Arts
**The Salisha Show-Where Broadway Meets Culture**

THE SALISHA SHOW offers an intimate look into the lives of Broadway stars, creatives, and changemakers. Hosted by Broadway actress Salisha Thomas, each episode features heartfelt conversations that inspire, entertain, and celebrate the magic of theater and the arts. Tune in for behind the scenes stories, life lessons, and a dose of motivation from the world’s stage.

Latest Episodes:

#219- From Wigs to Wow: Embracing Your Authentic Self as a Performer Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

This week, Salisha shares a powerful realization about hair, identity, and what it really means to show up fully in the audition room.

After taking a commercial class in New York City, a simple question from a casting director shifted the way she saw herself. What started as a conversation about a wig turned into a deeper reflection about confidence, perception, and the subtle ways performers sometimes hide parts of themselves without even realizing it.

In this solo episode, Salisha talks about
• The unspoken politics of hair in audition rooms
• The difference between choosing a look and hiding behind one
• How embracing her natural hair changed her confidence
• Broadway’s evolving relationship with authenticity
• Why being fully yourself can influence how others receive you

This episode is a reminder that sometimes the shift is not about changing your talent. It is about changing how you see yourself.

When you stop hiding and start choosing intentionally, you may realize you were more than enough all along.

CHAPTERS

01:41 Commercial class and unexpected feedback
03:29 The casting director’s honest perspective
05:05 Hiding versus choosing intentionally
05:51 Broadway’s shift toward natural authenticity
08:02 Accepting yourself and being cast as you

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

Many thanks to Gotham Network in NYC, TyNia Brandon for writing and laying vocals down for the updated theme song and Big Red Studios for the intro video wherever you watch the latest season of The Salisha Show!

#218- From Brooklyn to Miss USA: MonaLesa Brackett on Confidence, Loss, and Starting Over Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

This week, Salisha sits down with Miss New Hampshire USA, MonaLesa Brackett, for a powerful conversation about faith, resilience, and making history on one of the biggest stages in the country.

From competing as a teen in Brooklyn to stepping onto the Miss USA stage at 36, MonaLesa shares the full-circle journey that led her to represent not only her state, but women around the world who have ever felt different, overlooked, or counted out.

In this episode, MonaLesa talks about
• Competing in pageants as a hijabi woman and redefining representation
• Training, fundraising, and preparing for Miss USA in just two weeks
• Losing her mother and fighting a seven-year legal battle
• Why it is never too late to pursue your dream
• Building a real estate business that serves the homeless
• Walking away from misaligned relationships and trusting God’s timing

This conversation is about more than crowns and titles. It is about alignment, faith, and having the courage to show up exactly as you are.

MonaLesa reminds us that your journey does not expire. Your dream does not have a deadline. And sometimes the life you are meant to live is more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.

CHAPTERS

02:16 Competing in pageants from Brooklyn to Miss USA
08:27 Facing pushback and redefining representation
11:36 The international support that changed everything
16:26 The work behind Miss USA and the reality of preparation
24:09 It is never too late to start over
29:01 Building a real estate business to house the homeless
37:56 The prayer that changed her life

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#217- All It Takes Is One Yes: Broadway Auditions, Rejection, and the Moment It Finally Clicked Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

This week, Salisha shares some of the worst auditions of her career and the lessons they taught her about resilience, timing, and trusting the process.

From cracking on high notes to singing the wrong material in the wrong rooms, Salisha walks through real moments from her journey as a performer. She reflects on rejection, self-doubt, and the long road that led from countless no’s to booking her first Broadway show.

In this solo episode, Salisha talks about
• Why bad auditions are part of the path and not a failure
• Learning your voice, your type, and your timing
• How rejection can sharpen clarity rather than crush confidence
• Trusting yourself even when doors keep closing
• Why one yes can change everything

This episode is a reminder for artists, creatives, and anyone building something meaningful that progress is rarely linear.

Sometimes the path forward is paved with moments that feel messy, uncomfortable, and discouraging. And sometimes those moments are exactly what prepare you for the right opportunity.

CHAPTERS

01:38 Why bad auditions happen to everyone
04:14 Singing the wrong song in the wrong room
06:31 When silence in the room says everything
09:48 Cracking on a Broadway audition
12:03 One yes that changed everything

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#216- What Happens After You Finally Make It on Broadway with Marisha Wallace Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Salisha Show, Salisha sits down with Broadway and West End powerhouse Marisha Wallace for an honest and grounding conversation about what it really takes to sustain a life in theatre.

From early mornings outside the Actors’ Equity building to starring in iconic productions like Cabaret, Marisha shares the realities of carrying success once the dream arrives. She opens up about leaving New York during a pivotal moment in her life, finding creative freedom abroad, and returning to Broadway with a deeper sense of self, discipline, and purpose.

Together, they explore
• What changes after you finally make it
• The mental and emotional weight of visibility
• Why ensemble work builds resilience
• Protecting your voice and your body in demanding seasons
• Reimagining success beyond applause

This conversation is a reminder that success on stage is only part of the journey. The inner work required to hold it is just as important.

CHAPTERS

00:02:10 Early Broadway experiences and ensemble life
00:11:18 Leaving New York and listening to intuition
00:17:41 Carrying the pressure of being the lead
00:21:10 Discipline, strength, and protecting your instrument
00:29:26 Identity, growth, and reimagining classic roles
00:37:13 Redefining success beyond the spotlight

Check out Marisha's Album!
https://www.amazon.com/Live-London-Marisha-Wallace/dp/B0FDGY4T3B
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marishawallace/

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#215- If Broadway Auditions Scare You, This Is What You Need to Hear Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

On this week's episode, Salisha pulls back the curtain on what Broadway auditions are really like. From crowded open calls filled with anxiety and anticipation to calm, appointment-only auditions with casting teams who already know your work, Salisha shares firsthand experiences from both sides of the audition process.

Here, she walks listeners through the differences between open calls and agent appointments, what it feels like to step into rooms with completely different energies, and how learning to take up space changed the way she showed up as an artist. She also reflects on the moment she stopped playing it safe in auditions and chose to take a risk that paid off.

Salisha explores
• The reality of Broadway open calls versus appointments
• How energy in a room can affect your performance
• Why taking up space matters more than rushing
• What happens when you stop choosing the safe option
• How being yourself can be the most powerful audition choice

This episode offers an honest look at the audition process and a reminder that casting rooms are not about being perfect. They are about being present, prepared, and unapologetically yourself.

CHAPTERS

01:04 Gratitude and life update
02:18 What Broadway auditions are really like
04:40 Open calls versus agent appointments
07:28 Taking risks instead of playing it safe
10:53 The real lesson behind callbacks and rejection

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#214- How Writing a 250-Page Love Letter Set Me Free Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Salisha Show, Salisha Thomas shares one of the boldest and most surprising decisions she has ever made and how it became the unexpected turning point that led her toward meeting her husband. Before Andrew, there was someone she cared for deeply, someone who kept her close without offering clarity or commitment. After years of confusion, chemistry, and unanswered questions, Salisha made a choice that defied logic. She wrote him a full 250-page love letter disguised as a memoir and mailed it to him.

In this candid solo episode, she reflects on
• The emotional toll of waiting for someone who would not choose her
• How writing the book became the moment she finally released herself
• The freedom that comes from receiving closure, even when it is not the answer you hoped for
• How making space opened the door to recognizing her true partner
• Why letting go of an illusion allowed her to see what was real
• The reminder that holding onto the wrong person can keep you from the right one

Salisha’s story is a testament to listening to your inner wisdom, making difficult decisions, and trusting that clarity always creates space for what is meant for you.

CHAPTERS

00:29 The craziest decision she ever made
01:18 Years of chemistry and confusion
02:27 Writing a 250-page love letter
03:49 His response and instant clarity
06:01 How letting go made space for real love
07:14 Closing thoughts

Episode Recorded at: Gotham Production Studios

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#213- Interview with Rachel Christopher from Cursed Child Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Salisha Show, Salisha Thomas sits down with Rachel Christopher, the incredible actress redefining magic on Broadway as Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." Rachel shares stories about her creative journey, her experiences stepping into iconic roles, and the impact of representation in the wizarding world. From her time in groundbreaking productions like "For Colored Girls" and "Jaja's African Hair Braiding" to her current Broadway success, Rachel opens up about the artistry and challenges behind her performances. Recorded as part of the Gotham Network, this episode celebrates the magic of storytelling, resilience, and diverse perspectives in theater. Special thanks to Gotham Network NYC, TyNia Brandon, and Big Red Studios for their continued support in bringing these conversations to life. Don’t miss this inspiring and heartfelt episode!
#harrypotterrepresentation #diversityincasting #blackhermionebroadway #rachelchristopher #musicaltheaterinterviews
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Welcoming Rachel Christopher
03:50 - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
08:40 - Hermione Granger Character Analysis
14:04 - Hermione’s Hair Journey and Evolution
16:34 - Finding Depth in Character Development
21:03 - British Accent Lesson Tips
23:05 - Motivation and What Keeps You Going
27:28 - Managing Multiple Responsibilities Effectively
31:50 - Importance of Diversifying Your Income Streams
32:40 - The Power of Saying No
33:40 - Building Self-Faith and Confidence
34:20 - Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#212- The Truth About Patience, Purpose, and Not Settling Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Salisha Show, Salisha Thomas opens up about one of the most personal and transformative chapters of her life: her decision to wait until marriage and what that long journey taught her about patience, purpose, and trusting divine timing. From growing up in a strict and faith-filled household to navigating college, touring, dating, and the pressures and teasing of others, Salisha shares the emotional reality behind choosing to wait and the strength it took to honor her own values.

In this vulnerable and deeply human solo episode, she reflects on
• What waiting actually looked like through her teens, college years, dating seasons, and touring life
• The misconceptions and judgments she faced from others
• What it meant to stay true to herself even when the world told her she was behind
• The moment she had a powerful vision that shifted everything
• How meeting her husband Andrew confirmed what alignment really feels like
• Why timing, energy, and self-respect matter more than timelines

She also shares encouragement for anyone waiting for love, career breakthroughs, self-growth, or clarity. Her message is that waiting is not weakness. Waiting is alignment. Waiting is trust. And what is meant for you will not miss you.

CHAPTERS

00:22 What waiting really means
00:57 Growing up in a strict and faith-centered household
02:29 Purity, promise rings, and early beliefs
03:42 College, independence, and questioning old rules
05:16 Touring, dating, and the teasing she endured
07:27 Why the choice still mattered to her
07:59 The vision that changed everything
09:08 Meeting Andrew and knowing instantly
10:14 What alignment feels like
11:09 Lessons on patience, timelines, and self-worth
13:00 The loneliness and strength behind choosing to wait
14:07 Why waiting sometimes means not settling
15:33 You are not behind
16:00 Final encouragement and closing

Episode Recorded at: Gotham Production Studios

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#211- Between Acts: When Listening Led Me Somewhere I Never Expected Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

This week, Salisha reflects on what it means to live and create in the space between acts. As a Broadway performer, life is often defined by auditions, rehearsals, and curtain calls. But there are moments when the show pauses and something quieter begins to unfold.

Salisha shares how stepping back from auditions, honoring her body, and navigating her new pregnancy journey opened the door to opportunities she never could have planned. What began as a season of rest became a reminder that when artists listen closely, life has a way of placing them exactly where they are meant to be.

She reflects on
• What it means to honor an intermission without fearing the end
• How stepping back can create room for unexpected opportunities
• Trusting timing even when the path looks different
• Balancing ambition, artistry, and real life
• Recognizing when a moment arrives that feels both surprising and familiar

This episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful moments in an artist’s life do not come from chasing the stage, but from being ready when the stage appears again.

CHAPTERS

01:37 Gratitude and listening to the pause
03:32 Stepping away from auditions and Broadway burnout
05:20 Trusting timing during a new season of life
09:07 An unexpected opportunity appears
16:29 Returning to the stage in a way she never planned

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

#210 Intermission Is Not the End: Building a Bigger Life Beyond Broadway Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

This week on The Salisha Show, Salisha Thomas reflects on a season of pause that ultimately expanded her understanding of what was possible for her life and career. After years of performing in Beautiful on tour and on Broadway, followed by preparing for a new show, the world slowed down and so did the industry she had built her identity around.

Rather than seeing that moment as something being taken away, Salisha shares how it became an invitation to look beyond a single dream and recognize new ways of creating stability, fulfillment, and creative expression. From building a sound studio in her apartment to exploring voiceover work and creating a podcast rooted in connection and storytelling, she walks through how this chapter allowed her to redefine success on her own terms.

In this solo episode, she reflects on
• How a pause can reveal opportunities you may not have seen otherwise
• The importance of building a life that supports your whole self
• Why diversifying your skills and income creates freedom rather than limitation
• How creativity can evolve without losing its core
• What it means to build a life that feels aligned, sustainable, and expansive

This episode is an honest reminder that sometimes life does not take something away. Sometimes it simply widens the path.

CHAPTERS

01:12 Life on Broadway and preparing for the next chapter
02:24 When everything slowed down and perspective shifted
04:14 Discovering new creative outlets and building a home studio
06:21 Expanding income, skills, and possibilities
09:27 Redefining success and building a fuller life

You can send fan mail here!

@salishathomas @thesalishashow, www.thesalishashow.com

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