Stage Combat The Podcast: The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!

Podcast Information:

• Title: Stage Combat The Podcast
• Host/Author: Haywood Productions, LLC
• Host: Sean Hayden, attorney/advocate/actor
• Season: 3
• Episode Title: The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!
• Release Date: December 17, 2024
• Description: Season 3 shifts focus from Sean Hayden’s personal experiences in the theater industry to the stories of listeners, highlighting instances of mistreatment and advocating for speaking up in various life stages.

1. Introduction

The holiday special episode of Stage Combat The Podcast opens with Sean Hayden, the host, setting a festive tone. He encourages listeners to embrace the holiday spirit with traditions like wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and enjoying hot chocolate, framing the episode as a celebration of the season while maintaining the podcast's core mission of addressing workplace mistreatment in the theater industry.

2. Recap of Season 3

Sean reflects on the significant impact of the first two episodes of Season 3, which marked a departure from his personal narrative at the Goodspeed Opera House to amplifying the voices of listeners. These episodes featured three Broadway actors—Brett Shuford, Brad Bass, and Pamela Bobb—who courageously shared their traumatic experiences with toxic stage managers.

Sean Hayden [02:44]: "How have you been? Brett, you're in Houston, right?"

3. Featuring Broadway Actors: Brett Shuford, Brad Bass, and Pamela Bobb

The host welcomes Brett, Brad, and Pamela to the holiday special, expressing his excitement to have all three guests together. The conversation delves into their experiences of speaking out against toxic work environments in Broadway productions.

• Brad Bass discusses his initial nervousness upon hearing his story aired and the unexpected lack of backlash from the Wicked community.

  Brad Bass [02:44]: "I was nervous. I definitely had my heart racing when I listened to it. And of course, it was cathartic in a lot of ways."

• Brett Shuford shares his perspective on overcoming fear, highlighting his current strength stemming from past experiences.

  Brett Shuford [04:09]: "I had zero fear of speaking out because, you know, I'm not doing that anymore."

• Pamela Bobb speaks about the partial revelation of her story and the ongoing impact it has on her mental health.

  Pamela Bobb [04:45]: "That part of my story and my experience was only half of it."

The trio reflects on their reunion and the solidarity they found in sharing their stories, emphasizing the healing and empowerment derived from collective acknowledgment of their struggles.

Brett Shuford [05:31]: "It's all the more amazing what the three of you did as three Broadway actors to come out and talk openly."

4. Holiday Special Guest Interviews: McKee and Kaelyn

Sean introduces McKee and Kaelyn, two actors from Season 3 who faced unsafe stage combat situations—McKee was forced into a sword fight in the rain, and Kaelyn suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon due to non-mandatory fight calls.

• McKee discusses the emotional impact of sharing his story and the ongoing journey toward healing.

  McKee [13:01]: "There is still that hurt of how it was handled that doesn't go away that easily."

• Kaelyn shares her mental health journey and the importance of seeking therapy and self-compassion.

  Kaelyn [14:50]: "It's a matter of just giving yourself some grace to be like, well, it's okay if you're not okay."

Both guests express gratitude for the community support and the camaraderie built through sharing their experiences.

5. Fun Holiday Games: This or That

To infuse some light-heartedness, Sean engages his guests in a series of holiday-themed "This or That" questions, fostering a festive and engaging atmosphere.

• Gift Presentation: Preferences between Rockefeller Christmas tree vs. Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

  Pamela Bobb [07:54]: "It's a total tie because the New York City Rockefeller tree just represents New York City, and Christmas in New York is just so freaking awesome."

• Worst Christmas Movie: Choices between Love Actually and The Family Stone.

  Brett Shuford [09:07]: "Emma Thompson in Love Actually can break every heart."

• Christmas Day Movie: A Christmas Story vs. Christmas Vacation.

  Pamela Bobb [09:46]: "I might agree."

• Additional Games with McKee and Kaelyn: The guests participate enthusiastically, revealing personal preferences and humorous insights.

6. Production Team Spotlight: Alex Griffith and Justin Gerrish

Sean introduces the behind-the-scenes heroes—Alex Griffith (Editor) from Kansas City, Missouri, and Justin Gerrish (Mixing and Sound Design) from South New Jersey. They discuss their roles in shaping the podcast’s storytelling quality.

• Alex Griffith emphasizes the importance of meticulous editing and emotional resonance in storytelling.

  Alex Griffith [29:53]: "Your notes are impeccable. If they weren't that detailed, I would be lost."

• Justin Gerrish highlights the seamless integration of music and sound effects to enhance the narrative.

  Chrissy Whitehead [30:18]: "Being part of a project that's so focused on being a production, really being dramatic and getting the story across in a way that's going to stick with people is really, really special."

The team shares personal anecdotes about the emotional challenges of editing sensitive content, underscoring their dedication to preserving the integrity and impact of each story.

7. Final Holiday Greetings and Wrap-Up

The episode concludes with heartfelt holiday wishes from Sean, Justin, Alex, and guests. Sean reflects on the year’s achievements and the community’s growth, expressing hope and resilience for the future.

Sean Hayden [47:02]: "What do we have if we don't have hope?"

He encourages listeners to leave reviews, engage on social media, and continue supporting the podcast’s mission to amplify marginalized voices in the theater industry.

Sean Hayden [48:11]: "I hope this holiday and every day brings you an opportunity to claim your story."

The episode wraps with festive music and final greetings, leaving listeners with a sense of community and anticipation for the upcoming episodes in Season 3.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sean Hayden [02:44]: "How have you been? Brett, you're in Houston, right?"
• Brad Bass [02:44]: "I was nervous. I definitely had my heart racing when I listened to it."
• Pamela Bobb [04:45]: "That part of my story and my experience was only half of it."
• Kaelyn [14:50]: "It's a matter of just giving yourself some grace to be like, well, it's okay if you're not okay."
• Alex Griffith [29:53]: "Your notes are impeccable. If they weren't that detailed, I would be lost."
• Sean Hayden [47:02]: "What do we have if we don't have hope?"
• Sean Hayden [48:11]: "I hope this holiday and every day brings you an opportunity to claim your story."

Conclusion: Stage Combat The Podcast's holiday special masterfully blends personal stories of overcoming workplace mistreatment with festive cheer, highlighting the strength of community support and the importance of speaking out. Through engaging interviews, playful interactions, and behind-the-scenes insights, the episode not only celebrates the season but also reinforces the podcast’s mission to advocate for mental health and safe working environments in the theater industry.