Let’s do the Time Warp! If you’ve ever wondered how the Rocky Horror Picture Show came to be, why its fanbase has all these wacky traditions, or what it takes to be part of a Rocky Horror shadow cast (or what a shadow cast even is) - then come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab, as Katya and special guest Michael-Jay “MJ” Hart (@michael_jay_artist on Instagram) explore the past and present of this Halloween theatre classic.

Let’s do the Time Warp! If you’ve ever wondered how the Rocky Horror Picture Show came to be, why its fanbase has all these wacky traditions, or what it takes to be part of a Rocky Horror shadow cast (or what a shadow cast even is) - then come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab, as Katya and special guest Michael-Jay “MJ” Hart (@michael_jay_artist on Instagram) explore the past and present of this Halloween theatre classic. 

Acting Out Loud- The Musical Theatre Podcast

Episode 13. A (Rocky) Horror Show For Halloween

You may be familiar with the musical RENT and the tragic death of its creator, Jonathan Larson, shortly before its premiere Off-Broadway, but there’s more to Larson’s legacy as a musical theatre writer and composer that you may not know. Let’s explore how Larson’s influence inspired some of the artists that came after him, and the impact his works have left on the genre as a whole. Katya also recommends the following article for your post-episode reading pleasure: <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/22787502/tick-tick-boom-lin-manuel-miranda-jonathan-larson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">https://www.vox.com/culture/22787502/tick-tick-boom-lin-manuel-miranda-jonathan-larson</a>

You may be familiar with the musical RENT and the tragic death of its creator, Jonathan Larson, shortly before its premiere Off-Broadway, but there’s more to Larson’s legacy as a musical theatre writer and composer that you may not know. Let’s explore how Larson’s influence inspired some of the artists that came after him, and the impact his works have left on the genre as a whole. Katya also recommends the following article for your post-episode reading pleasure: https://www.vox.com/culture/22787502/tick-tick-boom-lin-manuel-miranda-jonathan-larson

Episode 12. Composer Spotlight: Jonathan Larson

In the conclusion to our first two-part episode, Katya examines two musicals in particular that were adapted into movies, and why she thinks they missed the mark. A warning: if you have strong positive feelings about the film adaptations of Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, you will not like what Katya has to say about them… Regardless, you can find tickets and info for AOMT’s Fringe Festival show, “Perils of Penzance!” here: https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/event/601:7502/

In the conclusion to our first two-part episode, Katya examines two musicals in particular that were adapted into movies, and why she thinks they missed the mark. A warning: if you have strong positive feelings about the film adaptations of Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, you will not like what Katya has to say about them… Regardless, you can find tickets and info for AOMT’s Fringe Festival show, “Perils of Penzance!” here: https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/event/601:7502/

Episode 11. From Stage to Screen, Part 2

Katya examines what it takes to successfully adapt a stage musical for film from the perspective of a theatre fan, with examples from across the decades. Perhaps some of what she considers to be the best film adaptations of musicals may not be what you’d expect…

Katya examines what it takes to successfully adapt a stage musical for film from the perspective of a theatre fan, with examples from across the decades. Perhaps some of what she considers to be the best film adaptations of musicals may not be what you’d expect…

Episode 10. From Stage To Screen, Part 1

For Pride month, Katya explores LGBTQIA2S+ representation on the Broadway stage, with a spotlight on two musicals that especially cover the “L” in the acronym. (Note: In this episode, Katya utilizes both the terms “LGBTQIA2S+” and “queer” interchangeably, and there is one use of the word “dyke” - in reference to the title of a comic strip written by a lesbian cartoonist - as well as a brief mention of suicide.)

For Pride month, Katya explores LGBTQIA2S+ representation on the Broadway stage, with a spotlight on two musicals that especially cover the “L” in the acronym. (Note: In this episode, Katya utilizes both the terms “LGBTQIA2S+” and “queer” interchangeably, and there is one use of the word “dyke” - in reference to the title of a comic strip written by a lesbian cartoonist - as well as a brief mention of suicide.)

Episode 9. Broadway Pride, 2026

Katya highlights different methods of maintaining one’s voice.

Katya highlights different methods of maintaining one’s voice.

Episode 8. Taking Care Of Your Voice

Sometimes great musicals still get forgotten over time, overlooked as newer shows take over the spotlight. Katya’s here to dig these buried treasures back up and explain why your local theatre troupe should do the same - starting with “The Secret Garden”.

Sometimes great musicals still get forgotten over time, overlooked as newer shows take over the spotlight. Katya’s here to dig these buried treasures back up and explain why your local theatre troupe should do the same - starting with “The Secret Garden”.

Episode 7. Buried Broadway Gems: The Secret Garden

Following up on our previous composer spotlight, Katya discusses how Stephen Sondheim revolutionized the genre his mentor Oscar Hammerstein II helped pioneer, and explores Sondheim’s philosophy behind writing lyrics. Videos referenced in this episode can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLMTu8TbevU&pp=ygUTc2lsdmFuYSBsdGQgdHdpc3RlZA%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">here</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr99DVmFt2c&pp=ygUlc3RlcGhlbiBzb25kaGVpbSB0cmlidXRlIHRpbWVzIHNxdWFyZdIHCQnFCgGHKiGM7w%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">here</a>.

Following up on our previous composer spotlight, Katya discusses how Stephen Sondheim revolutionized the genre his mentor Oscar Hammerstein II helped pioneer, and explores Sondheim’s philosophy behind writing lyrics. Videos referenced in this episode can be found here and here.

Episode 6. Composer Spotlight: Stephen Sondheim

Turns out there are a lot of little details in “Hamilton” that, while you may not have consciously noticed, do a lot to assist in telling the story beyond Lin-Manuel’s lyrics. Katya and special guest Drewe discuss the lighting and set design of this powerhouse show, highlighting the importance of these elements in musical theatre.

Turns out there are a lot of little details in “Hamilton” that, while you may not have consciously noticed, do a lot to assist in telling the story beyond Lin-Manuel’s lyrics. Katya and special guest Drewe discuss the lighting and set design of this powerhouse show, highlighting the importance of these elements in musical theatre.

Episode 5. Setting The Stage For Storytelling

Katya attempts to offer some insight into the role of a theatre director, breaking down what the role requires - turns out there’s a lot more to it than just 'bossing actors around'.

Katya attempts to offer some insight into the role of a theatre director, breaking down what the role requires - turns out there’s a lot more to it than just 'bossing actors around'.

Episode 4. Directing for Dummies

Katya and special guest Criselda Mierau talk about theatrical traditions ‘across the pond’ for the winter holiday season.

Katya and special guest Criselda Mierau talk about theatrical traditions ‘across the pond’ for the winter holiday season.

Episode 3. The Christmas Panto

For our first “Composers Spotlight”, Katya delves into the works of two key figures in musical theatre history - the iconic composing duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II - in an attempt to understand why and how their shows had lasting, transformational effects on the genre of ‘musical theatre’ as a whole.

For our first “Composers Spotlight”, Katya delves into the works of two key figures in musical theatre history - the iconic composing duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II - in an attempt to understand why and how their shows had lasting, transformational effects on the genre of ‘musical theatre’ as a whole.

Episode 2. Composers Spotlight: Rodgers and Hammerstein

Our host, Katya Mieranski talks about "all things auditionee" in this first episode. From what song to sing, what not to sing and, how you can make really good choices for audition songs to help yourself stand out and be heard, this 15 minute episode covers a lot of stage area!

Our host, Katya Mieranski talks about "all things auditionee" in this first episode. From what song to sing, what not to sing and, how you can make really good choices for audition songs to help yourself stand out and be heard, this 15 minute episode covers a lot of stage area!

Episode 1. The Most "Popular" Audition Song

A brand new podcast from Acting Out Musical Theatre hosted by Katya Mieranski. New episodes release on the second Thursday of each month.

A brand new podcast from Acting Out Musical Theatre hosted by Katya Mieranski. New episodes release on the second Thursday of each month.

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Acting Out Loud- The Musical Theatre Podcast

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