Welcome to the new, groundbreaking podcast series about a leading actor who experiences a mental health crisis at one of the most powerful theatres in the country: The Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut. In 2019, Sean Hayden thought he had booked the role of his dreams at the prestigious Goodspeed in its production of "Billy Elliot, The Musical." As he drove over the Connecticut river and laid his eyes on the fairy tale Opera House for the first time, Sean had no idea what would be looming behind its doors. "Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story" takes the listener into the insular world of the theatre industry in which the unspoken rule is, “You are not supposed to speak up. Or there will be consequences.” If you thought all the drama happens on stage, wait until you hear what happens after the curtain closes in this immersive listening experience. In a unique format, each episode is followed by a short “post-show talk back” with Sean and a mental health professional. Together they unpack the issues presented in the episode in provocative conversations about mental health and the theatre industry.SEASON TWO PREMIERES JULY 25, 2023!
Sean's back with an all-new Thanksgiving Catch Up Bonus Episode! We're catching you up on all things Stage Combat the Podcast (BIG news about Season 4?). PLUS Sean's got some choice words about Actors' Equity Association and what it did (or didn't do) with the recently ratified Broadway contract which averted a strike! And he's not holding back!
Hear more of Sean's conversation at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON and his thoughts about whether Equity President Brooke Shield is the right leader for the union during these difficult times.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing and mixing by Alex Griffitt.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!
Sean Hayden is an attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
SEASON 3 Season Finale! Episode Eighteen. "Walking Away From Broadway"
Synopsis: At the end of a season of incredible stories, Sean looks to the future and finds inspiration chatting with Bobby Steggert: an actor who experienced a life-changing epiphany while working on a Broadway stage.
Content warning: Strong language.
Thank you to Bobby Steggert.
And thank you to YOU for your support for this Season 3 of the podcast! We could not have done it without you.
Hear more of Sean's conversation with Bobby Steggert at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
And experience at Patreon our chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's also the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean provides thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.
SEASON 3 Episode Seventeen. "The Court Watson Story Part Two"
(Be sure to Listen to Ep 16 First: The Court Watson Story Part One")
Synopsis: Court Watson sets out to tell his story to the media and to hold his former employer accountable for what happened to him on Roanoke Island.
Thank you to Court Watson.
Content warning: Content dealing with sexual harassment and sexual assault.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.
Hear more of Sean's conversation with Court Watson at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's also the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean provides thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.
SEASON 3 Episode Sixteen. "The Court Watson Story Part One"
Synopsis: Sean investigates what happened between Tony award-winning Broadway costume designer, William Ivey Long, and college student, Court Watson, on Roanoke Island some twenty years ago.
Thank you to Court Watson and Adam Stocker.
Content warning: Content dealing with sexual harassment and sexual assault.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.
Hear more of Sean's conversation with Court Watson at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's also the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean provides thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.
SEASON 3 Episode Fifteen. "Franki Take A Bow"
Synopsis: Sean investigates whether the unsafe practices of a college theatre program contributed to a young woman's tragic mental health spiral.
Special Guests: Franki Mastrone, Jessica Webb, Professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Content warning: Content dealing with sexual assault.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is also available at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988. That’s 988.
Coming up in 2 weeks: "The Court Watson Story." In a special two-part episode, costumer Court Watson, in his first podcast interview, details his explosive allegations against Tony award winning costume designer William Ivey Long.
Hear more of Sean's conversation with Franki at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's also the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean provides thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.
SEASON 3 Episode Fourteen. "Sean Has Questions For The Union."
Synopsis: After hearing the frustrations of listeners about the lack of action by the actors' union in many of the season's workplace stories, Sean goes looking for answers from the union.
Special Guest: Abbey Crowley, Business Representative for the Division for Harassment and Discrimination.
Special thank you to Abbey Crowley and Gabriela Geselowitz of Actors' Equity Association. Additional thanks to Eddie Pendergraft, Brass Bass and Bret Shuford.
If you're being bullied, harassed or you're facing discrimination in a union theatrical production, contact the Actors' Equity Lighthouse hotline 1-833-550-0030. You can also report anonymously www.lighthouse-services.com/actorsequity or download the "Anonymous Reporting" App by Lighthouse Services. You can contact Abbey Crowley directly by email at [email protected]
Coming up in 2 weeks: "Franki Takes A Bow" Did the unsafe practices of a college theatre program contribute to a young artist's tragic mental health spiral?
Hear more of Sean's conversation with Abbey Crowley at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast platform!
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's also the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean provides thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.
SEASON 3 Episode Thirteen. "Loving Someone Traumatized By The Industry"
Synopsis: Sean's investigating the mental health ripple effect that occurs when an employee is traumatized by an employer. Actor Eddie Pendergraft (the actor from Wicked in Ep 10 "Another Wicked Story"), Eddie’s husband Tony and clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman are all on board to share their insights.
Special thank you to Eddie Pendergraft, Tony Mansker, and Dr. Michelle Sherman. And Carole and Ian.
Order Dr. Michelle Sherman's book "Loving Someone With A Mental Illness Or A History of Trauma" here:
Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey: Sherman, Michelle D., Sherman, DeAnne M.: 9781421450506: Amazon.com: Books
Coming up in 2 weeks: "Sean Has Questions For The Union”
Hear more of Sean's conversation with Eddie and Dr. Sherman at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.
SEASON 3 Episode Twelve. "The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!"
Synopsis: Sean's reuniting with some of our guests from Season 3 for the holidays to ask probing questions such as "Would you choose The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree or the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree?"
Special thank you to Bret Shuford, Brad Bass, Pamela Bob, McKey Carpenter, Kaylin Seckel, Chryssie Whitehead, Alex Griffith and Justin Gerrish. And Ian.
Coming up in 2 weeks: Ep 13 "Loving Someone Traumatized By the Industry"
At STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON Sean is getting some mental health tips for the holidays from friend to the podcast, Dr. Michelle Sherman.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.
SEASON 3 Episode Eleven. "Revealing Your Darkest Secret: ABC News' Matt Gutman"
Synopsis: Thinking about the power of disclosing our secrets causes Sean to revisit his 2023 interview with ABC News' Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman.
Special thank you to Matt Gutman, LaQuet Sharnell Pringle and Amelia Morse.
Coming up in 2 weeks: It's the Stage Combat Holiday Special!
Hear more of Sean's conversation with LaQuet and Amelia at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.
SEASON 3 Episode Ten. "Another Wicked Story: Eddie"
Synopsis: Another actor from Wicked on Broadway comes forward to tell Sean his story about the toxic work environment he experienced there and how it traumatized him for years.
Special thank you to Eddie Pendergraft.
Hear Wicked actor Brad Bass' account of what he called "witch hunts" backstage at Wicked at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON.
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3. Plus "Sean Goes Off Script" to dive deeper into this episode.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.
SEASON 3 Episode Nine. "The 'F' Word"
Synopsis: Sean investigates whether there's a problem with using the "family" word in our workplaces.
Special thank you to Bret Shuford, Michael McGurk, Nicole Perry, CorBen Williams, Jeanine Bruen, Michael Passaro, Kirsti Carnahan, Greg Roderick, Juliet Lambert Pratt, Mia Scarpa and Frank Mastrone.
Stage Combat The Podcast is member supported programming. If you believe in what we are doing, why not support us by becoming a member at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON?
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
It's the companion to Season 3. Listen to bonus content from this episode: Broadway stage manager Michael Passaro talks about how working at McDonald's shaped his entire career in the theatre. Plus "Sean Goes Off Script" to dive deeper into this episode.
And experience at Patreon our all-new chat podcast series: JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)
Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]
Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He's the co-host of the acting podcast "Just Acting" with Boston Conservatory Professor Christopher Webb. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.