Razzle Dazzle: Podcast Transcripts
Toby's Talent Tips
Tuesday, September 22, 2026Intro
[bright upbeat music]
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
Greetings from Columbia, Maryland, where we are recording Razzle Dazzle radio, a show presented to you by Howard Community College. I'm Carolyn Kelemen here with my co-host, Judy Templeton. And today we're going to give you lots of tips on how you can get a part in a play or musical. And we're getting these tips from two incredible performers, both who have lead roles at Toby's Dinner Theatre. Judy, I'm anxious to meet these two.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I know. And I'm anxious to introduce them because they are quite the couple. So we are talking about MaryKate-- who is presently on camera right now-- Brouillet. And she has come from a show biz family. You can see her right now any night. And I'm sorry to say, MaryKate as a mean girl. But you're a great mean girl, so, hey. [LAUGHS]
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
The meanest of all the mean girls.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
That's right, the big meanie. But she has played many roles at Toby's. So talk to us about you. So all right, so talk to us about how you even have come through the ranks here to get to Toby's and get lead parts, which is no small task. Tell us about your past a little bit, please.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Yeah, sure. Well, I grew up kind part of the Toby's family. I was a Young Columbian. I met Toby when I was around 11, 12 years old. I did CCTA. I did the camps. And then I auditioned for Young Columbians. And so I was part of the Young Columbians from probably age 12 all the way through high school, when I graduated high school, when I turned 18. And that really shaped me as a performer.
And I learned so much under Toby Orenstein and, also, had the opportunity to swing, as a high schooler, at Toby's Dinner Theatre, which, if you know swinging, it's a very difficult job. And I think swings and understudies never get enough credit. But swinging, as a high schooler, was really a challenge. But it, also, taught me so much about performing, and understudying, and learning roles, and learning the round, performing in the round at Toby's Dinner Theatre, which is my favorite style of performing. I love it.
And it really kind of just gave me the tools that I needed to go on and become professional. And then I went away, and went to school, and then came back, came right back to Columbia, and auditioned for Toby's again, and started in Legally Blonde in 2012. And then I've kind of just been here ever since, since 2012. But, yeah, I feel like those former years, in high school, as a Young Columbian and as a swing, that really helped shape me into the performer that I am today.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Oh, yeah, you either make that or you don't. I think that is definitely drop you in the water training. And you better learn to swim or drown. That's for sure. Yeah. So, Carolyn, I know you wanted to talk for a minute to her, too, about the whole skill of auditioning.
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
Right. Looking over the program notes, I mean, you've done everything from Elf, the sedate woman who cares for the Elf character, to Glinda, The Wizard of Oz, to Morticia in The Addams Family--
JUDY TEMPLETON:
She was great in that.
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
--Fiona in Shrek, Louise in Kinky Boots. And then you've done other theaters besides Toby's. My question to you is, what quality do you think you had specifically for the meanest girl of the Mean Girls, Regina George? What did you bring to the audition? Did you audition, or were you precast?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Oh, I auditioned. Yeah, I definitely auditioned. I didn't really know what was to come of this or what to expect. I think, I initially thought that I would probably go in for the adult-female role. The one that plays the teacher, Ms. Norbury, and then Regina's mom, and, also, Cady's mom. I wasn't really quite sure where I would fit into this show, if at all. And then I think the thing about Regina that kind of helped me in this case, she is the queen bee.
She is the meanest of the mean. She's the leader of the pack. And I think maybe being a little bit older than some of the other girls in the cast ended up working in my favor. Because I am sort of a natural leader in that way. I'm not more experienced. But I think I was in high school before these other girls. And I was in high school when the movie came out. So I, literally, grew up with this story and with Regina George.
And so I think it definitely worked in my favor that there was probably more of a maturity to me. That definitely worked in my favor, that I could sort of lead the pack in that way. And it's fun. I think to understand playing a mean person, she's not all mean. She's misunderstood. And so I think you can't go into it being entirely mean, leading that way. You have to find the cracks and find the things that make her insecure, her weaknesses, the things that people, actually, like about her, why people, actually, want to be her friend in the first place.
So there's really a lot to dig into, with that, with the character. And I just found it to be really fun. Yeah, so I auditioned for it. I was called back. And then I read with Rachel, who plays Cady. And I think she and I have a nice dynamic. And we work well together. And Rachel is, also, very strong. And she's a strong individual. So I think it was a good match for us. It probably works out.
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
For our listeners who really would like to audition or make it into show biz, do you have any suggestions? I know you're a triple threat. Do you have to be a triple threat these days when you try out for a show?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
You don't have to be. I mean, it certainly helps. To be a triple threat, listen, continue training. Take voice lessons. Take acting lessons. Take dance lessons. The more skilled you can be as a performer, the more it will help you to be able to be booked as a dancer, a singer, or actor. I would say, yeah, never stop training. There are Oscar winners that still take acting classes.
So I would say, never stop working on your skills. But for auditions, I think the most important thing is to go in prepared. If you're going in for a role, read the script, know the entire story before you go in, and get familiar with it. Ask questions, too. Don't be afraid to go in and ask questions and get to know the scene, the character, what you're working on in the room.
Do as much research as possible. And I would tell people, an actor, read for fun. Read plays for fun, not just to prepare for an audition. But it helps shape you as an actor, as long as you continuously are learning and getting to know the genre. Like musical theater, plays, whatever, just never stop educating yourself. And that's what I--
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
Great advice.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Yeah, read plays for fun.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Yeah, well, even before you just described, you had early training with your mom, too, didn't you? Didn't she teach acting classes at Centennial?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Yeah, so my mom is a music teacher in Howard County, an elementary-school music teacher. And then she, also, ran an after-school program at her elementary school. They did musicals. And she, also, ended up being the music director for the Young Columbians, as well. So she was always a big part of my training.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Yeah, so it's in your DNA somewhere anyway, right? You were fated for this career. Well, shout-out to her. And I know she's trained so many. Yeah, exactly. All right, well, let's hit you up, Patrick. OK, so let's see. I was trying to think when was the first time I saw you. And I think it was Rocky. I think that was the first time that I was like, wow, he is a rock star. And, of course, speaking of stars, so you've had a lot of starring roles since that role.
Carolyn probably even has the list of some of your fabulous parts. But just like MaryKate, not too shabby. I mean, how much fun is it to play Rocky? And, I mean, where do you go from there? Oh, OK. you go to Danny in Grease, of course. Just so many interesting roles. But I absolutely love that you even played kind of a munchkin role in Wizard of Oz. Who knew I was going to see you scoot around on that little scooter.
But you did it well. Like MaryKate, you do come from a rather theatrical family. Some of your sisters I've had the pleasure to meet. I'm going to shout-out for Anne Marie, your sister, my dance teacher extravaganza. And I, also, know your other sister, Cici, who's a gymnast and dancer. So, I mean, was it fated for you to be performing because of your family? And how did you find your way into all this?
PATRICK GOVER:
It's funny. It was just my dad had insisted we take piano lessons when we were five. That was the start of it. Yeah, no, I'm so thankful for him, even though some of it was just a lot at the time.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Torturous sometimes.
PATRICK GOVER:
For sure, yeah, I guess that's the right word, "tormenting." But my dad, also, played guitar a lot, and he just loved it-- and with that, I think, just growing up with that all the time, and then watching my brothers and sisters go do choir when we were in fourth grade. And my sisters were taking dance. My brother was doing band and orchestra. Just growing up around that, I couldn't wait to start singing. And then it was always a surprise.
Because I always thought of myself as a sports guy. I'm going to play football. I'm going to do this. And then middle school came around. And then my best friend-- I mean, I don't want to turn this into a long story-- but he had a heart transplant when he was 11. He comes back for the second semester of middle school. And he was like, dude, let's go audition for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was like, are you serious, dude? What? I thought it was a joke.
And we go in. And because I was in the choir and did piano for so long, I was able to sing. And because I could sing, I got Grandpa Joe. It was the part that I wanted. And everybody said, oh, you'd be a great Grandpa Joe. I was like, I want to play that role. So we did that in middle school. I don't know. It was always like this weird relationship-breakup story that just kept happening. It was like theater just kept calling my name. And I kept absolutely loving it every time.
It was always the right decision for me. And then after college, for a second, after graduating with a music and theater double major, I was like, I'm probably not going to do this. But I started singing at church again. Because I graduated when COVID hit. I'm looking for a job, so church gave me a job. Terry Eberhart runs the church at St. Louis, where I grew up going. And I asked him, what do I got to do? And it was weddings and funerals. And it was audition at Signature. Audition at Olney. Audition at Toby's.
And around that time, they were looking for Rocky Balboa to be in Rocky the Musical. Now, I was just trying to get in any way I could, like if there was a swing or an ensemble. But they were looking for Rocky. And I was like, look, I'm going to go for that part. But if I can get in, that's all I want. I think Toby, she doesn't just take anybody in. I don't think of Toby as a director or a teacher. I think of her as a coach. Because, man, she's yelling at-- But trust me, it was such a pleasure to have her as a teacher, even for that little bit before she retired.
It was just such a pleasure to have her. And what I learned from her, I was like, I would take it again in a heartbeat. She was just amazing and helped me shape Rocky. And then that just made me want to continue to work there and fight for all those roles. I would say they were never a gimme role. I had to fight for it. I had to lose my accent for Ghost. I had to find different ways to tell different stories. And when I did figure that out, it was so beautiful. It was hard. But, I mean, it's been such a beautiful ride. And it's like I don't want it to stop.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I guess not. I like how you said, after you got trained in Rocky, you had to fight for all your roles. So, yeah, OK, small pun there. But, now, I want to tell you that Carolyn and I, well, we see most of the plays there together, of course. And I was like, Carolyn, how in the world are they going to do Rocky in the round?
I mean, when you mentioned the round, which is such a unique way anymore to stage a show, for as long as they've done every epic show in the round. But it worked beautifully, and you were amazing. You were definitely the right guy for the role in that one. So I think that's where you made your first mark. So what came next after that?
PATRICK GOVER:
Well, we did Ghost The Musical. We were both in that, actually. I was Sam, and she was Molly. And that was a lot of fun. That was a really cool story. It was another story of fighting for love in a different atmosphere. And it explores the afterlife, as well, so that was cool. And I think that was even a more challenge. Because it's something that, obviously, none of us have experienced, like a afterlife feeling, or memory, or anything. But just having to play with that was tough for me at first. But then figuring out the character and everything, I think it was a lot of fun. We, also, even got to take pottery lessons.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
PATRICK GOVER:
We did that on stage, I think, twice. Well, she did it. I was kind of like the helping hand.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
No pun intended, again. Yeah, got it.
PATRICK GOVER:
Yeah.
[laughs]
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Was that to encourage the Stanislavski technique of putting your hands in the clay?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Maybe a little bit, yeah, just because it's such an intimate setting. The audience is so close to us. They can see everything. They definitely know if we weren't actually doing it. But it was fun. I made something every show.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
That's so cool. I love that. So is that where you both first met?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Well, that was our first time playing opposite one another. I think that was, what, our second show together?
[interposing voices]
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Yeah.
PATRICK GOVER:
We were in Rocky together.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
But this was, yeah, our first time working together.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
OK, so Carolyn's question then, too, so help us out here. So what advice do you give for auditioning? Now, I heard that you already had the degree. So you're already a triple threat. Or you have a degree as such, as I understand it. So what's your advice?
PATRICK GOVER:
My advice is, honestly, come in as yourself. Be yourself. Because half the battle is if you look the part. [LAUGHS] And if they like you enough, they will work with you. And I think sometimes that's the best way. Or whatever song you know to sing that you feel the best, you come in with that. And they want to see you do your best.
They don't want to see you be nervous, or timid, or anything. They want to see the confident you that you can bring to the table. I heard some really good advice, actually, from-- pretty sure he's a Tony winner-- Rob McClure. He's a Broadway guy. He came to a festival I went to in college. He said, don't get the part, get in the file.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Ooh.
PATRICK GOVER:
He said, get in the file. If you can make yourself useful in anything, just do it. Because I don't know. I think sometimes the dream role is just being a part of a really great production. I think sometimes that's the dream role. And I would say that's probably my advice.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I think it's a great tip. OK. So, MaryKate, what has been one of your favorite roles?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
I mean, I know. I'm currently doing it. But I think
[inaudible]
JUDY TEMPLETON:
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
--is definitely up there. Unexpected, I was not expecting it to be one of my favorites. But it's really so much fun. I don't really get the opportunity to play the villain very often. But she's a fun, lovable villain. Morticia, as you mentioned before. Morticia is, also, one of my favorite roles. I've done Louise in Gypsy, as well. It was just such an iconic show. Getting to work with Cathy Mundy is always a pleasure.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
So what's your coveted role? What's a coveted role that you haven't played or maybe one you want to play again? I don't know.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
I love Sondheim. I've done Into the Woods a couple of times, as a student. And I would love to do it again as an adult. I played the baker's wife. I, actually, played the Baker's wife in CCTA. But I would love to do that again professionally.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Yeah? OK. Howard Community College-- I'll give a shout-out to-- just did a fabulous production of Into the Woods. If you could be two places at once, that would be at Toby's and there. So, OK, I'm coming at you now, Patrick-- coveted role?
PATRICK GOVER:
I did this in CCTA. But I would love to do Les Mis. That really made me fall in love with theater doing that in CCTA in 2013. I only played the bishop and Grantaire, because I had the lowest voice of the cast. But I loved it. It was so much fun.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
They were, actually, doing that at CCTA, while we were doing it at
[inaudible].
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Yeah, what's been your favorite role that you've played?
PATRICK GOVER:
See, that's a hard one.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I know. I don't ask easy questions.
[laughter]
PATRICK GOVER:
I'll have to give a couple. I think the first one will always stay close to my heart is Rocky.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I'd say.
PATRICK GOVER:
It's a great story, and it was my first show there. There's something about doing your first show. It's just such a magical experience. Tully in Margaritaville was very-- I was like, oh, man, I
[inaudible]
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I forgot about that one.
PATRICK GOVER:
--steps. That's cool. But, yeah, I really liked that one. I think Jersey Boys is a lot of fun.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Oh, yes.
PATRICK GOVER:
It was a fun cast. We did it with a fun ensemble. The music always makes you feel something.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
But let's just talk about the other side. I mean, this is hard work. Talk about that piece.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Self-care is extremely important, as well. And it's easy to get burnt out, especially doing eight shows a week. And then sometimes back-to-back shows, where you're working four to six months straight. So just finding that balance, taking time for yourself, and, also, still doing the things that you love outside of the business, outside of musical theater. And I think that's, also, what helps shape you into a more well-rounded performer. You have to have life. You have to have life experiences, too.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
So we're just about out of time. But catch MaryKate. How long do we have to watch Mean Girls, MaryKate?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
Until August 23.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Until August 23. And you can see Patrick right there, greeting and meeting. And what could be better than that, him leading you to your table with that great smile and personality? And then what's next? Are either of you in Donna Summers?
PATRICK GOVER:
[vocalizes]
[laughter]
JUDY TEMPLETON:
- Tell us what you are.
PATRICK GOVER:
I'll be in the ensemble. But I'll, also, be playing Helmuth Sommer. He is, well, Donna Gaines, his first wife, who ends up becoming Donna Summer. So I think if you can hear the similarity, she ends up taking his last name and ends up becoming Donna Summer. I'm still trying to figure that out with the research. But I think that she, getting the name, I think they accidentally spelled her last name wrong. Instead of Sommer, I think they spelled it Summer for her first recording. But then she kind of just went with it. I play the first German husband, yes.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Well, you certainly had on-the-job training in Saturday Night Fever. So, I mean, come on, just bring it back, you know? And what about you, MaryKate? Are you taking a break? Or are you in this next one, as well?
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
I am taking a break. Yeah, I'll be taking a break from Donna Summer. But then I will be returning for White Christmas. Actually, we both will be, yeah, returning for White Christmas.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Oh, wow, yay. All right, real quick funny story about Donna Summers. So one of my former students married her daughter. So that was my closest contact with Donna Summers. And I thought that was a big deal.
MARYKATE BROUILLET:
That's pretty close.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
I know.
CAROLYN KELEMEN:
She lived in Ellicott City for a while.
JUDY TEMPLETON:
Yes, she did. That's right. And I will say that I did dance down the disco aisle back in the day. So I'm very excited to see this again. It'll be extremely nostalgic. I don't think we can mention Toby's without, as you have already done, giving great gratitude to Toby for all that she's done for so many, and Mark Minnick, who is about 12 people in one. That's what I always ask him. Which one of his multiple personalities is he today?
Is he the director, the choreographer, the producer, the ticket person, the marketing, or the greeter? That's only a couple of his jobs. So we really thank you, Patrick, and you, MaryKate. Because you're part of making Toby's that really special experience. You put the extra in extraordinary, so keep doing what you're both doing. And if you haven't been to Toby's, I can't believe it. But get there, and get there quick. Thanks so much. Judy Templeton, Carolyn Kelemen on Razzle Dazzle.
[bright upbeat music]
Outro
PODCAST PRODUCER:
That's it for this episode. We here at Dragon Podcasts appreciate you taking the time to listen. If you like what you heard, there is a plethora of podcasts for you to discover from Dragon Podcasts. Just search Dragon Podcasts on whatever platform you get your podcasts. Thank you, and see you next time.
Toby's Talent Tips