The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

Gillian Pensavalle
  • 4.2 (1.8K)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka "The Cabinet", including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway, and UK company--crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings! When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it. If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you've come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA's at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast

  1. #455: John Devereaux // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One

    6 DAYS AGO

    #455: John Devereaux // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One

    John Devereaux is currently on Hamilton's Philip Tour covering George Washington, King George III, Mulligan/Madison, and Lafayette/Jefferson. He grew up in Houston, Texas, loving sports and wanting to eventually practice medicine. In high school, he did some friends a favor by stepping in as a last minute replacement but this does NOT mean he was a theatre kid, okay?! In fact, he went out of his way to make sure his bio in the program said that acting was just a hobby and he was *really* an athlete who was going to be a doctor. But we know how this story goes, right? He stepped on that stage and everything changed. Not overnight, of course. This week John talks about realizing he was too squeamish to be a doctor while in the middle of rotations, why a Monopoly reference made him ditch his business major, the beauty of being present on stage, and auditioning for Friday Night Lights. John on Instagram John on Tiktok Of Yours Products /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    47 min

  2. FEB 10

    #454: Sabrina Imamura // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Three

    In her third and final episode, Sabrina Imamura ties up how she landed on the Hamilton's Philip Tour after starting with the original Angelica Tour in 2017 and making stops on Broadway (twice), the Eliza Tour (the Los Angeles sit down), and the And Peggy Tour (which kicked off in Puerto Rico). Sabrina explains the importance of gigs that feed you creatively and why doing a show for the sake of it isn't really what she's about. You know what she *is* about, though? More stories about Asian people that don't revolve around war or politics or the fetishization of Asian women and people. Plus, Sabrina goes in on her favorite books with the strongest female leads, why animals are the greatest, vintage project runaway talk, and our plea for JUSTICE FOR NATALIE FROM LOVE, ACTUALLY!! It'll make sense when you get there, I promise. Sabrina on Instagram Sabrina's Fashion Account Sabrina on TikTok /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    42 min

  3. FEB 3

    #453: Sabrina Imamura // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Two

    Sabrina Imamura is back for round two and she's very candidly talking about her experience with anxiety, including having daily panic attacks on stage while performing in Hamilton on Broadway. Sabrina covers it all: what sparked the anxiety, how it attached itself to Hamilton and performing in general, the weight of keeping it all a secret, and how being open about everything led her down a much safer path. The bottom line is that no one has any idea what they're doing and we're all just trying to figure it out. Sabrina has been a swing with Hamilton since 2017 starting with the original Angelica Tour and including stops on Broadway (twice), the Eliza Tour (the Los Angeles sit down), the And Peggy Tour (which kicked off in Puerto Rico), and is currently on the Philip Tour. Sabrina on Instagram Sabrina's Fashion Account Sabrina on TikTok /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    48 min

  4. JAN 27

    #452: Sabrina Imamura // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One

    Sabrina Imamura has been a swing with Hamilton since 2017 starting with the original Angelica Tour and including stops on Broadway (twice), the Eliza Tour (the Los Angeles sit down), the And Peggy Tour (which kicked off in Puerto Rico), and is currently on the Philip Tour. Sabrina started dancing and playing piano at three years old, with ballet being her first love and main focus. After a lot of success in the world of contemporary ballet and concert dancing, she graduated from the University of Michigan and began auditioning in New York City. Soon after, agents started sending her out for musical theatre. She didn't have a book, she'd never taken a voice lesson, and other than absolutely loving Phantom of the Opera, Sabrina had no *actual* musical theatre experience. Do you think that stopped Sabrina? ABSOLUTELY NOT. She grabbed her "Think of Me" sheet music, used her extensive piano skills to help her rehearse the vocals, harnessed what she called "fake confidence", and she walked into those audition rooms ready to go. Most of the time, Sabrina was called in for what she calls "Asian specific" shows and roles. That changed when Hamilton came along in 2016, which was also the first audition room where Sabrina got the information she was craving: the intention behind the movement, the story, not just the what but the why. Sabrina on Instagram Sabrina's Fashion Account Sabrina on TikTok /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    46 min

  5. JAN 20

    #451: Terrance Martin // Dance Captain & Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Three

    Today I'm wrapping up with Terrance Martin, the dance captain and a swing currently on Hamilton's Philip Tour (and previously all over the world). This week, Terrance talks about his international experiences with Hamilton, including how exciting it was building up that tour with alums from every production of Hamilton worldwide. He also walks us through the role of a Dance Captain and how the way he focuses on the intentions of each character really informs the way he communicates. He has to know the intricacies of every role while being super tuned into his cast mates so he can give both the show and his fellow actors exactly what they need to kill it on stage.  And on the topic of legacy (because it always comes back to that, doesn't it?), Terrance talks about being a founding member of the Black Artist Dance Collective, a program focused on supporting and connecting Black artists and building the community he never had. /// Terrance Martin on Instagram Terrance Martin VO on Instagram Terrance's Website The Black Artists Dance Collective: https://www.tbadcollective.org/ https://www.instagram.com/tbadcollective/?hl=en /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    1h 10m

  6. JAN 13

    #450: Terrance Martin // Dance Captain & Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Two

    Terrance Martin is back for round two and while everyone loves feeling seen, is there anything better than seeing your friend absolutely killing it at something they love and you get to hype them up and tell everyone how amazing they are? The answer is no. Terrance's journey to traveling the world as a Hamilton Swing and Dance Captain spans six years and in hearing him talk about his experiences and his friendships surrounding this show, you can tell that the invisible string theory is hard at work in his world.  This week Terrance talks about a life-changing Season of Yes but it took a lot of no's to get there and a lot of them were from Terrance! After a long look at his career and asking himself some very hard questions about how and why he wanted to be a performer in the first place, Terrance called his bestie and announced his retirement. His plan was to "bow out gracefully,” commit to teaching the next generation, and embark on his Season of Yes.  So naturally that's when the Universe jumped in and said BET! because guess what show came calling... /// Terrance Martin on Instagram Terrance Martin VO on Instagram Terrance's Website The Black Artists Dance Collective: https://www.tbadcollective.org/ https://www.instagram.com/tbadcollective/?hl=en /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    1h 11m

  7. JAN 6

    #449: Terrance Martin // Dance Captain & Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One

    Terrance Martin is a multi-faceted performer and activist, a founding member of the Black Artists Dance Collective, and one of the best conversationalists on the planet. Terrance is currently the dance captain and a swing on the Philip Tour, and previously has been all over the world with Hamilton. It took him six years of auditioning to get there but that's actually great because he got a ton of experience performing in other great shows during that time. We talk a lot about redefining success, and that was all a major part of it. His approach to being a swing is so fun because Terrance has detailed backstories for every role on that stage and gives us a fascinating deep dive on why the psyche of these characters is so important. Shout out to his fellow Capricorns! This week, Terrance also talks about growing up an introvert who wanted to perform while having to learn to fight for his existence as a "Black feminine gay man in the red South." Terrance explains that his voice, his walk, his *light* didn't allow him to hide, which at the time manifested in anger and trauma but has now led him to a place of growth and strength. None of this is easy by the way, especially when you learn what Terrance went through. Note: I jump in to remind you before it happens, but towards the end of this episode Terrance tells a traumatic story involving racism, bullying, homophobia, threats of violence, and the description of an incident that took place in a pool that includes a severe injury to Terrance's ear. /// Terrance Martin on Instagram Terrance Martin VO on Instagram Terrance's Website The Black Artists Dance Collective: https://www.tbadcollective.org/ https://www.instagram.com/tbadcollective/?hl=en /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    52 min
  8. #448: Nicole deRoux // Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Three

    12/16/2024

    #448: Nicole deRoux // Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part Three

    Note: This is the last episode of 2024! I wish you a safe, fun, happy, and healthy holiday season and a fantastic start to the new year. The Hamilcast will be back the first week of January 2025 to kick off the ninth (!!!!!!) year of the podcast. Nicole deRoux is currently a swing on Hamilton's Philip tour, a role she recently transitioned into after performing as The Bullet for five years (that's over 50 cities and 1,500 performances). This week, Nicole is taking questions from the Patreon Peeps and talking about the little ways The Bullet is always adding pressure throughout the show, tells me about a PERFECT prank she pulled on Nik Walker, dives into her love of crafting, and explains why she loves being a swing. Nicole is an artist who loves museums and loves giving handmade gifts to her friends. From collages to junk journals to watercolor paintings of her castmates' specific corsets, Nicole is always looking for ways to express her love in creative ways. And sometimes that means getting bagels for everyone, and who is going to argue with that?! /// Nicole on TikTok   Nicole on Instagram   Nicole's Website /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

    38 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.2
out of 5
1,792 Ratings

About

In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka "The Cabinet", including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway, and UK company--crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings! When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it. If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you've come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA's at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast

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