Mental Health In Musical Theatre

Natalie Crane
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Daily

an interview and conversation-based dissection and exploration of navigating mental health struggles, advocacy, and awareness within the performing arts industry.

Episodes

  1. 09/17/2023

    On-Being-A-Multi-Hyphenate-with-Michael-Kushner

    In this episode, join me in soaking up the creative wisdom of Michael Kushner, NYC's leading multi-hyphenate as we chat about industry realness, elevating your humanity as an artist, and how being a patient multi-hyphenate can aid in your journey to becoming a well-rounded, peaceful and thriving creator. About the guest artist: Michael Kushner is NYC’s leading multi-hyphenate and the Executive Producer of the EMMY Nominated series Indoor Boys. His book, How to Be a Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate, was released in the Spring of 2023 and published by Routledge Publishing of the Taylor & Francis Group. In true multi-hyphenate form, Michael served as the Director of Programming for The Green Room 42, providing the space with sold out programming post pandemic. Performance: On the Town at Barrington Stage (Pre Broadway, Directed by John Rando), Much Ado About Nothing at Barrington Stage (Directed by Julie Boyd), Sons on the Prophet at GableStage (Directed by Joe Adler). He is the creator of his one man show, Moo With Me (Directed by Max Crumm). In June of 2021, Michael’s one person musical cabaret Michael Kushner Sings His Hits for Pride was part of 54 Below’s reopening programming as the industry opens after the CoVid-19 pandemic. Photography: Featured in The NYTimes, Vogue, The Tony Awards, Playbill, Women's Wear Daily, and more. Creator of The Dressing Room Project. Michael has photographed Hillary Clinton, Tom Hanks, Patti LuPone, Idina Menzel, Julie Andrews, and many more notable artists. Producing: Emmy Nominated web series, Indoor Boys, created by Wes Taylor and Alex Wyse, XaveMePlease, starring Isaac Powell, (Frameline43 Festival in San Fran). Michael is one of the founding members of Musical Theatre Factory, currently in residency with Playwrights Horizons, and was awarded the first ever MTF Builder Award. Michael produced and directed (as well as performed in) the sold out evening of 54 Celebrates Mel Brooks, starring Richard Kind, Veanne Cox, and more. During CoVid-19, Michael has stayed active in the theatre community by serving as Director of Photography and producing virtual events such as Moments in the Woods (A Virtual Gala for the HFWAA featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, nominated for a BroadwayWorld Award), Betsy Wolfe’s A Pants Optional Holiday, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play featuring The Skivvies with Laguna Playhouse, and Leslie Kritzer’s Holiday Show for The Actors’ Home. Active participant with Covenant House. In 2020, Michael served as 2020 KeyNote speaker for Florida Thespians. Michael was recently awarded the 2020 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Ithaca College. Michael teaches theatre business to the advanced NYU performance students at The Lee Strasberg Institute. www.dearmultihyphenate.com or www.michaelkushnerphotography.com. Podcasts: Dear Multi-Hyphenate and My Broadway Memory with Broadway Podcast Network. Proud AEA Member. Ithaca College BFA Musical Theatre. @themichaelkushner on IG. Youtube: mhmtpod Instagram: @mentalhealthinmusicaltheatre Email: mhmtpod@gmail.com

  2. 09/02/2023

    To Grind, Or Not To Grind

    Are you all work and no play? You probably have a BFA. In this episode, join me and featured artist Jack Bausch as we chirp about what "the grind" mentality means to us. From loneliness and depression on tour to avoiding inner demons by singing and dancing, we'll unpack our relationship with our inner selves and the bustling performing arts industry. This episode also features a brand new segment, 5 Things To Take Care. To find peace and celebration in taking care of myself, i'll share 5 things I did to tend to my basic-human-everyday-need-this-to-function self. Who doesn't love making a good list? About the guest artist: Jack Bausch (he/they) is a Rochester, NY native who has performed up and down the East Coast from the Florida Keys to Maine. As an actor, Jack has performed with notable theaters including The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, the Florida Studio Theater, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, The Camden Shakespeare Festival, and many more. A few credits of note include Macbeth (Macbeth,) The Normal Heart (Ned Weeks,) and Dogfight (Bernstein.) Jack is a proud client of Pantera/Murphy the Agency out of NYC. Give them a follow on your social media of choice @jackbausch and see more about him at jackbausch.com Sources: https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines Youtube: @mhmtpod instagram: @mentalhealthinmusicaltheatre email: mhmtpod@gmail.com

  3. 08/26/2023

    Hello, Depression!

    In this debut episode, take a deeper look into my mind as I introduce myself as a musical theatre performer with a plethora of mental disorders. We'll get real about dealing with trauma, people pleasing tendencies and depression all while taking center stage. With panic attacks coupled with Tennessee Williams, antidepressants and ankle injuries, this episode unpacks my relationship with theatre and how my mental illnesses coincide with it. Sources: https://www.crisistextline.org/ https://www.equity.org.uk/advice-and-support/dignity-at-work/mental-health-support https://www.annalembke.com/dopamine-nation Instagram: @mentalhealthinmusicaltheatre Youtube: @mhmtpod Email: mhmtpod@gmail.com Intro Music by Guilio Fazio

    Hello, Depression!
  • 3 Episodes

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3 Ratings

About

an interview and conversation-based dissection and exploration of navigating mental health struggles, advocacy, and awareness within the performing arts industry.

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