PODCAST · arts
Ditch Your Backup Plan
by Jen Vellenga
Stories of rewarding careers between starving artist and celebrity. Longtime professor, Jen Vellenga interviews creatives in arts and entertainment careers to give listeners the courage to ditch their backup plan.
Episodes
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51. A Future of Possibilities - Peter Royston
Peter Royston (he/him) is an equity stage manager based in New York, and originally from the Bay Area area. His credits include: Blue Man Group, The Public Theater, The Lark, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Theatre Works, among others. Since 2017, Peter has become a vocal...
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50. Build Your Own Position - Elsie Escobar
Elsie Escobar is a 14 year veteran in the podcasting industry and inductee to the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. She is the co-founder of She Podcasts, a podcasting community for women + non-binary that has over 19 thousand members with a corresponding podcast and conference. She's a...
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49. While Waiting for Your Shot - Noah Lindquist
Noah Lindquist is a member of AEA, a singer and actor, and the creator of the viral videos, "Wear a Mask," and "I Just Can't Wait for Vaccines." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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48. Go Back into the Fire - Kimberly Doreen Burns
Kimberly is a New York City based award-winning singer, actor, performer, and educator who recently originated the role of Maya in the New York City premiere of Sideways (based on the Academy Award Winning film). Top theatre critics have dubbed her a "golden-voiced vocalist," "a luminous…
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47. We're Not in Competition with Each Other - Logan Rose Nelms
Logan is an actor in NYC with a passion for social justice and human equity. Over the past almost ten years, Logan has crafted a pretty nifty little life for herself, filled with some very cool flexible side hustles that enable her to drop everything on a dime and take an audition or a booking.....
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46. Casting College - Alison Franck
Alison Franck (CSA) is a casting professional with over 20 years of Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring, Regional Theatre, TV, Film, Commercial and Voice Over Casting experience. For a decade, she was the Casting Director for the prestigious regional theatre Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, where...
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45. See Yourself Being Successful - Damion Taylor
Damion Taylor spent the last 15 years applying data and technology to entertainment. Both analytical and creative, he brings a unique skill set that's in high demand for brands and media companies. He effectively translates data in a way that is meaningful to creatives talent and has become a...
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44. Strategize & Maximize - Elizabeth Nestlerode
Elizabeth is a New York actor and teaching artist. She is the creator and instructor of the N2NYT: New to New York Theatre online course. Show notes at: DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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43. Understand Where Your Limits Lie- Gianmarco Soresi
Gianmarco Soresi is a stand up comic, actor and writer but the first line of his obituary will probably say "guy from all those General Electric commercials." Check out his comedy special on Amazon Prime: "Shelf Life." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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42. Death of the Diva Decade - Sherita Carthon
Sherita Carthon is a Celebrity Brand Precision Expert who has helped more than 3k celebrities, artists, entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate their brand. An award winning speaker, Sherita has been featured on VH1 | FOX | ABC | MARKET WATCH | ASK.COM and most recently Live with Les…
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41. Making It: 2020 Guests Answer, "Have you made it?"
Guests from 2020 answer the question, "Have you made it?" 00:53 Becca Kötte- Broadway actress and recording artist 1:30 David Valentine - Puppet Builder at Jim Henson Co. 2:52 Lauren Hirsh- Broadway child guardian 3:27 Clyde Voce- Actor 4:14 Sarah Schreiber-WWE backstage correspondent 5:50 Ross...
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40. Risk: Guests of 2020 Share Their Biggest Risk
Guests from 2020 answer the question, "What was your biggest risk?" 1:07 Becca Kötte- Broadway actress and recording artist 1:40 Lauren Hirsh- Broadway child guardian 2:16 Clyde Voce- Actor 2:55 Sarah Schreiber-WWE backstage correspondent 3:36 Ross Evans- Screenwriter 4:44 Katie McClellan- TV,...
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39. Guests of 2020 Answer the Backup Plan Question
In the first episode of 2021, guests from 2020 answer the question, "Did you have a backup plan?" 2:00 Becca Kötte- Broadway actress and recording artist 2:22 David Valentine- Puppet builder at Jim Henson Co. 2:56 Lauren Hirsh- Broadway child guardian 3:22 Clyde Voce- Actor 3:58 Sarah…
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38. Give It Away to Keep It - Dr. Alisa Hurwitz
Dr. Alisa Hurwitz is Dr. Drama! She gives away mental health advice for artists on her Mental Health Live Series on Instagram. In this episode, she discusses her consulting work for the stage, the importance of self care, boundaries and success, and the impact brain development has on the ability...
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37. Just Jen: Ditch Fear & Take Risks
Jen shares how artists register risk differently and how protocols in theatre lead to a fearless community that is accepting of risk and supportive to adjustments.
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36. Your Journey is Perfect - Vincent J. Cardinal
Jen's longtime mentor, Vincent J. Cardinal is the Arthur and Martha Hearron endowed professor of musical theatre, chair of the department of musical theatre, and professor of music at the school of music, theatre, and dance at the University of Michigan. Vince shares the importance of goals and...
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35. Just Jen: Ditch Resistance & Adapt
Host, Jen Vellenga goes solo and talks about adaptation in the digital moment and how she's owning her digital space. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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34. Go Confidently in Pursuit of Your Dreams - Laura Camien
Laura Camien is a Broadway producer, playwright and screenwriter, and, along with Susan Blackwell, Laura is Co-host of the popular creativity podcast, The Spark File. She was a long time VP of Communications for Blue Man Group, as well as Creative Director and Head Writer for Blue Man Group's…
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33. Just Jen: Ditch Complacency & Show Up
Jen talks about the dangers of complacency for an artistic life and some strategies for overcoming embarrassment and resistance in order to show up.
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32. Be Kind & Do Good Work - Jerry Jay Cranford
Jay has made his career as an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, and educator. He has performed on Broadway (Les Miserables), international and national tours (Les Miserables, Evita European Company as featured dancer, Singing in the Rain as Don, Anything Goes as Billy), regional...
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31. Just Jen: Ditch Doubt & Believe
Jen shares some research on Imposter Syndrome and advises listeners to ditch doubt, identify a super fan, and believe in themselves. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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30. Speak Your Truth - Kiki Rivera
Kiki Rivera (she, they, we, wrasse) is an internationally produced, award-winning theatre artist, educator, and arts activist with her BA in Theatre and MFA in Playwriting from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). Original plays include Puzzy (featuring award-winning New Zealand Playwright...
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29. Just Jen: Defining the Backup Plan
Jen talks about how to define the Backup Plan, the career pivot, the survival job, the side hustle, and the dream job. What does your mindset need to be to DitchYourBackupPlan?
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28. When Plan "A" Shifts - Bliss Griffin
Bliss Griffin's career is driven by a deep belief that the societal benefit of art is immeasurable. She believes that too often we value the art above the artist, trading their safety and well-being for our own entertainment. She is committed to creating an arts & entertainment industry culture...
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27. Create What Doesn't Exist- Chantal Bilodeau
Playwright Chantal Bilodeau is the founder and artistic director of the Arctic Cycle organization and close friend and collaborator of host, Jen Vellenga. Chantal dives into her impactful work as a storyteller who uses theatre to encourage communities to take action on local and global climate...
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26. Celebrate Failure - Qui Nguyen
Qui Nguyen is a TV and film writer, playwright, and self-identified geek. His career has gone from co-founder and artistic director of the Obie award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company to Daytime Emmy award winning Hollywood screenwriter. Qui believes in celebrating failure, working hard…
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25. Follow Your Passion - Michael McElroy
Tony and Grammy nominated Broadway performer, Michael McElroy is the founder of Broadway Inspirational Voices, for which he won a 2019 special Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre. He recently founded Black Theatre United to combat systemic racism within theatre institutions and beyond. He…
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24. Be the Change - Maya Lynne Robinson
Film, TV, stage actress, and writer/producer, Maya Lynne Robinson plays Michelle on the sitcom The Unicorn on CBS. She spent 13 years working off and on in human resources before she made her living completely as an actress. Her long road to success from humble beginnings has taken courage,...
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23. Hone Your Craft - Shaun J. Brown
Shaun J. Brown from the CBS TV show The Great Indoors shares his personal journey starting with training in musical theatre to his pivot to the screen. A writer and producer, Shaun has learned how to continually hone his craft to stay relevant in the fast-paced industry of TV and film. Show notes...
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22. Avoid Burnout - Theresa Squire
Theresa Squire, Broadway costume designer never knew her job existed when she started her undergraduate degree in Business with a focus in Fashion Merchandising. She eventually received her M.F.A. in Costume Design from NYU and designed The Lieutenant of Inishmore and High Fidelity on Broadway.…
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21. Read Like a Storyteller - Nick Francone
Nick Francone on Wicked as his lucky start, answering the phone, and reading like a storyteller. Nick is a scenic designer for theatre and an art director for television and film. This husband and dad of twins takes us on a brisk run-through of his career with insights from his 15 years as an...
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20. Practice, Practice, Practice - Travis Cloer
Travis Cloer from Jersey Boys on making "real" money, and taking initiative. He's a Broadway actor and the Longest Running Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. This Las Vegas performer, recording artist, husband and father of two talks about the risks he's taken, leaving it all in the audition room (or…
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19. Trust Your Instincts - Josh Fiedler
Josh Fiedler on Avenue Q, letting go of fear, and avoiding complacency. This Producer for Broadway and Bucks County Playhouse shares how he found his way to producing early in his career. With insights into how he and his casting director husband manage busy careers while also raising their twin...
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Bonus: DYBP Blackout - Just Jen
Amplifying the voices of BIPOC without silencing them and learning from mistakes made as an ally. A Just Jen bonus episode after a week of pause and protests. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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18. Focus on Growth - Joshua Henry
Joshua Henry on Hamilton and coming up alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, on patience, growth, and working your mind along with your craft. This three-time Tony award nominee, musician and TV/Film actor, husband and father shares how his fulfilling career was built from a deep investment in training…
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17. Get Your Foot in the Door - Sara Andreas/Julie Fleischer
Sara Andreas and Julie Fleischer talk Will and Grace, The Big Bang Theory, Legally Blonde, and the Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary tour. They both found ways to get a foot in the door on Broadway (Sara) and in TV (Julie). They share their career risks, terrifying New York apartments,...
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16. Plant Seeds - Carrie Compere
Carrie Compere on SHREK, City on a Hill with Kevin Bacon, The Color Purple, and Shout, Sister, Shout! This Broadway and TV/Film actor and super-mom shares her incredible story of how her mother's death fueled her passion, how she worked to put food on the table, the ways she finds family balance-...
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15. Let Go of the Performer Identity - Lindsay Levine
Lindsay Levine, casting director on Cats choreography and giving up her character shoes. This former musical theatre actor, educator, and mom shares the importance of persistence and how she ditched performing for casting. Mother's Day episode 2 of 4. Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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14. Know Who You Are - Anne Cofell Saunders
Anne Cofell Saunders on Star Trek: Discovery, Battlestar Galactica, The Boys and working as a television writer and executive producer while raising two daughters. She shares her stories of taking risks when there are no safety nets, the importance of failure, and never letting others tell you…
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Bonus: Advice for Youth from College Creatives
College theatre students share how they are staying creative and productive during times of isolation and uncertainty. They share activities that elementary through high school students can try out for themselves. SHOW NOTES AT DitchYourBackupPlan.com 1:14 STERLING OLIVER, Kansas State University...
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13. Show Up and Do the Work - Alanna Saunders
Alanna Saunders on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and losing herself in order to find herself. She shares how she keeps a routine, shows up and gives her best, and the importance of self care. This Broadway actor takes us from growing up as a young performer with her twin sister and siblings…
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12. Embrace Your Uniqueness - Jenna Rubaii
Jenna Rubaii on the Jesus Christ Superstar 50th anniversary tour, Groundhog Day, and American Idiot. This Broadway actor shares the importance of flexibility during inevitable career ups-and-downs and continually loving your own individuality. From her start singing in an all-girls group as a...
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11. Say Yes Until You Can't - Logan Jones
Logan Jones on About Face Theatre- Chicago, asking for what you want, and doing your best work. He shares how he went from being an unpaid apprentice to becoming a full-time theatre artist and general manager in the Chicago theatre scene in the span of just five years. Show Notes at...
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10. Find Your Why - Mariand Torres
Mariand Torres on playing Elphaba in Wicked and never saying, "Never!" This Broadway actress shares her incredible journey from starting out not knowing that musical theatre was a career to working on Broadway with her musical theatre heroes and being inspired by powerful women in artistic...
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9. Love to Learn - Grace Douglas
Grace Douglas on unscripted (reality) TV and working in Los Angeles. She talks about self-comparison being the thief of joy and the importance of curiosity and building community. This associate story producer shares her journey from BFA actor to feeling confident and creatively fulfilled in her...
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8. Create Your Own Opportunities - Tim Murray
Tim Murray on stand-up comedy, Voldemort the Musical and moving from NYC to LA. Tim shares his journey from disappointment to forgiveness--starting over and ignoring the voice in your head that says, "You can't." Show Notes at DitchYourBackupPlan.com
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7. Know Your Self Worth - Katie McClellan
Katie McClellan on voiceovers, J.J. Abrams, and working between NY and LA in TV/Film and Theatre. Katie shares how she survives and thrives as an actor without running out of fuel (self care!), finding a flexible and fulfilling side job, and how upholding one's self worth can lead to a healthy...
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6. Get Specific - Ross Evans
Ross Evans on screenwriting, the transition from NYC's Broadway scene to the Hollywood writer's hustle, and how his degree in musical theatre led him to making his living as a screenwriter. Ross shares his perspective on "sellouts" and why getting specific leads to finding success in a career you...
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5. Open the Right Doors - Sarah Schreiber
Sarah Schreiber on WWE announcing, hosting on the Home Shopping Network, and telling off David Letterman. She shares how Shakespeare and musical theatre prepared her for the wrestling entertainment world and how important it is to sell yourself as your own business. She stresses the importance of...
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4. Up Your Game - Clyde Voce
Clyde Voce on making history in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as the first black actor to play the role of Willy Wonka on the Broadway tour. He describes the different duties of understudies and swings and shares how health, wellness, and personal finances need to be in order to survive as a...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Stories of rewarding careers between starving artist and celebrity. Longtime professor, Jen Vellenga interviews creatives in arts and entertainment careers to give listeners the courage to ditch their backup plan.
HOSTED BY
Jen Vellenga
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Ditch Your Backup Plan have?
Ditch Your Backup Plan currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Ditch Your Backup Plan about?
Stories of rewarding careers between starving artist and celebrity. Longtime professor, Jen Vellenga interviews creatives in arts and entertainment careers to give listeners the courage to ditch their backup plan.
How often does Ditch Your Backup Plan release new episodes?
Ditch Your Backup Plan has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Ditch Your Backup Plan?
You can listen to Ditch Your Backup Plan on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Ditch Your Backup Plan?
Ditch Your Backup Plan is created and hosted by Jen Vellenga.
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