<p>What’s a childhood moment that quietly shaped who you became?</p><p><br></p><p>For this week’s guest, Lena Hall, it was sending out invitations to her eighth birthday party and no one showed up.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of <em>Love, Take Two</em>, Lena reflects on how her early experiences with performance, rejection, and identity influenced the trajectory of her career — both the drive that fueled her and the pressure that followed. That once self-described theater kid went on to become a Broadway powerhouse, appearing in major productions including <em>42nd Street</em>, <em>Tarzan</em>, <em>Dracula</em>, and <em>Kinky Boots</em>, and later taking home a Tony Award. She’s also appeared in television series like <em>Snowpiercer</em> and <em>Your Friends &amp; Neighbors</em>.</p><p>But success didn’t come without cost.</p><p>Lena opens up about the unexpected unhappiness she felt at the height of her Broadway career, her pivot into rock music, and how she has processed grief and personal loss through her work. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Growing up as theater kids — Lena and Jaimie reflect on their early years</p></li><li><p>How childhood experiences shaped Lena’s career and creative identity</p></li><li><p>The surprising emotional toll of Broadway success</p></li><li><p>Pivoting from Broadway to rock music</p></li><li><p>Processing grief and pain through performance</p></li><li><p>Reclaiming joy after burnout<br></p></li></ul><p>If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a reminder that reinvention is possible and come hang out with us on social! </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Us</strong></p><li><ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lovetaketwopod/">⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lovetaketwopod">⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrf3XmSTWlr6aqU1unYdKw">⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/">⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nycgaydad/">⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠</a></li></ul></li><p><br></p><p><strong>Credits:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Edited by: Jerson Barajas</p></li><li><p>Recorded by: MCM Creative</p></li><li><p>Produced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p>