143- Brandon Henschel: Director of AWAKENING, Britney Spears, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Lip Sync Battle, Pepsi, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

<p>Interview Date: July 19th, 2026</p><p><strong>Episode Summary:</strong></p><p>In this episode, Brandon Henschel shares his journey from discovering dance at age 12 after being inspired by Michael Jackson to building a successful, decades-long career as a performer, choreographer, director, and educator. He reflects on breaking into the entertainment industry in the 1990s, landing one of his first major opportunities in a Michael Jackson music video, and commuting from San Diego to Los Angeles for auditions and professional jobs.</p><p>Brandon shares behind-the-scenes stories from major projects, including touring with Britney Spears, appearing in the iconic Pepsi commercial, performing on <em>Lip Sync Battle</em>, and working alongside some of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable artists and creatives. He also explains why genuine relationships, professionalism, versatility, and a positive attitude are often more valuable than relying solely on auditions.</p><p>The conversation also explores Brandon’s transition from performer to creative leader and his current work as the Resident Director of <em>Awakening</em> at Wynn Las Vegas. He discusses the responsibilities of managing a large-scale production, maintaining its artistic integrity, integrating new performers, and leading a diverse cast and creative team. Brandon concludes with valuable advice on accountability, leadership, musicality, audition preparation, partnering, and building a sustainable career in entertainment.</p><p><strong>Shownotes:</strong></p><p>0:02 – Introduction and Brandon’s entertainment career overview</p><p>2:59 – Discovering dance through Michael Jackson at age 12</p><p>7:46 – Landing a Michael Jackson video as his first major job</p><p>10:00 – Viewing auditions as valuable networking opportunities</p><p>13:25 – Why relationships create long-term career opportunities</p><p>15:18 – Performing with Britney Spears and booking the Pepsi commercial</p><p>17:00 – Navigating massive auditions and intimidating private callbacks</p><p>22:17 – Commercial residuals and career-changing performance opportunities</p><p>24:00 – Filming <em>From Justin to Kelly</em> in Miami</p><p>29:50 – Inside the spectacular Las Vegas production <em>Awakening</em></p><p>35:13 – Transitioning from professional performer to resident director</p><p>40:25 – Developing the leadership skills required to manage performers</p><p>46:39 – Why accountability is essential in every career</p><p>50:00 – Q&amp;A