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[0:00] Robert Peterpaul: Hello, beautiful people. Welcome to The Art of Kindness, where we have compassionate conversations with artists from all areas of the entertainment industry who are using their voice to spread joy and make this big spinning planet in the universe a better place to be. I'm Robert Peterpaul, and I'm so glad you're here.

[0:30] Robert Peterpaul: Hi, everyone. This is Robert Peterpaul from The Art of Kindness podcast live from the Jimmy Awards, the National Musical Theater High School Awards. Fun fact, in high school, I played J. Pierpont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I will now sing to you. No, I won't. But stay tuned, because we're going to bring you all the interviews from this exciting night.

[1:00] Corbin Bleu: Hi, everybody. This is Corbin Bleu. I am hosting tonight's 2023 Jimmy Awards. Let's see. High school, I played Ren in Footloose. Oh, man. My freshman year in high school. Tell me about that. That was a crazy time. I remember for the auditions, they had us write down the character that we wanted to play most of all, and then write down a second character. I just wrote Ren for both of them.

[1:30] Corbin Bleu: And you got it. I got it. I auditioned with "Magic to Do." Oh, my gosh. Well, you've got magic to do tonight, my friend. You are hosting the Jimmy Awards, which is so incredible. As kind of this high school musical icon, I'm wondering, what does it mean for you to now usher in this new generation of high school musical talent? When I did High School Musical, I was in high school myself, and I think about how important theater is to me and the arts is to me today as a person. And had I not been introduced to it at such an early age, and had the teachers around me that continued to nurture it, and had all of my mentors and encouragement, I don't think I'd feel as fulfilled as I do today.

[2:23] Corbin Bleu: So I think that's really what's so important today is we are acknowledging and celebrating everything that these students are doing and telling them, hey, keep on doing it. And even if you don't walk home tonight as a finalist or a semifinalist, you made it here. And it is all about getting a chance to go up there, be on a Broadway stage, have fun, enjoy, and don't stop.

[2:45] Corbin Bleu: If you make it here, you can make it anywhere. Do you remember your first time ever stepping on a Broadway stage?

[2:49] Corbin Bleu: Yes, I remember stepping on a Broadway stage. My first time ever on a Broadway theater, I saw Phantom of the Opera when I was five years old.

[2:59] Robert Peterpaul: Music of the night.

[3:00] Corbin Bleu: Music of the night.

[3:01] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah.

[3:02] Corbin Bleu: That's amazing. And now you're here. These kids are so lucky to have someone to look up to like you.

[3:06] Corbin Bleu: I'm lucky to be here.

[3:08] Robert Peterpaul: What is your advice overall for these kids hoping to aspire or follow this career in the arts?

[3:13] Corbin Bleu: Of course, we all know it's a tough business. There's rejection. There's no's. If you love doing it, do it for the love of it. It can be difficult when you start to look at it as work. And yes, the work is important. The training is important. The preparation is important. Determination, focus, all of those things, all of those hard things.

[3:40] Corbin Bleu: But the second you forget the fun and the love, that's when the performance just goes to all hell. Because if you're up there having a good time, we're having a good time. Even if you hit a wrong note, if you mess up a step, if you're up there smiling and you're having a blast, we're out there too. As long as you remember that the audience doesn't want to go see a bad show. No one is rooting for you to fail. Everyone wants you to succeed. And it's the same with auditions too. Everybody behind the table wants you to succeed. So remember that.

[4:01] Robert Peterpaul: I want to let you go succeed and host this show with the most. You're going to have a great time. I would just love if you could end our time together by sharing a tangible kindness tip that you think listeners could incorporate into their day to make the world a better place.

[4:12] Corbin Bleu: Of course, it's always the golden rule. You treat others as you would have them treat you. But I think one thing as an act of kindness is always not to assume what anyone else might be going through. And I feel like sometimes, especially in the theater, we're always performing. We're always in front of people and we always have to have this smile on our face. And sometimes there are things that people are going through personally.

[4:42] Corbin Bleu: So if you can always just sort of allow that grace to know that someone else might be going through something else, no matter what, if you just approach with kindness and gentleness, you might not even realize how big of a difference you could be making in that person's life in that moment.

[4:56] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. And assuming the best intentions, you know. Well, thank you so much. I know that was a random question, but it was great to meet you and break a leg tonight.

[5:03] Corbin Bleu: Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

[5:04] Ivana Lozada: Oh, my God. I'm freaking out. There's so many amazing people here tonight. My name is Ivana Lozada. I'm in Hadestown right now. And the role that I was playing when I did the Jimmy Awards was Ariel in Footloose.

[5:12] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, we had a Ren here tonight, too. Corbin Bleu.

[5:14] Ivana Lozada: Are you serious?

[5:15] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah.

[5:16] Ivana Lozada: Wait, Corbin Bleu's here?

[5:17] Robert Peterpaul: He's the host.

[5:18] Ivana Lozada: Period. Oh, my God. That's right. High school musical icon. Come on. So now that you're a Broadway star that everyone just loves and is killing it in Hadestown, what is your advice for these kids with that perspective, having been in their shoes, you know, going forward, I guess, for following their dreams?

[5:36] Ivana Lozada: I would say the least you can compare yourself to others is probably the best route for yourself. Remember that art is a part of life. That's going to be a constant. So make sure that you're taking care of your body and your brain and your heart and literally your organs. Your life is so precious and we can do so much. You are limitless. There is nothing that you can't do. So don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[5:56] Robert Peterpaul: I love that so much. Everybody listen to that again. Come on. Now, my podcast is The Art of Kindness, so I would love to know if you have a tangible kindness tip that you would love for listeners to take away and incorporate into their day that you think could make the world a little better.

[6:12] Ivana Lozada: Wonderful. I would say I've grown. I think everyone can track their growth over the years and at least if you're wanting to be a more conscious person and feel lighter as a person. So I would say staying away from gossip. We don't need to say anything bad about other people. We don't need to jump on the bandwagon of if there's a rumor about someone or bad things because what does that do for you? And you never know what someone's going through. So I would say respect yourself by not involving yourself in anything that doesn't actually serve you in your life.

[6:42] Robert Peterpaul: I love that so much. And I'm going to let you go, but I just would love to know how you kind to yourself backstage before your performance when you're waiting in the wings.

[6:50] Ivana Lozada: Just be candy, whatever.

[6:52] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, I wish. I wish. I would say just like taking a little bit of time after the show for me to like really get back into my body. I think the hardest part of me when I started my career was like not wanting to take the character home with me because I loved it so much. So it's really good to create a healthy boundary between yourself and the character so that you really leave your character at work so that work, there's a goal there. You know, you're not feeling emotionally drained by your character and there's a disconnect there, which is good.

[7:22] Robert Peterpaul: You know, that's important. You're so smart. I can listen to you talk all day. Do you want a podcast?

[7:27] Ivana Lozada: Honestly, I started one in the pandemic and then I was like, this is too much work.

[7:30] Robert Peterpaul: Oh my gosh, Broadway Podcast Network, we got you.

[7:32] Ivana Lozada: I got worried that I'd get canceled by like something weird that I would say.

[7:35] Robert Peterpaul: No, I get that all the time, but I'm just weird. So whatever. I love the kindness thing. I think that's so important to just like keep talking about.

[7:42] Ivana Lozada: Oh, thank you. Yeah. We're really lucky to have some great guests like you. Please do tune in. It was great to meet you.

[7:48] Elijah Johnson: Hi, my name is Elijah Johnson. I play MJ at MJ the Musical currently. And my favorite high school musical theater experience is kind of weird. So it's a little bit younger than high school, but my first introduction in entertainment, I was young Simba in The Lion King in Vegas. So that's how I got. So being also at the Minskoff right now. Oh my gosh. It's like a full circle moment, which is pretty crazy.

[8:14] Elijah Johnson: And yeah, but just that that was my first experience. It's an entertainment in the theater in that entire world. And so now being older, being an adult, going back to the theater and Broadway, it's kind of like a full circle moment. It really just makes me so thankful and reminds me how much I love live performance because, you know, and acting in TV is super rewarding in a different way. But there's nothing like being able to perform in front of an audience, get their laughter, get their, you know, their feeling, their vibe, being there in the theater and just, you know, yeah, just the medium of theater is just so rewarding and so using your imagination. It's very just I don't know, it makes me feel really warm inside.

[8:57] Elijah Johnson: And so to be here celebrating that with Jimmy's and it's really I love that, you know, thinking of the kids that are backstage right now getting ready to go with your wonderful experience and being a Broadway star. Now, what is your advice for these kids and just dreamers in general, hoping to follow their passion for the arts?

[9:13] Elijah Johnson: Stay open and stay flexible. The entertainment career path is winding. It is long and it looks different on everybody. And I think for me, my career, just being able to stay open and be able to pivot and to just stay focused has been the biggest thing. I think that's the best advice I can give anyone who's younger, older, anyone who wants to do this. It's the advice I would give to myself, my younger self.

[9:36] Robert Peterpaul: I love that so much. Thank you. I'm like stretching. I'm like, be flexible, be flexible. Thank you so much.

[9:41] Mackenzie Kurtz: Hi, my name is Mackenzie Kurtz. I'm currently playing Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. And one of my favorite high school memories, musical memories, I think, was playing Mary Poppins and flying across the stage.

[9:54] Robert Peterpaul: Do you only fly exclusively in shows?

[9:56] Mackenzie Kurtz: I guess so. You're so right. It's my favorite mode of transportation.

[10:00] Robert Peterpaul: Thank goodness. You heard it here first. So I know you've been nominated for the Jimmys in the past. As someone who was nominated, what's your perspective going into tonight with these kids?

[10:12] Mackenzie Kurtz: I mean, I guess what's your advice for them overall? Advice is just to have fun. I mean, I was nominated in 2013 and 2015. And both times I remember being very nervous, but super excited to be here. And I really made so many friends that I'm with here today, which is even crazier 10 years later. So my advice would be make those friends and keep in touch with them. Hold on to that, because these are the people you're going to be seeing on Broadway probably three years from now or however many years when they graduate. It's crazy.

[10:46] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah. It's a lovely community. My podcast with the network is The Art of Kindness. So I would love to know, Glinda or Glinda, whatever you prefer tonight. What is a tangible kindness tip you have for folks out there listening that you think could just make the world a better place if they did it every day?

[11:04] Mackenzie Kurtz: This is so cliche, but I was just talking about this with my mom recently. It's just treat others how you want to be treated, especially in professional settings. Everyone, cast, crew, people front of house, everyone. It's just so important. You never know what kind of day someone's having. And I think if you just treat others the way you want to be treated day to day, it's like you can't go wrong with that.

[11:30] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. Thank you so much for talking with me. It was great to meet you.

[11:34] Mackenzie Kurtz: Of course. So nice meeting you, too.

[11:36] Andrew Barth Feldman: I'm Andrew Barth Feldman, and I have to say, I guess we're here. My favorite role was Frank Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, which is that is the reason that I was ever here in the first place.

[11:48] Robert Peterpaul: OK, so think of that perspective being here now. What is your advice for these kids now that you sort of live this life of a Broadway and movie star, by the way?

[11:56] Andrew Barth Feldman: No hard feelings about that.

[11:58] Robert Peterpaul: Hey, please watch No Hard Feelings is my first piece of advice to these kids when they're 18. And then also that the stakes are never going to be lower ever again. And the worst thing they could do in this moment is not enjoy and take in all that this opportunity has to offer.

[12:20] Andrew Barth Feldman: I mean, I know it changed my life and set me on the path that I've been on and gave me the confidence to pursue that. But it was also just so joyful and emotional and overwhelming. It was one of the most beautiful, memorable nights of my life. So I'm so glad that this batch of nominees has the chance to have that night too.

[12:40] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. That's so beautiful. My podcast is The Art of Kindness with The Network, and we just had Laura on talking about No Hard Feelings.

[12:48] Andrew Barth Feldman: I love her.

[12:49] Robert Peterpaul: She loves you, too. I would love to know for you, what is a tangible kindness tip that you think listeners can take and incorporate into their day to just bit by bit make the world better?

[13:00] Andrew Barth Feldman: I know it's coming out of left field tonight.

[13:02] Andrew Barth Feldman: No, no, no. I mean, the first thing you have to do is be kind to yourself. You have the opportunity and, in fact, sort of the responsibility to be your own best friend. And you can't be anyone else's friend, really, if you don't have that kindness toward yourself. And that's kindness. That's listening to yourself and giving yourself what you need the same way you would a best friend. That is crucial, crucial, crucial.

[13:30] Robert Peterpaul: And it's the thing I'm really focusing on at this point in my life in terms of.

[13:34] Andrew Barth Feldman: I know it's a work in progress, but what would you say are the ways you do that for yourself when you're on set for a long day or backstage?

[13:40] Andrew Barth Feldman: Oh, yeah. I meditate. I journal. I focus on just the parts of my brain that I don't want to listen to, that I want to leave there. And we all have those parts. And I just give myself some words of kindness, especially like what you said on a long day of shooting or being on set. It's like, hey, today might not go well. My worth is not defined by this. And I am going to do my best.

[14:02] Andrew Barth Feldman: Yeah. And that's another piece of advice I want to give to these nominees is that you might not win. In fact, I can tell you with almost entire certainty that you will not win.

[14:10] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah.

[14:11] Andrew Barth Feldman: But you're going to do your best. And that needs to be celebrated. That is a remarkable and beautiful thing.

[14:20] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, I love it. I've got goosebumps. That's so sweet. And then just before I let you go, after they come down from this high, I mean, I'm sure you've experienced them. You're probably still on one right now for No Hard Feelings, which I think you're like kind of channeling tonight.

[14:30] Andrew Barth Feldman: I feel that.

[14:31] Robert Peterpaul: Yes. What's your advice for kind of like sitting in that lull after you're just alone and you've been through this whirlwind?

[14:38] Andrew Barth Feldman: Yeah. Again, I really do think it's like I think the thing lately has been like, oh, I've always been this person. I have always had this body of consciousness that has wanted this thing that I have right now so desperately. So what a gift it is to be alone with myself sometimes in that and to be like, wow, this is real. It doesn't just exist in the context of other people and the context of people seeing this movie. This is something that I've wanted for so much of my life that especially when I'm alone, I get the chance to integrate and observe all of that. So that's a real gift.

[14:27] Justin David Sullivan: I love to know if you have any tangible kindness tips or advice for other producers or just theater makers out there on how they can kind of keep making the industry a more positive and wonderful place. You know, I think that we have some amazing careers in our field that most people don't know about. And I think as an industry, we should put more effort behind making people aware of the incredible careers on Broadway. But beyond that, we're such a small industry, and it's so important to be supportive of each other, right? It's been an interesting number of years, last season was very interesting. I'm one of the producers of Chicago and going on its 27th anniversary, but pre-COVID, everything was predictable.

Post-COVID, nothing's predictable. But you know what? You go with the flow and you talk to your industry friends and when we look at a night like tonight, where everyone comes together to be supportive, it's just so special. I love that. Well, they're so lucky to have you. Thank you for that beautiful, specific advice. That was seriously great. You know, it was so different. I appreciate you. It was great to meet you.

[15:40] Justin David Sullivan: Hi, everyone. My name is Justin David Sullivan. I use the pronouns he, she, and they. My favorite high school experience was probably going to our theater competition, it was called Fullerton Theater Festival, where all of the high schools in the district would go and present their 10-minute musical cuts. It was just so magical to be around so many other high school-aged theater kids. We would take a school bus there and we would get to skip school for a couple days. I think, looking back, those are the memories that are the fondest in my heart, for sure. I love it. FTF for life. Come on. Bring it in. Yes! FTF! Exactly. Now you're killing it in Ann Juliet, which was honestly the best thing I saw this season. I mean, so many wonderful things, but I just had the best time at that show, and you're so incredible in it. Being this Broadway star now with this high school theater kid still living inside you.

[16:30] Justin David Sullivan: Very much so. What is your advice for these kids here tonight, even beyond tonight, on following their dreams? Absolutely. I would say the biggest, if I could go back in time and give myself advice when I was in high school, it would be that your journey is so unique and so specific to you. You cannot compare. There's no right way. There's no formula to getting on Broadway. I didn't go to school for theater. I studied communications in college, and all my other friends were getting their BFAs from these incredible programs, and I was like, man, I'm so behind, there's no way I'm ever going to make it. So I would say just trust the process and know that every single person's journey is completely unique. And I know that's true for me, so yeah, I would just say just work really hard and don't give up.

[17:24] Justin David Sullivan: I love that. Because if you compare, you wind up in despair. Exactly. Period. I want to let you go, but I would love to know, since we are the Art of Kindness podcast, do you have a tangible kindness tip you can offer listeners that they can incorporate into their day and bit by bit make the world a better place? Oh, tangible kindness tip. I would say, you know, I saw a TikTok once that was like, if you think of a compliment in your head, you know, to give to a stranger, just give it to them, because that could probably be the highlight of their week. And especially in New York City, you know, there's all sorts of people that you walk by on the street every day. So I would say, yeah, spread love, spread joy, spread kindness, because the world needs more of it. And you can never have too much.

[18:30] Justin David Sullivan: It's true. It's what the world needs now. It's such a treat. Even at Trader Joe's, when you're checking out, be like, I love your eyes. Literally. Sometimes I can take it too far. I'm like, I love you! People are like, ah! I'm in love with you. I am in love with you. Which we are. Thank you so much. It was so great to meet you. Thank you. So nice to meet you too. Have fun tonight. Thanks, you too.

[19:21] Jennifer: Hi, my name is Jennifer and I'm an independent casting director here in New York City. And I cast for Broadway and Off-Broadway and theaters all over the country. And the Jimmys are probably my favorite time of year and one of my favorite things to do. And you asked me about a favorite high school memory. And I went to music and art here in the city when it was up in Harlem. Now it's called LaGuardia. But I think one of my favorite things, believe it or not, was walking through Convent Park every day. We had to walk up 135 steps with my flute to get to school. And then my conducting class was at the top of the building in the tower and it was another six floors up and doing that. And why you asked was that a favorite memory of mine.

Because along the way, my friends and I would catch up on gossip, we'd catch up on things we were doing. And in the school, they had all these beautiful murals that the artists painted. So on the way up, we'd always see all these extraordinary murals in school.

[20:14] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. I think we just came up with your podcast, Step by Step with Stephanie.

[20:16] Jennifer: Step by Step. Oh, I like that. Actually, I'm a co-host of a podcast called Someone's Thunder with wonderful actress Angela Pierce.

[20:21] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, I love that. Well, tell us at the Broadway Podcast Network. We're here for you.

[20:24] Jennifer: Oh, good. We'd love to have you on.

[20:26] Robert Peterpaul: I would love that. Well, when we're here tonight with these wonderful young artists, I would just love to know as a judge for you, what advice do you hope that they take away from tonight? You know, being dreamers and then leaving this magical event, there might be a lull. You know, what would you say to them?

[20:40] Jennifer: Lead with your heart and don't ever forget why you love doing what you do. This is a very strange profession because it doesn't, as you said, Robert, it doesn't happen immediately and it doesn't all happen at once. And you have to nurture and grow and continue education and continue to pursue your love of different things. And that's what feeds you as an artist.

[21:02] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. Well, since we're the Art of Kindness, I'm going to let you go, but I would just love to know for you, that's not why I'm going to let you go, but I'm going to let you go. I promise. Peace. Well, I just know from my fellow actor friends. I think I've been in maybe for your team. You have such a beautiful reputation of just really treating people with kindness and making everybody feel safe in the audition room, which is not an easy task. And I really do hear that from so many people. Do you have any advice on tangible kindness tips that you would love for other people in the arts to incorporate into their daily life?

[21:31] Jennifer: That's an incredible question. I love that question and it's something, but I guess part of it is that kindness should not be something that we have to think about. Kindness should be something that inherently comes because we want to make connections with people and make people feel as good as we want to feel. And I think that what we all do, not only as artists, but in life is very difficult if you don't lead with your heart. As I said in my earlier thing, I just think that we're all moving so quickly right now that it's important to take a beat and take a step and really take in the person that you're relating to and not just be looking down at your device all the time. So events like this, it can be really hard because you're like, what's going on? We have so many people. So that was a great reminder for me and hopefully everybody at home as well. It was so lovely to meet you. Can I give you a hug? Yes, please. Thank you so much. Have the best time tonight.

[22:21] Garrett Hoy: Hi, my name is Garrett Hoy. I'm from Palm Springs, California, and my favorite high school memory experience was getting to play Fabrizio Light in the Piazza, which is what took me to the Jimmy Awards back in 2018. But yeah. Have you seen the current production at the city center? I ended up unfortunately missing it because it ended yesterday, but I'm heartbroken, but I can't wait for the slime tutorials on YouTube later.

[22:41] Robert Peterpaul: Oh yeah, for sure. Don't tell them.

[22:43] Garrett Hoy: The slime. Slime is just slime. It's just making goo. So what does it mean for you to be here tonight, you know, with that perspective? I mean, honestly, for me, it's about supporting the contestants from my hometown is the biggest thing, especially because I grew up in a spot in Palm Springs, California, like a lot of the local people don't necessarily have the economic means to get out here or to do things like without some other kind of sponsorship. And when I came, my teammate, like the female companion on that trip, it was her first time on a plane. First time ever in New York. And just getting to like see her face and like how magical the whole experience was was like, I was like, this is what the Jimmy's is about.

[23:19] Robert Peterpaul: But yeah. I love that. Well, now, do you see any ways that you think theater can be more accessible for people?

[23:25] Garrett Hoy: I think there's a lot of companies and organizations making movements to try and do that. Absolutely. I mean, pay your people. You know what I mean? I think in terms of like getting everything accessible behind the table and behind like the scenes for actors and everything, I think that's a big conversation to have. I think also ticket prices and ways so that people from disenfranchised and marginalized communities can see what is usually inaccessible to them. It would be just amazing.

[23:50] Robert Peterpaul: And lastly, I want you to go have fun, but I would love to know what your advice is for these kids beyond tonight.

[23:55] Garrett Hoy: Just take a deep breath and really savor your memories here and use that forward. If you continue to work in this industry or not, you're going to learn so many life lessons on this trip and it's things that you're going to take with you for the rest of your life.

[24:08] Robert Peterpaul: But yeah. I love that. Everybody at home, take a deep breath. Thank you so much.

[24:12] Felix Torres-Ponce: Hello, my name is Felix Torres-Ponce. I was a 2017 Jimmy Award nominee and I'm currently working in Sweeney Todd. So what did you get nominated for with the Jimmy's? What role was it? Yeah, I was playing the Beast at the time. Such a fun role that I would never play outside of high school, but it was incredible and I loved it and I was nominated for the Beast. That's tough with high school. There's that website that's like weird Beast Tumblr. I don't know if you've seen it. I hope you're not on it. If you went to the Jimmy's, you're probably not. Yeah. I feel like there's always a Beast in the Jimmy's though. I love like seeing like the reoccurring roles and I feel like the Beast is like a staple Jimmy's character.

[25:40] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, for sure. So I'm hoping I see one tonight.

[25:42] Felix Torres-Ponce: I hope so. Well, what does it mean to you to be here with that perspective coming from being a nominee? Yeah. I mean, it's kind of full circle and it's really cool to like think back to what my experience was and how I felt doing this and then now that, you know, I'm fortunate enough to be working on Broadway and can come back and support these students. It feels like a really cool thing and I'm just happy to be here.

[26:07] Robert Peterpaul: Well, I mean, not only working on Broadway, you're in like one of the biggest blockbusters, not only this season, but in the past couple of seasons with Sweeney Todd, which I told you I saw and I loved every second. What have you learned, I guess, from working with these luminaries like Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban?

[26:22] Felix Torres-Ponce: I mean, watching them do their thing has been a masterclass and more. I mean, since we were in the rehearsal room, it was just so cool to see them work through things, figure things out and just the whole process was so eye-opening to me and I'm still learning things, you know, every night. And so just the most wild and fruitful experience.

[26:42] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah. Well, with that in mind and just overall your experience, what's your advice for these kids tonight and I guess just dreamers in general on following their passion?

[26:51] Felix Torres-Ponce: Yeah, I think first and foremost, put yourself out there. I wasn't the most familiar with Sweeney before the show and I didn't think I was the type of person who would be in Sweeney and yet sometimes you're perfect for something. And with that, also just be open to learning and open to like what comes your way. Sometimes it's an easy thing to like look too ahead and too forward into things and too deeply into things and sometimes you just got to like be really present and open. And I think that's my advice.

[27:22] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, that's such beautiful advice. Being in Sweeney, are you just walking around your house like the choreo and the movement is so amazing?

[27:27] Felix Torres-Ponce: Yeah, I by no means would call myself a dancer, maybe like a movement, but like Stephen Hoggett and the way he does his choreo makes you feel like such a dancer inside. Like it's incredible. And yeah, so I'm at home doing it all the time.

[27:42] Robert Peterpaul: Well, I'm going to let you dance on through, but it was great to meet you and thanks for stopping.

[27:45] Felix Torres-Ponce: Thank you so much.

[27:47] Morgan Higgins: Hi, my name is Morgan Higgins. My favorite memory is probably when I did Little Women just because I love Jo and I don't know. She's just such a heroine and like it's really like such a feminist, like great story. And I just had such an amazing time doing it. I was young, but like it was just a great like role and some amazing songs, Astonishing and you know.

[28:05] Robert Peterpaul: That is iconic. Who doesn't love Astonishing?

[28:08] Morgan Higgins: Nobody. And if they don't, they can go home. Bye. But we're not going home tonight. We're here. We're going to have a good time at the Jimmy Awards. What are you most excited about for being here?

[28:17] Morgan Higgins: I have not been back since I was a finalist in 2015. And I am just so excited to see like how the program has grown and like see what the kids do this year. I mean, I've heard every year it's like better and better and it's just gotten bigger and like more awesome. And so I'm just excited to see the talent and like cheer them on.

[28:35] Robert Peterpaul: So with the perspective you have, I would love to know what's your advice for these kids right now and also beyond this, because I'm sure there's such a high and then there's probably a low and you're like, what am I doing?

[28:42] Morgan Higgins: Yeah. So I started the Jimmy's in 2015 and I went to school after that. And I think something that I would recommend to everyone is like really work hard because like as you get older, it does like it does get harder just because like there's a lot of distractions. And I think if you just make it a daily practice, whether it's like stretching or warming up or like some sort of routine that keeps you like creatively inspired, I think that's really important.

[28:59] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. And that's the perfect segue to my next question, which is to know if you have a tangible kindness tip, something you think people should do every day to make the world a little brighter. It could be in the arts or just in general.

[29:07] Morgan Higgins: I think it's important that we all like listen to each other and, and understand that like everyone's coming from a different place, like in their life and to have patience. Because I think today it's like really easy to want instantaneous gratification or just like have a very strong opinion about something. And I think it's important that we do listen and like we respect each other.