Hometown To Hollywood W/ Bonnie J Wallace

My guest on this very special Hometown to Hollywood podcast episode is director, producer, and choreographer Kenny Ortega. Kenny has directed many iconic film, TV and theatre projects, but he is best known for his work directing Newsies, Hocus Pocus, This is It, High School Musical 1,2, and 3, and Descendants 1, 2, and 3, as well as creating choreography for Michael Jackson, Cher, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, and Elton John. He has won three Emmy awards and two Directors Guild of America awards, among many others, and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He recently produced and directed Julie and The Phantoms for Netflix. In this very inspiring conversation, Kenny Ortega shares how he began in the industry, how he made the jump from choreography to directing, his approach to directing, what he looks for in an actor, audition advice, casting, advice for both parents of young actors as well as for actors, and so much more.   Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation: “I couldn’t be one of