performers Circle’ and is excited to guide the next generation of Broadway stars!

    49 min
  2. Immersive Artistry with Clinton Edward

    07/08/2025

    Immersive Artistry with Clinton Edward

    Brooklyn based Clinton Edward (he/they) is a choreographer, writer, actor, educator, and creator who has been the associate choreographer on productions including the Met Gala (with headliner, Ariana Grande), and Urinetown at City Center Encores (starring Jordan Fisher and Rainn Wilson), the assistant dance captain in the original cast of Queen of the Night (off Broadway), and founder of an immersive events company. In today's episode, Clinton shares how they've crafted their career in a way that's aligned with their desires, needs, and curiosities. He discusses the responsibilities of leadership in theater productions, what was harmful and helpful about his college experience, and what is his biggest dream of choreographing on the biggest stage in the world. www.clintonedward.com

    1h 16m
  3. Making TV with Deepti Menon

    06/24/2025

    Making TV with Deepti Menon

    Deepti Menon is an actress, animator, and filmmaker whose work spans music videos, commercials with companies including Nike, Facebook and Converse, and TV roles on Law & Order (NBC), The Equalizer (CBS), and I Think You Should Leave (Netflix). In today’s episode, Deepti shares her honest insight into the entertainment industry as a performer and creator and discusses: How she booked her television roles (and her thoughts on having an agent) Realizing her career in animation satisfied her pull towards acting and directing The pros and cons of self-taping, and what shifted when she went to in person auditions Being treated extremely differently on set when she was a PA versus when she was talent Creating a web series with almost no budget, and hoping that project shows others what she’d be capable of with more money, support and resources  Her dreams of being a showrunner (which is absolutely inevitable for this wonderful artist) Finding, and using, her voice on set and behind the scenes

    1h 3m
  4. Indie Filmmaking with Isabelle Barbier

    06/11/2025

    Indie Filmmaking with Isabelle Barbier

    Writer-performer ⁠Isabelle Barbier⁠ shares all of the details of her creative process including her journey from improv to scripted projects, where all of her plentiful ideas live, how she turns an idea into a full fledged film, and the impact of professional training (acting school!) on creativity. Isabelle and Jess discuss the importance of community and collaboration, the ins and outs of indie filmmaking, and the role of humor in addressing sensitive topics such as sexual trauma. This episode is for you if you’ve ever been curious about making your own work, have a story you’ve been wanting to tell, and are curious to engage in everyday feminine rebellion. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Isabelle Barbier 01:30 Journey of an Artist 03:37 Improv to Scripted Work 05:09 Acting School 09:52 Confidence and Community 14:49 The Challenges of Acting School 18:55 Rediscovering Uniqueness 20:06 The Birth of 'Grrrl Guts' 28:11 The Impact of #metoo 35:01 Understanding Trauma Responses 38:50 The Healing Power of Writing 41:03 Navigating Auditions and Creative Control 47:09 Idea to Final Product 50:07 Creating Indie Short Films 54:28 Wildest Dreams About Isabelle Isabelle Barbier is an NYC-based writer-performer who’s obsessed with women talking. Her work tells very silly and very serious stories of everyday feminine rebellion. Her recent screenplays have been finalists for the Academy Nicholls Fellowship, Blacklist X WIF fellowship, and winner at SF Indie Fest. She’s recently appeared as an actor in The Other Two (HBO Max) Actual People (Mubi) and CRSHD (Tribeca Film Festival). For playwriting, she received The Judith Campion Launch commission from Atlantic Theater company, and after a sold-out workshop at Ars Nova ANT Fest, she’s developing her new show Rip Her To Shreds for an off-broadway run.

    57 min
  5. Part 2 with Chantelle Good

    05/27/2025

    Part 2 with Chantelle Good

    In this episode, Broadway performer Chantelle Good discusses the pressing issues within the performing arts industry, emphasizing that representation alone is insufficient and highlights the importance of valuing the hard work of performers. She shares insights into the daily life of a Broadway performer, the challenges of being a swing, and the necessity of fostering empathy and compassion. Chantelle also shares a funny “swing” story and shares one of her wildest dreams. This episode is for you if you're ready to question the status quo, embrace the messiness of growth, and reimagine what leadership and success can look like in the performing arts. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 Representation in the Arts 03:03 Valuing the Work of Performers 06:14 The Life of a Broadway Performer 08:56 Challenging Toxic Norms  11:48 Embracing Mistakes  17:13 The Journey of a Swing 20:07 Dreams Beyond Broadway 24:05 Empathy and Compassion  About Chantelle Chantelle Good is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist who is currently performing in MJ The Musical on Broadway.  Based in Brooklyn, New York, her performance credits include Punchdrunk's Sleep No More and Freddie Falls in Love at the Joyce Theater. She has also danced for artists including JLo, Snoop Dogg, and H.E.R., as well as companies including Still Motion, Loni Landon Dance Project, and The Forest of Arden.  Chantelle also works in the non-profit sector as the Co-Artistic Director of TOES FOR DANCE and the Programs Director of Share The Movement.  She also enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for dance as a teaching artist and guest choreographer for institutions and programs across North America. She continues to deepen her learning around decolonizing teaching practices, in order to foster inclusive environments for her students and cultivate community whenever possible.

    28 min
  6. Broadway & Body Image with Chantelle Good

    05/20/2025

    Broadway & Body Image with Chantelle Good

    In today’s episode, Chantelle shares about her journey to becoming a swing on Broadway, the importance of setting boundaries in performance spaces, and learning to use your voice.  Chantelle and Jess discuss the unfortunate prevalence of body image issues in the performing arts community and practice navigating conversations about the topic.  This episode is for you if you're questioning how to advocate for yourself in professional settings or looking to reclaim your individuality in an industry that hasn't always felt like it was for you. *This episode includes a conversation about body image that may be triggering for some. If this is a sensitive topic for you, feel free to pause around 26 minutes in and come back for part two.* Timestamps & Topics 00:00 Chantelle's Human Bio 02:00 Chantelle's Journey to Broadway 04:10 Life as a Swing on Broadway 05:58 Unexpected Career Paths 09:24 Audition Experiences and Sleep No More 11:23 Setting Boundaries in Performance 12:35 Evolving as an Artist 14:53 Navigating Body Image and Self-Expression 18:23 Mission Statement as an Artist 19:47 Balancing Commercial Work and Artistic Integrity 22:28 Unlearning and Embracing Individuality 26:11 Experiences with Nudity in Performance 32:12 The Importance of Community 34:46 Challenging Body Talk in the Arts Come back from Part 2! About Chantelle: Chantelle Good is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist who is currently performing in MJ The Musical on Broadway.  Based in Brooklyn, New York, her performance credits include Punchdrunk's Sleep No More and Freddie Falls in Love at the Joyce Theater. She has also danced for artists including JLo, Snoop Dogg, and H.E.R., as well as companies including Still Motion, Loni Landon Dance Project, and The Forest of Arden.  Chantelle also works in the non-profit sector as the Co-Artistic Director of TOES FOR DANCE and the Programs Director of Share The Movement.  She also enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for dance as a teaching artist and guest choreographer for institutions and programs across North America. She continues to deepen her learning around decolonizing teaching practices, in order to foster inclusive environments for her students and cultivate community whenever possible.

    42 min
  7. Multidisciplinary with Spinks

    04/15/2025

    Multidisciplinary with Spinks

    Multidisciplinary artist Spinks shares her journey through dance, acting, writing and ceramics as a queer, biracial woman. She shares why she walked away from musical theater, how she found freedom in commercial work, and the profound reason she hasn’t returned to a dance class…yet. Spinks and Jess also discuss the impact of capitalism on joy, creativity, and a building a career in the arts. This episode is for you if you’re looking to define success on your own terms, find fulfillment in your chosen craft, and carve your own unique path.  Time Stamps & Topics 00:00 – Meet Spinks; multidisciplinary artist, passionate soul, and creative wildflower. 02:08 – Weird Little Badass Babe 02:53 – The Winding Journey of a Multi-Hyphenate 11:04 – Walking Away From Musical Theater Dreams 18:34 – Storytelling and Movement Across All Art Forms 24:22 – Paycheck or Passion? 30:57 – The Brave Act of Vulnerability 34:54 – Reclaiming Creativity Outside of Capitalism 35:22 – Dance, Revisited 39:00 – Facing Fear, Again and Again 45:02 – Dance as Medicine 52:04 – Redefining Success 57:02 – Finding Calm in the Chaos About Spinks: Spinks is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn. First a musician, then a dancer, and eventually an actor, Spinks has found herself entirely devoted to the performing and visual arts her entire life. Her work has been displayed in various theaters, on stages big and small, in cinemas, and in the quiet pages of several magazines all around the world.  On screen, she's been lucky enough to work with the likes of Google, Clinique, Planned Parenthood, Bio Glitz, and Cocoa Jones (to name a few). Her writing can be found published in FROTH Magazine, Strong Young Thing Magazine, Mixed Mag, and Issues 1-3 of Susie Magazine. Her ceramics have been featured by Florence Contemporary Art Gallery and American Design Club.  When not working as an interpretive artist, she can be found experimenting in all things performing and media with her production company, VERNE.

    1h 5m
  8. On Showing Up with Spencer Martinez

    12/17/2024

    On Showing Up with Spencer Martinez

    Spencer Martinez, a South Jersey native with a love for Musical Theatre, earned her BA at FDU, becoming the first in her family to graduate. After backpacking through Europe, she kicked off her career with an Off-Broadway production in NYC. Adapting during COVID, she founded the LimeLight platform, providing accessibility and education to the industry. Recently booking UGC for various companies and the NYC based "Moving UP" workshop, she not only strives for her own comeback but consistently gives back to the industry that fuels her passion. From a log cabin to Manhattan, Spencer's journey epitomizes resilience, creativity, and a commitment to community in the ever-evolving world of musical theatre. In today’s episode, ⁠Spencer Martinez⁠ shares her experience with sexual harassment and how it influenced her ability to show up to auditions, what needs to change for both non-union and Equity performing artists, and how she learned to not make decisions based on fear.   She also discusses how “The Artist’s Way” led to a profound personal and professional realization and the steps that led to building confidence including switching voice teachers, using affirmations, and writing her “morning pages.”  Learn more about ⁠⁠Spencer Martinez & ⁠⁠The Story Project⁠⁠.

    1h 13m
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8 Ratings

About

The Story Project is a podcast for artists to heal through conversation, cultivate community, and create change in the industry and the world at large. Our mission is to create healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for performing artists. We focus on identifying, celebrating, and paying attention to all of the elements that make a whole artist and we offer conversations, tools, and resources to help artists prioritize their well-being. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Altchiler
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jessica Altchiler
  • Show Website
    The Story Project