This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Jayke Workman: You guys, I am on day 10 of tech rehearsal for a brand new world premiere musical. So that means my brain is mashed potatoes.

[0:17] Jayke Workman: Oh my god, did you hear? Did you hear? Did you hear? Oh my god, guys. Take that. Oh my god, that is what's up, everybody.

[0:33] Jayke Workman: My name is Jayke Workman, and this is Oh My Pod U Guys, a musical theater and pop culture podcast. You guys, at the time of this recording, we have still not found out who the Tony Award winners are.

[0:49] Jayke Workman: That's right. This is right before all of the shenanigans occur. You guys, I'm so excited. I've never felt this connected to the Tonys before. Not even in like a uppity, like weird way of like, I know people, but like I am so excited because I have gotten to see so many of the shows this season.

[1:10] Jayke Workman: And I do personally know people, uh, not only who are nominated, but who just have poured their love and work into their respective shows. Um, and so I'm just so excited to see. I mean, of course, classic. I can't watch the Tonys because as I mentioned before, I am currently in tech for a world premiere musical of A Wrinkle in Time at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, which is amazing, and it's it really is so so uh fulfilling and rewarding.

[1:42] Jayke Workman: But it means that I don't get to watch the Tonys in real time. So I'm gonna either have to do the like old school thing of like, let me tape it, let me put it on TiVo and watch it later, or I'm just gonna be in tech rehearsal, like glancing down at my phone for uh real-time updates, which is probably the more realistic option, but whatever.

[2:03] Jayke Workman: Uh yeah, I'm so so excited for the Tonys this year. It's gonna be so fun. And with that, we of course have to dive into this week's Broadway World recap, brought to you by my amazing pals at Broadwayworld.com.

[2:16] Jayke Workman: You guys, Broadway World just shared a full like inside scoop look at the new revival of Heathers off Broadway. Okay, this show is gonna be insane, you guys. Casey likes Carrie Butler, Friend of the Pod, Lorna Courtney, Mackenzie Kurtz. This show is stacked.

[2:42] Jayke Workman: And who doesn't love Heathers? It's gonna be so, so good. I can't wait for this show. I feel like McKenzie Kurtz, I mean, shout out McKenzie. Hi, love you from afar. I don't know her at all. Um, this is the type of show where I'm like, uh-oh.

[3:01] Jayke Workman: Mackenzie Kurtz is gonna have more of a cult following than she even already does. Like, after playing Anna, after doing Glinda in Wicked, like everybody knows her name now, but this show, the fans are going to grab onto anything they can because she is so phenomenal in anything she does, but this show is going to launch her into the next ether of obsession.

[3:32] Jayke Workman: And I'm happy to see it. So I cannot wait. But okay, back to the point. Broadway World shared a full inside scoop first look on their Instagram and on their site. You gotta check out the videos and photos. It looks so good. Everyone is so excited.

[3:48] Jayke Workman: The costumes, not I mean, they're not even in costume, but they're like fully dressed to the nines like the Heathers. It's crazy. I can't wait for this show. Okay, next, you guys, Broadway World shared a really special series of interviews from the carpet of all of the Tony nominees this season.

[4:08] Jayke Workman: And I just have to give a special little shout out because uh a pal of mine who I have known uh peripherally for a while and whose partner just so happens to be Mr. PJ Adzuma, friend of the pod, uh, Miss Julia Nytel, who is nominated this year for Dead Outlaw as the best featured actress in a musical, she did this lovely little interview, and you guys, I just have to say, I haven't even seen this show, so I'm so biased.

[4:41] Jayke Workman: I'm like, I just know this person, and she is so so lovely, and you have to check out these videos of her performing. She did a performance on The View. She is unbelievable. The things that this person is doing, the things that this person is doing, are doing is our. Julia Nytel deserves the Tony, and there I said it.

[5:08] Jayke Workman: Okay, moving on. You guys, next it was announced on Broadway World that friend of the pod, Miss Beth Malone, has joined the cast of Dolly, a true original musical. Okay, I just have to say, if you are listening to the pod right now and you haven't been a listener, you know, long term, whatever, that we're over a hundred episodes in, Beth Malone was my very first guest on the pod.

[5:40] Jayke Workman: And while I am embarrassed to encourage you to go back and listen to the episode because it was probably I didn't know what I was doing at the time, and I mean, who's to say that I do now? But I adore Beth Malone. And the fact that she gets to take part in the new Dolly Parton musical just makes my heart a flutter because she's gonna be so so magnificent, uh, alongside previously announced, you know, Katie Rose Clark and of course again, friend of the pod, Carrie St. Louis.

[6:16] Jayke Workman: Um, I'm so so excited about the show and the fact that Beth Malone is gonna be part of it. I'm just over the moon. So congratulations, Beth, if you're listening. Hi. She's not listening.

[6:28] Jayke Workman: Okay, next, you guys, in a crazy little turn of events, we got the announcement that Tom Felton is going to reprise his role of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, which is so crazy to me, because nobody from like the original franchise has really like aligned themselves with the show on Broadway in a long time, which is like to no uh discredit to any of them, but like I I'm just so intrigued, and I kind of wonder like, was this a uh producer's idea? Was this literally Tom Felton being like, hey, I was the original Draco, I want to play Draco again now, as like the grown version, which is so cool.

[7:18] Jayke Workman: So I cannot wait to see how this goes. Um, Broadway World shared like a really amazing first look photo of Tom as Draco all grown up, which is crazy. I feel like anyone who like of my era, my age, has some sort of tether to Harry Potter. So the fact that he is coming back and joining this company on Broadway to reprise his role is just so amazing. And I can't wait to see it. I hope to see it when I'm back in New York.

[7:46] Jayke Workman: And lastly, you guys, I would be remiss to not talk about the Wicked for Good trailer. If there was any inkling, any indication that I was not a flaming homosexual before, it is gone now. Because my god, if I wasn't obsessed with the first Wicked movie, I am certainly obsessed with the trailer for the second one.

[8:17] Jayke Workman: This movie looks superb. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a slut for Wicked, but also specifically Wicked Act Two, because we get so much more story, and I mean, I was gonna say spoiler alert, but I'm like, okay, it's been 20 plus years, so if you're not on the Wicked train, get caught up. But the movie I feel is going to dive into so so many more things that we have never gotten on stage, and I'm just so excited about it!

[8:47] Jayke Workman: And they dropped the trailer and it looks absolutely beautiful, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, my husband, Jonathan Bailey, just everyone involved, it looks so so superb, and you gotta check it out. The trailer is out now and it looks amazing.

[9:04] Jayke Workman: And you guys, this has been the BroadwayWorld Recap. Oh, my pod, you guys, I'm so excited to welcome my next guest to the show. They are truly a star who I have actually been obsessed with for a long time, and I've already told them this, and that's embarrassing. But um, currently starring in the world premiere production of A Wrinkle in Time at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, playing the role of Meg Murray. It is Taylor Iman Jones.

[9:34] Taylor Iman Jones: Hi! Welcome to the pod.

[9:36] Jayke Workman: Thank you. I'm so excited that we get to do this because I like I said before, I was like, when I saw the cast announcement for this, I was like, oh, okay, work. I was like, yes, I've been obsessed with this person for a long time. But then getting to know you, it just adds like the cherry on top of it because this process is crazy and we're in flux and we we're literally in the middle of tech right now.

[10:00] Jayke Workman: But tell me what is you what was your road to this specific show to A Wrinkle in Time. How did you first even like, like had you heard that it was a thing?

[10:11] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, I don't think I had heard that it was a musical. I've been a fan of the book since I read it in like probably second or third grade. Yeah. It's been one of the random books that have stuck with me for the rest of my life.

[10:24] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, so when I heard about it, I just was really excited. Um, before I even got to be in it, before I knew where I was, yeah, I just was like, that's a cool concept. I think it's a great idea for a musical. Um, and now, yeah, I just went through a few auditions to like to make a long story short, um, with no expectation of getting to play this role let alone be in the show so um I'm just I feel really lucky and this feels like a very special experience the show to be a part of it is so special it's been like part of what I've been working on like off and on for however long and so to actually get to finally see it physically is so cool.

[11:04] Taylor Iman Jones: I've like had the music in my head for so long so to actually like hear it sung by this many people and like with the orchestra which is insane and we're literally I mean like I always ask my guests where they're calling in from but we are in the dressing room backstage right now in the middle of tech and we are gonna be joined this evening by our orchestra.

[11:27] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah for the first time since Sits Probe which is crazy. I'm so excited they sound absolutely incredible the orchestrations are stunning but yeah to to see it like in or like you know actually come to fruition versus it just being like when we get there it's gonna be great. It's like oh we're here we got costumes we got lights.

[11:45] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes there will be people here soon very soon it's crazy. But this is not the first time that you have built something from the ground up and I I am so excited to ask you about that because that from what I or my first introduction to you was uh Head Over Heels and that cast recording and I mean not to geek out but of course to geek out.

[12:11] Jayke Workman: I'm like I when I did I was doing a show in Aspen Colorado, like three years ago now. And that album was j I was just in my ears every single day. I was obsessed. I couldn't get enough. It's a very good album.

[12:25] Taylor Iman Jones: It is very good. But of course, you are like central to it. So I was like, oh my God, who is this person? And then of course backtracked and did like the deep dive and everything. But like tell me about working on Head Over Heels. Like as not only as a queer person, but as a queer person of color.

[12:44] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. Who at the time did you identify as like a non-binary person, slash did you use they them pronouns at that time? Like tell me about creating a character like Mopsa.

[12:55] Taylor Iman Jones: I think um like Mopsa is like pre-queer Taylor in a fun way. And I and I think it um was a huge part of helping me find myself. Wow. Um in the way that our world was so beautiful, not only is our show celebratory in its queerness, but so was the cast that made it in the time.

[13:17] Taylor Iman Jones: Oh yeah. Um, you know, I not that um the character that Peppermint played is the first non-binary role on Broadway ever, but I think it is one of the first to flat out say, like they them are my pronouns.

[13:32] Taylor Iman Jones: And I think at the time critics or whoever didn't know how to take that. And certainly for me, I didn't have any people in my life that were identifying as non-binary yet, or that I knew of. It was like right on the class pre-2020, yeah. 2018, and so obviously these people and these identities have existed forever, but it was certainly making its way into our vernacular, my vernacular. And I remember it wasn't the first queer character I've ever played, but I was just like, wow, I'm really good at these roles because I'm just such a good actor. And it turns out, no, you're just gay. Like I really feel like such a connection to this. Yeah, this just comes really easy to me. And it was such a joy to be a part of that for myself in that way, but also for all of the audiences.

Like, I've never been a part of a show that got so many letters from kids or their parents or both of them talking about how they never saw a show that being queer wasn't the issue. And queer love wasn't the drama. It just happened to be a part of the story. And anytime a character comes out, quote unquote in Head Over Heels, the whole rest of the company is like, oh, okay, cool. They just like go about their day. And so they spenser lift Batma away. And sing about it. Um, and so that was just so cool. And you know, we didn't last very long on Broadway, but everyone is doing it now. Colleges, community theaters, um, kids, even. So, like, that is making that is more than I ever could have asked for.

And makes me happier to be a part of that story and to be a small part of helping other kids find that space, especially in a world or in a country right now that they're trying to lessen and lessen that. So I'm happy that even if it's just in your ears, you have a safe space to be yourself and I mean I cannot overstate how many times I have listened to Automatic Rainy Day Vacation, but like just from top to bottom, the entire score. And I had Peppermint on the pod. Yes. And it was so fun to talk to her because it that was even, I think, pre like full transition for Peppermint, where she like she was still identifying as like they them. And now like to see her fully blossom into who she is is like it's so cool that like these shows actually genuinely affect who these people are and are affected by the people in like a double way, you know.

And I mean, like that's the point of theater, right? It's to show you worlds that are possible, and then it gets to show yourself what's possible within you. And so that's cool for what is really a farcical fairy tale. Yeah, you know, set to go go's music. It's like period. But it's deep. It's deep, and it's fucking fun neat. Yeah, like how um far back did your connection to the show go? Like, did you do any pre Broadway iterations?

[16:51] Taylor Iman Jones: No, I just joined the Broadway cast. Well, I mean, to say that um I got to join the part of the phase that we did in out of town. Okay. But uh the out of town was going straight into Broadway. Like usually you do out of town, and you're like, I'm not sure. But like this was like, we're gonna be off for like a month or two or something, then we'll be on our Broadway theater. So it was very exciting. We all knew that was happening. Sure. Um, but no, I remember I auditioned on December 17th, 2017, because um I was in the middle of a workshop at a time, and I did a final callback for Head Over Heels on that day during my lunch break. And I went in, I think it was like my third round, Bonnie Milligan was there, so she read with me.

Sure. Um Peppermint was there. She she wasn't in the room, but I remember seeing her in the hallway at Ripley Greer and be like, I I literally saw her and I was like, I can't say hi because I need to like focus on my audition. But like I was freaking out inside. Um, but I did the scene with Bonnie, and then I ran out because I had to go back to the workshop that I was doing. And um Carnahan, who cast the production, kind of followed me right out and was like, So we're gonna offer you the role. Wow. What? Like I that's never happened before or after. Yeah. Um for me. And I just was like, okay, I'll I I'll believe this when I get a call from my agents because it was just so weird. Um, and then I remember going back to my workshop and people were like, Oh, how'd your call back go?

And I was like, I think I got it. Like I think I say the date December, because I remember it was very close to Christmas, and everyone was about to go on vacation. Uh-huh. And I think most of the cast was cast already, so they were really just plugging some final holes. Wow. And so I think the timeline of that was really excited. I remember I had to get on a plane like two days later or something.

[18:42] Taylor Iman Jones: How has this not already been like mapped out? Like I am the last or one of the last puzzle pieces to this like enormous thing. And people get busy, you know, like that's the nature of our business. People get busy, people move, people just have other things to do. And so, um, yeah, I I I really lucked out and uh I I just had a fun time. And it was all in verse, so it was really scary. It was with Michael Mayer was directing, so I was very nervous about that. Um but it was fun. And I'm obviously really happy it all worked out. Well, and it's so crazy because that wasn't your was that your Robert Abu? No, it was my principal debut. Okay, um, I had just done uh Groundhog Day. Oh, yes for my debut.

Yes, yeah. So in thinking of like basically taking on one of the two leads. I mean it's a very ensemble show, Head Over Heels. But you know, to be a central part of that show as your principal debut, and then also to tick boxes like performing on Thanksgiving for like things like that that are like so different than just like being plugged into a long running show, or not even long running, but just like an already like miss machine show. No, it's so different, you know. Everybody has very different stories for their own personal debuts.

[20:00] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. Um, I think I've been fortunate enough that I got to be at the beginning. So like, you know, you get the rehearsal period with everyone, you get the creative period with everyone, you get an opening night with everyone, you know, where some people's Broadway debuts are like learn it in four days and you're up and almost not just like nobody cares, but nobody outside of you and your mama really knows what's going on. Absolutely me. I said my agent called me at nine in the morning, I said, Where's the stage door I don't know where I'm going. So you'll figure it out, don't worry. Okay. Fucking insane. Yeah. Okay, so then also I have to ask because so many, not just about like Groundhog Day, but also Head Over Heels, you have not necessarily like celebrities, but like people who you may have like revered or looked up to before working with them.

And then obviously, in tandem with your career, they go on to do other crazy things like Bonnie and fucking Andrew Durand now. Like it's so crazy that like we get to work in a place where you make connections and meet people either in passing or you know, then in tandem where you go on to continue to work with them. But like what is it like to like literally right now, Andrew is in this like Tony nominated show, and you're just like, hey girl, it's how are you? Hope you're doing well. Exactly.

[21:19] Taylor Iman Jones: That's crazy. It's just very it feels very cool. Um it makes me obviously really proud of my friends and you know, past cast members, and you know, like Head Over Heels may not have had its life on Broadway, but the people within it certainly do. Yeah. Um, so that feels nice to be like a part of that group. Um yeah, and even like Peppermint, um because in Groundhog Day during uh Saturdays between shows, we would watch Drag Race, and it was her season. And so it was very surreal to um have her in the show, and in Head Over Heels, she played, you know, my mom. Right. And so now I'm one of her daughters, and like even to this day, whenever I see her, or I was like, mom Drag Dora. Yes. And so it's very cool to have a relationship, like a real relationship with her now.

Someone I cried on TV over. Yes. Um, and you know, sometimes it's like don't meet your heroes, but she is certainly an exception to that rule, and it's nice just to feel like I'm in this class of kids growing up and making their way too crazy.

[22:31] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. I feel like also it's funny that you say kids because I even just in working on this show, seeing the like range of age on stage, like we have like 20 year olds to 65 year olds and and more, and it I feel like I I'm still a kid. And I think I will also feel that way when I am at the top of the age range. Where I'm like, but I'm still a kid, like working to working with these people like all at the same time, you know? Yes. So I would love to know like what your sort of road to being an artist was like. Because I I know we've talked a little bit about uh you didn't get a degree in theater, you didn't like go to college to school for theater. But you've worked for all your life. So like tell me about like that. Like, was your childhood like set up for that, or like was you was your family dynamic, like oh, they're gonna be an actor, an artist.

[23:35] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah, I think my parents have always been super supportive of me following this idea, you know, this career. Yeah, but um they made sure that I had my own responsibilities along the way. So I grew up doing youth theater, but I was in band, I was you know, obviously in school. I did leadership in high school, um, marching band. And but then in California? I was in California, yeah, Bay Area. Bay Area. And then once I graduated high school, I was like, okay, cool, parents. Like, I'm starting to do my senior year of high school is the first time I did community theater with adults. So like that's why I kind of knew, like, okay, I'm stepping my toe um figuratively and literally, um, I'm crossing the bridge.

Yeah, commute to that show. Um, and so after high school, I was like, Hey, can I take a you know a gap year? Um, and they were like, sure, but you have to have a job, like you can't just do theater because you know, community theater doesn't pay. Right. And I had to commute, and they're like, You got gas, you have a bridge toll. Like you can do that, but you're gonna have to pay for those things. And so immediately, like, I was working at Juicy Couture Outlets for a year. I was temping in San Francisco for quite some time for a few years. And so I've always had a sense of being an adult and a person before getting to be a theater maker.

[24:55] Taylor Iman Jones: Sure. Um and I think that's really thanks to my parents. Um since I didn't have like the you know college discipline in that way. Um but honestly before I moved to New York I had a really hard time calling myself an artist. That word always felt so like above me. I I I didn't feel worthy of an artist. Like someone who really creates and I think because up until moving to New York I had never done new works before. Like I had done um oh wait, that's a lie and I will backtrack but it's just a teen. But I had never done new musicals. Um like, you know, there's always a soundtrack or obviously a Broadway bootleg that oh yeah yeah yeah we could see you know yeah you know we're doing Hairspray we're doing Little Shop.

We're doing Smoky Joe's, you know the big ones. Um and then right before I moved to New York I got to do one original play and I had never done a play before but it was a brand new play written by Lauren E. Oh my God. Yeah and so a writer of A Wrinkle In Time so it's this moment is very full circle for us in that way. That's wild. But then when I got to New York I surprisingly found myself doing new work. And I think that's the thing that people don't really tell you when we when you move to New York, you're actually auditioning for more new musicals than you are s you know uh the ones in the canon.

[26:13] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes. Um and so now I very much consider myself an artist because I've been able to create so much. Yeah. Um that's been really a gift that I never knew was going to be a part of my career. And now I pretty much only do new works. Um I haven't, you know, I think musicals that have been done, like I haven't done any revivals, I haven't really done any of like the concert series yet. Um so it feels very cool, but it took some time for me to realize that within myself.

[26:59] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, did you ever have to consider what you were being perceived as through the lenses of being a black person and, you know, sort of non-binary, but maybe perceivably female person? Like how did that affect what you went in for when you first got to New York? Were you like, I'm just gonna go in for everything, or were you like, I'm gonna I'm right for these things and not those things? You know, it's funny, I never really found my race as an obstacle until I moved to New York. I think because in the Bay Area, you know, there's it's just a smaller pond of people. And so, um, and I had I did it for seven years. So especially towards the end of that chapter, like I was playing a lot of roles. Like I got to be Mary Poppins.

Um, you know, that I would just kind of walk in and be like, what do you want? I could play whatever I want. Or like it really was just like who can sing the role? Anybody we don't care what you like, who could has the vocals. Um, and so it wasn't until I got to New York that I realized like, oh, I'm being paired or grouped in certain ways. Um, but I think, thankfully, because of my Bay Area Theater background, it wasn't something that I ever thought was my only definition. I'm very proud to be black. I love being black, but I also know that's not the only thing I am. Totally. And that doesn't mean I can't do certain roles. Um, I do know when I audition for things that people may not have envisioned someone black playing this role, or maybe never thought about someone black playing this role.

Um, but instead of that making me nervous or being like, Well, I'm probably not gonna because they weren't thinking it's like, let me show you. Yeah, you know, this is that's that's my whole journey is I'm gonna show you what it looks like. Yeah, I'll go ahead and do you a favor. Yeah, and in the same way that like Head Over Heels, where it's like it doesn't have to be a problem, it doesn't have to be an obstacle in the show. And depending on the show, we can talk about it or we can not talk about it. And I think for me that's been fun to navigate throughout each production. Sometimes it's more important than not. Um and, uh, yeah, I think an important thing for me is I'm never not playing a black person.

Like I'm I I'm more like I've never played something who's not black because I'm always gonna be. Um I think the queer side of it has been fun too, actually. Um last year I only played queer roles, which also I never really anticipated in my career. Um, but I'm having a lot of fun, like I love being able to create these tracks and build these worlds and, um, you know, like I'm sh I'm certainly building these characters for me, but a lot of these musicals usually have some sort of future, whether it's Broadway or not. Yeah. Um, I want to create a beautiful little boat that someone else can jump on to ride, you know, in their own way. I love it. And so that's been fun. I've I've I've done new shows where the character wasn't queer and then I come in and they're like, you know what?

Yeah, she is gay. You know what? That's fun too. Oh yes. But I love that um I can do it all is how I feel. Um I can play very straight cis on genus okay and I can play little girls who maybe haven't discovered where they're at yet. Yeah. Um and I can certainly play non-binary butches who know exactly what they're, you know, the two feet they're standing on. So um I love having that variety within myself but then being able to show that on stage for whoever else needs it out there is a lot of fun. Totally.

[30:48] Jayke Workman: So in thinking of not only this show that we're working on together, Wrinkle, but other shows that you've worked on where you were a principal slash the lead of a show. I'd love to know if there are um specific things that you've learned uh maybe about yourself or just like about being in this position working in this capacity.

[31:13] Taylor Iman Jones: Oh about 5:30. Ooh half hour away from our band session. Joanne half hour. Thank you all so much. Thank you Joanne. Half hour. Okay. Um but but uh have you learned things about yourself when it comes to actually being a leader and and leading a company not necessarily on like the Broadway scale but but at all. At all. What uh what are their uh what are the responsibilities there and and how do you navigate them?

[31:46] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes I think um first and foremost I've benefited from being in shows with um principals who showed me what it is to be a good leader. Um Groundhog Day excellent example Andy Carl is one of the best leaders I've ever seen in a show. His track was really hard and really demanding and he always had such a light about him and always had such light when it came to the rest of the cast um and I think like the trickle down effect is very real. You know if you're in the ensemble and your principal who maybe has been on stage for the last three hours when you weren't is still keeping a good energy is still able to keep a cool head it kind of gives you something to look at hold on to and know that like okay if they can do it like I can do it.

Totally you know um that's one thing of just like pacing yourself in rehearsal. Yeah. I think the other part is like realizing the responsibility is um I do have a bit more face time with maybe the director or maybe a producer um and so with that responsibility I want to make sure I'm advocating for not only myself but everyone who's in the building you know um especially the people who are on the stage with me. Whether that is advocating for safety in our show or advocating for safety in our workplace. You know, when the show isn't running but making sure that we all still feel safe to interact with each other to talk to each other. Yeah um on a day-to-day basis. Um I think for me I'm a Pisces and so I think um what emotional water girly I and I'm a Leo rising so like it's really just kind of all heart on the sleeve.

You are Earth Wind and Fire. Yeah Aries moon like yes. Um so it's all quite um at the top for me as far as what I'm feeling and how I go about my day and I like to create a space that other people feel the right to feel their feelings. Yeah. Um and name their feelings and it doesn't mean like I'm in a bad mood so I'm gonna be pissy all day but more so like hey like I have a bit more I I feel a bit more anxious today or like I am anxious about this specific thing or like hey I am upset about this thing but I'm going to continue to move on this day with grace but I'm not going to pretend like it doesn't exist. Totally.

[34:13] Jayke Workman: You know I like I think for especially in theater where things there's a lot of gray area in what we do and how we communicate um just naming things in the room feelings, expectations, disappointments, surprises um can be really helpful.

[34:33] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. Just to that is certainly something that I have uh been witness to throughout this process and it's something that I've really loved in working with you is that uh not just as the leader of our company but as a person who we are all working with is like you uh your ability to say like I'm feeling really excited about this, feeling anxious about this. Not so sure about that. But we're all gonna figure it out together. Amazing and necessary. I think like something that um Lee, our our director of Wrinkle spoke to just like when we very first got into the space as like a an entire company, not just the acting company, but like everyone on the crew and everything is like how just to like look around and see how many people uh help make this thing happen.

[35:25] Jayke Workman: Yeah, not even it's like I I love to think of it too as like look how many people all have a job at the same time. Like that's the thing amazing on the same thing.

[35:35] Taylor Iman Jones: So, like the goal at the end of the day, even if it doesn't happen yet, yeah, like draw tech and whatever, like it's still we're all still employed, we're all still like here working on something that we love, which is so yeah so cool.

[35:48] Jayke Workman: And something that's truly magical, yeah.

[35:51] Taylor Iman Jones: And like, you know, we especially on stage, we work in picking up cues and even in picking, you know, acting is reacting, but it's picking up all the tiny little things that I'm supposed to be tuned into. So I think when we name the thing, if I'm like, hey, I'm feeling a little low today, yeah, like that way the room or whoever isn't gonna be like, what's wrong with Taylor? Why is she being weird? Like, like, are you mad at me? Like, what's going on? Instead of like, hey, I just said it. And so we can move, like, you know, it's in that space.

[36:22] Jayke Workman: Like it's in the space, you know, or whatever it is.

[36:24] Taylor Iman Jones: So I think that is helpful instead of um everyone trying to figure out what's going on all of the time.

[36:30] Jayke Workman: Right.

[36:31] Taylor Iman Jones: So switching gears a little bit, yes. I would love to know about the difference between working in sort of like a giant piece of theater like Wrinkle in Time or uh Head Over Heels or any of the other shows that you've done, versus working on something that is Six. Yes, women, yes, six people on stage. Yes, no set or barely any set, yeah, band on stage, but like it is about the divas and the dolls only. Yes. What is that like? How do you approach even just the day in day out stamina of doing Six?

[37:08] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes on Broadway and being literally one of six people on stage. Like, how do you navigate that? It's a lot. You take care of yourself. Um is one of the hardest things I've ever done because of that exactly. Like, you know, once you're on stage, you never leave. Right. The energy is up, up, up. It's 10, and then from 10 it goes to 11, 12, 30, you know, out of ten. Um, and so uh you become really close and rely on your cast a lot. I feel very fortunate that I love my cast of six, um, including our alternates. Uh you know, when you are on stage, that's all you have when there is no set, when there is no stopping, when there is nothing.

[37:46] Taylor Iman Jones: So it I think that's one of the shows that really I became like we all would check in at the top before the show started, you know, the curtains up so we could really hold hands and be like, how's everybody feeling? Like what's going on? What does anybody need anything from the rest of us that we can support you while we do this show, you know? So that made it really special.

[38:05] Taylor Iman Jones: And you know, when you're so tired and your feet hurt and your back hurts and your voice is barely holding on, you know, you can look across and you see your friend, you get that wink, or you get like, okay, she's doing this, so I can pick up and we just gotta get to the end. So it very much feels like a relay sport, you know, like a it's a it's a team effort always, but especially when things are that tight. And even recently I did Jonathan Larson project, which is also only six of us on stage. Um that was a bit different, but in the same way, like we did have some set moves and costume changes, but like we were st and still singing back up for all of each other.

[38:42] Taylor Iman Jones: Every number, so it's like it's that support system too, where it's like, I got you. I'm literally standing next to you, like booing and eyeing and giving you energy while you do your bit. Looking into your eyes. I'm checking in with you before I move the staircase. And so that makes those relationships and those shows fun because you are so intimately connected when it's a small cast like that versus something like um Wrinkle or Head Over Heels or Groundhog Day, where you're like, hey, I've seen you for five minutes and I might not see you for the next two hours. Like, you know, something like 100%. Um they're both fun, you know, obviously, but uh when the smaller cast it does provide and need kind of a sixth sense of connection the entire time. Yes, emphasis on six, yes.

[39:26] Jayke Workman: So was there also the added layer of uh not only replacing in a show but um replacing in a show that kind of has this crazy cult yes like modern following, like the TikTok of it all and the like branding of it all. Like, did you was leaving the stage door like leaving the stage of a rock concert? Like there are just so many people who are they adore that show, and so you guys coming in as the entire new company, all the new queens. What was that like?

[39:58] Taylor Iman Jones: It was scary at first not because of the fans, but just that was one that did feel like all right, you're up, you're in. You know, we had one month of rehearsals, four weeks, that's it. But you know, there's no tech, there's no previews, you're just on. Yep. And a full replacement, which means nobody on stage knows how this usually goes. You know, when you're like one person replacing a big cast, you have a whole cast of people being like, The shove with this is happening, and like here's a pause, or like this is the with how the wave goes.

[40:28] Taylor Iman Jones: Where we're brand new casts, so we got nothing but what we've been doing in rehearsal, and now we're learning with the audience in real time. They're learning with us, because you know, especially when you replace everybody, we're gonna have a little bit of different energy or different cadence throughout our work. And so it took probably like three months for us to truly settle and be like, this is our show. Okay. We can have the moments where we look into each other's eyes. I know where the laugh is, I know where the thing is, okay. Oh my god. But as far as that phantom goes, the six phantom is really incredible, actually. They're super supportive of new queens.

[41:01] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[41:04] Taylor Iman Jones: I think the alternates in the cons. You know, from the beginning, six has always had alternates, and they were pretty quick about getting out multiple casts around the world. Yes. And so I think that made fans kind of like collect them all. You know, I've seen this person, I've seen this person. Do you know? Like, by the time I was par on Broadway, I was a 60th person to step into that role internationally. And so there were a lot. It's crazy. But the fans are nice. You know, there's not much comparison. It's not like, oh, this is better, and it's just like, oh, this version, and then this version, and this, and so stage our was kind. They, you know, they're very much in the bracelet craze, they're the pins, they make your, you know, lots of drawings of you specifically in the track, which is really beautiful.

[41:48] Um, just felt like being welcomed into a really nice community.

[41:52] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[41:53] Taylor Iman Jones: And does it also feel like there is just sort of inherent camaraderie in the fact that it is all like women and non-binary people in that building, like even the band, like your ladies in waiting? Like what is the energy like? How is it different than having these damned cis men on the stage?

[42:14] Jayke Workman: I know.

[42:15] Taylor Iman Jones: No, it's wonderful, you know. I mean, it does provide a sisterhood immediately. It feels, I didn't go to college, but I feel like I have some understanding of what a sorority is.

[42:25] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[42:25] Taylor Iman Jones: Maybe there was no hazing, but there was certainly just like being on Broadway.

[42:29] Jayke Workman: But there was haze hard.

[42:30] Taylor Iman Jones: Okay, but there was haze. Um, and it's nice just to turn around and have so many women and femmes that you can turn to about all of your lady issues or just cry in any set of arms, and just a lot of people who show you what it is to be a woman. That was another show that we had, you know, at least a 10 year age range apart. So it was a lot, it was I had little sisters, I was the bigger sister in that show. But it was lovely to have that. It felt really special.

[43:04] Jayke Workman: Um, that's so fierce. Okay, so I really want to ask about doing the new musical adaptation of the famous film Devil Wears Prada.

[43:17] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes.

[43:20] Jayke Workman: Hey Joanne!

[43:24] Taylor Iman Jones: Oh, oh my god. I know. Um, Devil Wears Prada.

[43:29] Jayke Workman: Yes.

[43:29] Taylor Iman Jones: Because not to, you know, like rip open wounds or anything, but I, there is something really important in talking about shows that are expected to have a certain life or longevity that maybe don't. And being honest about it, because that's part of why I wanted to start the podcast in the first place was like we can talk all we want about like all of the good. But there's a lot of shit that sucks sometimes. And you got to originate a role. You got originated Andy Sacks.

[44:02] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[44:02] Taylor Iman Jones: And the show didn't end up ending where you had hoped with like the Broadway run. And I'd love to know just like what the, um, maybe what your initial thought was and feeling was versus now, like how you've come around to it because we've talked a little bit about it, not on the pod. And I really love what you have said about it and where you've come to terms with it.

[44:28] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. So Prada obviously was crazy exciting when I first got the offer. Like Andy Sachs in Devil Wears Prada, like me?

[44:39] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[44:39] Taylor Iman Jones: Me, like that. Little o' me. Yeah, for real. Um, but it didn't come without drama, I guess, but only in the sense that like when I got the offer, they're like, Hey, you're the offer is you, you're gonna play Andy, but we're actually not gonna start rehearsals for another year. And so I was already like, okay, that's crazy. Weird.

[45:01] Jayke Workman: Yeah, like what am I supposed to do for a year with this huge opportunity booming in the distance?

[45:08] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, luckily, I have good agents that really think for this, but like we were on the hunt. Yeah, you know, like I didn't have a job, and so I really needed something, and that's when Hamilton came in and I was able to join that company.

[45:22] Jayke Workman: But of course, this all happened March 2020.

[45:26] Taylor Iman Jones: Of course.

[45:27] Jayke Workman: And so then what do you mean?

[45:28] Taylor Iman Jones: What happened then?

[45:30] Jayke Workman: Um, so everything shut down. Devil Wears Prada got pushed back another year. I mean, so did everything else, but it's like another year. So it was just another this weirdly long waiting game for this show that was coming my way that, you know, I knew was gonna change my life.

[45:44] Jayke Workman: Right.

[45:45] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, all that being said, you know, cut two years later. I'm in rehearsals, we're doing it. I'm meeting my idol or one of my idols, Beth Level, who's incredible to work with.

[45:54] Jayke Workman: Yes.

[45:55] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, we do the show, we actually sell out and we break records in Chicago. Um, but you know, reviews were what they were, and the show did not transfer to Broadway immediately, like we had assumed.

[46:01] Jayke Workman: Right.

[46:01] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, but you know, and I'm happy that I had a little bit of a career before I got that moment. I had already done Head Over Heels, I had already done a few off-Broadway shows, I had already done a handful of new works.

[46:26] Jayke Workman: Right.

[46:26] Taylor Iman Jones: So I knew the reality of how this goes down. I was not, I did not have all my eggs in one basket.

[46:37] Jayke Workman: Good.

[46:37] Taylor Iman Jones: Because I knew anything could happen. Um, and I so I just enjoyed the process for what it was. Totally. And enjoyed the time. I loved my cast. I loved my time in Chicago. It was a great place to work.

[46:49] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[46:49] Taylor Iman Jones: And I had a great time making that show. And it was my first time at this point in my career that I got to lead a show in that capacity.

[46:58] Jayke Workman: So, um, it was a lot of learning.

[47:00] Taylor Iman Jones: And something that had never been done by anyone else. So you really, it is yours. I love, I guess I say it is yours, but I often say on the pod, nothing is yours until it's yours.

[47:11] Jayke Workman: And even then it's not yours.

[47:13] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. So live it up. Like have fun with whatever iteration of what you're working on, because you just never know.

[47:24] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[47:25] Taylor Iman Jones: And if it does go and it ends in something absolutely incredible, that's amazing. But also if it ends where it ends, that was also incredible. Like you, that clearly informed who you were as an artist and person to some capacity. You got to work with that level.

[47:40] Jayke Workman: Like sure.

[47:41] Taylor Iman Jones: And there shouldn't be the weird shame or stigma in like, oh, it didn't go.

[47:50] Jayke Workman: Yeah, it's like no.

[47:51] Taylor Iman Jones: Well, do you know how fucking hard it is to get this enormous kite off of the ground? And do you know how good I was? It definitely came with a lot of pep talk from myself.

[48:04] Jayke Workman: Sure.

[48:04] Taylor Iman Jones: So you have to be, if you're gonna be your biggest critic, you have to be your own best friend. And so it certainly came with a lot of, you know, like it doesn't take away from what I've done. I mean everything I've just said I had to say to myself a million times, and I certainly had a mourning period after it was over and kind of realizing that it wasn't gonna go. It wasn't like it ended, and I was like fine, yeah, everything's totally chill.

[48:26] Jayke Workman: Yeah, but I knew that like, you know what, at the end of the day I did that and I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of my work, and I know there's only more to come.

[48:33] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes. Um, and I'm missing back on A Wrinkle In Time. And you know, to be honest, there is a lot of my Andy Sacks in my Meg Murray. So I'm really happy to be here and kind of getting another go at something like this.

[48:47] Jayke Workman: Hell yeah.

[48:48] Taylor Iman Jones: That's amazing. Well, I just adore you. Before I let you go, I have a series of musical theater rapid fire questions that I ask every guest.

[48:55] Jayke Workman: Okay.

[48:55] Taylor Iman Jones: Uh, you're ready.

[48:56] Jayke Workman: I am.

[48:56] Taylor Iman Jones: Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber?

[48:59] Jayke Workman: Sondheim.

[49:00] Taylor Iman Jones: Sweatpants or jeans?

[49:02] Jayke Workman: Sweatpants.

[49:03] Taylor Iman Jones: She's, they're wearing jeans. Uh, do you have a favorite musical?

[49:07] Jayke Workman: Oh, yeah. I mean, easy Rent is betterly up there. Wicked is definitely up there.

[49:12] Taylor Iman Jones: Love.

[49:12] Jayke Workman: Yeah. Um, do you have a least favorite musical?

[49:15] Taylor Iman Jones: Ooh. Sorry about it. Um, Cats and Evita. Those are the two shows like that I ever saw as a teenager that I was like, oh, I'm not gonna like every single musical that I see.

[49:31] Jayke Workman: The first question rings true.

[49:33] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes.

[49:35] Jayke Workman: Um, would you ever like to do a Broadway play?

[49:38] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes, a thousand percent, yes.

[49:39] Jayke Workman: Are you a morning person or a night owl?

[49:42] Taylor Iman Jones: I'm like, neither. Um, probably more about night than morning for sure.

[49:49] Jayke Workman: Okay.

[49:50] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, can you think of the craziest thing a director has ever asked you to do, either in a rehearsal room or an audition room?

[49:58] Ooh. I don't know. I feel in new works, there's always crazy things. Like spoiler alert in this one, I gotta jump down a hole, you know. So, like, I don't know. Like, like that's the crazy thing.

[50:10] Jayke Workman: Which I am very excited to watch.

[50:12] Taylor Iman Jones: Or like in community theater, I did Rent, so there is definitely lines. Can you put more ass on this line? You know, like it depends on yes, but yes, do I have a specific? No.

[50:22] Jayke Workman: Um, Golden Age or Contemporary?

[50:25] Taylor Iman Jones: Ooh. That's hard.

[50:27] Jayke Workman: Okay, rabbit fire.

[50:30] Taylor Iman Jones: I mean, I think contemporary just because that's more of what I do. But I love Golden Age, and I would love to do more of it. I haven't really got to do that professionally, so I'd love to do that, actually.

[50:40] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[50:41] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, do you have a favorite role you've ever played?

[50:45] Jayke Workman: Annie Sacks is definitely up there.

[50:47] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, I did a show called Lonely Few last year, where I got to play a character named Amy, and she was a rock star. She was a lesbian rock star. Literally the whole thing was like coming at everyone's like, oh my gosh, you're Amy, and I got to play guitar in the show. And I got to sing live. I was opposite Lauren Patton. We got to like be loving girls to like sing rock in each other's faces. So that is up there for sure. It was just so cool.

[50:47] Jayke Workman: Lonely Few.

[51:10] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah.

[51:11] Jayke Workman: It's amazing.

[51:11] Taylor Iman Jones: Yeah. Coffee or tea?

[51:13] Jayke Workman: Coffee.

[51:14] Taylor Iman Jones: What is the hardest show you've ever done?

[51:16] Jayke Workman: Six.

[51:17] Taylor Iman Jones: Groundhog Day, close second though.

[51:20] Jayke Workman: That track?

[51:21] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes, because um, five turntables, yeah.

[51:24] Jayke Workman: Five turntables.

[51:25] Taylor Iman Jones: Five turntables, running backwards with props, running, running, running, puppets. Like that show was just so hard physically. But Six is top.

[51:33] Jayke Workman: That's crazy.

[51:34] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, do you have a favorite costume you've ever worn?

[51:37] Jayke Workman: Ooh.

[51:41] Taylor Iman Jones: Ooh. That's hard. Six is up there just because it's so cool. Like, you know, you're such a little pop star.

[51:46] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[51:48] Taylor Iman Jones: But I think Mary Poppins, when I played in community theater, actually, is one of the first times I ever had something really beautifully made for my body, like on my person, tailored to me.

[51:57] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[51:58] Taylor Iman Jones: And I remember that was kind of the first time I ever had that feeling of like, oh, like, wow, costumes are like, yeah, it's me.

[52:05] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[52:05] Taylor Iman Jones: So that I think that's probably where I'll say.

[52:07] Jayke Workman: I want to see your Mary Poppins.

[52:09] Taylor Iman Jones: I'll show you a picture.

[52:10] Jayke Workman: Um, who is the silliest cast member in A Wrinkle In Time?

[52:16] Taylor Iman Jones: Amber Gray.

[52:19] Jayke Workman: It is Amber Gray.

[52:20] Taylor Iman Jones: You know, woman. She, I, you can cut to her in any which way, no matter what scene we're doing. I'll lock eyes with her, and I'm like, this fish is about to make me break.

[52:31] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[52:31] Taylor Iman Jones: She is, she's praying for our downfall. Such a little gremlin. I love it. I love her so much. I gotta get Amber on the pod.

[52:37] Jayke Workman: Yes.

[52:38] Taylor Iman Jones: Nutcase. Um, well, my last question for you is a question I ask every guest, which is what is one thing that you would tell baby Taylor?

[52:46] Jayke Workman: This is your RuPaul Moon.

[52:48] Taylor Iman Jones: I know. Um, I say this like that. If I could tell baby Taylor anything, it's just like keep your mind open, keep hustling, and keep believing in yourself because you're right.

[52:52] Jayke Workman: Because you're right.

[53:02] Taylor Iman Jones: A hundred percent right, girl. Um, and it will be worth it. The commutes across the bridge will be worth it.

[53:10] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[53:10] Taylor Iman Jones: I love that. Well, Taylor, thank you so so much for coming on the pod. Will you tell the listeners where they can find you on the socials?

[53:18] Taylor Iman Jones: Yes, you can find me at Taylor Iman Jones. I'm really just on Instagram. You might find me on TikTok. I don't know.

[53:24] Jayke Workman: Right.

[53:24] Taylor Iman Jones: Um, Taylor Iman Jones on Instagram. Easy peasy.

[53:27] Jayke Workman: Yay. We gotta get back to tech.

[53:29] Taylor Iman Jones: Okay.

[53:30] Jayke Workman: Oh, yay!

[53:34] Jayke Workman: You guys, that's it for another episode of Oh My Pod, you guys. Ah, don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen to the pod. And you can follow the show on Instagram at oh my pod, you guys. Thank you so so much for listening. Talk soon.

[53:49] Taylor Iman Jones: Bye.

[53:51] Jayke Workman: Oh my god, oh my god, you guys.