Building Moo-Mentum
is a very, very unofficial podcast about the Broadway Musical "How to Dance in Ohio". Each interview is a researched conversation (30 min. to hour in length) with host Richard Wexler with those that are involved with the production from cast, crew, and more.
How to Dance in Ohio is a “joyful and uplifting new musical” (Time Out New York) exploring the universal need to connect and the courage it takes to step out into the world. Based on a true story, this “feel-good milestone” (The New York Times) follows a group of young adults and their families navigating change and preparing for a spring formal dance—a rite of passage that breaks open their daily routines in Columbus, Ohio. Starring seven autistic actors, How to Dance in Ohio is “an exuberant coming-of-age musical comedy with a superb cast” (The Wall Street Journal).
*Info from the Website
https://howtodanceinohiomusical.com/
GUESTS
Most episodes will be available on Feb. 11th 2024 and others will be added soon after. This is an ongoing project so please subscribe in order to get new episodes as we post them.
You can find some episodes on our main podcast page for Vintage Annals Archive Outsider Podcast below
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vaapod
and some on it's own page
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/1214601673
Desmond Luis Edwards (Remy)
(he/they)RemyDesmond and his fabulous hair are incredibly excited to be making their Broadway debut! Theater: How to Dance in Ohio (Remy, Syracuse Stage). Big thanks to my family for their endless support and to the entire Ohio company!
Ashley Wool (Jessica)
(she/her)Jessica
Broadway debut! NY/Regional: Jessica in How to Dance in Ohio (Syracuse Stage), Kira in Xanadu, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Amy in Company. Dedicated to the real Jessica Sullivan, and in loving memory of James Gerth, Alan Case, and Molly Bennett. Ephesians 4:29
Broadway debut! NY/Regional: Jessica in How to Dance in Ohio (Syracuse Stage), Kira in Xanadu, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Amy in Company. Dedicated to the real Jessica Sullivan, and in loving memory of James Gerth, Alan Case, and Molly Bennett. Ephesians 4:29
Conor Tague (Tommy)
Hey! My name is Conor Tague. I am an actor / singer and former student of the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at New York Film Academy. I am also a person on the autism spectrum, diagnosed at a young age; however, this does not inhibit me in any way... It actually encourages me to work harder doing the thing that I love. I pick things up very quickly, I retain information, and I'm not afraid to commit fully to any character or circumstance. I have also been part of an original musical that has been in workshops and had a World Premiere at Syracuse Stage titled How To Dance In Ohio, based on the award winning documentary of the same name by Alexandra Shiva, where I originated the role of Tommy and will be reprising my role on Broadway this fall at the Belasco Theatre.
Some things I enjoy doing are puppetry, impressions/character voices, I also create memes to post on my Instagram and TikTok, and I can quote a multitude of movies... just off the top of my head. Hope we get to work together soon! :)
https://www.conortague.com/
Some things I enjoy doing are puppetry, impressions/character voices, I also create memes to post on my Instagram and TikTok, and I can quote a multitude of movies... just off the top of my head. Hope we get to work together soon! :)
https://www.conortague.com/
Imani Russell (Mel)
(they/them)Mel
Honored to make their Broadway debut with Ohio! Imani has performed Off-Broadway and is an emerging voice actor. They also release music under the name NANí. Imani is a proud Black+Boricua, queer, and disabled artist who believes in art as an act of love and community.
Imani Russell is a Black+Boricua, queer+trans, and disabled multi-hyphenate artist from Crown Heights (Lenapehoking). Trained in classical music, musical theatre, and acting, Imani will be making their Broadway debut this Fall in the new musical How to Dance in Ohio. Imani has performed off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is an emerging voice-over artist. As a writer, they think about the connections between time, space, family, queerness, and magic. In 2021, Imani was a member of The Lark’s Beyond the Binary inaugural cohort. They also write music under the name NANí and released a two-song EP titled sweetbitter creature in December 2020. Imani believes in Black queer+trans power and safety, Indigenous sovereignty, and art as an act of love+community. Imani is an AEA member currently looking for representation for theatre, film, and television. Imani is represented for commercial work by Courtney Nelson and Zachary Smith with STATE Management's Lifestyle Division.
https://www.imanirussell.com/
Honored to make their Broadway debut with Ohio! Imani has performed Off-Broadway and is an emerging voice actor. They also release music under the name NANí. Imani is a proud Black+Boricua, queer, and disabled artist who believes in art as an act of love and community.
Imani Russell is a Black+Boricua, queer+trans, and disabled multi-hyphenate artist from Crown Heights (Lenapehoking). Trained in classical music, musical theatre, and acting, Imani will be making their Broadway debut this Fall in the new musical How to Dance in Ohio. Imani has performed off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is an emerging voice-over artist. As a writer, they think about the connections between time, space, family, queerness, and magic. In 2021, Imani was a member of The Lark’s Beyond the Binary inaugural cohort. They also write music under the name NANí and released a two-song EP titled sweetbitter creature in December 2020. Imani believes in Black queer+trans power and safety, Indigenous sovereignty, and art as an act of love+community. Imani is an AEA member currently looking for representation for theatre, film, and television. Imani is represented for commercial work by Courtney Nelson and Zachary Smith with STATE Management's Lifestyle Division.
https://www.imanirussell.com/
Rebekah Greer Melocik - Book and Lyric Writer
Rebekah Greer Melocik’s projects with composer-collaborator Jacob Yandura include THE LAST QUEEN OF CANAAN (book by Harrison David Rivers), WRINGER, based on the novel by Jerry Spinelli (Off-Broadway, City Center) and HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, based on the award-winning documentary (dir: Sammi Cannold). Recognitions and Residencies: SPACE at Ryder Farm (2021), Ars Nova’s two-year UNCHARTED residency, 2016 Jonathan Larson Finalist, 2015 NAMT Festival (THE LAST QUEEN OF CANAN), the 2014 Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed MusicalsA, The York Theatre's NEO 2014 residency, 2013 Yale Institute for Music Theatre, the 2012-2013 Dramatists Guild Fellowship, the 2012 Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Cap21’s Writers Residency and Ant Fest 2013 (The Fearful Earful ). Rebekah holds a B.A. in Poetry from the University of Southern California and an MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU. She also wrote curriculum stories for the award-winning early childhood chess company, Chess at Three.
https://melocik.com/
https://melocik.com/
Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt - Autistic Creative Consultant
Ava X. Rigelhaupt (she/her/hers) is a writer, autism consultant, actress, public speaker, and advocate for disability and autism representation in the entertainment industry Ava's most recent work is for children's TV. She's a writer for a PBS Kids upcoming animated series in addition to writing various episodes for 9Story Media. Additionally, Ava is the Autistic Creative Consultant on a Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio, based on Alexandra Shiva's award-winning HBO documentary of the same name. The musical follows seven autistic young adults at a social skills group in Ohio, as they come of age, forge connections, and prepare for a spring formal dance. It premiers on Broadway December 2023!Previously, Ava worked with the Kennedy Center on a neurodiversity training course, and had a year-long internship with the Nickelodeon Live Action Casting team. During her senior year at Sarah Lawrence College, she was chosen to be a Ruderman Family Foundation Inclusion Ambassador. As an ambassador, she produced the college's first sensory friendly theatrical performance along with organizing and moderating a panel of NYC professionals to discuss entertainment inclusion practices. (Sensory friendly performances are made accessible to people with sensory sensitivities Ex: lights sounds, such as those with autism or PTSD).As a fellow with the disability-led nonprofit, RespectAbility, Ava became immersed in the entertainment industry through consulting with studios such as Disney and Netflix on authentic onscreen portrayals of autism, disability, and diversity. Ava reviews scripts, discusses disability tropes, edits character sketches, writes casting calls, and educates studios on best practices for hiring diverse, disabled talent. Projects include: Apple TV+ movie "Cha Cha Real Smooth" & Disney series "The Ghost and Molly McGee" season 2.
As a public speaker, Ava shares her lived experiences and expertise as a Chinese, Jewish, transracial, autistic adoptee. She has given keynotes, spoken on panels, and collaborated in writers' rooms. Rigelhaupt publishes articles and critiques regarding disability representation in media, interviews with entertainment professionals, and her own experiences as a disabled AAPI woman. Ava develops stories based on her life experiences, writing scripts on the road to her screenwriting career, while keeping her eyes peeled for auditioning opportunities! She's determined to educate and influence the entertainment industry, creating more opportunities and authentic representations for the talented and diverse disability community.
As a public speaker, Ava shares her lived experiences and expertise as a Chinese, Jewish, transracial, autistic adoptee. She has given keynotes, spoken on panels, and collaborated in writers' rooms. Rigelhaupt publishes articles and critiques regarding disability representation in media, interviews with entertainment professionals, and her own experiences as a disabled AAPI woman. Ava develops stories based on her life experiences, writing scripts on the road to her screenwriting career, while keeping her eyes peeled for auditioning opportunities! She's determined to educate and influence the entertainment industry, creating more opportunities and authentic representations for the talented and diverse disability community.
Amelia Fei (Caroline)
Amelia (Yi-Hsuan) Fei is a performer from Taiwan. It’s been a dream come true to get to tell this beautiful story since 2021. And now, she is making her Broadway debut with the most loving people! Some previous credits include Avenue Q and The King and I. Endless love to her parents and her Ohio family.
Madison Kopec (Marideth)
(she/they) Marideth
Broadway debut! Returning to Ohio on Broadway after the world premiere at Syracuse Stage is a dream come true. Madison originated the role of Emma in Indigo at The Human Race Theatre. To my amazing family, Sara Bartlett, and the entire cast and creative team of Ohio, thank you!
Broadway debut! Returning to Ohio on Broadway after the world premiere at Syracuse Stage is a dream come true. Madison originated the role of Emma in Indigo at The Human Race Theatre. To my amazing family, Sara Bartlett, and the entire cast and creative team of Ohio, thank you!
Nicole D'Angelo (Access Team/Assitant Music Director/Script Consultant)
Nicole D'Angelo (they/she) is a music director, actor, and multi-instrumentalist in the NJ/NYC area. A recovering classical musician, they majored in piano and bass clarinet at Montclair State University before pursuing musical theater full time. Nicole recently made their Broadway debut as assistant music director and script consultant for the new musical How to Dance in Ohio. Other favorite credits include Fun Home (MD, Stageworks 237), The Civility of Albert Cashier (MD, Trans Entertainment Guild), and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey, EPIC Players). Nicole is proudly Autistic and a passionate advocate for authentic representation and equitable hiring of disabled performers on stage and screen. Ask them for pics of their cats Whizzer and Hope! IG/TikTok: @nicole.m.dangelo
Sammi Cannold - Director
Photo by Brooke Almond
Sammi Cannold is a theater, film, and television director who is one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, one of Variety's 10 Broadway Stars to Watch, and one of Town & Country's Creative Aristocracy. She recently made her Broadway debut as director of How to Dance in Ohio at the Belasco Theater. Sammi has directed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including The Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Lincoln Center as well as for the National Symphony Orchestra, CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, Cirque du Soleil, and TikTok. Recent theater credits include Evita (American Repertory Theater, New York City Center -- Critic's Pick), Rent in Concert (The Kennedy Center), Sunset Boulevard (The Kennedy Center), Carmen (Rose Hall, Lincoln Center -- NYT Critic's Pick), Celine Song’s Endlings (New York Theatre Workshop, A.R.T.), Ragtime on Ellis Island, and Violet on a moving bus (A.R.T.). In the television space, Sammi has served as Director of Curtain Up!, live on ABC, and served as Creative Consultant on the 2021 Tony Awards, live on Paramount+ and CBS. Sammi’s first documentary feature film premiered at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre and was released worldwide on AppleTV. Sammi has also served as an Artistic Fellow at the A.R.T., a member of Cirque du Soleil's Creative Cognoscenti, and a Sundance Institute Fellow. Sammi holds a B. A. from Stanford University and an M.A. from Harvard University.
www.sammicannold.com.
www.sammicannold.com.
Raymond and Samanta Esposito (Producers)
Raymond and Samantha Esposito are a Connecticut-based couple, dedicated to creating an inclusive, loving home for their four children, one of whom has autism. They advocate for accessibility in the neurodiverse and disabled community.
Liz Weber (Access team/Production Assistant)
Liz (they/them) is a freelance AEA stage manager and audio engineer/ designer who has a passion for justice and equality and will fight for what is right in the theater industry whether it be through wage parity, gender parity, and especially now through accessibility. They are actually autistic and strive for intersectionality in theater 'with every breath and every sinew'. Born in NYC, they started their professional career at 15 working Off-Broadway while still enrolled in high school at LaGuardia for Technical Theater. Besides Ohio - they have done myriads of work for various New York and national companies. They recently served as the Monitor Engineer at Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, Wisconsin where they mixed artists like KT Tunstall, The Allman Family Revival, and Gladys Knight. Other recent credits include - PSM of All Things Equal - The Life and Trials of RBG for its first national tour; Associate Sound Designer/A1 for the Big Apple Circus in 2022, and sound designer for over 30 shows for the SheNYC festival which strives for equity amongst marginalized genders in NYC.
Thank You
A huge thank you to Sammi Cannold, Rebekah Greer Melocik, Raymond Esposito, Vivacity Media Group, all of the folks who agreed to be interviewed, and especially Otter Castro our editor who stepped up to help me edit fourteen interviews in a very short time.
Resources
Soundtrack
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sNyajl5NQvFmgoBWoAPBC?si=89841bd4b04c42ec
Apple
https://music.apple.com/us/album/how-to-dance-in-ohio-original-broadway-cast-recording/1726287306
Original Documentary
https://www.hbo.com/movies/how-to-dance-in-ohio
Autism Resources
According to the article “About Autism,” published by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, “Autism is a developmental disability that affects how we experience the world around us.” It goes on to say, “Every autistic person experiences autism differently, but there are some things that many of us have in common,” such as:
Autism is often considered a “non-visible disability,” meaning it may not be apparent from looking or talking to a person that they are disabled. (An apparent disability might be muscular dystrophy, in which the individual is a wheelchair user.)
Ableism is the societal, interpersonal, and institutional discrimination against people with mental, physical, visible, or non-visible disabilities. It intersects with and is discussed alongside other negative -isms such as racism, ageism, and sexism. RespectAbility, a disability advocacy nonprofit, defines it as “the belief that people who have disabilities are somehow less human, less valuable, and less capable than others.”
Another working definition can be found on Talila A. Lewis’s blog, which states that ableism is “a system of assigning value to people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness.” The definition goes on to highlight the intersections of other fear-based and socially constructed forms of discrimination.
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sNyajl5NQvFmgoBWoAPBC?si=89841bd4b04c42ec
Apple
https://music.apple.com/us/album/how-to-dance-in-ohio-original-broadway-cast-recording/1726287306
Original Documentary
https://www.hbo.com/movies/how-to-dance-in-ohio
Autism Resources
According to the article “About Autism,” published by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, “Autism is a developmental disability that affects how we experience the world around us.” It goes on to say, “Every autistic person experiences autism differently, but there are some things that many of us have in common,” such as:
- We think differently,
- we process our senses, and the world around us, differently,
- we move differently,
- we communicate differently,
- we might need help with aspects of daily living (that non-autistic people might not need help with).
Autism is often considered a “non-visible disability,” meaning it may not be apparent from looking or talking to a person that they are disabled. (An apparent disability might be muscular dystrophy, in which the individual is a wheelchair user.)
Ableism is the societal, interpersonal, and institutional discrimination against people with mental, physical, visible, or non-visible disabilities. It intersects with and is discussed alongside other negative -isms such as racism, ageism, and sexism. RespectAbility, a disability advocacy nonprofit, defines it as “the belief that people who have disabilities are somehow less human, less valuable, and less capable than others.”
Another working definition can be found on Talila A. Lewis’s blog, which states that ableism is “a system of assigning value to people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness.” The definition goes on to highlight the intersections of other fear-based and socially constructed forms of discrimination.