The Ensemblist Podcast Announces 23rd Episode SPLIT TRACKS, Featuring Cast Members of ALADDIN, MATILDA, and More!

Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone announce the release of The Ensemblist's 23rd episode: "Split Tracks."

Sometimes things don't go as planned- and therein lies the beauty and thrill of live theater. When the number of performers calling out of a show exceeds the number of understudies and swings available, everyone bands together to take on the duties of those missing actors- while STILL performing their other parts- in what's called a "split track." From doing fight choreography without the set number of actors and insanely fast quick changes, to playing roles of the opposite gender and hoping everyone remembers what comes next, split track performances are both exhausting and exhilarating. In this episode, Broadway ensemblists Mike Cannon, Celia Mei Rubin and Jenn Rias explain the technicalities that must be considered when performing a split track and regale us with tales from these "the show must go on" moments.

Cannon (All Shook Up, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, The Addams Family, Ghost the Musical, Aladdin) is currently a swing in Aladdin, covering multiple male roles. In this episode, he discusses the difficulty of tracking all the different elements of performance while performing a split track from props to costumes to which side of the stage your entrance is on.

Rubin (Matilda the Musical) is currently making her Broadway debut as the adult ensemble swing and children's ensemble dance captain in Matilda the Musical. She explains the complicated process of planning out the logistics of a split track and how decisions are made when not every moment can be covered.

Rias (Rock of Ages, Aladdin) is also a current cast member and swing extraordinaire in Aladdin. She discusses the unpredictability of split tracks and shares stories of in-the-moment decisions that were made on stage during Rock of Ages during these performances.

New episodes of The Ensemblist can be downloaded every two weeks through the iTunes store by searching for "The Ensemblist." Episodes can be also be streamed on Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, and downloaded directly from Podbean at theensemblist.podbean.com.

Keep your ears open for an exciting announcement from The Ensemblist on Monday, May 19! Upcoming episodes will include features on two highly anticipated annual events in the Broadway community: the Tony Awards and Broadway Bares.

Our website, TheEnsemblist.com, features stories, Q&As, and blog posts from those in the know about life as an ensemblist, plus cool stuff we can't NOT share. You can also follow @theensemblist on Twitter and Like us at facebook.com/theensemblist