Rephonic
Artwork for Stage Combat The Podcast

Stage Combat The Podcast

Haywood Productions, LLC
Mental Health
Theater Industry
Broadway
Theater
Bullying
Stage Combat
Mindfulness
Trauma
Stage Combat the Podcast
Actors' Equity Association
The Goodspeed Opera House
Acting
Panic Disorder
Wicked
Yoga
William Ivey Long
The Lost Colony
Court Watson
Performing Arts
Anxiety Disorder

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 th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes55Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental HealthArtsPerforming Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Stage Combat The Podcast

Latest Episodes

Season 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.... more

Season 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 Ton... more

Season 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 a... more

Season 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... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Chris Webb
Actor, director, and professor at Boston Conservatory at Berkeley
Boston Conservatory at Berkeley
Episode: "The War On Artists Under Trump"
Dr. Alisa Hurwitz
Clinical psychologist and friend to the podcast
Episode: "Cancel Culture and Scott Rudin's Return to Broadway"
Nicole Perry
Renowned intimacy director
Intimacy Choreo FL
Episode: "Heated Rivalry and How Do Actors Portray S-x Scenes"
Matt Koplik
Broadway history extraordinaire, host of Broadway Breakdown
Broadway Breakdown
Episode: "The Queen of Versailles on Broadway: What The Hell Did We Learn?"
Aaron Lazar
Broadway actor and ALS advocate
ALS community/artist
Episode: "Aaron Lazar: Healing With ALS"
McKey Carpenter
New York actor featured in the Shakespeare in the Park story
Episode: BONUS: "5 Eye Opening Stage Combat The Podcast Moments"
Bret Shuford
Actor who spoke about a toxic work environment on Broadway and later legacy
Episode: BONUS: "5 Eye Opening Stage Combat The Podcast Moments"
Jessica Webb
Boston Conservatory Professor featured discussing trauma-informed teaching
Boston Conservatory
Episode: BONUS: "5 Eye Opening Stage Combat The Podcast Moments"
Bobby Steggert
Broadway actor known for his roles in revivals and original musicals.
Episode: "Walking Away From Broadway"

Host

Sean Hayden
Sean Hayden is an attorney, advocate, and actor who passionately hosts discussions about mental health and workplace challenges in the theatre industry, drawing from his personal journey and the stories of others.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 320 ratings
  • You’re Not Alone.

    If you've spent any time in the entertainment industry, you'll quickly learn that almost everyone has a story similar to the one Sean Hayden shares here. The theater may change, the city may change — but the experience doesn't. I applaud Sean for his courage in sharing his story and shining a spotlight on a subject far too few people in our industry are willing to openly address: mental health in the arts.

    What matters most is that listeners walk away knowing they are not alone — and that real h... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheCouchCritic
    United Statesa month ago
  • We need this

    Being a professional in the industry and having countless things happen to me and around me—- this is in imperative work that Sean is doing. Thank you for uncovering the dark side and not being afraid to speak out for yourself and advocate for others. A must listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Let me steer!
    United Statesa month ago
  • The stuff no one talks about

    Theatre is a cult— from the rinkiest-dinkiest of community theaters to the biggest of Broadway houses (and I say this as a Union professional still working in the business). And like all cults, it keeps its transgressions tightly under wraps, through a combination of cultural conditioning, countless enablers and few effective avenues for recourse/remedy, all of which can make it nearly impossible for artists experiencing abuse to recognize (much less speak out about) what’s happening to them unt... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cosi Pantufli
    United Statesa month ago
  • You will love this !!

    If you are an actor/performer or just a supporter of the theatre arts you will love this behind the scenes podcast! Sean's true tale in season one is a gripping saga that will have you listening to back to back episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jungle Dream Pagoda
    United States2 months ago
  • Required Listening

    Okay, this should be required listening for any person who is involved in the theatrical performing arts. The honesty of this story is especially heartbreaking, as anyone who has spent time in and around the theater will know that it is not a unique tale, but what sets this apart is Sean’s vulnerability in sharing his experience and pulling back the curtain on the myriad ways that this industry can better safeguard the humans that make live theater a wonderful experience for both audiences AND c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kustan01
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many commend the storytelling style, likening it to a gripping true crime narrative while conveying the serious message of advocating for change.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its honest reflections on the dark realities of the theatre industry and its emphasis on mental health issues.
Some critique the overproduction of episodes, expressing that it may detract from the grave seriousness of the topics discussed.
The content resonates deeply with theatre professionals, who often feel empowered to share their own stories of resilience and trauma, finding a community through the podcast.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"The Queen of Versailles on Broadway: What The Hell Did We Learn?"
Q: What lessons, if any, can Broadway learn from this production's trajectory?
The hosts suggest that not every story should be musical, highlight the importance of careful casting and design choices, and emphasize the need for better crisis and asset management to navigate controversy.
"The Queen of Versailles on Broadway: What The Hell Did We Learn?"
Q: Was there a problem with doing a musical about Jackie Siegel?
The guests discuss moral and artistic dimensions, arguing that the material itself isn't inherently unworkable, but the show's execution and timing, plus how it's perceived in the cultural moment, significantly affected its reception.
"Aaron Lazar: Healing With ALS"
Q: What does healing mean to you in the context of ALS?
Healing is a holistic journey beyond medical treatment, involving mindset shifts, surrender, and living in alignment with one's deeper identity and highest self.
"Walking Away From Broadway"
Q: What was the moment telling you? What was missing in your life?
Bobby reflects that while he had a successful career, he recognized that he was missing genuine happiness and true fulfillment beyond professional success, revealing deep-seated issues from his past.
"Franki Takes A Bow"
Q: Do you place some blame on that university for what you went through?
I definitely do place blame on the university, but it's a systemic issue.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Stage Combat The Podcast

What is Stage Combat The Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the profound impact of mental health within the theatre industry, this podcast serves as a brave and honest platform for discussing experiences of mistreatment among performers. Through engaging storytelling, it interweaves first-hand accounts from various individuals affected by issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, and systemic silence, often drawing parallels with Sean Hayden's own struggles during a harrowing period in his career. Each episode sheds light on the realities faced by theatre professionals, creating a safe space for dialogue and advocacy around mental health, healing, and empowerment in an industry that has long demanded silence.

Where can I find podcast stats for Stage Combat The Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Stage Combat The Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Stage Combat The Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Stage Combat The Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Stage Combat The Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Stage Combat The Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Stage Combat The Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Stage Combat The Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Stage Combat The Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Stage Combat The Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Stage Combat The Podcast:

1. Broadway Breakdown
2. Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out
3. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
4. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
5. MickeyJoTheatre

How many episodes of Stage Combat The Podcast are there?

Stage Combat The Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 55 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Stage Combat The Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Stage Combat The Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Stage Combat The Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Stage Combat The Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Stage Combat The Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Stage Combat The Podcast?

Recent guests on Stage Combat The Podcast include:

1. Chris Webb
2. Dr. Alisa Hurwitz
3. Nicole Perry
4. Matt Koplik
5. Aaron Lazar
6. McKey Carpenter
7. Bret Shuford
8. Jessica Webb

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days