Conversation with Jack O’Brien - three-time Tony Award-winning director and former Artistic Director of San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, where he served for 26 years. His celebrated Broadway work includes *Hairspray*, *Henry IV*, *The Coast of Utopia*, *The Nance* and *Macbeth*. He has also directed for the Metropolitan Opera, the National Theatre, and London’s West End and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2024, he received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.In this conversation, Jack shares what decades in the theatre have taught him about risk, failure, collaboration, kindness, creativity, aging and the importance of living fully in the process rather than chasing the destination. Some topics covered: Creating a Climate of Safety (in the Rehearsal Room) “If you can’t fail, you can’t succeed. If you can’t risk, you can’t achieve.” “I want you to sing. I want to see your heart.” Mentor Ellis Raab Epic Curtain Calls The Coast of Utopia Henry IV Old Globe, San Diego The Nance, Nathan Lane “I rehearse for a living.” Living the Journey vs. the Destination The Comeback, Lisa Kudrow, Michael Patrick King Macbeth, Lincoln Center, Ethan Hawke Classical Acting Tom Stoppard “All good is the same good” - Kindness You don’t need the answer when you’re living in the process Auteur vs. Egoless Collaboration Heart-Centered Storytelling Rick Ellis, Roger Rees Barry Edelstein I Wanna Be Like You Podcast Making Peace with Aging Joy and Hope at the End of the Journey Meditation, Yoga, Breathwork Letting Go and Egolessness Gratitude 🌐 Work with Me: jonorsini.com 🔔 Subscribe for a new episode every Wednesday: Mindfulness Unscripted with Jon Orsini (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Substack) Jon Orsini is an award-winning Broadway actor & Somatic Breathwork Guide on the faculty at Kripalu Center helping you awaken inner wisdom and regulate your nervous system in real time to feel, perform and live better #breathwork #broadway #meditation #theater #acting #directing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonorsini.substack.com
