Life After Jazz Hands is a podcast that celebrates the many paths our lives can take, and the diverse stories and characters who are - or have been - drawn to the performing arts.
My name is Matthew Russell-Jones and 20 years ago I graduated from musical theatre college. Back then, I had ideas about how my life and career would look, what constituted success, and what I wanted from the decades ahead.
But I’ve since realised that our lives can take many unexpected twists and turns. And this got me thinking: what were my classmates & others I met along the way professinally? So now, I’m sitting down with them individually to hear about their stories and to understand where they are now, 20 years or so on.
From performers and directors to doctors and barbers, Life After Jazz Hands charts the diverse careers of a single graduating class across two decades. Along the way, it also explores the moments and experiences that shape us: loss, parenthood, relationships, ill health, and opportunities in the most surprising places. Join us as we navigate the highs, the lows, and the unexpected encores in the lives of those who once shared a stage.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Life After Jazz Hands is a podcast that celebrates the many paths our lives can take, and the diverse stories and characters who are - or have been - drawn to the performing arts.
My name is Matthew Russell-Jones and 20 years ago I graduated from musical theatre college. Back then, I had ideas about how my life and career would look, what constituted success, and what I wanted from the decades ahead.
But I’ve since realised that our lives can take many unexpected twists and turns. And this got me thinking: what were my classmates & others I met along the way professinally? So now, I’m sitting down with them individually to hear about their stories and to understand where they are now, 20 years or so on.
From performers and directors to doctors and barbers, Life After Jazz Hands charts the diverse careers of a single graduating class across two decades. Along the way, it also explores the moments and experiences that shape us: loss, parenthood, relationships, ill health, and opportunities in the most surprising places. Join us as we navigate the highs, the lows, and the unexpected encores in the lives of those who once shared a stage.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Simon Lee Hardwick - https://www.instagram.com/simonlhardwick/
Simon Lee Hardwick is a Choreographer, Movement Director, Musical Stager and Director. He hails from Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire. At 16 he attended Performers College in Essex, graduating in 2004.
He left college early to join the German production of 'Aida' in Germany. He then joined the Original West End cast of 'Wicked', following that he appeared in the West End Cast of 'Grease', 'High School Musical' One & Two, the UK Tour of 'Footloose', the London Revival of 'A Chorus Line' at the Palladium, 'Chicago' at the Leicester Curve, 'Miss Saigon' at the Prince Edward Theatre.
As a creative he assisted Drew McConie on ‘Drunk’ in which he also performed as well as 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regents Park, ‘Groundhog day’ in Helinski, Finland as choreographer, the recently the acclaimed production of ‘Annie Get your Gun’ at the Lavender Theatre, 'Closer to Heaven’ as Director ar the Turbine Theatre, ‘My Favourite Things’ at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, ‘My Fair Lady’ at the Coliseum, and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ the musical all working alongside Christopher Gattelli. As well as countless musical and dance productions at Mountivew, Arts Ed, Emil Dale Academy, Bird College, Leeds Conservatoire, Guildford School of Acting and NYMT.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
