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[0:00] Martín Acuña: Hi, everyone. I am Martín Acuña, and you are listening to Backstage Talk.

[0:18] Martín Acuña: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Backstage Talk. Today's guest, I am thrilled to introduce you to Katherine Olsen. Kathy is the founder of Encompass Arts. She is also a performer. She has a Bachelor of Music and a Master's Degree in Piano Performance. She worked with several opera companies throughout the United States and Europe, and right now she is working as an Artist Manager at her company, Encompass Arts. There, they strive to be a platform for artists to showcase their talents and connect with the entities in need of professional performer arts talent. They represent artists on Broadway, on film, the stage, and operatic talent. Kathy, thank you so much. I am honored. Welcome to Backstage Talk.

[1:13] Kathy Olsen: Thank you so much for having me. My goodness, I'm almost exhausted listening to you read my resume. It's so funny. I'm going, oh, I'm so tired. Now I think I need a nap before all that. Anyway, thank you so much for having me. We were just chatting, Martín, about how COVID has kind of united the world. It's made us all one kind of big family in live stage because everybody was dark. Every single entity all over the world hasn't been performing, and now we're all back to work, which is so great. The only companies that did not close down, at least in the United States, were film and television. They took your temperature every 15 seconds and made sure people were vaccinated, and they kept going.

We had one network show that we booked a couple of artists on that had to delay. They didn't close down, but one of the crew actually had tested positively, so they did shut down for, I don't know, 10 days. Then they were back to work, but everything in film, TV, and the movies went on as planned, which is so great. Our poor Broadway artists and our tour artists and all those people are just 20 months of doing nothing. It's been challenging, but it's great to be here today, and it's great to talk to you from across the world. Yes, thank you so much. Kathy, my first question for you would be, what made you choose the thespian path in life?

[2:43] Kathy Olsen: Well, I always played the piano. I come from a family of pianists. My grandmother played the piano. All my sisters. My sister's a jazz pianist. She's a great pianist. We always played. It's like some families sing, our families play the piano. I did that from a little child. I always played the piano. I learned to sight read pretty well, so I started playing for singers. That was so much fun because singers love to talk and eat and laugh. They're just very oral, fun people. I've loved working with singers, and that was my introduction into performing arts was playing for opera, playing for... I played voice lessons at Juilliard School when I was young. Just playing and making music with people was so fun. I'm a people person. I like to laugh and talk and eat and enjoy life. That career made me happy, and I did that for many, many years. I only became an artist manager in 2006, so I haven't been doing this all that many years, actually.

[3:52] Martín Acuña: Yet, you have represented a lot of big names on Broadway, on film, on TV, and that is amazing. Tell me a little bit about this journey in the industry from being a pianist, being a performer, then going through coaching, and finally landing in artist management.

[4:13] Kathy Olsen: Sure. Yeah, great. I was playing the piano for a summer program, and one of the artists in that program, I told him, I think you should go here. I think you should do this. He said, well, why don't you just manage me? I thought, hmm, I've always kind of done that. You have a crossroads in your life. You go, I could go here or I could go there. I thought, well, I've always kind of managed people because I recommended them for jobs and this and that. I took him on, and it sounds like a fairytale story, but he got a call from Martin Scorsese. Our office got a call. Would you come in for this new show on HBO called Boardwalk Empire? Well, he went in, and his wife is a lawyer. She's an attorney. As I'm a musician brain, she's very much the other world.

You understand what that is. She went to the audition with him, and she was convinced that the person that went in before him got the job because they're both sitting in the office. The guy that auditions before our artist is in there for 45 minutes, and it's very quiet. She thinks, well, that's it. They're signing the contract. My artist is this crazy, flamboyant guy. He goes in for Martin Scorsese, and the first thing he does is do an imitation of Martin Scorsese. They're laughing so loudly and screaming and telling jokes. His wife could hear this. She's convinced that he's not going to get the job. He leaves the audition. They call us, and they say, Wednesday night, we'll let you know. Like every old person in the world, I'm watching the evening news at 6:30 that night.

They called us, and they said, well, Anthony has booked Eddie Kessler on Boardwalk Empire. That was life-changing for me with film and television because then we had somebody in a series regular and an HBO show. I got to meet all these great people, Steve Buscemi and James Gandolfini and all these great people that were involved in HBO and that process. Once you have an end with one casting group, it leads to another. You know this, Martín, very well. Even at your young, tender age, it's about relationships, the whole business. Now I know you. So it's all about relationships and being good to each other. He was my first real client, and that kind of evolved from that. The musical theater people just came to us because my daughter and I did Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème on Broadway together.

We knew a lot of people in the Baz-scape, in the Baz world. I like to say we are Baz-dest because we worshipped him and he's such a genius. We love Baz Luhrmann. I'm so thrilled that Moulin Rouge! is on Broadway again. They came back, so that's great news. That's kind of how we did the Broadway aspect of it. Classical music has always been my life. That's where I started. I knew lots of opera people, so we've always had that side of our business. I love it.

[7:25] Martín Acuña: What was your first experience with Broadway shows besides this Baz Luhrmann show?

[7:29] Kathy Olsen: That was the first one I was involved with because he did La Bohème on Broadway. That really was in my wheelhouse. I knew La Bohème. I knew the language. I knew who could sing it, who couldn't sing it. You asked me about how Broadway shows cast. It's interesting because somebody has to sing and act. They bring you in 12 times. First, you do a screening audition for usually a very young person, like an intern, and they go, yes, no, yes, no. Then you come back and probably do another audition for an intern, maybe a different intern. Then finally, when you've come in so many times, you think, oh, I don't know why I'm doing this again. You get to come in for the full creative team. That's magic words.

I, as an artist manager, always say, okay, you have to show up because it's the full creative. You always want to appear when you get that call. Then you go in and everyone's there, the music person. In our case, Baz Luhrmann was there for the final audition. He played the scenes with people, and he talked to them and tried to see what the chemistry was. Basically, four of us cast that La Bohème on Broadway. We were the two music people, the conductor and I, Constantin Kitsopoulos. Baz and his assistant did the dramatic part. We came up with some pretty fantastic people. Alfie Boe, who's a British pop star, was one of our tenors. David Miller, who's in Il Divo, was another one of our tenors.

Jesús García is on my roster. I still represent him all these many years later. He was our third tenor. We came up with some pretty talented people for that show. I've always been up with Broadway. My uncle is John Cullum, and he's a two-time Tony Award winner. I've always loved all the shows he did, Shenandoah, On the 20th Century, all the big shows. I'm a club member of Broadway. I'm so thrilled that they're all back to work. It's exciting for us.

[9:42] Martín Acuña: I love it. I love it. All the stories, the memories. You mentioned my next question. What's the casting process for a Broadway show from day one?

[9:55] Kathy Olsen: Well, you know what? You go through a lot. My associate, who also happens to be my daughter, actually submits all day. We call her the Submitter-in-Chief. She submits all the artists through two different platforms. One is called Casted Talent, and the other is called Breakdowns, which is Actors Access. Basically, she reads, okay, we're looking for a very good-looking guy from Bogotá, Colombia, with blue hair. Oh, we have someone. You know what I mean? That's how specific they can be. We put in our selects, and our casting directors look at them and go, oh, I think he's interesting. I think he's right. Now, we're in the advent of Zoom. Everybody has Zoomed everything. You better have a great lighting setup in your apartment or in your house because Zooming is going to be with us for a while.

In New York City, you go in an office, and it's a teeny apartment. You're cramped, and you're sitting there with nine or ten people who look exactly like you. You're nervous and everything, and maybe you don't do your best. When they ask you to tape your audition, you can do it at your leisure. If you're singing, you can get a drink of water, and you can be more comfortable. That's the great part of all this Zoom stuff. A casting person can watch these on their smartphone. Excuse my barking dog. This proves we're live. My dog is singing to us. I love it. That's the process, basically. Eventually, you do get to go in for someone live. Our artists that are on Broadway now, everybody's coming back with such a grateful attitude because it was just ripped away. On March 15th, they just shut everything down. You know, we have so many exciting projects coming up. One of our conductors is conducting the new Bob Fosse.

[12:57] Martín Acuña: Welcome back to Backstage Talk! Today, we have a very special guest, Kathy Olsen, who is one of the most experienced artist managers on Broadway and TV. Kathy, thank you for joining us!

[13:27] Kathy Olsen: Thank you for having me, Martín! I'm excited to be here.

[13:57] Martín Acuña: So, Kathy, you have such a fascinating background. You started as a performer, and then you transitioned into artist management. Can you tell us a bit about that journey?

[14:17] Kathy Olsen: Absolutely! I started performing at a young age, and I loved every moment of it. However, I found myself getting more interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the industry. One day, I helped a friend get a gig, and that experience opened my eyes to the world of artist management. I realized I could use my knowledge and connections to help other artists succeed.

[14:57] Martín Acuña: That's amazing! It sounds like you really found your calling. What do you think are some of the most important qualities for someone in artist management?

[15:17] Kathy Olsen: I believe that communication is key. You need to be able to effectively communicate with artists, producers, and other industry professionals. Additionally, having a strong understanding of the business side of things is crucial. It's not just about talent; it's about navigating contracts, negotiations, and relationships.

[15:57] Martín Acuña: That makes a lot of sense. Speaking of relationships, how do you build trust with the artists you manage?

[16:17] Kathy Olsen: Trust is built over time. I always make sure to be transparent and honest with my clients. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with any concerns or questions. It's important to create a supportive environment where they know I have their best interests at heart.

[16:57] Martín Acuña: That's a great approach. Now, many of our listeners are curious about the casting process for Broadway shows. Can you give us some insight into how that works?

[17:17] Kathy Olsen: Sure! The casting process can vary from show to show, but generally, it starts with a breakdown of the roles needed. Then, casting directors will hold auditions where actors perform for them. They look for not just talent, but also how well an actor fits the character and the overall vision of the production.

[17:57] Martín Acuña: Interesting! And what advice would you give to aspiring performers who are looking to get cast in Broadway shows?

[18:17] Kathy Olsen: My biggest piece of advice is to stay persistent and keep honing your craft. Take classes, attend workshops, and always be open to feedback. Also, networking is essential. Building relationships in the industry can open doors for you.

[18:57] Martín Acuña: Great advice! Now, Kathy, you've worked with so many talented individuals. Is there a particular moment or experience that stands out to you in your career?

[19:17] Kathy Olsen: There have been so many memorable moments, but one that really stands out is when I helped an artist land their dream role on Broadway. Seeing their hard work pay off and being part of that journey was incredibly rewarding.

[19:57] Martín Acuña: That sounds amazing! It's clear that you have a passion for helping others succeed. What do you love most about your job?

[20:17] Kathy Olsen: I love being able to support artists and help them navigate their careers. It's fulfilling to see them grow and achieve their goals. Plus, I get to be involved in some incredible projects along the way!

[20:57] Martín Acuña: That's wonderful to hear. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?

[21:17] Kathy Olsen: Just to remind everyone that the journey in this industry can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Stay true to yourself, keep working hard, and don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it.

[21:57] Martín Acuña: Thank you so much, Kathy, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. It's been a pleasure having you on the show!

[22:17] Kathy Olsen: Thank you, Martín! I've enjoyed our conversation.

[22:57] Martín Acuña: And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to this episode of Backstage Talk. Be sure to check out Kathy's website for more information about her work. Until next time!