Entre Acts with Linedy Genao

Broadway Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (25)
  • Performing Arts

Ever feel like life hit “intermission” and forgot to hand you the rest of the script? Entre Acts with Linedy Genao is the podcast for anyone navigating a life transition: career pivots, creative reinvention, burnout, breakups, big moves, and the messy in-between (or in Spanish, entre) the acts of life. Hosted by Broadway star Linedy Genao, each episode delivers candid conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from artists and bold thinkers rewriting their next chapter in real time. Expect real talk, a little chisme, and the kind of insight that feels like a reset button for your confidence.  Whether you’re switching paths, starting over, or chasing a dream that scares you, Entre Acts is your reminder that you’re not lost. You’re simply in-between acts!  Because life doesn’t pause.  It just moves… entre acts.

  1. Aneesa Folds: Freestyling Through the Fear

    1d ago

    Aneesa Folds: Freestyling Through the Fear

    Welcome to a beautifully reflective and creatively charged episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with the versatile and courageous Aneesa Folds. The two area natives jump into a standard game of dominoes, sharing a hilariously fierce debate about whether New York or New Haven, Connecticut has the truly superior pizza, before Aneesa maps out her ultimate bodega run—from a classic morning bacon, egg, and cheese on a toasted roll to a late-night chopped cheese. Aneesa also reflects on her deep roots in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, sharing how being surrounded by her Guyanese and Caribbean community keeps her grounded in the center of it all. Moving into the heart of the sándwichito format, Aneesa opens up about the "dreaded question" artists face when they aren't attached to a current playbill. She gets candid about navigating a severe financial lull two years ago, counting her coins paycheck to paycheck, and how that uncertainty sparked a creative awakening to write her own one-woman show, Why Am I Here. Aneesa details the raw anxiety of putting herself in the deep end, working through panic attacks with her director from Second City, and learning to speak to her inner child with positive affirmations rather than a harsh inner critic. Finally, the duo explores the absolute freedom of improvisational storytelling, with Aneesa sharing the invaluable lessons of forgiveness and turning mistakes into patterns that she mastered on Broadway with Freestyle Love Supreme. Aneesa Folds is a multi-talented actor, improviser, and songwriter whose bold career spans from the Broadway stage to major digital media and television. She made her spectacular Broadway debut bringing the house down in the hit improvisational musical Freestyle Love Supreme. Her notable screen and vocal credits include appearing in Lin-Manuel Miranda's film adaptation of Tick, Tick... Boom!, Sesame Street, and singing on The Warriors concept album. An alumnus of the musical theater program at the University of Hartford, Aneesa is the creator and star of her original developmental one-woman show, Why Am I Here, and recently finished a hilarious comedic run playing an 11-year-old in Ginger Twinsies This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for the day. Connect with Linedy and Aneesa: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @aneesafolds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min
  2. Matte Martinez: Moonwalking Through the In-Between

    Jun 24

    Matte Martinez: Moonwalking Through the In-Between

    Welcome to a special bilingual edition of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy is joined on the couch by a fellow Dominican powerhouse on Broadway: the incredibly talented actor, singer, and songwriter Matte Martinez. The two dynamic creatives heat things up with a game of dominoes, facing off over a highly contentious debate between the ultimate Dominican staples—mangú con los tres golpes versus sancocho—and discussing why Matte strictly commits to drinking iced coffee even in the middle of a winter blizzard. Matte also shares a deeply vulnerable and humorous revelation, admitting that despite his heritage and childhood Telemundo viewing habits, he doesn't actually speak fluent Spanish. The duo wraps up the segment by analyzing the unique cultural phenomenon of eccentric Dominican naming customs and how Matte uniquely "Dominicanized" his own name by creatively pulling the 'E' from his middle name to change "Matt" into "Matte.” Moving into the deep and soulful middle of the sándwichito format, Matte opens up about navigating the intense, uncertain lulls of the entertainment industry. He reflects on the immense pressure of finishing his time as a Kidz Bop Kid, watching his peers advance while struggling with self-doubt and finding his footing. Matte credits his family's unyielding support and a deep spiritual mindset for teaching him that everything happens for a reason. He details his lifelong connection to the King of Pop—from throwing mandatory Michael Jackson childhood birthday parties to executing the moonwalk at age seven in custom jackets. He and Linedy share an emotional, full-circle moment discussing how seeing a Dominican performer lead a massive Broadway marquee provides crucial validation for their community. Finally, Matte shares how the isolation of the pandemic inspired him and his closest collaborators to pod together and write Oakwood—a therapeutic, six-year musical theater project tracking the chaotic, universal realities of finding your voice in the "in-between.”  Matte Martinez is a brilliant Dominican-American actor, singer, and songwriter making waves across traditional theater and modern entertainment. He began his professional career as a Kidz Bop Kid, touring the country at an early age before transitioning into television and voiceover work. His notable screen credits include appearing on ABC's The Good Doctor and voicing characters in Marvel's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. As an accomplished commercial songwriter, Matte has penned music for hit Disney Channel global franchises, including High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Zombies 4. Alongside his closest collaborators, he is currently developing the book and score for his original musical, Oakwood. Matte is currently commanding the stage eight times a week in his critically acclaimed Broadway debut leading the Tony Award-winning smash hit, MJ the Musical. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for the day. Connect with Linedy and Matte: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @mattemartinez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
  3. Samantha Pauly: The Queen of Surviving Broadway’s Biggest Plot Twists

    Jun 17

    Samantha Pauly: The Queen of Surviving Broadway’s Biggest Plot Twists

    Welcome to a beautifully candid and fiercely nostalgic episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with her everyday backstage dressing roommate, the incredible Grammy-nominated and Drama Desk Award-winning powerhouse Samantha Pauly. The two The Great Gatsby castmates kick off their conversation over a game of dominoes, diving into a massive deep-dive about their absolute favorite Chicago deep dish spot, Pequods—bonding over the famous frozen nationwide deliveries and crying over the legendary The Bear pizza episode. They debate the high-stakes physical demands of performing in a corset versus oversized shoes, and Samantha treats listeners to a hilarious look at the secret celebrity "face-lift" beauty technique hidden inside her iconic Six ponytail. Shifting layers into the sándwichito format, Samantha opens up about navigating the emotional and physical impact of career interruptions. She reflects on the heartbreaking 2019 cancellation of the Bad Out of Hell tour that left her entirely unanchored, revealing how a sudden loss of work unexpectedly allowed her the essential time to be present at home for her father's shoulder surgery. She and Linedy get vulnerable about the heavy tolls of missing out on irreplaceable family milestones due to rigorous performance schedules. Samantha details the surreal shock of the 2020 Broadway shutdown on the exact afternoon Six was supposed to open, and how she combated that isolating pause by creating her iconic 100-day costume-clad cover song series on social media. Finally, the duo discusses the immense value of taking mental health personal days to step out of the industry's comparison traps and refill your cup. Samantha Pauly is a critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated, and Drama Desk Award-winning actress and recording artist celebrated as one of musical theater's most versatile leading ladies. She captured global attention for originating the iconic role of Katherine Howard in Six on Broadway. She has also taken the international stage by storm, starring as Eva Perón in the West End revival of Evita after being handpicked for the role by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself. Samantha’s extensive credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress and appearing in regional favorites like Rent and Hairspray. She is currently originating the role of Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Connect with Linedy and Sam: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @sampauly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  4. Brandon Contreras: Broadway, Bodegas, and Big Queer Joy

    Jun 10

    Brandon Contreras: Broadway, Bodegas, and Big Queer Joy

    Welcome to a beautifully raw and wildly entertaining episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy is joined by the multitalented Brandon Contreras, a true native New Yorker of Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Colombian descent. The two real-life friends kick off the show with a game of dominoes, diving headfirst into a passionate discussion about the ultimate bodega counter orders. Brandon breaks down his rigorous three-tier sandwich system—ranging from a structured breakfast platter to his late-night "bad girl" double cheeseburger and the greasy magic of a perfectly seasoned chopped cheese. They revisit millennial nostalgia via TRL fashion trends, debate the "boredom of routine" versus the "fear of the unknown,”, and share a mutual terror of the deep ocean. Linedy even shares a terrifying childhood memory of a Make-A-Wish family parasailing trip to Hawaii that dropped her straight into the deep blue sea. As they layer into the heartfelt middle of the sándwichito format, Brandon gets vulnerable about the immense weight of entering the "business of affirmations.” He reflects on the high-profile whirlwind of making his Broadway debut in the ensemble of Tom Kitt's Almost Famous, only to experience the devastating double-grief of the show abruptly closing while simultaneously walking through a painful romantic breakup. Brandon details his sudden, savings-clearing impulse trip across Europe to find out who he was outside of his job and a relationship, proving that the "in-between" spaces are an essential invitation for absolute stillness and self-reflection. He also shares how those periods of not seeing authentic, joyful queer stories in traditional rooms inspired him and his best friend, Matt Coriano, to create The Homo Sapien Experience—a modern digital sketch comedy platform that has built a fiercely protective community of millions. The episode winds down with a festive look at Brandon's strict timeline for taking down a Christmas tree, an intense round of In the Heights-themed "Bed, Wed, Dead,” and a breakdown of why he is actively manifesting a villain edit on The Amazing Race. Brandon Contreras (he/him) is a multi-hyphenate Dominican-Puerto Rican-Colombian storyteller, content creator, and digital media trailblazer born and raised in New York City. He made his highly anticipated Broadway debut in the original company of Tom Kitt's Almost Famous and has performed extensively across elite regional theaters, independent films, and network television. As the visionary co-founder and co-director of The Homo Sapien Experience, Brandon has seamlessly blended traditional theatrical comedy with modern digital media, building a global platform of millions dedicated to queer humor, intersectional Latinx storytelling, and lighthearted advocacy. He is currently bringing his dynamic energy and brilliant comedic timing to the stage in the hit, Tony-nominated musical Operation Mincemeat. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Brandon: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠@ohhey_brandon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
  5. Emma Sofia: The Unstoppable Jellicle Cat

    Jun 3

    Emma Sofia: The Unstoppable Jellicle Cat

    Welcome to a fierce and deeply authentic episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with a true force of nature, the incredible dancer and actress, Emma Sofia. The two powerhouse Latinas kick off the show with a lively game of dominoes, diving right into some hilarious food chisme. Emma proudly defends her West Coast roots by crowning In-N-Out over Shake Shack—even coming to the defense of their highly debated papitas (with a tip to get them animal style). From declaring that a true maduro plantain must be bruised completely black before cooking, to sharing her love for gallo pinto, Emma brings immense color and humor to the mic. Moving into the heart of the sándwichito format, Emma opens up about the vulnerability of existing in an "attention-based economy," where artists often wrap their intrinsic human worth completely up in their last resume credit. She takes listeners on her own "hero's journey" after leaving Broadway in 2018. She shares the heartbreaking reality of booking two major television roles right as the pandemic hit, her subsequent move to Miami to care for her abuela, and a deep mental health break that left her silently crying while filling single-use ketchup cups at a vegan restaurant. Emma vulnerably details how surrendering to nature and dancing alone in her room brought her back to life, unlocking an empowering wave of artistic independence that led her to produce ten independent cabaret and film productions in a single year. The episode wraps up with a hilarious look at Emma's current routine—including how she efficiently uses her intermission time at the Broadhurst Theatre to change out her Cassandra wig and execute her full transformation into Skimbleshanks —before stepping into a wild round of "Bed, Wed, Dead" where she weds the Jellicle Ball and vows to take a life-changing trip to a ballroom in Harlem. Emma Sofia is a versatile and electrifying stage, screen, and cabaret artist. A proud Latina and an alumna of the prestigious dance conservatory at SUNY Purchase, Emma seamlessly transitioned from concert dance to commercial theater and television. Her extensive credits include appearing in the FX series Fosse/Verdon and originating roles in the Broadway productions of Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A boundary-pushing independent producer, filmmaker, and leader, Emma has mounted numerous highly acclaimed solo cabaret acts and immersive nightlife events throughout New York City. She is currently captivating audiences eight times a week in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Emma: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @emmasofiaokay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
  6. Victor Vazquez: The Architect of a Jellicle Ball

    Jun 3

    Victor Vazquez: The Architect of a Jellicle Ball

    Welcome to a beautifully grounding episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with a true visionary and industry change-maker, the brilliant Victor Vazquez—founder of X Casting. The two kick off their conversation with a lively round of dominoes, diving into Victor's deep appreciation for tacos al pastor, his daily commitment to building up a spice palate, and a hilarious look at his absolute refusal to eat mid, Midtown business-meeting salsa that tastes suspiciously like ketchup. Linedy also takes a moment to share the incredibly moving story of how Victor profoundly changed the trajectory of her career nearly a decade ago, looking past a missed role to connect her with her life-long manager and make her feel safe, seen, and valued in the audition room. Moving into the deep, reflective layers of the sándwichito format, Victor flips the script on what it means to be an industry gatekeeper. He redefines the transitional "in-between" periods as highly curatorial, intentional chapters of an artist's path that require immense self-care and nourishment. Victor shares his profound personal North Star—a vivid imagery from a college business class of designing his own kitchen to host his community rather than chasing traditional accolades like Tonys or Oscars. He opens up about the massive responsibility of world-building through casting, detailing the historic year-long open portal methodology used to prioritize the ballroom community for Broadway's Cats: The Jellicle Ball. He also shares a jaw-dropping, framed piece of history: a personal recommendation letter sent to his desk on official Supreme Court letterhead by none other than Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who deeply understood how difficult an actor’s profession truly is. To close the act, Victor treats listeners to a whisper-quiet ASMR casting secret, breaks down why a bánh mì is the absolute perfect umami sandwich, and shares a wild audition room story that involved calling security over a rogue machete. Victor Vazquez (he/him/él) is a creative architect, world-builder, and the pioneering founder of X Casting. As a prominent Latinx casting director and the proud son of Mexican immigrants, Victor is dedicated to dismantling binary pass-fail structures in theater and amplifying the voices of global majority and queer stories. His revolutionary casting methodologies are behind monumental theatrical milestones, including the history-making hit Cats: The Jellicle Ball and the critically acclaimed musical adaptation of Real Women Have Curves. Formerly the Lead In-House Casting Director at the prestigious Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., Victor holds a degree in directing and writing and continues to serve as an indispensable bridge-builder, cultural curator, and community leader across both coasts. Connect with Linedy and Victor: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @victorvictorv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  7. Betsy Wolfe: You Are Worth So Much More Than Your Last Role

    May 27

    Betsy Wolfe: You Are Worth So Much More Than Your Last Role

    Welcome to a beautifully candid episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with her long-time inspiration turned colleague, the brilliant Tony Award nominee Betsy Wolfe. The two kick off their conversation by bonding over a nostalgic connection to The Last Five Years—including a wild realization that the driving scene's background footage featured the exact Connecticut highway tunnel Linedy used to drive through every day! Diving into a lively round of dominoes, Betsy delivers some hilariously direct takes, explaining why a 90-minute show with no intermission is an absolute blessing for an actor, crowning high comedy over high drama, and inventing a brand-new iteration of "Bed, Wed, Dead" to navigate the chaos of performing 20 costume changes a night in her current role. In the heart of the sándwichito format, Betsy gets real about the immense pressure and identity crises that occur during a performer's downtime. She reflects on the painful, out-of-control industry moments that left her with zero agency, revealing how she channeled that career intermission into founding Broadway Evolved—a transformative mentorship program that has spent eight years teaching teen theater students that their humanity and integrity matter far more than their next credit. Betsy also shares her refreshing strategy for balancing an eight-show Broadway week with raising her daughter Poppy, explaining why prioritizing uninterrupted motherhood actually makes her a better artist on stage. To wrap up, Betsy chats about her secret passions for pickling, kayaking, and interior design, proving that life's pauses can be the most fulfilling acts of all. Betsy Wolfe is an acclaimed Broadway powerhouse and a 2023 Tony Award nominee for her standout performance as Anne Hathaway in the hit musical & Juliet. Her illustrious career includes originating the titular role in the off-Broadway musical Joy, starring as Jenna in Waitress, and delivering a critically lauded turn as Cathy Hiatt in the iconic 2013 revival of The Last Five Years. Currently captivating audiences as Madeline Ashton in Broadway's Death Becomes Her, Betsy is also a passionate educator and the co-founder of Broadway Evolved, a groundbreaking training program for the next generation of theatrical artists. Beyond her immense creative talents on stage, she is a dedicated mother and an interior design enthusiast. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Betsy: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @bwolfepack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  8. David Mendizábal: The Magic Behind the Award-Winning MEXODUS

    May 20

    David Mendizábal: The Magic Behind the Award-Winning MEXODUS

    Welcome to a beautifully insightful episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy is joined by the brilliant, award-winning director and designer David Mendizábal. The two kick off their conversation with a game of dominoes, debating who delivers the harsher critique—a Broadway reviewer or his Tía —and crowning New York City actors as the ultimate source of theater drama over their more laid-back Bay Area counterparts. David keeps it hilariously real, admitting they would immediately blow $96,000 in cash rather than waiting a decade for a lottery chance, and challenges the traditional nonsense of theater etiquette by advocating for a more vocal, interactive audience experience. In the heart of the sándwichito format, David shares the profound beauty of navigating a director's "in-between" spaces, viewing the initial chaos of a production lull as an eventual path toward structured clarity and new cosmic collaborations. They open up about the "superpower" of embracing vulnerability and collective intelligence in a rehearsal room when you don't have all the answers. David details the intentional, meticulous craftsmanship behind directing the award-winning live-audio production Mexodus, tracing its genesis from raw pandemic video exchanges to transforming an entire stage into a live looping machine. Finally, David shares the sheer disbelief and imposter syndrome of getting the offer to helm the highly anticipated City Center gala production of In the Heights, reflecting on how the musical serves as a profound baseline of cultural resilience and a deep tribute to their ancestors. The episode wraps up with an intense round of No Me Diga hot takes, including a recurring Entre Acts public safety warning against wearing chancletas near New York City trash piles. David Mendizábal is a Lucille Lortel and Helen Hayes Award-winning director, designer, and visionary leader shaping the landscape of contemporary American theater. They currently serve as the Associate Artistic Director and Director of In Dialog at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, a Founding Collective Member of The Sol Project, and a Producing Artistic Leader of the Obie Award-winning Movement Theatre Company. David's acclaimed directorial vision spans major works including the award-winning Mexodus at Audible Theater, The Bandit’s Place at Roundabout Theatre Company, and the upcoming City Center Fall gala production of In the Heights. An alumnus of NYU Tisch , David continues to champion authentic representation, collective storytelling, and community empowerment across the country. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and David: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @its_daveed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    58 min
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About

Ever feel like life hit “intermission” and forgot to hand you the rest of the script? Entre Acts with Linedy Genao is the podcast for anyone navigating a life transition: career pivots, creative reinvention, burnout, breakups, big moves, and the messy in-between (or in Spanish, entre) the acts of life. Hosted by Broadway star Linedy Genao, each episode delivers candid conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from artists and bold thinkers rewriting their next chapter in real time. Expect real talk, a little chisme, and the kind of insight that feels like a reset button for your confidence.  Whether you’re switching paths, starting over, or chasing a dream that scares you, Entre Acts is your reminder that you’re not lost. You’re simply in-between acts!  Because life doesn’t pause.  It just moves… entre acts.

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