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[0:01] Mikayla Petrilla: Hey everyone and welcome to the very first official episode of Tea Time with Mikayla.

[0:08] Mikayla Petrilla: This is Tea Time and I'm Mikayla and you're listening on the Broadway Podcast Network.

[0:14] Mikayla Petrilla: Friends, the kettle is officially on and the tea puns begin.

[0:19] Mikayla Petrilla: I am so excited to welcome you to the first ever episode of Tea Time with Mikayla.

[0:24] Mikayla Petrilla: My dream is that this podcast can be a space where we can have smart, warm, humorous, tea-themed conversations about the arts and entertainment.

[0:32] Mikayla Petrilla: Because I really want to get to the bottom of what is happening in our industry.

[0:37] Mikayla Petrilla: I have questions. So many questions. I'm sure we all do.

[0:42] Mikayla Petrilla: We're watching the industry change in real time.

[0:45] Mikayla Petrilla: This year of our lore, 2026, we are noticing major shifts in how shows survive, how artists take care of themselves, how auditions happen, how we produce new work, how careers are built.

[0:57] Mikayla Petrilla: And I want to understand and learn. So I am putting on my little Nancy Drew meets Harriet the Spy hat and getting to the bottom of it all.

[1:05] Mikayla Petrilla: My goal is to create a thoughtful space for creatives to share stories about their career craft and their personal evolution through candid, warm conversations.

[1:14] Mikayla Petrilla: But also give them a platform to truly be themselves and share what it's like to be a human in the middle of all of it.

[1:20] Mikayla Petrilla: I also want to ask all of the questions that you are probably itching to ask, but never get the chance to.

[1:26] Mikayla Petrilla: The things you wonder about auditions, representation, casting, sustaining a career, building a creative life and what actually happens behind the scenes,

[1:34] Mikayla Petrilla: especially now as we are experiencing the whiplash and the impact of what the last five to six years has done to our industry.

[1:43] Mikayla Petrilla: A little about me, I'm primarily a musical theater performer. However, I have gotten into this industry through every side door imaginable.

[1:51] Mikayla Petrilla: As a performer, comedian, creator, producer, and someone who has built so much of her career around community and connection.

[1:59] Mikayla Petrilla: It's important for me to contribute and share all the things I learned, all the things I wish I knew.

[2:04] Mikayla Petrilla: Give you an extra tool in your toolbox, some more resources so you feel empowered and inspired.

[2:10] Mikayla Petrilla: But more importantly, hopeful and happy about contributing to this wonderful community.

[2:17] Mikayla Petrilla: My goal has always been Broadway, whose is not.

[2:22] Mikayla Petrilla: But I more importantly than that, you know, I've asked myself over the years, is being on Broadway an ego thing?

[2:30] Mikayla Petrilla: Is that just the goal you set when you were a kid that you always wanted to do?

[2:34] Mikayla Petrilla: Or is this really the mission of your life?

[2:37] Mikayla Petrilla: And what I have found is while Broadway would be a wonderful step and I am, you know, fully subscribing to the Doolooloo of, you know, pick me, choose me, love me.

[2:48] Mikayla Petrilla: I really feel that the arts is the heartbeat behind what it is to be human.

[2:57] Mikayla Petrilla: And it gives us all so much to connect to and resonate with and feel fully present in this crazy life we're living.

[3:05] Mikayla Petrilla: So regardless of what specific goals you put out for yourself and whether or not they actually happen, the more important thing is your mission in life.

[3:14] Mikayla Petrilla: And I feel mine is talking? Question mark? We'll see.

[3:19] Mikayla Petrilla: More so campaigning, hype girling, connecting the dots, bringing people together.

[3:25] Mikayla Petrilla: And I think that a podcast is a wonderful space for that.

[3:28] Mikayla Petrilla: The Broadway Podcast Network is such a wonderful space for that.

[3:32] Mikayla Petrilla: And whether or not I get to live any specific personal goals or dreams of mine, the more important thing is that I am in the heartbeat of it all and contributing in a way that is hopeful and positive and, you know, giving us all a little bit of joy.

[3:50] Mikayla Petrilla: So here's the podcast, and I really hope that you enjoy it.

[3:54] Mikayla Petrilla: And I think that you will. And here's why.

[3:57] Mikayla Petrilla: Because our first guest is phenomenal.

[4:00] Mikayla Petrilla: I could not think of a better first guest to pour the first cup with than McKenzie Kurtz.

[4:06] Mikayla Petrilla: McKenzie is one of those performers who makes excellence look effortless, which, as you will hear in this conversation, does not mean it is effortless.

[4:15] Mikayla Petrilla: You may know her from Frozen, Wicked, Heathers, The Heart of Rock and Roll, and now Schmigadoon, where she is bringing her signature warmth, comedy, vocal range and her full Broadway sparkle to the stage.

[4:29] Mikayla Petrilla: In this episode, we are talking about opening a show, surviving tech, vocal health, self-tapes, audition prep, learning when to say no, ooh, tea, and what it takes to sustain eight shows a week and how to balance being a real human being amidst all of this.

[4:46] Mikayla Petrilla: Oh my goodness. We get into her self-tape process, the Heather Chandler belt to legit soprano pipeline, CBS makeup wins, and why sometimes the most important thing you can do for your career is sleep.

[4:58] Mikayla Petrilla: McKenzie is generous, funny, grounded, and so honest about the reality behind the magic.

[5:03] Mikayla Petrilla: So pour yourself something warm or cool.

[5:06] Mikayla Petrilla: It is June 1st at Settle In and welcome to the first official episode of Tea Time with Mikayla with McKenzie Kurtz.

[5:19] Mikayla Petrilla: Okay, hey, we are here with McKenzie Kurtz.

[5:22] McKenzie Kurtz: How are you doing?

[5:23] Mikayla Petrilla: I'm great.

[5:24] McKenzie Kurtz: How are you doing?

[5:25] Mikayla Petrilla: I'm good.

[5:26] Mikayla Petrilla: We were here on a Friday afternoon.

[5:28] Mikayla Petrilla: This is great.

[5:29] Mikayla Petrilla: You just opened a whole show.

[5:31] Mikayla Petrilla: So where are you at today?

[5:33] Mikayla Petrilla: Are you in show mode yet? Are you in real life mode? What are we up to?

[5:36] McKenzie Kurtz: I feel like I don't even, well, first off, I'm like, what day is it?

[5:40] McKenzie Kurtz: It's Friday, right?

[5:41] McKenzie Kurtz: We opened on Monday.

[5:43] McKenzie Kurtz: So I feel like the past couple days have been just kind of settling in and chilling out a bit.

[5:50] McKenzie Kurtz: Just trying to get back into the rhythm of life and, you know, day to day.

[5:56] McKenzie Kurtz: It's nice to have my days free right now again.

[6:00] McKenzie Kurtz: But yeah, kind of settling back in, enjoying doing the show, loving going into work every night.

[6:06] McKenzie Kurtz: It's a blast.

[6:07] Mikayla Petrilla: I love that. What is your tech schedule like? Are you there all day? Then you get a dinner break. You do the preview.

[6:13] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. So we were, we luckily had a pretty quick preview process.

[6:18] McKenzie Kurtz: And so we, you know, we'd get called in the morning and then we'd have dinner break.

[6:24] McKenzie Kurtz: And then we would do the show during previews.

[6:27] McKenzie Kurtz: But we froze the show.

[6:30] McKenzie Kurtz: I want to say last Thursday we did have to come in to shoot B-roll, which was a lot.

[6:36] McKenzie Kurtz: And that was a long day.

[6:37] McKenzie Kurtz: But then like Friday we had the day and then we did due to Saturday to Sunday and then opened on Monday, which was crazy.

[6:44] Mikayla Petrilla: Oh my God. Are you well?

[6:46] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. Barely.

[6:47] McKenzie Kurtz: Barely.

[6:48] McKenzie Kurtz: But no, it was, we made it through.

[6:50] McKenzie Kurtz: We got through.

[6:51] McKenzie Kurtz: And that was what the schedule was looking like.

[6:53] Mikayla Petrilla: Amazing. Incredible. How do you take care of yourself? Like, we're going to ask that in general later. But like, how do you take care of your body and yourself while you're doing that?

[7:03] McKenzie Kurtz: For me, sleep is so important. I mean, for everyone, but I am someone, I'm like, I need a good amount of sleep just to be a nice human being.

[7:13] McKenzie Kurtz: So prioritizing, seriously, like prioritizing sleep, obviously drinking water, constantly warming up before every show, physically, vocally.

[7:26] McKenzie Kurtz: And trying to eat healthy, even though it's really hard.

[7:28] McKenzie Kurtz: Because during the preview process, everyone's always bringing in little treats and then opening, you get all the goodies.

[7:34] McKenzie Kurtz: And so yesterday I was in my dressing room and I was like, I'll just have some candy and some cookies and other things.

[7:41] Mikayla Petrilla: Just a little.

[7:42] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah, just a little bit.

[7:43] McKenzie Kurtz: But yeah, trying to eat healthy.

[7:46] McKenzie Kurtz: And also for me, trying to get outside if it's sunny, like during the day, just to get some sunshine.

[7:53] McKenzie Kurtz: Because I feel like I've been in the dark for like six weeks.

[7:56] Mikayla Petrilla: But yeah.

[7:57] Mikayla Petrilla: That's real. And this weather in New York, for anyone that's tuning in not from New York right now, it has been hell and a half. Like one day I'm getting sunburned, the next day I'm wearing a coat.

[8:07] McKenzie Kurtz: Yes.

[8:08] McKenzie Kurtz: That has been very interesting dealing with the weather changes in like our voices too.

[8:13] McKenzie Kurtz: Because it's also allergy season.

[8:15] McKenzie Kurtz: The weather is whack.

[8:17] Mikayla Petrilla: So that's been something to navigate for sure.

[8:21] Mikayla Petrilla: Do you have any go-tos, quick fixes, or just maintaining your body for some of that?

[8:26] McKenzie Kurtz: I'm a throat coat girl, as we all are.

[8:29] McKenzie Kurtz: Love throat coat.

[8:30] McKenzie Kurtz: I mean, I literally have my Maricolas right next to me right now.

[8:34] McKenzie Kurtz: But water, I think my nebulizer, steaming.

[8:38] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah.

[8:39] McKenzie Kurtz: All that good stuff.

[8:40] McKenzie Kurtz: All that fun stuff.

[8:41] Mikayla Petrilla: Do you use the Vocal Mist one? Like the portable nebulizer?

[8:43] McKenzie Kurtz: I do.

[8:45] McKenzie Kurtz: I do.

[8:46] McKenzie Kurtz: I love it so much.

[8:47] Mikayla Petrilla: I know. I have like three of them. They're all, I don't even know where. One's in my bag. One's in my kitchen. One's in my dressing room. They're everywhere.

[8:55] McKenzie Kurtz: Yes.

[8:56] McKenzie Kurtz: Oh my gosh. I love that.

[8:58] Mikayla Petrilla: I feel like that's so...

[8:59] McKenzie Kurtz: The portable aspect makes it so much better.

[9:01] McKenzie Kurtz: So handy.

[9:02] McKenzie Kurtz: So convenient.

[9:03] Mikayla Petrilla: Oof. Okay. Well, how... Okay. So what drew you to Schmigadoon in the first place? Was this something you were approached with? Something you wanted to work on? What is the process for like that?

[9:11] McKenzie Kurtz: I actually auditioned for the TV show in 2021, maybe, or like 2022 for Betsy, for the Apple TV series.

[9:22] McKenzie Kurtz: And when I first saw it, I'm like, this is hilarious. I love this.

[9:27] McKenzie Kurtz: I feel like nothing really like this exists.

[9:31] McKenzie Kurtz: And so I was very intrigued and obviously it didn't go my way then.

[9:37] McKenzie Kurtz: But then I was approached with doing just a workshop of it.

[9:41] McKenzie Kurtz: And I was like, oh, are they bringing this to the stage? Because if so, heck yeah.

[9:45] McKenzie Kurtz: I was obsessed with this a couple of years ago.

[9:48] McKenzie Kurtz: So I think that happened in like 2023.

[9:50] McKenzie Kurtz: I came in to do just like a 29 hour reading of it.

[9:54] McKenzie Kurtz: And yeah, and then was approached again to do the out of town tryout.

[10:01] McKenzie Kurtz: And we did like one more workshop of it after that.

[10:04] McKenzie Kurtz: And now here we are on Broadway, which is wild.

[10:07] McKenzie Kurtz: But yeah, I thought it was so funny when the show came out too.

[10:11] McKenzie Kurtz: I watched like bits of it.

[10:12] McKenzie Kurtz: I didn't watch it in its entirety.

[10:14] McKenzie Kurtz: And then when I found it, I was going to be doing it on stage.

[10:17] McKenzie Kurtz: I went back and like looked at a few things, but again, I didn't know if I wanted to watch it in its whole because I just wanted to try to like have it have its own life.

[10:26] McKenzie Kurtz: And like kind of, yeah, just like exist on its own in that way.

[10:30] McKenzie Kurtz: But definitely watch some clips and think it's so, so hilarious.

[10:34] Mikayla Petrilla: So yeah, that was a big draw.

[10:36] Mikayla Petrilla: That's so cool, though. I feel like a lot of actors, we're just submitting our self tapes into the abyss, not having clarity on if the work you're submitting and doing is being seen.

[10:41] Mikayla Petrilla: But the fact that the long game is real, people are thinking of you. They value your work and the right opportunity will come at the right time. So that's incredible.

[10:50] McKenzie Kurtz: Totally.

[10:56] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah.

[10:57] Mikayla Petrilla: Thank you. I love that. Do you feel like the last six years of your life have been a whirlwind?

[11:04] Mikayla Petrilla: Because I was doing research and I'm like, okay, so you're a Jimmy's girl. You work at the Muni, right? And then it's like you're principal after principal, but over the course of COVID years.

[11:16] McKenzie Kurtz: Yes.

[11:17] McKenzie Kurtz: So that's a whirlwind. How did you adjust to all of that?

[11:21] McKenzie Kurtz: It really has been a whirlwind. I was so lucky in that I graduated in May of 2019.

[11:29] McKenzie Kurtz: And then I worked at the Muni that summer, had a fantastic experience,

[11:33] McKenzie Kurtz: and then moved to New York right after that.

[11:36] McKenzie Kurtz: And within like a month and a half being here,

[11:39] McKenzie Kurtz: I was so fortunate that I booked my first job, which was playing Anna in Frozen.

[11:45] McKenzie Kurtz: Like dream scenario, dream situation.

[11:48] McKenzie Kurtz: I was so, so excited.

[11:51] McKenzie Kurtz: Started rehearsals for that in January of 2020,

[11:54] McKenzie Kurtz: and then made my debut in February and got to do it for like a little over a month.

[11:59] McKenzie Kurtz: And then obviously everything shut down.

[12:02] McKenzie Kurtz: So that was a crazy time just, you know, in itself.

[12:06] McKenzie Kurtz: But I went home obviously thinking, they said two weeks, like we'll be back.

[12:11] McKenzie Kurtz: And I just get like to go see my family for two weeks.

[12:13] McKenzie Kurtz: And then that turned into months.

[12:15] McKenzie Kurtz: And then we got a call in the summer of 2020.

[12:19] McKenzie Kurtz: Obviously nothing was happening at that time.

[12:22] McKenzie Kurtz: But then we got the news that once Broadway did reopen, unfortunately Frozen would not be coming back at all.

[12:29] McKenzie Kurtz: So that was a really tough time.

[12:32] McKenzie Kurtz: And I had felt like I had like reached my dream and it was like in my grasp.

[12:36] McKenzie Kurtz: And then it was kind of just gone in the blink of an eye.

[12:39] McKenzie Kurtz: And it was rough. It was rough.

[12:41] McKenzie Kurtz: I mean, for many reasons, but that was one of them.

[12:44] McKenzie Kurtz: So I was kind of back and forth.

[12:46] McKenzie Kurtz: I'm from Atlanta, Georgia.

[12:48] McKenzie Kurtz: So I was home in Georgia and then kind of popping back and forth from New York to Georgia,

[12:54] McKenzie Kurtz: doing a few different things throughout that time period.

[12:57] McKenzie Kurtz: I was in Annie Live, which shot here in New York.

[13:00] McKenzie Kurtz: And so I came back for that, which was also just a crazy experience

[13:03] McKenzie Kurtz: because COVID was still very real during that time.

[13:06] McKenzie Kurtz: So taking all those precautions and being in rehearsals in full masks

[13:09] McKenzie Kurtz: and like the testing of it all, that was really crazy.

[13:13] Mikayla Petrilla: Did they make you come in separate to test? Because whenever I went on set for SNL, it was like we had a different day that we had to go in and test and then come in again and test before we're even allowed on set.

[13:23] McKenzie Kurtz: They had us like take home the tests.

[13:26] McKenzie Kurtz: And then I think a couple of times they had people,

[13:28] McKenzie Kurtz: like when we all went to the studio to record and do like rehearsals

[13:33] McKenzie Kurtz: and camera marking and stuff,

[13:34] McKenzie Kurtz: then I think they were bringing us in at different times to test people,

[13:38] McKenzie Kurtz: which was just, it was bonkers.

[13:40] McKenzie Kurtz: Like that was craziness.

[13:42] Mikayla Petrilla: It's so weird to live through that. The fact that it was so recent and it's still in many ways, like we're not COVID testing anymore, but it's normal to see a mask on the subway now. And it's like, ooh, we went through some trauma.

[13:54] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah, that happened.

[13:56] McKenzie Kurtz: That fully happened.

[13:58] McKenzie Kurtz: But yeah, so I was kind of back and forth and then ended up really officially moving back at the beginning of 2023.

[14:08] McKenzie Kurtz: Even though I'd had an apartment in there for like six months, I was subletting a place, but yeah,

[14:12] McKenzie Kurtz: officially moving back to the beginning of 2023.

[14:14] McKenzie Kurtz: And that's when I started Wicked.

[14:16] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah, it's been a whirlwind.

[14:19] McKenzie Kurtz: The past few years has been pretty crazy.

[14:21] Mikayla Petrilla: That is incredible. You probably know my friend Carissa. She was in Frozen.

[14:24] McKenzie Kurtz: Yes.

[14:25] McKenzie Kurtz: She was understudying.

[14:26] Mikayla Petrilla: So that was crazy hearing from her vantage. I mean, she's done so many things, including Heathers.

[14:30] McKenzie Kurtz: Heathers is sweet and so talented.

[14:32] McKenzie Kurtz: And I feel like from what I know of you, you have to be disciplined.

[14:37] McKenzie Kurtz: To be able to handle the workload you're doing. We do what we can. Tell me about your audition process for Heathers because you made that video where you're like, I'm locked in for this call. I was like, okay, this is how you do it. This is how you tell casting. I'm locked in. I'm ready. This is exactly what you're looking for. So I think with that, I think they announced it was coming back and it was going to be at New World Stages. So I immediately texted my agent and I'm like, I have got to get in for this. I love this show. I would listen to it in my car all the time, like senior year of high school, was obsessed. And so when I knew it was coming back, I'm like, okay, I have to get an audition for this.

And they were like, great. Well, let's see what we can do. And so I ended up going in. And that's when that video was shot, when I went in for the audition. It literally, it was my friend, my friend, Olivia, who then ended up getting cast as Heather Duke. Stunning. She was just sitting across from me and we went to school together. And I was like, can you just like take a clip of me really quick? I'm like, if this goes in a good direction, this would be really funny to have. And I'm glad I had it because then I made this stupid, just stupid TikTok later on. But yeah, so I went in, I was there like all day and we, I think we danced in the morning, learned some Candy Store choreography. I went in to sing Candy Store.

They brought us in, in different groups and we did some sides and different pairings of Heathers. And then at the end of the day, they were like, come in and just sing something from your book. Like, what's something that you like love to sing? And I'm like, oh God.

[16:14] Mikayla Petrilla: Oh, so they do that?

[16:14] McKenzie Kurtz: Oh yeah. They will throw the book out. Okay. Oh yes. And I was like, thank God I have my book. Some people like didn't have their book. And I was like, by the grace of God, I just slipped it in my bag right before I left thinking like, maybe. But yeah, so then sang and then I was released. And then I got the call like a week later that I was offered the job and I was so excited. So excited.

[16:34] Mikayla Petrilla: Yes. Oh my gosh. Okay. So tell me more about your book. How often do you actually have to use your book versus bringing in material? But what was your song?

[16:43] McKenzie Kurtz: I have not honestly used my book in years. And so I cannot believe that I thank God had it that day. I ended up singing whatever happened to my part from Spamalot in the style of Heather Chandler. So I was like, how would Heather sing this? Cause you know, it's literally the other name for his diva's lament. And so I'm like, well, Heather, okay, let's like make this work.

[17:10] Mikayla Petrilla: So wasn't that your Jimmy song?

[17:12] McKenzie Kurtz: It was my Jimmy. That's a full circle. Okay. Right. Yeah. I've that's been in my book since I was like 16 playing Lady of the Lake in high school. And you know what? It's a tried and true. It has not failed me. So yeah, that's what I used. It's been a minute since we dusted that off. It was, thank God it worked.

[17:30] Mikayla Petrilla: That's incredible. I feel like doing material that I've already done on stage feels better for me because I'm more in my body. I've practiced it. I can be a little more present. Do you feel the same way?

[17:42] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah, I agree with that. I love doing songs that I have either auditioned with before. I never am someone I'm like, let's, let's pull out this thing that I've never done or performed in front of people ever. Just because it's nice to like have, I'm sorry.

[18:05] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah. I think that's so smart. And just for me, like I'm someone before I even go into an audition, I like to do a mock audition. And the amount of times I've had my sister or my mom sit in front of me and pretend to be the people that I'm auditioning for and walk in and introduce myself and say, I'm going to be singing this and then try it maybe one time where the readers on the left side or the readers on the right side, just so I know what that's going to feel like when I'm in the room. I like to have a plan. And so I am someone that definitely I like to pull from things that I have done and used before for sure.

[18:44] McKenzie Kurtz: That checks. And that is so reassuring because I feel like when we're insular and finding our own audition process, in a way, we're all going to feel like little freaks. I have done this with my best friend. I have rented out a studio in Pearl if we're both called back for something and we just put it on tape, but we pretend to be the auditor and just see how it goes. So I have never heard someone confirm that we do this, but I thank God that we do this.

[19:07] Mikayla Petrilla: Yes. Oh, I love it. And I recommend it to everybody. I'm like, why not? Just like, set yourself up for success. Do all the things you can to make you feel as comfortable as possible. I think that's such a smart move.

[19:21] McKenzie Kurtz: Agreed. How do you memorize material? Are you someone that you have to get it on your feet or can you just sit and materialize it?

[19:28] McKenzie Kurtz: I start just sitting and reading it totally through and then just going section by section and adding on and going back. I start out by myself and then I'll ask a friend to be like, can you just run this with me a few times and then I'll put it on my feet. And I'm someone, I'm a big, I love to memorize before I go to bed because I feel like right before I go to sleep, I'll look at it and then go to bed. And then in the night, magic happens and I wake up and I'm like, oh, I know this way better than I thought I did. So I love doing that.

[20:03] Mikayla Petrilla: It's like your REM cycle through osmosis.

[20:05] McKenzie Kurtz: Yes.

[20:05] Mikayla Petrilla: Like it's in your brain. I love that. Downloading.

[20:10] McKenzie Kurtz: Okay. So tell me what is, favorite is subjective because every role has their joys, but what has it been like to originate a role even though Schmigadoon has its own other life on TV? And you've originated other roles as well. So is there a difference between developing a role in process versus coming into a role that you are making your own that has been established already? What are the differences? Do you have a favorite?

[20:36] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. I don't know if I have a favorite. It's like both are so fun and have their own joys and their own complications at times. And I think like stepping into like the role of Glinda, I have all of my favorite Glindas from the past and grew up as a fan first. So I wanted to bring my original take on this character, but also nodding to these incredible actresses that have come before me. And like literally when I would see performances, it'd be like, oh my God, I loved when Megan did this, or I love when Kara Lindsay did this. So trying to maybe take that and find my own version of like that moment or whatever it is that's happening. And that's really cool. And then it can also still evolve throughout the entire year that you're doing it.

But then something like the Heart of Rock and Roll that I originated and like had no real prior kind of view on that part, that was the first time I'd ever really done something like that. And I found that the more reps I got and when we were like during the preview process is when I felt like I honestly found that character. Like rehearsals, I'm like, this is just kind of, let's try this, let's try that and see what sticks. But then getting it on its feet and doing the reps and making discoveries night after night, that was when I really feel like I found who Cassandra was. And then with Schmigadoon, obviously I've seen the clips of Dove Cameron and I love what she does with this role, but also TV is going to be something completely different than Broadway.

And so the other cool thing about Schmigadoon is like it's drawing on these kind of classic golden age musical theater tropes. So I'm like, let me go look at like the 8-0 Annie's of the past. And you know what I mean? And it's like drawing on that and then also bringing some of my own little quirks and bits to the part is fun too. So I don't know if I have a favorite. I love both. I think replacing and originating both give you the opportunity to just bring yourself to it. But then it's also fun to be able to look back on things that others have done before you and think, oh, I love this and let me see what my version of that is. So yeah, I don't know. Sorry, I thought was rambling, but.

[22:54] Mikayla Petrilla: No, I love it. It makes sense because there are so many benefits to both. Across the board, do you feel like you lock in more once you get on stage where there's lighting and there's costumes? I feel like for sure I know what the role is going to be, but once you really lock into all the other sensory elements of that, it's a whole other layer is added. Is that part of the process for you where you're like, yes. And I used to kind of have like when I was younger, I hated auditioning because I'm like, just put me in the costume and like, put me and like I can do it. Like I know I can do it and I need these things. And I've gotten much better at that over the years. But it is so true when you have the costume, when you have the lights, when you're like in situ and it's happening. I think it makes it obviously so much easier having those tangible elements around you. But yeah, I think so.

[23:39] Mikayla Petrilla: Okay, cool. So now I'm thinking, well, scoot back to Wicked, but we won't spend too much time on that. But audition for Wicked, did you self-tape or did you go straight to the room?

[23:52] McKenzie Kurtz: I self-taped. My first self-tape, I think, was in the summer of 2019. And then I think when I got to New York that fall, they called me in for an in-person audition. And then this is a little known fact. I was actually offered Glinda on tour in like 2020. It was like 2022. And my agent and I had like just kind of gotten back to the city and it was when COVID was still kind of going on. And they were like, we really think you should wait. And turning that down was the hardest thing I think I have ever done in my life because it was like dream role, dream show. And I'm like, okay, if you guys say so. So I politely declined and I was like, I just got back to New York. I want to be in New York. I want to be here.

And then I think I maybe went in like one more time and months later, like 10 months later at the end of 2022, got a call out of the blue and was offered the part, which was like insane. I mean, I was not expecting it at all. And that was like one of the best days of my life.

[25:04] Mikayla Petrilla: Oh my God. I would be sobbing on the floor.

[25:09] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. But that is incredible too, because so many people have, I don't want to say a scarcity mindset, saying no to things that you would really enjoy, but it's just not the proper alignment at the right time. Or there's part of it that is just slightly off being able to advocate for yourself or having your team help advocate for you and saying no to something that is good, because we are trying so hard to have work. And so much of our industry is being in between jobs. So to have something offered to you that you want, but it's not quite right. Or you have to trust your team to say something better is there for you. You just have to give it a little more time.

[26:00] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. Oh my gosh. But this is like tried and true. You can say no and things will still work out. I fully believe that. I fully believe what's meant to happen, what is meant for you will come to you and will happen. So yeah.

[26:08] Mikayla Petrilla: Yay. Okay. So T on the Glenda self tape, because I'm sure many of us have been through the self tape of it or have read the packet. How do you even, how everyone's approach is going to be different. And no matter what anybody says, you have to be authentic to what feels right for you. But let's say you're Mackenzie, you're looking at that self tape material, and you're supposed to act in the bubble, but you've got the backdrop behind you. And now you're singing legit, but you don't want to blow out the mic. And then the popular scene, it's like, okay, like she's crying on the bed, but there is no bed. And you just use this space to play hide and physicality. What do you do?

[27:05] McKenzie Kurtz: That's a good question. I mean, again, I think what's beautiful about Glenda is it's like all the actors that have played her and their different takes on things have been so different. And so it's like, whatever your instincts are, go with your instinct of what you think is right and what you think Glenda would do in this moment. But also I think it's so important. And the trap that I think a lot of people do fall into is it's like, she's crazy and zany and all over the place. But it's like, but what is the truth and still playing the truth? And she's a real person. She's a real human. You don't want to just play crazy to be crazy. And I have to remind myself of that sometimes, because I will get carried away and do bonkers things.

And I'm like, but what is the truth here? What's her objective? And then through those tactics, what tactics is she using to get what she wants? But as a person, as a character, how would she go about that? And maybe that lends itself to some of her Glenda-isms as what I guess I'll call them.

[28:42] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah, it's like, and when it comes to the whole bubble of it all and the bed scene of it all, I think for me, I was like, I'm going to forget about, especially the popular scene, I think I'm just going to forget about the jump. I don't have that here to me. So what would the scene be if I didn't have that? What would she be doing? What are some choices I could make that if I didn't have that here, if I didn't have the wand with me, if the bubble is not here, I still want it to be very presentational and like I'm this public figure speaking to people. So I'm not even going to necessarily like, mime this bubble happening. It's whatever feels good and right to you while also keeping it truthful.

[29:10] McKenzie Kurtz: That is really helpful. And I'm sure a lot of people appreciate that because translating musical theater to self-tapes has been the bane of my existence, but also what a gift to learn so many new skills and get material on tape and perhaps be seen more than you would.

[29:30] Mikayla Petrilla: For sure.

[29:40] McKenzie Kurtz: Otherwise, but oh my gosh, it's so hard because you're playing into this medium that I'm like, I don't know where to look. Even right now. I'm like, I'm looking at you. Should I be? I don't know.

[29:14] McKenzie Kurtz: But now I'm going into it and I'm like, okay, you get three tries in this and then it's done because after three, I feel like it just gets worse and worse. And I spiral. I will spiral.

[29:25] Yeah, or I'll do a couple. I'll put it away. And then I'll look at it the next day and be like, okay, I'll do the rehearsal run of what the self-tape will be. But yeah, especially with singing.

[29:36] Do you feel like you've only got a couple of goes a day at a certain vocal range? And it's like, absolutely. Yeah. The songs are the worst because you don't want to blow out your voice. And then you get more and more frustrated. And then the tension starts happening. And it's just like a disaster of a situation.

[29:52] Oh, that's something to I'm like, okay, I will give myself three tries. And then I have to step away. Whether I come back to it or not. We'll see like if I need to review it. And I'm like, I need to try this one more time. But don't stress yourself out trying to make that happen. It's already it's hard enough. Don't be hard on yourself.

[30:08] Yeah. And I think the teams behind the table know that as well. And often are so gracious because they know what they're asking of you. And they don't expect perfection. What does it take to sustain the level of performance that you're doing eight shows a week, potentially auditioning for other projects at the same time? Because was there overlap with Heathers and Shmigadoon? Or at this point, you had already done the workshop. So you had a better timeline?

[30:36] Yeah. So for Heathers, there was no overlap. Thank God. I ended up just advocating for myself and taking more time off because I knew I was going to be starting this process.

[30:50] And I had done Wicked into Heart of Rock and Roll. So and for like, I think, four weeks of double duty, and it was the very end of Wicked. And that was a disaster. And I was so sick. I got so ill. I was stressed about missing rehearsals for this new Broadway show. I was stressed about missing shows of this beloved show that I wanted to be there so desperately for and close out my run. And so I knew I was like, if I can help it, I really don't want to ever have to do that again.

[31:24] Because it was just not good on my body. It wasn't good on my mental health. So luckily, there was no overlap. I am, of course, I'm saying this now, I'm starting three weeks of double duty next week, but managed to, you know, go to the team and say, I really would love to do this. But I need these days off and just trying to advocate for myself. Because I never want to just like kill myself like I did with that schedule. It was nuts. It was crazy.

[31:56] So yeah, just again, sleep, taking care of myself. The next three weeks, I won't be doing anything social. Like that's just social life has to kind of go away. But then knowing once I get to the end of these three weeks, I will take a day for myself and do whatever I want. And like, you know what I mean? It's a balance. And it's like, you have to be comfortable setting boundaries with yourself and with other people in your life and just taking care of yourself the best you can.

[32:21] Do you feel like the people in your life or others? I'm sure they are understanding of that. But is your inner circle all theater people or kindred spirits? Or are there folks that it is hard to establish those boundaries? Because it's just hard for non-theater people to understand sometimes?

[32:35] Yeah, no. Our schedules are I'm really lucky that a lot of my close friends, my family, my boyfriend are all theater people or theater adjacent. And so they know what it's about. So I never feel any stress, you know, of someone who doesn't get it or is trying to like hang out. So that's really nice to have. That's another thing to having those people in my life that are super supportive and understanding and know what it's about.

[33:05] That's something that I don't think I could be doing what I'm doing without those people in my life. Do you ever have vocal rest days where you're with your friends or your family and you're like, yeah, talk to you?

[33:16] The amount of times I've talked to my friends and family via like Google Translate just pulling up like typing and like, and they get it like it's annoying, obviously, but they totally get it. And no one would give me crap about it because they know it's just part of the job part of the gig.

[33:32] Yes. Can I tell you the most heinous thing? I had a vocal rest day I went with my partner. I found an app that can read it out loud like Google Translate, but you can use different voices. So I just had Snoop Dogg's voice say everything that I wanted.

[33:47] Wait, I need that. I was like, hey, baby boy, I hope you're doing well. Thanks for making me that tea, honey. I love you so much. But it was Snoop Dogg. And I was like, this might change the game for vocal rest days.

[34:06] Yeah, that's incredible. I just had like the British person on Google Translate or whatever it is. I don't even know what it is. But that's awesome. Proper RP for the day.

[34:10] Yes. I like that. Okay, so then let's talk Wicked into Heart of Rock and Roll question for that. Those are two vastly different styles of singing. Are you marking rehearsals? How do you prep your voice to change that much and meet different demands with it?

[34:23] Yeah, it's a crazy time. And honestly, someone was asking me about this the other day, just that time period of overlap. And I was like, honestly, I couldn't tell you. I think I kind of blacked out a little bit.

[34:40] But I remember singing the Heart of Rock and Roll material and being like, why is this so difficult for me? What I think would have been a piece of cake a couple years ago. I'm really struggling to find the pocket and where I'm supposed to be.

[34:53] And it's so true that when you sing a certain material and when it's placed in a certain place in your voice for eight shows a week for over a year, it's like that's a muscle. And then your voice is like, wait, what are you doing? Why are you trying to sound different?

[35:11] And so there was a period of kind of getting back on track with that. And what helped too was I think I remember I tried to start singing a bit more pop rocky material going into the rehearsal process, just like in my day to day. I could have done a better job at that. And I wish I had enlisted the help of my now vocal coach to help smooth that transition.

[35:35] We got there eventually. And I think, again, when we were in the previous process is when I felt like I really found that character and then also found the comfortability of my big act two song that I had to do and finding where that would sit in my voice. But it took a second for sure to readjust.

[35:56] Yeah, just being able to do this every day. Yeah. So who is on your team, either who or what that are non-negotiables for your mental and physical health? You have your vocal coach. Are you a PT person? Acupuncture? Are you going to the gym? What is your scope?

[36:13] Sarah Brown is my vocal coach. Shout out Sarah. She's so great. Love her so much. Also, I sometimes will have check-ins with my college voice professor, Chelsea Packard, who is a former Elphaba, too. She's great. Love her.

[36:24] I have recently been kind of getting into the gym. I'm not a big gym person. But then, of course, opening happened. And so I feel like I had to like chill out for a second. But the gym has been really nice and I've enjoyed going to the gym. And I feel like it just helps my mental health more than anything and gives me something else to kind of focus on.

[36:47] So that's been great. I do get PT not regularly, but like if there's an old injury that's acting up or bothering me, and that's through the show, which is great. I definitely also like to treat myself to just like, honestly, getting a massage like, yes, at least once a month.

[37:05] And just also I've done like specifically jaw and like mouth massage to like with helping with tongue tension and jaw tension. That's something like go in your mouth with the glove and massager.

[37:17] Yeah, game changer. Yes. Yeah, I love that. I need to honestly, I need to like book one of those because I feel like I've just been like,

[37:30] I think that and then just also like having my family and friends in my life too. And seeing people outside of the show is a big non-negotiable for me. And like I need to see these folks and check in with these people because that's something that helps me in the day to day too.

[37:45] Is there any like music or books or TV shows that you like to watch? Or is there no time? Is there any palate cleansing activity?

[37:50] Yeah, lately, you know what I've been doing? I've been coming home at night and I put on a Disney movie. So a little Disney. I just want something that I like don't have to really like lock in for and I can just enjoy it and relax and like have my little nighttime snack and chill out.

[38:07] So I watched Hercules the other night I watched. Um, I was watching the second Maleficent movie the other night. I watching I watched some of the Marvel movies. Okay, all things I've seen before, but it's just you know, something to just kind of like unwind.

[38:26] Just got a new book the other day, but I haven't started it yet. But like, I have a lot of downtime and act two and Schmigadoon, which is really nice. So I'm like, got to want to bring a book to the theater instead of scrolling.

[38:41] Oh yeah, love that. And there is such a joy in revisiting stuff that you used to watch as a kid or an adult would be like, Oh, there's a new tone of humor in this. I didn't catch the last time like Hercules ish. I love it.

[39:00] I still have McDonald's. Did you? Yeah. Whenever I go home in New Jersey, my mom's like, here's your little mega replay. And I'm like, that's really cute.

[39:05] It is sweet. Love Hercules. When McDonald's gave good toys.

[39:12] Okay. Backstage must haves anything? Brothers nebulizer. What else? I mean, Rico Rico loves. Also, I keep my little gauze pads backstage to do my tongue stretches before the show.

[39:24] Okay, that's smart. I've used paper towels, but I never thought of gauze.

[39:28] That's like, I just have these little like gauze guys that I just ordered from like Amazon or something. I've used in a pinch of like paper towel works just fine.

[39:38] Yeah, that's I think what I have like on my station and like makeup and okay, we pause there because your makeup always looks so good. Can you please explain how you figured this out? And like, what are you using?

[39:51] McKenzie Kurtz: That's very kind of you say, I feel like just from doing makeup for so many years doing shows like that's how I kind of taught myself. I guess I will say people ask a lot like what setting spray do you do you do you use? I do not use setting spray.

[40:08] I love the two things that I think like are my holy grail products are elf poreless putty primer. I love that rumor. And it's like kind of like creamy. It's not like liquidy. It's like a right. And then tap it into your Yeah, I love that.

[40:23] And then the Maybelline fit me loose powder and just using a powder puff and like I powder the crap out of my face. And it's like, I love that stuff. Love it. Big fan of that.

[40:38] Okay, you're like a renaissance woman like a little powder.

[40:44] Exactly. Exactly. What's happening with like the highlighter lip right now? Because I do this and I look like a baby drag queen.

[40:50] So it's so well, I think my highlighter is just like wet and wild highlighter from like CVS. She's wild. And then the lip is I love using Mac lip liner. That's something I've used since high school. I think this is the shade sore I want to say and then for lipstick.

[41:07] I just use like I think it's Revlon and just like a kind of pinky nude shade. I pretty much get all my products from CVS like I'm not except like Mac. And then a big win for the CVS receipts.

[41:27] Yeah, no, I love Oh, yeah, for real. Yeah, but I just I use a lot of drugstore products. But I'm telling you the powder just like smooths everything out. It's really good.

[41:38] I am gonna try this. This is great. I was a drugstore girl for forever. And now I'm spending too much money at Sephora because expensing it off your taxes. If you're doing a show. Have you done this?

[41:49] Yes, yes. That is my life. Yeah, yeah. No, that's still we can still see the CVS ones. I do. And you get more discounts. You get more deals. You can put in your number.

[42:03] Yes. Yeah, I can make a whole dress out of the amount of material that comes out from those receipts. But it is fine. It helps me slow down.

[42:08] Is there anything that people don't know about you that you wish they did? And that can mean anything? I don't know anything that people like the way that you are perceived by people either online or in shows versus like you as a real 3D person every day.

[42:27] Like what is something you wish people knew about either your energy, personality, things you enjoy anything? I think maybe a couple years ago, I would have had a better answer to this question. But now I feel like people had an idea of maybe like me just from my social media.

[42:44] And people always being like, Oh, she's I've had many of my friends come up to me and be like, I thought you were gonna be before I met you. And like, like very like stone cold. And I'm like, that is the complete opposite of who I am.

[42:56] But now I feel like as the years have gone by, maybe more people do know that about me that I'm like, very silly. And like, I just like to have a good time. And I'm very low key, not a fan of any drama.

[43:16] Like, and I feel like people didn't really know that. And like even the some of my friends in the Heathers cast, a lot of which are younger, and some of them like still in college and like the first day of rehearsal. And now I've had friends come up to me like I was scared to talk to you on the first day of rehearsal. And I'm like, why? That is crazy to me.

[43:30] But I don't know. No, I'm just a fun loving dude. And I really just am like, very chill. I like to have a good time. I like to be kind to people. And that's what I feel like I hope people know that about me now. But yeah, I'm sure they do. I mean, it's already clear. It's interesting that as we get

[44:21] McKenzie Kurtz: If you're a kind, talented, smart, pretty woman and you're calm and you're grounded, suddenly you're a bitch and why? Yes, that's real. But that doesn't have to be true. No. Like you can be in your own power, grounded and calm without having to show everybody that you're approachable or I don't know, sometimes the quiet is perceived as being bitchy, as being mean. Yeah, either you're kind and you're shyer than people think or you're just not expending extra energy and trying to be so outward, especially like performers. I don't know if this is how you feel being on stage. You exert so much of your energy that offstage it's like, I don't need to emote. I am just going to sit here and be myself.

[45:05] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah, especially right after a show. I feel like I can be I get super anxious sometimes. And it's because I get overstimulated. And I'm like, I need to just like, be by myself for a second. And I never wanted to be like, coming off as me being like, mean. But I'm like, I just need a second to like, decompress for a second. And in social settings, sometimes too, with people just like, even just like at a party at a thing, like, I'm like, I need to go in the corner for a second. I need to go to the bathroom and just like, decompress. It's a thing.

[45:36] McKenzie Kurtz: The bathroom is the best place because you can just sit there for a minute and be like, okay, I'm good. Do you feel like, is it odd if this is happening to you, where people start to recognize you or know who you are in the last five years or so?

[45:47] Mikayla Petrilla: Yes. Is that a thing in the city where people like, double take you?

[45:51] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah, it has happened. It's really cool. Like, it's so awesome. But I will say with that too, comes people that feel like they have this kind of parasocial relationship and they feel like they just constantly have access to you and that you're like, your friends, like, there was someone last night at the stage door that snapped at me. And I was like, what? No! I was like, what is going on here? Like, that is crazy. Just because he thought that me not signing this, like, people bring like blank pages of paper to the stage door and get people to sign. I'm sure you've seen this. And then they like, sell these things. And so I politely was like, I'm not, no, I'm not, I don't sign. And then immediately it was like, why not everyone else is like, and then was being so rude. And I'm like, that's crazy. You guys like, let's just be kind to each other. What are we doing?

[46:41] Mikayla Petrilla: That's like one instance, but it's honestly so cool. And I appreciate it. And I have a lot of really awesome fans that have just like followed my career throughout the past few years and like people that have come to see Schmigadoon now that were like saw me in Frozen for the one month I was in Frozen. And like, I think it's really, really awesome and special. And like, I love having connections with those people, but at the same time, like it can be kind of overstimulating when you're in a space like that and people are like constantly coming up to you. Like it can be, it can be wild. So I think we just always want to approach people with like kindness and like understanding and like, it's not personal, you know, it's like, let's just all be nice to each other.

[47:24] McKenzie Kurtz: I feel like the guy from Mean Girls or the girl from Mean Girls, where it's like, yeah, let's just all make cupcakes and whatever that line is. Oh my, why can't I remember it? I used to be able to like quote the whole show. Can't we all just bake a cake and eat it, whatever. And be sweet.

[47:38] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah. Yes. Yes. And that's crazy. Like the overstimulating and the parasocial relationships that is so real because everything is an exchange of energy. And so signing things after a show when you've just given your whole heart and your energy on the stage to an audience, then physically like writing your signature is you giving another little bit of yourself to someone, which is so wonderful and so kind, but then it is already such a gift that you are at the stage door. I feel stage door culture, I don't know if it is changing or needs to change, but just the access that people feel entitled to. The people that they admire through social media has then entitled us to perhaps get a little closer than we want to, or yeah, I don't know.

I've heard crazy stories from the 80s and 90s stage door culture perhaps escalated now that we have this extra digital access to people, but just being kind and respectful of people's time and energy. I love doing it. It's one of my favorite parts of this job is like connecting with those people, but then it's like you have the people that are not nice and it's like, dang, don't ruin it for other folks. You are giving as much as you can and no is an appropriate answer in any situation and we need to respect that.

[49:01] Mikayla Petrilla: Yes. Last couple of questions. I ask people if they have questions for actors. What does your actor's access look like? Does your team help you figure that out? Do you have clips of you singing on it or people know you, they know your work, you don't have to put every slate shot up there?

[49:16] McKenzie Kurtz: I don't know if I have actor's access. That's beautiful. Don't know how it looks. I, honest to God, I have not laid eyes on that. So I don't know. That is the dream. That is the dream.

[49:26] Mikayla Petrilla: And it's, I, that's gonna, that sounds really like bad.

[49:31] McKenzie Kurtz: No, it doesn't. That's the goal.

[49:34] Mikayla Petrilla: My team have, I'm so fortunate that I have an incredible team that I've been with since 2018 and all of my auditions go and come through them. So that I'm very fortunate to have that.

[49:48] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. That is stunning.

[49:50] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah. I mean, cause so much of it is when you're in that space between you're not a green artist, but you don't have a Broadway credit yet. And you perhaps have a team, but you're still trying to figure out what exactly your footprint is going to be and your first impression, you can overanalyze that to its grave. So the fact that you don't have to do that is like, it's just very, yes, I feel very fortunate.

[50:16] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. But that is such an important tool. I feel. And like, I think putting, I talk, I work with a lot of students now too. And the conversation with like social media too, and posting stuff, like whether it be like a reel or clips of people singing and I'm like, it is a digital world that we're now living in. And so I think those things are important. So like, you know, obviously I think getting other people to put eyes on what it is that you're using online to represent yourself, putting your best stuff out there and making sure it looks professional and great and something that you're proud of and like want people to see. So yeah, I think that's definitely important.

[50:51] Mikayla Petrilla: Yay. What was your favorite part about the rehearsal process or backstage being in community with your fellow castmates and creative team? Any highlights?

[50:58] McKenzie Kurtz: Yeah. I think with Schmegadoon, just because this is that I'm fresh out of this rehearsal process, this cast is like legendary comedians. And so going into the rehearsal room every day was so much fun. Seeing everyone's different choices that they would bring in from day to day, trying different things during the preview process, having people try new jokes from night to night, seeing what lands and what doesn't. That has been such a joy to experience. Everyone's just like making everyone else level up all the time, constantly. Everyone is so on it. I was literally calling it like Chris Gatelli has assembled this team of like comedic Avengers in this show. So just getting to be in the room with some of these people and watching them work is so inspiring and really cool.

[51:42] Mikayla Petrilla: I love that. Last question. What are your wishes for the industry? Is there anything you wish could change? Is there anything you wish could be better?

[51:49] McKenzie Kurtz: I mean, I yearn for the days where lots of shows were coming out and it was a lot of original material. Like I think back to like the 90s and early 2000s of it all. And I feel like right now, but it does come with the culture and it does come with the times that a lot of things are being just taken from film and TV, my show being one of them. And it's fabulous. It is. But I do miss, I feel like the days when it's like those opportunities were more freely given to people with original material where now it's like it's so commercialized. And I feel like a lot of the times it's like, well, what big star can we get in for this? And what big movie that was super popular can we create into this musical?

Which is great. And a lot of great, amazing work is coming from that. But also it's like, gosh, like, I don't know, like thinking about like the drowsy chaperone, like some of the golden age, like musicals that I just like yearn for. And I think through doing this show too, it makes me miss like those kinds of shows and like that kind of material and like having it be so original, I think is something that I think about often and like, but I get it. It's also the time that we live in and it's a real thing. And that's what people like these days coming to New York are are coming to see and hoping to see. So it's like that's going to change with the times as things do. And maybe someday the pendulum will swing back the other way. But yeah, maybe that's one thing I would say.

[53:23] Mikayla Petrilla: I agree with that. And I think it's hard. A lot of people, because we are creatives, hope for original material. We hope for uplifting our artistry and our community and tell stories that are representative of those people. And that should be the name of the game always. However, on Broadway, rather than in the UK where you have the National Theatre, we are renting spaces, which means producers need to know that they're going to get a return on their investment, hopefully. So things that are already tried and true in TV or in movies, and even then that doesn't always work out. But it is a business and it's hard to grapple with the business aspects of that and the creative heartbeat of what we do.

[54:04] McKenzie Kurtz: I yeah, I agree with you. I really need more original stuff. I understand it. And like I get and it's so it's so easy for me to sit here and be like, we need more. You know what I mean? And it's like, well, that's true. I get it. But yeah.

[54:18] Mikayla Petrilla: Yeah. But it's just so hard to find the balance between how do you continue working and putting work out there and continuing to keep our industry alive. I want to see that work. Oh my gosh, we have this incredible show. And you guys are doing it.

[54:31] McKenzie Kurtz: There you go. I'm so excited for you.

[54:33] Mikayla Petrilla: Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to come on.

[54:36] McKenzie Kurtz: Oh my gosh, of course. Thank you for having me. This was a great convo. And thank you so much. I feel like I learned so much.

[54:42] Mikayla Petrilla: Yay. Thank you. You are the hostess with the mostest, darling.

[54:46] McKenzie Kurtz: I'm the hostess with the mostest.

[54:48] Mikayla Petrilla: You are.

[54:51] Mikayla Petrilla: That was Mackenzie Kurtz and I could not be more grateful to her for being the very first guest on Tea Time with Mikayla. What I loved so much about this conversation is that it really captured the heart of what I hope this show can be. We talked about the work, of course, but also the person inside the work, the sleep, vocal rest, boundaries, self-tape spirals, the team behind the performer, the discipline and humor and the very real balancing act of making art inside of a business. I especially loved what Mackenzie shared about trusting timing, advocating for herself and remembering that what is meant for you can still find its way to you, even when the path doesn't always look the way you thought it would. That feels like a very beautiful first cup of tea for this show.

[55:36] Mikayla Petrilla: Thank you so much for listening to our first official episode. If you loved this conversation, I'm going to tell you to do all the things I'm supposed to tell you to do. Follow, subscribe, rate, review and send it to your theater bestie, your audition debrief, group chat or anyone who has ever spiraled over a self-tape and needed to be reminded that three takes is probably enough. You can follow on Instagram and TikTok, either at my handle, mckaylapatrilla, or at Tea Time the Podcast, where we'll be sharing clips, guest announcements, behind the scenes moments and ways for you to send in your own questions for future episodes. Because the show is not just me asking questions. It is about building a little community around the questions we all have. Thank you so much to Mackenzie. Thank you to the Broadway Podcast Network. And thank you for being here at the very beginning. The kettle is on, and I will see you next time on Tea Time with Mikayla.