Episodes

  • Ep. 68 – Jay Armstrong Johnson, Performer in PARADE

    Ep. 68 – Jay Armstrong Johnson, Performer in PARADE
    Jul 27 2023
    Broadway Legend Jay Armstrong Johnson stops by to talk about the impact of the Tony Award-Winning Revival of Parade on the future of Broadway, his path into performing, and figuring out the journey of a character throughout a show. Jay has been a star throughout the theatre industry having performed in Phantom of the Opera, On The Town, Hair, Hands on a Hardbody, Catch Me If You Can, and in several regional theatre productions across the United States. With his stellar voice and natural instincts as a dancer, his performance as Britt Craig in the Tony Award-Winning Revival of Parade is breathtaking and hard to put into words. Just announced (officially): Jay’s annual fundraiser “I Put A Spell On You” will continue in 2023 at Sony Hall on Monday, October 23rd. This year, the Sanderson Sisters are in their “Witch ERA”. Tickets are available NOW at https://ipasoy2023.cbo.io/. This event benefits the Ali Forney Center. I am very honored to have Jay joining my show, especially for this episode as I celebrate both my 17th Birthday & my two-year anniversary on the Broadway Podcast Network! Join our conversation as we discuss: Michael Arden’s beautiful, Tony Award-winning production of PARADE (closing August 6th, 2023) & the impact the story, inclusivity of the production process, and raw emotion will have on the future of Broadway Tips on how to go from a mover to a dancer (primarily for Mason’s benefit) In relation to his performance of The Seraph by Ryan Scott Oliver (Mason’s favorite song ever), how he creates a journey through song and through a character study His thoughts on the long-pawned question, education or experience! The annual Halloween party “I Put A Spell On You” he hosts, started with the help of Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS & so much more! Check out Jay on all the things! Instagram – @jay_a_johnson Website – Jay Armstrong Johnson See PARADE while you still can: paradebroadway.com  Thank you so much for being here and for your support!! I hope that this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Ep. 67 – Katharine Quinn, Writing Associate at SHUCKED

    Ep. 67 – Katharine Quinn, Writing Associate at SHUCKED
    Mar 27 2023
    TikTok’s (and Broadway’s) Katharine Quinn chats about her roles as the Writing Associate on the new a-maize-ing SHUCKED and more! Katharine is no stranger to the Theatre world! After performing internationally for several years, she focused her craft more on the creation of a story with directing, choreography, and writing. In addition to her fascinating theatre work behind the scenes, she takes SHUCKED fans into rehearsals to illustrate her job and the rehearsal process of this brand-new musical. BUT this is not all! On top of all of this work, she has several other jobs to maintain a steady living in New York City (a challenge more prominent than ever) such as voice acting. It was wonderful to have her join Real Talk just days before I “get Shucked on Broadway” in my upcoming New York City trip. Join our conversation as we discuss: The definition of “success” and finding an individual roadmap to *your* success A future of Broadway sans ‘gatekeepery’ and finding the unique personality of Broadway Brandon Powers and the online conversation of social media and community engagement Broadway.Com vlogs and Mason’s obsession with Lindsay Mendez’s “Fly Girl” Shucked, Alex Newell, Corn, Community, somehow: Bryan the Business Analyst with his lovely corn costume And much more! Check out Katharine on all the things! Instagram – @itskatharinequinn TikTok – @itskatharinequinn Youtube – Katharine Quinn Website – katherinequinn.com Join the party and GET SHUCKED on Broadway: shuckedmusical.com Instagram – @shuckedmusical Twitter – @shucked_musical Thank you so much for being here and for your support!! I hope that this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Ep. 66 – Meg Masseron, Playbill Reporter

    Ep. 66 – Meg Masseron, Playbill Reporter
    Mar 20 2023
    Playbill Night-time Report, Meg Masseron, sits down to discuss her career in Theatre reporting as well as the importance of criticism and journalism. Meg is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College and joined to discuss her position as the night-time/weekend reporter at Playbill! Before that, she has been independently published in various theatre journalism hubs: TheatreMania, Theatrely, American Theatre, etc. She is one of my best friends on Twitter and has brought to light so many issues revolving around the inclusivity and accessibility of Broadway. Join the conversation as we discuss: The learned importance of networking and presentation of yourself as an artist An impactful divide between theatre criticism and journalism in modern years A comparison in print media as opposed to digital media – and the importance of each The overlap between marketing Broadway productions and writing articles centering around those same productions And much more! Learn more about Meg! Instagram: @megmasseron Twitter: @megmasseron Thank you so much for being here and for your support!! I hope that this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Ep. 65 – Mike Karns, CEO at Marathon Digital

    Ep. 65 – Mike Karns, CEO at Marathon Digital
    Mar 6 2023
    Mike Karns sits down with Mason to chat about the trajectory of Broadway's social media and provide insight into careers on Broadway Mike is the Founder and CEO of Marathon Digital – one of Broadway’s most successful social media firms who has created iconic campaigns for Hamilton, Sweeney Todd, Shucked, Parade, Disaster, Diana, Hadestown, Into The Woods, and so many accounts that have changed the future of theatre promotion. From the very beginning of his theatrical career, he continues to find inventive ways to connect to audiences and make productions continually more accessible. Join the conversation as we discuss: His connection with producer Jeffery Sellers and advice given to him at the beginning of his career The power of cultivating audiences in new means, social media and otherwise Diana’s power of community engagement and the resulting change in the social environment Management of marketing and source material as it relates to accessibility in recent history Upcoming productions and strategies with Sweeney Todd, Shucked, and Parade Ayanna Prescod’s excellent endeavors to expand a digital theatre community And much more!! Learn more about Marathon! Website: marathondgtl.com  Instagram: @marathondgtl Twitter: @marathondgtl  See some accounts run by Mike & the Marathon Digital team: Sweeney Todd Instagram: @sweeneytoddbway Twitter: @sweeneytoddbway Shucked Instagram: @shuckedmusical Twitter: @Shucked_Musical Diana Instagram: @dianaonbroadway Twitter: @dianaonbroadway Into The Woods Instagram: @intothewoodsbroadway Twitter: @ITWBroadway Thank you so much for being here and for your support!! I hope this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Ep. 64 – DJ Martin, Founding Partner at Bond Theatrical Group

    Ep. 64 – DJ Martin, Founding Partner at Bond Theatrical Group
    Feb 27 2023
    DJ Martin sits down to talk about his career throughout all facets of Broadway marketing and discusses the future of theatre for generations to come. DJ is the owner and founding partner of Bond Theatrical Group which works hand in hand with marketing, social media, and tour booking for iconic Broadway productions and international tours. Currently, they represent Shucked, Bad Cinderella, Moulin Rouge!, Dancin, Life of Pi, Six, Jagged Little Pill, Lempicka, and many more in several different aspects. This episode is specifically special to me because DJ is a graduate of Boonville High School and was part of the exact same Thespian Troupe I proudly call home now. It was so amazing to connect with him and discuss his upbringing in New York City. In this episode, he and I discuss: The basis of Broadway Marketing and the roots of Bond Theatrical Growing up in the midwest (Southern Indiana area) as it relates to the theatrical scene College-level careers behind the scenes in Publicity, Marketing, and Production behind the most influential theatre Case studies into Andrew Lloyd Webber’s DJ party after the reopening night of Phantom of the Opera! The pandemic’s effect on Diana the Musical and the campaigns that changed the scope of theatrical social media management Future longevity and scope of accessibility, representation, and inclusion for both Broadway marketing as well as general connectivity behind-the-scenes And much more!! Check out Bond Theatrical’s work! Website: bondtheatrical.com Instagram: @bondtheatrical Thank you so much for being here and for your support!! I hope this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Ep. 63 – Gennean Scott, Chief Diversity Officer at The Broadway League

    Ep. 63 – Gennean Scott, Chief Diversity Officer at The Broadway League
    Feb 20 2023
    The Broadway League’s first Chief Diversity Officer, Gennean Scott, joins Real Talk to discuss her definition behind the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion fields, her day-to-day operations, representation, Black excellence, and much more relating to her impactful work across the industry. Gennean is no stranger to the business side of theatre – getting her start in inclusion with the Omaha Performing Arts Center and following her passion and using her voice to inspire change throughout our industry and the surrounding businesses to encourage diversity and opportunity. In 2020, she became the Broadway League’s first Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and was recently retitled to be their Chief Diversity Officer. She also hosts The Black Business of Broadway on the Broadway Podcast Network, highlighting Black creatives across all facets of Broadway to showcase the opportunities available on and off stage for BIPOC artists. In this episode, Gennean and I discuss: Her definition of each Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it relates to the mission of her position The personal passion behind her fight to make Broadway a widely acceptable medium Why she wants to lay the foundation for future generations of Theatre artists Examples of representation in new media, sparking joy in young artists of color across the nation (specifically Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid) Her belief that there is room for all of us at the table and in the realm of Broadway… And much more!! Check out Gennean’s work and more on her social media! Instagram: @conskeeted97  Twitter: @conSKEEtedAKA Celebrate Black History Month with the Broadway Podcast Network! 💕 This week has hurt so much for many of us in Indiana, but I hope that we can come together and take a breath of hope – we will get through this as a community, and that is the basis for my constant devotion to making sure people are accepted into our business as a way to breathe fresh air and make connections with people on a new level.  Thank you so much for being here and for your support!! I hope that this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Ep. 62 – Derek McLane, Scenic Designer

    Ep. 62 – Derek McLane, Scenic Designer
    Feb 13 2023
    Tony-Award Winning Scenic Designer, Derek McLane, chats about his unexpected route to Broadway, his creative processes leading to some of the most captivating designs in NYC, and more! “Broadway will flourish again, it always does”  Derek is the genius visionary behind some of Broadway’s most intricate, beautiful sets, including; Moulin Rouge, MJ: The Musical, Hairspray LIVE, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Almost Famous, A Soldier’s Play and so much more. On top of his award-winning theatrical designs, he has also worked on the designs for several Oscar Awards creating some magical award show moments. Throughout his career, he has lent so much knowledge of architecture and detail to create captivating moments that last months with audiences (like it has with me).  In this episode, you can hear Derek chat about His experience and attitude towards Educational Theatre and the pivotal stepping stones to Broadway! Advice from throughout his career that shaped him to be the designer he is today. The process behind Broadway set designs that has proven to be successful with his work Moulin Rouge and the accidental transformation of Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre and Broadway’s Al Hirschfeld His new book written with Eila Mell celebrating his craft and colleagues And so much more! You can check out Derek’s book here! Instagram – @derekmclane   Thank you so much for your support!! I hope that this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Ep. 61 – Sean McManus, Performer in BEETLEJUICE & Social Media Influencer

    Ep. 61 – Sean McManus, Performer in BEETLEJUICE & Social Media Influencer
    Feb 6 2023
    Broadway’s own Sean McManus sits down with Mason (in-person) to discuss his life on Broadway, his position as a Vacation Swing, his infamous TikTok account with a special appearance from Patti LuPone – sort of… Sean grew up around theatre, even playing Bert in his high school production of Mary Poppins. He has played on stages across the East Coast such as Paper Mill Playhouse, Interlakes Theatre, and Lexington Theatre Company, and traveled across North America with a recent tour of Cats. In June of 2022, Sean made his Broadway debut in BEETLEJUICE as a Vacation Swing and continued with the show for over 150+ performances. If you aren’t familiar with him from the stage or theatre scene: you might recognize him as TikTok’s Moira Rose, Patti LuPone, and Jennifer Coolidge! In Mid-September, during my wonderful trip to NYC, Sean sat down with me in the Beetlejuice press office before I got to see the show that evening. It was so wonderful to connect with him in person to discuss; His life-long aspirations to be on Broadway and the work it took to get there The growing importance of swings and understudies in the Theatre Industry How Beetlejuice is changing the scene on fandoms and social influence with a wonderful story and purpose Patti LuPone and her iconic voice – that Sean demonstrates remarkably well, as seen all over social media. And Much More!! Join Sean on the Road with the links below: Instagram – @smcmanus3 TikTok – @seany_mac_official Website – seanmcmanusactor.com  beetlejuicebroadway.com Instagram – @BeetlejuiceBway Twitter – @BeetlejuiceBway TikTok – @BeetlejuiceBway Thank you so much for your support!! I hope that this show continues to be a resource for artists of all interests to find the place they deserve in this wonderful industry… Join me for future interviews and content below! BPN.fm/RealTalk Instagram: @_RealTalk_Pod Twitter: @_RealTalk_Pod TikTok: @RealTalkPodcast Facebook: Real Talk with Mason Bray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins