How does one build a career defined not just by talent, but by joy, leadership, and resilience? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Kate Baldwin, Tony-nominated actor, singer, and teacher, whose perspective on craft and community is as generous as it is practical. Kate discusses her current play, Murder on the Links at Two River Theater, and reflects on her career thus far, working with visionary directors like Darko Tresnjak, Susan Stroman, Michael Grief, and Jerry Zaks, who all taught her the power of shared vocabulary and artistic trust. She offers tools for navigating creative rooms like adapting to a director’s language, leaning into humor, and remembering to “protect the possibility of a happy ending.” Together they talk about how vulnerability and embracing messiness connect us more deeply to audiences, why leadership in a cast is also about setting the tone of care, and how stepping into advocacy roles helps shape her sense of responsibility in the industry. From navigating criticism and awards to showing up with curiosity and benevolence, and sustaining joy through community, this episode reminds us that what endures is the ability to keep learning, laughing, and lifting others up along the way.
About Kate: Kate Baldwin is a two-time Tony Award nominee and four-time Drama Desk nominee, having starred on Broadway as Irene Molloy in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! and the 2009 revival of Finian’s Rainbow as Sharon McLonergan. She originated the roles of Sandra Bloom in Big Fish on Broadway and Leslie Lynnton Benedict in Giant at The Public Theatre. She starred as Jen in Keen Company’s revival of John & Jen and garnered a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Superhero at Second Stage. Other Broadway credits: The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wonderful Town. She starred in The King and I at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Women at The Old Globe, Henry V at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, She Loves Me at Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Music Man and South Pacific at Arena Stage (Helen Hayes Award nomination) and What the Constitution Means to Me at George Street Playhouse. Her television work includes a guest star on NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU,” Disney’s “Just Beyond,” HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and two PBS specials, “First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb” and “Live from Lincoln Center: Stephen Sondheim’s Passion.” She is a graduate of Northwestern University and lives with her husband and son in Maplewood, NJ.
Kate's IG: @realkatebaldwin
Kate's Website: kate-baldwin.com
Two River Theater: tworivertheater.org
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