“It’s not going to be perfect, but nothing is perfect. The hardest thing about making music is finishing music.”
How does the multi-hyphenate differ from coast to coast? On this episode of Dear Multi-Hyphenate, dj-choreographer-producer-performer, wasn’t originally drawn to the word multi-hyphenate or “Renaissance Woman”. But in 2021, Penny Wildman, who also goes by PENNYWILD, resonates with the phrase as she no longer waits for permission to tackle her avenues.
Are we in a new era of Artist’s Guilt and has it flipped on its head? Where an Artist's Guilt is usually born out of an artist feeling they aren’t creating enough… in a response to a pandemic, is it the guilt now is a response to creating too much, especially in a world where so many people are less inspired to create.
PennyWild is always finding the balance in, you guessed it, social media - especially TikTok. The app can change lives, but is the Russian Roulette gamble worth it? What does growth actually look like and how can we get from point A to point B. Like PennyWild says, sometimes we are just flying by the seat of our pants. Sometimes it just takes ONE moment to hit us in the “pleasure center” to disenroll from our college courses and switch gears. People may think it’s weird, but when we find paths for artistic opportunities - it can create a beautiful orb of work. It may not make sense on paper, but it’s a beautiful thing.
“Nothing in life is black and white. It’s all very nuanced. It’s all very complicated and that really checks out with this year.”
Penny Wildman is a Music Producer, DJ, Director, and Choreographer living in Los Angeles by way of New York City. She has choreographed/directed for the likes of Zedd, Rich The Kid, Laidback Luke, Enrique Iglesias, Marian Hill, Weird Al, Gucci Mane, amongst others. Theatrical Choreography credits include Ryan Murphy’s FEUD: Bette & Joan (FX), ANNIE at The Hollywood Bowl (Associate), Merrily… at The Wallis Theatre (Associate), The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Boston Conservatory, Little Miss Fix-It at PACE University, etc.
As PENNYWILD, she has performed at globally renowned music festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, Lightning in a Bottle, BUKU Arts Festival, HARD Summer etc. She released her 1st single on Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records, followed by her debut EP on Dome of Doom Records in October 2020. Her sophomore EP will be released Summer 2021.
Penny appeared on London’s prestigious West End in the iconic Broadway musical West Side Story and toured with the production throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Penny is also a Dance Coach/Choreographer for MTCA (Musical Theatre College Auditions).
Find her @PennyWildMusic and PennyWildMusic.com.
Michael Kushner is NYC’s leading multi-hyphenate and the Executive Produce of the EMMY Nominated series Indoor Boys. Performance: On the Town at Barrington Stage (Pre Broadway, Directed by John Rando). Featured in The NYTimes, Vogue, The Tony Awards, Playbill, and more. Creator of The Dressing Room Project. Other Producing: XaveMePlease, starring Isaac Powell, (Frameline43 Festival in San Fran), Moments in the Woods (A Virtual Gala for the HFWAA featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, nominated for a BroadwayWorld Award), Betsy Wolfe’s A Pants Optional Holiday. Upcoming Producing: The Pink Unicorn, a film starring Alice Ripley, written by Elise Forier Edie. In 2020, Michael served as 2020 KeyNote speaker for Florida Thespians. www.michaelkushneronline.com or www.michaelkushnerphotography.com. Proud AEA Member. Ithaca College BFA Musical Theatre. @themichaelkushner on IG and TikTok.
In the segment You Got A Question? Michael features a question from Jessica P. on (asked on TikTok) who asks why we should no longer use the word 'quirky' when describing ourselves to headshot photographers, agents, and managers.
Connect with Michael:
- @themichaelkushner (IG and TikTok)
- @dearmultihyphenate (IG)
- www.michaelkushneronline.com
Produced by Alan Seales and the Broadway Podcast Network.