BroadwayCon 2025: Full Schedule

9:30am EST

Savoring Broadway: A Broadway Maven MasterClass

Friday February 7, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EST

Think more deeply about musical theatre in this eye-opening and innovative look at Broadway shows from Oklahoma! to A Strange Loop. Substacker, YouTuber, and Broadway Maven David Benkof has made a career of finding novel interpretations to beloved musicals. In this whirlwind journey through a century of Broadway, participants will tear off the curtain to reveal some of the symbolic and thematic aspects of their favorite shows that are easy to miss but unmistakable once they're pointed out. What's the symbolism of butter in Rodgers & Hammerstein shows? What Greek myths are represented in shows like A Chorus Line and Evita? What are the central symbols in Heathers, Waitress, and Kimberly Akimbo? No background is necessary, as David will share plenty of clips, examples, and explanations.

Presenters

David Benkof

David Benkof (TheBroadwayMaven.com) is a Jerusalem-based Broadway-appreciation content creator who runs "The Broadway Maven," a vibrant online educational community that helps its members think more deeply about musical theatre. He fills several "virtual theaters" of Broadway fans... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EST
Sutton Center

Panel

10:45am EST

From Broadway to Schmigadoon

Friday February 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am EST

Sutton Center

Have you got a hankerin' for Corn Puddin'? Are you searching for the Doorway to Where? Join us as we celebrate the two season musical-comedy show Schmigadoon and the many musicals that inspired its spoof numbers.

Presenters

Stacy Wiener

Stacy is a 7-year BroadwayCon attendee and a huge broadway nerd. She is so excited to be presenting at BroadwayCon for the second year in a row.

Sheryl Wiener

A lifelong lover of all thing Broadway, Sheryl has attended 9 of the 10 BroadwayCons. This will be her first time as a presenter. Sheryl is excited to take on this new adventure with her daughter, Stacy.

Friday February 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am EST
Sutton Center

Panel

12:00pm EST

Carnaval Del Barrio: ¡OTRA VEZ! (Hispanics In Theater Part 2)

Friday February 7, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Sutton Center

A follow-up to the BroadwayCon 2024 panel of the same name, this panel continues the conversation of Hispanics in theatre with discussions from creatives here in New York. We'll discuss how heritage plays a part in what we do and how we are moving forward as performers in this current political climate. What will the future look like for us if we keep fighting?

Presenters

Tori Sostre

Tori has attended all 10 years of Broadwaycon and is thrilled to be presenting for the first time. Tori is an NYC native, and a life long lover of Broadway and NYC history.

Mandy Padilla

Mandy is an NYC born Puerto Rican actor, model, and undergraduate student of New York City College Of Technology studying Entertainment Technology, as well as a party princess performer. They have published research on the mechanics and aesthetics of the staging of 'Hamilton', which... Read More →

Mauricio Corona Serrano

Mauricio Corona is a Mexican actor, graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Recent credits include Humanity Denied (NY Theater Festival) A Sketch of NY (Producer’s Club) STAY (Vino Theater) Dedicado a mi familia con amor.

Mark-Eugene Garcia

Mark-Eugene Garcia, a Chicano playwright, is a graduate of the City College of New York and a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Workshop as a lyricist and librettist. A fun fact: he was part of the original cast of ABC’s Encore with Kristen Bell.His works include Eight Tales of Pedro... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel

2:00pm EST

Musicals and Movements

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Sutton Center

'Musicals and Movements' is an advocacy workshop using the plots of “revolutionary” plays and musicals to show how change is really made. Together, we can use the mobilization and organizing tactics used in Broadway shows to affect real change in our everyday lives!

Presenters

Dr. Ashleigh Strange

Dr. Ashleigh Strange (they/he) was born in Fairbanks, Alaska where they told jokes just to stay warm. After a quarter-life crisis, they moved to Lehigh Valley, PA for reasons yet unknown. They work in state government by day and do stand up comedy and sleep by night. Proud graduate... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel

3:15pm EST

A Story about You- Immersive Theater & Bringing Audiences Into The Heart Of The Story

Friday February 7, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST

Sutton Center

In a world hyper-fixated on screen time, audiences worldwide have begun to crave a new way of connecting with stories & performances. From a wild west of creatives in the early 2000’s to a more refined approach today, immersive theatre is actively finding its place in modern day artistry, and quickly navigating through the social, political, economical, and cultural changes the world is facing. As our communities become more and more a sea of voyeurs stuck in a digital loop, we continue to crave human connection.
Immersive theatre creates its magic from that space, finding its narratives within the energy that exists between the audience and the show itself. It is a place where the audience feels they have the authority to reach out and be a part of the story. As immersive theatre has grown in popularity, conversations have also begun around safety, guidelines, and principles of the work.

Join the panel in discussing how theatre can inform, empower and engage audiences to jump in and play.

Presenters

Micaela Dee

Since 2017, Micaela has been directing and playing through immersive theater. Currently, she directs an immersive production for American Immersion Theater in Times Square at Carmine’s Speakeasy, all while directing the American Immersion Theater New York troupe of over 100 talented... Read More →

Amber Lawson

AMBER LAWSON (Performer/Director/Creator) has dedicated over 15 years to the art of immersive theater, appearing in more than 1,500 productions across the globe. From Africa to the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean, Amber has captivated audiences worldwide while collaborating... Read More →

Justin Budds

Justin has spent the last 14 years helping to create immersive experiences in theme parks across Southern California. With over 25 years in the theatre industry he brings an array of expertise to the world of Immersive Entertainment. Instagram: @Justin_Budds_Actor

Jazzy Middleton

Jazzy is a multi-faceted performer, immersive storyteller, and creative visionary with over a decade of immersive theater experience. She has excelled in roles that blend whimsy, wonder, and depth, including her work as an activation actor, professional mermaid, clown, and princess... Read More →

Princeton Bolton

Princeton Bolton is a creative and filmmaker with over a decade of experience in live performance and immersive storytelling. Princeton began his creative journey in live performance, mastering improv, music, and theater before transitioning to writing, directing, and producing, blending... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Sutton Center

Interactive

4:30pm EST

All Types of Love Songs Sing Along

Friday February 7, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST

Sutton Center

There are so many different types of love songs in musical theatre, celebrating love between siblings, couples, or best friends. Join us for a love songs singalong, featuring shows like Bonnie and Clyde, Moulin Rouge, Newsies, Carousel, and The Great Gatsby.

Presenters

Stacy Wiener

Stacy is a 7-year BroadwayCon attendee and a huge broadway nerd. She is so excited to be presenting at BroadwayCon for the second year in a row.

Amy Rissolo

Amy has not missed a single broadway con. You can usually find her singing by a piano, doing karaoke or singing in the hallways and elevators of con. Some of her favorite musicals include Rent and Something Rotten.

Friday February 7, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Sutton Center

Interactive

9:30am EST

Impressions of Broadway: Goes Pop!

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EST

Sutton Center

Big Broadway names are taking over BroadwayCon with Pop music! ...Or are they? Have you ever wanted to hear popular Broadway voices sing some some of your favorite pop hits? What if Bernadette Peters sang Chappell Roan or Lin-Manuel Miranda sang Olivia Rodrigo? Get ready to hear just that! Join our panelists for pure fun as they sing through popular songs while doing impressions of some of the most famous Broadway stars!

Presenters

Kaden Potak

Kaden Potak (they/he) is a NYC based performer, stage manager, music director, and theatre educator. They’re super excited to be attending their third Broadwaycon after being a finalist for Star to Be in 2023 and on Impressions of Broadway in 2024. Current projects include, “You’re... Read More →

Noah Simau Manumaleuga

Noah Simau Manumaleuga is a Theatre Content Creator and Stage/Voice Actor, widely known for his iconic impression of composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (@umokayig). He also voices "King of Crime" in the upcoming Indie Animated show "Boxtown." He has presented at BroadwayCon every year since... Read More →

Joshua Turchin

Joshua Turchin is a performer, composer, music director, and writer. Select credits: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation (Original Off-Broadway Cast), two Broadway National Tours, Flounder in The Little Mermaid Live-To-Film at The Hollywood... Read More →

Mary Kate Petsky

Mary Kate Petsky is a Los Angeles and New York based Actor, Singer, Voice Actor, and Impressionist. In New York, Mary Kate performed with Kate Baldwin and Bob Stillman in "Intimate Broadway" at Fabbri Concert Hall and starred in "Who's Paying?" at the 13th Street Repertory Theater... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EST
Sutton Center

Performance

10:45am EST

You're Invited To My Party: Party Princesses Tell-All

Saturday February 8, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am EST

Sutton Center

Ever dreamt of having tea with a princess? You can come close to it as two party princess performers spill the tea about the good and the bad of being party royalty. From mishaps to favorite stories to advice, we've got it all. If you ever wanted to know about the people behind your favorite characters at your kids birthday party, now is your chance!

Presenters

Jenny Pautke

Jenny is a performer who loves spreading magic and making people smile. She’s been a Party Princess for six years, entertaining at birthday parties, charity events, balls, immersive dining experiences, and more. When she’s not performing, Jenny keeps busy running the company’s... Read More →

Mandy Padilla

Saturday February 8, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am EST
Sutton Center

Panel

12:00pm EST

Entrepreneurship On Broadway - See Something Broken, Create A Solution & Build A New Company

Saturday February 8, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Sutton Center

Join us for a discussion with several of Broadway's leading entrepreneurs. Come learn from the people who see opportunities for fixing what is missing from the industry as they talk about creating new solutions that make the biz continue to evolve and grow.

Presenters

Tim Dolan

Tim moved to the Big Apple shortly after graduating high school to pursue a career in the arts. On the small screen, Tim was featured on Season Two of HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Onstage, Tim was the Dance Captain in the Off-Broadway revival of Once Upon A Mattress starring Jackie Hoffman... Read More →

Matthew Stern

MATTHEW AARON STERN: founder of the Broadway Stage Management Symposium, the annual conference for stage managers & co-founder of Event Training Academy, an online course for event stage managers. Broadway Stage Management credits include: Come From Away, Finding Neverland, On The... Read More →

Nicole Johnson

Nicole Javanna Johnson is Founder & Creative Director of the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute www.harriettubmaneffect.com, a human resource center and institute of research and strategy for justice advocacy. The institute seeks to usher in a new era of empathy by producing empathy... Read More →

Hugh Hysell

HUGH HYSELL is a multi-hyphenate theatre professional: Broadway Producer (2 Tonys), Marketer (over 200 Broadway & Off Broadway shows, Open Jar Studios, BWAY Headshots, Stage Door Network, Groupon, NYU Skirball + more), educator (currently UNC Greensboro and runs the PRO Masterclass... Read More →

Jeff Whiting

Jeff Whiting is an award-winning director, choreographer and producer with work on Broadway, TV/Film, and Concerts around the world. BROADWAY (Associate): Bullets Over Broadway, Scottsboro Boys, Hair, Young Frankenstein, Big Fish. CONCERTS: James Taylor Live at Carnegie Hall (with... Read More →

Donna Walker-Kuhne

Donna Walker-Kuhne is an award winning thought leader, writer and strategist for community engagement, audience development and social justice. She is President of Walker International Communications Group, a 30 year old boutique marketing and audience development consulting agency... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel

2:00pm EST

Do You Hear The People Sing? - Ensemble Singalong

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Sutton Center

Know every word to Broadway’s biggest group numbers but wish you had more voices? Join us for a high-energy and harmonious singalong of timeless classics and contemporary show tunes!

Presenters

Micah Schachet-Briskin

Micah Schachet-Briskin (MY-kuh SHACK-it-BRIS-kin) recently graduated with a B.A. in Musical Theatre. He’s a comedic genius, a writer, a chef, tap dancer, ukulele player, a baritone, and is currently looking for additional creative work. He’s also one half of Stagedoor Siblings... Read More →

Channa Schachet-Briskin

Channa Schachet-Briskin (HAH-nuh SHACK-it-BRIS-kin) holds a masters degree in Interactive Digital Media. Through her graphic design small business, Essbee Productions, she produces Broadway, Theatre Community, and Pop Culture-inspired pieces for t-shirts, prints, magnets, stickers... Read More →

Tori Sostre

Tori has attended all 10 years of Broadwaycon and is thrilled to be presenting for the first time. Tori is an NYC native, and a life long lover of Broadway and NYC history.

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Sutton Center

Interactive

3:15pm EST

Cosplay: How to Become Your Favourite Broadway Character

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST

Sutton Center

When your list of dream roles is too long to possibly ever play them all, what do you do? Let pro-cosplayer CosPayton introduce you to the wonderful world of cosplay, a hobby where you can dress up as your favorite characters any time you want. Learn all about planning, how to get the most bang for your buck, and a few anecdotes from CosPayton's time as a Broadway cosplayer.

Presenters

CosPayton

CosPayton is an award-winning self-taught cosplayer, photographer, and pattern maker with over a decade of cosplay and theatre experience under their belt. They've guested at various conventions and helped over 7000 cosplayers create their dream costumes. CosPayton prides themself... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel

4:30pm EST

This is the Life: An Introduction to New York's Indie Theater Scene

Saturday February 8, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST

Sutton Center

So you want to make theatre in New York, but don’t know where to start? Well, chances are it’ll be where even some of the biggest names on Broadway started: in New York’s incredibly active Off and Off-Off Broadway theatre scene.

Join members of the indie theatre community as they share their own experiences carving out a theatre career away from the lights of Broadway, separate from both the commercial and non-profit theatre worlds—though often while still having a foot in those worlds. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the NYC theatre community and insight on a feasible, accessible path to making theatre in NYC, without some of the more common barriers of entry.

Presenters

emily/BUBECK

emily/BUBECK is a Queer, Catholic, Appalachian theatre practitioner who facilitates the development and consumption of new works by traditionally underrepresented artists. She is drawn to projects that allow us to expand our ideas on how we tell stories and who those stories serve... Read More →

Paige Esterly

Paige Esterly is an NYC based playwright-producer-director. A grad of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dramatic Writing, Paige’s plays have been developed with Theater for the New City (NYC), The Space at Irondale (NYC), SERIALS (NYC), The Tank (NYC... Read More →

Cristina Angeles

Cristina Angeles is an Afrolatina director, writer, and theater maker whose mission is to create empathy and conversation by directing new plays, musicals, and socially conscious adaptations of classics that place people of color at the forefront. Today, Cristina is the Founding Artistic... Read More →

Kristin McCarthy Parker

Kristin McCarthy Parker is a New York-based director and producer whose work has been seen across the US, the UK and Australia. They are the Co-Founder of critically acclaimed comedy company Recent Cutbacks, with whom they’ve directed FLY YOU FOOLS, KEVIN!!!!!, NEXT DAY THRONES... Read More →

Michael Ortiz

Michael Ortiz (he/him) is a multi-hyphenate theater artist hailing from the state of Florida. He is one of the Co-Artistic Directors of the Brooklyn-based Breaking & Entering Theater Collective, and he currently produces and hosts SERIALS, a late-night episodic short play competition... Read More →

Kenjiro Lee

Kenjiro Lee is a Korean/Japanese-American playwright, puppeteer, director and occasional performer. He has had work produced through Pan Asian Rep, Paper Kraine Productions, The Fled Collective, and the Road Theatre Company in Los Angeles. He is an alum of the Under Construction 3... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel

9:30am EST

Fueling The Theatre Athlete

Sunday February 9, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EST

Sutton Center

This engaging talk is designed for theatre professionals and aspiring artists who face the challenges of long rehearsal days and performance schedules. Participants will learn how to effectively fuel their bodies to maintain optimal health, energy levels, and digestive comfort. The session will focus on practical nutrition strategies, addressing common concerns within the performing arts community from a weight-inclusive, evidence-based perspective.

Presenters

Libby Parker

Libby Parker, MS, RD, CDN, CEDS-C (she/her) is an international best-selling author, speaker, and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist. Libby is "The Broadway DietitianⓇ" and provides weight-inclusive sports nutrition and eating disorder counseling for theatre athletes. This passion... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EST
Sutton Center

Panel

2:00pm EST

Sondheim Singalong

Sunday February 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Sutton Center

The Sondheim Singalong is back by popular demand! If you love twisted fairy tales, demon barbers, toxic stage mothers, and tales of life as a thirty-something in New York, join us as we honor the legacy of the incomparable Stephen Sondheim by singing along together to some of his most memorable songs.

Presenters

Stacy Wiener

Stacy is a 7-year BroadwayCon attendee and a huge broadway nerd. She is so excited to be presenting at BroadwayCon for the second year in a row.

Nicole Savage

A proud veteran of every BroadwayCon so far, Nicole is thrilled to be returning as a presenter for more singalong fun at BroadwayCon 10! Nicole enjoys participating in theatre both onstage and as an appreciative audience member. Some of her favorite shows include classics like Wicked... Read More →

Amy Rissolo

Sunday February 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Sutton Center

Interactive

3:15pm EST

Self Esteem and Body Image in Performing

Sunday February 9, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST

Sutton Center

Join performer and licensed therapist Kimberly Hershenson for a much-needed panel highlighting the impacts of body image issues on performance. Kimberly’s unique history informs her perspective, which will be woven together with panelists’ firsthand experiences to illuminate the pressures of performance on one’s sense of self. Additional focus will be placed on developing an understanding of useful strategies for coping with these pressures.

Presenters

Kimberly Hershenson

Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I was a ballet dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. I have worked successfully with clients who have experienced issues such as Eating Disorders, Body Image, and Addiction and am a summa cum laude from Columbia University's School of Social Work.

William Hornby

William Hornby is a multi-hyphenate artist and advocate based in New York City. He has been putting on a show for anyone who will give him the time of day since before he can remember.William is at the forefront of raising awareness for men with eating disorders with his advocacy... Read More →

Rhonda Malkin

Rhonda is a former Radio City Rockettes and LA Laker Dancer. She currently teaches and choreographs throughout the country.

Sunday February 9, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel

4:30pm EST

Using Board Games, Roleplaying Games, and Video Games to Teach and Hone Theatre Practices

Sunday February 9, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST

Sutton Center

Inspired by a college thesis paper, this panel will discuss the rising popularity of board games, table top roleplaying games, and video games and how they can be advantageous to both theatre teachers and theatre practitioners of all skill levels. Using real life experiences, the panel will discuss how these hobbies offer unique ways to teach theatre methodologies and vocabulary.

Presenters

Rennes D Carbaugh

Rennes holds two degrees from Fairmont State University, a Bachelors in Theatre and an Associates in Ballroom Dance. He has been acting, directing, and designing in community, regional, and semi professional theatre since he was 10. He has been a nerd even before that. Having melded... Read More →

Sunday February 9, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Sutton Center

Panel