At The Vanguard

Separating The Art From The Artist

Can we separate the art from the artist? More importantly: should we? In this episode of At The Vanguard, Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala explores one of the most emotionally charged and philosophically difficult questions in modern culture. Through the lenses of art, morality, psychology, history, and human flourishing, this episode examines whether collapsing artists and their work into a single moral object ultimately leads to clearer judgment — or cultural and intellectual fragility. Along the way, Christopher discusses figures such as Michael Jackson, Harvey Weinstein, Pablo Picasso, R. Kelly, J.K. Rowling, Kevin Spacey, Kanye West, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Wagner, and more, while confronting difficult questions about accountability, trauma, censorship, context, redemption, moral purity, and the role art plays in human civilization itself. This is not an argument for excusing abuse or abandoning morality. It is an argument for nuance, discernment, conceptual clarity, and the preservation of art’s ability to help humanity wrestle honestly with complexity. Topics include: * “Can we?”, “Do we?”, and “Should we?” separate art from artist? * Moral contamination and purity culture * Trauma, resilience, and emotional association * Accountability vs erasure * The difference between preserving, contextualizing, and celebrating * Why art matters beyond entertainment * Human imperfection and the dangers of simplification * Art as meaning-making, transcendence, and civilizational memory If we demand moral perfection from every voice before we allow ourselves to listen, eventually the conversation goes silent.

Why Am I Not Getting Cast? Audition Advice From Behind The Table

Why aren’t you getting cast? In this episode, I share what I’ve learned from sitting on both sides of the audition table—as a performer, pianist, and evaluator watching hundreds of auditions. Most performers focus on the wrong things. They treat auditions as isolated events, obsess over details that may or may not matter, and overlook what casting teams are actually evaluating. This episode breaks down the bigger picture: * Why first impressions carry more weight than you think * What casting teams are really looking for (beyond talent) * How “trust” drives casting decisions * The common mistakes that quietly undermine strong performers * Why you need to stop thinking audition-to-audition and start thinking long-term Whether you’re an actor, singer, or dancer, these principles apply. Because ultimately, every audition comes down to one question: Can they trust you to do the job? 🎓 Masterclass If singing is part of your audition process, check out: Mastering the Singing Audition: Working With the Accompanist 👉 https://www.clbzworks.com/masterclasses 🎙 At The Vanguard A podcast dedicated to elevating the arts and empowering artists.

How To Be A Thriving Artist (Joe Abraham & Christine Negherbon)

In this episode of At The Vanguard, I sit down with married artists and educators Christine Negherbon and Joe Abraham — Broadway performers, directors, choreographers, college professors, and co-founders of The Thriving Artists. From national tours of Hairspray, Shrek, and The Little Mermaid to directing Spring Awakening, choreographing new works, and shaping the next generation of performers through MTCA (Musical Theatre Competitions of America), Christine and Joe embody what it means to be multi-hyphenate artists in today’s landscape. We talk about: • The reality of sustaining a long-term performing arts career • Why “starving artist” is a mindset — not a destiny • Financial literacy for creatives (yes, compound interest matters) • The cost and value of higher education in musical theatre • How social media has changed young performers • Raising kids while building creative careers • Why live performance will survive — even in the age of AI • Keeping your marriage strong while working side-by-side Christine and Joe share the origin story of their book, The Thriving Artists, which began as a Broadway talkback and evolved into a six-year labor of love. The book has since grown into workshops, masterclasses, and curriculum used in college programs across the country — helping young artists build not just careers, but sustainable lives. If you’re a performer, educator, parent of an artist, or someone navigating a creative path, this conversation is both practical and deeply encouraging. Because as they say: The only way to fail is to quit. 📘 Learn more about The Thriving Artists: https://mtcofa.com [https://mtcofa.com] 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with artists, educators, and creators at the forefront of the arts.

What Does A Producer Actually Do? (Christopher Sepulveda)

In this episode of At the Vanguard, I’m joined by my friend Christopher Sepulveda, a Los Angeles–based film and theatre producer whose career spans independent film, commercial theatre, new-work development, Deaf West Theatre, and emerging technologies like VR and AI. Christopher demystifies the role of the producer—one of the most misunderstood jobs in the entertainment industry—and walks us through what producing really looks like day to day: creative problem-solving, leadership, relationship management, financial responsibility, and protecting the integrity of the work while getting it over the finish line. We talk about: * What producers actually do (and why it’s so hard to explain) * How projects move from idea to production—and where producers matter most * Balancing artistic vision with budget, time, and reality * Why producing is often invisible, thankless, and essential * Building a career without a clear ladder or rulebook * Producing new work vs. revivals * Working in theatre, film, TV, VR, and mixed reality * How AI and emerging technologies are changing storytelling * Christopher’s work with Deaf West Theatre and bilingual ASL/English productions * Advice for emerging producers and creatives trying to break in This conversation is practical, candid, and deeply human—an honest look at what it takes to shepherd stories into the world, and why producing matters more than most people realize. Whether you’re an artist, filmmaker, theatre-maker, or just curious about how creative work gets made, this episode offers clarity, insight, and perspective you won’t hear in a soundbite.

Inside The Voice Of Pokémon (Jason Paige)

In this episode of At The Vanguard, host Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala sits down with Jason Paige—best known as the voice behind the iconic Pokémon theme song—for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about art, autonomy, community, and what it really means to build a creative life. While Pokémon fans will appreciate Jason’s firsthand account of recording the theme song, its unexpected cultural afterlife, and the massive resurgence sparked by Pokémon GO, this conversation goes far beyond nostalgia. Jason speaks candidly about the realities of being a working singer in the late-90s New York session scene, the evolution of his relationship to fame, and the long journey from waiting to be “picked” to choosing himself. Together, Christopher and Jason explore: * Why Jason reframes birthdays as “birth-giving days” * The myth of being discovered vs. the power of community * Theater as the most complete and sacred artistic form * The role of ego, soul, and authenticity in music—especially in the age of AI * How nostalgia economies, fandom, and modern capitalism intersect * What sustains a creative life over decades: ritual, gratitude, discipline, and purpose Jason also shares what he’s building now—from global live events and performances to innovative collectible projects—and offers thoughtful guidance for artists navigating doubt, burnout, and the pressure to monetize creativity. This episode is not just about where success comes from—but how to live with it, after it, and beyond it. Learn more and get merch at jasonpaige.com