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Why I‘ll Never Make It

Why I‘ll Never Make It

By: Patrick Oliver Jones
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About this listen

 The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and challenges. On this award-winning podcast, New York actor Patrick Oliver Jones invites fellow creatives to share three stories that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative life rarely seen in the glitz and glam of this industry. These conversations remind us we’re not alone in this often bumpy and winding journey of the performing arts.©2026, WINMI Media Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Music
Episodes
  • A Look Back at Lynn Nottage Shaping Stories That Matter in American Theater

    A Look Back at Lynn Nottage Shaping Stories That Matter in American Theater
    May 1 2026
    As actors, it’s easy to get caught up in auditions, roles, and the day-to-day work of performing, often without stepping back to consider the larger forces shaping the stories we’re asked to tell. Playwright Lynn Nottage operates on that larger scale. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most influential voices in American theater, Lynn has built a body of work that challenges audiences while expanding what stories are seen and heard on Broadway and beyond. In this conversation, recorded in 2024, Lynn speaks candidly about the responsibility of storytelling, the discipline behind the writing process, and the long road to trusting a creative voice in an ever-evolving industry. From Ruined, which explores the lives of women during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the Tony Award-winning musical MJ, Lynn discusses the balance between artistry, ethics, and collaboration in theater. What emerges is a clear and grounded perspective on what it means to create meaningful work—not for recognition, but with intention. For anyone working in the performing arts, whether onstage or behind the scenes, this conversation offers a deeper understanding of how stories are shaped, and why the ones that matter most are often the hardest to tell. Follow Lynn: Website / Instagram / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • A Look Back at J. Harrison Ghee & Caroline Bowman Before the Breakthrough Moments

    A Look Back at J. Harrison Ghee & Caroline Bowman Before the Breakthrough Moments
    Apr 20 2026
    Identity can feel like a moving target in the performing arts—something shaped not only by the roles actors play on stage, but by the expectations placed on them offstage as well. In this episode, recorded in 2019 at the Muny in St. Louis, J. Harrison Ghee and Caroline Bowman sit down to talk about navigating that balance in a career built on visibility. From starring in productions like Kinky Boots, Evita, and Wicked, both performers share what it means to take on iconic roles while also staying grounded in a sense of self within the world of Broadway, musical theater, and the larger performing arts industry. Looking back now, this conversation captures a moment before major milestones in each career—before Caroline Bowman took on the role of Elsa in the Frozen national tour, and before J. Harrison Ghee won a Tony Award for Some Like It Hot. What comes through is a candid and thoughtful discussion about identity, vulnerability, criticism, and the pressure to fit into categories, both as actors and as people. It’s an honest look at the work it takes to show up fully, take risks, and build a life in theater without losing sight of who you are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • A Look Back at Ann Harada and Finding Longevity as an Actor

    A Look Back at Ann Harada and Finding Longevity as an Actor
    Apr 13 2026
    No matter what it is that initially motivates someone to be in the arts, it could be the craft or the people or the fame, there is one thing I think we all strive for: longevity. Besides finding consistent work, which is certainly no small task, the foundation of a long career is figuring out what it takes to personally stay motivated, energized, and still be yourself over the years. Some days it can feel like you’ve got a handle on it, while other days it’s a scramble to keep priorities straight and maintain direction. I sat down with Ann Harada in 2024 to talk about Broadway career that has spanned 4 decades, from the original production of M. Butterfly and the most recent revival of Into the Woods to her current Broadway show, Schmigadoon. But Ann would be the first to tell you that finding happiness and satisfaction in the acting business didn’t come quickly or easily for her. In our conversation, she talked about some lean years before Avenue Q made her a Broadway star as well as how she continued working hard and pushing herself both on and offstage. Follow Ann: Schmigadoon / Facebook / IMDb / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
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