A Conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda

On March 7, 2016, Montclair Kimberley Academy hosted, A Conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, the creator of the Broadway Hit, Hamilton. Miranda was named a 2015 MacArthur Fellow and has received numerous awards including a Grammy Award for Hamilton and a Tony Award for In The Heights. The event was part of an annual Lecture Series, hosted by MKA’s Parent Association (PAMKA), with the purpose of opening the school to a broader community with programs featuring individuals of distinction in their field. The conversation with Mr. Miranda was artfully moderated by MKA’s Upper School Dean of Student Life, Dominique Gerard.

[@Oncekaterina]

He could speak all day and I would never give sick of it

[@becca8boo1999]

lyslvg exactly what I was thinking when I saw it was an hour long lol

[@Koribaby1]

I'm bingeing hour-plus-long interviews for Lin. xD!

[@allthrees3]

Saaammmmeee

[@krishnacousins7751]

same omg I would literally listen to anything he says

[@TheLouisan1]

3:02 "the music you hear as a teenager means the most to you for the rest of your life" me, as a teenager listening to hamilton on repeat: well shit guess im gonna be 99 humming satisfied to myself

[@ellerealyay1293]

louisa Lol same

[@luna_belle]

Same lol

[@Liface]

Honestly true, the first musical I saw in HS in the early 2000s was Kiss Me Kate and I still love it Though now I love Hamilton more

[@user-me9vk8df6p]

Lmao same

[@elisapaulovich]

Shit, mine is Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@PamelaSanchezBeauty]

CAN'T. STOP. WATCHING. LIN. INTERVIEWS. ugh hes so cute and BRILLIANT!

[@saga_db]

Same!! I'm on a marathon!! I've watched like 30!!

[@Ispmachado]

Im with you sister

[@basket1544]

Is it a Linathon if it lasts more than the work day?

[@peachyblurbs7876]

uhhgg yeah, I've been going for like 3 hours.... >///>;

[@m4rci444]

IKR!!!

[@LifeofaTrichsterS]

The one person who disliked this was Aaron Burr

[@Ladyrocksavage]

+Life of a Trichster sir.

[@krishnacousins7751]

the tea

[@genesissiverio7941]

I am in love with this man's mind ALONE

[@miaclarke6489]

Genesis Siverio for more emphasis, put ‘*’ either side of the text to make it bold, eg, *hello* I love KZbin and *lin* but don’t put spaces between the ‘*’ and the text so like * hello * but no spaces thought you can have them between words eg * hello I love Lin * minus the spaces

[@miaclarke6489]

Another tip would be (just for future reference, not this comment or anything) use dashes with no spaces for strike through eg -hi- so like -hi but with the dash both sides

[@LPar1000]

Me too

[@arwen_m7786]

@@miaclarke6489 literally so grateful for you thanks so much!

[@miaclarke6489]

arwen_m 77 hahah no problem❤️😂

[@mamajenkins1981]

"Lin Miranda: Teaching white kids to rap since 2007" 😂😂😂

[@muriel8199]

Made my day! 😂

[@iluvart1482]

Mama Jenkins too true tho 😂😂😂

[@yuvalbuskila]

when?

[@Koribaby1]

And the chin on fist. I can't. xD!

[@mirshroom_the_mushroom]

"It gets a big reaction, because it's true." I've never heard it better.

[@huhbeans2514]

I WANT LIN AS MY ENGLISH TEACHER

[@nadiaiscoool]

I think I've probs watched every interview with Lin-manuel and he still amazes me about how smart he is omg

[@emilydrazenovic5938]

He is my favorite human

[@terryturner2818]

Same! ❤❤❤

[@hannahrin5771]

I FOUND IT. i got to be there and i almost cried(i did cry) especially after i actually got tell him that his musical saved my life afterwards

[@jbrody5388]

howd he react?

[@ellerealyay1293]

Hannah Rin how did he react?

[@lavenderfleur]

eight years late but how did he react

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

It doesn't matter that you're 8 years late when there is no answer 😂

[@kelsiep5336]

His face when he is processing a question 😍

[@lyffiewalen]

I'm sorry, but when I saw this was over an hour long, all I could think was, "Talks for 6 hours, the convention is listless!"

[@robcol125]

Bright young man!

[@sampomerant4947]

+robcol125 yo who the f is this

[@tony675434]

why do you always say what you believe?

[@robcol125]

Every proclamation guaranteed,free ammunition for your enemies.

[@Cybo-18]

robcol125 Why do you write like it's going out of style? Why do you do you write like it's going out of style? Every day you write like it's going out of style. Do what you do.

[@daniescobarm]

i have literally watched every lin interview on the internet so now im watching them again hELP

[@iamthedoctor9165]

Me2

[@professionalnerd4055]

Literally same I have a problem 🤣

[@mrduetdude6715]

7:00 Hip hop freestyle story 18:40 sondheim story 21:00 Collaboration 32:00 Burr Dancehall 32:40 Helpless templet 35:05 Leap of faith 46:40 Musicalize what you're passionate about 57:25 Groffsauce

[@elliedodson8153]

Skips to groffsauce*

[@nala7595]

@@elliedodson8153 SAMEEE

[@faith4disney]

THANK YOU.

[@ElsDaughter]

"Sometimes what you need are people to just not say 'that's a terrible idea', and you have to be very careful about who you let in when you've had a good idea." -Lin Manuel-Miranda 💚💚💚

[@maggies.6607]

This man is the reason I want to be in theater.

[@lydiap3]

he's such a precious linnamon roll I swear to gOD and he's such an artistic genius! just the way his brain works amazes me

[@andstick4253]

* linnamon roll *

[@jeancaldwell233]

This interview is over two years old now, and it’s just before the mid-term elections. The comments that really struck me were about the impact of immigrants on the greatness and strength of this country. ‘Immigrants’ is a beautiful word, not one to be hated or feared as is being portrayed and promoted in current pre-election rallies. Unless you’re a Native American, we’re all immigrants. That important point is too often lost and ignored. Immigrants DO get the job done. They’re the ones who usually do the jobs those who’ve been here a little longer won’t do. They are the ones who really want to achieve more for themselves and their families. .I’m proud to be a child of immigrants, no matter how long ago or how recently my ancestors came here.

[@cellopie]

What a great interviewer! This is really one of the best interviews I've seen with Lin-Manuel, and I believe a lot of that is down to the moderator Dominique Gerard. Lin-Manuel is always brilliant, but I felt he was allowed to elaborate at just the right times, and the whole thing was a great balance between really in depth questions and fun, playful stuff. Thanks!

[@ernie_renee]

this man is pure genius

[@georgiafishwick]

I swear this man is the most inspirational man ever and I could listen him talk for hours❤❤❤❤

[@juliacarrigan5478]

I love how the interviewer adjusts his water to put down the paper, and Lin adjusts his water too. Kindness and sympathy is infused in his blood.

[@natashaaeighty_eight9199]

Ikr I caught that too

[@lyffiewalen]

I never thought I'd hear Sebastian the Crab and Sweeney Todd used in the same sentence.

[@shannonbretz2382]

He gave me a high five when I was there!!

[@robin212212]

thank you, one of the best interviews I've seen on his creative process.

[@Bobbi1111]

Dominique Gerard 's technique as a moderator is much the way Miranda explains how he approached his first job as a teacher. Get the creativity rolling and step back to let it happen. He let us watch this wonderful bouquet of wonderfulness burst into bloom.

[@feh2041996]

That road trip story is so funny!

[@poggieauggie529]

He learned how to freestyle on a roadtrip during his shift of driving while all his friends sleeping 😂

[@MLD.Ltd.]

Lin: finishes that tiny bottle of water in first 30 min Me: casually grab the flowers and drinking from the vase

[@yashiAR]

this guy inspires with every sentence he utters, and not in a boring subdued sense but a fun energized way that is hilarious along with being impactful and thought-provoking. Absolutely brilliant!

[@jacksontreece3497]

I have never been so throughly entranced watching an interview. AN HOUR LONG INTERVIEW at that. This is so great!!

[@brunetteone4082]

This guy is just awesome! So down to earth and so much intelligence.

[@Magick290]

i clicked on this video not knowing how long it went for and just listened to it in the background, it just finished and crap ive been here for an hour

[@rkkeangmailcom]

I love him so much it is actually physically painful.

[@braytonaubree8989]

This, the show, him, all of it... It's beautiful.

[@MrRdp777]

LMM for president.

[@rawksworldpeace9562]

He's truly an amazing human being

[@theresaivy7274]

I'm in love with this man. He really really gets the arts. The creative process and all that it entails.

[@allthrees3]

I could actually listen to him all day

[@Deloreandiva91]

I love Lin so much! So talented and so compelling to listen to in any interview! Love his enthusiasm and passion ❤

[@professormoody5099]

He is so amazing. I am the kid who sings Sweeney Todd when everyone else is singing Fifth Harmony and so is he and it's just awesome

[@bourbakis]

A truly insightful interview, the young people's questions are so much better than the ones from other interviews. .

[@ed167]

Lin is a genius of our time. Two musicals I can't stop listening to are In The Heights and Hamilton. Everything else is a distant 2nd today.

[@ginime_]

why couldn't i have discovered this (and him) years ago when i started high school? i'm halfway through junior year wishing i could go back and done more

[@casualarson9248]

43:27 "Lin Miranda- teaching white kids to rap since 2007." Yes Lin. I am living proof.

[@its_ivylove]

He's just incredible. That's all. Thanks for this!

[@Efonteno88]

i don't know why they jumped out at me today but...Lin's eyebrows are on point in this video!!!

[@sadiesanerd]

"My Ja Rule-Ashanti moment." ❤️❤️❤️

[@kw6665]

why didn't they get him a bigger water

[@shareeahwoods9883]

I know! I want to leap through the screen and replace it with a full size one!

[@kookieclips4367]

“The musicals you do at school stick with you forever” oh god. I’m gonna have seussical the musical junior in me for the rest of my life-

[@kristabelle7625]

Lol. My daughter did that last year as well. 😂

[@Happy2BUp]

Such a genius. Thank you for giving us a wonderful interview with a human who lives to his fullest potential. WoW. Imagine if each of us chose to live even a pinch of what Lin lives on our journey through life. Beautiful.

[@clairegaylor8788]

"Lin Miranda: teaching white kids to rap since 2007." 😭😭😭😭😭

[@judylgalloway]

LMM is truly a national treasure

[@franksj1982]

I can't help but think of him as Alvie from the TV show House! It looks like they were mic'd but the audio in this video sounds like the on camera mic was used, too bad.

[@kit_nine]

i just like to hear his voice, i dont care what he's saying. I HAVENT EVEN GOTTEN AROUND TO WATCHING HAMILTON YET. I JUST LIKE HIS VOICE.

[@glintfang9855]

BRAVO. this was very inspirational and amazing. thank you! definitely going to listen again also, shout out to those who asked such great questions!

[@Aajaaha]

Best interview ever!!!

[@inurbasement1776]

OMG!! He is soooooooo inspirational! #MyHero

[@elbatorres6113]

Great interview! Lin Manuel Miranda is a prodigy! A good human being! Love him!

[@kaydancecossick9220]

he's such a beautiful person

[@singingtofame95]

Incredible interview!!

[@Koribaby1]

The Adams rap actually is amazing. I love it. It was wise to cut his best rap first and foremost because it didn't serve the show enough. He got his JaRule and Ashanti on. Oh sweet mercy. xD! Lin talking about Madonna on her phone. Daveed has spoken about Lins eagle eyes and how he could point out people in audience on their phones. xD! Lin shouldn't be so sure he won't be talked about for hundreds of years to come. Or that those in the audience won't. No telling what more we'll do with our lives. Lin sitting up here preaching. "You can't vilify someone and you can't put them in a box if you feel like you know what it's like to be them even a little bit. Or at least it makes it harder." That. I love that Lin has developed and maintains a relationship with the evolution of Eliza's orphanage. The songs in this game. xD! I'm so done. Moana is gorgeous and I adore it. Zootopia is so damn important, it's not funny. Both fantastic movies. I was so happy to hear about Daveed in it, though I didn't know until earlier this week. Thank you informative interviews. XD!

[@sherlock7718]

I laughed at “Lin miranda, teaching white kids how to rap” but then I remembered going into the basement earlier that day and full out screaming guns and ships close to perfectly.

[@sarastuart7023]

The best part of this video is the commentary of the kids sitting near the camera :)

[@jadenclemons3807]

"A conversation" *is 1 hour long*

[@billyalarie929]

I CACKLED AT THE HEAD TO HEADS. So so great. Brilliant lineups. They weren’t arbitrary.

[@divergentfan222]

Artists or doctors or lawyers... Not just doctors or lawyers.

[@ItsNotSarahh]

omg i am 14 minutes away from this place how could i miss it

[@nikkiu.2148]

This was more than insightful

[@roseprimviolet5852]

Give the man more water 😂 great interview !

[@olihhayes]

7:00 13:02 27:33 38:30 43:08 47:49 51:23 1:00:42 1:02:10

[@StefWriter]

Oh cool! I was almost going to go to this but ended up not! Thanks so much for recording and sharing! :D

[@beastmaster6444]

Lins reaction at 1:00:46 lmao!!😂

[@elianwolfert3879]

The eyebrows and wink 😂😍

[@fatma4942]

Send help.. I'm almost done with all of Lin's interviews talks and videos.. dont know what to do with my life next

[@Justapersonontheinternet-li7nu]

Rewatch them

[@akshithakasu8383]

Lin Manuel Miranda is the most talented person in the world

[@miaclarke6489]

Apart from health and happiness for my loved ones... *ThIs Is AlL i WaNt*

[@miss.phyllisreneefoster9547]

I THINK HES AMAZING I WISH I COULD MEET HIM ONE DAY. I WISH HIM THE BESTGOD BLESS HIM AMEN AMEN.

[@vyvooz]

This is the Ham4Ham Lin was talking about at 58:18: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHfXhIdnmbF_mbM

[@laurenpavlovich1595]

do i know what this place is? no. am I going to watch an hour long interview just because lin is in it? yes.

[@rosaliewillard464]

lin manuel Miranda marathon

[@ellerealyay1293]

Rosalie Willard yessss

[@juliannagoodwin2875]

That wink tho b4 he plays the game.

[@musicmakeup2971]

Lin saids um... A LOT

[@sarahreich757]

+Music&Makeup But that's what makes Lin Lin :)

[@musicmakeup2971]

+Sarah Reich i guess ur right 😊

[@nataliecook8530]

His mind probably thinks at such a rapid pace he has to say um to take a break (and get awayyyy lol) so he can compose his thoughts because damn he's such a genius

[@Angelgirl6176]

+Natalie Cook I remember a public speaking teacher in high school talking about that. When you're speaking and use uh, um, hm, etc...it's your mouth trying to catch up to your brain or something like that. Like your thoughts are moving too quickly for you to get them out so you use these pause words to compose your thoughts back into a fluid stream. Don't quote me on that though, it was high school lol

[@nataliecook8530]

Katie Kelly ya exactly I think that's what I do sometimes haha

[@wendytirado8081]

0 dislikes, im proud

[@MOaxol]

Na, Aaron Burr, Jefferson, and Madison disliked

[@colleenmurray9036]

Coolest uncle ever!!

[@jessiedoan2425]

Thomas Jefferson disliked this video 8 times 😔😔

[@majakaziow8445]

More like Aaron Burr

[@s.alt2388]

So I’m stuck in musicals for the rest of my life. Fun!

[@billyalarie929]

36:21 what does he say after “I don’t know how much Madonna loved it?” It made everyone laugh even harder and he said it so low the captions didn’t even catch it. 🤔

[@aenis13]

I think "Probably she was on the phone." is what he says.

[@syckindahead]

Did not know he was involved with Moana and Zootopia!! Fresh...

[@kanitalynnjohnto]

DAVEED DIGGS IS IN ZOOTOPIA WHAHTKLD;JAFDSKJ;LF

[@cristinaf1980]

(I KNOW THIS COMMENT IS REALLY LATE) BUT WHERE

[@wildweasels]

I saw Richard II one time and at the end Henry bolingbroke {Henry IV} was played by a black actor

[@juicesnap]

46:11 MHS CGI !!!!!!!!!!! I miss y'all.

[@ashlynnnfairchild3355]

My school doesn't do musicals :(

[@nonenoone3722]

7 Minutes in Heaven!? We need to see it!

[@juliannagoodwin2875]

I would have asked him In the Heights or Hamilton...

[@jessiedoan2425]

You are evil 😮😮

[@weewooweewoo906]

58:52 OH GOD MY HEARTTTT

[@a.langlois689]

Does anyone know who he played in Godspell?? I need to find out

[@kfmarceau]

GENIUS!!

[@emilyb1438]

Cool. In my mid-thirties and still play flute regularly in an orchestra. Glad I’m apparently a smarter person according to Lin because most days I don’t feel like it 🤣

[@ashleykang4364]

35:50 that's why he is a Slytherin

[@ohsnapitzjazzy1]

Bring It On is Peggy

[@professormoody5099]

WORK WORK! Hamilton! WORK WORK! In The Heights! And Bring it on! LINS GENIUS

[@ohsnapitzjazzy1]

Professor Moody LOL exactly what i was thinking!