What does it take to star as Elphaba on Broadway? As Mary Kate (MK) reveals, it is not for the faint of heart! From her vocal health non-negotiables, to who makes up her voice and self-care team, we're talking all the nitty gritty of her routine and mindset in order to play one of the toughest roles on Broadway. "I have learned all of this from failing," she says. In this interview and the day-in-the-life content she regularly shares on social media, it is a gift to learn from and observe som...
Get 30% off ALL Broadway Vocal Coach courses and subscriptions! It's our biggest and ONLY sale of the year! Use code BLACKFRIDAY30. Because you deserve to step off the sidelines and onto the stage. And we've got the training and support to get you there! www.bwayvocalcoach.com Ever worried you might be "singing from your throat?" Or been confused by singing terminology? What about trying to sort through all the singing advice you've heard on the internet? In this episode, Chelsea answer...
Join us for a heartfelt conversation with theatre artist, educator, and arts administrator Danny Campos. As the Director of Marketing at The Growing Stage, the Children's Theatre of New Jersey, Danny brings two decades of experience across performing, directing, and teaching. In this episode, Danny shares his journey, from dreaming of Broadway to finding his purpose and joy within local theatre—a path he hadn’t anticipated but fully embraced.Danny reflects on the value of theatre for young au...
Planning a photo shoot? In this episode, Chelsea & Cynthia dive into the essential tips for planning a successful headshot or branding photo shoot. Drawing from their own experiences, they share the mistakes they made during an impromptu shoot in 2022 and the valuable lessons they learned to make sure their recent session was a hit. From finding pose inspiration to choosing the right outfits and communicating with your photographer, they cover all the details that go into capturing polish...
In this follow-up episode, Chelsea reconnects with BVC Aspire alums Ezra Moore and Katy Olson, one year after their initial interview on the BVC Podcast! At that time, they were about to begin their college journeys—Ezra at Oklahoma City University for a BM in Music Theater, and Katy at Muhlenberg College for a BA in Theater and Dance with a music minor. Now, they're back to discuss their experiences after completing their freshman year and tell us what going to school for musical theatre is ...
Let's dive into the world of voice teacher certification! From Cynthia's piano and opera coaching roots to Chelsea's private voice teaching, we discuss the challenges of working in high-stakes environments like Broadway, and the critical role of understanding vocal health. Whether you're a performer considering teaching voice or an educator looking to deepen your skills, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of vocal pedagogy. Tune in for a candid discussion about our experienc...
We’re replaying our conversation with Gavin Creel in the hopes that his life, talent, and love will be an inspiration and a comfort to you. Since his passing, many of us have been reflecting on the impact he’s had on us personally and on the theatre community as a whole. Revisiting this episode, originally recorded in March of 2023, feels like re-opening a little gift he gave us, of his voice, his stories, and his encouragement. We hope it speaks to your heart today.🦃 Use code BLACKFRIDAY30 t...
You've heard us talk about college musical theatre auditions enough, so let's hear from some brand new college freshmen who just completed that process! We're joined by past BVC Aspire students Julianne and Nissi. Nissi is now a freshman at Texas Christian University studying musical theatre, and Julianne is a freshman at CCM studying musical theatre. In today's interview they share their best advice for students and families going through the process.If you’re preparing for college auditions...
You can create a fulfilling life as an actor! As we step into season three (!) of the BVC Podcast, we are focused on our mission to inspire you to create a fulfilling artistic life, AND take the next steps in your career. You can do it! You just need the right support. And maaaayyyybe a little push in the right direction. 😘 In this episode, we're sharing four tidbits of inspiration we hope will be just that! "To learn something new of any significance, you have to be willing to look foolish."...
We've said it once, and we'll say it again. Showing up online as an actor is a non-negotiable! Having an updated website and a current resume is crucial in today's audition landscape, and that's why this episode is all about what you need on both and why. Not sure what types of media to put on your website? We've got you covered. Can't decide which special skills to list on your resume? We've been there (spoiler alert--please don't include burping 🤢).We want to help you build an online presen...
Savings and interest and debt, oh my! Financial literacy can be a scary topic, we know, but it's so important for actors to learn how to be in control of their money and feel more secure in such an unpredictable industry. That's why we brought our friend Kyle Timson to the podcast today to teach us all about it!Kyle is an actor and graduate of the University of Michigan, currently touring as the dance captain and male swing on the North American tour of Les Miserables. He's also made it his m...
What are your biggest goals in life? Maybe you want to be on Broadway, or star in a hit movie, or have your own TV show--those are great goals to have! But there's a secret mindset shift that can be the key to whether those goals leave you feeling fulfilled or like a failure.Today, we're talking all about the difference between attachment and commitment, and how this little shift in your mindset can set you up for a lot more happiness and a lot less disappointment! Join us for an enlightening...
If you're pursuing a performance degree, you may be wondering, "What else can I do with this degree?" It turns out, a lot more than you think! Today, we've brought to the podcast our friend Hannah Flam, a New York City-based performer and project manager. Hannah received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and now works as a digital marketing project manager for the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. When Hannah took a break from performing to recover fr...
Vocal health is one of the most important topics for singers to learn about, which is why we've brought our friend and vocal health expert Sarah K. Brown to the podcast this week! Sarah is a New York-based speech pathologist and voice teacher, owner of SKB Voice Studio, and former clinical practitioner at the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center of Mount Sinai.In her private practice, Sarah works with Broadway stars, international opera singers, and TV/film actors, while also sharing her vo...
Are you considering pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre? We know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to think about everything that goes into this decision and how it can impact your future career! So today, we're bringing you a replay of one of our most popular episodes, where we discuss whether getting a BFA degree in musical theatre is actually worth it, and dive deep into all the pros and cons.If you're interested in attending our FREE masterclass on Sunday, March 10 at 7pm EST, all about ...
You've probably heard a lot of "buzz" (pun intended), about SOVT exercises. All singers can benefit from SOVT work! In this solo episode, Chelsea dives into the nitty gritty of semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises, offering insights and tips on how singers can use these exercises to strengthen their voices. From lip bubbles to straw work, she breaks down these exercises, offering expert tips on how to get the most out of each one. Chelsea's guided vocal warm-up tracks: Use the code "BVC...
"Don’t be afraid to say yes. Go for the performance opportunities in high school, audition for the senior-directed plays, do the student-run shows—try everything you can, and find where you thrive. Just go for it and keep saying yes.”Sitting down with McKenzie for the podcast was such a special treat—it feels like we've come full circle with this interview! Earlier in the season, we had the pleasure of hosting Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda in Wicked, on the podcast. And now, to mark ...
In this solo episode, Cynthia dives into a topic familiar to actors but often overlooked: the "moment before". Despite its importance, Cynthia finds that many actors need constant reminders about this crucial aspect of performance. One of the main jobs of actors is to create a believable and compelling story and to clearly communicate that story. Musical theatre is defined by the storytelling! If you don't have a crystal clear moment before, your song is going to feel disconnected, unmotivate...
“That aspiration? Hell yes. Allow yourself to want all of it. Wake up every morning, take a deep breath, meditate, and see where you are that day, and where that day takes you. Then allow yourself to pursue it. As opposed to failing because not every single piece is in place yet." Erin Dilly is a wife, mother, Broadway actor (with a Tony nomination!), TV/film actor, fierce friend, and dedicated teacher—she seemingly does have it all! And yet, there is always more to the story than ...
Mix voice is a hot topic in the singing world, and chances are you're in search of that elusive experience of "finding your mix". In the world of musical theater, it's rare to find a singer who isn't exploring their mix, wondering whether they've found it, or simply wondering what mix voice is. With so much (sometimes conflicting) information out there on how to achieve a mix, Chelsea breaks down six common misconceptions about mixing and your singing voice in this solo episode.Navigating onl...