Entre Acts with Linedy Genao

Welcome to a special bilingual edition of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy is joined on the couch by a fellow Dominican powerhouse on Broadway: the incredibly talented actor, singer, and songwriter Matte Martinez. The two dynamic creatives heat things up with a game of dominoes, facing off over a highly contentious debate between the ultimate Dominican staples—mangú con los tres golpes versus sancocho—and discussing why Matte strictly commits to drinking iced coffee even in the middle of a winter blizzard. Matte also shares a deeply vulnerable and humorous revelation, admitting that despite his heritage and childhood Telemundo viewing habits, he doesn't actually speak fluent Spanish. The duo wraps up the segment by analyzing the unique cultural phenomenon of eccentric Dominican naming customs and how Matte uniquely "Dominicanized" his own name by creatively pulling the 'E' from his middle name to change "Matt" into "Matte.” Moving into the deep and soulful middle of the sándwichito format, Matte opens up about navigating the intense, uncertain lulls of the entertainment industry. He reflects on the immense pressure of finishing his time as a Kidz Bop Kid, watching his peers advance while struggling with self-doubt and finding his footing. Matte credits his family's unyielding support and a deep spiritual mindset for teaching him that everything happens for a reason. He details his lifelong connection to the King of Pop—from throwing mandatory Michael Jackson childhood birthday parties to executing the moonwalk at age seven in custom jackets. He and Linedy share an emotional, full-circle moment discussing how seeing a Dominican performer lead a massive Broadway marquee provides crucial validation for their community. Finally, Matte shares how the isolation of the pandemic inspired him and his closest collaborators to pod together and write Oakwood—a therapeutic, six-year musical theater project tracking the chaotic, universal realities of finding your voice in the "in-between.” Matte Martinez is a brilliant Dominican-American actor, singer, and songwriter making waves across traditional theater and modern entertainment. He began his professional career as a Kidz Bop Kid, touring the country at an early age before transitioning into television and voiceover work. His notable screen credits include appearing on ABC's The Good Doctor and voicing characters in Marvel's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. As an accomplished commercial songwriter, Matte has penned music for hit Disney Channel global franchises, including High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Zombies 4. Alongside his closest collaborators, he is currently developing the book and score for his original musical, Oakwood. Matte is currently commanding the stage eight times a week in his critically acclaimed Broadway debut leading the Tony Award-winning smash hit, MJ the Musical. Connect with Linedy and Matte: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @mattemartinez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a beautifully raw and wildly entertaining episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy is joined by the multitalented Brandon Contreras, a true native New Yorker of Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Colombian descent. The two real-life friends kick off the show with a game of dominoes, diving headfirst into a passionate discussion about the ultimate bodega counter orders. Brandon breaks down his rigorous three-tier sandwich system—ranging from a structured breakfast platter to his late-night "bad girl" double cheeseburger and the greasy magic of a perfectly seasoned chopped cheese. They revisit millennial nostalgia via TRL fashion trends, debate the "boredom of routine" versus the "fear of the unknown,”, and share a mutual terror of the deep ocean. Linedy even shares a terrifying childhood memory of a Make-A-Wish family parasailing trip to Hawaii that dropped her straight into the deep blue sea. As they layer into the heartfelt middle of the sándwichito format, Brandon gets vulnerable about the immense weight of entering the "business of affirmations.” He reflects on the high-profile whirlwind of making his Broadway debut in the ensemble of Tom Kitt's Almost Famous, only to experience the devastating double-grief of the show abruptly closing while simultaneously walking through a painful romantic breakup. Brandon details his sudden, savings-clearing impulse trip across Europe to find out who he was outside of his job and a relationship, proving that the "in-between" spaces are an essential invitation for absolute stillness and self-reflection. He also shares how those periods of not seeing authentic, joyful queer stories in traditional rooms inspired him and his best friend, Matt Coriano, to create The Homo Sapien Experience—a modern digital sketch comedy platform that has built a fiercely protective community of millions. The episode winds down with a festive look at Brandon's strict timeline for taking down a Christmas tree, an intense round of In the Heights-themed "Bed, Wed, Dead,” and a breakdown of why he is actively manifesting a villain edit on The Amazing Race. Brandon Contreras (he/him) is a multi-hyphenate Dominican-Puerto Rican-Colombian storyteller, content creator, and digital media trailblazer born and raised in New York City. He made his highly anticipated Broadway debut in the original company of Tom Kitt's Almost Famous and has performed extensively across elite regional theaters, independent films, and network television. As the visionary co-founder and co-director of The Homo Sapien Experience, Brandon has seamlessly blended traditional theatrical comedy with modern digital media, building a global platform of millions dedicated to queer humor, intersectional Latinx storytelling, and lighthearted advocacy. He is currently bringing his dynamic energy and brilliant comedic timing to the stage in the hit, Tony-nominated musical Operation Mincemeat. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Brandon: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠@ohhey_brandon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a beautifully grounding episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with a true visionary and industry change-maker, the brilliant Victor Vazquez—founder of X Casting. The two kick off their conversation with a lively round of dominoes, diving into Victor's deep appreciation for tacos al pastor, his daily commitment to building up a spice palate, and a hilarious look at his absolute refusal to eat mid, Midtown business-meeting salsa that tastes suspiciously like ketchup. Linedy also takes a moment to share the incredibly moving story of how Victor profoundly changed the trajectory of her career nearly a decade ago, looking past a missed role to connect her with her life-long manager and make her feel safe, seen, and valued in the audition room. Moving into the deep, reflective layers of the sándwichito format, Victor flips the script on what it means to be an industry gatekeeper. He redefines the transitional "in-between" periods as highly curatorial, intentional chapters of an artist's path that require immense self-care and nourishment. Victor shares his profound personal North Star—a vivid imagery from a college business class of designing his own kitchen to host his community rather than chasing traditional accolades like Tonys or Oscars. He opens up about the massive responsibility of world-building through casting, detailing the historic year-long open portal methodology used to prioritize the ballroom community for Broadway's Cats: The Jellicle Ball. He also shares a jaw-dropping, framed piece of history: a personal recommendation letter sent to his desk on official Supreme Court letterhead by none other than Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who deeply understood how difficult an actor’s profession truly is. To close the act, Victor treats listeners to a whisper-quiet ASMR casting secret, breaks down why a bánh mì is the absolute perfect umami sandwich, and shares a wild audition room story that involved calling security over a rogue machete. Victor Vazquez (he/him/él) is a creative architect, world-builder, and the pioneering founder of X Casting. As a prominent Latinx casting director and the proud son of Mexican immigrants, Victor is dedicated to dismantling binary pass-fail structures in theater and amplifying the voices of global majority and queer stories. His revolutionary casting methodologies are behind monumental theatrical milestones, including the history-making hit Cats: The Jellicle Ball and the critically acclaimed musical adaptation of Real Women Have Curves. Formerly the Lead In-House Casting Director at the prestigious Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., Victor holds a degree in directing and writing and continues to serve as an indispensable bridge-builder, cultural curator, and community leader across both coasts. Connect with Linedy and Victor: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @victorvictorv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a beautifully insightful episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy is joined by the brilliant, award-winning director and designer David Mendizábal. The two kick off their conversation with a game of dominoes, debating who delivers the harsher critique—a Broadway reviewer or his Tía —and crowning New York City actors as the ultimate source of theater drama over their more laid-back Bay Area counterparts. David keeps it hilariously real, admitting they would immediately blow $96,000 in cash rather than waiting a decade for a lottery chance, and challenges the traditional nonsense of theater etiquette by advocating for a more vocal, interactive audience experience. In the heart of the sándwichito format, David shares the profound beauty of navigating a director's "in-between" spaces, viewing the initial chaos of a production lull as an eventual path toward structured clarity and new cosmic collaborations. They open up about the "superpower" of embracing vulnerability and collective intelligence in a rehearsal room when you don't have all the answers. David details the intentional, meticulous craftsmanship behind directing the award-winning live-audio production Mexodus, tracing its genesis from raw pandemic video exchanges to transforming an entire stage into a live looping machine. Finally, David shares the sheer disbelief and imposter syndrome of getting the offer to helm the highly anticipated City Center gala production of In the Heights, reflecting on how the musical serves as a profound baseline of cultural resilience and a deep tribute to their ancestors. The episode wraps up with an intense round of No Me Diga hot takes, including a recurring Entre Acts public safety warning against wearing chancletas near New York City trash piles. David Mendizábal is a Lucille Lortel and Helen Hayes Award-winning director, designer, and visionary leader shaping the landscape of contemporary American theater. They currently serve as the Associate Artistic Director and Director of In Dialog at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, a Founding Collective Member of The Sol Project, and a Producing Artistic Leader of the Obie Award-winning Movement Theatre Company. David's acclaimed directorial vision spans major works including the award-winning Mexodus at Audible Theater, The Bandit’s Place at Roundabout Theatre Company, and the upcoming City Center Fall gala production of In the Heights. An alumnus of NYU Tisch , David continues to champion authentic representation, collective storytelling, and community empowerment across the country. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and David: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @its_daveed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a new episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with the luminous Jordan Tyson, who is currently starring as Eurydice in the Tony Award winning musical, Hadestown. The duo kicks things off with a high-stakes game of dominoes, where Jordan reveals she would rather travel to the past to keep the future a surprise and admits she is firmly in the "claim both armrests" camp when stuck in an airplane middle seat. They also bond over their shared Caribbean roots and the surprising fact that Jordan is a fluent Italian speaker, as well as Spanish since she grew up surrounded by Spanish speakers on Long Island. The heart of the episode dives into the "intermission" moments of Jordan’s career, including a pivotal six-month break between her roles in Gypsy and Hadestown. Jordan gets candid about a time before her Broadway debut when she almost pivoted to a "Plan B" because the struggle of being a working actor felt too heavy. She also shares her journey as a recording artist and songwriter under the name, lovejordan, a passion she cultivated during the pandemic by teaching herself guitar via YouTube. From discussing her "easeful" audition process for Eurydice to a hilarious Hadestown-themed round of Bed, Wed, Dead, this episode is a beautiful look at trusting the timing of your life. Jordan Tyson is a multi-talented actress and recording artist currently starring as Eurydice in the Tony Award winning musical Hadestown on Broadway. She originated the role of Young Allie in The Notebook on Broadway and garnered critical acclaim for her performance as June in Gypsy opposite Audra McDonald. Outside of the theater, she performs and releases original music as a singer-songwriter under the moniker lovejordan, having recently released her debut single. A proud New Yorker with a deep love for language and simplicity, Jordan continues to be a rising force on both the stage and the music charts. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Jordan: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: @curlybroad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linedy sits down with the incredibly versatile Melissa Barrera. The two start their conversation with a fun game of dominoes, discussing their love for spicy salsa from NYC’s Mexican restaurant Cuerno, and debating the age-old question of whether Jack could have fit on the door in the movie Titanic. Melissa also explains why filming slasher movies is essentially just playing pretend, though she actively avoids supernatural horror films due to her upbringing. Backstage at her current Broadway show Titanique, Melissa shares hilarious stories about her castmates, from Frankie Grande’s pre-show ritual of blasting Celine Dion in the dressing room to Constantine “Connie” Rousouli’s “attempt” at speaking Spanish with her.. Moving into the "in between" moments of her career, Melissa gets incredibly vulnerable about facing rejection and navigating systemic racism in Hollywood. She reveals how she combats these industry barriers, and strives to open doors for herself and her community. Melissa also opens up about overcoming singing trauma from a past reality show to land her current Broadway role, a journey that involved canceling a Zoom audition and flying herself to New York to prove her dedication. Offering profound advice for artists dealing with the negative outside noise, she shares a powerful quote about how a boat only sinks from the water it lets in, reminding listeners to value the opinions of loved ones over internet critics and trolls . Melissa Barrera is a global powerhouse actress and singer whose dynamic career spans from Mexican telenovelas to massive Hollywood franchises. She captured audiences globally with her stunning portrayal of Vanessa in the film adaptation of In the Heights. Since then, she has dominated the screen, surviving Ghostface in the Scream films, leading the Netflix survival hit Keep Breathing, and starring in the cult favorite horror rom com Your Monster. Currently having a massive 2026, Melissa leads the Peacock spy thriller The Copenhagen Test and is making her highly anticipated Broadway debut starring as Rose in the hit musical comedy Titanique. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Melissa: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@melissabarreram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Entre Acts with host Linedy Genao! This week, Linedy sits down with her idol and Broadway powerhouse, Mandy Gonzalez. The two start off with a lively game of dominoes, swapping chisme and debating everything from the supremacy of California street tacos to the perfect cold turkey and cheddar deli sandwich. They also dive into the emotional impact of representation, with Linedy sharing how seeing Mandy as Nina Rosario in In the Heights changed her life. From chatting about Bruno Mars being the ultimate soundtrack for their "Señora era" to revealing why Mandy always keeps an elephant statue in her dressing room for good luck, this episode is packed with warmth, laughter, and authentic Latina joy. Moving into the deep "in-between" moments of an artist's life, Mandy gets real about turning intermissions into creative opportunities. She reflects on the early career heartbreak of her first original Broadway show flopping, Dance of the Vampires, and how her mother's steadfast advice, "We're Gonzalez’, we work," fueled her resilience. Mandy opens up about navigating the industry as a new mother, which led her to sing on cruise ships and eventually write her Fearless Squad book series to ensure young readers see themselves represented in theater. She also discusses her profound experience bringing her full, authentic self to the iconic role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and performing Lin-Manuel Miranda's music at Carnegie Hall. Mandy Gonzalez is a true titan of the stage and screen, widely known for originating the iconic role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Award winning musical In the Heights. Her incredible Broadway resume includes starring as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, Elphaba in Wicked, and recently taking on the legendary role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Beyond the stage, Mandy is a breast cancer survivor, the author of the Fearless Squad young adult book series, and a dedicated advocate for authentic representation in the arts. She is currently preparing to star in the highly anticipated world premiere of the new musical Basura, featuring music by Gloria and Emily Estefan and directed by Michael Greif. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Mandy: IG: ⁠⁠⁠@linedygenao⁠⁠⁠ IG & TT: ⁠⁠⁠@entreacts⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠@mandy.gonzalez Get Mandy's book series, Fearless Squad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linedy welcomes the incredible Autumn Best to talk about navigating the messy middle of an artist's life. They kick things off with a classic game of dominoes, where they chat about everything from chickpea salad sandwiches and thin crust pizza to the highly debated etiquette of taking your shoes off on an airplane. (Note: You might hear a little Spanish sprinkled in as they catch up and share some chisme!) Autumn opens up about how she fills her "in-between" periods by spending time with her toy poodle Garbanzo and playing the violin just for the absolute joy of it. The conversation then dives into Autumn's major career transitions, including her bold move to New York City during the SAG strike to chase her childhood dream of doing theater. She shares the fascinating process of writing her own nightly political standup routines and the physical challenges of singing with a frontal lisp for her current off-Broadway role. Autumn also gets candid about disability advocacy in the entertainment industry. She reflects on her empowering experience working with director Anna Kendrick on her feature film debut in Woman of the Hour and how indie filmmaking provides a beautifully collaborative space for authentic representation. To wrap things up, the two bond over a hilarious game of Bed, Wed, Dead featuring Disney princesses and discuss exactly why Autumn would dominate on the reality show The Traitors. Autumn Best is an accomplished actor, aspiring screenwriter, and passionate advocate currently starring as Logan in the off-Broadway hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She made a splash on television in the CW series 4400 and recently made her feature film debut in the Netflix thriller Woman of the Hour. As a champion of independent cinema, she recently served as a script consultant and star for the indie film BRB, which took home an honorable mention at the Slamdance Film Festival. Beyond her work on stage and screen, Autumn is a dedicated musician and a vocal advocate for disability representation in the arts, continually proving that a strong sense of humor, collaboration, and self-belief can change the industry. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Laurie: IG: ⁠@linedygenao⁠ IG & TT: ⁠@entreacts⁠ IG: ⁠@itsautumnbest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the debut episode of Entre Acts! Host Linedy Genao sits down with the incredible Laurie Hernandez—a two-time Olympic medalist, Dancing with the Stars champion, and now, an actor making her Broadway debut in & Juliet. In this fun and vibrant conversation, Linedy and Laurie explore the "in-between" spaces of life and artistry, playing games like dominoes to break the ice and discussing everything from the perfect hoagie sandwich to their favorite Bad Bunny song. Beyond the laughs and the chisme, Laurie gets vulnerable about her massive career transitions, comparing her rigorous Olympic gymnastics training to the intense, athletic demands of performing eight shows a week on Broadway. She opens up about navigating performance anxiety with the help of sports psychology, the importance of Latina representation on the world stage, and the profound realization that stepping into the unknown—like attending drama school at NYU after retiring from gymnastics at 21—can lead to beautiful new beginnings. Laurie Hernandez is a powerhouse talent who first captured the world's heart as a two-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics. Since retiring from the sport, she has continuously expanded her horizons, winning the mirrorball trophy on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, becoming a two-time New York Times best-selling author, and serving as an NBC analyst. A proud Latina and national speaker advocating for mental health, children's rights, and women's empowerment, Laurie is in her senior year at NYU with a drama major and a creative writing minor. She is currently thrilling audiences while making her highly anticipated Broadway debut in the hit musical & Juliet. This episode is powered by WelcomeToTimesSquare.com, the billboard where you can be a star for a day. Connect with Linedy and Laurie: IG: @linedygenao IG & TT: @entreacts IG: @lauriehernandez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices