“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

On this episode of Enter Stage Left, Yvette Monique Clark sits down with performer, choreographer, director, and teaching artist Michael Anthony Sylvester for a powerful conversation about artistry, survival, leadership, and creating safe spaces in theater.

Michael shares how a public school theater program in Fort Worth, Texas changed his life, how Michael Jackson videos sparked his love of dance, and how his unconventional path led him from choreographing school shows to working professionally right out of high school. Together, Yvette and Michael talk about imposter syndrome, rehearsal-room culture, collaboration, ego, mentorship, and why the arts remain a lifeline for so many young people.

This episode is a love letter to the process, the people behind the work, and the magic that happens before the lights come up.

“Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.”

Host Yvette Monique Clark opens Into Stage Left with her signature relaxed, living-room-style vibe—pulling listeners into candid conversation about life in theater, from onstage to backstage and everywhere in between.

This episode features music director and educator Drew Wutke, who immediately brings humor, chaos, and charm into the room, joking his way through the interview while grounding it in a deeply honest story of his path through music, ministry, and musical theater.

Drew traces his journey from small-town Girard, Kansas, where he grew up in a deeply community-centered, sports- and church-driven family, to discovering music through church organ playing and early piano lessons. Originally on a path toward teaching, he detoured through landscaping, church work, and even pastoring before realizing his deeper pull toward music direction and musical theater.

He describes a pivotal shift during grad school in Oklahoma City, where mentorship under Jan McDaniel helped him realize that professional music directing and vocal coaching were viable careers—not just academic roles. That revelation ultimately pushed him toward New York City with no job lined up, limited savings, and one connection who helped him start working immediately in the industry.

From there, Drew reflects on building a career as a Broadway music director and coach, emphasizing that his approach is rooted in individualized collaboration, deep listening, and understanding both the voice and the storytelling inside the music. He describes his method as “de-mystifying” scores for performers, connecting musical structure to emotional and narrative clarity.

A major theme of the conversation is trust in the rehearsal room—between performers and music directors, and within the creative process itself. Drew emphasizes that his job is not only musical execution but storytelling leadership, guiding performers through complexity while protecting their confidence.

Yvette and Drew also connect over the intensity of rehearsal life, shared “I’ve lost it in rehearsal” moments, and the reality of live performance chaos—keys changing, entrances missed, and the unpredictable nature of theater. Both reflect on how community, instinct, and survival shape artists who keep showing up anyway.

The episode closes with humor, honesty, and a shared recognition: theater is built on time pressure, trust, and a little bit of beautiful chaos—and everyone in the room is learning how to stay in the groove together.

Welcome to Enter Stage Left. I’m your host, Yvette Monique Clark. This is the spot where we kick it about all things theatre — with veterans and newbies alike. From onstage, to backstage, and even under the stage, we’re talking stories, craft, and the passion that keeps the theatre world alive. So whether you're a performer, a crew member, or just a lover of the stage, you’re in the right place. Let's get into it!

What does a music director actually do in musical theater—and how do you even become one?

I sat down with a multifaceted music director, pianist, and copyist to talk about their unexpected journey from a small town in Pennsylvania to working in New York City’s theater scene.

Starting in community theater at just six years old and playing piano for productions by age ten, their path wasn’t linear—but it was driven by curiosity, adaptability, and a deep love for music. He shares how he discovered music direction (almost by accident), worked with major industry professionals, and built a career shaping the sound of live theater.

We also dive into: Wh at a music director really does behind the scenes 🎭 How music influences acting choices 🎼 Balancing a composer’s intent with an actor’s individuality 🎧 The process of learning and interpreting a score 📝 What a music copyist is—and why it’s such a crucial skill. The unsung heros of musical theatre!

Whether you’re an actor, musician, or theater lover, this episode gives you a deeper look into one of the most important—and often misunderstood—roles in the industry