Why I‘ll Never Make It Patrick Oliver Jones

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of the acting world with today's guest, Luke Yankee, who is no stranger to the trials and triumphs of the industry. As a versatile artist sporting multiple hats, Luke draws inspiration from the incredible legacy of his mother, the legendary Eileen Heckart—a powerhouse who clinched the Oscar, Drama Desk, Golden Globe, and Emmy Awards with a special Tony Honor as well.
In this engaging conversation, Luke unveils the behind-the-scenes tales of his journey, sharing the hard-fought lessons and uproarious moments that have shaped his career. From writing a captivating biography and a one-man show about his iconic mother to snagging his own accolades for playwriting, Luke's story is one of passion, resilience, and a deep-rooted connection to the arts.
But that's not all—Luke delves into his unexpected roles as a teacher and coach, shedding light on his unique perspective in the bonus final five questions (subscribe here). This episode is a treasure trove of anecdotes, showcasing Luke's love affair with theater and his ingenious ways of navigating the inevitable bumps in the road.

INTRO - Hosting conversations with actors

STORY #1 - Misadventures in regional theater

STORY #2 - Lessoned learned from performing his one-man show

STORY #3 - The bovine scene in the barn

EXTRA - Anecdote from Broadway production of MAN OF LA MANCHA



Subscribe or Donate to WINMI
Producing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcasting efforts, and have access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Whether you subscribe or donate, your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated!


Subscribe to get early access to full episodes and bonus content  



Make a one-time Donation to support transcripts and podcast production



If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.


 
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Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an enjoyable BroadwayCon encounter this past summer, I found myself in the heart of all things Broadway, rubbing shoulders with the stars and hosting live interviews for the Broadway Podcast Network. While my conversation with Jelani Alladin about Frozen and Hercules was already shared in a previous episode, today we delve into my interview with the talented Broadway actress Sharon Catherine Brown.
I had the pleasure of working with her on a new musical last year, and we dive into some of the other shows on her resume, with a primary focus on her role in Jekyll & Hyde. We'll also explore her contributions to iconic musicals like Dreamgirls and Caroline, Or Change, gaining valuable advice for aspiring performers along the way. Join me in this special episode recorded live at BroadwayCon 2023 for an insightful and entertaining conversation with the remarkable Sharon Catherine Brown.

INTRO - What she looks for when auditioning for roles and shows

STORY #1 - Tackling the demanding role of Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde


STORY #2 - Playing such iconic characters as Dorothy in The Wiz and Effie in Dreamgirls


STORY #3 - Why she never gives advice to others on how to make it to Broadway

EXTRA - What it was like working with Andre Deshields



Subscribe or Donate to WINMI
Producing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcasting efforts, and have access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Whether you subscribe or donate, your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated!


Subscribe to get early access to full episodes and bonus content  



Make a one-time Donation to support transcripts and podcast production



If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.


 
Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
----------
Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tjasa Ferme is more than an actress; she's a dynamic creator who writes, produces, and stars in her own work. Her artistic vision revolves around transformation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and challenging traditional relationships between actors and audiences. Tjasa shares her journey from Europe as a rock star's daughter and early experiences on the Slovenia stage, to becoming a fearless actress and artistic director in the heart of New York City. We'll dive into three stories that have shaped her life and career...

In Slovenia, Tjasa never used a headshot, but that changed once she moved to NYC.

She called up an old friend to help her find work as actress, but came to realize the ability to create was within her the whole time.

Her theater company Transforma blends science and stage into one theatrical exploration.



Subscribe to WINMI
Producing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcasting efforts, and have access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Whether you subscribe or donate, your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated!


Subscribe to get access to bonus episodes and extra content  



Make a one-time Donation to support transcripts and podcast production



If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.


 
Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
----------
Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Rubinstein was born the son of renowned pianist Arthur Rubinstein, and his early exposure to theater in the 8th grade ignited a passion that would shape the trajectory of extraordinary career. He catapulted to Broadway stardom originating the title role in Pippin, directed by Bob Fosse, and won a Tony Award for his compelling performance in Children of a Lesser God.
A true renaissance man, John's artistic pursuits extend beyond the stage into television and film as well, both as an actor and composer, where he’s written the scores or theme songs for several movies and TV shows. We also talk about his work as a director, and even touch on one my favorite topics: the art and craft of auditioning. Never one to rest on his laurels, John also shares the impetus behind his return to New York in the current off-Broadway play Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, which adapts General Dwight Eisenhower's memoirs, speeches, and letters into a one-man stage play.


Subscribe to WINMI
Producing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcasting efforts, and have access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Whether you subscribe or donate, your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated!


Subscribe to get access to bonus episodes and extra content  



Make a one-time Donation to support transcripts and podcast production



If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.


 
Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
----------
Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer marked the beginning of my new podcast venture, Closing Night, where I delve deep into the captivating world of Broadway history. Our journey takes us through the tales of shows that have graced the Marquis Theater in the heart of Times Square. Among the unforgettable productions is the notorious musical Nick & Nora, boasting a creative team brimming with legendary figures of musical theater: director Arthur Laurents, composer Charles Strouse, and lyricist Richard Maltby Jr.
Several years back, during my very first off-Broadway contract, I had the privilege of collaborating with Richard. He held the title of creative consultant, but in essence, he served as the de facto co-director of a groundbreaking new musical called The Magdalene. So when the time came to explore Nick & Nora on Closing Night, I couldn't resist reaching out to Richard to share his remarkable experiences with the show. And believe me, he's got some stories to tell...

How Nick & Nora came to be and what led to its ultimate demise

Other Maltby shows including Miss Saigon and Ain't Misbehavin'



Follow Closing Night on Instagram and listen it on your favorite podcast app.


Subscribe to WINMI
Producing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcasting efforts, and have access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Whether you subscribe or donate, your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated!


Subscribe to get access to bonus episodes and extra content  



Make a one-time Donation to support transcripts and podcast production



If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.


 
Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
----------
Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a child, Jocelyn Panton attended a musical theater production that came to her hometown in Canada, and she just knew that’s what she wanted to do one day. Well, she stuck to that dream and has gone on to do television and film, including Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, and the CW’s DC‘s Legends of Tomorrow, among others.
But as any actor will tell you, money becomes an important part of our career, whether you actually have it or not. It can inform the decisions we make and the opportunities we can or can’t take advantage of, and at one point Jocelyn was $50,000 in debt because of acting expenses. She shares how she got out of debt, and what it taught her about the hustle needed to stay in this business. But as Jocelyn came to realize, family and personal life can mean so much more and are far more important than “making it” or not.

INTRO - Our mutual degrees in Broadcasting

STORY #1 - Learning from failure in the pageant world

STORY #2 - Being $50,000 in debt from acting expenses

STORY #3 - Connecting with herself in a deeper way from being a mom



Subscribe to WINMI
Producing this podcast is a rewarding experience, but it's also costly and time-consuming as I’m essentially a one-man operation. By subscribing you’ll be supporting these podcasting efforts, and have access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Whether you subscribe or donate, your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated!


Subscribe to get access to bonus episodes and extra content  



Make a one-time Donation to support transcripts and podcast production



If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.


 
Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
----------
Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices