Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts
Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts podcast gives you inside information on how to break into the professional performance arts industry; on stage including Broadway, in film, on television, commercials, print, voice over and more. Host, Leesa Csolak features a line-up of professional performers, directors, musical directors, choreographers, casting directors, agents and managers as well as parents of minors; all here to help you understand their world, their journey and how you, too can be a part of it all. For more information on how to create, curate and navigate a career in the performing arts, visit https://lbctalent.com
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Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Welcome to 'Making It Happen,' where we delve into the world of pursuing a career in the performing arts. In this episode, host Leesa Csolek chats with Maggie Devine, a mother who shares her personal journey of supporting her daughter Lucy's burgeoning career in the arts.
Discover the challenges and triumphs that come with navigating the industry, from identifying talent at a young age to understanding the roles of managers and agents. Maggie offers insightful advice for parents embarking on this path, discussing the importance of professional training, creating quality self-tapes, and balancing family life with career aspirations.
Whether your child has dreams of performing on stage or screen, this episode provides valuable perspectives and tips on nurturing their talents and preparing for the opportunities and hurdles in the performing arts industry.
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
In this captivating episode of 'Making It Happen,' Leesa Csolak sits down with the renowned choreographer AC Ciulla, as they delve into his extraordinary journey into the performing arts industry.
Discover the moment a young, self-taught gymnast decided to pursue dance, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities, which ultimately led to his successful career as a choreographer revered for his unique style and vision.
Gain insights into how AC turned raw energy and passion into award-winning choreography, and learn valuable advice for performers and parents aiming to carve a niche in this competitive field.
Whether you're passionate about dance, curious about Broadway, or simply love an inspiring story, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and encouragement.
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
Welcome to "Making It Happen," a podcast dedicated to guiding individuals in the performing arts industry. Join host Leesa Csolak as she interviews Mariah Reives, a Broadway performer known for her exceptional talent and inspiring journey.
Mariah shares her story, from her early days as a shy child in North Carolina to gracing the Broadway stage. Discover the challenges she faced and how she navigated the competitive world of performing arts, including her debut in "Funny Girl" and her role in "The Great Gatsby"
Mariah also introduces her program, The Performer Circle, aimed at helping aspiring artists hone their skills and succeed in the industry.
Sunday May 11, 2025
Sunday May 11, 2025
Welcome to this episode of Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts, where host Leesa Csolak engages in conversation with Broadway star and Tony nominee, Taylor Louderman. Taylor shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Missouri to the bright lights of Broadway, highlighting the significant milestones and challenges along the way.
In this insightful discussion, Taylor opens up about the crucial role of familial support in pursuing a performing arts career and the importance of remaining grounded amidst the industry's rollercoaster ride. She also offers valuable advice to parents of budding performers on nurturing talent and navigating the challenges of the profession.
Tune in to learn how Taylor embraced the ups and downs of her career, the lessons she garnered from iconic roles like Regina George in Mean Girls, and her thoughts on balancing personal life and career ambitions. This episode is packed with invaluable wisdom for performers at any stage of their journey.
Sunday May 04, 2025
Sunday May 04, 2025
Join host Leesa Csolak on Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts as she delves into the inspiring journey of Michael Kushner. Discover how childhood performances led to Broadway stages and gain invaluable insights on breaking into the performing arts industry.
Explore the challenges, achievements, and the support systems that shape a successful career in the arts.
Whether you're a parent of a young performer or an aspiring artist yourself, this episode offers a roadmap to navigating the complexities of a life dedicated to the theater.
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
Welcome to "Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts," where we dive deep into the journey of breaking into the performing arts industry. In this episode, Leesa Csolak sits down with Broadway talent Dan Rosales to discuss the realities behind the scenes, the importance of resilience, and the value of relationships in the industry.
Dan shares his experiences, from facing rejection to landing major roles, and offers invaluable advice for young performers and their parents. He emphasizes the importance of cross-training, mental preparation, and staying positive. Whether you're an aspiring performer or supporting a young talent, this episode provides crucial insights to help you navigate the performing arts world successfully.
Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that sheds light on what it truly takes to succeed in the performing arts.
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Welcome to "Making It Happen, a Career in the Performing Arts," where we discuss how to break into the performing arts industry for yourself or your child, teen, or young adult. Join host Leesa Csolak as she chats with professionals passionate about helping talented individuals land professional representation and have successful careers in the arts.
In this episode, Leesa interviews Dan Rosales, a talented performer currently starring in "The Great Gatsby" on Broadway. Dan shares his journey from his early days in afterschool drama programs and choir, to his collegiate training at the Boston Conservatory, and ultimately, to his Broadway debut. Learn about the importance of staying open to opportunities, the value of collegiate programs, and the significance of kindness and collaboration in the industry.
Discover how Dan navigated his career path, the serendipitous events that led him to Broadway, and his advice for aspiring performers. Whether you're a parent of a talented child or an adult pursuing a career in the arts, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.
Don't miss this engaging conversation that sheds light on the dedication, hard work, and passion required to make it in the performing arts industry.
Sunday Sep 08, 2024
Sunday Sep 08, 2024
Join host Leesa Csolak in this exciting episode of "Making It Happen, A Career in the Performing Arts" as she chats with Kevin Csolak, now playing the role of Tulsa in the upcoming highly acclaimed Gypsy on Broadway and previous cast member of the Tony Award-winning show "The Outsiders." Recorded at the iconic Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in New York City, Kevin shares his experiences of returning to Broadway post-pandemic, his transition to film and TV, and the unique challenges performers face in maintaining their craft.
Discover Kevin’s journey from his early days on Broadway to his recent work in TV series like "Animal Kingdom." He discusses the adaptations necessary for self-taping auditions during the pandemic, the differences between performing on stage and on screen, and the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
Kevin also provides valuable advice for aspiring performers on finding their niche, the importance of continuous learning, and the realities of sustaining a career in the performing arts. This episode is packed with insights for parents, young performers, and anyone interested in breaking into the industry.
Don’t miss Kevin’s heartfelt stories and practical tips on navigating the performing arts industry. Tune in to get inspired and learn how to make your dreams a reality!
Sunday Sep 01, 2024
Sunday Sep 01, 2024
Welcome to "Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts," where host Leesa Csolak, CEO and founder of Makin' It Happen, delves into strategies for breaking into the performing arts industry. This episode features a conversation with Anthony Meindl, renowned acting coach and founder of Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop.
Anthony shares his insights on the importance of passion, perseverance, and the evolving nature of acting. He emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adapting, whether you are a young performer or an adult entering the industry. Leesa and Anthony discuss the significance of letting children lead their journey in the arts and how parental support should foster rather than pressure.
Discover how Anthony’s global schools operate and the core philosophy that guides his teaching. This episode is packed with valuable advice for parents, young actors, and adults looking to thrive in the performing arts. Tune in to learn how to navigate the challenges of this dynamic field and find joy in the process.
For more resources, visit lbctalent.com and connect with Anthony at anthonymeindle.com.
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
Sunday Aug 25, 2024
Welcome to "Making It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts," where we delve into the intricacies of breaking into the performing arts industry for yourself or your child, teen, or young adult. Join Leesa Csolak, CEO and founder of Making It Happen, as she converses with passionate professionals dedicated to helping talented individuals achieve successful careers in the arts.
In this episode, Leesa sits down with Anthony Meindl, a renowned acting coach and founder of Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop. Discover Anthony's unique journey and his philosophy on acting, teaching, and navigating the ever-evolving entertainment landscape. From the impact of technological advancements to the importance of staying versatile and connected, this episode is packed with valuable insights for aspiring artists and their families.
For more information about Leesa's courses, how-to videos, live webinars, in-person seminars, and free guides, visit lbctalent.com. To connect with Anthony and learn more about his actor workshop, visit anthonymeindel.com and follow him on social media at @anthonymeindelstudios.
Tune in next Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern for part two of the interview with Anthony Meindl.
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Leesa Csolak
In Her Own Words...
"I have been obsessed over the course of the past forty years about why the performance industry is such a closed-door industry with no real information available to the average person. The idea of trying to ‘break into’ the business is thwarted by most parents and adults throughout the United States and abroad, honestly due to the lack of available honest and true information.
Of those who are in the business whether just starting or successfully navigating a career, many remain confused and travel blindly. Much of which breeds a sense of fear and subsequent ownership of what knowledge and understanding they have, creating the need to keep information close to the chest.
As a professional in the industry, an entrepreneur, and a parent of three children, one of whom dabbled at a young age and the other two who successfully worked in many aspects of the child, teen and now are in the adult professional performance industry working on Broadway, in Film and Television, Commercials and Voice Over successfully. (Thank you, Claire, at Gilla Roos, NYC and Shirley, Dave, and Laura of Shirley Grant Management for the early years) I have vowed to change that mantra."
My ground-breaking Online Courses, 'Professional Kids & Teens 101; A Primer for Parents' and 'Professional Biz 201; Young Adults, College Students & Grads' teach everything you need to know to create, curate and navigate this elusive industry. I share inside information that no one else will to not only get your career or your child or teen's career started but I give you all the tools you need to secure professional representation (getting a manger or agent).
If you are looking to do this right the first time and not get lost trying to navigate this business by trial and error, I am your best resource. My track record speaks for itself as I have helped 100's of clients bridge from being talented in Acting, Dance and or Voice into the professional career they always dreamed of... If you are a parent of a talented child or are considering a life in the arts yourself, this is THE door into succeeding in this industry.
My podcast gives you inside info featuring a line-up of professional performers, directors, musical directors, choreographers, casting directors, agents and managers; all here to help you understand their world, their journey and how you, too can be a part of it all.
You, too can have the career of your dreams.
Don't let anyone tell you, you can't.