Why I‘ll Never Make It

Writers Abbie Goldberg and Mason McDowell are the creative team behind 504: The Musical — a new show inspired by the real-life 1977 sit-in that ignited the disability rights movement. What started as a 25-day protest in San Francisco became a landmark moment in history, paving the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Abbie and Mason share what drew them to musicalize this event and how they balance storytelling and activism in telling such an important story. We also talk about the ongoing challenges of accessibility within theater itself — from a festival that couldn’t accommodate their actors to the irony of competing for a grant against their own mentor. Through it all, their journey reflects the very message of their show: that change takes persistence, collaboration, and a little bit of creative rebellion. --- Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bienvenidos y gracias por acompañarnos en esta edición especial de Why I’ll Never Make It! En esta segunda parte de mi serie sobre historias hispanas, escucharán a mis invitados anteriores compartir sus propias historias y experiencias en español. Roberto Araujo y Final Five Bianca Marroquín y Final Five Luis Salgado Jaime Lozano y Final Five Alina Alcántara y Final Five Tadeo Martinez y Final Five Cecy Trevino (part 1 and part 2) En este episodio no habrán entrevistas, sólo historias hispanas vividas y contadas por los propios protagonistas. Sitio Web - whyillnevermakeit.com --- — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, I wanted to share a episode from 2020. This is part one in a series of former Hispanic guests of the podcast coming back to share their stories in their own words. The second part - la segunda parte - will be en español.  Matt Zambrano was the very first guest on the podcast. He and I did Man of La Mancha together in Orlando. Dan Domingues is a NY actor who took part in my Spotlight episode on Only Make Believe, a nonprofit that brings interactive theater into children’s hospitals and cafe facilities. They both share insights about the work they do as well as very personal feelings about their own ethnicity and heritage. In this episode as well as the Spanish one, there are no back and forth questions from me. In fact, I’ve done very little editing to these recordings, just cleaning up sound quality as much as possible and structuring these episodes together. But in general, I’m simply stepping back to let previous guests tell their own story, and say what THEY want to say. --- To get early access to full conversations, please become a ⁠⁠subscriber⁠⁠⁠ . And to support the ongoing efforts of this podcast you can also⁠ ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠ as well. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been several seasons since the last time Audition Stories took center stage, but they’re finally back — and this time with a brand-new collection of unforgettable moments from the audition room. These are the kinds of stories that stick with you long after the casting table has cleared: the ones that make you laugh, cringe, and nod in recognition at just how unpredictable this business can be. From quick recoveries and bold risks to the kind of mishaps you can’t help but retell, these guests pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to step into an audition and leave it all on the line. And to close things out, I share my own personal story—one that’s been twenty years in the making and is now leading to my Broadway debut in Beetlejuice. Lynn Nottage Aubie Merrylees Elizabeth Hess Sònia Victoria Werner Akiko Aizawa Simon Tam Corrie Legge Jocelyn Jones Moshe Lobel Patrick Oliver Jones Auditions are where careers begin, where resilience is tested, and where surprises can change everything. This episode celebrates all of that and more. --- To get more audition stories, please ⁠⁠subscribe⁠⁠⁠ . And to support the ongoing efforts of this podcast you can also⁠ ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠ as well. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Apple returns for this bonus episode to tackle the Final Five Questions. From her very first professional show of Spring Awakening to the lessons she’s still learning today, Jennifer opens up about how she defines success, the advice she’d give her younger self, and the changes she hopes to see in the industry’s future. A future she’s shaping through here Empowered Artists Collective. It’s a candid and thoughtful conversation that goes beyond the stage and into the heart of her journey. — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A serious back injury could have ended her career before it really began. Instead, it became the turning point that led to new opportunities—earning an MFA at ACT in San Francisco, training in Italy, and finding fresh ways to grow as a performer. In this episode, we talk about resilience, artistic reinvention, and how those setbacks eventually inspired the creation of the Empowered Artist Collective, a community and podcast supporting women and non-binary artists. Her story is a reminder that recovery can fuel both personal growth and collective change. — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patricia McGregor’s journey to becoming artistic director of New York Theatre Workshop has been anything but linear. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, she and her sister created performances wherever they could, laying the foundation for a lifelong devotion to storytelling. Later, in New York, Patricia faced tough choices, financial struggles, and unexpected opportunities that tested her resolve but also expanded her vision as an artist. Now leading one of the city’s most influential theaters, Patricia reflects on what it takes to balance creativity with leadership, the importance of nurturing new voices, and the lessons she’s carried from her early challenges to her current role. Her story is a reminder that the hardest crossroads can often lead to the most meaningful paths forward. — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the previous episode, Sònia Victoria Werner and I dove into her background as an artist and the creation of Lighthouse Ladies, and while that was such an insightful conversation, there’s still so much more to explore! That’s why I’m thrilled to have Sonia back here with me for the Final Five Questions. These are where we get a little more personal—uncovering lessons learned, hopes for the industry, and a deeper look at what drives her as an artist. — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From childhood improv classes to building a women-led production company, Sònia Victoria Werner has carved out an artistic path that’s as bold as it is inspiring. An actor, writer, producer, director, makeup artist, content creator, and entrepreneur, she thrives on telling authentic stories that cross cultures and push boundaries. You’ll soon hear her voice in a highly anticipated Netflix animated reboot and an upcoming AAA video game, but that’s just one part of her ever-expanding career. In our conversation, Sònia takes me back to the scrappy, no-budget film that first sparked the idea for Lighthouse Ladies and how that small project grew into an award-winning company with a team of eighteen. She talks about the challenges of standing out in an industry that so often relies on name recognition, the sting of rejection and ghosting, and the ways she continues to create space for women and underrepresented voices. And as a special bonus, she shares one of her audition stories—something usually reserved just for subscribers. — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠donate⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Zellnik is back for a candid and insightful bonus conversation about his journey as a writer and composer in the world of musical theater. Through these five final questions, Joseph shares personal stories from his early career including the lessons learned from his first professional show and the challenges of trying to resonate with an audience. He opens up about the evolution of his writing style how he now defines success and the importance of finding stories that you are uniquely qualified to tell. The discussion also touches on changes he’d like to see in the industry—like making theater more affordable and recapturing the energy of the collaborative process—and the importance of having passions and fulfillment beyond the stage.  — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Zellnik is a musical theater composer, and along with his playwright brother David they are best known for their 2010 musical, Yank! This Off-Broadway production picked up Best Musical nominations from the Drama Desk Awards, the Outer Critics’ Circle, and the Lucille Lortel Foundation. Beyond that, Joseph has also written mystery novels, including The Sound of Murder, the first in his "Musicals Are Murder" series, which cleverly combines fictional crimes with real theater history. He even has an upcoming book, The Periodic Table of Broadway Musicals, written with his husband. We also dive into a fun connection we both have with Oklahoma!, his frustrations with the musical production process, and his thoughts on how Broadway has changed over the years—especially when it comes to “spoofsicals" like Spamalot. It is a unique and candid conversation about the craft, the history, and the sometimes-messy realities of creating theater. — Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the previous episode, we explored Nick Rashad Burroughs' journey from Alabama to Broadway. And now we're getting even more personal. Join us as Nick answers the Final Five questions, revealing key lessons he's learned, his hopes for the performing arts industry, and what truly drives him as an artist.Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think Alabama isn't a breeding ground for Broadway stars? Think again! This week, we're joined by the phenomenal Nick Rashad Burroughs, who defies expectations and proves that talent truly knows no geographical bounds. From his early life in a deeply religious family in Birmingham, Alabama, Nick's sports-focused journey took an unexpected turn with an accidental audition that led him away from sports and the idea of becoming a pastor. Nick also shares the raw and inspiring story of how he reconciled his artistic truth with his upbringing, the deeply personal challenges he faced coming out, and the profound significance of his mother witnessing him perform in drag on a Broadway stage. We dive deep into his remarkable career, from his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots right out of school, to navigating the massive spectacle of King Kong (and its critical reception), and the intense emotional demands of portraying Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. He even earned a Broadway World Award for his portrayal of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. This is a conversation about trusting your instincts and committing to your authentic self, creating an extraordinary life even when the path is completely unexpected and requires immense courage and creative risk. This is a story about guts, grit, and the incredible rewards of fully embracing who you are. --- Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Theater Tol was founded in 1998 by Lot Seuntjens, and this international company became known for its multidisciplinary performances, using images, drama, music, amd hardly any spoken text. And while they do perform all over the world, They don't use conventional theaters, instead preferring “unusual” locations: the site of an old factory, a park, a market square, a beach or the banks of a river. Whether its summer or winter, performances are held outdoors, sometimes tailor-made for a specific location or in collaboration with other artists and theater companies. Two members of Theater Tol join the podcast: performer Hannah Snow and composer Benjamien Lycke. Together, we discuss what it’s like to tour internationally with massive gear, adapt to unpredictable weather, and perform in places as far-reaching as Colombia, Taiwan, and Spain. We also talk about the realities of post-Covid touring, the frustrations of unreliable arts funding, and the magic that keeps them coming back to the sky—despite it all. Whether you're an artist, a theater lover, or just someone fascinated with what it takes to bring large-scale performance to life above a crowd, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain (or rather, up in the clouds). --- Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the previous episode, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes shared the winding paths that led them to co-lead Why Not Theatre, and how they’ve forged careers on their own terms. It was an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation—but there’s still more ground to cover. That’s why I’m so glad to have them both back with me for the Final Five Questions. This is where we get a little more personal—digging into the lessons they’ve learned along the way, the changes they hope to see in this industry, and what continues to fuel their work as artists and storytellers. --- Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices