PODCAST
tits + teeth
Season One
Episode #1 - Krista Leis
Krista ‘Can’t Take Your Eyes Off Her’ Leis is a phenomenal Canadian actress, who is no doubt one of our best! Her credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway), 9 seasons at the Stratford Festival, including Man Of La Mancha (Assistant Choreographer) and West Side Story (Assistant Choreographer), A Funny Thing ... (Mirvish), just to start! She met Jen and Kyla while playing Patsy in Crazy For You at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope, and it was love at first sight! Her drink of choice? Spicebox Whiskey! With a little cider to wash it down. We talk about a dancer's position in musical theatre, recount some of the more hilarious characters she's played, and hear a story about how Krista 'almost' became a backup dancer for Mace. Follow Krista on Instagram @krisleis
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Episode #2 - Sarah Matton
Sarah Matton comes into the room like a bat out of hell - always at a 10 out of 10! Sarah has recently launched 10 Talent Management and is the newest agent taking Canada by storm. She also co-owns Canada’s largest temp agency for dance teachers, Quick Ball Change! Before she hung up her tights and traded high kicks for business banter, Sarah had a phenomenal career, dancing her way across Canada, with countless shows for Drayton Entertainment, Stage West Calgary, The Grand Theatre, and the Canadian Opera Company (just to name a few!) We drink some champagne, have a few ciders, and get a peak into the amazing business mind that is Miss Matton. Follow Sarah on Instagram @10TalentManagement and @smatton26. Visit her website at 10TalentManagement.com
Episode #3 - Anthony MacPherson
Anthony (Tanti) MacPherson is an incredible Canadian Artist, hailing from the East Coast of Canada. His credits include Matilda (1st National Tour), The Wizard of Oz (1st National Tour and Toronto), 4 seasons at The Charlottetown Festival and many many more! Evidently, he is extremely passionate about musical theatre in Canada, and shares his thoughts about the business with Jen and Ky over his drink of choice, Alexander Keith’s beer! We also learnt some East Coast AND Aussie slang. Naturally, his episode is full out, passionate and fun, and we wouldn’t expect anything less from this fantastic performer! This episode is not to be missed! Follow Anthony on Instagram @armacpherson. Visit his website at AnthonyMacPherson.com
Episode #4 - Sam DiGiuseppe
Sam DiGiuseppe a man you want in your corner. He is insanely charismatic, insanely talented, and has an insanely strong jaw line. Sam has performed in musical theatre all over North America. Some of his credits include We Will Rock You (1st National Tour) The Wizard of Oz (Mirvish Productions) West Side Story (Rainbow Stage) and countless shows with Drayton Entertainment over 4 seasons. We discuss personal goals for the future, having a relationship within the biz, and of course we give Sam a bit of time to talk about his number 1 crush, Kelly Clarkson. Follow Sam on Instagram @samdigiuseppe
Episode #5 - Erica Peck
Erica Peck walks through the door, what do you immediately notice? Her style is out of this world cool, she has such an exciting energy, and honestly, she just looks like she can belt the hell out of anything. And holy moly, can she ever! Erica Peck sits down with Jen and Ky this week for a little vodka, Perrier mix to try and beat the summer heat. Erica has been a part of some very memorable musicals throughout her career: We Will Rock You, Kinky Boots (Mirvish Productions and 1st National Tours) The Rocky Horror Show, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Stratford Festival) and Hairspray (Charlottetown Festival). We discuss her vintage clothing company ‘Wildthing Vintage’, a potential star system within Canada, and how an open audition in Toronto changed the trajectory of her career. Follow Erica on Instagram @introducingericapeck and @wildthingvintage
Episode #6 - Amanda Struthmann
Amanda Struthmann is up for any adventure! If there is a challenge to conquer or a prank to pull, she is your gal! Her drink of choice says it all, Strongbow Cider and spiced rum. Mixed! Together! We were a rough bunch of gals the next morning but it was so worth it. We chat about putting in the work, opening up to new adventures and challenges both in and out of musical theatre, and Tonya Harding seems to come up a lot. Amanda's credits include The Wizard of Oz (1st National Tour) Legally Blonde (Stage West) Beauty and the Beast (Theatre Aquarius and Drayton Entertainment) and Funny Girl (Segal Centre). Follow Amanda on Instagram @astruthmann
Episode #7 - J. Sean Elliott
J. Sean Elliott has comedy bits for days! He loves talking to actors and we loved talking to him! J. Sean is the company member, director, and lovely human you always want to have around. We sit with a few shandies and talk about his love of comedy, his ability to switch from company member to director and back again, and his album At Least I’ve Got My Looks. J. Sean has a career that spans over 25 years. He recently appeared as Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet at Mirvish’s CAA Theatre. As a master of comedy, his direction credits include Spamalot, Young Frankenstein (Stage West) and Unnecessary Farce (Drayton Entertainment). Follow J. Sean on Instagram @jseanelliott. Visit his website at JSean.com
Episode #8 - Michael Hughes
Michael Hughes has one of the most infectious personalities in musical theatre, and you can’t help but constantly laugh while you’re with him. Mickey is an actor, writer, and producer who has created the wildly successful one man show Mickey And Judy (playing next at Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary Sept. 17 - Oct. 6). Jen and Ky sipped on some rose and cider while Mickey gave the inside scoop about what it takes to create a musical from scratch, why hustling is the best side job, and gave some poignant advice to aspiring creators… JUST DO IT! Michael's sung the part of Tony for the National Ballet of Canada’s production of West Side Story, and performed in musicals across the country. Follow Michael on Instagram @mickehughes. Visit his website at MichaelHughes.ca
Episode #9 - Robin Calvert
Robin Calvert lovingly refers to herself as ‘Granny Calvert’ although she is anything but! Robin is the toughest, most compassionate beauty, compacted into a 5 foot frame. She treated Jen and I like queens, while sipping on pickled Cesars and chatting about the difference in pay scales for choreographers who work in the US and Canada, her process when creating, and how she is a spirited competitor. Robin is a stunning performer turned choreographer who’s worked on such shows as Anne Of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival), The Drowsy Chaperone, Rock Of Ages (Drayton Entertainment) Beauty and The Beast (Theatre Aquarius). There are too many laughs to count in this episode, along with some beautiful advice. Follow Robin on Instagram @robincalvert29
Episode #10 - Ann Pornel
Ann Pornel is the new best friend we all need. Ann is currently in She The People, which is entirely created, designed, and performed by the fearless, funny women of the Second City. Ann has an affinity for baseball butts (especially if your name is Jose Bautista), is a hilarious and intelligent performer and writer, and a fierce friend who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. We discuss all of these things, but the main theme of this episode is definitely diversity - why it’s important to see it on our stages and screens, and who is responsible for making these changes in our community. Ann is truly a dope chick with a heart of gold and a killer eye for fashion. You’re going to ADORE her. You’re not going to want to miss She The People, running Thursdays to Sundays now till Nov. 25 at the Second City Toronto! It is a mimosa-and-madness-fueled foray that roasts the patriarchy. Get your tickets at SecondCity.com. Follow Ann on Instagram @glampornel. Visit her website at AnnPornel.com
Episode #11 - Danielle Wade
Danielle Wade is a real life hometown hero. There are banners of her up around her town, she won a national CBC competition, and is currently starring in The Music Man at the Stratford Festival. But, she is still the most down to earth girl you’ll ever meet. Danielle is such a kind and genuine lady, and to boot, she’s freaking hilarious! We have a few Gin Smashes and chat with Danielle about some of our more hilarious ‘joe jobs’, the evolution of her career, and making an investment in your heart. Danielle was the winner of the CBC competition Over the Rainbow and played Dorthy in the The Wizard of Oz (1st National Tour and Toronto), has played lead roles in Beauty And The Beast, All Shook Up, Mamma Mia! and many more for Drayton Entertainment, and was just in the new Tim Rice musical From Here To Eternity that played at Ogunquit Playhouse. She is literally a dream. Be prepared to fall even more in love with Danielle Wade. Follow Danielle on Instagram @daniewade
Episode #12 - Bonus Episode!
This is a special BONUS episode of Tits and Teeth! Here are extra stories, advice, truth bombs, and funny bits that we couldn't let go unheard! We get more advice from Sarah Matton, and fun stories from Sam DiGiuseppe, Danielle Wade, and Anthony 'Tanti' MacPherson. We touch on the subject of families in the biz with Erica Peck, and hear from Ann Pornel about fashion and fighting stigma. Take a trip back with your hosts through our first few episodes, and get your fix of musical theatre banter, with beverages.
Episode #13 - Stephanie Graham
Stephanie Graham is one of the most dedicated women in musical theatre. A Dora Award winner for her choreography in the Toronto production of The Wild Party, she is also a passionate educator, producer, and a mentor to young artists. As a director/ choreographer, her credits include Mamma Mia!, Shrek, and The Little Mermaid (Globe Theatre). Her choreography credits include Cinderella, The Addams Family (Neptune Theatre), Fun Home, Grey Gardens (The Musical Stage Co.), Chariots Of Fire (Grand Theatre), Next To Normal (RMTC). We drink some delicious summer cocktails with Steph and chat about being a director/choreographer, work ethic, and how Canadian musical theatre can grow in the future. Steph is, by definition, a bloody legend! Follow her on Instagram @sgrahamchoreo. Visit her website at StephanieGraham.ca
Episode #14 - Stephan Dickson
Stephan Dickson is a performer turned choreographer, a positive force in any room, and runs on the pure philosophy of ‘yes, and.’ Stephan has performed all across the country, but has recently turned to assisting and choreographing. Some of his choreography credits include: Associate Choreographer for Music Man, Rocky Horror Show (Stratford Festival), The Little Mermaid (Capitol Theatre), Rock of Ages (Stage West), and the new Canadian musical, Aleck Bell (Tweed & Company). We recorded with Stephan on a beautiful Monday morning, so we had mimosas, waffles and pastries! Through lots of laughs we chat about making theatre fully inclusive - from patrons seeing the show to actors in the production, how he is establishing himself as a choreographer, and how he maintains his positive attitude while being so busy. Follow Stephan on Instagram @stephand7
Episode #15 - Heather McGuigan
Heather McGuigan is an actor, adventurer, philanthropist, AND dope mom. A few of Heather's amazing credits include North American tours of Mary Poppins, Camelot, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Saturday Night Fever, seasons at the Shaw and Stratford festivals, and iconic roles such as Fiona in Shrek (Rainbow/ Neptune) and Mary in Mary Poppins (Neptune/ Capitol). Heather is also the founder of HopeTotes, a charity that produces gift bags of everyday essentials for women in need across Canada. Heather came baring gifts for this episode - Don Julio 1942 - so it was quite the tequila filled interview. Jen and Ky heard all about what it means to be a parent in this business, how totally glamorous child birth is, and how theatres and new families are collaborating to help make working with a new baby possible. Follow Heather on Instagram @adventurousheather and @hopetotes. Visit her website at HeatherMcGuigan.com
Episode #16 - Nicko Giannakos
The brilliant Mr. Nicko Giannakos is a constant sea of verbal diarrhea. But within it, there are nuggets of gold! Nicko's full and exciting career includes 3 seasons at the Stratford Festival (West Side Story, Evita, 42nd Street), the world premier of Lord Of The Rings (Mirvish), and the North American Tour of Saturday Night Fever, alongside Jen and Ky! He is a member of the Glitz Entertainment team, and teaches all over Canada. We sat with Nicko for what seemed like 10 mins but turned into 3 hours, and had such a hilarious time debating hot topics and engaging in great conversation. We heard about Nicko’s transition from the ballet world to musical theatre, how ‘money’ is more often making the decisions these days, and managing our own process. Follow Nicko on Instagram @chickenachos.
Episode #17 - A2D2 & Glitz Event Entertainment
Elisa Kovacic from A²D²– Aerial Dance Cirque Company and Nicko Gianakkos from Glitz Event Entertainment are our guests on Tits and Teeth this week! Aerial Dance Cirque Company received the 14th annual Star Award for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ and the 15th annual Star Award for the ‘Best Entertainment Production'. They provide entertainment for over 150 events across Canada per year, and it just so happens that our beautiful host, Jen, is a company member in their performance troupe! Glitz Event Entertainment is a fully customizable event entertainment company with a roster of A-list Canadian talent available to take their events to the next level. Their experienced creative team has the connections and knowhow to produce an endless world of possibilities, providing entertainment for huge corporate events in Canada. With both of these amazing and informative guests you will hear about a different aspect of the performance industry, the entertainment and industrial side! We speak about knowing your worth, dealing with clients, and the business side of ‘the business’. Follow A²D² on Instagram @a2d2circus and @performandprosper. Visit their website at a2d2.ca. Follow Glitz Event Entertainment on Instagram @theglitzca. Visit their website at TheGlitz.ca
Episode #18 - Lisa Horner
Lisa Horner is everything and a bag of peanuts. Her sensational career includes two Dora Award wins for her roles as Edie Bouvier Beale in the Canadian premier of Grey Gardens (Musical Stage Co.) and the Wicked Witch in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard Of Oz (Mirvish). Other credits include: Kinky Boots, Les Miserables (Mirvish) Wonderful Town, Gypsy (Shaw Festival) Guys And Dolls, HMS Pinafore (Stratford Festival). Lisa’s drink of choice was a classic Canadian Cesar. She chatted with Jen and Ky about a little production she’s a part of, called ‘Come From Away’, the importance of talking openly about our mental health, and her cabaret! Lisa’s cabaret, ‘One Night With Lisa Horner,’ is playing December 2nd at Eden United Church in Mississauga in order to raise money to start ‘The Allan and Susan Horner Mississauga Community Arts Fund,’ in honour of her parents. Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisahorner26. Tickets to One Night With Lisa Horner can be purchased
here.
Episode #19 - Jesse Weafer
Jesse Weafer shines like summer, and tour de splits like an angel...literally! Mr. Weafer’s career has taken him across Canada, the US, and onto your television screens. Just some of his credits include: IQ in Hairspray (Original Canadian Cast, the 2007 movie with John Travolta, and US National Tour) Hello Dolly (Stratford Festival) We Will Rock You, Kinky Boots, The Wizard Of Oz (Mirvish) and So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 3: Top 16. Jen and Ky had a fun filled evening with Jesse, with strong Gin & Tonics and nachos (Ky had a hankering for nachos)! We chat with Jesse about his experience on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, how he sets his wages for freelance teaching or choreographing, and how many tour de splits it took him to book Kinky Boots! Follow Jesse on Instagram @jweafer
Episode #20 - Bonus Episode!
This is the 20th episode of Tits and Teeth! Excuse you?! What?! Thank you SO MUCH to all of our listeners for sticking with us while we have all the laughs and all the drinks. Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to kick more ass in this wonderful business! We are rocking another BONUS EPISODE this week. With each of our guests we get so much wonderful content that we need to make sure you hear every awesome word they say. This week you will hear more 60 second questions with Lisa Horner, we’ll discuss the ‘Me Too’ movement with Stephan Dickson, bodies after babies with Heather McGuigan, and you’ll get more wisdom from Stephanie Graham.
Episode #21 - Matt MacInnis
Matt MacInnis is the stage manager you don’t just want, you need! This man is organized, passionate about theatre, and is not afraid to throw you some sass if you’re getting out of line. Matt's production stage managing credits include the recent Toronto production of Grease and 5 seasons at The Charlottetown Festival. He has stage managed dozens of productions for theatres including The Citadel, Drayton, Neptune, and Teatro Proscenium. We drank margaritas for our interview with Matt, and in the most perfect of ‘stage manager’ ways, he sent a specific recipe that we were to use. Let’s just say, wow! Were they ever strong! We chat with Matt about how stage managers don’t have agents and therefore need to book jobs and negotiate for themselves, being a part of new Canadian work, and ‘Stage Write’, an app for stage managers and dance captains. Follow Matt on Instagram @mattymacin83
Episode #22 - AJ Bridel
AJ walks in the room, she’s stunning, her quirky charm is electric, and she’s carrying Double Stuffed Oreo’s!! Nothing could be more perfect. AJ has had such an awesome career so far, and it’s only growing. You have seen her in CBC’s Over The Rainbow (Top 3), Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival) Lauren in Kinky Boots (Mirvish Productions), Sleeping Beauty in Sleeping Beauty Panto, and Jane in A Christmas Carol (Ross Petty Productions). We sit down with the ultra talented AJ Bridel to have some mimosas, some double stuffed Oreos, and some chats. We talk about AJ’s inner foodie, the excellent experience she just had over seas, post secondary education, and her future aspirations and goals.Follow AJ on Instagram @ajbridel
Episode #23 - Tim Porter
Tim Porter is the Artistic Director of Tweed And Company Theatre, which produces original Canadian theatre in Tweed, Ontario. Tim has an infectious and generous spirit, is incredibly hard working, and is also an hilarious actor and entrepreneur! He has been nominated for The Premier's Award of Ontario and recently received a Broadway World Award for Best Independent Production for TWEED: A New Canadian Musical (Writer/ Director). Some of his acting credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, Jack And The Beanstalk, Les Miserables (Drayton Entertainment), The Last Five Years, Robin Hood (Stirling Festival). We drank a few craft IPA’s and shared an inspirational conversation with this insightful man about Canadian theatre, and the amazing journey he’s taken with Tweed and Company. Follow Tim on Instagram @tweedtim @tweedandcompany
Episode #24 - Matthew Armet
It’s a ‘Festive AF’ episode here on Tits and Teeth and we are celebrating with the force that is Matthew Armet! Matt's career includes six seasons at the Stratford Festival (Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Tommy, and A Chorus Line). Some of his other credits are White Christmas (MTC), Miracle On 34th Street (The Grand Theatre), and Hairspray and Holiday Inn (Drayton Entertainment). We all drink whiskey during this episode to keep our hearts and bellies warm on a cold, Canadian winter's day! We chat with Mr. Armet about our fun traditions for the holiday season, how taking risks can lead you to new opportunities, and his story of coming out to his family. Follow Matt on Instagram @matt2eh
Episode #25 - Jeigh Madjus - Pt. 1
Happy New Years all you Tits and Teeth listeners! We have the perfect guest to help you kick start your New Year's resolutions - Jeigh Madjus! As we ring in the New Year, Jeigh is the perfect person to encourage you to ‘conquer your dreams, people!’ Jeigh starred in the National Tour of La Cage Aux Folles before working on the Off-Broadway musical phenomenon Here Lies Love at The Public Theatre. He’s also lent his unique talents to portray some iconic characters like Donkey in Shrek: The Musical (Rainbow Stage) and JoJo in Seussical The Musical (YPT). In 2019 Jeigh will be making his Broadway debut as Babydoll in Moulin Rouge! Jen and Ky enjoy some mimosas with Jeigh and chat about the importance of finding your own path in this business rather than trying to copy someone else’s, inspiring and affecting change, and his next big adventure, Moulin Rouge on the B-Way! Follow Jeigh on Instagram @jeighmadjus
Episode #26 - Jeigh Madjus - Pt. 2
Jeigh Madjus is just so nice, we had to have him twice! This is Part 2 of our interview with Jeigh, and in this episode we talk all things diversity! Jeigh has amazing insights and personal experiences on this matter, and is always down to speak his mind (we love that!). Our topics in this episode range from opening our casting imaginations, to discussing the lack of education when it comes to Asian cultures in casting, and how the landscape of our society is changing for the better when it comes to what we are seeing on our stages and in the mainstream.
Episode #27 - Matt Alfano
Matt Alfano is here, and his beautiful husky voice is ready to soothe and inspire you! Matt is a force of a dancer, creator, and performer who has been working professionally since he was 18. His wild list of credits include the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, We Will Rock You (Mirvish), 7 seasons at the Stratford Festival, including West Side Story, Tommy, Crazy For You, and A Chorus Line, as well as starring as Tony Manero in the North American Tour of Saturday Night Fever and Danny Zuko in Grease (Chemainus). Kyla has her first attempt at making an Old Fashioned for this interview, and not to brag, but Matt said they were delicious! Jen and Ky chat with Matt about longevity in this business, the inspiration and joy he’s found telling stories through his choreography, and being a strong male dancer.
Episode #28 - Tara Jackson
Tara Jackson (aka Whitney Houston reincarnated) is here with us on Tits and Teeth and we have Hennessy Very Special because Tara is a fancy fancy lady. Tara will be starring as Celie in The Colour Purple later this year at Neptune Theatre. Some of her other credits include Ms. Stacy in Anne Of Green Gables and Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Charlottetown Festival), Mamma Mia!, Hadestown, and Bittergirl (Citadel). We chat with Tara about her transition from Berklee College of Music to Canadian musical theatre, open diversity casting, and her excitement at playing one of her dream roles and her process to prepare for it. Follow Tara on Instagram @ taraatee
Episode #29 - Amy Wright
It is the season finale of Tits and Teeth and we are thrilled to close out our inaugural season with the incomparable, Amy Wright! Amy is a wonderfully successful choreographer who has worked in both musical theatre and in tv/film. Amy is so generous, is committed to the development of young talent, and full of excitement for the biz! You have seen Amy’s work on such shows as The Next Step (The Family Channel), Anne With An E (CBC and Netflix), American Gods (with Ian McShane and Laura Bell Bundy on Amazon Prime), Grey Gardens (with Drew Barrymore HBO) and in countless commercials. We chat with Amy about her crossover from on stage to film and tv choreography, The Next Step, and she drops some serious knowledge and tips that all of us can use. Follow Amy on Instagram @amywrightdance. Visit her website at AmyWright.ca