Why I‘ll Never Make It

Patrick Oliver Jones
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The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and challenges. On this award-winning podcast, New York actor Patrick Oliver Jones invites fellow creatives to share three stories that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative life rarely seen in the glitz and glam of this industry. These conversations remind us we’re not alone in this often bumpy and winding journey of the performing arts.

  1. -3 ДН.

    A Look Back at Lynn Nottage Shaping Stories That Matter in American Theater

    As actors, it’s easy to get caught up in auditions, roles, and the day-to-day work of performing, often without stepping back to consider the larger forces shaping the stories we’re asked to tell. Playwright Lynn Nottage operates on that larger scale. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most influential voices in American theater, Lynn has built a body of work that challenges audiences while expanding what stories are seen and heard on Broadway and beyond. In this conversation, recorded in 2024, Lynn speaks candidly about the responsibility of storytelling, the discipline behind the writing process, and the long road to trusting a creative voice in an ever-evolving industry. From Ruined, which explores the lives of women during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the Tony Award-winning musical MJ, Lynn discusses the balance between artistry, ethics, and collaboration in theater. What emerges is a clear and grounded perspective on what it means to create meaningful work—not for recognition, but with intention. For anyone working in the performing arts, whether onstage or behind the scenes, this conversation offers a deeper understanding of how stories are shaped, and why the ones that matter most are often the hardest to tell. Follow Lynn: Website / Instagram / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 8 мин.

  2. 20 АПР.

    A Look Back at J. Harrison Ghee & Caroline Bowman Before the Breakthrough Moments

    Identity can feel like a moving target in the performing arts—something shaped not only by the roles actors play on stage, but by the expectations placed on them offstage as well. In this episode, recorded in 2019 at the Muny in St. Louis, J. Harrison Ghee and Caroline Bowman sit down to talk about navigating that balance in a career built on visibility. From starring in productions like Kinky Boots, Evita, and Wicked, both performers share what it means to take on iconic roles while also staying grounded in a sense of self within the world of Broadway, musical theater, and the larger performing arts industry. Looking back now, this conversation captures a moment before major milestones in each career—before Caroline Bowman took on the role of Elsa in the Frozen national tour, and before J. Harrison Ghee won a Tony Award for Some Like It Hot. What comes through is a candid and thoughtful discussion about identity, vulnerability, criticism, and the pressure to fit into categories, both as actors and as people. It’s an honest look at the work it takes to show up fully, take risks, and build a life in theater without losing sight of who you are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 28 мин.

  3. 13 АПР.

    A Look Back at Ann Harada and Finding Longevity as an Actor

    No matter what it is that initially motivates someone to be in the arts, it could be the craft or the people or the fame, there is one thing I think we all strive for: longevity. Besides finding consistent work, which is certainly no small task, the foundation of a long career is figuring out what it takes to personally stay motivated, energized, and still be yourself over the years. Some days it can feel like you’ve got a handle on it, while other days it’s a scramble to keep priorities straight and maintain direction.  I sat down with Ann Harada in 2024 to talk about Broadway career that has spanned 4 decades, from the original production of M. Butterfly and the most recent revival of Into the Woods to her current Broadway show, Schmigadoon.  But Ann would be the first to tell you that finding happiness and satisfaction in the acting business didn’t come quickly or easily for her. In our conversation, she talked about some lean years before Avenue Q made her a Broadway star as well as how she continued working hard and pushing herself both on and offstage.  Follow Ann: Schmigadoon / Facebook / IMDb / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 8 мин.

  4. 3 АПР.

    A Look Back at Adrienne Walker Navigating Rejection as a Broadway Actor

    Rejection is a constant in this business, even when you’ve had success. Some days you take it in stride, other days it can really sink in deeper than you expect. I’ve had plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was on the right path, wondering if I should leave New York or perhaps find another career altogether. At times it has been a real challenge to balance hope with reality. And there was no clearer example of that, for all of us, than during the Covid shutdowns. That’s when I met actress and singer Adrienne Walker and asked her to come on the podcast. She's appeared on Broadway in The Lion King and Kiss Me, Kate as well as the Dirty Dancing national tour. It’s hard to believe that it was five years ago—in the midst of our industry being turned upside down—that she and I sat down and talked about finding purpose as actors and the determination to keep going. That’s something that remains an issue even after the pandemic. Whether professional projects or personal goals, whatever comes her way, Adrienne handles the ups and downs with perseverance and humor. She shows us that resilience isn’t some grand gesture, it’s the steady, everyday choices that make the difference. -- Watch Now You See Me, Now You Don't from the New Works Virtual Festival in 2020. Follow Adrienne: Website / Instagram / IMDB / 32 Bar Cut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 33 мин.

  5. 26 МАР.

    A Look Back at Misha Osherovich and Breaking Free from Body Image Pressures in Theater

    After seeing Misha Osherovich in an Off-Broadway production of A Clockwork Orange, I began following Misha’s work and perspective online. A couple of years later, a deeply personal post about body image and eating disorder struggles stopped me in my tracks—speaking to something many of us face in this industry but don’t always say out loud. That moment led me to reach out, and eventually to this conversation. Recorded in 2019, this episode explores the pressures performers face when it comes to appearance, self-worth, and the constant scrutiny of both the industry and ourselves. What follows is one of the most candid and compassionate conversations I’ve had on the podcast. Misha Osherovich opens up about mental health, personal fears, and the work of separating identity from external validation, all with a level of honesty that is both unflinching and deeply empathetic. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful work often begins with telling the truth about lived experiences—and having the courage to share that truth. (Note: at the time of this interview in 2019, Misha Osherovich was using he/him pronouns but now identifies as non-binary, using they/she.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 7 мин.

  6. 13 МАР.

    A Look Back at Sharon Catherine Brown and a Legacy of Passion and Joy for Theater

    Growing up, it was my mother who sang in the church choir about the time I was joining the children’s choir, and my aunt spent her young adult years performing as a jazz singer. But I’m actually the first in my family to pursue a full-time career in theater. That gave me a certain freedom to find my own way through the industry, but it also meant navigating a path no one in my family had taken before. For artists like Sharon Catherine Brown, though, there’s a different experience entirely—one shaped by a legacy of performers who came before. While she has worked in television and film, theater has always been her first love, with numerous Broadway and national tour credits, including her current run on the road with The Notebook national tour. Sharon joined the podcast back in 2023 to talk about following in the footsteps of her talented family and honoring the profound influence they’ve had on her life and career. I also had the joy of working with her in the summer of 2022 at Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut on a new musical adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. As Anne herself might say, Sharon quickly became a kindred spirit in my life—and as you’ll hear, we truly enjoy each other’s company. In fact, our conversation lasted more than three and a half hours. When it was first released, I split it into two episodes, with the Final Five Questions available only to subscribers. For this Look Back episode, I’m bringing the entire conversation together in one place—lightly edited, but still full of the heart, wisdom, and passion Sharone shares so generously. Learn more about Sharon's connection to her father, Johnny Brown⁠, and his career. Follow Sharon: Instagram / IMDb / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 ч. 33 мин.

  7. 6 МАР.

    A Look Back at Anthony Rapp, From The Little Prince to Seasons of Love

    Since making my Broadway debut in Beetlejuice last year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what it actually means to “make it” in this business. It took me twenty years from my first Broadway audition to finally getting that credit, with plenty of near misses along the way. But imagine being just ten years old and moving to New York City with your family for your Broadway debut…only to have the show close during previews. That’s exactly what happened to Anthony Rapp. Recorded in 2022 as the theater industry was finding its footing again after the COVID shutdown, our conversation goes far beyond the role many people know him for—Mark in Rent. Anthony reflects on that almost Broadway debut, the reality of film producers who didn’t want to cast him, and how he navigated the loss of two people closest to him. You’ll also hear a bonus segment about his time playing the title role in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Correction: In the episode introduction, I mistakenly referred to Anthony Rapp as playing Roger in Rent. Anthony actually originated the role of Mark Cohen on Broadway. Also, with it being mentioned during the episode, Anthony’s answers to the Final Five Questions can also be found here. Follow Anthony: IMDb / IBDB / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 22 мин.

  8. 20 ФЕВР.

    A Look Back at Lisa Howard Defining Success on Her Own Terms in Broadway Musicals

    After working with Lisa Howard in 2022 on a production of 42nd Street at Goodspeed in Connecticut, she sat down with me the following year to chat about her career and of course reminisce about our time together doing that show. She is so spirited and cheerful, and that’s reason enough to love this conversation. But what made it so memorable is how she pulls the curtain way back and reveals the trials and tribulations of putting a new show together, some more successfully than others. Because for nearly twenty years, Lisa Howard has made a career out of originating roles on Broadway from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to 9 to 5 and Escape to Margaritaville. She shares what it’s like to survive a rehearsal process that feels impossible, to be part of a show the cast loves even when the critics don’t, and to help shape a piece of theatre while it’s still trying to figure out what it is. And then we discuss a topic everyone asks her about, but this time in a way that lets her define the story for herself. Follow Lisa: Website / IBDB / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 ч. 12 мин.
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The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and challenges. On this award-winning podcast, New York actor Patrick Oliver Jones invites fellow creatives to share three stories that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative life rarely seen in the glitz and glam of this industry. These conversations remind us we’re not alone in this often bumpy and winding journey of the performing arts.

Информация

  • Автор
    Patrick Oliver Jones
  • Годы выхода
    2017 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    406
  • Ограничения
    С ненормативной лексикой
  • Авторские права
    ©2026, WINMI Media
  • Сайт подкаста
    Why I‘ll Never Make It

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