Stage Dive
By Jack Dawkins
Stage DiveSep 20, 2023
Respecting Your Art Form with Mika Hell
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack closes out Season 4 with Mika Hell. They dive deep into navigating self judgement, the process of trusting yourself and your growth, and of course respecting fire as an art form.
ABOUT MIKA HELL
Fire Performer, Flow Artist, Content Creator, Dedicated Teacher and Lover of Mankind
@mikahell42
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:33 First Tattoo & Upasana
9:48 Starting From The Beginning
15:41 Self Judgement
21:46 Social Media
26:26 Trusting the Process of Growth
35:50 The Many Names of Flow Arts & Dragon Staff
43:47 Adding Fire & Intensity
50:00 Balancing Energy & Giving Advice
Fire, Flow, and Fun with Hula Hoops with Mel Wheeler
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Mel Wheeler, a mom of four who followed her interests and learned how to hula hoop. Through social media, she learned the skills and took to performing, including over 30 hoops at once, hooping with fire, and hooping on her bottom!
ABOUT MEL WHEELER
Lightning speed meets creative flow and freakishly impressive tricks, Mel Wheeler takes Hula Hooping to the extreme! Her style combines ninja-like movement with some of the most intricate and difficult tricks around.
Her Hula Hoop videos have gone viral around the world, with features on People Are Awesome, Daily Mail, Australia’s Got Talent, RTM and Power of Positivity to name a few. Her Hula Hooping bottom has been turned into a Mexican Meme and she once lost half a butt cheek after being wiped out by a gigantic wave while hula hooping on a cliff face. A mother of 4 and an Arts Teacher by trade, she is passionate about sharing the magic of hula hooping and inspiring creative play with everyone she meets.
https://www.instagram.com/melwheeler/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/MelwheelerHoopArtist/
https://www.tiktok.com/@melwheeler_hoops
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:28 Shark Obsession & Hula Hopping
7:49 Finding the Time to Practice and Perform
13:39 The Perfect Hula Hoop & Various Styles
24:49 Social Media
30:33 LED Hoops, Tech, and Music
35:51 Fire Hooping & Bottom Hooping
The Myth of "Too Late" with Cindy Arena
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Cindy Arena, a comic who started her craft in her late 50s. Together, they discuss her unique life experience growing up in the porn industry, how she got started, and their favorite comedians.
ABOUT CINDY ARENA
Coming from the perspective of a degenerate boomer (also her podcasts name) Cindy’s comedy draws on her childhood with a family in the adult entertainment business, and life as the mom of two dumb millennials.
https://www.facebook.com/cindyarenacomedy http://www.instagram.com/cindyarenacomedy https://www.tiktok.com/@cindyarena?_t=8VAK7z2wN9n&_r=1
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:19 Starting Comedy Later in Life & Impressive Comedians
5:39 Deciding To Be A Comedian
14:54 Growing Up in the Porn Industry & Telling A Story
23:28 Captivating on Stage & Venue Preferences
33:47 Areas of Growth
39:43 Favorite Comedians & Cindy’s People
51:20 The Best Advice Cindy Got & Dream Scenario
Love, Connection, Art with Victor Adeniran
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Victor Adeniran, a dancer, aerialist, and all around artist. They dive into the subjectivity of art, spirituality, finding what you need, and Victor's poems on love.
ABOUT VICTOR ADENIRAN
Victor Adeniran was born in Denver, Colorado but moved to Nigeria with his parents soon after, where he would spend the next 17 years. While living for almost two decades in Nigeria, he fell in love with various forms of art — but the intersections of dance, emoting through movement, painting, sketching, and drawing held his attention the most. After moving back to the U.S., he served in the United States Marine Corps for over 13 years, where he visited a laundry list of countries that ultimately inspired, informed, and enhanced his creativity. Upon returning to Denver after his time in the military, Adeniran performed and continued to enhance his skills and knowledge with MOTH Poetic Circus, now MOTH live entertainment, where his aerial skills began, developed, and grew.
Victor moved to San Diego, California, where he has toured with Werk the World (RuPaul’s drag race touring show) through Europe and North America. Violet Chachkis a little more me, Night of the Living Drag, etc. He is thrilled to bring you his performance, joy, and love for the arts through Alice in Wonderland by MOTH live entertainment.
@victorinsandiego @artsby_victor
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:26 Competition and Sprinting
5:28 Masculine Marine and Feminine Dancer Energy
9:45 Emotional Intelligence & Individualism
14:53 Community of Dance & Subjectivity
24:49 Spirituality and Learning
33:10 Victor’s Own Show with Poetry & Love
42:14 Emotion and Finding What You Need
49:23 Thoughts On Teaching & Advice
The Mixologist of Puppets with Katy Williams
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Katy Williams, puppeteer extraordinaire. She opens the world of puppetry, the possibilities and the applications of puppetry in film and theater, and her work in the artform.
ABOUT KATY WILLIAMS
Katy Williams Design is a Colorado based company that specializes in building and teaching puppets, props, and makeup design. Katy’s mission is to spread the joy and accessibility of puppetry, and she has been extremely influential in implementing puppetry in theaters all over Colorado. Katy is also responsible for starting the Rocky Mountain Puppet Slam in March 2018, successfully producing three slams a year. She recently produced and acted as Festival Director for the third time for a new Children’s festival, Puppet Palooza.
This Winter catch her puppets in “The Little Prince” at TheatreWorks. Katy decided to take the plunge, quit her job, and become a full time freelance puppeteer in 2022. She would like to acknowledge the enormous support from her friends and family as they help her navigate all her amazing and time-consuming projects!
See more of Katy’s work at www.katywilliamsdesign.com
Facebook: Katy Williams Design
Instagram: Katy.Williams.Design
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:26 Puppy Talk & Colorado Native
7:27 The Mixologist of Puppetry & Applications for Puppets
19:37 A Passion for Theater & Finding Puppetry
32:06 Fabricating, Directing, and Puppetry Slams
39:52 Shadow Puppets & The Potential of Puppetry
48:43 Details of Fabrication & Business Growth
The Line of Embellishment in Comedy with Abby Ballin
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Abby Ballin, a comedian based in South Florida. They discuss the pros and cons of therapy, the process of creating jokes and characters, as well as the line of embellishment when it comes to telling stories on stage.
ABOUT ABBY BALLIN
Just another unfunny female with the audacity to try and make people laugh. NYC born & raised this funny gal moved her trashy derrière to south Florida where she fit right in!
https://www.instagram.com/aballincomedy/
https://www.aballincomedy.com/
https://m.facebook.com/abby.ballin
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:23 COVID in South Florida
9:08 Awareness and Inquiry and Therapy
16:38 Comedy Today & Crafting Material
24:33 The Line of Embellishment & Phases of Growth
30:38 New Characters and Comedy
36:34 Set Length, Crowd Work, and Joke Structure
43:38 Work vs. Play & Women in Comedy
52:54 Building & Drugs
Following Your Curiosity as a Perpetual Beginner with Mitchell DuBois
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Mitch DuBois about the magic of following your interests. They discuss how he signed a contract for Disney without having performed a Cyr wheel act on stage, the early days of TikTok fame and social media, and following your inner compass.
ABOUT MITCHELL DUBOIS
Mitch is an acrobat and performer from Michigan. Specializing in trampwall and trampoline, he played team sports throughout his childhood before transitioning full time to acrobatics at 19. He discovered trampwall in 2020 when he moved to California to live in a commune of acrobats now known as Junktramp during the covid pandemic. Using his film school education, he helped the group leverage social media as their primary source of income to survive the pandemic. Along the way, they helped Mitch learn about trampwall and the circus industry as a whole, which led to him starting his own performing journey.
IG: @duballs
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:28 Albany, Georgia & Working for Disney
3:29 Culture Shock & Systems
11:40 Trampoline and Communal Living
18:17 Relationship to Social Media
28:01 Creating to Producing
32:52 Traveling & Hitchhiking
41:10 Energy & Inner Compass
50:55 Advice for Gaining a Mentor & Acrobatics Industry
The Balancing Act of an Efficient Actor with Tara Frase
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Tara Frase, part of the entertainment industry in central Florida. Together, they cover Tara's Virgo energy, finding balance in life, why Florida should be known as an entertainment industry hub, and how she become an efficient actress!
ABOUT TARA FRASE
Tara has been active in different elements of the Entertainment Industry for over 10 years. Since graduating with her BFA in Theatre from FAU, she has performed with the Walt Disney Company, Universal Orlando Resort, and other renowned teams in the central Florida region. She is currently seeking representation for her film and television career!
Instagram: @tarafrase
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:17 Disney Halloween Show Cast & Virgo Energy
10:03 Balance, Money, & Film
21:21 Florida Entertainment Community & The First Spark of Performing
33:05 Scheduling and Consistency
40:54 Efficiency in Acting & Memorization Advice
52:14 Emotional Clearing & Short Film Project
What It Really Means to be Different with Jessica Cox
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Jessica Cox, a public speaker and pilot that was born without arms. Jack explores the tough topics of adapting in a world where you are visibly different, challenging perceptions of what is possible, and traveling the world as a public speaker to share her experiences.
ABOUT JESSICA COX
Jessica was born without arms and uses her feet the way most people use their hands. Jessica grew up asking with frustration and anger, “Why me? Why do I have to be different?” She learned to see the blessings in her life and accept herself as a whole person. Now, Jessica flies airplanes, drives cars, is married, and otherwise lives a normal life. Jessica has the Guinness World Record for being the first person in aviation history licensed to fly an airplane with just feet.
https://www.ted.com/talks/jessica_cox_what_are_your_fake_arms
https://www.youtube.com/user/rightfootedwoman
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
https://jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree/
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:16 The World’s First Armless Pilot
4:35 How To Do New & Feeling Different
15:23 Growing Up & First Performances
24:23 Finding Her Voice & Challenging Perception
37:52 Traveling the World as a Public Speaker
46:47 Vulnerability, Authenticity, and Change
53:09 Pre and Post Show Rituals
The Mentalism Master Magician with Frederic Da Silva
In this episode of Stage Dive, Jack speaks with Frederic Da Silva about how his seemingly nonstop hard work and dedication paid off when it comes to his magic. He speaks about enjoying tough audiences, creating a show that is hard to recreate, and what it was like to get a residency in Vegas with zero guests at first.
ABOUT FREDERIC DA SILVA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCk0M_PjSfQ
IG: @Paranormallasvegas
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:32 Finding the Passion of Magic & His First Trick
7:58 Illusions versus Mentalism
17:26 Work Ethic & Daily Schedule
23:35 The Mindset & Happiness
35:56 The Highs and Lows
51:38 Having Fun & Tough Audiences
Strength in Vulnerability with KiKi Maroon
In this episode, Stage Dive kicks off Season 4 with a bang! KiKi Maroon, a burlesque comedian, shares how she became a stripping clown, the effects of alcohol on her job, and her dreams of riding a balloon animal mechanical bull!
ABOUT KIKI MAROON
KiKi Maroon is a stand-up comic, Twitch streamer, Playboy Centerfold, and international award-winning burlesque performer. Known as “The Standup Who Strips Down”, her life on the road as a showgirl has given her a unique voice on stage. Combining stand-up comedy, storytelling, and cabaret, she has been called “a modern day Lucille Ball” (though Lucille never pulled a clown nose out of her panties).
KiKi has charmed audiences across the U.S, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia; winning her the titles of 2013 Burlesque Comedy Queen, 2015 People’s Choice at The International Queen Burlesque Festival (Milan, Italy), and the honor of being a judge at the 2018 Burlesque Hall of Fame (Las Vegas).
http://www.KiKimaroon.com/about
https://www.instagram.com/kikimaroon
http://www.tiktok.com/@kikimaroonforreal
https://www.twitch.tv/kikimaroon
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:20 Twitch Streaming
7:47 Managing Energy & Projects
13:51 From Shy to Stripping Clown & Many Moves
29:38 Too Much Alcohol & Existential Kinks
37:53 Road to Recovery & Decision Making
45:57 Heart Open & Vulnerability
55:01 What do you think it takes to be great?
1:03:41 Launching a Kickstarter
Jon Gifted - Cooking in the Kitchen of Artistry
In this episode, Jack Dawkins connects with Jon Gifted, a dancer from Dallas, Texas. They go deep, exploring what it means to take a pause, listen to your intuition and inner child, and how creating art can be a whole lot like cooking in a kitchen.
ABOUT JON GIFTED
Jon Gifted is from Dallas, Tx where he grew up and found his love for dance in the local street scene. Growing up he began finding himself through the practices of Krump, Popping, Hip Hop Dance & more recently waving. A multifaceted Artist, Jon is also a storyteller at heart. Filmmaking has been one of his deepest passions & has also been used as a conduit towards his evolution. As of lately, he has been traveling & sharing his love for the art of dance & film. Sharing how they both synonymously create space for us to find a deeper, higher & a more love driven version of ourselves.
https://www.instagram.com/jongifted/
https://www.youtube.com/jongifted
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:31 Jon’s Aesthetic & Cinematography
8:22 Inner Curiosity
14:57 Expression Through Movement
24:38 Being Present & Taking a Pause
38:22 Cooking in the Kitchen
46:19 Meditative Dance & Mixing Styles
56:02 Igniting Your Heart
Jasmine Ellis - Contributing to Comedy
In this episode, Jack Dawkins speaks with Jasmine Ellis, an energetic and vibrant comedian. They discuss her pandemic Starbucks cup collection, the overuse of crowd work in comedy, and how she goes about choosing topics to discuss.
ABOUT JASMINE ELLIS
Jasmine Ellis is a comedian from Texas currently based in LA. Her humor has been described as high energy, hilariously smart and delightfully neurotic. She tours colleges and clubs.
Instagram.com/jasmineelliscomedy
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:06 Starbucks Cup Collection
8:15 Her Style of Comedy
18:47 Life & Inspiration
27:07 Crowd Work
40:15 Your Why & Choosing Topics
48:34 The Role of Comedy
51:53 Trash Baby & What’s Next
LD Madera - It's Not Perfect, It's Me
In this episode, Jack Dawkins speaks with LD Madera, a magician located in Florida with a rich background in improv. They discuss the choice of not always defaulting to humor, solo shows, and his advice on perfection!
ABOUT LD MADERA
LD Madera is an improv actor and magician originally from Miami, Florida. Since 2005, LD has been performing and growing in the craft of improv with Just The Funny. Over the years, LD has grown and developed his craft by performing with one simple philosophy: Feel Honestly. LD created Together/By Myself in 2019, which was inspired by the idea of creating multiple characters that could show various emotions and points of view. Since 2019, Together/By Myself has been performed on the road at various theaters and festivals around the country.
Instagram: @ld_madera
Instagram: @ldtogetherbymyself
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:08 Disney Fans
3:58 Trying Everything, Including Magic
9:46 Honing Improv
25:24 Interesting Moments & Characters
33:16 Pre Show Rituals & Solo Shows
48:14 Future Plans & Advice
Morgane Tisserand - Presence During Performance
In this episode, Jack Dawkins speaks with Morgane Tisserand, a French-born aerialist currently performing with Cirque du Soilel in Spain. They discuss how she got into the circus, marrying a performer, and being present during a performance.
ABOUT MORGANE TISSERAND
Morgane studied circus at the National Circus School in Montreal and has been traveling the world as a Cirque du soleil as an artist with her family.
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
0:49 Spain, France & COVID
4:24 Finding The Circus
9:33 The Evolution of Training
12:55 Marrying A Performer
18:47 Managing Stress & Being Present
28:30 Parenthood and Intuition
32:29 Stopping Performing
38:30 Working With Cirque du Soilel
Amanda Edwards - Changing the Industry as an Intimacy Coordinator
In this episode, Jack Dawkins speaks with Amanda Edwards, an Intimacy Coordinator and a Mental Health Coordinator. Having worked with Jack on one his newest music videos, "Dear Future Lover", she speaks about the importance of advocating for actors and everyone on set.
Dear Future Lover Music Video: https://youtu.be/zC93tmHhPIA ABOUT AMANDA EDWARDS
Amanda M. Edwards was born into the world of music, dance, and theatre thanks to parents in the performing arts. With a Masters degree in Counseling specializing in Somatic and Attachment healing and the Autonomic Nervous System, Amanda has worked for nearly two decades, providing therapy, case management, and support to women and children with trauma. Intimacy Coordination brings together all of Amanda's creative and professional passions as she travels nationwide to serve onset for film productions. She is also pioneering the role of Mental Health Coordinator for stage and screen to ensure mental illness is portrayed accurately and appropriately and cast and crew feel safe and supported.
https://www.amandamedwards.com/
https://associationmhc.com/
IG - @mentalhealthcoordinators
TT - @amandamedwardsLPC ABOUT JACK DAWKINS Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you. www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree ABOUT STAGE DIVE “The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.” 🤔 Thoughtful Questions 🥹 Vulnerable Answers 🤓 Much Nerding Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc SHOW NOTES 0:00 Intro
2:05 Picking Favorite Shots
4:28 Childhood and Working on Sets
12:18 Professional vs. Personal Art
15:39 Intimacy Coordination & Mental Health Coordination
27:32 Challenges on Set
34:23 Dear Future Lover Shoot
37:16 Parenthood
41:50 Seeing Change in the Industry
49:43 Where To Find Amanda
The Ugly Fun - Control, Creativity, and Connection
In this episode, Jack Dawkins connects with a friend, The Ugly Fun. They discuss balancing creativity with controlling a schedule, as well as the value of human connection.
Cold Hearted Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-DR48APGSk
A Slow Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY3yWomKs-c
ABOUT THE UGLY FUN
Toronto-based genre-defying producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist The Ugly Fun is breathing new life into his music with a fresh name, vision and approach. His music is cherry-picked from indie, garage and pop elements, with a unique guitar-led and progressive spin. His process is one that thrives from collaboration; constantly seeking fresh and innovative ways to tap into new avenues of creativity, and often incorporating other artistic sources to spark inspiration - most recently connecting with the work of art photographers to ignite refreshing musical and lyrical ideas.
He has come far from his days of recording on an old tascam Portastudio that his father would rent for him once a year. In a flurry of youthful creativity he would use his two week rental window to scrape together crudely recorded tapes, later gifting them to whoever would listen. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he began his instrumental journey playing piano and drums, and later at the age of 12 found the love for guitar when discovering a battered fake stratocaster and giving it a second chance at life. In 2015 he launched indie garage trio The Sleepovers, playing shows and recording a few EPs until the trio eventually went their separate ways. Inspired by the abundance of voice notes left unfinished on his phone, he is now injecting new life into old ideas under solo and collaborative rebrand The Ugly Fun. The result is daring, guitar-driven, lofi-injected garage pop.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/704XB2afcAvvfUjLFbS3QI?si=kDsmsO2KTzKFxzgjy52CLQ
https://www.instagram.com/theuglyfun/?hl=en
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:49 Being in Your Head & Meditation
10:37 Creativity Versus Regiment
19:56 Making Content
31:44 Connecting With People
38:09 Imposter Syndrome
53:13: Being Different
1:04:22 Weirdness, Fear, & Figuring It Out
Anthony "Bearonce Bear" Chiocchi - Expressing Yourself
In this episode, Jack Dawkins speaks with Anthony Chiocchi, also known as Bearonce Bear. Together, they explore more into the changing environment of drag entertainment, feminine and masculine energy, and more!
ABOUT ANTHONY CHIOCCHI
For over a decade Bearonce has broken down barriers and obstacles. When she first hit the stage she shaved her face. Those first 3 performances were the 3 that made her the Bearded Beauty she is today. Also known as the Den Mother of the Bears, she was one of the founding Emeriti to the National Bearded Empress Pageantry System. Today you can find her at her monthly brunch located in Tavares, Fl as well as hosting/emceeing many events. Her motto to live by is "Why should you conform to their comfort, if they aren't willing to conform to yours"-Bearonce Bear.
FB, IG, Twitter, Tik Tok - Bearonce Bear
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:45 How was your Pride Month?
14:05 Reflecting on the Diverse Community
32:29 Journey Into Drag
41:40 Relationship to Masculine and Feminine Energy
54:13 Being In A Red Area
Marcos - From Brazilian Acrobat to International Artist
In this episode, Jack Dawkins speaks with Marcos, who tells his story of how he went from doing trash pickup at the age of 9 in Brazil to working internationally with Cirque du Soilel as an acrobat. They discuss the art of capoeira and circus life during the pandemic.
ABOUT MARCOS
Marcos fagundes 22y Brazilian Acrobat at cirque u soleil Graduated at national circus school in brazil Worked one year in mexico Living in canadá now
IG @thetricksofvini
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:21 Breakfast
3:07 Growing Up in Brazil
6:54 Capoeira to Circus
17:45 Circus Life vs Pandemic
23:11 First Contract
35:43: Cirque du Soilel
47:31 Words of Advice and Appreciation
Morgan St. Jean - Finding Your Passion Young
In this episode, Jack Dawkins is joined by Morgan St. Jean, a musician that went viral for songs like "Energy", "Not All Men", and "Do It Like A Girl". Together, they discuss how she grew up in LA, found music as a passion of hers at a young age, and pursued her career in music through a strong social media strategy.
ABOUT MORGAN ST. JEAN
Morgan St. Jean is the feminist pop princess the world needs. From anthems that address difficult social topics and empower people to live authentically, to ballads that heal the heartbroken, Morgan is able to express the truth of the human condition in a way that few others can. She has a die hard fan base across the world, which has led to hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, sold out tours in Europe, a platinum selling single, and millions of streams. With her new EP ‘Skin and Bones,’ Morgan has reached such a profound a level of vulnerability that she has inspired a movement of people finding the courage to live authentically.
IG: @morganstjean
TikTok: @morganstjeanmusic
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:11: Growing up in LA
4:13: Journey to Music
6:14: Young Passion and Big Emotions
17:00: Skin and Bones EP
24:43: Going Viral
39:48: Fan Base & Touring
Tré Lamb - F It Energy
In this episode, Jack Dawkins is joined by Tré Lamb, a comedian based in Salt Lake City. They discuss how he got started in comedy, trying comedy at a poetry open mic, and the fine art of F--- It energy.
ABOUT TRE LAMB
Tre Lamb is a stand up comedian currently based in Salt Lake City. He has amassed an online following from his stand up clips and will be on tour in a city near you.
@trejlamb
@trelamb
trelamb.com
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
2:11 Coffe Color
3:28 Getting Started in Standup
11:57 Social Media Content and Following
21:06 Open Mic to Headliner in Utah
31:19 The Art of Comedy
38:30 F It Energy
48:59 Comedy at Poetry Open Mic
49:18 Relationships & Attention
1:02:33 Being Hard on Yourself
Mia Gentile - Surrendering to Something Greater
Welcome back for Season 3! To kick off the season, Jack is joined by Mia Gentile. A Broadway actress and singer, she delves into the Broadway Softball League, mimicry in singing, and going on her own healing journey. There will be a part two in the future, so be sure to subscribe!
ABOUT MIA GENTILE
Mia Gentile spent 5 years in the Broadway cast of Kinky Boots (ensemble and u/s Lauren), impersonated many a diva in Forbidden Broadway, and can be heard on the original cast album of Forbidden Broadway: Comes Out Swinging!, originating the “Let It Blow” sketch. She has toured with Scot Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox and was a soloist in concert with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Winston-Salem Symphony singing the songs of Rent, La Boheme, and Moulin Rouge under conductor Robert Moody. Mia was also interviewed by Jerry Seinfeld on ABC’s Good Morning America for her viral YouTube video “The Stanley Steemer Variations.” Mia and her collaborator Roger Klug created a two-person band called MISSYFIT and have released music on all streaming music platforms. Her favorite roles include Maureen in Rent, Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel (with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra), Margy in Mae West's play Sex, and Rosalind in As You Like It. Mia has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and is gratefully represented by Avalon Artists Group. Mia is also a voice teacher, avid meditator, and a Broadway Ambassador for Broadway For Arts Education, an organization that provides arts education to underserved youth internationally and in NYC. For more info, visit www.themiagentile.com.
IG and TikTok: @themiagentile
youtube: @MiaPGentile
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
ABOUT STAGE DIVE
“The stories behind your favorite artists. Stage Dive sheds light on the beautiful and precarious process of creating and sharing art with the world.”
🤔 Thoughtful Questions
🥹 Vulnerable Answers
🤓 Much Nerding
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:55 Work Schedule and Broadway Softball League
9:48 Getting Into Theater
24:41 The Music Side
28:19 Mimicry
46:49 Music and Mental Health Journey
The Making of Denver Legends: Ego + Friends
Introducing "The Making of Denver Legends" - a captivating 6-part video interview series featuring the musical masterminds behind Denver's music artists! 🌟⠀ ⠀ Meet the Legends: Jack Dawkins, Malcolm Whyz3, ReSrface, Binta Zang, Ego + Friends, and Ason Yugen as they reveal the untold stories behind their inspiring journeys in the Denver music scene. 🎶⠀ ⠀ 🗓️ Mark your calendars for a legendary show where all these incredible artists will take the stage together at Your Mom's House on September 1st! Don't miss this unforgettable night of music talent! ⠀ 🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW! Secure your spot for an extraordinary evening at: ⠀ https://events.yourmomshousedenver.com/e/the-making-of-denver-legends/tickets Embrace the magic of music and join us on this exclusive journey with the Denver Legends! 🔥⠀ ⠀ #DenverLegends #TheMakingOfDenverLegends #YourMomsHouse #LiveMusicDenver #MusicEvent
The Making of Denver Legends: ReSrface
Introducing "The Making of Denver Legends" - a captivating 6-part video interview series featuring the musical masterminds behind Denver's music artists! 🌟⠀⠀
Meet the Legends: Jack Dawkins, Malcolm Whyz3, ReSrface, Binta Zang, Ego + Friends, and Ason Yugen as they reveal the untold stories behind their inspiring journeys in the Denver music scene. 🎶⠀⠀
🗓️ Mark your calendars for a legendary show where all these incredible artists will take the stage together at Your Mom's House on September 1st! Don't miss this unforgettable night of music talent!⠀
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW! Secure your spot for an extraordinary evening at: https://events.yourmomshousedenver.com/e/the-making-of-denver-legends/tickets
Embrace the magic of music and join us on this exclusive journey with the Denver Legends! 🔥⠀⠀
#DenverLegends #TheMakingOfDenverLegends #YourMomsHouse #LiveMusicDenver #MusicEvent
The Making of Denver Legends: Binta Zang
Introducing "The Making of Denver Legends" - a captivating 6-part video interview series featuring the musical masterminds behind Denver's music artists! 🌟⠀⠀
Meet the Legends: Jack Dawkins, Malcolm Whyz3, ReSrface, Binta Zang, Ego + Friends, and Ason Yugen as they reveal the untold stories behind their inspiring journeys in the Denver music scene. 🎶⠀⠀
🗓️ Mark your calendars for a legendary show where all these incredible artists will take the stage together at Your Mom's House on September 1st! Don't miss this unforgettable night of music talent!⠀
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW! Secure your spot for an extraordinary evening at: https://events.yourmomshousedenver.com/e/the-making-of-denver-legends/tickets
Embrace the magic of music and join us on this exclusive journey with the Denver Legends! 🔥⠀⠀
#DenverLegends #TheMakingOfDenverLegends #YourMomsHouse #LiveMusicDenver #MusicEvent
The Making of Denver Legends: Ason Yugen
Introducing "The Making of Denver Legends" - a captivating 6-part video interview series featuring the musical masterminds behind Denver's music artists! 🌟⠀⠀
Meet the Legends: Jack Dawkins, Malcolm Whyz3, ReSrface, Binta Zang, Ego + Friends, and Ason Yugen as they reveal the untold stories behind their inspiring journeys in the Denver music scene. 🎶⠀⠀
🗓️ Mark your calendars for a legendary show where all these incredible artists will take the stage together at Your Mom's House on September 1st! Don't miss this unforgettable night of music talent!⠀
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW! Secure your spot for an extraordinary evening at: https://events.yourmomshousedenver.com/e/the-making-of-denver-legends/tickets
Embrace the magic of music and join us on this exclusive journey with the Denver Legends! 🔥⠀⠀
#DenverLegends #TheMakingOfDenverLegends #YourMomsHouse #LiveMusicDenver #MusicEvent
The Making of Denver Legends: Jack Dawkins
Introducing "The Making of Denver Legends" - a captivating 6-part video interview series featuring the musical masterminds behind Denver's music artists! 🌟⠀⠀
Meet the Legends: Jack Dawkins, Malcolm Whyz3, ReSrface, Binta Zang, Ego + Friends, and Ason Yugen as they reveal the untold stories behind their inspiring journeys in the Denver music scene. 🎶⠀⠀
🗓️ Mark your calendars for a legendary show where all these incredible artists will take the stage together at Your Mom's House on September 1st! Don't miss this unforgettable night of music talent!⠀
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW! Secure your spot for an extraordinary evening at: https://events.yourmomshousedenver.com/e/the-making-of-denver-legends/tickets
Embrace the magic of music and join us on this exclusive journey with the Denver Legends! 🔥⠀⠀
#DenverLegends #TheMakingOfDenverLegends #YourMomsHouse #LiveMusicDenver #MusicEvent
The Making of Denver Legends: Malcolm Whyz3
Introducing "The Making of Denver Legends" - a captivating 6-part video interview series featuring the musical masterminds behind Denver's music artists! 🌟⠀⠀
Meet the Legends: Jack Dawkins, Malcolm Whyz3, ReSrface, Binta Zang, Ego + Friends, and Ason Yugen as they reveal the untold stories behind their inspiring journeys in the Denver music scene. 🎶⠀⠀
🗓️ Mark your calendars for a legendary show where all these incredible artists will take the stage together at Your Mom's House on September 1st! Don't miss this unforgettable night of music talent!⠀
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW! Secure your spot for an extraordinary evening at: https://events.yourmomshousedenver.com/e/the-making-of-denver-legends/tickets
Embrace the magic of music and join us on this exclusive journey with the Denver Legends! 🔥⠀⠀
#DenverLegends #TheMakingOfDenverLegends #YourMomsHouse #LiveMusicDenver #MusicEvent
The Road to Performance - Growth and Opportunities
This week, we're pivoting to look at all of the growth and opportunities that happen on the road to performing. In some cases, it took years of dedication and a clear path. In other cases, it took saying yes to the right opportunity at the right time. Enjoy these segments from all of our Season 2 guests!
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
00:52 William Hung
2:25 Whitney Chanel
4:50 Emma Rose Sorenson
8:41 Max
11:05 Stacey Stardust
15:10 Davis Rahal
16:55 Femke
22:33 Aquariius
29:13 Magical Girl Melanie
37:13 Dave Ratner
The Best Performance Advice from Season 2
This week, we're taking a look at the best advice all of our Season 2 guests had to share. 10 different artists with different stories, different backgrounds, different life paths, and different areas of expertise share the lessons they've learned!
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
00:52 William Hung
2:32 Whitney Chanel
3:55 Emma Rose Sorenson
8:30 Max
9:22 Stacey Stardust
12:31 Davis Rahal
15:32 Femke
19:38 Aquariius
24:15 Magical Girl Melanie
28:10 Dave Ratner
Dave Ratner - Contracts, Labels, Masters and More From A Lawyer
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Dave Ratner. A former tour manager turned lawyer, Dave shares important reasons artists need lawyers. From negotiating contracts to the changing world of artist labels to forgetting a band member on the road (whoops), this is an episode you don't want to miss!
ABOUT DAVE
Dave Ratner is a former band manager turned entertainment lawyer and founding partner of Creative Law Network, a law firm catering to creative people and businesses. Dave counsels clients throughout the music and entertainment industries, teaches at University of Denver Law School, and gives presentations on important legal matters. Dave is also a former tour manager and roadie so he knows all about life on the road!
https://www.creativelawnetwork.com/
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
0:55 Stories From Managing Artists
9:03 From Seller to Manager to Lawyer
19:12 Success and Entrepreneurship
35:30 Contract Law and Other Lawyer Things
49:21 Areas Artists Need Legal Help
1:00:24 Labels and Masters
Magical Girl Melanie - Acting and Appearances at the Happiest Place on Earth
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Magical Girl Melanie. From character acting at Disney to streaming and cosplaying, they discuss her alien aesthetics, her time acting as Drizella Tremaine, Cinderella's evil stepsister, and her take on the working conditions at Disney.
** Performance videos courtesy of Melanie**
ABOUT MELANIE
Magical Girl Melanie is a content creator focused on creating authentic connections through streaming, cosplay, and her unique life experiences. With over 31 million views on TikTok, Melanie loves to share hilarious and truthful stories of what it was really like playing a Face Character at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. She also loves streaming cosplay and retro games on Twitch!
IG: @magicalgirlmelanie
https://www.twitch.tv/magicalgirlmelanie
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:00 Writing Your Narrative
8:13 Disney Character Acting
19:20 Casting Process
35:13 The Pros and Cons
49:54 Engaging and Interacting with Audience
56:33 Affects on Appearance
Aquariius - The Bearded, The Bold, And The Brave Queens Fighting for Their Rights
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Aquariius. A Florida-based bearded drag queen, Aquariius discusses finding theater as a kid, mixing masculine and feminine in bearded drag, and the current anti-drag and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Resource for supporting LGBTQ+ rights:
https://glaad.org/resourcelist/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Resources to support drag queens:
https://www.drag-is-not-a-crime.com/blank
ABOUT AQUARIIUS
Aquariius is a central Florida bearded drag queen who’s been performing in the area for over a decade, they are a community leader and activist for those without voices.
IG: @sirmeow
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
0:57 Bearded Drag Pageants
8:01 From Tech to Theater In Childhood
13:37: Acceptance & Self Love In Theater
18:38: Finding Drag & First Performance
27:06: Drag Family
30:49: The Birth of Aquarius
43:11: Building a Performance as a Bearded Queen
52:20: Advice on Uniqueness
56:57: Anti-Gay and Drag Legislation
Femke - Strategy And Vision Versus Going Viral
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Femke, a producer, songwriter, and musician. Together they discuss social media and going viral, the types of musicians she prefers to work with, a deeper look at identity, and more!
ABOUT FEMKE
“The reason why I got into music in the first place was to be able to write songs that mean something to people.”… Femke Femke is a Grammy winning producer, songwriter, musician. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Dutch native moved to Los Angeles where she received her Masters in Commercial Music at Cal State University, Los Angeles. Femke began working for Hans Zimmer’s prestigious Remote Control studios where she arranged, programmed and orchestrated music for Film and TV. Femke later moved to Nashville to pursue her passion of producing and writing with recording artists. Femke founded her own indie label, LV Music to give a home to rising indie artists she’s discovered. Femke has won the ASCAP Harold Adamson Award for lyric writing as well as a Latin Grammy -writing the single “Goodbye” on Beto Cuevas' LP ‘Transformacion’ which won Pop Album of the Year (Latin) in 2014.
www.femkesongs.com
instagram.com/femkesongs
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
0:57 Wearing Many Hats
3:37 Going Where the Music Leads
10:49 Compartmentalize
17:29 Social Media Marketing
20:58 Manager, Entrepreneur, Artist
25:45 Who are you?
27:21 Parenthood
30:33 Big Music Cities & Going Viral
37:56 Time Management & Overwhelm
44:39 Artist Mentality and Strategy
59:48 Helping Other Artists
Davis Rahal - Dedication, Desire, and Dance
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Davis Rahal, currently a dancer for Magic Mike Vegas. Davis takes a bird's eye view of his life path and dives into the rigorous training cheerleaders experience at a young age. They also discuss saying yes to opportunities that open doors.
ABOUT DAVIS RAHAL
Hi, my name is Davis Rahal. I’m a professional dancer currently living in Los Angeles and Las Vegas doing the Magic Mike Vegas show! I’ve dance professionally for over ten years now and am blessed for the career I’ve had so far! When I’m not performing I love teaching dance and gymnastics, horseback riding, or being by the water in any way :)
Instagram @davisrahal https://youtu.be/rIeCZTJ9Hu8
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:15 College
5:10 Cheerleading and Coming Out
20:10 Pathway to Dance
30:30 Performing versus Teaching
34:47 LA
44:58 Auditions
49:12 Emotions, Energy, an Advice
Stacey Stardust - Embracing Feedback To Make Magic
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Stacey Stardust, a Vegas magician. Despite a rough start as a street magician, she embraced the challenge and now is working on her own solo show as well as producing shows. They discuss receiving feedback, making and marketing your own show, and more!
ABOUT STACEY STARDUST
Stacey Stardust is Vegas’ top female magcian and the producer/ host of Vegas’ ONLY circus open-mic, Secret Circus.
https://instagram.com/staceystardust
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
0:46 Getting Your Own Show
7:47 Opportunities For Improvement
16:16 Grabbing Attention
18:46 Dating Magic
23:31 Advice for Beginners
28:45 Getting Feedback
35:24 Feminine vs Masculine Energy
38:10 Pre-Show Rituals
45:08 Marketing Your Shows
47:31 Vegas
51:46 The Role of Magic in Society
Max - Breaking Boundaries in the Air
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Max, an aerialist with an impressive career who is looking to continually challenge the norms of the circus industry. They speak on femininity versus masculinity, the creative process, finances, and more!
ABOUT MAX
Max has worked with numerous companies and appeared regularly as an aerialist on a variety of TV shows and films. A few high profile performing credits include Cher’s show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Cher’s Dressed To Kill world tour 2014, Cirque Du Soleil’s MJ One, Cabaret the musical, and Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular. He was an original cast member of Cirque Du Soleil’s LIGHT nightclub in Las Vegas before acting as Artistic Director for the “Exposure” event in 2014. Max then worked on the Cirque Du Soleil creative team for several projects in Montreal during 2014, and he later assumed the position of Artistic Director at LIGHT nightclub.
His interest for the visual arts also inspired his career as a photographer. He has taken a different approach to the art, integrating his director’s eye for lighting and composition, as well as his accumulated knowledge of the aerial arts and the human form to create unique collections, which have been well received in various museums and galleries. Most recently, he has co-founded his personal brand, “Verse Concepts Art + Aerial”, as a base for the creation of artistic projects and collaborations within the performing arts community. Max continually creates, directs and choreographs for personal projects and larger productions, always passionate about the quality, experimentation and progression of his art.
https://www.instagram.com/maxintheair/ https://www.instagram.com/max_damian_photography/ https://www.youtube.com/@Maxintheair
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:15 Thrift Shopping
3:31 A New Project
5:58 How did you get involved with the circus?
13:01 Teaching Vs. Performing
17:13 The Creation Process
20:09 Being Male Aerialist
31:05 Financial Literacy
43:23 Masculinity vs Femininity
51:42 New Adventures
56:52 Advice for Beginners
Emma Rose Sorenson - Being Process Oriented, Not Goal Oriented
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Emma Rose Sorenson, an opera singer and model. She tells the story of getting into the modeling industry late and the extensive work on learning how to enjoy the process, not simply focusing on the end goal by whatever means necessary.
ABOUT EMMA ROSE SORENSON
Opera singer and Model.
www.emmarosesorenson.com
@emma.rose.sorenson
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
0:52 Al’s Burgers and Thrifting
3:39 Balancing Opera and Modeling
6:34 Starting Opera Late
11:36 Nerves and High Pressure
24:32 Webster University and Support
33:48 Listening to Yourself and Feedback
41:34 The Modeling Industry
49:18 Self Promotion in Opera
54:09 Best and Worst Advice
Whitney Chanel - The Fleeting Intimacy of Comedy
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Whitney Chanel! They discuss how she found comedy as an outlet after the passing of her mother, depression and other emotions, as well as earning the right to not be funny as a comedian.
ABOUT WHITNEY CHANEL
Whitney Chanel is a New York City Comedian seen on Vh1, Bravo, Buzz Feed and The Sweet Spot. Her comedy takes you to a place where you can be your authentic self and hear your stories and life expriences through someone else. She’s a force to be reckoned with but has jokes you’ll want to share with your mother!
IG: @WHITNEYCHANELCOMEDY
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:00 Intro
1:12 Jack’s Journey to Podcasting
4:44 Whitney’s Journey to Comedy
11:57 Earning the Right to Not Be Funny
16:48 Terrible Things Happen
20:46 Feeling Your Emotions
24:59 Whitney’s Audience
28:03 Your Lived Experience
34:08 Storytelling in Comedy
35:09 Introverted and Depressed
40:54 The Story of the Sad Comedian
43:10 Boos vs Silence
50:31 Advice for New Comedians
William Hung - American Idol to Public Speaker
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by William Hung! After going viral on American Idol, William decided to continue on his journey as a performer and turn to public speaking. William and Jack discuss visualization, performance in poker, and more!
ABOUT WILLIAM HUNG
After his American Idol audition, William Hung’s rendition of “She Bangs” became famous for all the wrong reasons. Despite the harsh criticism he endured, William persevered—having gone on to attract a cult following, released three albums, and even performed live with Ricky Martin in Las Vegas. A motivational speaker and professional optimist, William is proof that the underdog can succeed when you rise above the haters and choose to be happy.
HTTPS://www.instagram.com/WilliamHungOfficial
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:43: What do you wish you got to talk about more that don’t come up as often as you’d like?
2:47: What did you take away from studying civil engineering and working with the LA Sheriff’s Office?
5:43: I can tell you have a genuine desire for people to find more joy. Has that always been there?
6:57: What was the experience of going viral on American Idol like for you?
8:16: Does the concept of you were put on this earth for a reason resonate with you?
9:34: What has been the difference between being a motivational speaker versus entertainment?
10:52: What, to you, defines a successful speaking engagement?
12:43: What advice would you give to people who are trying to get onto stages?
15:46: What are some of the things you learned from your first speaking engagements?
20:34: Is visualization a tool you’ve used a lot?
21:58: Are there speakers you admire and learn from?
22:40: What is one thing you wished everyone knew about public speaking?
24:13: Has anything you learned as a public speaker helped you in the world of poker? How do you feel about risk?
30:23: When you’re sitting at a poker table, are you performing?
32:43: If everything went great for the next five years, what do you see yourself doing?
34:51: Is there anything people don’t know about you?
Salisha Thomas - What Does A Broadway Actress Do During COVID?
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Salisha Thomas! They discuss the big impacts of COVID on Broadway, but more importantly how that led her to discovering her own identity away from being an actor. Post pandemic, she has enjoyed creating her own podcast, voice acting, and more!
ABOUT SALISHA THOMAS
Made her Bway debut in Beautiful the Carole King Musical and slated to swing the new Britney Spears Musical, Salisha is a former Miss California and former vocalist for Disney currently residing in NYC with her husband Andrew!
www.salishathomas.com
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
54:29: Two weeks into rehearsals for the Brittany Spears Musical, COVID shut everything down. Give me the blow-by-blow.
14:15: What is your experience of New York now?
19:18: What answers did you find when you had to explore who you are more deeply?
31:52: Thoughts on moving to a creator economy.
40:14: Salisha’s hair journey.
44:35: How do you feel now?
49:43: How are you experiencing performing as an entrepreneur versus performing on Broadway?
Wally Green - From Poverty to Ping Pong
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Wally Green, a keynote speaker and ping pong playing champ! Wally shares the story of the violence he faced and how he turned to sports to overcome his own violence. His mindset along with his performance during ping pong helped set him apart from the rest.
ABOUT WALLY GREEN
Wally Green, celebrity pro athlete from Brooklyn, overcame poverty and violence to become a world-class athlete. He represented the US in international competitions, including a historic trip to North Korea, and co-founded a premier social Ping Pong club in New York. Wally's determination, spirit, and perseverance makes him a true inspiration and a role model for anyone facing adversity. He proves that with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, anything is possible.
Instagram @wallygreennyc
Tiktok @wallygreennycofficial
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
2:38: How often do you go live for TikTok?
4:48: Who’s your favorite UFC fighter?
10:17: What are some of the things you have learned about yourself or the art of podcasting after doing over 200 in the last 15 months?
14:32: What was the process like of you deciding that you wanted to start sharing your story?
Everything I do, I do with intention. I don’t do things that I don’t want to do and I don’t do things just to do them for no reason.
21:18: It sounds like the way your brain works is you find something and you get locked into it. Where does that come from?
26:16: How do you get through the tougher moments in life?
29:47: As you were going through the change of a negative environment into a positive mindset, how did your life change?
32:33: How’d you get into pingpong?
43:08: What does performing in the context of pingpong look like?
58:30: What are you really excited about for the future?
1:02:31: If you could go back in time to the angry, violent version of yourself, what would you tell him?
Alex - Dancer, Artist, Athlete, Human
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Alex. A dancer based in Greece, she brings inside into the mental and physical components of dance, from feeling emotions before dancing, quitting or not wanting to practice, and treating her body like an athlete.
ABOUT ALEX
Alexandra Filippidou is a freestyle dancer and performer currently based in Greece. She specializes in Waving while mixing techniques from other styles like Popping, Animation and contemporary. She loves to explore with her movement and sees dance as her playground. She travels a lot around the world giving workshops and sharing her mentality around dance and life, and how these two are connected.
@alexeffuse
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:48: Alex begins by explaining the quote she features on her Instagram around the mental work that has to be done in order for her to enjoy the dance space. While dance is a big part of her life, it isn’t the only thing in her life.
8:26: Starting at the age of 8, Alex tried a number of different dance styles and finally learned about dance battles. She speaks about the feeling of quitting.
22:22: Jack asks about a breakthrough aha moment. Alex discusses accepting where she’s at and dealing with pressure. They talk about having to still put in effort and at least try.
41:09: Alex explains how she manages to practice even when she doesn’t want to, Jack bringing up the idea of forgiving and recommitting. She also discusses the importance of taking care your body.
49:43: Thinking about what is coming next, Alex wants to learn more. She’s working on animation, which is dance with more robotic and cartoonish effects. There are a wide number of dancers that have helped inspire her style.
Caroline Ravn - The Next David Copperfield?
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Caroline Ravn. From Sweden, she started learning magic at the age of 3 from her grandfather and has made it her full-time job for the past 9 years. They discuss involving the audience in magic, what it's like being a parent as a performer, and how she's keeping magic alive!
ABOUT CAROLINE RAVN
Her grandfather was a magician, and she started when she was 3. Went to university and studied theology for 5,5 years, thinking she was gonna be a minister/preacher. Decided to go all in with magic instead and this has been her full-time job for 9 years now. 5 TEDx talks, own line of playing cards (Ravn Playing Cards), performs all over the world, works on luxury cruise lines.
www.carolineravn.com
www.instagram.com/ravnmagic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAwiZAy1cOgpSa3L2Pl1cuA
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
1:13: Jack starts by asking how Caroline got started in magic, which started very early since her grandfather was a magician. Despite attempting to take another path, she returned to magic. She talks about the benefits of hiring a clown.
15:19: They discuss post-COVID audiences, and how Caroline’s first act in a show is building trust that she will not humiliate or hurt anyone. She speaks to the role of the magician and being present during a performance.
29:13: Caroline explains a moment of such pride and presentness in her journey as a performer. She mentions David Copperfield. A quick segue leads to Caroline’s decision to go through the process to donate her eggs and traveling as a mom.
49:41: Caroline gives her advice to beginners and those looking to level up. She talks about a book club for magicians she started that anyone can join to continue to keep the interest alive.
Voodoo Onyx - Magic Incarnate Burlesque Dancer
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Voodoo Onyx. A mom of twins, embryologist, burlesque dancer, and magic seeker, Voodoo talks about bringing the audience into the performance and finding magic.
ABOUT VOODOO ONYX
She’s Magic Incarnate.
IG @Voodooonyx
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:47: Voodoo explains the stresses of her job as an embryologist, someone who physically chooses and injects sperm into an egg for fertilization. The discussion turns to the absolute madness of entering parenthood and having to care for tiny human beings.
17:39: Switching to her dancing career, Voodoo shares her first exposure to burlesque, as well as the success of her first performance. She creates a safe space and understands how audience members can feel vulnerable, too.
29:20: Jack asks for the story behind Voodoo’s stage name, and the conversation strays to the subject of magic, awareness, and self love.
50:21: Jack brings up failure and the inner dialogue that often comes along with it. While Voodoo doesn’t have any horrendous failures, she speaks to saying yes to jobs early in her career that led to “weird” interactions. Voodoo touches on a non-ideal audience. She ends with advice for anyone considering burlesque.
Isaac Knox - A Rap Battle Word Nerd
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Isaac Knox. A freestyle rapper and comedian, Isaac discusses authenticity when performing, finding comfort to stray from the plan, word nerd-ing, and starting his day with rest!
ABOUT ISAAC KNOX
EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg has not heard of Isaac Knox, the freestyle rapper & comedian. This saddens Isaac. But he & his freestyle rap company Free Daps have reached & delighted thousands of people who have never worked at The View or been called Sister Mary Clarence. Now he teaches improv rap classes, in part, to fill a Whoopi shaped hole in his heart.
IG & TikTok: @imisaacknox
IG: @freedaps & @ucanfreestyle
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
0:59: Jack and Isaac start the conversation with a rap battle Isaac participated in. Isaac explains how he got started into rap battling over 10 years ago and how theater helped him find his authentic self.
10:13: Isaac touches on the value of balancing branding with authenticity. He mentions what types of performances impress him, as well as needing the comfort to veer away from the plan. The discussion moves into the art form of bending language.
27:30: Jack asks about Isaac’s journey from battle rapping in Orlando to spending time in New York with a plethora of ventures. He speaks to building his skill and value toolbelt that allows him to pursue comedy, improv, etc, without burning out on any one thing.
38:22: Isaac explains what his perfect day looks like, starting with the importance of rest, and the perfect day 10+ years from now. Isaac touches on the pros and cons of safety nets and support from his parents.
Michaela "Micki" Ekström - First Woman to Compete in Swedish Beatbox Championships
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Michaela "Micki" Ekström, the first woman to ever compete in the Swedish Beatbox Championships despite only starting in 2021. They talk theater, improv, beatboxing, and more!
ABOUT MICKI
I am born and raised in Sweden. Started beatboxing in January 2021. December 10th 2022 I became the first ever woman to compete in the Swedish Beatbox Championships.
Instagram: @heymickii
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
1:00: Michaela mentions her love of Hamilton lead her to Freestyle Life Supreme. She speaks to her fear getting in the way of auditioning for a theater college but improv classes allowed her to not overthink.
13:42: Jack asks about her first theater experiences, seeing Phantom of the Opera and Book of Mormon.
17:26: Switching gears, Jack explains FLS+ and Michaela shares her first experience beatboxing. She explains how she builds a 90-second routine. They discuss mindset in dealing with fear, criticism, and purpose.
39:10: Michaela discusses her preparation for the Swedish National Beatbox Championships. Despite losing her first battle, she was proud to be the first woman to compete. She touches on techniques she’s learning.
LINKS
Gene Shinozaki:
https://instagram.com/gene.shinozaki?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Show-go:
https://instagram.com/showgoxkaix?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Hiss:
https://instagram.com/beatbox_hiss?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
FLS+:
Cardillo - You Don't Have to Make It
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Chris Cardillo, a musician creating partnerships at DICE. They discuss performer health in terms of canceling shows, hyper-regional differences in music styles and venue options, and more!
ABOUT CHRIS CARDILLO
Chris Cardillo has a patchwork past — he’s worked with war veterans & children in the mental health realm, created & launched successful brands, booked shows & events, performed & released music, ran a music venue, and is currently leading live music partnerships at DICE. He’s a natural liaison with an intuitive ability to read the room and make people feel at home. Chris has Philly roots, spent a few years in California, and currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife & daughter.
cardillo.bandcamp.com
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
1:43: Looking back at 2022, Cardillo mentions a highlight being in New Orleans for a War on Drugs show and other components that make a show. He speaks to venue size and sound mixing being important factors.
13:08: Cardillo and Jack look at 2023 and post-pandemic landscape. They speak on the common occurrence of performances getting canceled. Cardillo asks Jack about opening acts.
27:00: Reading the room is important for a large number of interactions on top of set building. Cardillo tells another story of great crowd work.
46:10: Jack and Cardillo speak on the impacts of hyper-regional differences and the unique opportunities various locations provide. Switching hats, Cardillo mentions knowing your value and having management with aligning values can set you apart as a performer. However, there is a difference between management of a beginner versus a world-famous superstar.
1:13:45: Cardillo explains Dice, a platform for people to discover experiences that they maybe wouldn’t otherwise.
Diane Jorge - Mental Health, Misogyny, and Making Mistakes
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Diane Jorge, a Miami comedian. On this episode, they discuss having a panic attack on stage, misogyny towards women comedians, and making mistakes in a time of cancel culture.
ABOUT DIANE JORGE
Diane Jorge is a… lot of things - actor, comedian, storyteller & Walter Mercado impersonator. This Miami native performs all over South Florida telling jokes and embarrassing true life stories. In fact, she recently won The Moth StorySLAM in Miami. When Diane is not imitating her Cuban parents or singing awkwardly on stage, she’s also performing improv & sketch comedy, including two solo improvised shows: Solovela, an improvised telenovela based on audience suggestion & Mercado de la Fortuna, an improvised show that includes very Miami tarot cards and Walter Mercado fashion. You can follow Diane on Instagram or Twitter at @dianeisloud.
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
1:37: Although not yet making consistent income, Diane is comfortable calling herself a standup comedian and tells the story of how she got into comedy. Humor has both helped her and hurt her.
15:42: Diane mentions she’s working on her writing currently. With ADHD, she tends to record herself often. They discuss storytelling in terms of dealing with inner work and validation.
31:10: Diane tells the story of her having a panic attack on stage. She brings up her social media usage and dislike of watching herself perform. Jack and Diane talk about her relationship to her jokes.
47:13: Touching on women in comedy, Diane speaks to misogyny from both men and women. They both dive deeper into cancel culture and learning from mistakes.
Rayner & Sandi - Achieving The Feeling Of Magic
This week, Jack Dawkins is joined by Rayner and Sandi. The trio share stories around inner child work, gender norms, following your intuition, and supporting one another.
ABOUT RAYNER & SANDI
Rayner a Venezuelan, performing artist from Miami who writes thoughtful bars. He focuses on his own mental health journey with my music, and try to stand in my truth as authentically as he can. Sandi Stock (they/she) is an actor, rapper, singer, and arts administrator that has been performing professionally for over a decade. They love interacting with the audience and creating connection through positivity and vulnerability. They have a passion for bringing untold stories to the world and uplifting unheard voices through the arts.
https://linktr.ee/Raynerg
ABOUT JACK DAWKINS
Jack Dawkins is a storyteller, a rapper, and a poet. He also cooks good food and runs really far. His use of the English language has been compared to Michael Phelps’ performance on Saturday Night Live: Wildly entertaining for none of the reasons you would expect. He is, at his core, and in his music, deeply human, and a lover of excessive comma use. Most importantly, he loves you.
www.jackdawkinsraps.com/linktree
Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/5TMLeqJiL2WMPoAcWKhGZz?si=4e6748ab641b46bc
SHOW NOTES
1:29: Sandi starts with telling the story of her cats, Ruckus and Solo and then Ruck and Puck II. The conversation flows into the history of their relationship. Jack asks what they both admire about other performers.
20:10: The couple remembers their earliest memories of each other, and Sandi speaks to supporting Rayner as a manager and director. Jack brings up the problem of “not giving a fuck” about what the audience thinks.
36:58: Rayner talks about his journey creating music and chasing the feeling of magic. Sandi mentions when Rayner quit his job to pursue music; Rayner explaining further turning his back on safety but listening to his inner child.
1:01:42: Jack shares his story of listening to his intuition and exploring traits society has labeled as feminine. Sandi chimes in with her own recognition of being nonbinary and stereotypical gender roles. Jack switches gears to diving deeper in their relationship dynamics.
1:34:32: Sandi and Rayner report on new music coming out, I Am (out now) and The Best Side out February 14th!