Breaking Broadway with Kerry Butler
Ever wonder how to break into the business of Broadway? From how to get an agent to how to navigate open calls, we cover it all. This podcast is an insider’s roadmap to making it on Broadway.
Kerry Butler is a Tony nominated actress who made her Broadway debut in 1993 in Blood Brothers, before starring in shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Les Mis, Hairspray, Little Shop, Xanadu, Rock of Ages, Catch Me If You Can, Disaster!, and Mean Girls. She has numerous on screen credits such as 30 Rock, Cupid, The Mindy Project, Blue Bloods, and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. She was last seen as Barbara Maitland in Beetlejuice on Broadway.
Connect with Kerry via Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit kerrybutlercoach.com, email kerrybutlercoach@gmail.com or follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram.
Produced by Alan Seales, Dori Berinstein and Kimberlee Garris. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network.
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S3 EP6 - FEARLESS with Mandy Gonzalez
This week we have my dear friend - the fearless Mandy Gonzalez. Mandy has starred in so many amazing broadway shows - Wicked, Hamilton, and In the Heights to name a few. Mandy talks about getting her start in theater, and how she was able to do 8 shows a week in Hamilton while being a mom AND going through cancer treatments. She is a survivor. Join us for this truly inspirational episode.
42 min
27
S3 EP5 - Feed Me Seymour, with Katie Webber
This week we have triple threat Katie Webber on. Not only has Katie been in 9 broadway shows, but she is also a trained holistic nutritionist. Performers are athletes. She talks about how best to fuel our bodies to be able to do eight shows a week.
24 min
28
S3 EP4 - BREATHE with David Josefsberg
David Josefsberg has been in 9 broadway shows- most recently he had the great pleasure of playing my husband in Beetlejuice. 😂Staying on the topic of doing 8 shows a week- I interviewed David to find out his tricks.
24 min
29
S3 EP3 - Consider Yourself(Tape) - Part 2, with...
I found Andrew through Instagram and LOVED their content! Andrew breaks down the do’s and don’ts of self tape auditions from the casting director’s perspective. Whether it is for TV, film or theater, Andrew discusses the differences and shares how to nail the self tape.
19 min
30
S3 EP2 - Consider Yourself(Tape) - Part 1, with...
I found casting director Andrew Fem‘s instagram and LOVED their content! Andrew breaks down the do’s and don’ts of self tape auditions from the casting director’s perspective. Whether it is for TV, film or theater, Andrew breaks down the differences and shares how to nail the self tape.
24 min
31
S3 EP1 - When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It, with An...
I have my dear friend and Broadway darling Angie Schworer (Currently in Some Like it Hot) on to let us know how she has the stamina and energy to keep going from show to show. Angie gives us all the tips on how to get it, and how to flaunt it eight times a week!
26 min
32
S2 EP10 - It’s A Hard Knock Life - Part 2, with...
As someone who gets rejected pretty much every day, I have always felt comfort in hearing other people’s rejection stories. My advice is know that rejection is just part of being an actor and try not to take it personally. This episode will feature stories from Laura Bell Bundy and Telly Leung.
17 min
33
S2 EP9 - It’s A Hard Knock Life - Part 1, with ...
As someone who gets rejected pretty much every day, I have always felt comfort in hearing other people’s rejection stories. My advice is know that rejection is just part of being an actor and try not to take it personally. This episode will feature stories from Constantine Maroulis and Ann Harada.
11 min
34
S2 EP8 - What’s the story morning glory? - Part...
Find out how to work social media to market yourself. Our guest is the incredibly knowledgeable Bret Shuford - Broadway Actor, Create Life Coach and one half of the Broadway Husbands. You do not want to miss this one!
24 min
35
S2 EP7 - What’s the story morning glory? - Part...
Find out how to work social media to market yourself. Our guest is the incredibly knowledgeable Bret Shuford.
25 min
36
S2 Bonus - BEETLEJUICE CAST EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE...
The ghost-with-the-most is returning to Broadway! Barbara Maitland herself goes behind the scenes with Alex Brightman, Elizabeth Teeter, David Josefsberg, Adam Dannheisser, and Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer! She gets the inside scoop on all things Beetlejuice with answers to never-before-asked questions, funny back-stage anecdotes and rituals... all while having a few chuckles along the way.
25 min
37
S2 EP6 - A Fresh Take, with Director Sammi Cannold
In this episode we talk to Sammi Cannold about her journey to becoming a director - from putting on shows with shampoo bottles as a kid, to going to Stanford to study theater, to landing on Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 in Hollywood and Entertainment list. Listen to Sammi talk about what she looks for at auditions, her process as a director, and the fresh take she’s been bringing to the industry through site-specific musical theater productions.
31 min
38
S2 EP5 - I’m just a Broadway Baby! - Part 2, wi...
This episode features more of my conversation with my friend from Beetlejuice, Presley Ryan, and her mom Kim. We also have some VERY special guests. Spoiler alert - it’s my parents!
30 min
39
S2 Ep4 - I’m just a Broadway Baby! - Part 1, wi...
I ask my friend from Beetlejuice, Presley Ryan, and her mom Kim all about getting into the business as a kid and what it’s like being the youngest person in the room.
21 min
40
S2 Ep3 - A New Lens, with Schele Williams
In this episode we're joined by Schele Williams, director of the upcoming revival of AIDA. We explore looking at the world and theater through a post-COVID lens, talk about her children’s book Your Legacy, in which she looks at slavery through a new lens - and as always we get some great audition advice.
47 min
41
S2 Ep2 - Learn Your Lessons Well - Part 2, with...
We continue our interview with Kaitlin Hopkins from Bat Boy fame and currently the head of the Musical Theatre program at Texas State University. In this episode she talks about the mental wellness program she founded and shares with universities around the world.
16 min
42
S2 Ep1 - Learn Your Lessons Well - Part 1, with...
Ask and you shall receive! This episode is all about going to college for theater. Kaitlin Hopkins created the BFA Musical Theatre program at Texas State University, ranked in the top 10 musical theatre programs in the nation. She also starred as my mom in Bat Boy - “Shelly nooooo!” (Insider joke). Kaitlin shares great insight and information on the college admissions process and tells you everything you can get from a theater education.
35 min
43
S1 Ep13 - Sing Sing Sing - Part 2, with Scott C...
Turn those no’s into yes’s and make your own work. Scott Coulter tells us how he started his own company spot-on entertainment, and now produces concerts around the country. He explains how you can use your voice and passion for performing in other ways outside of broadway. Learn how to take control of your career the way Scott did.
21 min
44
S1 Ep12 - Sing Sing Sing - Part 1, with Sierra ...
Find singing jobs while you wait for your broadway break; or create your own door to broadway through cabaret and concert work. Sierra is such a positive force in this world! The topic is concert work, but we really discuss finding your purpose, and living the life you were meant to live. She speaks my language, I loved having her as a guest!
29 min
45
S1 Ep11 - I'm Crazy for You (Tube), with Todric...
This is the episode I have been waiting for. If the doors to Broadway aren’t opening for you, find a window! YouTube sensation Todrick Hall is so inspiring. He talks about how he created his own opportunities using social media. Learn how to make social media open your window to Broadway!!
43 min
46
S1 Ep10 - Reading is Fundamental, with Aron Acc...
How do you get in on the ground level of a new Broadway Show? Readings and workshops for no money of course! Think of it as an investment. We have Joey Mazzarino and Aron Arcurso on talking about the process of creating their new show Seeing Red, and how people can get cast in readings and workshops.
46 min
47
S1 Ep9 - Just Keep Singing, with vocal coach to...
Liz Caplan is one of the most sought after vocal teachers in New York. She is even hired by broadway shows to help the company. We discuss how to do 8 shows a week healthily and even give you all the tricks on how to sing over a cold, or tears or even scream on stage. Ever wonder how Ben Platt sang that song at the end of Dear Evan Hansen while sobbing? Tune in to this episode!
42 min
48
S1 Ep8 - Direct from the Director, with Alex Ti...
Award winning director Alex Timbers whose work is currently represented in three broadway shows- Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge and American Utopia gives audition advice, and tells what he looks for in actors.
36 min
49
S1 Ep7 - Put it in your book! with Seth Rudetsky
What is the best song to sing for your audition? Seth Rudetsky helps to find the right song and 16 bar cut. He also gives great advice on performing the song, and his audition pet peeves.
43 min
50
S1 Ep6 - Working through those nerves, with Bar...
Barrett Weed gives insight into how to deal with anxiety and the nerves that go along with auditioning and performing.
38 min