The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

Gillian Pensavalle

In this podcast about all things Hamilton, host Gillian Pensavalle speaks with guests, and sometimes co-host/all time husband Michael Paul Smith, about the innerworkings of the show, how it came together, what it takes to put on all around the world, finding Hamilton references in everyday life, and much more. The Hamilcast has played host to every member of the original creative team, aka "The Cabinet", including repeat visits from Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Hamilcast features interviews with cast members from every Hamilton tour, Broadway, and UK company--crew members, musicians, creatives, and the hard working people behind-the-scenes that keep the production alive. Plus: historians, super fans, celebrity Hamilton enthusiasts, and group cast recordings! When I started this podcast in January of 2016, I could not have imagined the incredible community that has grown around the show and the amazing experiences that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has listened, appeared on the show, contributed, or reached out in any way. This podcast is for you and I absolutely love making it. If you have any great Ham stories or funny references that you've come across, let me know! Email TheHamilcast [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on social media @TheHamilcast. I also have a Patreon that has given rise to the loveliest corner of the internet, ever. You can learn more about how to be a part of that lovely corner, and how to submit questions to guests, and to be part of my monthly AMA's at https://www.patreon.com/TheHamilcast read less

Our Editor's Take

The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcasts is a great series for fans of the award-winning musical. Host Gillian Pensavalle started the podcast in 2016 before watching the show. A reunion with a passionate friend encouraged her to create a series all about it.

Hamilton is a biographical musical featuring entertaining rap and iconic show tunes. Its creator is Lin-Manuel Miranda, an actor, songwriter, and playwright. The story is about the life of Alexander Hamilton, an American Founding Father. In this podcast, fans hear from cast members of the musical, from Broadway stars to the creatives behind it. There are one-on-one interviews as well as group cast recordings.

The podcast includes an interview with Brandee Danielle Huston across three parts. She is an international hair and makeup artist who works on Broadway shows. Gillian asks her about her impressive career and how she ended up working on the musical. Brandee says she learned every area of stagecraft, from electrical to lighting. She soon discovered her passion was in making the actors look their best.

Over three episodes, Jason Arrow joins the podcast. He played the lead role in Australia, New Zealand, and Manila. Gillian starts by asking him about his life story, revealing how it connects to Hamilton. Jason shares the experience of having Lin-Manuel watch his performance in Australia. He refers to it as a thank-you gift to Lin for creating such a fantastic musical.

Aside from the podcast, Gillian is the creator of a comedy series with her husband, Michael. They based the show on their experiences in New York City. They collaborate on his podcast Ted and Michael Read Sketches into Microphones. Michael also cohosts some of the episodes of The Hamilcast. The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcasts chats about everything Hamilton with those involved worldwide. From stars to costume designers, listeners hear from all sides of the production. It's insightful and entertaining and brings the show to life. New episodes premiere every Monday.

read less
ArtsArts

Episodes

#452: Sabrina Imamura // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One
Yesterday
#452: Sabrina Imamura // Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One
Sabrina Imamura has been a swing with Hamilton since 2017 starting with the original Angelica Tour and including stops on Broadway (twice), the Eliza Tour (the Los Angeles sit down), the And Peggy Tour (which kicked off in Puerto Rico), and is currently on the Philip Tour. Sabrina started dancing and playing piano at three years old, with ballet being her first love and main focus. After a lot of success in the world of contemporary ballet and concert dancing, she graduated from the University of Michigan and began auditioning in New York City. Soon after, agents started sending her out for musical theatre. She didn't have a book, she'd never taken a voice lesson, and other than absolutely loving Phantom of the Opera, Sabrina had no *actual* musical theatre experience. Do you think that stopped Sabrina? ABSOLUTELY NOT. She grabbed her "Think of Me" sheet music, used her extensive piano skills to help her rehearse the vocals, harnessed what she called "fake confidence", and she walked into those audition rooms ready to go. Most of the time, Sabrina was called in for what she calls "Asian specific" shows and roles. That changed when Hamilton came along in 2016, which was also the first audition room where Sabrina got the information she was craving: the intention behind the movement, the story, not just the what but the why. Sabrina on Instagram Sabrina's Fashion Account Sabrina on TikTok /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
#449: Terrance Martin // Dance Captain & Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One
06-01-2025
#449: Terrance Martin // Dance Captain & Swing on Hamilton's Philip Tour // Part One
Terrance Martin is a multi-faceted performer and activist, a founding member of the Black Artists Dance Collective, and one of the best conversationalists on the planet. Terrance is currently the dance captain and a swing on the Philip Tour, and previously has been all over the world with Hamilton. It took him six years of auditioning to get there but that's actually great because he got a ton of experience performing in other great shows during that time. We talk a lot about redefining success, and that was all a major part of it. His approach to being a swing is so fun because Terrance has detailed backstories for every role on that stage and gives us a fascinating deep dive on why the psyche of these characters is so important. Shout out to his fellow Capricorns! This week, Terrance also talks about growing up an introvert who wanted to perform while having to learn to fight for his existence as a "Black feminine gay man in the red South." Terrance explains that his voice, his walk, his *light* didn't allow him to hide, which at the time manifested in anger and trauma but has now led him to a place of growth and strength. None of this is easy by the way, especially when you learn what Terrance went through. Note: I jump in to remind you before it happens, but towards the end of this episode Terrance tells a traumatic story involving racism, bullying, homophobia, threats of violence, and the description of an incident that took place in a pool that includes a severe injury to Terrance's ear. /// Terrance Martin on Instagram Terrance Martin VO on Instagram Terrance's Website The Black Artists Dance Collective: https://www.tbadcollective.org/ https://www.instagram.com/tbadcollective/?hl=en /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps