In this episode, Darion and Alana dive into the art of networking — from awkward first introductions to the meaningful connections that shaped their theater careers. They share real stories about meeting mentors, collaborating with friends who became colleagues, and learning how to build authentic relationships in an industry that thrives on connection. With humor, honesty, and a few behind-the-scenes moments, the hosts unpack how networking has helped them open doors, navigate creative spaces, and find community along the way.

In this engaging conversation, we reunite with our former teacher and director, Gene, to discuss their experiences in the theater industry. They reflect on their time at AMDA, share insights on directing, and explore the current state of the theater industry, including the challenges of equity and contracts. The discussion emphasizes the importance of networking, creative processes, and the misconceptions surrounding directing. Gene shares his upcoming projects and the balance between artistic expression and management in theater.

In this episode, Darion and Alana get personal about what it means to be the only one in your family pursuing a career in theater. From parents’ first reactions to the reality of navigating family gatherings where theater isn’t always understood, they share honest stories about support, confusion, and everything in between. Together, they reflect on how family members show up (or don’t) in theater spaces, and the balance of honoring your craft while still belonging to a family that lives outside the arts.

In this episode, Darion and Alana take it all the way back to their high school theater days—where the love of the stage (and plenty of backstage drama) first began. Darion shares how coming from the world of choir opened the door to discovering musical theater, while Alana reflects on always dreaming of being a star from day one. Together, they swap stories about cast drama, embarrassing mishaps, and the messy, chaos of being young theater kids. It’s a nostalgic, hilarious trip down memory lane filled with laughter, lessons, and the reminder of just how far they’ve come since those high school spotlights.

This week on Into the Industry, hosts Darion Matthews and Alana Knobel welcome Broadway actors Hannah Solow, Julian Manjerico, and Tony Macht. The conversation explores their work in the acclaimed production Oh, Mary!, as well as the personal and professional journeys that brought them to the Broadway stage. Together, they reflect on the challenges and opportunities of building a career in New York City, the lessons learned along the way, and other projects that have shaped their paths as artists.

this week’s episode dives into the glittering (and sometimes gritty) world of cabaret in NYC! Darion and Alana share their experiences performing in, producing, and surviving the wild ride of putting on a show in the city’s most iconic and underground cabaret spaces. What works, what flops, and what makes it all worth it? Let’s get into it.

#CabaretLife #NYCTheater #IntoTheIndustryPodcast #BroadwayTalk #CabaretSpaces #BehindTheScenes

In this episode of Into the Industry, Alana and Darion chat with Broadway company manager Andrew McLaughlin, who pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep a Broadway show running. From his surprising past as a professional magician to breaking down ticket prices, union contracts, and the wild world of company management, Andrew brings stories, smarts, and a little bit of facts.

In this episode, Darion and Alana sit down for a no-holds-barred conversation about the not-so-glamorous side of living the artist life in NYC: survival jobs. Whether it was working in food service, folding clothes in retail, or juggling three side gigs just to make rent, they've been there. They share funny, frustrating, and all-too-relatable stories from their early years in the city — jobs that helped keep the lights on while auditions, rehearsals, and big dreams stayed center stage.

“We weren’t living the dream — we were working the brunch shifts because of the dream,” Alana says, summing up the grind so many theater artists know all too well.

If you've ever served coffee in your show shoes or clocked in after an audition meltdown, this one’s for you.