This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Jason A. Coombs: Hello, Survivors. Welcome to Survival Jobs, a podcast, a collaboration with Broadway World and the Broadway Podcast Network. I am your co-host, Jason A. Coombs, and to my right, my left, is Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo, an amazing, beautiful, talented, wearing what? That's a beautiful little, like, turtleneck sweater or something like that?

[0:24] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Thank you so much. And you know what? Thank you so much. Real quick, I just want to shout out this site for women called Newly, N-U-L-L-Y. Please sponsor us. I've been using it for a while for clothing rentals, but then they also have like a thrift shop where you can buy like higher end. It's like, it's like higher end. It's like anthropology and like, you know, expensive things that like I'm not, I'm not spending $150 on a sweater. Like I'm just not, but I got it for like 20.

[0:56] Jason A. Coombs: What?

[0:57] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Yeah.

[0:58] Jason A. Coombs: Sponsor us or sponsor Odd Woman Out? Because, hello, women branded, hello.

[1:05] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Oh my God. Give me the clothes. I'll wear it on every episode.

[1:08] Jason A. Coombs: You can wear them, right? You can like wear, show them off. Come on. Shout it out. Give them a discount code.

[1:14] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Great. Let's make that happen. What's it called? Say it again.

[1:19] Jason A. Coombs: Newly, N-U-L-L-Y.

[1:21] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Honestly, you should really write them. That's a great idea. By the way, I'm gonna, thank you so much.

[1:26] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. I think we were both inspired by our guest, Seth, because we just finished recording him.

[1:31] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Oh my God, guys, we need to hear Seth Stewart's episode. But we have some other things to talk about really quick.

[1:37] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. Yes. I really want to just give a shout out to my cousin, Javon Wilson. He released an album. I'm so proud of him.

[1:45] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: You know, he's younger than I am, but he's an adult now, but I still look at him as a little kid. So he wrote me and was like, hey, I made this album. If you could like shout it out. And I was like, oh my God, listen, we have Broadway listeners. And you know what? Maybe they'll give a listen. And I hope they do.

[2:01] Jason A. Coombs: So his album, you guys, is called The Collapse. It shines a light on not the so great part about being an artist, by the way, which we all know. In a generation of music, newer artists tend to talk about how much money they have or how many nice cars they drive. When in reality, it's not as it seems. He says he wanted to bring the meaning back into the genre of music and use this album to really highlight the struggles of an upcoming artist, the self-doubt, the pain of putting days, weeks into a project for minimal reaction from the ones you expect, the depression and just everything a male artist would shy away from to appear tough. He's trying to shed a huge spotlight on that.

[2:39] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: And he wants to make this album special, not just for herself, but for all the listeners, which ties into, you know, what we talk about, the struggles of being an artist just in a different vertical. So check it out, you guys. It's The Collapse. You can search him as Jay, J-A-Y-T-H-A-G, Jay the G. And you can check him out on socials at J-A-Y-T-H-A-G-U-Y. And give that album some support, y'all.

[3:06] Jason A. Coombs: Yes, Jay the guy. I love that.

[3:09] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: That's it.

[3:10] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[3:12] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: I love that. That's so cool.

[3:14] Jason A. Coombs: So cool.

[3:15] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: I also want to talk about, it is the holiday season.

[3:18] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[3:18] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Right? It's Christmas time. It's almost Hanukkah time, Kwanzaa time, New Year's time. But, you know, my fave, Christina Aguilera, just released a new Christmas song. And she's having like a little movie in theaters. She filmed a Christmas concert in Paris.

[3:33] Jason A. Coombs: She did?

[3:34] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Yes.

[3:36] Jason A. Coombs: I'm surprised you didn't hop on a plane and go, Jason.

[3:39] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: If only I knew, right?

[3:40] Jason A. Coombs: If only I knew.

[3:41] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: But it's going to be in movie theaters on December 14th and December 21st. So I already got my ticket for December 14th. You know, I had to go watch my girl in a couple of weeks. But, yeah, she released a song called My Favorite Things from like the movie, from the, is that Sound of Music that's from?

[3:56] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[3:57] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: The rainbows on, blah, blah, blah.

[3:59] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[4:00] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Yes. So super cute.

[4:01] Jason A. Coombs: Yes, let's go back to it and hello.

[4:03] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Yes, yes, yes. Hello.

[4:06] Jason A. Coombs: So I'm super excited for that. I love the holidays.

[4:09] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: You're a Christina stan too, as we all know.

[4:12] Jason A. Coombs: As we all know.

[4:13] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: As we all know. It's been a long ass time, y'all.

[4:16] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, for real.

[4:17] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: So you guys, we already were talking a little bit about our amazing guest today, Seth Stewart, which I talk about this on the episode, but Seth Stewart, like I grew up with In the Heights, you know, our friend of the show, Robin de Jesus and of ourselves, was in the original cast. So like personally, as a high schooler, I was going to all the workshops and stuff. And that's Graffiti Pete. And so he DM'd us, which was like, really amazing, you know, because we do this and we like are in the grinds and we do these episodes and we're like, who the fuck is listening? And to have him reach out and be like, I love what you're doing. I really would love to be a guest was really cool and an amazing moment. So thank you, Seth, for that. And his episode, you guys. Wow. For anybody, an artist, an entrepreneur, a human, this episode is for you.

[5:05] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[5:06] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Like I always say, get that notebook and take some like, honestly, like he's like dropping some really good information. Stuff I wish I knew when I was, you know, younger. I mean, it's not it's never too late, right? But just like having this with both of information and just like preaching about just being an entrepreneur and investing and like stuff like they don't teach you in college, which he's going to bring up as well in this interview, like stuff that you don't really teach you. You get to learn about the craft and the structure of the technique. They don't teach you about like behind the scenes and, you know, all that, all that important stuff.

[5:39] Jason A. Coombs: The survival, if you will.

[5:41] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Survival of it all.

[5:43] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[5:44] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: For real. Well, enjoy you guys. Happy holidays. And we're just doing the grind.

[5:52] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[5:55] Jason A. Coombs: Hello, Seth Stewart. Welcome to Survival Jobs Podcast.

[5:58] Seth Stewart: Thank you so much for having me.

[6:00] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, my God. Of course. I was just telling you, you know, I was so gagged. You slid into our DMs, which first of all, it's like, oh, my God, people know about our show, A. And then B, you know, I grew up and grew up. I was like in high school when In the Heights, you know, was getting born and a friend of ours is Robin DeJesus. So when you slid into the DMs, I'm like, Graffiti P! But also so many other things. And we're going to talk about all of the wonderful artistic endeavors that you've had.

[6:31] Seth Stewart: Yeah.

[6:32] Jason A. Coombs: Of course. It's such an honor to sit with you and chat with you. And, you know, Samantha and I started the show in the early days of the pandemic as a way to keep each other inspired and to spread a little inspiration out there because, you know, times were hard and they're still kind of hard. So we appreciate you being on the show and sharing your wealth of knowledge. But before we jump into, you know, all the cool things like In the Heights and touring with Madonna and J-Lo and all the cool stuff, did you have a favorite survival job on your Up and Up? A memorable one?

[7:02] Seth Stewart: No, absolutely not.

[7:05] Jason A. Coombs: Perfect.

[7:09] Seth Stewart: I mean, I was working by the time I was 15 years old because we just had to like, you know, we were a middle class family. I don't really, I think there's few middle class families anymore. But, you know, back when I was growing up, you know, but I still, you know, dance classes and traveling and stuff like that, it still costs money for my parents having two kids. And so, I mean, I was washing cars at a car dealership by the time I was 15, every single summer till I graduated high school. And then in the fall, you know, cutting grass, like I grew up in the Midwest. And so, it was like, have a job. Like, if you want those fancy Jordans, you have to pay for them. If you want those extra classes, and it really taught me a lot, which I think helped me survive and thrive as an adult having it.

So, it taught me a lot, but no. And then I realized at a very young age, if I don't go after what I want 110,000%, I'm going to be here washing these freaking cars, and I will not let that happen. So, you know, I had a couple of shows and videos and things that I kind of wish I never had to do, but they taught me along the way. So, I would say I had survival shows where I was like, oh, my God, I can't believe I just did that show. Or music video. Right? Like, you have to like take the job sometimes when it comes and just close your eyes and say, the check will clear.

[8:39] Jason A. Coombs: The check will clear. Let's hope.

[8:43] Seth Stewart: I mean, I worked at, right after high school, before I went to college, I worked at Hershey Park.

[8:49] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, wow.

[8:50] Seth Stewart: Yeah. I always wanted to go there.

[8:52] Jason A. Coombs: It's cool.

[8:53] Seth Stewart: It's fun. Again. It's fun. Shows weren't terrible, but I was also 18, so I took it more as I have more to learn here before I get to where I want to be.

[9:04] Jason A. Coombs: Right. There's a whole market in theme parks for choreographers and MDs and just directors. If you're in that world, you could be working. I always tell people there's more than Broadway. There's more than the biggest things to have a successful career.

[9:28] Seth Stewart: For real. And you can be an artist anywhere.

[9:32] Jason A. Coombs: Sorry, Jay.

[9:33] Seth Stewart: No, no. I think that's so important for our listeners to hear because a lot of times people are thinking, if I can't do it at the largest scale there is, then I'm not worthy or I'm not good enough. But you can be an amazing artist in any place.

[9:51] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: And I love that theme from Tick, Tick, Boom.

[9:54] Seth Stewart: Yeah.

[9:55] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: What's her name? Susan is like, I'm going to go to the Catskills and be an amazing choreographer. And it doesn't matter if I'm not in New York doing that. I'm still creating amazing art. So thank you for saying that. And that's important. People need that. People who can't make it to Broadway every freaking month or every week need to have their source of entertainment, their arts, their creativity in their hometowns and their home areas.

[10:20] Seth Stewart: Which I was going to add to what you said, Samantha. Mic drop.

[10:24] Jason A. Coombs: Yes.

[10:25] Seth Stewart: Where are you from originally? You said the Midwest, right?

[10:27] Seth Stewart: Yeah, I grew up in Kent, Ohio. But I have family in New York. So I was going to New York every summer, every winter since I was like four years old. So New York was always my second home. And I lived there 16 years. And I have since moved on. I mean, I love New York. But yeah. So I grew up there. And that's another thing, like you're saying. Local theaters always need art. And they always need good performers. So there's also nothing wrong with being a big fish in a small pond if you have to come back. Because the greats always toured, right? Like I remember growing up and watching Jelly Slash Jam on tour. And some people think that just doing a Broadway tour or whatever, it's like, no. That's how they became famous, is being on tour for the people that couldn't get to Broadway.

So there are so many ways to, one, do what you love. Two, start to make a name for yourself in a way, again, just beyond Broadway. And a lot of these local theaters all across the country always need shows. So if you're stuck in Wisconsin, folks, write a show or find a writer and put something in that theater. And get your little producer credit. Get a little something at the box office for every $40 you sell. I want $2. That's bringing in the show for you and filling these seats. Like we have to start thinking this way, even for the vets. Because you can go back to where you're from and say, well, I have a writer. I have an MD. Let's just put this show together and pitch it to this theater in Wisconsin.

And if they don't want it, let's go pitch it to the one in Florida and see if they want it. They're always trying to fill space. And a lot of these theaters have money and grant money. Well, maybe not as of this year. But we have to get creative in terms of what we can do in terms of creating opportunities for ourselves. And that is so important.

[12:44] Jason A. Coombs: We want to take it back to your Broadway days. So let's start with In the Heights. I already talked about it four times, I feel. But you were in the production from day one, yeah? Or you came back?

[12:59] Seth Stewart: Let's start off Broadway. Yeah, so I didn't do the work off Broadway. When you were in those early days, did you know what a major milestone for Broadway that this show was going to be? And can you tell us a little bit about the experience and how it came to you? I had just come off tour, I think, because I bounced between dancing for recording artists, like doing backup dancing for major recording artists. So it was actually my second Broadway show, which I think helped. My first Broadway show was Sweet Charity because I was thick into Bob Fosse growing up. Yes, that production. So by the time I came to In the Heights, it was already my second Broadway show. And because I had that commercial hip hop background, it was easier for me to, the character to make sense for me.

But yeah, the process, anything you do, you don't know how big it's going to be until it's already happened. So I just knew the show was going to be fun. It is my favorite show because the cast, we were so close, and it very much was home, right? And so what you saw on stage, that love was backstage and even after hours. So that was one of my favorite shows. And that process was, everybody was young. Everybody was young and just hungry. And it was all about the creative. And that's rare. So it was a beautiful experience to create something new and have to find it as opposed to doing a revival of something where you're like, okay, how can I make this different? It's like, no, what is it really that it's going to make sense? Because this audience has never heard this story before. That was a fun challenge.

[14:52] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. So what was the biggest lesson you took away from In the Heights after your run?

[14:59] Seth Stewart: Get your money. Know your worth. Know your worth. I learned about negotiation and that was my first principal role. And by a certain number of lines, I was just able to barely become a principal. I think Equity had to come in and watch the show and watch the principal or potential principal roles and look at the script. So I just barely became a principal. And it was at that moment where I was like, I need to go out for more principal roles. One, I started to get pulled out of certain numbers because I was a principal and I was okay with that. It was like, oh, I need to be more of an item because I was a dancer and singer most of my life. Acting is my third. So I learned that go for the lead. Try to be a star if you can. Go for lead roles even if you don't feel like you are just to change your mind. And there's more money in principal roles.

[16:04] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that too. Just knowing your worth and advocating for yourself and being confident enough to do so. It's such an important lesson that I think I am still learning in many different spaces. And I feel like just to get that drilled into your head is so important.

[16:24] Seth Stewart: Yeah. And it doesn't even need to be a fight. We said we'd switch over to principal role. Something about that show is I told him, I was like, I'm going to really take care of this role and I'm really going to be responsible about this. And I was young too. And I was wild. So I kind of had to tell him, it's going to be okay. I got you guys.

[16:53] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. I love that so much. So let's transition now.

[16:58] Seth Stewart: I was wild.

[17:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: No, sorry.

[17:00] Seth Stewart: That's okay. Let's transition now into Hamilton. So I know it was a lot of the same creative team and some of the same people that were in Heights. So what was that like going from Heights? It was like not right away or what?

[17:14] Seth Stewart: No, no. Years.

[17:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: I was like, yeah. It was like—

[17:18] Seth Stewart: 10 years. That's crazy.

[17:21] Seth Stewart: Yeah. I'd say about like seven years, seven, eight years, actually. Yeah. So what was it like coming back, I guess, to this creative team and you were a little bit older and understudying then to replace? So can you just tell us a little bit about that experience? And again, my question is, even though you already answered it, you don't know how big something is until it already is, but going into Hamilton, which for real, right? It's like, which for real right now to prop my computer up so it's a good level is the Hamilton book. You know what I mean? It's a huge part of every theater person's life and extended through the entire world.

[18:03] Seth Stewart: Yeah. I had gone off and done other businesses. So during Heights, I was building a film and photography studio in Hoboken. So I was always an entrepreneur as well, because I just had these things that I wanted to do. And then after that, I was doing another startup company in the fitness room. So I actually got pulled from my startup company. Chris Jackson actually called me and said, you need to come audition for the show. And I didn't want to do it because I was about to make so much money in my startup company. So I thought, but because I was looking for something a little bit more consistent too, in that time between Heights and Hamilton, I was like, what can I do to where I can run a company and then start to let somebody else, like I was trying to think of all these things to have a more, always have a consistent income or have equity in a company.

Right. That was like my thing for like those, those seven years. So when I came back, I was really exhausted from doing the startup, but we didn't, I didn't understand what the hell we were doing, honestly, until we were past previews or I would say till we were in previews. I didn't understand how any of it connected to be completely honest, not in the rehearsal room. I was like, you know, congressional hearings and people backstabbed. I'm like, what the heck is this? So for now, for the world, it's clear, but for me, it didn't make a lot. And I think for a few of us, if other people were honest, it didn't make sense. But again, the creative process was amazing. Before, you know, we had celebrities in the audience, but it was not my favorite show business experience by any means, some of which I can and cannot say.

But it kind of really showed me that, it kind of really showed me that, it reminded me that on the business side, behind the scenes, they still don't really care about artists in certain senses with certain things. So between the transition, we were not taken care of. And actually, we're, I'm trying to be very particular about my words. Actually, we're given a take it or leave it option, even though we help create the show off Broadway, and even though we were sold out a year in advance before we even left to go to Broadway rehearsals. So that's about the most I can say. It was a fight throughout that entire show. So the creative side on stage, sanctuary, you can't touch it. It was a beautiful show.

But, you know, it just reminded me that this is still show business kids, and not y'all, but kids out there in the world, and you have to understand business. So I always tell my students, I coach one on one, I always tell students, if you're going to go to school, understand business, understand this. And but luckily, we had an amazing cast. And, you know, our cast came together as artists and fought for, you know, what we needed to, which, again, was just beyond, I have to care, of course, our value, you know, our, you know, we had people in the show that had done eight Broadway shows in the ensemble, we had people that had done three. And so, but this, but again, I don't necessarily take it to heart, because this has been since the beginning of time in show business.

So people aren't necessarily being like, well, yes, they are. Because you can always do more for the community, you know, like, you can always do better than minimum when people give their all. But it's kind of like, they can because it's set up that way. So it's not anything different than the norm. But I'm sorry, when you're with black and brown folks, and people that have created something brand new from a nothing place. Yeah, you should take care of your people. But so that was a little bit heartbreaking throughout the process, to be honest. And that's kind of all I can say. But and one of the reasons why I really want to help the next generation, and even the current generation of performing artists, with my company Performers Edge. So and hey, it's life, you know?

[22:45] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Go ahead, Jay. Go.

[22:51] Jason A. Coombs: I was gonna say thank you for sharing that. Because I feel like, you know, when people think of like, Broadway in general, it's just like, oh, the glitz and the glam of like being on Broadway. But there is, it is a business at the end of the day. And I think it's important to kind of like highlight that everything is not just, you know, glitter and roses or whatever the expression is. I don't know what their expression is. But you know, there is a business to it. And you need to be you need to know it. You're just saying I think it's so important for young people. A lot of listeners are young to like know that you got to go in with a business mindset. You can just be a great performer. You know?

And also how how helpful for you that in between that time you were out, you know, in the business world being an entrepreneur, like making your own thing so that you came back to Broadway with this knowledge of like, business to make you be like, no, this isn't right. Because a lot of I feel like a lot of performers are just so happy to be here. So grateful for the opportunity, which of course, but again, to repeat everything you said the value of what you're bringing is significant.

[23:53] Seth Stewart: Yeah.

[23:54] Jason A. Coombs: So thank you. Yeah, that's it's like so important. And I mean, when you're getting your first show, you're going to pay your dues, you know what I mean? Like, and you can still ask, but honestly, agents are not here to really help. Agents are not good negotiators, period. Agents are great people. Agents are great booking you the helping you book the job in a way, but really the biggest thing like I want to talk about network actually in a second, but Jay, you brought something up that, you know, the glitz and the glam is, I always wanted to understand what moves are all these other people making on the back end and why and what would I do if I was in the position which helped me understand? Oh, I see what you're doing.

You're actually in a way trying to protect to keep the show running. Right. But to keep it going because a lot of shows don't last beyond a year. One, two, the reason we've seen such a huge change to Disney over the last 15 to 20 years is because those producers can guarantee that 15 to $30 million budget to get recouped. Right. Which might take a couple of years. So I understand the business of, of Broadway and show business. It's like they are taking the risk. There's that. But again, for our case, when, you know, you're sold out a year in advance and you still want to play, take it or leave it. I was not okay with that. But it's something that we need to understand. But again, when you're in your first show, maybe even in your second show, you're gonna pay your dues.

So I also want to make sure that some people don't walk in thinking that they're owed everything. Like you're not owed everything. Like you just got in here and that's how I was. I was quiet when I first came into my Broadway show and I worked my tail off quietly. And then when the stage hit and that spotlight hit, I'm eating it up. So, you know, that, so, you know, and that's not from ego, but like, you know, you as that casting, you know, Kelsey, you as whoever, who hired me that it was worth it. So, so be more valuable.

[25:59] Seth Stewart: First, be more of an asset first as a performer, and pay your dues a little bit. And then you can definitely should ask for what you're worth. But the biggest thing that I will say, because I don't believe, again, agents are great, they're just not, they take 10% of your cut, whether you're in a show for six months or three years.

[26:21] Seth Stewart: Your network, the people that you grow with within your community, and the people that you train with, are always going to be the ones that help you get the jobs. That person that wants to be a choreographer in five years, they will be an associate. And if you are a good human, and y'all have worked together, that's how you book jobs quickly. That's how you book jobs, and you stay within your network. Your network is equal to your net worth, and that's in any business that we do. And I want to make sure young performers and all performers know that.

[26:54] Seth Stewart: Don't be ugly, don't be greedy, don't be shady, because you will burn bridges in your network, and our spiderweb in theater is very small.

[27:03] Seth Stewart: It really is.

[27:34] Seth Stewart: Yeah, my survival job is I'm an event planner, and the money that we have from these huge corporate companies for entertainment is crazy sometimes.

[27:46] Seth Stewart: It's crazy.

[27:47] Seth Stewart: I'm like, who? Where? How?

[27:50] Seth Stewart: They have to spend it though, don't they?

[27:53] Seth Stewart: And they need somebody to choreograph 10 dancers dancing to Mariah Carey, and guess what? The cost is 10 grand.

[27:59] Seth Stewart: A lot.

[28:00] Seth Stewart: You need it done in five days, I'll have it done in five days. It's what, 30 grand?

[28:03] Seth Stewart: People get creative, right? And that comes back to network, that comes back to your network outside of theater. Knowing business people, knowing event planners, and then you're not doing survival jobs. You're doing survival jobs that are paid for by your network.

[28:23] Seth Stewart: And I think that's really important.

[28:25] Seth Stewart: Right.

[28:26] Seth Stewart: In a matter of a week or two weeks.

[28:28] Seth Stewart: For real, and then you have more time for your creativity because you're not having to get up and go to this project in a day to work on it, every morning.

[28:36] Seth Stewart: Right.

[28:37] Seth Stewart: You round up and you're like, oh, it's eight hours, and if I work on this thing, I'm missing on my project.

[28:42] Seth Stewart: We kind of do space projects for you.

[28:46] Seth Stewart: And it's a relationship in that event space that you can have for your 20, 30 years.

[28:52] Seth Stewart: And it's a relationship in that event space that you can have for your 20, 30 years.

[28:59] Seth Stewart: So that's where I want people to start to get creative. It's like a lot of people might know somebody or that know somebody that knows an event planner. Get all your get all your friends together that same.

[29:10] Seth Stewart: And find a way to get creative. And I think that's what I'm trying to do.

[29:17] Seth Stewart: What are we going to do if what L'Oreal wants to book 10 singers? What is what are we going to do if Cadillac wants to book 10 dancers for their holiday party? What am I? What are we going to create?

[29:31] Seth Stewart: And you're then you become a producer or director or choreographer or you know an MD or whatever. But then you don't think about it as just one job thinking about it as a string that you can always come back to after your Broadway show or after your theater show.

[29:48] Seth Stewart: Or even while you're in the show because eight shows a week is a lot. But you got from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. You don't have to be in that theater till 6 p.m.

[29:57] Seth Stewart: We've had people on the show who are in Broadway shows and like doing a day job because they're like, okay, because this I have an end date for this show. And what am I going to do?

[30:08] Samantha Tuozzolo: Can I touch on that?

[30:09] Seth Stewart: Yes, please say it.

[30:11] Seth Stewart: I'm so sorry. I just I just I want to give as share as much as I can.

[30:16] Seth Stewart: Well, this is why I do like, again, I do this because I want to give as much as I can. I want to give as much as I can. I want to give as much as I can. I want to give as much as I can.

[30:28] Samantha Tuozzolo: I'm so sorry. I just I just I want to give as share as much as I can.

[30:32] Samantha Tuozzolo: Do not be sorry. This is incredible.

[30:34] Samantha Tuozzolo: I hope you all have your notebooks out.

[30:36] Seth Stewart: Well, this is why I do like, again, I do my coaching and sorry to prompt, but performers edge coaching. Like I help people in show business like have their performance skills, but have mental health, you know, the wellness, the financial planning without being a financial advisor. But I really care about the dreamers of our next generation, like keeping the dreamers alive and making sure that they walk away with a home at some point by the time they leave. It's one of my things. But again, having done a few shows, network is one of the biggest things that I've learned.

[31:11] Seth Stewart: And having a network outside of Broadway, because it could bring you just as much, if not more money, which is fun. But the other thing is, too, is investing.

[31:19] Seth Stewart: So I know we're talking about survival jobs, but I believe everybody will get their first show and then they're like, oh, and now we're out at whatever that bar is over on 47th, 48th Street, kicking every Thursday, Friday, Saturday night, spending their money. And like you said, after that agent takes their 10 percent, after taxes take their 30 percent, after cost of living or whatever, I really think if I would have done it, I always owned a home in New York. Not always. But the majority. But I was homeless before I bought my – I went on tour with Madonna at 20, and I didn't have a – I dropped out of school.

[31:45] Seth Stewart: So one of the biggest things I learned from an OG, he was like 10 years older than me, he said, buy a house, buy a house, buy a house. And he was the first one to plant a tree. So I was able to like have a home. My first home was in the Bronx. Like I was in the hood. Like don't get it twisted. But I was learning about investment then. But what I wish somebody would have taught me at an earlier age is you have to take, if you can, your first five years, and you have to invest.

[32:24] Seth Stewart: If you're making $100,000 a year, right, what's the equity minimum for an ensemble? Is it $26,000 or $27,000? I think it went up. Yeah, I think it's $2,700.

[32:57] Seth Stewart: I'm sorry. So we're talking about $100,000 a year or more, right? You have to throw 10% at your investment your entire career. Because we cannot retire off of being a Broadway star. Even as a principals who might be making $5,000 or $10,000 a week, I don't know what they're making. We have no retirement plan in our industry. So you have to create that. So what's the easiest way? Find a financial planner, plan on investing $10,000 a year once you're in the show for the rest of your life. Because that money's going to grow. And they don't teach this in colleges. They don't because I teach at them. I guess speak at them. So if you don't want to have a survival job after your second Broadway show, throw money at investment. Live a little bit below your means. If you're under 27 or even whatever, plan on having a roommate. It will change things so that when you are at a certain age and older, you know that that nest egg is there.

[34:08] Samantha Tuozzolo: Right. I needed to hear that. I'm like, I got to start putting some money in. I'm screwed.

[34:14] Seth Stewart: But again, I don't care if you're working as a server. Plan on giving 10% back to yourself every check, every single year, because it's going to grow. Our dollar is losing its value, people. And I want to make sure that we're not in survival mode in the future. AI is going to change everything. But theater will always be here all across the globe, all across this country. Events will always need performers. So do not be afraid. Light that fire underneath your butt and know that you are needed in this world. And we just need to be really smart about having a blueprint our entire career so that we can be artists and we can make a great living off of this and have some sort of retirement plan. But it's not set up for you to have a retirement plan.

[35:10] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. Thank you for sharing that. And then you kind of brought us to our next question about Performers Edge. You shared what's the first thing or one of the things important that you share with your students. What is something you actually learned from your students?

[35:25] Seth Stewart: I like that little reversal. That's a great question. My age range that I was helping is 15 to 25 and working with their parents. Again, kids going into college and then coming out of college into the professional world. But I think I really need to open it up. I'm going to open it up on the coaching side. The biggest thing I've learned, I have a student who's 28, about to be 29 and a beautiful singer. And she said, I feel like you just gave me permission to dream. And I went, oh, crap. That's actually what I realized is happening in the world is us as dreamers are getting our bubbles burst. And we actually need to stay a little bit weird and crazy and stay dreamers. Because in every world war, in all these wars, we have always been the sanctuary space.

The stage has always been the sanctuary space. And that's really real. And we have to motivate our current generation and our next generation to be dreamers. And then just teach them the backbone and the blueprint of some of what I said, how to financially structure and plan for your life and learn how to grow and learn how to network and all of these things.

[36:42] Seth Stewart: So one of the biggest things I learned from them is that keep the dreamers lit up and going. Because without us, the world doesn't make sense. Without music, without plays, without theater, the world doesn't make sense. And we are therapy. We are medicine for the world. 500 seats at a time, 1,200 seats at a time. And I'm not BSing at all.

[37:09] Samantha Tuozzolo: That's true. Yeah.

[37:12] Seth Stewart: It's so true.

[37:14] Seth Stewart: Don't give up on your dream.

[37:16] Samantha Tuozzolo: For real.

[37:17] Seth Stewart: Don't be afraid to work a regular job until you get there.

[37:22] Samantha Tuozzolo: And even during.

[37:23] Seth Stewart: And even during.

[37:24] Seth Stewart: The hustle is always real. The hustle is never ending. I feel like the hustle will never end. Because this is the life we chose. I had a moment this whole year where I was like, what am I doing? I'm so tired. I'm doing too much. And then I was like, no. A younger version of myself would be gagged, all the fun things that I do and whatever. So to piggyback on all of that, the hustle is a privilege. If you have it in you to get to do the cool things that you've always dreamed of. So follow your dreams. I want to talk about your book, your memoir, Follow Your Vision, Live Your Truth. So tell us how that came to be and about your spiritual, hello, spiritual? Am I saying spiritual right?

[38:14] Seth Stewart: Yes, you are.

[38:15] Samantha Tuozzolo: I feel like it sounds off. Your spiritual journey from performing to coming into all these other amazing things that you're doing now.

[38:28] Seth Stewart: I'll synthesize it very quickly. I left the industry twice. I got burnt out doing Heights and running a business at the same time. I got burnt out. And then after Hamilton, I just got a spiritual calling to go do the things that I did. Go to the jungles, do the plant ceremonies. But it's stuff I have been on my spiritual journey since I was 18. So it's as wild as I was, I always kind of did that in secret and just trying to understand why.

[38:59] Seth Stewart: Who am I beyond this physical body? That stuff. And I really went deep. Like I went and trained. I've got certifications over the last 10 years, you know, in terms of healing and mentoring and things like that. I took kids backpacking for two summers, you know. So I have a whole nother like life. But I basically just took all those experiences and that part of my, you know, as I sought to be a star, I also sought, you know, that how do, where do we come from the stars? And I just took all everything and I put it in a book. It took me seven years to write, but I did it slowly. But again, to synthesize all of it, life is going to be hard anyways. I don't care if you want to be on Broadway or you want to run a car wash.

Life is going to be tricky. Life is going to life. So you might as well go after what you want anyways, right? And we all have been having, you know what I'm saying? And that's what I want to remind people. Some of the best shows that I've seen or been a part of were in 200 or 300 seat theaters. You know, some of the best shows I've seen were in London, in a back alley, in a cabaret, you know what I'm saying? And you're just like, that just changed my life. That really just changed my life. So we are here to inspire. We are here to again, be a sanctuary space and have fun. And that's the big, one of the biggest things from my book is like literally find your vision and live it your entire life and everything else you have to do in the meantime, even if it's to maintain, that's fine because you know, you have a greater vision.

And honestly, the biggest, one of the biggest things I've learned spiritually is that everything we do is important and none of it matters, which is such a ironic, hilarious, like, okay, God, okay, universe, like I get, I'm laughing with you now. And so I just want to make sure that we keep the light in this world and know that we are a part of something greater. So that's part of reason why Follow Your Vision, Live Your Truth came out. I lived a very weird life and I'm in a very blessed life, but I want to make sure that we keep the lights on even in the dark times. They cannot kill our lights. I will not let that happen to myself, to the people around me, or as much as I can for this next generation.

So it's about my spiritual journey. I almost died a couple of times. I almost, you know, went a little crazy. Yeah. Yeah. I've hiked some mountains and been in some jungles deep in Peru and almost didn't make it out and I'm here. Yay, we made it.

[42:01] Jason A. Coombs: I want this book right now. Where can we get the book?

[42:06] Seth Stewart: I just, so I, where is my book? I gotta read this book now. You gotta get the book. I have a book club. Yeah, I lived off grid too for like four years and built my cabin. So this is Follow Your Vision. That's like my dream. That's like my dream.

[42:25] Seth Stewart: Oh, yes. It's on my website, imsethstewart.com right now. I have about 50 special edition ones left. Yeah, if you're a seeker, I think it's a great book. It turned out to be like 300 pages. But again, I needed to get out everything as an artist. I needed to just get it out and put it on paper and create. So yeah, I would say not a great business venture by any means, write for yourself. I wrote for myself. I did my first one. I'll do one more, but not great to pay the bills. And I knew that going in anyways.

[43:11] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, I want to write a book. No child, go get a show. Go get a show. You got other things to pay the bills.

[43:19] Seth Stewart: Right.

[43:20] Samantha Tuozzolo: So we always end with a really fun game, a really fun activity, but we have one more question. Did they tell you? Did they tell you about the really fun activity?

[43:27] Seth Stewart: Do you mean they, me?

[43:29] Samantha Tuozzolo: Maybe. I might have missed it. That might be on me.

[43:32] Seth Stewart: Okay. No worries. No worries. I think you'll have some fun. But one more question. Everyone, make sure you get the book. First of all, go to Seth's website. I'll get it. We'll have like a Survivor Jobs book club. We'll read it. We'll have some select chapters. But I wanted to ask you because you're like a Renaissance man in a way. I feel like you wear so many different hats and you clearly wear them so well. Is there a dream like project or dream collaboration or a dream venture that you would like to manifest with us? Because Samantha and I are big manifestors and we like to put out the good vibes out in the universe and try to bring things to us that we want. So is there anything that you really want?

[44:14] Seth Stewart: Yeah. The two things I think that I'm doing right now, which is my performer's edge for artists, I'm going to say at any age now. I could see myself doing that. I really just really want to help this next generation because there's nothing like being on stage and eating. There's just nothing like that. It's play. It's where I get to be a kid again. It's where we all get to be kids again. So I want that and then my men's group True Kings. I just really want to help people. And then, I don't know, there's one more show out there. I don't know what it is. I'm just got to keep the vocals vocaling and keep the legs a little stretched, just a little ready.

[45:01] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes.

[45:01] Seth Stewart: But yeah, I would love to help millions of people and just help them live their dreams. Because again, you might only get two or three shows and hey, you did it. And life still goes on.

[45:25] Jason A. Coombs: Sure does.

[45:26] Seth Stewart: Yeah.

[45:27] Samantha Tuozzolo: Sure does. I love that. Seth, what a gift for you to have been on this show. Thank you so much for finding us and reaching out truly.

[45:34] Seth Stewart: Of course.

[45:35] Jason A. Coombs: Amazing.

[45:36] Seth Stewart: I love what you all are doing. So Survival Jobs Podcast. Yeah, let's talk about the real things. This is our real community right here.

[45:44] Samantha Tuozzolo: SJP, baby.

[45:49] Seth Stewart: So yeah, we always like to end with something fun because we do get pretty deep on the show, as you just saw. I mean, you brought us to church today. So thank you.

[45:58] Samantha Tuozzolo: So we're playing a little game today called This or That. We're going to throw you two things and you're going to pick which one is your favorite. And you have to pick. And it might be hard, but you just have to. And by the way, if you don't want to, you could plead the fifth, I guess.

[46:11] Seth Stewart: All good.

[46:12] Samantha Tuozzolo: I guess. Okay, so the first one is favorite show in the Heights or Hamilton?

[46:21] Seth Stewart: Heights.

[46:23] Samantha Tuozzolo: Boom.

[46:23] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, that was easy. What do you prefer? A big like dance number or like a very intimate, strong act?

[46:31] Seth Stewart: Big dance number. Dancing for the blood of Jesus. Are you kidding me? Hair to the floor. Hurt yourself, kid. Let's go.

[46:40] Jason A. Coombs: Let's go.

[46:42] Samantha Tuozzolo: Which do you prefer? Freestyle choreography or strict choreography?

[46:46] Seth Stewart: I like strict choreography.

[46:49] Samantha Tuozzolo: Love that. Okay, which is more fun? Rehearsal room magic or like the opening night adrenaline?

[46:55] Seth Stewart: Rehearsal room magic.

[46:57] Samantha Tuozzolo: Mmm, I love that. Okay, which was more exciting, working with Lin-Manuel Miranda as a writer or as a fellow performer?

[47:05] Seth Stewart: Performer.

[47:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, can you elaborate a little on that? I'm curious.

[47:11] Seth Stewart: I have a longstanding thing with Lin to where I don't always try to make him laugh on stage. I've gotten in trouble quite a bit. I mean, but I've known him since back then. So I catch things that most people don't. So on stage is, it's like performing with a brother in that regard to where we have inside things going on. And then I also am the younger brother where I do things that might make him laugh and piss him off later. But as a performer, yes.

[47:46] Samantha Tuozzolo: Love that.

[47:48] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, I'm lost now. Samantha, is that me or you?

[47:52] Samantha Tuozzolo: That was me. Okay, what's more taxing, early morning rehearsal or late night performance?

[47:57] Seth Stewart: Early morning rehearsal.

[47:59] Samantha Tuozzolo: For real. For real. What's more exciting, creating new work or reviving classic work?

[48:09] Seth Stewart: That one's hard, bless you. That one's hard. I guess it depends on if you love the revival that you're doing. Because some new work is not always fun either. So I'd say new work. I just got lucky. That's all.

[48:29] Jason A. Coombs: Right. Okay.

[48:33] Samantha Tuozzolo: What's better for you, in-person audition or a self-tape audition?

[48:37] Seth Stewart: In-person. They need my energy.

[48:40] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes. Would you rather dance for J-Lo or dance for Madonna?

[48:45] Seth Stewart: Madonna.

[48:46] Samantha Tuozzolo: Okay. Wicked has been in the pop culture, I guess, for the past two years now. Wicked battle cry, you prefer Cynthia Erivo or Idina Menzel's original?

[49:03] Seth Stewart: That is hot. That is shady. No, they're both great. Idina Menzel, they're both one of one. But she's the OG. So I'd have to go there. I'd have to go there. Cynthia Erivo, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'll go with the OG. Sorry.

[49:28] Samantha Tuozzolo: My jaw was on the ground during No Good Deed. I was like, what is happening?

[49:34] Seth Stewart: That's a whole weird... I can't watch the... I don't know. It's hard for me to watch this new one. I don't know why, but...

[49:39] Samantha Tuozzolo: The new one? I can see that.

[49:43] Seth Stewart: I don't know what it is, but...

[49:45] Jason A. Coombs: I agree in a major way. First 40 minutes, I was like, what the fuck?

[49:50] Seth Stewart: Yeah. I couldn't watch. Yeah. Well, moving on. Back to the fun. Last one. Last this or that. When you approach a project, is it character study first or script analysis first?

[50:03] Seth Stewart: Oh, that's a good question. Script analysis first for me.

[50:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah. Fun. That was fun.

[50:11] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you so much again for coming on the show. Before we let you go, can you please let our listeners know how they can keep up with you, with all of your projects? And if they want to coach with you, just tell us all of the ways we can keep in touch with Seth.

[50:23] Seth Stewart: Absolutely. My website is IamSethStuart.com. All my socials are at IamSethStuart. And Performer's Edge is for artists. And I am available to just, again, really help people through Performer's Edge. So shoot me a DM, send me an email. I still plan on performing at some point. But in the meantime, I'm definitely here to help and not BS you and also inspire you at the same time.

[51:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: And Seth, can you do virtual?

[51:00] Seth Stewart: Yeah. Everything will be virtual. Everything's virtual through Performer's Edge. But I appreciate, again, you all for continuing this. I know this started a while ago. And so just, you know, everybody out there, follow, share their podcast because these are where the real conversations happen.

[51:20] Jason A. Coombs: And we're not stopping.

[51:22] Seth Stewart: And don't. And don't.

[51:23] Jason A. Coombs: We're almost at 150.

[51:24] Seth Stewart: Let's go. So I will share as well. And if y'all want some more guests and I can make a phone call, please don't hesitate to email me.

[51:33] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you. I love that.

[51:35] Seth Stewart: Yeah, let's blow this thing up.

[51:36] Jason A. Coombs: I mean, there's a big one that we've been waiting for. So maybe we'll cash that in soon.

[51:40] Seth Stewart: Awesome. Okay.

[51:41] Jason A. Coombs: Thanks so much, Seth.

[51:44] Seth Stewart: You're welcome. I appreciate y'all.

[51:47] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you so much. You're so amazing.