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Backstage Essentials!

Every actor worth their salt has been backstage when one of those urgent backstage moments happen. A rip in a costume two seconds before the curtain goes up, the lead has gotten sick, someone forgets the bobby pins — you know what we say; the show must go on! Don’t panic. Here’s how to be prepared for those emergencies that might pop up.

These are things every actor (in my opinion) should have in either their show bag or their make up case (every single actor needs to have a make up case, man or woman).

First off, a full supply of anything you’d need for any last second snafus. Bobby pins, hairspray (even in a little travel can), make up remover, duct tape (trust me, you’ll understand when your costume rips!), safety pins, and of course your make up and applicators for the show.

A full supply of water bottles (room temperature if you’re singing, and cold if it’s a straight play), and some type of headache relief (Advil, Tylenol..a good wall to bang your head against!) always come in handy backstage as well. Remember once the show starts, you’re not allowed to leave!

You should always have a script backstage as well for a reference point. If a show is up you should absolutely know your lines, but if someone onstage skips, and you need to catch up a script is always good to have.

Snacks! Snacks are important to backstage survival. Nothing messy like Doritos. Things like fruit are always best, especially ones that don’t drip (save the watermelons for the summer picnics.) Personally, I like to have five dollars in singles on me at all times in my make up case. Why? You never know if there might be a vending machine somewhere in the depths of the theater that can be a lifesaver if you forget to bring snacks of your own!

And finally you should have an I-pod or music of some kind. No, not to listen to during the show — you’re supposed to be paying attention! But, before the show, while everyone is getting ready, you can choose to listen to music and get into a groove before the show starts.

These are just a few suggestions and everyone has their own taste! What are your backstage essentials?

Interview with our Broadway Dancer of the Week, Ryan Steele!

I got hold of Ryan Steele, best known for playing Specs in Disney’s Newsies, and currently working in Matilda, for an interview!! The star known for his dancing (and his smile…come on folks, you all think it), and told me about how he got his first role, as well as what his role in Matilda now requires!

You’ve always been a dancer, and I know you trained specifically in that medium. Did you ever find yourself maybe less prepared vocally/acting-wise than your castmates? How did training in classic dance forms like ballet lead you to dancing in musical theater… has the difference in styles been a challenge for you? How? 

 In some ways my training has put me at a disadvantage, but it’s also given me an edge. Because my acting and singing experience was sub par, I was forced to learn quickly.

With that said, my ballet training is proving to be a necessity. My first three shows on Broadway really utilized that training.

Can you tell us about any hardships you may have had as a kid– were you ever bullied, felt out of place? What about the performing arts appealed to you?

I was bullied a bit in school. Nothing too terrible. Fortunately there was a large male dancer community at my dance studio and in my area. So, for the most part, I never felt out of place.

Where did you go to college/train?

I trained at a local dance studio in Michigan. It’s called The Dance Dynamics Performing Arts Center. I was cast in West Side Story right after high school graduation, so there was no college for me. I joke that I got my BFA at the Palace Theatre. 

Can you explain some of your Broadway audition processes? Did you audition for West Side Story and get cast right away, or was it a grueling process (or both)? 

I was in New York City taking classes, and a mentor of mine called and told me about the open call for West Side Story. It was the day I was scheduled to fly back home to Michigan, so I made a pit stop at Chelsea Studios on my way to the airport. It was a mad house. SO many dancers, and I only knew one or two faces. I went in about four or five times over two months. We danced, sang, and read from the show at every callback. It was pretty tough (and scary), but obviously so worth it.

You have a pretty huge following since Newsies. What is this fame like for you?

Haha. I wouldn’t call it fame. Although I’m VERY appreciative of my followers, I’m also aware that my “fame” is within a 10 block radius.

I will say that I’m very grateful for Newsies, because it put dance/dancers in a pretty awesome light. Dance on Broadway is often overlooked and under appreciated. EVERYONE in a cast works equally as hard, and it’s fun to see the people “in the background” get recognition as well. 

What has been your favorite number to perform in on Broadway? Why?

That’s tough. Can I give favorite number in each show?

West Side Story– “Dance At The Gym”

Billy Elliot– “Grandma’s Song”

Newsies– “The Newsie Ballet” aka Curtain Call

Matilda– “When I Grow Up”

In Matilda, there are certain moments in the show when you play a parent and times where you play an older kid…how do you transition mentally from character to character? Which role do you prefer?

The aesthetic of the show is extremely bold and bright. Every character follows suit. To transition from Big Kid to Parent to Salsa competitor it’s just as easy as keeping an open mind and having fun. The children in the show set the bar high in that respect. They’re really just having fun and pretending. And with co-workers like that, it’s hard not to really commit. 

We’re all obsessed with the staging of “When I Grow Up.” Is swinging over the audience as terrifying/challenging as it looks? 

In the beginning it was challenging to master the mechanics (while singing and swinging in sync). Its really just like riding a bike. Once you get comfortable with it, it’s the most fun you’ll ever have on stage!

There are a bunch of great shows on Broadway at the moment, plays and musicals, from this season and past seasons. What’s your dream show or role? 

The first show I saw was Movin’ Out, so it has a special place in my heart. I would love to do something along the lines of that. Dance is so telling, and when you have the right choreographer, dancers and music you can really portray something beautiful. 

What has been your best memory in your past four years on Broadway? 

Easy! Last year at the Tony awards when Chris Gattelli won his Tony for Choreography. All of the Newsies were backstage getting ready to perform. We were all crowded around a giant TV in the holding room. When Chris’s name was announced, we just erupted. It’s hard to think of a happier time in my life.

And finally, do you have any advice for aspiring actors/singers/dancers?

Be yourself! Don’t try to copy anyone else. Really get to know yourself as a performer and “product.” You are your business and you need to have a clear idea of what you bring to the table. Also, don’t be afraid to look silly. 🙂

Quick! Don’t think!

Favorite Song at the moment? 

Ah! I’m loving Mumford and Son’s cover of “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel! 

Guilty pleasure comfort food?

Lucky Buger 🙂

Guilty pleasure TV show? 

Welcome To Myrtle Manor on TLC.

Best place to eat in New York?

Oh gosh…. Scarpetta in Meat Packing?

 

Photo via Broadway.com

How I Got My Summer Internship

Summer is a time for college students to relax, recharge, and refresh after a year of heavy classes and long nights in the library. However, for many theatre majors, our schedules never slow down. College theatre majors work in theaters and theme parks throughout the country every summer, doing everything from performing to design. This summer, I’m working my first internship at the Nashville Children’s Theater for their summer camp program.

As much fun as this sounds, an internship is not an easy accomplishment. Just applying and interviewing for an internship is a job within itself. I went through many applications and interviews to finally get a yes. Hopefully I can give all some tips that will help you in your job search.

  1. RESEARCH! You have to start by making a list of all the places you are interested in. I split my list up into different categories based on the type of job (acting, directing, stage managing, etc), paid or unpaid, and location. This way, when you are starting the application process, you already have an organized list to make applying go much smoother. I would say make a list of at least 50 internships to be safe. I know that sounds like a big number, but the more you send out, the better. Also, try to find more theater oriented sites, like the job postings on Playbill or Backstage Jobs.
  2. RESUMES and COVERS LETTERS! It’s important to have all of this ready before you start applying so all you have to do is attach and send. When looking over your resume, make sure to revise and update your information. Include all you jobs and skills, even those not related to theater, as employers like to see you have other interests. Also, make sure the theater portion of your resume is clear and organized by credit (director, stage manager, role, etc). Keeping your resume down to 1-2 pages also helps make your resume a lot easier to read. They have a lot of paperwork to look through and the more accessible yours is, the more you will stand out. When writing a cover letter, make sure to find out the name of the employer your sending it to if you can, instead of simply writing “To Whom It May Concern”. This shows an employer that you took the time to look up their name. Make sure you end with why you want to work at the place you’re applying for; this can leave a great last impression.
  3. INTERVIEWS: When you are contacted for an interview, it’s always best to ask for a time that’s convenient for your employer, which also works around your schedule. It’s always great to be able to do the interview face to face, but most employers understand that people live all over the country and phone interviews are an option a majority of the time. For phone interviews, be sure to check time zones ahead of time to make sure you are on time for you interview. Find a quiet space in your house or dorm so you can focus solely on the interview. Always looks at the website of your internship beforehand, learn everything you can so you can answer and ask questions intelligently.

Most importantly, BE YOURSELF. They are looking for unique and creative people who have a wide variety of experience in the theater. Don’t be shy, bring all your skills to the table and let them know who you are. If you are planning to work a community theater close to home, or Disney World, I hope that these tips will help you score the perfect summer job next year. May the odds be ever in your favor!

 

You Graduated. Now What?

Dear Class of 2013, we did it! We’ve dedicated a good portion of our lives to education and further pursuing our interests to better us for a career in whatever field we chose. Now that we are finally out of school, what comes next? The possibilities are endless.

Departing Hofstra University myself, I am surrounded by a fantastic group of peers who are going out and doing different and exciting things in the performing arts. Here’s just a sample of the opportunities:

Graduate School Abroad – One of the great things offered at universities is the chance to study abroad. Hofstra offered a three-week session during the winter break (January) in London with a focus on drama classes. Through this exposure, it encouraged graduates with various BFA degrees to continue their education in a different setting. With the West End at your fingertips, this is a great opportunity. There are many fantastic graduate programs in the United States as well.

Disney College Program – Did you know you can get college credit and a stipend for working at a Disney Park? I didn’t, which is why I was unable to take advantage of this opportunity. In the theatre world, we are familiar with Disney musical hits such as The Lion King and Newsies. Working in a Disney Park not only allows you a behind the scenes look at the magic, but it puts your communication skills to the test as you are faced with millions of tourists from around the world. Peers of mine are prepping to head to Walt Disney World where they will be a greeter, a character, a technician, and a Fairy Godmother In-Training (helping little girls become princesses). One of the best parts about this opportunity is that you can partake in it the semester after graduation so you don’t have to worry about missing campus events.

Making the Big Move – Once graduated, many who would like to pursue the performing arts make the big move to either New York City or Los Angeles/Hollywood. Some students in our program learned that they loved film work over stage work and are moving west with fellow alumni. Others are keeping the New York home-base and are finding apartments in the five boroughs, beginning to hit the open calls and take the theatre scene by storm. They say part of being successful is showing up and being closer to your dream work city definitely allows for more opportunities.

Make Your Own Work – University gives students opportunities to create and showcase their own work. By working with classmates, some students are pursuing these works in several festivals around the world. Motel Rasdell: The Musical was written by Hofstra students during their time at school. It is a part of this summer’s Midtown International Theatre Festival and giving a couple of alumni their first New York City performance gig. Romeo/Juliet, a new adaptation of the Shakespearean tale, is a part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this summer after its premiere at a school event in the spring of 2012. Creating and pursuing your own work is a great way to showcase your talents and build upon yourself as an artist.

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These are just a small handful of the many opportunities students have upon graduating. As for myself, I keep an eye out on BroadwayWorld and Playbill for positions I would be interested in. It also helps to use the contacts that I’ve made during my time at school to try to get some leads for a job opening. With the job market in the theatre world (and in any world) being competitive, it always helps to keep an open mind and open eye for the many opportunities out there.

Broadway Stars’ Hidden Talents

We can all agree that Broadway stars are some of the most talented people in the entertainment industry. They can sing, they can dance, they can sing and dance at the same time… But besides these talents, many Broadway stars have hidden skills that we don’t see onstage eight times a week. Can you guess which star can herd goats, or clap with one hand?

Clapping With One Hand
Yes, it can be done! Besides being a fantastic singer and total stud, actor Aaron Tveit can clap with one hand. Tveit mentioned this “hidden talent” several times in the past, but it resurfaced after last year’s Audience Choice Awards, where he showed it off in an interview with Susan Blackwell.

Herding Goats
Not only can the multi-talented Jonathan Groff sing, act, and dance, but he can also herd goats! Groff grew up in Lancaster, PA, where his father was a horse trainer. Being raised around animals, Groff developed a love for horses and goats. His family has a goat farm, and one of the goats is named Lea Michele! The kicker: Groff calls the goats with music from Spring Awakening!

Secretly Being Beyonce
It’s no coincidence that Ben Fankhauser has a fierce riff. This is because he’s secretly Beyonce Knowles. This became obvious when he danced to “Single Ladies” with his Spring Awakening cast members back in 2010, as well as when he performed a stunning rendition of “Halo” in 2009. Sorry Ben, but your secret is out!

Filmmaking
Andrew Keenan-Bolger has been known to make stellar videos, including his “2UMMER012” and “2UMMER013” video montages. Each video relives highlights of what looks like a fabulous summer, all set to a catchy song. Every video just seems so happy: Andrew’s friends, goofing around, having a good time together- leading me to wonder, where can I audition to become the fourth Keenan-Bolger!?

Rapping
Show tunes and rap are generally regarded as totally different genres, however Ryan Breslin of Newsies excels in both. His hidden talent is rapping, which he showcased alongside Newsies cast members in the video “Newsies Got Swag”. He even has his own rapper name, “Bresident”.

Those are just a few of our favorite hidden talents of young Broadway stars. Can you name others? Leave em in the comments!

Interview With Chris Rice!

I have the utmost respect for Broadway swings. A person who can learn the ins and outs of multiple roles and fill in at a moment’s notice? I can only dream of being a Broadway swing one day. So that’s why I kind of freaked out at the opportunity to catch up with Chris Rice, current swing for Book of Mormon. He was so wonderful to talk to, it was a joy to talk about his experience as a swing and leading up to him being a swing! Check it out!

What was you’re “aha!” moment that you realized you wanted to be on stage?  

My church growing up did a giant, Broadway-style musical every year with dancing, costumes, pyrotechnics, the works! That was pretty captivating as a child. I think the first time I realized you could do “this” for a living was when I saw the National Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for my 13th birthday. It blew my mind.

You’ve been in two national tours and now made your Broadway debut as a swing for the biggest show on Broadway, Book of Mormon. How do those lives differ?

Well, life on the road and life in New York are completely different. When you are living in hotels with your cast, it can feel like a grown-up version of summer camp because you see the same people everyday in really close quarters. You experience the new city with your cast and crew then pack up and move on to the next city. Doing a Broadway show feels a little bit more like a job because everyone has their life and then comes to work at night to perform. When in New York, you aren’t necessarily surrounded by the cast and crew daily.

Also, in my tour rehearsals, I learned the show with a group of people or even along with the entire cast. In Mormon, I was in rehearsals with one other actor, or at times just with the Dance Captain or Assistant Dance Captain. It is a good challenge to learn a show by yourself and learn all about your piece of the puzzle then be placed into the show. You really see what part you play in the big picture.

How many tracks do you cover for Book of Mormon, and what’s it like to have to be ready at a moments notice?

At this time, I cover seven different “Mormon Boys.” This is my debut on Broadway and as a swing and both experiences are teaching me a lot. I am getting used to life on Broadway but life as a swing is a continual learning process for me. I have officially learned all of my material and now I am in the process of keeping it all straight! It is been a good challenge for me and I am learning a lot about trusting myself and trusting those around me in a very different ways than I have in the past. It has been a huge blessing to be a swing in a show with such a supportive cast and team.

When being on tour, did you find that you got close to your cast mates faster than in Mormon?           

On tour, you are with a lot of people all the time so you naturally bond quicker. When joining a long-running show in New York, it was definitely a different experience. So yes, but I am thankful everyone welcomed me into the Mormon family with open arms.

What has been your favorite moment of any production you’ve been in?

I don’t know if I can pick just one… so I won’t. I’ll pick two.

-Hearing the opening notes of the “Prologue” from West Side Story every night.

-The first time and EVERY time I ever did the kick line at the end of “One” in A Chorus Line.

Do you prefer being in classics, such as West Side, A Chorus Line, or do you prefer contemporary like The Book of Mormon?

Classic shows and contemporary shows are wonderful and beautiful in extremely different ways. I enjoy the both quite a lot. As audience member, I crave different types of shows at different times. I think that is why new shows continue to be written… there are new stories to tell, new people to reach, and different issues that need to be addressed.

Best (or worst) onstage mess up?

There is a line as one of the Elders that is supposed to be said really quickly. I got caught up over my words and forgot what I was trying to say. I tried to cover it but it was just embarrassing.

What would be in your Spooky Mormon Hell Dream?

Well, I’ve already had nightmares about not being able to get in my costume in time for a number and missing the scene. The “Actor Nightmares” are pretty much my hell dreams.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I love travelling and would love to see England soon. For vacation spots though, all I need is a beach!

What is your favorite show that’s currently running on Broadway?

For a new musical, I am pretty partial to Matilda. It is stunning. For a revival, check out Pippin. Both have fantastic casts and tell their stories in such fun and inventive ways.

What show would you do next, if you could pick any show coming up in the 2013-14 season or one running now?  

Oh, man! There are so many great shows out there! I respect and admire so many shows currently playing right now! Newsies is a favorite, but originating a show would be fun too. I am up for whatever God has in store for me! I am looking forward to my journey!

Don’t Think, Just Answer!

Favorite food?

Junk.

Favorite leisure activity?

Massage.

Best part about your job?

Performing on a Broadway stage every night and seeing the smiling faces at the stage door after the performances.

Best advice ever given to you?

Be nice to everyone. Stay humble.

Advice to up-and-coming actors?

Along with the advice I was given, I would say believe in yourself. If you believe every person that tells you that you aren’t good enough, then you are proving that they are right. I can give you a long list of people who didn’t believe in me and I am thrilled that my belief in myself outweighed all of their opinions! It is your journey and no one else’s. Keep working hard and believe that you can make your dreams a reality.

Camp Broadway’s Favorite Things

Normally I report on the Broadway community at large, but today I’m dedicating a post to the Camp Broadway blog family. If you follow Camp Broadway or any of the other bloggers on Facebook or Twitter, you have noticed that we love to talk to each other across the web…A LOT. We’re a bunch of hard core theater-lovers with crazy obsessions and strong opinions. Plus, we like to have fun. So, if you’re looking for a new Bway OTP to ship or you’re wondering if anyone else loves Little Shop of Horrors with Rick Moranis as much as you do, look no further. Though it may not be as epic and gift bag inducing as Oprah, I would like to share with you a list of Camp Broadway’s favorite things.

1. Actors

I could write a whole blog about all the actors we love, but I will name just a few for space sake. Neil Patrick Harris, the Tony man himself, is always a hot topic. Also Les Miserables stars Aaron Tveit and Samantha Barks. Hillary loves Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana from Cinderella, because who doesn’t love  fairy tales? Note from the editor: I really fell in love with Santino when he pulled out that pretzel during the acoustic “10 Minutes Ago” video. Also Victoria’s obsession with Ryan Steele from Newsies and Matilda, and Molly’s love for Mrs. Wormwood herself Lesli Margherita know no bounds. But no one can compete with Chaplin star Rob McClure, who is always at the top of our Broadway fan girl conversations.

2. Musicals and Shows

We love each and every Broadway show, but I have to mention some that come up a lot in the daily Twitter talk. We fell in love with many of the shows this spring, like Matilda and Pippin. Hillary loves Cinderella, but she’s a real Rodgers and Hammerstein purist. Recently musicals like Big Fish and First Date have become new favorites. We of course also love the amazing but short lived Chaplin. And what Broadway fanatic is complete without NBC’s Smash? There are more Broadway stars in one episode than at a Tony Awards cocktail party!

3. Other Simple Joys

Schmackary’s Cookies, Broadway’s cookie hotspot, is the best guilty pleasure among our bloggers. Who doesn’t love cookies that you can send to your favorite actor! Or in Hillary and Sunny’s case, to their front door (we won’t judge). We also enjoy all of Hillary’s tweets about the Royal Baby and her famous gifs. Molly also loves all the Broadway swings.

In my case, I love Patina Miller, Andrew Rannells, Stephanie J. Block, Adam Pascal, and any of the cast of the Godspell revival (ESPECIALLY Telly Leung). My favorite shows are Spring Awakening, Pippin, Rent, Bare, Godspell, Matilda, and West Side Story. I also love Youtube videos and tweeting along to all my favorite reality shows, like Big Brother.

No matter how embarrassing or funny our obsessions are, we are all just one big happy blogging family. If you dare, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook and prepare for the flood of Camp Broadway through your feed! You won’t regret it!

Red, White, and Blue York

by Rory of www.WearAboutsBlog.com

My family loves fireworks. Every Fourth of July, we trek far and wide in search of the best fireworks. For the first time this year, we went to Hoboken, NJ to watch the fireworks over the river and against the New York City skyline.

I can safely say that my family will go back to Hoboken to watch them again next year, they were that awesome!





Watching the fireworks explode over the city skyline was magical. The park in Hoboken was crowded but since the view was so amazing no one seemed to notice.

New York City, whether wandering its streets or watching from afar, is the most beautiful city in the world.

see more at my blog, www.wearaboutsblog.com

Let Me Be Your Star, Smash Stars- What Next?!

The curtains have closed, Bombshell and Hit List won their Tony Awards, and the cast made a “Big Finish”. However, with so many talented stars on Broadway and television, fans might wonder what is next for the Smash cast. I am one of those curious fans and decided to do some research and here is all you need to know about the future of the Smash stars:

Katherine McPhee – Karen Cartwright
The American Idol-alum is currently in the studio filming her fourth album with the writing talents of One Republic’s Ryan Tedder (who guest starred and co-wrote the song “Touch Me” on Smash), Linda Perry, and Sia. Katherine is also set to star in the thriller film Depravity.

Megan Hilty – Ivy Lynn

Megan just released her album It Happens All The Time in March. She will also be in the animated movie Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return voicing The China Princess, due out May of next year. Megan will also be in the reading of the Broadway revival of Can-Can.

Debra Messing – Julia Houston
Debra is co-starring in the new CBS comedy pilot based off the Israeli series Mother’s Day. She is playing a mother who is trying to balance everything in her life. She is also dating Smash co-star Will Chase.

Jack Davenport – Derek Wills
Jack is returning to British TV, having recently been cast in ITV medical drama Breathless.

Christian Borle – Tom Levitt
Christian has been cast in the Encores! musical Little Me at the New York City Center, opening on February 5th next year. This is Neil Simon’s very first musical, about a self-made celebrity named Belle who is pursuing fame and wealth among seven suitors.

Jeremy Jordan – Jimmy Collins
Jeremy was recently cast in the musical film The Last Five Years, co-starring with Anna Kendrick. This musical was recently off-Broadway this year.

Krysta Rodriguez – Ana Vargus
Krysta is on Broadway this summer in the musical First Date co-starring with Zachery Levi of the TV show Chuck. Performances started on July 9th with an opening of August 8th at the Longacre Theater.

Wesley Taylor – Bobby
Wesley is working on the popular web series It Could Be Worse.

Leslie Odom Jr. – Sam Strickland
Leslie is starring in the Public Theater’s musical Venice with other Broadway stars Uzo Aduba, Jennifer Damiano, and Claybourne Elder. Venice is half epic romance and half political, about a man who fights deceit and sibling rivalry. Leslie is also working on his debut album.

No matter stage or screen, Smash had a very dedicated following and brought attention to the Broadway community on national television. Fans should continue to support this cast by buying their albums and seeing them on Broadway and on the big or small screen. Though the show is over, these amazing talented actors will continue to be your stars.