Talking About Journeys

Two podcasts and a speech that provide insight into our family's world

After a very slow start to 2024, the past several weeks have been jam packed with various work assignments, so much so that I haven’t written or posted much here.

That’s not changing much between now and the end of June, and the result is a backlog of topics on a diverse set of things that will have to wait for another day. But for those who like to listen rather than read, I have two podcasts and a speech that talk about our family’s journeys in one manner or another.

Ben and Bobby Steggert at The Kennedy Center in April 2009 (left) and following Ben’s Broadway debut in “Ragtime” in November of that year. Ron Bohmer, who played Father in the show, is behind them.

The Quiet Part Out Loud

In November 2009, almost 15 years ago, our son Ben made his Broadway debut in “Ragtime.” The revival started its journey to New York with a spring run at the Kennedy Center, where he was cast as the understudy to Little Boy.

Ben, then 11, quickly bonded with the adult cast members in the show, and greatly admired Bobby Steggert, who would receive a Tony nomination for his performance as Younger Brother.

Bobby, then 27, also grew up in the D.C. area, working as a child actor before moving to New York. He left acting in 2016 and now works as a psychotherapist serving the LGBTQ+ and creative arts communities.

Earlier this month, Ben appeared on Bobby’s “The Quiet Part Out Loud” podcast. The two talk about their time together during “Ragtime,” then get into deeper topics around the theme of “Expectations.” During the conversation, Ben discusses a number of topics that I’ve touched on — from a parent’s perspective — in the Stage Dad essays.

Among them:

• The challenges of being a working actor as a child.

• Coming back to Virginia after “Billy Elliot.”

• His “need” and “drive”  to pursue the national tour of “Newsies.”

• Working on the “West Side Story” film (a great experience), and the Broadway revival (not a great experience).

• Leaving dance after his injury during the revival and returning to it with “Illinoise.”

It is a lovely full-circle conversation.

Here’s another conversation, this one with iHeartRadio Broadway:

Makin’ It Happen

Last month, I was interviewed by Leesa Csolak for a two-part podcast, “Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts.” The discussion centered around parenting two children who’ve become professional performers, as well as many of the lessons we learned while raising Ben. The second part delves more deeply into the work of Ben and Emma as adults.

Leesa has two sons, Kevin and Kurt, whose journeys have some similarities to ours and we met when Kevin was in the ensemble of “Mean Girls” with Ben. (The two also appeared together in the “West Side Story” film and revival.)  Interestingly, Ben, Kevin, and Kurt are all working on Broadway now. Kevin recently joined the cast of “The Outsiders” and Kurt is in “The Great Gatsby.”

I greatly enjoyed the time with Leesa, a longtime talent manager and choreographer who also operated a performing arts studio in Clinton, N.J. for 36 years. In addition to the podcast, she also offers online courses for parents who are interested in their child pursuing acting and commercial careers.

Talking to Graduates

This past weekend, my wife Jill was the School of Education commencement speaker for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university, so the invitation was a terrific honor and opportunity to give back to her beloved Carolina.

Her four takeaways to the graduates, who received their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees during the ceremony:

• When times are tough, don’t succumb to your fears. Opportunities for professional growth and advancement present themselves at the most unusual times. A conversation at a random Wendy’s could change the course of your career. 

• Learn something new at every opportunity. Add each of those skills to your ever-expanding toolbox.

• Have the heart that it takes to show kindness, compassion, determination, and empathy to your students.

• Seek opportunities to collaborate and learn from others who can mentor you. Then, pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself later in your career.

If you’d like to stream the entire speech, go to the 48:45 mark of this YouTube link. With the introduction, it runs about 20 minutes.

I hope you enjoy listening and/or watching.