Why I‘ll Never Make It

Why I‘ll Never Make It

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.

Episodes

Closing Night - Anthony Rapp Almost Makes His Broadway Debut

May 2, 2025 • 41 mins
Back in 2022, I had the chance to talk with Anthony Rapp—which, for me, was both a thrill and a bit surreal. I’d been following him on Instagram for a while, and one day as I was leaving an audition here in New York I happened to walk right past him. I stopped for a second, unsure if I should say anything. But then I thought, "when am I ever going to run into him again? "So I introduced myself and mentioned that I had a podcast—and...
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FINAL FIVE: George Heslin, Actor, Director and Producer.

April 25, 2025 • 21 mins
In our last episode, George Heslin shared some incredible stories about founding the Origin Theatre Company and his work as an Irish actor coming to New York. But as always, there’s more to discover. And these Final Five Questions are where we really get to know George, from personal lessons and thoughts on the future to offering some advice for those just starting out. We also debate one of my favorite topics to rant about: the go...
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George Heslin Helps Bring Irish Theater to New York City

April 18, 2025 • 49 mins
George Heslin came to New York in the mid-‘90s, but it wasn’t quite his idea to come here. So when he landed in the city he didn’t exactly hit the ground running. Instead, he spent four years as a struggling actor trying to find his footing, but mostly feeling lost and lonely. But with the help of a legendary acting teacher, out of that struggle came something remarkable. In 2002, George founded the Origin Theatre Company—literall...
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Bret Shuford Turns Broadway Lessons into Guidance for Others (REWIND)

April 4, 2025 • 56 mins
Bret Shuford has spent his career balancing two passions—performing on Broadway and helping others achieve their creative goals. From The Little Mermaid to Paramour, he built a successful stage career while also becoming a sought-after coach for actors and artists. But finding that balance wasn’t always easy. In this rewind episode from 2019, Bret shares how he navigated the highs and lows of the industry, the importance of authent...
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FINAL FIVE: Moshe Lobel, Actor and Filmmaker

March 28, 2025 • 19 mins
In last episode with Moshe Lobel, we covered so much ground, from why he left his Hasidic roots and pursued a career as an actor to his latest film project that forced him to confront his past and reconcile who he is with who he was. But one of the most enlightening parts of every conversation is when guests answer the Final Five Questions. It’s where we hear about personal lessons, hopes for the industry, and those moments that tr...
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Moshe Lobel Leaves Hasidic Roots to Pursue Theater and Filmmaking

March 21, 2025 • 57 mins
 Leaving behind everything he once knew, Moshe Lobel walked away from his Chasidic faith and roots to pursue a life in theater and film—an unthinkable choice for most in his community. A native Yiddish speaker from Brooklyn, he made his New York stage debut as the lead in Awake and Sing! with New Yiddish Rep before joining the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey. His career has since expanded into fi...
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Final Five: Akiko Aizawa, Actor and Teacher of Viewpoints/Suzuki Method

March 14, 2025 • 20 mins
In our previous conversation with the talented Akiko Aizawa, we delved into her journey from a modern dancer to a dedicated actress facing challenges in New York City. But there's always more to uncover, and that's where the Final Five Questions come in. This is when Akiko opens up even further to share personal lessons learned, her hopes for the theater industry, and those intimate moments that define her artistic passion. Join us...
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Akiko Aizawa Leaves the Dance World and Embraces Uncertainty as a Theater Actress

March 7, 2025 • 53 mins
When I worked at Tokyo DisneySea, I fell in love with Japan—the culture, the food, the people. But working there was a whole different experience. The structure, the discipline, the expectations—it took time to adjust. As much as I admired it, adapting wasn’t always easy. Akiko Aizawa knows that challenge firsthand, but from the other side. Originally from Akita, Japan, she built a career in modern dance before transitioning to th...
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FINAL FIVE: Elizabeth Hess, Founder and Director of The Hess Collective

February 28, 2025 • 16 mins
Last week, actor, director and playwright Elizabeth Hess shared some of her missed opportunities as well as the creation of her own theater company The Hess Collective. And while that was such an insightful conversation, there’s still so much more to explore! And that’s why it’s exciting to have Elizabeth back here for the Final Five Questions. These are where we get a little more personal—uncovering lessons learned, hopes for the ...
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Elizabeth Hess Brings Resilience and Creativity to Her Theater Work

February 21, 2025 • 71 mins
Elizabeth Hess is Founder of The Hess Collective and has developed various theater projects off-Broadway as well as traveling the globe with her own acclaimed solo works. (Their latest production is No Reservation.) And she joins us today to talk about the early years in her career as she tried to join a theater company in Canada. We also discuss her Broadway debut in M. Butterfly as well as the rather unconventional route that led...
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FINAL FIVE - Lynn Nottage, Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright

February 14, 2025 • 17 mins
Last week you heard from the award-winning playwright Lynn Nottage as she shared the joys and struggles of being a writer. Well, now Lynn is back to talk about how the industry has changed throughout her decades as a writer as well as sharing one important lesson she learned from August Wilson by answering the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode of Why I’ll Never Make It. --- Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent product...
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Lynn Nottage Writes Through Some of Life’s Hardest Moments

February 7, 2025 • 46 mins
As a playwright, Lynn Nottage has crafted fascinating stories and emotionally rich characters. She is a true artist with the credentials to back in up. She has won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama as well as numerous Off-Broadway awards, not to mention three Tony Award nominations. She joins me WINMI the first episode for Season 9 to talk about her art and a moment when she realized she was born to write, regardless of whether or no...
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Welcome to Season 9!

January 29, 2025 • 3 mins
Well, here we are it's 2025 and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to Season 9 of the Why I’ll Never Make It podcast! Every other week this season you'll hear candid conversations and inspiring stories from theater artists across Broadway, regional stages, and beyond. And we’re kicking things off with someone--the likes of which I never thought I'd get on my humble theater podcast--the incredible Lynn Nottage. After her, we...
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Gregg Daniel Faces Life’s Hardest Moments with Grace

December 30, 2024 • 68 mins
With more than 100 television and film credits, including his memorable four-season run as Reverend Daniels on HBO’s True Blood, Gregg Daniel brings the depth of an actor’s understanding to his directorial work. And for that he has received multiple Ovation nominations and has earned an NAACP Theatre Award as Best Director for Fences at the International City Theatre. Gregg’s passion for storytelling extends to his work in higher e...
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Jennifer Tepper Explores Women Writing Musicals and the Legacy That History Books Left Out

December 11, 2024 • 54 mins
In this special video podcast combo between Why I’ll Never Make It and Closing Night, I’m joined by theater historian and author Jennifer Ashley Tepper, who has written a truly remarkable book - Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy That the History Books Left Out.  Jennifer’s work is the first comprehensive exploration of women who have shaped Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals over the last century and beyond. From Tin Pan Alley com...
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Stephanie Torns Has Been Both WICKED and a WAITRESS and Now Brings Her Talents to EPIC Players

December 4, 2024 • 33 mins
When it comes to Broadway, few shows have captured hearts quite like Wicked. Its spellbinding story, unforgettable songs, and iconic performances have become a cultural phenomenon—especially now, with the movie adaptation igniting fresh excitement. And among the very few to take on one of the hardest roles in all of musical theater is our guest, Stephanie Torns. Stephanie has soared to incredible heights—literally—during her time i...
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FINAL FIVE with Ryan Bauer-Walsh, Actor and Writer

November 27, 2024 • 17 mins
In the previous episode, you heard from actor and writer Ryan Bauer-Walsh and the creative journey to composing and producing an LGBTQ lullaby album. Well, now Ryan is back to talk about the importance of finding happiness outside of being an actor as well as a humorous discussion on khakis and corduroys by answering the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode of Why I’ll Never Make It. --- To listen to bonus content like Auditi...
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Ryan Bauer-Walsh Finds New Life as an Artist After Mother's Death

November 20, 2024 • 58 mins
Ryan Bauer-Walsh is an actor and artist living in Harlem. Ryan has starred in shows such as Les Miserables and the Billy Elliot national tour and is also known for voiceover as well. After the death of their mother, Ryan created the world's first LGBTQ+ lullaby album with a team of over 50 LGBTQ+ stars and composers, which was shortlisted for a grammy nomination. Ryan also owns Banana Duck Clothing, a hand painted gender-free cloth...
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FINAL FIVE with Matthew LaBanca, Performing Artist and Teacher Fired from his Job

November 13, 2024 • 14 mins
In the previous episode, you heard from actor and teacher Matthew LaBanca and his new show that just opened called Communion, a one-man show about his rather contentious experience with the catholic church and being fired from his teaching position once he married his husband. Well, now Matthew is back to talk about the solitary life of being an actor as well as his own struggle with vanity and several other topics by answering the...
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Matthew LaBanca Creates a One-Man Show After Being Fired From a Private Catholic School

November 6, 2024 • 47 mins
A couple of months ago, I talked with a friend and fellow actor Dominic Thrasher about his experiences with a catholic church and the criticism and harsh accusations he faced for being gay and married. Well, another friend and fellow actor of mine also heard that episode and reached out to me with his own story to tell about being fired from his teaching job for the same thing. Matthew LaBanca has starred on Broadway in the origina...
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