The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

Welcome to the first of three episodes with Daniel Assetta, the original Samuel Seabury (and u/s King George III) in Hamilton’s Australian company.  There’s a good chance you’ve seen Daniel before, either on stage around the world in one of his many roles, or… going viral on TikTok. Does the term "Cotton Eyed Joe Kid" mean anything to you? Daniel has millions of likes and views on his videos of old footage of him dancing as a child. Additionally, Daniel talks about how his lifelong love of performing, starting with putting on shows with his superstar sister Chiara, combined with his unapologetic determination and some of the most supportive family on Earth, led him to where he is today.  Daniel Assetta Daniel Assetta on TikTok Daniel Assetta on Instagram Siblingship Chiara Assetta on TikTok Chiara Assetta on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

REDCHILD (Mulligan/Madison in Germany) dives into his Hamilton story, which is a supremely unique experience. In fact, he still doesn't actually know what a musical theater audition feels like because he never really had one. He’s an MC, a producer, a musician, and not at all an actor… so how did this even happen? He’ll tell you all the details, but getting the gig has led to reflection on intention, representation, and the privilege he feels to be able to share his performance with people, especially young kids. REDCHILD also talks about how hip hop culture changed his life, he shares some of the artists that had a major influence on him, and he’s taking questions from the Patreon Peeps. Gang Starr - Moment of Truth Slick Rick - All Alone Jay Dilla - Last Donut of the Night Kendrick Lamar - DNA Red Bull Batalla Swag Jam Mo'Jam REDCHILD on Spotify REDCHILD on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

It was an honor to sit down with REDCHILD, an MC, musician, producer, and original Mulligan/Madison in Hamilton Germany (just don’t call him an actor). Red’s story starts in Berlin, growing up as a mixed race kid and never feeling accepted. That all changed once he made his way to rural Kansas, USA and lived there for a year as a teenager. REDCHILD went back to Germany inspired to create beats and music and make moves as an MC. He started his own jams, started booking gigs, and learned life lessons about empathy and his artistic process and *living* experiences instead of judging them. And with Red specifically, this all stems from the culture of hip hop because as he says, “rap always got me into the room, somehow.” REDCHILD on Spotify REDCHILD on Instagram Mo'Jams Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

DeAundre’ Woods (Alexander Hamilton, the And Peggy Tour) is back for round two talking about Legacy… and not just his incredible vocal group (just wait til you hear them), but what inspires him and his plans for the future. Dre’ also shows us some vocal tricks of the trade he picked up during his opera training, explains why he loves sharing his passion with others through teaching, and we revisit the theory about how doing what you love doesn’t actually mean you “never work a day in your life.” It’s kind of the opposite, but that’s part of the journey! DeAundre’ Woods DeAundre’ on Instagram Vocals by Legacy The James Baldwin Project Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Josh Mitchell from We Are Theatre and The Queendom shares stories on how he made a podcast through the COVID lockdowns about a show that never had a chance to open on Broadway, what goes into making your own way in the theatre world, his goals and plans for what comes next, and Josh takes questions from the Patreon Peeps. Josh on Instagram The Queendom on Instagram We Are Theatre The Queendom Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram  The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram  Join the Patreon Peeps

Josh Mitchell of The Queendom and We Are Theatre podcasts joins The Hamilcast to talk about the culture of fandom, turning the love of one show into a community, making things you love, and his his history in the theater world that led him to making it all happen.  Josh on Instagram The Queendom on Instagram We Are Theatre The Queendom Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps  

Part two of my conversation with Benét Monteiro, playing the role of Alexander from the German company of Hamilton, continues with stories from behind-the-scenes, tales of what it takes to work your way through the industry all over the world, his audition and rehearsal process, and so much more as Benét takes questions from the Patreon Peeps. Into The Woods  Playing Heartbreak Benét on Instagram Benét on Spotify Benét in The New York Times Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Germany’s A. Ham, Benét Monteiro, joins me on The Hamilcast to talk about life before Germany growing up in South America, his journey into musical theatre, the shows and roles that have inspired him along the way, and how he got to Germany to begin his professional career in the theatre. Benét on Instagram Benét on Spotify Benét in The New York Times Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

In the second half of my conversation with Trevor Dion Nicholas (London’s George Washington), we dive into the rest of his Hamilton story including standing firm in his desire to audition for GWash and only GWash. Plus, we talk politics and how and when to separate the art from the artist. Or, you know, separate the genius writings from the terrible person. Looking at you, Thomas Jefferson! We do take a short detour to share our love for artists like incubus, foo fighters, and Ben folds and then we wrap up with the Patreon peeps. Yeah, we cover a lot of ground! Trevor on Instagram Trevor on Twitter Trevor on Facebook Neighborhood Goliath on Spotify  Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Trevor Dion Nicholas is currently playing George Washington in the West End and he kindly took some time to chat with me for two episodes. This week, Trevor walks me through how his career took him from West Virginia to the UK, his experience working with James Monroe Iglehart while covering Genie on Broadway (and then originating the role in London, and the beginning of his Hamilton journey. Trevor on Instagram Trevor on Twitter Trevor on Facebook Neighborhood Goliath on Spotify  Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

In the second half of our chat, Ashley LaLonde (cover for all three Schuyler Sisters, Maria Reynolds, and Woman 5 on Hamilton's Philip Tour) walks us through her final Hamilton audition during which she had both Covid *and* the flu. Yes, it's possible! Ashley also has a very special relationship with all three Angelica, Eliza, Peggy, and Maria so she talks about she she connects to all of these fascinating women. Plus, Ashley takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, and gets very personal about her hair journey and how she grew to love her stunning natural curls. Ashley on Instagram Hasty Pudding Theatricals - France France Revolution Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Ashley LaLonde covers all three Schuyler Sisters, Maria Reynolds, and Woman 5 on the Philip Tour. Ashley’s Hamilton story is a total full circle moment with so many incredible stops along the way. As a born and raised New Yorker, Ashley saw and fell in love with Hamilton at The Public (thanks to Lin’s orthodontist, of all people!). She began singing Hamilton songs in her high school a cappella group and was determined to be in the show. Before being cast in Hamilton, Ashley did a quick stint at Harvard where she made history as the first woman to be cast (as the lead!) in a Hasty Pudding show. Ashley on Instagram Hasty Pudding Theatricals - France France Revolution Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

I hope you're ready to do a deep dive on Angelica like never before, because Ava Brennan returns for the second half of our chat and is about to change your LIFE! Ava walks us through booking Hamilton and then lets us in on her emotional journey to capture the heartbreak and sacrifice of Angelica Schuyler. That experience led her to Fantine in Les Miserables and Ava discusses the similarities, difficulties, and triumphs of both roles. The Hamilcast Goes to London Ava on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Ava Brennan played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace theater in London for a year, until August 2021. In her first solo episode (she was also featured in the London eps), Ava tells me about how she traveled the world playing characters she loves and how she eventually made her way to her West End debut as Nana in The Lion King. We also discuss Ava's performance in Top Boy on Netflix and discover of a mutual love for otters. The Hamilcast Goes to London Ava on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

I'm wrapping up my conversation with Simon-Anthony Rhoden, Aaron Burr in the London company of Hamilton. Simon discusses the issues surrounding the lack of diversity and people of color on the West End, why representation matters so much, the idea of waiting for permission vs. doing your own thing. And of course, Simon takes questions from the Patreon Peeps! The Hamilcast Goes to London Land of Lola | Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Kinky Boots London) Simon on Twitter Simon on Instagram X-BAG Plays MawaTheatre Company Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

London's Aaron Burr, Simon-Anthony Rhoden, is back for round two! This week, Simon discusses the importance of looking out for yourself, the search for the right agent, booking Kinky Boots (and the pressure - both figuratively and literally - that comes with stepping into Lola's heels, and what it's like when (ahem) "The Americans" stop by The West End. The Hamilcast Goes to London Land of Lola | Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Kinky Boots London) Simon on Twitter Simon on Instagram X-BAG Plays MawaTheatre Company Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Simon-Anthony Rhoden, London's Aaron Burr, joins me for some solo episodes! I'm sure you remember him from our London party recording, but I've been loving getting to know everyone one-on-one. In this episode, Simon talks about growing up studying performance and art, leaving traditional schooling for his drama training, how one circumstance lead to future opportunities, and a lot more.  The Hamilcast Goes to London Land of Lola | Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Kinky Boots London) Simon on Twitter Simon on Instagram X-BAG Plays MawaTheatre Company Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

This week, Obioma Ugoala wraps up his visit to The Hamilcast. London's original George Washington covered lots of ground including his journey to Hamilton, conversations about race in the arts, the importance of activism, and how his life experiences impact how he plays a role. And this week, he's also taking questions from the Patreon Peeps.   The Problem with My Normal Penis: Myths of Race, Sex and Masculinity by Obioma Ugoala Obi on Twitter Obi on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps  

Obioma Ugoala is back for part two! The conversation continues with more discussion on Hamilton, race, life experiences, what makes a legacy, and so much more.    The Problem with My Normal Penis: Myths of Race, Sex and Masculinity by Obioma Ugoala Obi on Twitter Obi on Instagram Gillian on Twitter Gillian on Instagram The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps