Meet AJ Murphy, a musical theater junior whose real name is Anastasia Jasmine but whose personality is pure AJ. In this engaging conversation, Makayla and Aggie sit down with the Wisconsin native—hailing from Burlington, aka “Chocolate City”—to discuss her upcoming role in The Music Man production at the Jersey Shore.

AJ shares her thrilling experience going on as an understudy opening night for Young Frankenstein, when the principal actress came down with laryngitis. She opens up about her time with Kids from Wisconsin, a rigorous Broadway-style touring show that taught her to be quick on her feet, and reveals why she’s making the solo cross-country drive from Wisconsin to New Jersey (much to her dad’s disappointment).

From being dance captain to singing backstage while her castmate mouthed the words onstage, AJ brings infectious enthusiasm and a refreshing perspective on the joys and challenges of musical theater. Plus: why her small town smells like brownies three times a week, her upcoming half-marathon, and what makes the Jersey Shore the perfect summer theater destination.

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Maya Fortgang is a Jersey-born BFA musical theatre grad who turned a COVID-disrupted college journey at Ithaca into a launchpad for her artistry and growth. From dance classes across New Jersey and New York City to studying scene work with Neil Matarazzo, she shares how staying a lifelong student keeps her grounded in an unpredictable industry. In this episode, Maya joins Aggie and Mak to talk about building community after graduation, finding your people in rehearsal rooms and acting classes, and why there’s no single “right” path to a creative career. She also reveals the spontaneous dinner that led her to The Music Man, what it’s like coming in as a postgrad among younger performers, and the non‑verbal teamwork that makes performing together so electric.

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Maya Buffomante (2026) is one of this summer’s newest performers at The Music Man on the Jersey Shore. From her arts-focused childhood in Naperville, Illinois to discovering her path at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Maya shares how she pivoted from pre-law and journalism to a life in theatre and acting.

Maya talks about growing up in a racing family, cheering on her brother as he competes in Trans Am and even making his NASCAR debut, and how that high-octane world shaped her love of travel, family, and risk-taking. She then opens up about the whirlwind year after graduation—directing children’s theatre, performing in a new musical workshop, and ultimately building a PowerPoint pitch to convince her parents to let her move to New York City to audition professionally.

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Ellie Parish (2026), a graduating Viterbo BFA musical theatre major, shares how she’s trading Spokane, Washington for a future onstage—chasing her dream of building a performing life along the New Jersey/New York coast. She reminisces about Zips burgers, Christmas in Spokane, starring as Molly in “The Mousetrap,” and helping create a Student Theater Project production of “The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals,” all while looking ahead to making the East Coast her new artistic home.

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Meet Reagan Kettner (2026), a Wisconsin-born singer, actor, and dancer whose summers with Kids From Wisconsin and college show choir paved the way to The Music Man Ice Cream Singing Ice Cream Shoppe in New Jersey. She shares stories of tour life, building lifelong friendships, reading a crowd, and belting big 80s anthems that keep audiences—and ice cream lines—buzzing. If you love behind-the-scenes stories of young performers finding their path and the community around The Music Man, this episode is for you.

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Aggie welcomes back favorite Peyton Overstreet (2022) as co-host to interview Athena Riva (2026), the newest cast member for The Music Man at the Jersey Shore.

From San Diego and studying musical theater at Chicago College of Performing Arts, Athena shares her YMCA experience with special needs kids, her quick casting journey, and excitement for the show’s collaborative, family-focused performances.

Peyton offers insider tips on training, embracing creative risks, performing under pressure, and the joy of entertaining diverse audiences nightly.

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Stevie (2025) is back for Season 24, and she’s proof that the right summer job can change everything. In this episode, she joins Aggie and Big Mac to talk about balancing an intense New York conservatory schedule, performing in “Pippin” off‑Broadway and Shakespeare’s “Pericles,” and even the chaotic morning making oatmeal.

Stevie shares why she chose to return to The Music Man: the “summer camp for grown‑ups” feeling, real connections with guests, and a cast that feels like family. She also reveals how the “welcome host” role evolved from cheerful greeter to on‑the‑floor showrunner.

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The Best Summer Adventure is back at the Jersey Shore, and this season fan favorite Makayla “Big Mak” Taylor (2025) joins Aggie Roberts to kick off a brand new summer at The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shop. In this trailer, Aggie and Big Mak reminisce about last year’s show-stopping numbers, share how a Minnesota performer fell in love with the Jersey Shore, and dish on the legendary boot camp that turns a group of young performers into a tight-knit company in just ten days. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, why this all-women cast is bringing serious vocal power to “Wickedly Fun Cabaret” and the new “Teen Beach Musical,” and what makes this community feel like family. If you love musical theatre, seaside summers, and the magic of live performance, hit follow and get ready for your Best Summer Adventure yet.

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