Podcast
Stage Combat The Podcast
Hosted by Haywood Productions, LLC · EN
Stage Combat the Podcast is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the dark side of the entertainment industry which also asks the question: how can we make our workplaces better for everyone? Hosted by attorney/advocate/actor Sean Hayden.
In Seasons 1 and 2, Sean Hayden took the listeners into his own harrowing workplace nightmare in the style of a "true crime podcast." Now, Stage Combat the Podcast is a riveting platform for entertainment workers from everywhere to come together, to share their own stories and to advocate for themselves and for change.
Claim Your Story today. Season 4 premieres April 27, 2026!
52episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"The Lookingglass Story: How A Theatre Responds"
1w ago00:32:02Summary readySeason 4, Episode 9.THIS IS PART 2 OF A TWO-PART EPISODE. LISTEN TO EPISODE 8 FIRST: "The Lookingglass Story: How We Got Here"Synopsis: Two months, the Tony award winning Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago issued a cease-and-desist letter in response to our story about a young actor named Ayana who says she was left disabled performing a circus act in Lookingglass' production of Circus Quixote. It's a story that has provoked anger and frustration in the Chicago theatre community. Sean's getting personal at the mic and asking the question: Can a theatre's response to a crisis be almost as consequential as the crisis itself?Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at stagecombatthepodcast.comContact us with a DM and follow us at our instagram @stagecombatthepodcastigor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comSean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone. Disclaimers: Lookingglass Theatre disputes aspects of Ayana Strutz’s account of her experience working at Lookingglass. Lookingglass maintains its productions are safe and produced in accordance with union and industry standards. Lookingglass did not respond to our invitation to appear on an episode of this podcast with Ayana and share their side of Ayana’s story. This episode should not be construed as medical or legal advice.
Summary"The Lookingglass Story: How We Got Here"
1w ago00:30:46Summary readySeason 4, Episode 8.Synopsis: Two months, the Tony award winning Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago issued a cease-and-desist letter in response to our story about a young actor named Ayana who says she was left disabled performing a circus act in Lookingglass' production of Circus Quixote. It's a story that has provoked anger and frustration in the Chicago theatre community. Sean's getting personal at the mic to assess just how we got here and to let you know where we are today with Ayana's story.Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at stagecombatthepodcast.comContact us with a DM and follow us at our instagram @stagecombatthepodcastigor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comSean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone. Disclaimers: Lookingglass Theatre disputes aspects of Ayana Strutz’s account of her experience working at Lookingglass. Lookingglass maintains its productions are safe and produced in accordance with union and industry standards. Lookingglass did not respond to our invitation to appear on an episode of this podcast with Ayana and share their side of Ayana’s story. This episode should not be construed as medical or legal advice.
Summary"Return to Roanoke Island"
2w ago00:42:28Summary readySeason 4, Episode 7.Synopsis: One of our most provocative stories last season was the story of Court Watson, a designer who alleges he was assaulted as a college student at The Lost Colony on Roanoke Island by Tony award winning costume designer William Ivy Long. With Long secretly working on The Queen of Versailles on Broadway this past season, Sean is reconnecting with Court to hear how he feels about that, AND, for the first time on this podcast, one of Long’s other accusers, Michael Martin. This episode contains strong language and content regarding sexual assault and harassment that some may find disturbing.If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.Special thank you to Court Watson and Michael Martin.Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at stagecombatthepodcast.comContact us with a DM and follow us at our instagram @stagecombatthepodcastigor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Summary"The Way That I Hear You"
3w ago00:36:47Summary readySeason 4, Episode 6.Synopsis: Sean’s talking about the invisible disability of hearing loss in the theatre industry with Dallas actor Marianne Galloway, an actor with hearing loss. Plus Sean's getting personal about his own invisible disability for the first time with the listeners. Special thank you to the amazing Marianne Galloway for sharing her story. Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at stagecombatthepodcast.comContact us with a DM and follow us at our instagram @stagecombatthepodcastigor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Summary"The War On Artists Under Trump"
May 2500:40:46Summary readySeason 4, Episode 5. Synopsis: Sean and Chris Webb, Professor at Boston Conservatory, discuss the war on artists that's been unleased since the second Trump administration and how they have been both been coping with it.Contains strong language.Special thanks to Christopher Webb.Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast where you can also hear more of Sean's conversation with Christopher Webb.Hosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter atLanding Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)Follow us and contact us with a DM at our instagram: @stagecombatthepodcastig or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Summary"Cancel Culture and Scott Rudin's Return to Broadway"
May 1700:33:06Summary readySeason 4, Episode 4. Five years ago, The Hollywood Reporter published shocking bullying allegations about mega film and Broadway producer Scott Rudin, causing him to be cancelled. Today Rudin is BACK on Broadway and poised to sweep this year's Tony awards with his productions of Death of A Salesman starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf and Little Bear Ridge Road, also starring Metcalf. Sean and clinical psychologist, Dr. Alisa Hurwitz, ask the question: SHOULD Rudin be welcomed back and what does his return say about Broadway?Special thanks to Dr. Alisa Hurwitz, an enthusiastic Broadway fan, who is a clinical psychologist in group private practice in New Hampshire, specializing in the Autism spectrum and gender identity.Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast . Hear more of Sean's conversation with Dr. Alisa Hurwitz about cancel culture and our "Sean Off Script" mini-episode where Sean goes deeper into the episode.Hosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Grateful acknowledgement for fair use news clips from CBS New York and Inside Edition.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter atLanding Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)Follow us and contact us with a DM at our instagram: @stagecombatthepodcastig or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Summary"Heated Rivalry and How Do Actors Portray S-x Scenes"
May 1000:40:37Summary readySeason 4, Episode 3. With Heated Rivalry, the steamy Canadian TV show about gay hockey players, still on everyone's minds, Sean and intimacy director Nicole Perry are answering your questions about how actors perform sex scenes on stage and in tv and film.Contains adult content.Nicole Perry, MFA, CLMA, CID/C is an award-winning movement professional, working as an intimacy director, an intimacy coordinator on the SAG registry, and a dance choreographer. She was the intimacy coordinator for the new series, “M.I.A.”, now streaming on Peacock. Career highlights include 3 Broward County Artist Investment Grants for KINesphere (site-inspired dance), intimacy coordination for God Forbid (Hulu), and a Carbonell nomination for the intimacy direction of To Fall in Love (Theatre Lab). She is the author of the book Care-full Creativity in Theatre and Dance Education: Consent-Forward, Trauma-Informed, Psychologically Safe Movement Pedagogy. Hear more of Sean's conversation with Nicole Perry plus our "Sean Off Script" mini episode about the making of this episode at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter atLanding Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)Follow up and Contact us with a DM at Instagram: @stagecombatthepodcastig or email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Grateful acknowledgement for fair use news clips from CBS Morning; them; Abigail Jenses/Rat Girls Podcast.Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Summary"The Queen of Versailles on Broadway: What The Hell Did We Learn?"
May 300:39:18Summary readySeason 4, Episode 2. Synopsis: Now that the construction dust has settled, can we learn anything from Broadway’s 23M flop, The Queen of Versailles starring Kristen Chenoweth? Sean and Matt Koplik, host of Broadway Breakdown, have thoughts about the controversies and the social phenomenon surrounding The Queen of Versailles.Contains strong language.Special thanks to Matt Koplik. Be sure to listen to Matt's podcast, Broadway Breakdown:Broadway Breakdown - Podcast - Apple PodcastsSupport this podcast and listen to our extended interview with Matt Koplik (plus our "Sean Goes Off Script" segment where Sean dives deeper into the episode) at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter atLanding Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)Follow us and DM us at Instagram @StagecombathepodcastIGor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone. Grateful acknowledgement for fair use news clips from Good Morning America, "On Stage" Spectrum NY1, Theatre Mania, Two on the Aisle, and MickeyJo Theatre.
Summary"Aaron Lazar: Healing With ALS"
Apr 2600:32:19Summary readySeason 4, SEASON PREMIERE. Synopsis: Sean talks with Broadway star Andrew Lazar, a veteran of 11 Broadway shows, about his journey of “healing with ALS” and thriving through adversity.Special thanks to Aaron Lazar and The Skin Deep card game. Contains strong language. Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastWatch Aaron Lazar's Impossible Dreams PodcastAaron Lazar: Impossible Dreams - YouTubeHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter atLanding Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) and access mental health resources under "Mental Health."Follow us and DM us at Instagram: StagecombathepodcastIGor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!*This podcast episode does not constitute medical or legal advice. Please consult with your own medical and legal professionals. Aaron Lazar has starred on Broadway 11 times from his debut in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera to Sting and John Logan's The Last Ship. Other highlights include: the first and only revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, the world premiere of Impressionism, and The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center. On film, Aaron has worked for legendary directors Martin Scorcese in The Wolf of Wallstreet, Clint Eastwood in J.Edgar, Shawn Levy in This is Where I Leave You, the Russo brothers in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and the Daniels on Best Picture Academy Award Winning, Everything, Everywhere All at Once. Aaron received the Essey Spotlight Award from The ALS Network for his commitment to raise global awareness of ALS which he continues to do today. Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
SummaryBONUS: "5 Eye Opening Stage Combat The Podcast Moments"
Apr 1200:34:33Summary readySEASON 3 BONUS: While we're preparing the premiere of Season 4 of Stage Combat the Podcast, Sean's looking back on 5 Eye Opening Moments from Season 3. Listen and let us know what was our most impactful moment of the podcast for you!This episode is dedicated in loving memory of actor Bret Shuford. Special thanks to McKey Carpenter, Jessica Webb, Bobby Steggert and "Laura" for sharing their stories with us.Support this podcast and listen to bonus content and insider information at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastHosted by Sean HaydenEditing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter atLanding Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)Contact us with a DM at our instagram:Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videosor email us at Stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.comDon't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
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