‘School, Stage & Screen’ Podcast on Entertainment Industry Launches April 5

A new podcast created by University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) alumni takes listeners inside the entertainment industry with stories and advice from Broadway performers, television actors, movie producers, make-up artists and more. The first episode of the 11-part series launches on April 5; listen to the trailer and future episodes online.

“School, Stage & Screen” is an exciting new podcast that focuses on success stories and fantastic failures from the entertainment industry. Separated by two decades of life experience, producer Brian J. Leitten (BFA E-Media, ’02) and Broadway performer Dylan Mulvaney (BFA Musical Theatre, ’19) delve into the differences between college and the real world with other CCM alumni like Diana Maria Riva (actor from Netflix’s Dead To Me), Andrea Stilgenbauer (producer of Kidding and The Affair on Showtime) and Brian Newman (Jazz Musician and Bandleader/Arranger for Lady Gaga's Vegas Residency “Jazz & Piano Show”).

A mixture of Jimmy Fallon meets TED Talks, the podcast is an exploration of transformative moments that will enlighten current students and graduates who dream of using their creativity to jump start their career.

“I think it's important to show the next generation of filmmakers, actors and performers that the people they look up to got their start somewhere,” Leitten says. “Through this podcast we have the opportunity to inform current students and recent college grads about the highs and lows of the entertainment business and share the wisdom our guests have accumulated, so that they can be informed on typical mistakes and encouraging successes as they begin their careers.”

The episode schedule for “School, Stage & Screen” is below, including more information on this season’s guests.

The podcast will be available wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, TuneIn, Stitcher and the CCM website.

Follow “School, Stage & Screen” for episode details, updates and more: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.

School, Stage & Screen Episodes

• Ep. 1: Brian J. Leitten (BFA E-Media, ’02) and Dylan Mulvaney (BFA Musical Theatre, ’19), Podcast Co-hosts | April 5
• Ep. 2: Andrew Chappelle (BFA Musical Theatre, ’09) and Raven Thomas (BFA Musical Theatre, ’16), Cast members of Hamilton on Broadway | April 12
• Ep. 3: Diana-Maria Riva (BFA Drama, ’91, MFA Theatre Performance, ’95), Star of Netflix’s Dead to Me | April 19
• Ep. 4: Nicole Callender (MFA Theatre Performance, ’92), Actress, Stuntwoman and Intimacy Coordinator for Power Book II: Ghost on Starz | April 26
• Ep. 5: Brad Look (MFA Make-Up & Wig Design, ’88), Emmy-award winning special effects and make-up artist | May 3
• Ep. 6: Jordan Glickson (BFA E-Media, ‘02), Vice President of Music and Talent at Vevo | May 10
• Ep. 7: Stanley E. Romanstein (MM Choral Conducting, ’80; PhD Musicology, ’90), Dean of CCM | May 17
• Ep. 8: Randa Minkarah (BM Broadcasting, ’82), Co-Founder of Resonance AI | May 24
• Ep. 9: TBA | May 31
• Ep. 10: Andrea Stilgenbauer (BFA E-Media, 02), Producer of Californication, Kidding and The Affair on Showtime | June 7
• Ep. 11: Brian Newman (Jazz Studies, att. ’99-’03), Jazz Musician and Bandleader/Arranger for Lady Gaga's Vegas Residency “Jazz & Piano Show” | June 14 

About the Creative Team

Brian J. Leitten is an Emmy award-winning director and producer specializing in music and documentary film. His production company, Hyperion XIII, has spent the last decade at the forefront of filming expedition races and wilderness content.  In 2012 Brian became the Director of Production at Vevo, developing new programs for artists to showcase their personalities. Prior to Vevo he produced and directed MTV’s “Made”, which gave high school students the opportunity to realize their dreams through hard work, dedication and a lot of dancing.

In 2012, Brian founded the Emmy-nominated Production Master Class at the University of Cincinnati and has been teaching documentary studies to the next generation of storytellers. In 2014 the PMC took home the top honors at the Broadcast Education Association Awards and received an Emmy nomination in June 2015. In 2017, their documentary film, Expedition Alaska, won Best Northwest Feature at the Spokane International Film Festival and the President’s Award at the DocUtah International Documentary Film Festival. For his dedication to the ever-changing classroom experience, Brian received the prestigious “Outstanding Young Alumni Award” from the University of Cincinnati in 2014 and the “Outstanding Alumni Award” from the Electronic Media Division in 2019.

Dylan Mulvaney (they/them) is a non-binary actor and content creator living in Southern California. After graduating in 2019 from the BFA Musical Theatre program at CCM, they joined The Book of Mormon National Tour playing Elder White for 9 months, until COVID-19 struck. Other theatre credits: The Old Globe, Cygnet Theatre, Joe’s Pub, Moonlight Stage, and Diversionary Theatre, where they won the Stage Scene LA award for Best Actor in BARE: a Pop Opera. They have spent the past 8 years leading the musical Living Over the Rainbow in various workshops including NYC, LA, and Dallas, with hopes to play the show to an audience in late 2021. In pandemic times, Dylan joined tik tok and has had multiple viral videos, soon to hit 50 million views. They are currently writing, producing, and developing their own content in Los Angeles. They hope to spread joy and some laughter in 2021 and beyond.

Robin Hopkins is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and podcast host. Her acting and writing credits include Boardwalk Empire, Louie, Hindsight, Mi America, VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live and Divas, MTV’s Teen Mom Reunion Special and O Music Awards. Robin was the Executive Producer for the Amy Schumer podcast: 3 Girls, 1 Keith, and is currently the co-host of the popular People’s Choice award-winning podcast If These Ovaries Could Talk where she chats weekly with LGBTQ families, highlighting, normalizing, and lifting them up for all the world to see. She is also the co-author of the book "If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We've Learned About Making an LGBTQ Family." Learn more at ovariestalk.com and robinhopkins.org

Blake Hawk is a screenwriter and editor, having worked since 2017 as a writer and script consultant for companies such as Boulderlight Pictures, Utopia and independent producers and directors. Blake first worked as the Lead Editor for SpinMedia, overseeing their collective brands including Vibe Magazine, Spin Magazine, Pure Volume, Celebuzz, and more. Going freelance in 2014, Blake has worked on projects for Nike, Pepsi, JCPenney, Beats by Dre, IvyPark/Parkwood Entertainment, Spotify, Dr. Oz, TVG Network, Fullscreen, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Interscope Records, as well as an award-winning campaign for Herbal Essences. 

About Hyperion XIII Productions

Hyperion XIII is an award-winning television and film production company. Hyperion tells compelling stories focused on the outdoors, sports, music education and documentaries. The company has worked with MTV, Vevo, Facebook, Fox Sports Network, Outside Television, beIN Sports, Dr. Oz, Morgan Stanley, McDonald's and Clean & Clear. 

Learn more at https://www.hyperion13.com/.

About the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music