PHARTS Podcast

Jenna Kantor

Performers Happiness in the Arts (PHARTS) Podcast has nothing to do with farting ... unless we choose to talk about it. Hosted by Dr. Jenna Kantor, PHARTS is meant to uplift musical theatre performers as they pursue a long career on the stage. That is not an easy thing to do with the countless rejections at auditions, soul sucking survivor jobs, and waves of anxiety about our next paycheck. We need to bring happiness to ourselves and to each other through integrity, authenticity, love, and, of course, humor. All guests on this podcast are out to help musical theatre performer's thrive. And while we do it, we may laugh at the simple things like the word penis.

  1. Jul 28

    Common Injuries in The Lion King on Broadway

    In this episode of the Performers Happiness in the Arts Podcast (PHARTS), host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, dance medicine specialist and performer, breaks down the physical demands of The Lion King on Broadway and the most common injuries seen among its dancers, singers, actors, and musicians. This episode includes: • Why the show’s choreography style increases injury risk for dancers • How puppet mechanics affect shoulders, necks, and backs • Why vocal fatigue is one of the top issues for singers • How actors managing full-body character work can avoid overuse • Research-backed data on performance-related injuries • Simple, actionable strategies every performer can start TODAY Whether you are a musical theatre performer, a physical therapist, or part of the medical team supporting performers, this episode gives you backstage insight into one of Broadway’s most physically demanding productions. ✨ FREE PERFORMER RESOURCES: YouTube Playlists from Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy: • Injury Prevention & Warm-Ups: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy/playlists • Vocal Health & Breath Support • Full-Body Strength for Performers • Flexibility & Mobility for Dancers 🌟 Want Individualized Guidance? Visit jennakantorpt.com to work with Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy (JKPT), located in Pittsburgh, PA with Telehealth available for New York performers. Perfect for dancers, singers, actors, and musicians who want healthy, pain-free movement and longevity in their careers. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

    Common Injuries in The Lion King on Broadway
  2. Jul 7

    The Physical Magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child- What Makes This Show So Demanding?

    ✨ The Physical Magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: What Makes This Show So Demanding? ✨ In this PHARTS episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT breaks down the unique physical challenges faced by dancers, singers, and actors in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — a show that blends movement, emotional depth, illusion work, heavy prop usage, and nonstop pacing in ways unlike any other Broadway production. We explore: 🪄 Why this show demands full-body stamina 💪 Injury risks and fatigue patterns 🎭 The differences in physical strain for dancers, singers, and actors 📊 Research-backed insights on performer fatigue and injury risk 🌟 How to maintain your body through long performance runs Whether you’re in the cast, auditioning, or just fascinated by the physicality behind the magic, this episode gives you practical and supportive insights to stay safe and strong. For individualized physical therapy guidance, visit jennakantorpt.com — Pittsburgh-based, with Telehealth options for New York performers. Want FREE movement, strength, and rehab videos? Explore YouTube playlists created just for performers: 🎥 Mobility Exercises Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy 🎥 Strength & Conditioning Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy 🎥 Dancer Rehab Exercises Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy 🎥 Vocal Health & Breath Support Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy

    The Physical Magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child- What Makes This Show So Demanding?
  3. Jun 23

    Staying Strong Through Wicked — Physical Maintenance for Performers

    Welcome back to PHARTS – Performers Happiness in the Arts Podcast with your host, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, dance medicine specialist, performer, and your go-to friend for keeping your body performance-ready. In today’s episode, we dive into physical maintenance for the musical Wicked — a show that demands stamina, stability, breath control, and consistent body awareness from dancers, singers, actors, and yes…musicians too. You’ll learn: ✨ What makes Wicked uniquely physically demanding ✨ Real data on performer injury rates and overuse patterns ✨ Strategies to protect your body through long runs ✨ Warm-up and cooldown essentials ✨ How dancers, singers, and actors can personalize their maintenance plan If you’re looking for guided support, individualized programming, or solutions to ongoing pain or physical limitations, visit Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy (JKPT) at jennakantorpt.com. JKPT is located in Pittsburgh, PA and offers telehealth support for New York performers who want to stay healthy, pain-free, and strong. If you want FREE video resources to improve mobility, strength, or recovery, check out the YouTube playlists here: 🎥 Mobility Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy 🎥 Strength & Conditioning Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy 🎥 Dancer Rehab Exercises Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy Make sure you subscribe so you never miss a free resource made specifically with the performer in mind.

    Staying Strong Through Wicked — Physical Maintenance for Performers
  4. Jun 16

    Preparing Your Body for Dear Evan Hansen- Emotional Work Meets Physical Work

    This week on Performers Happiness in the Arts (PHARTS), Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT — dance medicine specialist and performer — breaks down the unique physical and emotional demands of performing in Dear Evan Hansen. Whether you’re a dancer holding intense stillness, a singer sustaining emotionally charged vocals, or an actor carrying heavy scenes night after night, your body needs targeted preparation to stay strong, supported, and injury-free. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ How the emotional weight of the show impacts physical posture and muscle tension ✨ Research-backed strategies to prepare your body for long runs of emotionally intense work ✨ Warm-up essentials for dancers, singers, and actors ✨ Breath-body integration tools for vocal clarity and calm ✨ Injury-prevention routines supported by clinical data 💡 Want individualized support to maintain peak performance? Visit www.jennakantorpt.com — Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy (JKPT) offers in-person services in Pittsburgh and Telehealth sessions for New York performers. 🎥 FREE YouTube Playlists to Support Your Training: Performer Warm-Up & Mobility: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy/playlists Dance Conditioning & Injury Prevention: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy/playlists Vocal-Physical Integration: https://www.youtube.com/@jennakantorphysicaltherapy/playlists Stay healthy. Stay expressive. Stay present. 💙

    Preparing Your Body for Dear Evan Hansen- Emotional Work Meets Physical Work

About

Performers Happiness in the Arts (PHARTS) Podcast has nothing to do with farting ... unless we choose to talk about it. Hosted by Dr. Jenna Kantor, PHARTS is meant to uplift musical theatre performers as they pursue a long career on the stage. That is not an easy thing to do with the countless rejections at auditions, soul sucking survivor jobs, and waves of anxiety about our next paycheck. We need to bring happiness to ourselves and to each other through integrity, authenticity, love, and, of course, humor. All guests on this podcast are out to help musical theatre performer's thrive. And while we do it, we may laugh at the simple things like the word penis.