1 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:04,359 Speaker 1: And that's what you Really missed with Jenna. 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,119 Speaker 2: And Kevin An iHeartRadio podcast. 3 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: Welcome to When That's What You Really miss podcast. Oh 4 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:16,080 Speaker 1: my god, it's Tony Award winner Ali Stroger. 5 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 2: How I never get tired of hearing that? 6 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: Nope, well never, I'll just that's her new name. 7 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 2: You know. There's going to be three of us in 8 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:31,160 Speaker 2: this conversation and three Tonys, but I have zero Tonys. 9 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:36,200 Speaker 1: And Alie did Oklahoma, which she won the Tony four 10 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,200 Speaker 1: in Circle and Square in the same theater that Alex 11 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: Newall did once on this Island the year before and 12 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 1: one Best Revival which one me and the Tony as well. 13 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 1: And so we are in Circle and Square in full Circle. 14 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 2: And she was in the revival String Wakening of Broadway 15 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 2: and you were in the original String Wakning of Broadway. 16 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: Correct, all coming together and we were both ungry. 17 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 2: Yes, And she's just one of the kindest, most talented, 18 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:08,959 Speaker 2: creative bright lights in the world. And we love her. Yes, 19 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 2: Ali Stroker, Hi, Allie, are you my god? 20 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 3: I was so excited when I got your message and 21 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 3: I was love. 22 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,320 Speaker 1: Your I had to have on too. 23 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 3: Thanks for having me and also congratulations on the next 24 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 3: little baby. 25 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:35,479 Speaker 1: Thank you and congratulations to you too, Yeah. 26 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 3: You, thank you. 27 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 2: How's being a mama? How does it feel? 28 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:41,039 Speaker 3: I love it? Like I am obsessed with it. 29 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: How old is your bibe? 30 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 3: He's twenty one months? Next? 31 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:47,360 Speaker 2: Oh really? 32 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 3: Yeah? 33 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 1: We were like pretty close then Emma's twenty five or 34 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: twenty six months? 35 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 3: I think, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, So you know that 36 00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 3: the season it's intense, really intense. But I love it 37 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 3: like more than anything. It's been special. I do want 38 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 3: to like work a little bit now. I was so 39 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:09,640 Speaker 3: ready for the first year. I was like, I can't 40 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 3: miss anything, I know, so, like you know, like I 41 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 3: had so much FOMO on both ends, and so now 42 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 3: it was this fall ready you will play and just 43 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,519 Speaker 3: get back into it a little bit. But yeah, it's 44 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 3: been so so good. How are you guys? Good? 45 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:31,239 Speaker 2: Same old ship over here? 46 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, how's la? 47 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 2: That's fine. It's a weird TI like job wise. 48 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 3: I don't know if you guys feel this way, but 49 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 3: like I feel like the industry has like been shaken up, 50 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 3: and like the dust has not quite settled yet strikes 51 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,920 Speaker 3: and like the pandemic, and like the way that everything 52 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 3: has changed with streaming, and I just feel like it's 53 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 3: still a bit in transition, like I. 54 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 2: Don't know, yes, yes, I agree, it's like everything is 55 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 2: pulled apart. We don't know exactly the new mold yet. Yeah, 56 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: but it does feel like it feels like because you 57 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 2: don't have to be in the city or you don't 58 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 2: have to be in la people. Part of the adjustment 59 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 2: outside of like the things we can't control, like the 60 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 2: structures of anything, is like the work life balance. So 61 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 2: being able to live forty five minutes outside of the 62 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 2: city and like not feel guilty about it and like 63 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 2: or feeling you're missing anything because like you can do 64 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 2: that and I have a family and yeah, yeah, I 65 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 2: like that. 66 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 3: And it also is starting to feel good that it 67 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 3: feels like our generation is now becoming like the bosses 68 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 3: and like creating content and writing, directing, and it's like, yeah, 69 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 3: for me, it's what a relief, Like yes, yes, now 70 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 3: they're like making decisions versus like this other generation of 71 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 3: art that were amazing but came from a different world. 72 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 3: So that's something that I am like grateful for and 73 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 3: like feeling like, oh good, it's it's us. It's like 74 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 3: our time now. 75 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 2: Yeah hopefully, Yeah, you know, especially when you like we've 76 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: all been around for a little bit, and so we're 77 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 2: seeing our friends get opportunities and friends want to work 78 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 2: with friends, and like if we're in a position to 79 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:28,920 Speaker 2: help people, like oh, this person's so talented, let's work 80 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 2: with them. And exactly right what you said, I think. 81 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, it feels like it's like finally it's like our voices, 82 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 3: you know, and like I feel that same way. It's 83 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 3: like my friends are now like casting and hiring and 84 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 3: wanting me to be a part of creating something. And 85 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,160 Speaker 3: it doesn't feel so much. And I know this also 86 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 3: comes with like coming into your own and like maturing, 87 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 3: but it doesn't feel like I have to prove myself, like. 88 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 2: Right, Tony doesn't hurt either. 89 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I mean those those opportunities are It's 90 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 4: it feels different now. 91 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 3: It doesn't feel as much like, oh God, like will 92 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 3: I ever work again. There's like a little bit more. 93 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 5: Trust in what's coming, what's next, and and people do 94 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 5: you feel that On the other end, Two, it's like 95 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 5: people trust in you where they come to you like 96 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 5: we know you can do this. 97 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 2: So yes, there's that confidence that we often don't get, 98 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 2: you know. 99 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 3: On that side of it, I always thought after I 100 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 3: did an episode of Glee, I was like, oh, like 101 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 3: I'm set, like the doors now will fly open and 102 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 3: everything will be so easy, And then like nothing happened, 103 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 3: and what like how could this not? You know? I 104 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 3: always look like Glee was like the magic wand this 105 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 3: thing that was like gonna just like change my career, 106 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 3: and it did in so many ways. But I also 107 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 3: feel like those changes come. 108 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 2: Slowly, yeah, like incrementally. 109 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's not just like one wave. 110 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 2: It's yeah, that's not obvious. 111 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 3: Years later I hear from somebody, or four years from now, 112 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 3: I'm getting a call from someone who knew someone who 113 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 3: did the Glee Project, you know what I mean. Like, 114 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,359 Speaker 3: there's all different ways in which it's like affected and 115 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,159 Speaker 3: changed my life, and in none of the ways that 116 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:40,919 Speaker 3: I thought it would. 117 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 2: Semial Glee, Yes, because you did. We've talked to a 118 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 2: lot of the first Glee Project season one Gleed Project folks. Yes, 119 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 2: you had a different like Glee Project Season two was 120 00:06:56,360 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 2: quite different than season one. Yes, how did you even 121 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 2: get into that? How did you like, how did you 122 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 2: hear about it? Like what was your life going into that? 123 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 3: So I graduated from NYU in two thousand and nine, 124 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 3: and that's when I feel like we like exploded. Yes, 125 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 3: And I was so excited because I saw your character Kevin, 126 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 3: and I was like, oh my god, I don't have 127 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 3: to make this up. Like this is a world I 128 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 3: could fit into. And so I told my parents I 129 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:31,080 Speaker 3: wanted to move to LA and they were like what, 130 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 3: And I was like, I want to go after this, 131 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,559 Speaker 3: like I want to be ugly. And at the time, 132 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 3: like I was young, and I even I was like, 133 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 3: they shoot it there, it's where it's happening, Like I'm 134 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:43,239 Speaker 3: going to go out there for pilot season. I wasn't 135 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 3: super green, like I knew that, yeah, you know, I 136 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 3: knew that you had audition and it was like a 137 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 3: super super big deal show. But I was like I couldn't. 138 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 3: I was having trouble getting auditions in New York and 139 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 3: sort of looked at theater as like sort of an 140 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:03,679 Speaker 3: older art and TV was kind of maybe a world 141 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 3: that I would fit into. So I go out for 142 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 3: pilot season and I go into U d K and Uh, 143 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:23,120 Speaker 3: I don't meet with Robert, but Robert finds out I'm 144 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 3: in the office and asks me to come in to 145 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 3: his office and sing on tape for Ryan, and I was. 146 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,199 Speaker 1: Like, now, did you go into UdK for a Glee 147 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: audition or did you go in for some general audition 148 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 1: or like a general general okay to like meet them? 149 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 3: Yes, wow. So Robert's like Ryan needs to meet you. 150 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 3: So I sing Here's where I Stand, which is like 151 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 3: this song from Camp Amazing that I sang for my 152 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 3: YU showcase. And I was like this is it, Like 153 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 3: I'm gonna get to go in for the show. And 154 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 3: then I hear nothing for like three years until the 155 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 3: Glee Project was like being talked about and advertised on 156 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 3: Facebook and I was like what is this? Like what 157 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 3: is this? And it's not on Fox, It's on Oxygen, 158 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 3: Like what is this? And then I'm like, oh, it's 159 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 3: reality TV show. I don't want to do reality I 160 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 3: want to be like an actor. I don't want to 161 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 3: reality TV show. I was like total ego, like I 162 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 3: can't do that. And then I was like I like 163 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 3: it over yourself, Like you can't even get an audition 164 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 3: right now, like put yourself on tape. So I put 165 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 3: myself on tape. And at the time it was like 166 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 3: this for the Glee Project, it was like this website 167 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 3: that was like kind of like MySpace. And this was 168 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 3: even before like the like culture happened. 169 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, but so. 170 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 3: If you submitted a video, people could star it. And 171 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 3: I submitted a video singing true Colors, and the next 172 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 3: morning it had like twelve hundred stars. 173 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 1: Wow. 174 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,199 Speaker 3: And I was like, oh my god, this is so cool, 175 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 3: you know, like before yes, And so I was like, oh, 176 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 3: maybe i'll hear back. And I did have an agent 177 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 3: at the time, and so I don't hear anything for 178 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 3: a while, and I end up getting cast in Spelling 179 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 3: Bee at paper Mill Playhouse. So I go back to 180 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 3: New Jersey and my agents call and they're like, they 181 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:46,839 Speaker 3: want you to come in for the final callbacks for 182 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 3: the Glee Project. And I was like, but I'm doing 183 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 3: the show, like I can't. I can't miss it. And 184 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 3: I take the back. I don't think it was tech. 185 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 3: I think like we were in the run or it's 186 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 3: like opening night or something like that. As a better person, 187 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 3: like you don't miss right. So I was like, I 188 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 3: can't do it, Like I can't do I can't go 189 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 3: to the callbacks for season one. So I was like, well, 190 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:14,439 Speaker 3: there goes my opportunity to be Ungly Project or Glee 191 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 3: oh my god. 192 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 2: And then of course, though I mean the amount of time, right, 193 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 2: it pours and it comes down to like the same day, 194 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 2: like I've been trying to get work for years, I'm 195 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 2: doing this play and now. 196 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 3: Glee always always like why is this not lining up? 197 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: Could have been any other time in the last always happens. 198 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 3: So then I go back to La after spelling Bee, 199 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 3: and I like, am really in a not good place, 200 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 3: Like I'm in a dark place. I'm like, what am 201 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 3: I gonna do? Like what am I doing out here? 202 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 3: Like I think I even did one of those things 203 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 3: where you like paid to be in a play like Wow. 204 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 3: It was like a low point and I was just 205 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 3: feeling and I had been in like some bad relationships, 206 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,559 Speaker 3: like was not thriving, And so I decided to come 207 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 3: back to New York and I moved in like to Midtown, 208 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 3: and I was like doing well again, and they were 209 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 3: like they called and they were like, we want you 210 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 3: to come to the final callbacks in New York first, 211 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 3: and so I did and don't where you can cut 212 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 3: the line, you know, at the time, sort of like 213 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 3: the open calls in New York around the block, and 214 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 3: they were filming all that you know. And then I 215 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 3: find out I'm going to the final callbacks in La 216 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 3: and I go and that's when I like meet everyone, 217 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:45,280 Speaker 3: Like I met Lily at the final callbacks, I met Danny. 218 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 3: That was the first time we met. I met people 219 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:52,320 Speaker 3: that didn't end up being on the show that now 220 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 3: are on Broadway. Like it was sort of the beginning 221 00:12:56,120 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 3: of this era, like my Glee era season, and it 222 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 3: went really well. And then I got a call, like 223 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:08,439 Speaker 3: right before Thanksgiving that I was going to be cast 224 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 3: on the show, and they filmed that again, and and 225 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: that was it. And then and then not long after 226 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 3: we moved into the house stop. 227 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 2: A strong word, yeah. 228 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: Exactly, And they took away our phones, they took away 229 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 3: our books, they took away our music because they didn't 230 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 3: want you to be like influenced, and like I had 231 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 3: no contact with my family. 232 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:42,560 Speaker 1: Oh my god, how long was that? How long were 233 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 1: you on the show for? 234 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 3: I was on the show for ten weeks, Oh my long, Yeah, 235 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:52,119 Speaker 3: which is why I feel so close to everybody beforse, 236 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:56,079 Speaker 3: they were the only people I was in contact with. 237 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 3: I had a lot of fun, like, oh god, show, 238 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,559 Speaker 3: I had a really positive experience, and I was also 239 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:05,599 Speaker 3: just a little bit older, like I was out of 240 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 3: college at this point, so I was sort of like 241 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 3: taken with like the experience of making a reality show. 242 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 3: I was like, this is hilarious, like another room of 243 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 3: producers like trying to figure out how to like string 244 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 3: this story together and create a drama. And I got 245 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 3: to really kind of share my story the way that 246 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 3: I wanted to. So that was something I was very 247 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 3: conscious of that, like being in a chair, being in 248 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 3: a wheelchair, people in the industry might make assumptions about 249 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 3: me and what I could do, and Patrick was this 250 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 3: amazing platform to like tell my version of who I 251 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 3: am and what I do. And then Glee was sort 252 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 3: of the perfect genre for me. It was like musical 253 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 3: theater meets pop meets like the underdog meets like overcoming 254 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:01,240 Speaker 3: things and this is perfect, Like this I fit into this. 255 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 3: So then I'm the final I'm in the final three, 256 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 3: Like I'm in the final episode and I don't win. 257 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: Now did you think you were like you were gonna win? 258 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: Like was there? Where were you at? Where was your head? 259 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 2: At that point? 260 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 3: I thought I could win. However, I knew that the 261 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 3: show had to be like m structured in a certain 262 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 3: way that like the underdog would win, which in the 263 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 3: end was very funny because Blake won, like was not 264 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 3: exactly the underdog all the way through and in the industry, 265 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 3: isn't really like an underdog. No, but it was a 266 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 3: different time, like the world has changed a lot, so 267 00:15:56,200 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 3: this narrative of like who's the underdog, like who should 268 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 3: win this show? They also Glee was super established. They 269 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 3: needed certain kinds of characters on that on your guys 270 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 3: scripted show. 271 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, it wasn't just a reality show. It was also 272 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 2: we have to fill these slots that we know we 273 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 2: are going to carry up. 274 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 3: And the other part of it was that they didn't 275 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 3: air this because they did this on the first season. 276 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 3: But the first season they were like they gave people 277 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 3: spots on the show that didn't win, and our season 278 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 3: they did not air that. So they told Eileen and 279 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 3: I that we were going to be on the show, 280 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 3: but they didn't air that on the Glee Project, and 281 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 3: they told us they were not going to which was 282 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 3: scary because it was like, well, now there's no accountability, 283 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 3: they don't have to totally and that interesting to Eileen. 284 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 3: She ended up not being on the show. 285 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:58,680 Speaker 2: Wow, because I remember running into her, like out at 286 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 2: Starbucks or something, and she was like, I was told 287 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 2: I was going to be on. 288 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 3: I was like, ah, super disappointed. 289 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 2: I mean, of course breaking yes. 290 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 3: But they called me not long after the final episode 291 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,359 Speaker 3: aired and they were like, Okay, we're going to have 292 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:18,080 Speaker 3: you coming on for the Valentine's Day episode and immediately 293 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:19,280 Speaker 3: I was like, oh, they're going to pair me up 294 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:22,159 Speaker 3: with Kevin and like I didn't know exactly what my 295 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 3: story would be, but Ryan on the Glee project was 296 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 3: always like, you're like sassy, You're like Dolly Parton, but 297 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:31,439 Speaker 3: like also like a cheerleader bitch. And I was like, Okay, 298 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 3: I'm getting like what you might write for me. 299 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 2: That's fun. 300 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 3: So that's kind of how my Glee journey went until then. 301 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 3: I was on the show and it was just a 302 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,719 Speaker 3: dream come true. Like it was it was what I 303 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 3: wanted and uh, it happened, and it was in so 304 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 3: many ways you like dream about it in your head, 305 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 3: like what would you like to be on set? And 306 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 3: it was just better because in so many ways I 307 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 3: already of felt like a part of your guys family 308 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 3: and everyone was really nice to me, and I was 309 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 3: really you know, I was really observant and watching like 310 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 3: how people like were acting and how people and who 311 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 3: were the leaders in the cast. And obviously you two 312 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 3: were like just so genuine and real and and kind 313 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 3: to everybody who was, you know, not a regular on 314 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 3: the show. And I just loved sort of seeing the 315 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 3: machine right right and Jenna you talking to you and 316 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 3: you were like, I am so tired, like you had 317 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 3: been in rehearsal, like all night you were shooting yet 318 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 3: all day, yes, and you know it was like you 319 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 3: guys were working so hard and it was just really 320 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 3: beautiful to get to be a part of it. 321 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 2: Aw, that's very good to hear. 322 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:56,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, you never know sometimes. 323 00:18:55,440 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 2: Every time like somebody because we were we I especially 324 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,919 Speaker 2: that episode, we just watched it and we just like 325 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 2: I do we just by the way. 326 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: Very you were funny, so very funny, so good, very funny. 327 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:26,640 Speaker 2: Now knowing the backstory of you saw the show like well, 328 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 2: I'm gonna I gotta get on that show, and then 329 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:34,479 Speaker 2: you did. You got on the damn show and you 330 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 2: didn't miss. Everything that came out of your mouth was 331 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 2: so funny. 332 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,879 Speaker 3: So I was. 333 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 2: Of course, I was also like even like the thing, 334 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:48,160 Speaker 2: even though I had been doing it for four years 335 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 2: at that point, like the things of like us being 336 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,199 Speaker 2: in bed together that was new and like me me 337 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 2: working with like someone who was actually in a chair. 338 00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:59,199 Speaker 2: I was also like, I feel like the fraud and 339 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 2: is this okay? 340 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,360 Speaker 3: I don't know, I felt about that. 341 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 2: I felt self conscious of it. I was like, like, 342 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 2: are you okay with this? How is this from your end? 343 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 2: Like yes, yes, So there was a lot of all 344 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:16,199 Speaker 2: but obviously you're like the kindest, sweetest and most creative person, 345 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 2: and so you are. You do have like eyes everywhere, 346 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:24,480 Speaker 2: you are really noticing everything all the time and taking 347 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 2: all that in and being around you also someone who 348 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 2: was on the show for a long time, you made 349 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:33,399 Speaker 2: me feel calmer too. So I felt very lucky to 350 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 2: be able to work with you because you're just a beast, 351 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 2: your powerhouse. 352 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 3: Thank you so much for saying that. I really that 353 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:45,920 Speaker 3: means so much. Kevin and I you know, I admired 354 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 3: all of you so much, right, like what you created, 355 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:53,919 Speaker 3: Like it's one thing you know, to write a show, 356 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:57,159 Speaker 3: but it's the people who make the show. And like 357 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 3: there was magic. There was magic with you guys, Like 358 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 3: there was a magical thing that happened it was an 359 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 3: opportunity that I dreamt about, that I wanted, and I 360 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 3: think arriving at it and getting to see what it 361 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:15,760 Speaker 3: really took to make that show, it set the tone 362 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 3: for me of like, oh, my dreams and my goals, 363 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 3: Like that's not just like an instant thing that happens. 364 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 3: It's years and years and years of hard work and 365 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:30,880 Speaker 3: then once you arrive there, like you have to give 366 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:36,639 Speaker 3: a hundred percent of you. And that is kind of 367 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 3: what started sort of my journey to like really finding 368 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 3: the things that I was very excited about working on, 369 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 3: like Spring Awakening, Deaf West and then making my Broadway 370 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 3: debut and you know Spring Awakening, Kevin, you know like 371 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:55,120 Speaker 3: a lot about that journey. I'm sure you do too 372 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:58,000 Speaker 3: at this point, Jenna. But like it was like two 373 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,360 Speaker 3: and a half years in LA before were it transferred. 374 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 3: And you know the first time we did it, we 375 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 3: were getting paid like forty bucks a week, and like 376 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:11,399 Speaker 3: we're seeing at a church. It wasn't like some fancy, 377 00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 3: flashy opportunity, but it was something really special totally. 378 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 2: You guys are grinding it out. 379 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 3: Skid row, Yes, Oh my gosh, Dna skid row. Okay, 380 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:32,880 Speaker 3: So that was that was kind of again another situation 381 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,600 Speaker 3: where I was like, this is there's something magical here. 382 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 2: What a valuable lesson? Though I think it seems like 383 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 2: when you see people, it often seems like, oh, they're 384 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 2: an overnight success, and sometimes they are. Sometimes that happens, 385 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 2: but it's very very rare. You just haven't seen no 386 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 2: before you showing up on Glee. People don't know it's 387 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:54,160 Speaker 2: a three year process, or they go see Spring Awakening 388 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 2: on Broadway and like, no, that's been a two and 389 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 2: a half year process starting down for forty dollars a week, 390 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 2: or like Austin was living in his car, like he 391 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:08,120 Speaker 2: moved to la where you being able to appreciate the 392 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 2: work itself, the camaraderie, the experience, and being able to 393 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 2: also then appreciate the journey it takes is such an 394 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:24,920 Speaker 2: important lesson, yep, because people don't know about that or 395 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 2: they forget that and they only see the success of it. 396 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 2: And it's like, if you don't enjoy the other part 397 00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 2: of it, you will not enjoy doing this. And so 398 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:38,359 Speaker 2: it sounds like you really learned how to find the 399 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 2: joy in each and every day of just doing sort 400 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:44,680 Speaker 2: of the very unglamorous parts of the job. 401 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 6: Yeah. 402 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:48,080 Speaker 3: I mean I came up as a theater kid. So 403 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 3: the process of theater was the thing that I fell 404 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 3: in love with because it wasn't just like get on 405 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 3: stage and be the star. It was like you get 406 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:04,680 Speaker 3: this family and this community and these best friends, and 407 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 3: like you're getting to sing and dance every day and 408 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:13,360 Speaker 3: it's really hard and there's drama, and like I loved that. Yeah, 409 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:20,359 Speaker 3: that to me was just heaven. And I think growing 410 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 3: up with a disability and being in a wheelchair and 411 00:24:24,359 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 3: having that outlet, like it wasn't just something I loved, 412 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 3: like I needed it to survive. It was how I 413 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:34,159 Speaker 3: was able to express myself. And I was feeling so 414 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:40,680 Speaker 3: many like intense things about being so different right and 415 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 3: wanting as a teenager to be to fit in so badly. 416 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm just curious because as like a woman 417 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:53,960 Speaker 1: of color, which is not even It's like I was 418 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,800 Speaker 1: told theater with you know, this industry was going to 419 00:24:56,840 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 1: be hard, that it was going to be harder for 420 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:03,159 Speaker 1: me than a lot of other people, and that you know, 421 00:25:03,240 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 1: maybe I shouldn't pursue it because I probably wouldn't succeed. 422 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:12,480 Speaker 1: I'm curious for you as you said, you grew up 423 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:15,320 Speaker 1: with the disability in theatre, was your outlet, Like what 424 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:19,439 Speaker 1: were people telling you or what was kind of the 425 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: methods that you were getting as you were brought up 426 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 1: in this industry and then wanting to pursue it. 427 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:33,560 Speaker 3: I I always could sing, which was helpful because it 428 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:36,560 Speaker 3: kind of opened the door for me. But as far 429 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 3: as like logistically how I was going to do it, 430 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 3: people were terrified. They had no idea what to do 431 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:45,119 Speaker 3: with me. They didn't know how to stage me, they 432 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:47,640 Speaker 3: didn't know how to choreograph for me. They didn't know 433 00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 3: like in certain buildings, like how I would get around, 434 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 3: but I would sit there and sing and like people 435 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,520 Speaker 3: would cry. And I think for like a lot of 436 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 3: reasons as an adult, I can like unpack and see. 437 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:05,760 Speaker 3: But at the time, like was really like it was 438 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:09,480 Speaker 3: something that I felt like gave me power my voice, 439 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:14,679 Speaker 3: Like nobody could take that right right, nobody could say, like, 440 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:19,560 Speaker 3: you know, she's you know, like I knew that my voice, 441 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 3: and it was where I didn't feel limited. It wasn't 442 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,720 Speaker 3: like I had to figure out the stairs and the 443 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,600 Speaker 3: lifts like when I sang. Like when I sang, I 444 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 3: was just like free yeah, and so you know, people 445 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:40,240 Speaker 3: were really afraid, and thank goodness, my parents were always 446 00:26:40,280 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 3: like we'll make it work, We'll make it happen, don't 447 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 3: worry about it. Like my dad, I remember him carrying 448 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:49,639 Speaker 3: me on to stages like in the performances wow, and 449 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 3: like wow. My mom would drive me into the city 450 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 3: and like sit there and rehur like I'd be in 451 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 3: I'd rehearse for things, and my mom would just like 452 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:01,679 Speaker 3: sit there and be there and make sure like if 453 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,879 Speaker 3: there was any sort of like accessibility issues, like she 454 00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 3: was right there. So they didn't have to like take 455 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 3: it on themselves. And I just felt like an enormous 456 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,200 Speaker 3: amount of support from the people I trusted the most, 457 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 3: which were my parents, and they were like, Alie, you 458 00:27:19,320 --> 00:27:24,800 Speaker 3: can do anything like if they and they really didn't 459 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:28,360 Speaker 3: want me to hear some of the stuff. But then 460 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 3: when I got to college, yeah, it got a little 461 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 3: more wild because they couldn't protect me. And I went 462 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 3: to Nyu Tish and Yu Tish had never had a 463 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 3: student like the drama department had never had a student 464 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:47,719 Speaker 3: in a chair, and so it was clumsy at the beginning, 465 00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 3: Like they sat me down and they were like, we 466 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 3: don't want you to take dance class, like we want 467 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:55,719 Speaker 3: you to sit on the side and take notes. And 468 00:27:56,359 --> 00:27:58,239 Speaker 3: you know, this was two thousand and five, It's not 469 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 3: like this was like right the seventy recently. And I 470 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:09,399 Speaker 3: remember like this thing clicking in of like these people 471 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 3: are terrified they trust me, and the thing I've always 472 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:19,120 Speaker 3: been good at my whole life is making people feel good. 473 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 3: So I was like, listen, let's just keep talking about this. 474 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 3: I really want to take dance class. I will sit 475 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:30,840 Speaker 3: on the side in the beginning, but like, let's revisit this, like, 476 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,600 Speaker 3: let's talk about this again, because like I think I 477 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 3: can do this. And it was the best lesson of 478 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 3: my four years at NYU because I learned that no 479 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:45,640 Speaker 3: one can do this for me. I'm going to have 480 00:28:45,720 --> 00:28:47,760 Speaker 3: to figure this out and I'm going to have to 481 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 3: get creative and for dance, like I had to learn 482 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:56,400 Speaker 3: how to translate on the spot for myself, like in 483 00:28:56,440 --> 00:29:00,080 Speaker 3: a chair, and I couldn't rely on anybody giving me 484 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 3: like ideas, and totally it was an opportunity to get 485 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:09,480 Speaker 3: really creative, and my desire to be a part of 486 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:14,560 Speaker 3: it was so strong that there was no part of 487 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 3: me that was going to give up or quit. And 488 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:22,120 Speaker 3: that's how I feel about my career, and like how 489 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:24,040 Speaker 3: I felt about being on Broadway. I was like, I 490 00:29:24,080 --> 00:29:26,240 Speaker 3: don't know when this is going to happen, but it's 491 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 3: gonna happen. Like even if I'm sixty years old and 492 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 3: I'm playing a grandma on stage, like I will be 493 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 3: on Broadway one day. 494 00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: Yeah. 495 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:38,960 Speaker 3: And I think that like people can feel that somewhere 496 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 3: that like, oh, she's not she's not going anywhere. Yeah, 497 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 3: And I just I was like, let's get creative. It's 498 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 3: what I've had to do my entire life, everything from 499 00:29:54,600 --> 00:30:00,840 Speaker 3: like gym class in kindergarten to like sleep overs and 500 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 3: like trips to the beach in fifth grade and like 501 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 3: high school, like getting cast in a show where there's 502 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:12,440 Speaker 3: a tap number, like let's go, Like I don't care 503 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:15,400 Speaker 3: if you guys don't have the answers. I don't, but 504 00:30:15,440 --> 00:30:17,320 Speaker 3: I was raised to just like make it up. 505 00:30:18,360 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 2: That's big. Anyway, everyone feels like they have to know 506 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,720 Speaker 2: what to do, Like it's okay to not know. It's 507 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 2: a collaboration and it's like your game, then figure it out. 508 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 3: But in college, you know, I remember we did these 509 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:36,320 Speaker 3: casting director workshops at the end of senior year, like 510 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 3: oh meat cat some drittors and I auditioned for this 511 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:42,080 Speaker 3: one and he's like, you know, this is going to 512 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:47,520 Speaker 3: be really difficult for you. And I remember leaving like 513 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:54,680 Speaker 3: being so fired up. Welcome to my life. Right, life 514 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:58,920 Speaker 3: is hard, right, I don't do easy like when you're 515 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 3: in a chair, Like you don't get weekends off. Right, 516 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:06,400 Speaker 3: this is my this is my every day. I don't 517 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:10,360 Speaker 3: know life without challenges. So like the industry, I was like. 518 00:31:11,040 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, this is hard for. 519 00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:21,120 Speaker 3: Exactly. And I also like wanted to like come in 520 00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 3: and like sing well and look good. Like I was 521 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:31,000 Speaker 3: super conscious that I wanted to be like competitive. I 522 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:33,480 Speaker 3: was like I have to be as good as everybody 523 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 3: else and then better in some way. 524 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:37,440 Speaker 1: Which you were and you are. 525 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:40,760 Speaker 2: Yeah that's what I wanted. 526 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:46,239 Speaker 3: I wanted that, and like I was super aware of 527 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:51,360 Speaker 3: what it was going to take. And and that's part 528 00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 3: of why I want to be on Glee because it 529 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:57,840 Speaker 3: was like this super like respected and like it was 530 00:31:57,880 --> 00:32:02,000 Speaker 3: the most famous show for you know, like it was 531 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 3: such a big deal and I was like, if I 532 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 3: can do that, it will give me some kind of reputation. 533 00:32:10,600 --> 00:32:15,800 Speaker 3: And Ryan Murphy trusts me maybe other and writers and 534 00:32:15,880 --> 00:32:18,960 Speaker 3: people will direct me or direct and want to want 535 00:32:19,040 --> 00:32:19,760 Speaker 3: to work with me. 536 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:20,640 Speaker 2: That's right. 537 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:24,120 Speaker 3: All I wanted. I didn't go after I never thought 538 00:32:24,120 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 3: I was going to win Tony Award. I just wanted 539 00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:29,440 Speaker 3: to be able to work in the highest level of 540 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:30,840 Speaker 3: our industry, right. 541 00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:37,200 Speaker 2: And the important thing is you have to to an 542 00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:41,840 Speaker 2: extent know that there is a possibility of it happening 543 00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:46,400 Speaker 2: seeing yourself in some way, and so Ryan having a 544 00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:49,360 Speaker 2: show that checked off a lot of boxers, for a 545 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:51,920 Speaker 2: lot of different groups that never seen each other, seeing 546 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:56,680 Speaker 2: themselves on network television then gives those people permission to 547 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:59,720 Speaker 2: be like, oh, I mean you're living proof of that, 548 00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:03,800 Speaker 2: of like, oh I can do this because that that 549 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 2: guy sees it, he sees me, and so nobody else does. 550 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:11,440 Speaker 2: Then you smart smart business lady. 551 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks, thank you. I just I've always loved it, 552 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:19,440 Speaker 3: So I just like, yeah, I needed it. 553 00:33:19,800 --> 00:33:30,080 Speaker 1: You have to. You have to love it. So you 554 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:33,280 Speaker 1: got on Glee, you got you, you did the three 555 00:33:33,360 --> 00:33:36,920 Speaker 1: year hard work manifestation, got on the show, and then 556 00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:39,640 Speaker 1: you said at the beginning of this that you thought 557 00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:41,600 Speaker 1: it was going to open all these doors, and it 558 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:43,280 Speaker 1: like kind of did in a lot of ways. But 559 00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:45,120 Speaker 1: then it also didn't so talk about that. 560 00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:50,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, I thought that like being on Glee was going 561 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:54,440 Speaker 3: to open up like more TV opportunitary, right, and that 562 00:33:54,600 --> 00:33:59,280 Speaker 3: like it would just get easier because it was really 563 00:33:59,320 --> 00:34:04,160 Speaker 3: hard to get an audition totally, and you know, there 564 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:08,840 Speaker 3: were very few people with disabilities working in the industry. 565 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:16,480 Speaker 2: Very yeah you could name them, yeah, yeah. 566 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:22,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, and like still and so I was like, this 567 00:34:22,280 --> 00:34:30,920 Speaker 3: is this is my like ticket And then when that 568 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:41,440 Speaker 3: didn't happen, I was like, Okay, I was doing like 569 00:34:41,640 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 3: all these other creative things, and the way that I 570 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:50,200 Speaker 3: live my life is like I really trust timing and 571 00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:57,279 Speaker 3: like the border of things. So I did Glee, and 572 00:34:57,360 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 3: I was in a relationship with Danny, and that was 573 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:03,600 Speaker 3: a very new experience and I had met them through 574 00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:07,279 Speaker 3: this experience and I was really trusting all of that. 575 00:35:08,440 --> 00:35:13,399 Speaker 3: And then I had moved back to LA again and 576 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:17,400 Speaker 3: was doing this non for profit call Be More Heroic, 577 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:20,359 Speaker 3: where we were touring around the country and doing these 578 00:35:20,440 --> 00:35:26,280 Speaker 3: anti bullying, pro love, pro compassion campaign shows at high schools, 579 00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:28,920 Speaker 3: and it felt like I was really like making a 580 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:31,960 Speaker 3: difference and like doing something positive with the thing that 581 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:37,640 Speaker 3: I love to do most and then I started working 582 00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:41,479 Speaker 3: with new agents and the first audition that they got 583 00:35:41,480 --> 00:35:44,800 Speaker 3: for me was this production of Spring Awakening with Deaf West, 584 00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:48,200 Speaker 3: and it felt like kind of perfectly on brand, like 585 00:35:48,239 --> 00:35:50,840 Speaker 3: it was a musical and it was with a company 586 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:53,279 Speaker 3: that worked with people with disabilities, and it was with 587 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:57,359 Speaker 3: Michael Arden, and I was like, this sounds cool. Let 588 00:35:57,400 --> 00:36:01,720 Speaker 3: me audition. And then when I auditioned and got called 589 00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:04,399 Speaker 3: back and had to learn sign language and sing at 590 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:09,080 Speaker 3: the same time, there was this moment where like I 591 00:36:09,120 --> 00:36:16,960 Speaker 3: felt so emotional, like I have to do this, like 592 00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:26,320 Speaker 3: expressing yourself on stage with sign language. It was something 593 00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:30,360 Speaker 3: I needed to do while I sang. It was like, oh, 594 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:32,480 Speaker 3: these are the ways I can express myself. 595 00:36:32,600 --> 00:36:32,920 Speaker 4: Wow. 596 00:36:34,520 --> 00:36:38,560 Speaker 3: And you know I have my hands, like I can't 597 00:36:38,600 --> 00:36:41,839 Speaker 3: take tap dance, but I can sign. Yeah. So when 598 00:36:41,880 --> 00:36:44,080 Speaker 3: I got involved with that project, I didn't think it 599 00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:46,000 Speaker 3: was going to be on Broadway, but it was something 600 00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:50,400 Speaker 3: that was so creatively fulfilling it didn't matter if it 601 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:54,799 Speaker 3: had that commercial, sparkly thing on it yet totally. In fact, 602 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:56,880 Speaker 3: I didn't know, you know, like I said, like I 603 00:36:56,880 --> 00:36:58,600 Speaker 3: didn't know if it was going to be that. 604 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:01,840 Speaker 1: I felt like I. 605 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:04,440 Speaker 3: Knew I had to do it, and the people involved 606 00:37:04,600 --> 00:37:07,520 Speaker 3: were like electric. Yeah, you know, I was meeting all 607 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:10,920 Speaker 3: these new people and like Austin Leading, it was like 608 00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:16,799 Speaker 3: super wild and he was just like just electric, you know. 609 00:37:17,080 --> 00:37:22,040 Speaker 3: And all of the deaf actors and actresses that I 610 00:37:22,080 --> 00:37:26,480 Speaker 3: was meeting, they were all so passionate and so good. 611 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:31,160 Speaker 3: And then like the people that Michael cast that we're 612 00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:35,960 Speaker 3: hearing were just so interesting and not like you're like 613 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:42,040 Speaker 3: typical commercial Broadway company. They were just like different. And 614 00:37:43,520 --> 00:37:48,399 Speaker 3: rehearsing that show and doing that show was like it 615 00:37:48,440 --> 00:37:51,400 Speaker 3: was heaven. It was just like the best thing I 616 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:53,960 Speaker 3: had ever done and to this day is still my 617 00:37:53,960 --> 00:37:55,040 Speaker 3: favorite show I've ever done. 618 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:58,680 Speaker 1: Oh wow, Oh yeah, I mean it's so special. 619 00:37:59,239 --> 00:38:01,200 Speaker 2: I feel like, talk to anybody who was a part 620 00:38:01,239 --> 00:38:03,280 Speaker 2: of that, and it's very similar Centers. 621 00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:08,839 Speaker 3: Yes, definitely, it's super something was happening. It's like there 622 00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:12,680 Speaker 3: was like a like a like a power thing that 623 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:16,400 Speaker 3: connected and you see so many of those people and 624 00:38:16,480 --> 00:38:17,399 Speaker 3: like what they're doing now. 625 00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:18,920 Speaker 2: It was like mm hm whoa. 626 00:38:19,320 --> 00:38:20,160 Speaker 1: Yeah for sure. 627 00:38:20,880 --> 00:38:24,600 Speaker 3: And the fact that we went to Broadway, and you know, 628 00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:30,719 Speaker 3: I remember getting this email that we were going to 629 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:32,920 Speaker 3: go to Broadway and I was in South Africa at 630 00:38:32,920 --> 00:38:37,800 Speaker 3: the time teaching, and I like saw the email and 631 00:38:37,840 --> 00:38:40,120 Speaker 3: I went into the office and I started sobbing, and 632 00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:41,799 Speaker 3: I was like, I'm going to be on Broadway, Like 633 00:38:41,840 --> 00:38:44,640 Speaker 3: my dream is coming through. I'm going to be on Broadway. 634 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:47,960 Speaker 3: And I like hugged my friend and I went back 635 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:50,120 Speaker 3: into the classroom and the kids were like, miss Ali, 636 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:53,239 Speaker 3: why are you crying? And I was like, like, my 637 00:38:53,400 --> 00:38:55,480 Speaker 3: dream is going to come true. I'm going to be 638 00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:58,160 Speaker 3: on Broadway. And they like raised their hand, They're like, 639 00:38:58,200 --> 00:38:59,520 Speaker 3: miss Ali, what's Broadway? 640 00:39:00,040 --> 00:39:00,640 Speaker 1: Oh my god? 641 00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:03,600 Speaker 3: And I was like, oh my god. 642 00:39:03,920 --> 00:39:09,359 Speaker 2: That's so like right, yeah, yeah, yeah. 643 00:39:09,080 --> 00:39:11,920 Speaker 3: So important to me, Like, but there's so many people 644 00:39:12,160 --> 00:39:15,920 Speaker 3: like that don't even know what this is. This is 645 00:39:16,239 --> 00:39:19,320 Speaker 3: my heaven, this is my magic, and it's so special 646 00:39:19,360 --> 00:39:23,120 Speaker 3: to share with them like what it was. And and 647 00:39:24,960 --> 00:39:28,759 Speaker 3: you know, I think that I I do like I 648 00:39:28,840 --> 00:39:32,000 Speaker 3: carry like this little piece of Mike Lee experience into 649 00:39:32,080 --> 00:39:37,440 Speaker 3: every single thing that I do, and that is this 650 00:39:37,640 --> 00:39:43,480 Speaker 3: like importance of like being you and like being yourself 651 00:39:44,080 --> 00:39:46,560 Speaker 3: because it was the first time that I felt like 652 00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:50,080 Speaker 3: being in a chair and being different was an advantage. 653 00:39:52,080 --> 00:39:55,439 Speaker 3: And I carry that into every single thing that I do. 654 00:39:55,719 --> 00:40:00,040 Speaker 3: That it's not something that takes it doesn't take anything 655 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:03,280 Speaker 3: away from me. It enhances me, it makes me better. 656 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:09,840 Speaker 3: And that I think is exactly what the show's message was, 657 00:40:11,239 --> 00:40:16,439 Speaker 3: or at least what I took from it and what 658 00:40:16,520 --> 00:40:20,640 Speaker 3: you guys brought to it, that like, you don't need 659 00:40:20,680 --> 00:40:26,160 Speaker 3: to be anyone but yourself and that is enough, and 660 00:40:26,239 --> 00:40:35,600 Speaker 3: that is that is important for a character, for your work, 661 00:40:36,239 --> 00:40:45,239 Speaker 3: for your everything, Like like Kevin, your character, like was 662 00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:52,520 Speaker 3: a moment of like, oh, like Artie is like someone 663 00:40:52,719 --> 00:40:57,439 Speaker 3: that people want to know about and someone can care 664 00:40:57,520 --> 00:41:01,400 Speaker 3: about and someone that someone could un love with. Like 665 00:41:02,320 --> 00:41:08,040 Speaker 3: that was so important to me. And you know, when 666 00:41:08,040 --> 00:41:09,600 Speaker 3: I found out you were in a chair, like there 667 00:41:09,640 --> 00:41:11,640 Speaker 3: was a part of me that was devastated because I 668 00:41:11,680 --> 00:41:21,840 Speaker 3: was so scared that that we weren't ready to see 669 00:41:22,160 --> 00:41:29,319 Speaker 3: disability as it is in real life, that like my 670 00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:37,959 Speaker 3: body wouldn't be enough or like digestible for mass audiences. 671 00:41:39,400 --> 00:41:42,840 Speaker 3: And there was this narrative in my head that disability 672 00:41:44,120 --> 00:41:46,960 Speaker 3: like it has to be like diet disability or like 673 00:41:47,239 --> 00:41:53,560 Speaker 3: light disability, disability totally. And I was so scared, like 674 00:41:54,560 --> 00:42:01,640 Speaker 3: would they cast me on the show? And everywhere I went, 675 00:42:01,800 --> 00:42:04,880 Speaker 3: you guys, people were like you could be on Glee, 676 00:42:04,880 --> 00:42:10,840 Speaker 3: you could be Artie's girlfriend. I know, I know. I 677 00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:16,680 Speaker 3: don't tell me about it, I know. But the confidence 678 00:42:16,840 --> 00:42:19,200 Speaker 3: that I took from not just being on the show 679 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:25,960 Speaker 3: but being a fan of the show has affected my 680 00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:29,759 Speaker 3: life in every possible way, everything from being on Broadway, 681 00:42:30,520 --> 00:42:35,520 Speaker 3: everything from having relationships and getting married and having a child. 682 00:42:35,960 --> 00:42:42,000 Speaker 3: Like Glee was such a huge deal for me. 683 00:42:42,440 --> 00:42:49,480 Speaker 1: Wow, Wow, it was so important wild It's really crazy. 684 00:42:49,760 --> 00:42:52,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I feel like this has been the gospel according 685 00:42:52,120 --> 00:42:52,479 Speaker 2: to Ali. 686 00:42:52,760 --> 00:43:03,799 Speaker 7: Yeah, great, it was like spiritual connection, well for. 687 00:43:03,800 --> 00:43:06,720 Speaker 1: Somebody else who I don't think a lot of people 688 00:43:06,840 --> 00:43:09,560 Speaker 1: know this that you. You saw it and were like 689 00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:13,120 Speaker 1: that's that could be mine, you know, and you took 690 00:43:13,160 --> 00:43:15,200 Speaker 1: ownership and you were like I'm just gonna go get. 691 00:43:15,040 --> 00:43:18,880 Speaker 2: It well and to be the person who's actually in 692 00:43:18,920 --> 00:43:22,080 Speaker 2: a chair and to actually be the real and go. 693 00:43:22,040 --> 00:43:24,640 Speaker 1: Through all the journey of the insecurity of it all, 694 00:43:24,719 --> 00:43:26,640 Speaker 1: like would they cast me? Would I can I be 695 00:43:26,719 --> 00:43:30,000 Speaker 1: a part of it? Even seeing somebody in a chair 696 00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:35,160 Speaker 1: on TV like that, So then getting there and being 697 00:43:35,280 --> 00:43:37,360 Speaker 1: like such an integral part, like you were one hundred 698 00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:40,440 Speaker 1: and ten percent, like we said, like you took no 699 00:43:40,520 --> 00:43:43,960 Speaker 1: prisoners on your on the episode, and I'm like, I 700 00:43:43,960 --> 00:43:45,640 Speaker 1: wish there was more. I wish you got to spend 701 00:43:45,640 --> 00:43:46,880 Speaker 1: we got to spend more time with you, and I 702 00:43:46,920 --> 00:43:49,319 Speaker 1: wish you had to be on the show more. But 703 00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:53,560 Speaker 1: just that episode was such an impactful part of your journey. 704 00:43:54,160 --> 00:43:55,360 Speaker 1: It was it was every you know. 705 00:43:56,560 --> 00:44:00,520 Speaker 3: Also, I remember am the Glee Project thanking Ryan. So 706 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:03,080 Speaker 3: something that I was aware of was that there was 707 00:44:03,120 --> 00:44:05,200 Speaker 3: and Kevin, you obviously were aware of this too, like 708 00:44:05,239 --> 00:44:10,480 Speaker 3: that the disabled community was upset obviously, Like I felt 709 00:44:10,480 --> 00:44:13,120 Speaker 3: something when I found out that already you know, Kevin 710 00:44:13,160 --> 00:44:16,880 Speaker 3: that you ablebodied, but I understandable. It's like but I 711 00:44:16,960 --> 00:44:19,880 Speaker 3: said to Ryan, I was like, I have to thank 712 00:44:19,920 --> 00:44:26,360 Speaker 3: you for writing this character, because this character has changed 713 00:44:26,360 --> 00:44:31,080 Speaker 3: my life and it will change the business. And it 714 00:44:31,160 --> 00:44:36,319 Speaker 3: did in so many ways, Like there are there is 715 00:44:36,400 --> 00:44:40,719 Speaker 3: more and more disabled representation on television and across the 716 00:44:40,760 --> 00:44:44,600 Speaker 3: board in film and TV and on stage every single year, 717 00:44:46,040 --> 00:44:52,799 Speaker 3: and like that character is so important to people, and 718 00:44:52,920 --> 00:44:57,080 Speaker 3: you are, Kevin, like you did that with Grace. You 719 00:44:57,120 --> 00:44:58,040 Speaker 3: did that with Grace. 720 00:44:58,360 --> 00:45:02,640 Speaker 2: Yes, well, I felt for all of those reasons, very 721 00:45:05,640 --> 00:45:08,960 Speaker 2: I felt an enormous sense of responsibility obviously, like this 722 00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:12,319 Speaker 2: is not my group, Like, I can't be like I'm 723 00:45:12,320 --> 00:45:15,480 Speaker 2: the spokesperson now because that is a living experience that 724 00:45:15,560 --> 00:45:21,359 Speaker 2: I have not had. And so and like when the episode, 725 00:45:22,120 --> 00:45:24,600 Speaker 2: the first episode of Jenna and I had that was 726 00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:28,160 Speaker 2: like both of our biggest storylines at that point. Because 727 00:45:28,160 --> 00:45:30,120 Speaker 2: of that episode, we started going to all these events 728 00:45:30,200 --> 00:45:33,480 Speaker 2: and I started meeting and obviously that week that was 729 00:45:33,480 --> 00:45:35,400 Speaker 2: the first time there was sort of negative press about 730 00:45:35,800 --> 00:45:39,239 Speaker 2: already being played by me, which I completely understood, but 731 00:45:39,239 --> 00:45:42,480 Speaker 2: I was like, I don't know what to do about this. Yeah, 732 00:45:42,719 --> 00:45:45,520 Speaker 2: I don't know. Like it also wasn't the first time 733 00:45:45,800 --> 00:45:49,440 Speaker 2: me or my friends had auditioned for characters and chairs 734 00:45:49,719 --> 00:45:53,520 Speaker 2: like that was something like and we were very ignorant 735 00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:56,359 Speaker 2: and naive about it because we had no idea and 736 00:45:57,280 --> 00:46:00,800 Speaker 2: I just reet. I remember one night meeting a group 737 00:46:00,800 --> 00:46:06,839 Speaker 2: of parents who told me about their little kids who 738 00:46:06,880 --> 00:46:11,480 Speaker 2: were in chairs watching the show and then becoming obsessed 739 00:46:12,040 --> 00:46:18,080 Speaker 2: with Artie, and I was like, Okay, I was like, 740 00:46:18,120 --> 00:46:24,520 Speaker 2: this isn't perfect, but it's doing what I think, you know, 741 00:46:24,600 --> 00:46:26,920 Speaker 2: Ryan Brad and Ian wanted it to do, in the 742 00:46:26,960 --> 00:46:31,040 Speaker 2: sense that kids are seeing themselves and it's not necessarily 743 00:46:31,440 --> 00:46:36,239 Speaker 2: obviously about who's playing it At this moment, it's just 744 00:46:36,320 --> 00:46:42,200 Speaker 2: about Artie and seeing this kid on TV that looks like. 745 00:46:42,160 --> 00:46:46,360 Speaker 3: Them and like dances and sings. 746 00:46:46,440 --> 00:46:47,200 Speaker 2: Yeah. 747 00:46:47,320 --> 00:46:49,600 Speaker 3: That was huge for me too, because I was like 748 00:46:50,080 --> 00:46:51,160 Speaker 3: he's dancing, like. 749 00:46:51,120 --> 00:46:55,080 Speaker 8: He's like everybody else, right, and like it looks good, 750 00:46:56,520 --> 00:47:02,000 Speaker 8: not awkward, it looks awesome, and like, no, you did 751 00:47:02,160 --> 00:47:02,960 Speaker 8: such a great job. 752 00:47:03,280 --> 00:47:06,440 Speaker 2: That was also the first say rehearsals acts, like, so 753 00:47:08,480 --> 00:47:12,640 Speaker 2: you figure out what you can do? I'm like, you did. 754 00:47:12,320 --> 00:47:15,120 Speaker 9: I mean to figure it out, yeah, which was a challenge, 755 00:47:15,480 --> 00:47:19,920 Speaker 9: but like, yeah, but I think you know, you just 756 00:47:21,000 --> 00:47:24,480 Speaker 9: figure it out. Yeah, it is that hard to figure 757 00:47:24,480 --> 00:47:28,239 Speaker 9: out in terms of like hearing you talk about going to. 758 00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:31,040 Speaker 2: Tish and then you can't take dance class. It seems 759 00:47:31,200 --> 00:47:34,759 Speaker 2: crazy because it's like you can like what are you 760 00:47:34,840 --> 00:47:38,640 Speaker 2: talking about? How can I not be part of dance class? 761 00:47:38,640 --> 00:47:39,720 Speaker 2: Of course I can still dance. 762 00:47:40,360 --> 00:47:43,359 Speaker 3: Yeah, And that's always been so important to me, Like 763 00:47:44,320 --> 00:47:49,279 Speaker 3: getting the opportunity to physically express myself. Yeah, because I 764 00:47:49,320 --> 00:47:51,920 Speaker 3: have a lot to express and physically I just have 765 00:47:52,000 --> 00:47:55,960 Speaker 3: a different vocabulary than you. Right, It's like allowing somebody 766 00:47:56,000 --> 00:47:58,200 Speaker 3: it's like telling somebody they can't speak if they don't 767 00:47:58,239 --> 00:48:03,040 Speaker 3: speak your language. Right, wait a minute. Everyone deserves the 768 00:48:03,160 --> 00:48:07,759 Speaker 3: chance to express themselves. And I just was excited, you know. 769 00:48:07,840 --> 00:48:10,160 Speaker 3: I was excited to like figure it out and find 770 00:48:10,200 --> 00:48:10,600 Speaker 3: a way. 771 00:48:11,080 --> 00:48:14,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, and because it's obviously very doable and it's like. 772 00:48:15,320 --> 00:48:21,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, well that's their issue, not yours, you know, yeah. 773 00:48:20,400 --> 00:48:24,600 Speaker 3: Right, exactly exactly, And I really did. I'm jumping around 774 00:48:24,600 --> 00:48:29,920 Speaker 3: a little bit. But when I got the episode of 775 00:48:30,280 --> 00:48:35,400 Speaker 3: I Do I read it, I was so nervous about 776 00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:39,759 Speaker 3: like this sort of storyline about like you know, like 777 00:48:40,040 --> 00:48:44,080 Speaker 3: Betty and Already like go into a hotel room together. 778 00:48:45,000 --> 00:48:50,680 Speaker 3: And I was like, Okay, what are they trying to say, Like, oh, 779 00:48:50,760 --> 00:48:52,880 Speaker 3: they're going to go like sleep with each other. And 780 00:48:52,920 --> 00:48:56,720 Speaker 3: then like that is loaded, which is like they weren't 781 00:48:56,760 --> 00:49:01,000 Speaker 3: gonna unpack that on the show, right, But anybody who's 782 00:49:01,040 --> 00:49:06,440 Speaker 3: in a chair knows that, right, And I thought it 783 00:49:06,480 --> 00:49:09,400 Speaker 3: was like very tasteful that we're just like in bed together. 784 00:49:10,440 --> 00:49:12,359 Speaker 3: But like there was a part of me that was 785 00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:17,400 Speaker 3: like for a teenager in a chair, like there's so 786 00:49:17,719 --> 00:49:21,839 Speaker 3: much there, so much there. 787 00:49:22,239 --> 00:49:30,520 Speaker 10: Yeah, So I was like, okay, like are we to 788 00:49:30,760 --> 00:49:32,600 Speaker 10: We're not going to talk about it because like the 789 00:49:33,080 --> 00:49:36,360 Speaker 10: theater where like we had to like spend a week from. 790 00:49:36,360 --> 00:49:39,799 Speaker 2: This scene, right, I would have been nice though, oh 791 00:49:39,840 --> 00:49:40,239 Speaker 2: for sure. 792 00:49:41,160 --> 00:49:47,880 Speaker 3: But I did appreciate the show always went there. Yeah, 793 00:49:48,000 --> 00:49:53,520 Speaker 3: Like they didn't pull back, and I appreciated that. Yeah, 794 00:49:53,800 --> 00:49:56,440 Speaker 3: And I appreciated that they just created the representation that 795 00:49:56,480 --> 00:49:59,759 Speaker 3: these two people in a wheelchair, like are gonna go 796 00:49:59,840 --> 00:50:02,799 Speaker 3: in to this hotel room and like whether they had 797 00:50:02,880 --> 00:50:05,319 Speaker 3: sex or they like hooked up or whatever it was, 798 00:50:06,440 --> 00:50:08,080 Speaker 3: we're just gonna put it on TV. 799 00:50:08,280 --> 00:50:12,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, they're just horning them, Yeah exactly. 800 00:50:12,400 --> 00:50:15,600 Speaker 3: But there is there was a part of me afterwards 801 00:50:15,600 --> 00:50:19,680 Speaker 3: that was like, I feel like people in chairs deserve 802 00:50:19,800 --> 00:50:23,240 Speaker 3: to like have like, you know a little bit more 803 00:50:23,440 --> 00:50:27,839 Speaker 3: of like an unpacking of what that is. Yeah, because 804 00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:30,080 Speaker 3: they was also like at a time like I was 805 00:50:30,120 --> 00:50:34,640 Speaker 3: in you know, like in my twenties, and like there 806 00:50:34,719 --> 00:50:38,920 Speaker 3: was a lot that I felt about disability and sexuality 807 00:50:39,760 --> 00:50:43,759 Speaker 3: and what that meant for me and what assumptions I 808 00:50:43,840 --> 00:50:49,360 Speaker 3: was constantly being fed and asked about, like can you 809 00:50:49,440 --> 00:50:53,160 Speaker 3: have sex? Like how does that work? And like getting 810 00:50:53,200 --> 00:50:57,400 Speaker 3: so hurt a few years earlier by like guys that 811 00:50:57,400 --> 00:50:59,000 Speaker 3: I would go out on dates with that were just 812 00:50:59,080 --> 00:51:02,279 Speaker 3: like curious, like they weren't like actually interested in me, 813 00:51:02,440 --> 00:51:04,520 Speaker 3: but just like kind of curious about like sleeping with 814 00:51:04,600 --> 00:51:10,319 Speaker 3: a girl in a wheelchair, and right, always curiosity, and 815 00:51:10,400 --> 00:51:11,640 Speaker 3: so there was a part of me that was like 816 00:51:11,640 --> 00:51:13,800 Speaker 3: I wish they like had gone a little bit further 817 00:51:13,920 --> 00:51:18,640 Speaker 3: with that. Yeah, but right, it was cool to be 818 00:51:19,280 --> 00:51:20,960 Speaker 3: like in an episode and it's like, oh, you get 819 00:51:20,960 --> 00:51:23,719 Speaker 3: to sleep with one of them, Like that's kind of 820 00:51:23,719 --> 00:51:29,200 Speaker 3: a cool like just diving right in and like that 821 00:51:29,200 --> 00:51:34,040 Speaker 3: that can exist. Yeah, Again, like the representation was like, yeah, 822 00:51:34,520 --> 00:51:35,040 Speaker 3: let's do this. 823 00:51:35,239 --> 00:51:38,319 Speaker 2: It also felt like to me that it was very 824 00:51:38,320 --> 00:51:43,840 Speaker 2: important for your character to have this power or like 825 00:51:43,880 --> 00:51:46,360 Speaker 2: you talk about you had that session with the casting 826 00:51:46,360 --> 00:51:48,040 Speaker 2: director where like this is going to be hard for 827 00:51:48,080 --> 00:51:52,960 Speaker 2: you where you're sort of being talked down to and 828 00:51:53,000 --> 00:51:56,840 Speaker 2: like pitied. But I always felt like Ryan always wrote 829 00:51:58,320 --> 00:52:01,680 Speaker 2: all these characters to like no, no, no, I have the power. 830 00:52:02,760 --> 00:52:05,400 Speaker 2: I'm going to do what I want to do, you know, 831 00:52:05,560 --> 00:52:07,400 Speaker 2: And it felt like you showed up on that episode 832 00:52:07,800 --> 00:52:10,600 Speaker 2: and every single moment you were on screen, you're like, no, no, 833 00:52:11,360 --> 00:52:15,279 Speaker 2: I'm doing whatever I want. Yeah, and nothing is going 834 00:52:15,320 --> 00:52:15,920 Speaker 2: to affect that. 835 00:52:16,480 --> 00:52:17,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. 836 00:52:17,400 --> 00:52:21,160 Speaker 3: And like the fact that she was a cheerleader, Yes, 837 00:52:21,520 --> 00:52:25,319 Speaker 3: like I liked that. I liked that she could do 838 00:52:25,320 --> 00:52:28,319 Speaker 3: this cheerleader because like in the world of Glee, like 839 00:52:28,360 --> 00:52:32,480 Speaker 3: that was power. Yeah, right right with insecurities. 840 00:52:42,760 --> 00:52:45,240 Speaker 1: We always ask people at the end who are involved 841 00:52:45,239 --> 00:52:49,200 Speaker 1: in the show, what is the feeling that Glee leaves 842 00:52:49,239 --> 00:52:49,520 Speaker 1: you with? 843 00:52:50,600 --> 00:52:58,200 Speaker 3: Oh, great question. I think Lee changed the world. To 844 00:52:58,320 --> 00:53:05,920 Speaker 3: be a part of that feels really special. I was 845 00:53:05,960 --> 00:53:08,760 Speaker 3: a fan of the show before I was on the show, 846 00:53:09,960 --> 00:53:16,040 Speaker 3: and it changed me. It changed my life. The opportunity, 847 00:53:16,080 --> 00:53:19,680 Speaker 3: but the storylines and the representation like changed my life. 848 00:53:20,960 --> 00:53:27,040 Speaker 3: So the feeling is that Glee had this unbelievable impact 849 00:53:27,160 --> 00:53:32,719 Speaker 3: on me, and it makes me smile because for me, 850 00:53:33,120 --> 00:53:37,279 Speaker 3: like musical theater is my favorite genre and so they 851 00:53:37,280 --> 00:53:41,960 Speaker 3: get to watch that like on TV with people that 852 00:53:42,520 --> 00:53:52,080 Speaker 3: I identified with. Was it was just it shook my 853 00:53:52,200 --> 00:53:57,359 Speaker 3: world and it changed everything and it really really catapulted 854 00:53:57,440 --> 00:54:00,600 Speaker 3: my career. I think in so many ways. So grateful. 855 00:54:00,760 --> 00:54:05,640 Speaker 3: I mean that's sort of like, you know, not that interesting, 856 00:54:05,840 --> 00:54:10,319 Speaker 3: but it's very interesting, but also just like emotional too 857 00:54:10,600 --> 00:54:15,840 Speaker 3: that so many things happened for me around the show, 858 00:54:15,920 --> 00:54:20,480 Speaker 3: whether it was the Glee project, like different kinds of 859 00:54:20,560 --> 00:54:24,080 Speaker 3: relationships that I had, getting to be on the show, 860 00:54:24,560 --> 00:54:29,120 Speaker 3: meeting and getting to know you guys, and then having 861 00:54:29,480 --> 00:54:37,720 Speaker 3: many of you as friends. It really was just such 862 00:54:37,760 --> 00:54:40,920 Speaker 3: a highlight of my life in my career. 863 00:54:41,200 --> 00:54:44,320 Speaker 2: Well, the feeling is very mutual. We like to claim 864 00:54:44,360 --> 00:54:47,960 Speaker 2: you as much as possible on that Tony stage. Mike, 865 00:54:48,040 --> 00:54:50,040 Speaker 2: that's the first Glee Acting Tony Award. 866 00:54:51,320 --> 00:54:56,200 Speaker 4: That's right, right, Thank you guys, Thank you so so much. 867 00:54:56,400 --> 00:54:57,960 Speaker 3: I'm so happy you do this. 868 00:54:58,640 --> 00:55:01,360 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, but but it's what's so nice that people 869 00:55:01,960 --> 00:55:05,239 Speaker 2: like you come on and like open yourselves up and 870 00:55:05,280 --> 00:55:09,560 Speaker 2: share all these experiences, and it's so nice to hear 871 00:55:09,680 --> 00:55:13,040 Speaker 2: because as you experience on that set, when you're in it, 872 00:55:13,160 --> 00:55:16,880 Speaker 2: you're just like, I'm just tired. You're not necessarily getting 873 00:55:16,960 --> 00:55:20,200 Speaker 2: to soak up every moment maybe like you should. And 874 00:55:21,160 --> 00:55:26,600 Speaker 2: it's unbelievable, and I think we're so grateful that we 875 00:55:26,640 --> 00:55:30,360 Speaker 2: get to hear everybody else's perspectives of this and to 876 00:55:30,440 --> 00:55:32,800 Speaker 2: know what it meant to you means a lot to us. 877 00:55:32,880 --> 00:55:35,880 Speaker 2: And I think people listening will enjoy it because it 878 00:55:35,920 --> 00:55:38,840 Speaker 2: means a lot to them. And just thank you for 879 00:55:38,880 --> 00:55:41,560 Speaker 2: taking the time to come on and share that and 880 00:55:41,800 --> 00:55:44,560 Speaker 2: just you're love you so much. I feel like we're 881 00:55:44,560 --> 00:55:46,280 Speaker 2: all like attached for life. 882 00:55:47,520 --> 00:55:49,920 Speaker 3: Yeah. I love you, guys. I'd love to do something 883 00:55:49,960 --> 00:55:53,600 Speaker 3: again with you and do it if you're ever like 884 00:55:54,080 --> 00:55:57,000 Speaker 3: making stuff and the same for me, Like you know, 885 00:55:57,400 --> 00:56:02,720 Speaker 3: it's so fun to like know you and to figure 886 00:56:02,719 --> 00:56:06,800 Speaker 3: out ways that we can create something else together. Yes, yes, 887 00:56:06,960 --> 00:56:09,360 Speaker 3: so more, let's just say more. 888 00:56:09,800 --> 00:56:12,120 Speaker 2: I also love all the ways in which we're connected. 889 00:56:12,120 --> 00:56:14,880 Speaker 2: There's spring awakening and then there's Austin and it's just 890 00:56:15,000 --> 00:56:18,759 Speaker 2: we're all, yes, intertwined. 891 00:56:18,840 --> 00:56:20,879 Speaker 3: And Jenna, we're doing this mom thing. 892 00:56:21,440 --> 00:56:22,120 Speaker 1: We're doing it. 893 00:56:22,200 --> 00:56:24,560 Speaker 2: We're in the mom cloud, crushing it. And there's two 894 00:56:24,600 --> 00:56:28,239 Speaker 2: people I would trust with raising children. It would be 895 00:56:28,400 --> 00:56:31,600 Speaker 2: you two like you to have all the kids. 896 00:56:31,920 --> 00:56:36,480 Speaker 6: Thank you very very much, thank you, congrats Sally, congrats. 897 00:56:36,680 --> 00:56:37,960 Speaker 3: I really appreciate you, guys. 898 00:56:38,520 --> 00:56:39,040 Speaker 1: I love you. 899 00:56:39,880 --> 00:56:41,359 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for coming on here. 900 00:56:41,680 --> 00:56:43,920 Speaker 3: Thank you to you soon. 901 00:56:44,520 --> 00:56:49,480 Speaker 6: Yes please, thanks Sally, have a great day, guys, Thank 902 00:56:49,480 --> 00:56:50,120 Speaker 6: you too. 903 00:56:50,440 --> 00:56:55,080 Speaker 2: Bye bye. Thanks for listening and follow us on Instagram 904 00:56:55,280 --> 00:56:57,680 Speaker 2: at and that's what you really miss pod. Make sure 905 00:56:57,680 --> 00:56:59,800 Speaker 2: to write us a review and leave us five stars. 906 00:57:00,040 --> 00:57:00,680 Speaker 2: See you next time.