Kennedy Caughell steps into The Batter's Box in Episode 19! Caughell is currently hitting for some major power on the road in the touring production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, in which she stars as Carole King.

Caughell's stage credits include playing Elphaba in the Wicked tour, multiple positions in the Broadway production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, as well as the Broadway production of Beautiful. She was sure to rock her softball jersey from her days as a left fielder in the Broadway Show League.

An Oklahoma native like Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench, Caughell discusses why sports remain so prominent in her home state, and how her hometown of Bartlesville helped bridge the gap between athletics and the arts to help spur her interest in both. She and host Al Malafronte even discuss how defensive alignment on the baseball field correlates to stage positioning for actors and actresses, and how vocal coaches protecting your voice mirrors the recent trend of innings-limits for starting pitchers in their development.

Many baseball players are a big fish in a small pond in high school, and the same applies to hopeful Broadway performers honing their craft upon entering college and then arriving in New York. In an ever-changing game and industry, preparation and an ability to make adjustments are vital, which Kennedy has mastered through hard work, dedication, and a wide array of outlets.

As her time in Beautiful originally began during its Broadway run, she talks about gearing up for what's proven to be a dream role, what goes into her portrayal of the legendary Carole King, and the profound words spoken to her by Carole herself upon meeting for the first time.

If you're outside of New York, you may be able to catch Caughell in a city near you, as the Beautiful tour runs through mid-June, and as this episode proves, Caughell can hit 'em out of the park regardless of which stadium she's playing in.

Connect with Kennedy Caughell on Instagram: @kennedycaughell

Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast