episode 19 | qween jean

episode 19 | qween jean

About This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz sits down with the incredible Qween Jean — costume designer, activist, community leader, and now Tony Award winner. At the time of this recording, Qween Jean was a double Tony nominee for her costume design work on both Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Liberation, two productions that couldn't be more different but perfectly showcase her creativity, vision, and artistry. And since this conversation was recorded? Qween Jean went on to win the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Casual. Recorded at the Welcome to Times Square Studio, this episode is equal parts inspiring, hilarious, unfiltered, and the kind of conversation that makes you want to stop apologizing for taking up space. Beyond her work on Broadway, Qween Jean is the founder of Black Trans Liberation and Black Trans Liberation Kitchen, organizations dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black trans communities through advocacy, mutual aid, and direct action. But what makes this conversation so special isn't just the résumé — it's hearing how Qween Jean has built a life and career rooted in purpose, community, and refusing to wait for permission. We talk about why activism matters, what it means to advocate for yourself when the world isn't always built for you, and how Qween Jean turned passion, creativity, and determination into a career that's changing Broadway and beyond. Qween Jean opens up about navigating the industry as a Black trans artist, finding confidence in her voice, trusting her instincts, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them to show up. It's honest, empowering, and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is show up exactly as yourself. We talk: • Being a double Tony nominee for Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Liberation • Why activism and artistry go hand in hand • Founding Black Trans Liberation and Black Trans Liberation Kitchen • Advocating for yourself and taking up space unapologetically • Building community and creating opportunities for others • Navigating Broadway as a Black trans artist • Representation, visibility, and why they matter • Trusting yourself when no one else sees the vision yet • Her journey to becoming the artist, activist, and leader she is today This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com — the billboard where you can be a star for a day. If you've ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or like you had to create your own seat at the table, this one's for you. Follow @oddwomanshow Follow @SammyTutz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

episode 18 | hannah cruz, tony edition

This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz welcomes back Broadway powerhouse Hannah Cruz for a special Tony nominee edition of the podcast — and yes, dreams are very much coming true. Fresh off her Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Svetlana in Chess, Hannah stops by to talk all things Tony season, stepping into one of musical theatre's most iconic roles, and what it's like when the thing you've worked your entire life for suddenly becomes reality. Recorded at the Welcome to Times Square Studio, this episode is funny, heartfelt, chaotic in the best way, and a little bit unhinged — especially when we discover that Hannah's cat may actually be giving full method-acting-Svetlana energy at home. We get into what it feels like to navigate Tony season as an "odd woman out," the pressure and excitement of carrying a beloved character, and the surreal experience of seeing years of hard work culminate in a Tony nomination. We talk: • Receiving her first Tony Award nomination for Chess • Bringing Svetlana to life and preparing for the role • The reality of navigating Tony season • What it feels like when lifelong dreams start coming true • Finding confidence while feeling like the odd woman out • The emotional journey behind this career milestone • Why Hannah's cat may secretly be preparing for a role in Chess This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com — the billboard where you can be a star for a day. If you've ever chased a dream that felt impossibly far away, this one's for you. Follow @oddwomanshow Follow @SammyTutz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

episode 17 | tony nominated ladies of liberation

This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz sits down with the powerhouse Tony-nominated women behind Liberation — Betsy Aidem, Bess Wohl, Rachel Sussman, Susannah Flood, and Whitney White — for a conversation that is funny, honest, emotional, empowering, and very “what actually happens when women lead the room?” Recorded at the Welcome to Times Square Studio, this episode dives into the heart of what Liberation means to each of them, the realities women still face during awards season and within the industry at large, and why collaborating with other women on a piece like this feels both healing and revolutionary. We talk all things Tony Awards, the experience of bringing a female-driven story to Broadway, and the pressure, joy, and vulnerability that comes with creating art that truly says something. We get into: • What Liberation means to each of them personally • Navigating Broadway and awards season as women in the industry • The differences women still face compared to men in theatre spaces • Why collaboration between women can be so powerful • The emotional journey of bringing Liberation to Broadway • The excitement, chaos, and surreal energy surrounding the Tony Awards • Finding your voice while lifting up other women in the process This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com — the billboard where you can be a star for a day. If you love Broadway, powerful women, honest conversations, and hearing what really happens behind the curtain… this one’s for you. Follow @oddwomanshow Follow @SammyTutz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

episode 16 | mckenzie kurtz

This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz sits down with McKenzie Kurtz — and honestly? Theatre kids everywhere are going to lose their minds a little. Currently starring as Betsy in the Tony-nominated musical Schmigadoon! on Broadway, McKenzie has been living the kind of résumé that feels fake until you realize she’s actually done all of it. The 20th Anniversary Glinda in Wicked? Check. Original cast of Heart of Rock and Roll? Yep. Recently serving full chaos and comedy as Heather in Heathers off-Broadway? Obviously. Recorded at the Welcome to Times Square Studio, this episode is funny, honest, nostalgic, chaotic in the best way, and very “what happens when the girl who grew up obsessively loving theatre actually makes it… but stays cool?” McKenzie opens up about growing up completely theatre-obsessed, finding herself in this industry, and navigating what it means to sometimes feel like the odd woman out while still carving your own lane anyway. We get into the joy of performing in a Tony-nominated musical, the pressure and magic of stepping into iconic roles, and why laughter backstage might honestly be the thing keeping everyone alive during eight shows a week. We talk: • Life inside the Tony-nominated world of Schmigadoon! • Becoming the 20th Anniversary Glinda in Wicked • The surreal experience of joining original Broadway casts • Her recent turn as Heather off-Broadway in Heathers • Growing up as a theatre kid and never letting go of the dream • Feeling like the “odd woman out” while finding confidence in yourself • Why comedy, chaos, and laughter are essential backstage survival tools This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com — the billboard where you can be a star for a day. If you were the kid belting cast albums in your bedroom and refusing to be normal about Broadway… this one’s for you. Follow @oddwomanshow Follow @SammyTutz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

episode 15 | tess marshall

This week on Odd Woman Out, Tutz sits down with Tess Marshall — and trust me… this girl did not come to play. Currently a swing, dance captain, and the cover for Céline herself in the Tony-nominated fever dream that is Titaníque, Tess is the definition of “no backup plan, just vibes and talent.” And somehow? It’s working. Extremely well. Recorded at the Welcome to Times Square Studio, this episode is chaotic in the best way — honest, hilarious, inspiring, and very “wait… how many times did the industry tell her no before she turned around and booked THIS?” Tess gets real about what it actually means to survive as a performer in New York while continuing to bet on yourself over and over again. We talk about swinging one of the wildest shows on Broadway, leading backstage as dance captain, and stepping into Céline Dion-level insanity at a moment’s notice. But that’s not all — because naturally, this queen also coaches actors AND fronts a rock band. Casual. We get into the rejection, the resilience, the delusion required to keep going (complimentary), and why having absolutely no backup plan might’ve been the smartest thing she ever did. We talk: • Life backstage at Titaníque and covering Céline Dion • What it actually takes to survive as a Broadway swing • Dance captaining while also performing at the highest level • Coaching actors and helping other artists level up • Her rock band era and embracing every side of herself • Pushing through rejection, burnout, and all the “no’s” • Why sometimes the only plan is… keep going This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com — the billboard where you can be a star for a day. If you’ve ever been told “maybe you should have a backup plan,” only to fully ignore that advice and keep chasing the thing anyway… this one’s for you. Follow @oddwomanshow Follow @SammyTutz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]