How Knowing Musical Theatre History Makes You a Better Performer

What sets a technically strong performer apart from a truly unforgettable one? In this episode, Molly Marie Walsh — performer, educator, and MT history advocate — unpacks how a deep understanding of musical theatre’s roots enriches performance, informs vocal style, and builds lasting careers. From the social commentary of Hadestown to the escapism of 1930s musicals, Molly and Alexa explore how history shapes artistry, interpretation, and authenticity on stage in Ep.221. A must-listen for performers, teachers, and anyone passionate about meaningful storytelling through song and stage.

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?


3:10 What’s Molly’s favourite era of Musical Theatre history?
8:05 Case study
12:20 Is historical and contextual understanding always necessary?
17:45 Context & vocal targets
24:38 Context & aesthetic design
26:38 Context and the creative’s career
29:02 How can contextual understanding help in an audition?
33:46 How historical understanding upholds the craft of Musical Theatre
43:27 What about the ensemble?
47:20 Different resources


RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

Urdang: https://urdang.citystgeorges.ac.uk
Broadway Musicals Show By Show by Stanley Green
Graham Norton interview:    • The royal ghost that prepared Helena Bonha...  
Fifty Key Stage Musicals by Robert W. Schneider and Shannon Agnew
Fifty Key Stage Musicals: The Podcast
Artists mentioned: Jesse Mueller; Sierra Boggess; Marisha Wallace; Billy Porter
Agnes de Mille
Jeanine Tesori
Shaina Taub
Jamie Lloyd: https://thejamielloydcompany.com
Our Musicals, Ourselves by John Bush Jones
The Cambridge Companion to the Musical by William A Everett & Paul Laird
150 Years of Popular Musical Theatre by Andrew Lamb
A Critical Companion to The American Stage Musical by Elizabeth L. Wollman
Strike Up the Band by Scott Miller
Horrible Histories
Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.10 Songs for Male Contemporary Musical Theatre Singers


ABOUT THE GUEST

Molly Marie Walsh, originally from California, is a seasoned Musical Theatre performer with credits in the US and UK, including Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods, and A Christmas Carol. Now based in the UK, Molly teaches voice, drama, and musical theatre across Buckinghamshire and at London’s Urdang Academy. Molly has worked with musical theatre writers Kansley & Lidert, and she has recently completed the BAST Level 5 Extended Diploma in Singing Teaching Skills.


SEE FULL BIO HERE: https://www.basttraining.com/blog/ep-...


Instagram: @singhappywmolly


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