Backstage with Becca B.

On this episode I talked with Lizzy about her journey as a performer — from falling in love with musical theatre as a kid watching The Wizard of Oz and Smash, to her first big role as Gabriella in High School Musical, to finding her artistic voice at Texas State University with the guidance of incredible mentors. We talked about her first professional experience in Rent in New Orleans, the challenges and growth that came from it, and her exciting Broadway debut in Boop the Musical! Lizzy shares what it was like going through the Boop audition process, including an intense dance call with Rachelle Rak, how she learned the whole show in just a week, and what it means to her to be in the ensemble and understudy both Betty and Trisha. She also talks about the joy of working with legends like Jerry Mitchell, the importance of bringing her own voice to her work, the power of storytelling, and so much more! 

On this episode I talked with Alex about Alexander/Aristotle now playing at Company Of Angels through May 10th — emphasizing its intellectual depth and audience engagement, the rich historical connections and cultural experiences tied to Greece, particularly during the Hellenistic period, emphasizing the importance of art and theater in understanding these historical contexts, how understanding Shakespeare and Greek mythology is crucial for appreciating modern storytelling, the transition from mythology to evidence-based thinking marked a significant shift in philosophy and governance, his belief that theatre should challenge viewers with complex ideas and foster discussions, and much more!

Backstage With Becca B. Episode 179 with guest John Kapelos is now LIVE on YouTube. On this episode, I talked with John about the challenges of building theater communities in L.A., his early days in Chicago's collaborative scene, and how support from his father and a role at Second City helped launch his career, how the digital age has reshaped the entertainment industry and brought more opportunities but also more competition, his thoughts on the evolution of storytelling in film and TV, his current show Aristotle/Alexander at Company Of Angels where he stars as Isocrates, historical narratives, focusing on Alexander the Great and his complex relationship with Aristotle, the psychological layers of leadership, the influence of mentorship, how these ancient stories can still resonate today, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Anika about her journey as a performer including the moments she fell in love with theatre, her initial career path she thought she wanted to pursue, what ultimately guided her toward theatre, her experience in the immersive experience of “The Great Gatsby” in New York, how unique audience interactions are during an immersive show, her education at NYU, getting involved with the For The Record series, FTR's new venue The CineVita and how special the energy at the venue is, her talented costars in Tarantino: Pulp Rock at The CineVita, preparation for her role as O-Ren in Tarantino: Pulp Rock, advice for aspiring performers in the industry, her singing group with her sisters called The Braganza Sisters and where you can check out their music, her desire to uplift in her work, dream roles, self-confidence, and much more!

Backstage With Becca B. Episode 177 with guest @blockedanddeletedangel is now LIVE on Youtube. On this episode I talked with Emily about all she's done since the last time we talked, including the life changing experience of performing in her favorite musicals such as “Sunday in the Park with George” at CCAE and “Cabaret” with Altadena Music Theatre, plus performing at Escape Hotel in Hollywood and how that experience was unique as a performer for her. Performing with For The Record Live, emphasizing it's unique style of immersive theatrical shows, their new traveling venue, The CineVita which is currently in Inglewood, the exceptional talent of the FTR team, the unique atmosphere of The CineVita, and the high stakes involved in productions there, her artistic evolution with her new band, Leopard Skin Dolcinea, upcoming gigs, people who influence her, her desire to play every female Sondheim role and other classic characters, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Alex about how he transitioned from aspiring to be a teacher to discovering his passion for acting during high school, his college experience at Emerson College where he graduated with a BFA in acting, his desire to inspire future theater makers, his audition for Albus Potter in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," and the supportive atmosphere he encountered, the journey to making his Broadway debut, from the rehearsal process to the excitement of his opening night on Broadway, the unique nature of live theater, where each performance is shaped by audience reactions, making it a distinct experience, insights into his character, Albus, who he portrays as a misunderstood teenager striving for individuality while navigating societal expectations, his enthusiasm for video games, “Next To Normal”, dream roles, the emotional impact of storytelling in theatre, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Erik about his journey into theater, highlighting his early inspiration from his father's role as a high school theater teacher, the unique experience of live theatre, his decision to attend Webster University after auditioning for 19 schools, the significance of campus visits and interactions with current students in determining the right fit for his education, the empowering approach of his professors, which allowed him to take charge of his learning and apply the skills he acquired, his audition experience for "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which began shortly after graduation and involved multiple callbacks, leading to an intense rehearsal process that contributed to his Broadway debut, his ongoing experience in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," including the excitement of working with new cast members and the creative team's involvement, special connections with the audience, his growth as an actor over the past two and a half years, and how his portrayal of Scorpius has changed, self-confidence in the industry, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with Allie about her journey to becoming a theater performer, her early involvement in sports and how her passion for theater was sparked by attending her first Broadway show, her gratitude for her family's support in pursuing the arts, despite their lack of a theatrical background, her path to attending the University of Michigan, which began with a friend's suggestion during a community theater production, theatre workshops she's had the opportunity to participate in including her favorite workshop, "Fountain of You," her roles in productions of "Sweeney Todd" and "Grease,” her audition for Harry Potter and The Cursed Child which included physical movement tests and multiple callbacks, how she captured the essence of Moaning Myrtle while adding her unique interpretation, the day she made her Broadway debut and the emotional experience of performing in front of a supportive audience, Cursed Child's appeal to a wide range of theatergoers and the significance of stage door interactions with fans, her dream roles in various Sondheim shows and "Wicked," the supportive nature of the theater community, and more!

On this episode I talked with Ayanna about her background in theatre, including her childhood in the Bronx and her move to Los Angeles, where she attended performing arts schools, the cultural adjustment she faced in LA and her longing for New York, especially during the pandemic, choosing to study at the Manhattan School of Music and appreciating it's welcoming atmosphere and rich history, the significance of the people and experiences that shaped her artistic journey, her casting experience for "How to Dance in Ohio," which began with a self-tape submission after seeing a casting call on social media, her excitement when she received a callback for the show and the welcoming atmosphere during her final audition, how the show resonated with her post her autism diagnosis, her Broadway debut and experience as a swing in @ohiomusical where she covered five roles, her current role in Harry Potter & The Cursed Child on Broadway where she plays Rose Granger Weasley (the daughter of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger), being part of a new cast who debuted a new version (under three hours) of Cursed Child on Broadway, characteristics of Ron and Hermione that she has made sure to add to Rose Granger Weasley on stage, her favorite bit of magic that happens in the show, her real life Hogwarts house, dream roles she has, her passion for jazz music, and much more! 

Backstage With Becca B. Episode 172 with David Schubert, the guest experience manager at the @civilianhotel is now LIVE on Youtube. On this episode I talked with David about travel tips for visitors to New York City, the hotel's bustling holiday season, the unique atmosphere at The Civilian Hotel where staff members are encouraged to express their individuality, creating a welcoming environment by having genuine interactions with hotel guests, why it's important the Civilian Hotel serves as a hub for people who have come to New York to see Broadway shows, notable art pieces and decorations throughout the hotel that celebrate the history of theatre, the design of the rooms which maximize comfort and functionality, the hotel's goal to make trips more affordable and accessible by offering guidance on both paid and free options of activities in New York City, his own appreciation for live performances, influenced by his family's involvement in local productions, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Carly her early experiences in theater, starting at age ten with a role in a YMCA production of "Alice in Wonderland," which ignited her passion for performing, her role as Annie in a community theater production, which solidified her desire to pursue a career in the arts, her diverse musical skills which she credited to her parents' encouragement to explore different instruments and styles, being part of workshops for “Anne of Green Gables” and “Sweetwater” and what it's like to work on beginning stages of a show and develop characters, her experience on the Theaterworks tours of “The Civil War” and “A Christmas Carol” and how those experiences prepared her for the National tour of “Wicked”, her unexpected journey to audition for the role of Elphaba in "Wicked," her initial believing she was better suited for Glinda than Elphaba, her reaction when she booked the Elphaba standby on tour, what her rehearsal process for the tour looked like, making her Elphaba debut in the same city she first saw “Wicked” on stage in, her interpretation of Elphaba, Elphaba's growth throughout the timespan of the show, what she does backstage when she's not on, her dream roles, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with Nick about his initial interest in producing and directing before discovering his passion for acting, the importance of storytelling in theater and the supportive role of educators in nurturing talent, his experiences with a high school teacher who recognized his potential and provided him with opportunities, the potential for innovation in the industry, emphasizing a forward-thinking approach to audience engagement, some of the casting challenges re: age Nick faced in the industry, the importance of self-initiative and the need for artists to create their own opportunities, the emotional impact of theater, the collaborative nature of theater, the importance of taking risks and how improvisation has played a role in fostering trust among performers, Nick's plans for future productions in Los Angeles, and much more!

 On this episode I talked with Zoe about her journey into theater, beginning with her early involvement in school plays and community theater, her first performance as Glinda in a mini "Wizard of Oz" production, her training in the performing arts, from voice lessons to dance classes to summer camps, singing vs. dancing, her audition process for the national tour of "Waitress," which and getting to be part of a tour bringing back LIVE theatre after 2020, how she made the character of Dawn her own when understudying her, what she learned on tour with “Waitress” that helped her with “The Prom” tour and is helping her on the “Back To The Future” tour, understudying both Alyssa and Emma in “The Prom” and making her debut as Alyssa in Los Angeles, adapting her learning process in order to understudy roles in shows, touring with “Back To The Future”, seeing the effects that happen on stage come to life before her eyes, her process for learning choreography in dance heavy shows, how she would convince people to see “Back To The Future” on tour, dream roles, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Kendyl about her evolution from aspiring ballerina to a multifaceted performer, her passion for musical theater and the influence of her mentors, when she discovered her love for acting through a local production of Aladdin Jr, which allowed her to combine her skills in dance, singing, and acting, her training in diverse dance styles and vocal genres, as well as experiences with traditional Japanese dance and aerial silks, Kendyl's time at the Boston Conservatory which was marked by challenges, including balancing auditions with attendance policies, ultimately deciding to leave to pursue the opportunity to go on tour with Hamilton, her progression on the Hamilton tour from a dance swing, to a standby for all three Schuyler sisters, to her current lead role as Eliza, the importance of self-advocacy, the emotional complexities of performing, particularly in vulnerable roles, advice she would give to up and coming performers, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Madison about her journey in musical theater, her family's artistic background and the importance of practical experience, attending a performing arts middle school, landing her first professional role at 16, the way pro shots help to make theatre more accessible, her experiences with Off-Broadway productions such as The Fantasticks where she starred as Luisa, joining long-running shows and the creative freedom offered by small theatre's, the influence of audience perception and the evolving nature of performers, working on The Baker's Wife at Theatre Row where she played Genevieve, a memorable rehearsal experience that underscored the emotional depth of the songs, the privilege of performing lesser-known works in Manhattan. her audition process for "Wicked," her favorite costumes, the meticulous backstage choreography, coming down in the bubble as Glinda at the top of the show, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Erica about her journey into theater, being inspired by magical worlds in books like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, her desire to perform, being influenced by memorable performances like Meryl Streep in "Mamma Mia!”, seeing "The Lion King" tour in Honolulu as a child, her school trip to New York in middle school, where she saw both "Memphis" and "Wicked,” the influence Jennifer Lawrence's acting in The Hunger Games had on her and wanting to play Katniss if The Hunger Games ever became a musical, her experience at The University Of Michigan including productions she was in of "The Wolves" and "Merrily We Roll Along,” her audition process for “Wicked,” joining the cast with multiple other new leads and how that made the rehearsal process special, how she makes the character of Nessarose her own as well as how she's similar and different to Nessarose, her dream roles, creating her own Percy Jackson Podcast called “Seaweed Brain Podcast” where she and her co-host have interviewed cast members from the new show, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with Austen about her upbringing in a theater family and her initial hesitance to pursue a career in the arts, despite her passion for world-building, pivotal moments from her high school years that solidified her love for theater, influenced by iconic productions like ‘Beauty and the Beast' and ‘Wicked', the significance of experiential gift-giving, her transformative experience studying Shakespeare in London which deepened her understanding of acting and the relevance of language in performance, the challenges of sustaining performances over extended contracts, her experience understudying multiple roles in Days of Rage off-Broadway, the impact of audience reactions during live theatre, the Diana the Musical timeline, filming Diana for Netflix without a live audience, her audition for Glinda on the national tour of Wicked, Glinda's complexity and the necessity of staying present during performances to maintain authenticity, how she's similar to Glinda and how she's different from Glinda, the organization Arts Ignite and the importance of bringing the arts to everyone, her original music, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Laura Sky about when she first discovered her passion for theatre, how she became a well-rounded performer growing up, being accepted into Harvard and making history as one of the first women to perform in their historic Hasty Pudding Theatricals (the oldest theater group in the country), studying at Texas State University and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, how studying Shakespeare has helped her as an actress, originating the roles of Lila in White Rose and Marie Van Goethem in The Little Dancer off-Broadway, starring as June in Gypsy at Goodspeed Playhouse, her experience as Ermengarde on the tour of Hello Dolly!, her audition experience for Back To The Future on tour where she plays Linda McFly and understudies Lorraine, tackling comedy on stage, what cities she's looking forward to visiting on tour, and more! 

On this episode I talked with Tilly about her lifelong connection to dance, childhood aspirations to join Alvin Ailey, and her transformative decision to pursue musical theater, how choreographer Sonya Tayeh influenced her transition into musical theatre, her passion for storytelling through dance, her favorite projects, her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge, her initial insecurities about singing, booking Moulin Rouge as a vacation swing, her love for the various tracks she played in Moulin Rouge and how the show helped her towards building confidence when it came to singing, how she became involved with The Outsiders and the choreography process for the show, creating the character Ace in The Outsiders, advice she'd give to dancers who want to be on Broadway, winning the Chita Rivera Awards, The Outsiders' recent recognition at the Tony Awards, the fan support The Outsiders has received, dream roles, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with Victor about his early memories of theatre, including watching "Peter Pan" in a park and being captivated by "Phantom of the Opera.”, his experience at the Boston Conservatory, where he appreciated the comprehensive training and the merger with Berklee College of Music, strengthening his assets as a performer by learning to dance, which enriched his skills as an actor and singer, his experiences in regional theater, particularly in "A Chorus Line," where he formed deep connections with the cast and audience, his audition process for "The Outsiders," the preparation involved in character development, the unique experience of playing both Sodapop and Darrel in the show and the audience's response to seeing actors in different roles, “The Outsiders'” Tony Award wins and it's universal appeal which makes the story popular, his dream roles in theatre, the importance of self-confidence within the industry, and more! 

On this episode I talked with Melody about her passion for theater and her dream to be a Broadway dancer, both the challenges and growth she experienced in both dance and singing, her experience on her first National Tour of Finding Neverland where she played Peter Pan, the ins and outs of a non-equity tour including one night stops and small stages that don't fit the entire set, the lasting friendships she formed with her tour mates, some of whom will be her future roommates and colleagues, her lifelong passion for the musical Cats and how it influenced her as a young dancer and inspired her to pursue her dreams, the challenges and emotional rollercoaster of her auditions for the show, from the initial disappointment of not being called back to the unexpected opportunity that eventually led to her joining the production, her dream of playing Victoria in Cats, her Broadway debut in The Outsiders where she plays Beverly and understudies both Marcia and Cherry, how she has prepared to understudy two roles, Tony Awards Day, The Outsiders winning best musical, self-confidence, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with Caden about his journey to becoming a theater performer, his childhood involvement in summer camps and regional theater productions, his decision to attend T. Schreiber's Acting Conservatory in New York, his passion for Shakespeare, the possibility of being in Shakespeare in The Park one day, studying improv and the transformative effects of improv on acting and theater, his audition process for the role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future on tour alongside his preparation to take on the role, which cities he's looking forward to visiting on tour, his favorite scenes in Back To The Future The Musical, his dream movie-to-musical adaptions, advice he'd give to young performers, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with SarahGrace about various aspects of her career journey, including her childhood dream of becoming an actor, her dedication to dance, singing, and acting that helped her become a well-rounded performer, living in Tokyo during her childhood and the impact it had on her formative years, her audition process for the National Tour of Phantom Of The Opera where she played Meg Giry, how she prepared to head out on the road for a National Tour, the process of making the character of Meg her own, how her acting changed based on who was playing Christine opposite her, vocal stamina when singing such high notes, what made her want to audition for The Outsiders and what the audition was like for her, making her Broadway debut in the original Broadway cast of a show and creating the character of Marcia for the stage, the unique elements of the show, such as the rain and blood effects, her favorite scenes and the challenges of mastering certain scenes, performing at the Tony Awards, the show's Tony Award win for Best Musical, recording the cast album, why people should come see The Outsiders on Broadway, dream roles, and MUCH MORE! 

On this episode I talked with Jason about his journey as an actor, from his early ambitions to his multifaceted artistic career, filming Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies where he played Buddy Aldridge, what it was like filming music numbers for the show and how long they took, how he is similar to Buddy, his audition for The Outsiders where he originally went in for Bob Sheldon before going in for Sodapop, how his portrayal of Sodapop has changed since the La Jolla Playhouse run, getting to make his Broadway debut, the intricate staging of the show, his favorite scenes, the profound emotional impact of The Outsiders, how Sodapop Curtis was inspired by S.E. Hinton's cousin, the milestones that come with being part of an original Broadway cast, nuances of confidence in the industry, imposter syndrome and the necessity of a supportive network to foster self-assurance, his music which can be found on all streaming platforms, and more!

 On this episode I talked with Kevin about his journey into theater, the multifaceted influences that contributed to his artistic development, from his family's love for music to his athletic background, his thought process behind choosing Carnegie Mellon University for drama school, his love and passion for writing his own music, his audition experience for The Outsiders on Broadway and his love for the book which the show does a good job matching the tone of, the impact of reading The Outsiders in school and how the black and white aesthetic and themes resonated with him, writing a poem about masculinity and fathers and sons during a trip to Atlanta, which he later shared with his cast during rehearsals for The Outsiders, the evolution of portraying the character of Bob from La Jolla Playhouse to Broadway, the challenges of creating a complex character and the learning experiences gained, how he prepared to make his Broadway debut, self confidence in this industry, and much more!

I talked with Emma Pittman the beginning her early exposure to theatre, how she became a well-rounded performer who can tackle singing, acting, and dancing on stage, entering Broadway.com's contest “The Search For Roxie” and winning the show, getting to make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, her fresh take on Roxie Hart, what made her want to audition for Back To The Future on Broadway, learning the choreography for a dance heavy show, her audition process for The Outsiders and previously being a fan of the book & movie, adapting a complex narrative to a different medium, the realistic portrayal of the diverse characters The Outsiders, meeting S.E. Hinton (the author of The Outsiders), recording the cast album (OUT NOW), the creative and technical aspects of bringing the musical to fruition, and more! 

On this episode I talked about Liana's early passion for theater, her decision to attend NYU for theater school, her subsequent role in the national tour of Mamma Mia where she played Sophie Sheridan, making a well-known character her own on both Broadway and tour, playing Katherine Plumber in Newsies on Broadway, the insane choreography and dances in Newsies, auditioning for Nessrose in Wicked and booking the tour, studying comedy and improv, her involvement in sketch comedy, the underrated musical Bright Star where she played Margo Crawford, her current role as Lorraine in Back To The Future on Broadway, her experience transitioning from rehearsals to the stage with the intricate effects of the production, bringing the show to a new generation and the heartwarming experience of witnessing parents share their love for the film with their kids, meeting Lea Thompson, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Natalie about her passion for acting and childhood memories, the importance of regional theater in providing opportunities for aspiring actors, her audition experience for Wicked, the emotional rollercoaster of waiting and self-doubt during the process, how she prepared to make her Broadway debut, self-confidence, maintaining a healthy lifestyle while performing 8 times a week on Broadway, performing on a raked stage with a wheelchair, the intricacies of Nessarose's character arc, portraying Nessa's transformation and the importance of eliciting empathy from the audience, dream roles, favorite Jonas Brothers songs, and MORE! 

On this episode I talked with Coby about how he discovered his passion for theatre, the atmosphere of the theater community, his experiences at performing arts high school and UCLA, becoming a well-rounded and versatile performer, playing Moritz on the Spring Awakening national tour and the show's impact on both the cast and the audience, the changing perception of understudies and standbys in the theater industry, how audiences are now celebrating the individuality of each performer they see in a show, his Broadway debut in Brighton Beach Memoirs, taking on the role of Cunningham (standby) in Book of Mormon and the importance of tackling comedy as an actor, understudying Roy and Richard in The Shark Is Broken on Broadway and working with Alex Brightman, Collin Donnell, and Ian Shaw, the importance of being prepared at any moment to deliver a stellar performance, timing, playing Papi in The Band's Visit on tour, self-confidence as a working actor in the entertainment industry, stepping into Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway where he was welcomed with open arms, his rehearsal process for Merrily, learning the role of Charley, potential upcoming Charley dates, dream roles, and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Jordan about when her passion for theatre and performing started, the moment she knew she wanted to make theatre a career for herself, growing up on the east coast and whether she went to theatre shows often, becoming a well-rounded performer, playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid at B'way Method Academy, workshopping shows, what peaks her interest when reading a script for a play or musical, playing Kizette in Lempicka at La Jolla Playhouse, her audition process for Younger Allie in The Notebook, her experience premiering the show at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, when she found out out that the show would be transferring to Broadway, the preparation that goes into making one's Broadway debut, making the role of Allie her own, developing chemistry for the show, funny moments on stage, and MUCH MORE! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Amelia about her journey to becoming a theater performer, growing up in Taiwan, the influence of "Phantom of the Opera" on her career, her move to NYC and going to school at AMDA, working at the Majestic theatre as an usher and the first time she heard about the show “How To Dance In Ohio”, auditioning for "How to Dance in Ohio,” connecting to the character of Caroline who's based off of a real life person, the complexities of Caroline's storyline in “How To Dance In Ohio”, how connecting with the real Caroline who inspired the stage character Caroline inspired her, the chemistry and close-knit bond the “How To Dance In Ohio” actors shared, the importance of embracing one's identity and the need for more representation when it comes to autistic actors in tv, film, and theatre, dream roles, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Delaney about her early experiences in theater, the impact youth theatre had on her life, the challenges of college auditions, her audition for Les Misérables, getting cast as Cosette, the emotional experiences of portraying roles in Les Misérables, the Broadway caliber talent on the @lesmizus tour, vocal care and health while on tour, working on self-confidence in the industry, her dream roles, Delaney's new musical she's writing, "Stone Cold," and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Kate about when she realized she could work professionally as a theatre performer, choosing to go to school at OCU to study theatre, her most valuable takeaway from going to school there, playing Grizabella in Cats The Musical on a Cruise, joining the 2016-2017 tour of “Into The Woods”, working with actors and actresses she admires, the intricacies of playing characters in "Into the Woods" and "Les Misérables," focusing on the emotional depth and vulnerability required for characters such as The Baker's Wife and Fantine, her audition journey for the role of Rachel in MJ the Musical, the personal growth and enriching experience she continues to gain from being a part of the cast of MJ The Musical, the importance of enjoying performances, the unique perspective she brings to the MJ The Musical as Rachel and how it resonates with non-theater-going audiences, the perseverance and dedication required to navigate the performing arts industry, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Jordan about discusses his journey to becoming an actor, including his inspiration from watching conductors in shows like Wicked, his Broadway debut in West Side Story, how he became the standby for Tony, why he chooses to advocate for the normalization of having alternates and covers for roles on Broadway, working on the Maestro with Bradley Cooper and how his background in theater helped him adapt to screen acting, his experience playing Orpheus in Hadestown and his favorite song to perform, his role in the Neil Diamond musical, A Beautiful Noise, and how he arranged and sang the song "Shiloh" on the cast recording, working with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Bad Cinderella, the close-knit cast of the Bad Cinderella, meeting Audra McDonald, and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talk with LA theatre legend Dionne Gipson about when she knew she wanted to be a performer, the moment people discovered she could sing growing up, her music inspirations like The Clark Sisters, Donny Hathaway, Whitney Houston, Prince, and more, what inspired her to go to graduate school for theatre, booking Dream Girls at 14th St. Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia, going on tours with artists like Keith Sweat, signing to a major music label with her rock band ‘Edith's Wish', what brought her to Los Angeles, how she got involved with LA theatre, finding out about and joining the group of @ftrlive talent, getting to watch and be a part of For The Record Live's growth in the LA community, how she met Bradley Bredeweg and got involved with his shows Invincible and Scissorhands Musical, why Scissorhands Musical is able to successfully reopen every holiday season in LA since 2019, what makes Scissorhands Musical a good show to see this holiday season, and MUCH MORE!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Vaughan Reilly about the moment she realized she wanted to be an actress, how her mom inspired her growing up, her roles on stage in regional theatre productions, some of her absolute favorite shows including Beetlejuice which she one day hopes to star in, her audition process for The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the preparation process for a movie as big as The Hunger Games, how the cast bonded on set, singing LIVE in the movie, why Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a MUST SEE, and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Grant Reynolds about when he knew he wanted to be a theatre performer, the first professional theatre show he saw, his favorite style of dance, why he chose to study at Carnegie Melon University and what his greatest takeaway there was, why he likes being in shows that challenge traditional theatre, performing at The Muny, his audition process for Sky in Mamma Mia, how quickly the cast managed to bond during rehearsal and how that bond strengthens their performance on stage, his favorite ABBA song, why theatre fans should come see Mamma Mia in a city near them, his Broadway bucket list, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Amaya about making her Broadway debut at age 10 as July in Annie, being a part of the prestegious Broadway cast of The King & I at Lincoln Center and soon after toured with The King & I, her singing group with her two sisters called The Braganza Sisters and how they came up with the idea to form a group, her audition process for Hadestown on tour where she is the second Filipino to play the part of Eurydice, seeing Eva as Eurdyice before being cast in the show and how seeing Eva in the show inspired her, walking on a turntable in the dark, making the character of Eurydice her own, the blue in Amaya's Eurydice wig, dream roles she has, and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Izaiah about the moment he realized how much he loved performing, how he became a well-rounded performing and dancer growing up, Studio One Dance, realizing tap dancing is connected to musical theatre and performing at Chicago High School, being involved with Riverdance, what Riverdance is about for those who don't know, why Riverdance is such an extraordinary show to see, his first audition for Funny Girl on Broadway where he actually saw Jared Grimes, booking the role on tour and getting to bring the infectious energy of Eddie Ryan to stages across North America, stepping into the rehearsal room for a national tour, why people should come see Funny Girl on tour, dream shows that'd he'd love to be a part of, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Jonny about first discovering his passion for the performing arts, theatre, and playing piano, the first show he saw growing up, who inspires him, how he got involved with the LA theatre community and what makes the LA theatre community so special, where the idea to start recording himself playing the piano for TikTok came from, his favorite person on TikTok who has ever done a duet with him, Tramp Stamp Granny's and bringing a bit of theatre to the night life in Los Angeles, How To Dance In Ohio coming to Broadway on November 15th which will mark his co-producing Broadway debut, and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Leana about going to military school for six years, joining a dance conservatory during her sophomore year of school which led her to audition for a production of Hairspray and falling in love with the feeling of being on stage, becoming a well-rounded performer, the first theatre show she ever saw, workshopping the world premiere Rattlesnake Kate at Denver Center for Performing Arts, getting to share a story that takes place in Colorado on stage in Colorado and how audiences reacted, the music in Rattlesnake Kate written by Neyla Pekarek, workshopping Romy and Michele where she played Michele, how she thinks not being familiar with Romy and Michele helped her play the part of Michele during the workshop process of the show, her audition for Merrily We Roll Alone and finding out she booked the New York Theatre Workshop engagement, learning who her costars were for the show and stepping into the rehearsal room for both the NYTW production and the now Broadway production of the show, the camaraderie the cast has, learning she'd be making her Broadway debut with the show, why people should come see Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway, and MUCH MORE!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Jordan about the path that lead him to musical theatre, the first show he saw as an audience member, being a competitive swimmer at Fresno Pacific University, making it to the 2012 Olympic Trials, how having the mentality of an athlete has helped in theatre, his favorite regional theatre show he's been in, learning to play the guitar when he starred as Captain von Trapp in Fresno Pacific University's production of The Sound Of Music, performing at shows in Walt Disney World, his audition process for the National Tour of Wicked, getting to be part of the cast that reopened Wicked post-pandemic in Dallas, how watching Curt Hansen's performance as Fiyero ultimately inspired him, navigating tour life, making his Broadway debut in Wicked as Fiyero, Broadway vs. Tour audiences, his dream roles, his interactions with Norm Lewis, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Nicole about the moment she knew she wanted to be a theatre performer, her mom's involvement in theatre and on Broadway and being exposed to theatre from an early age, getting cast as the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie in school and why that role and show is so important to her, how Sutton Foster inspires her, how going to an arts school prepared her for the professional world of theatre, her favorite regional production she's been a part of, her audition for Les Miserables where she covers 8 track and understudies Eponine, her first Eponine show, getting to perform at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, and MUCH MORE. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with James about when he first discovered his love for theatre, the first theatre show he ever saw, his favorite regional show he's been a part of and why, how going to Arizona State University helped him jumpstart his career, his decision to move to Nashville after college where he recorded an EP with a 53 piece orchestra, the National Tour of Les Miserables where he understudied Enjolras, playing a real life person, Gerry Goffin in Beautiful The Carole King Musical, making his Broadway debut as Fiyero in Wicked and how he made a role like Fiyero his role, plus Encores! NYCC's recent production of The Light In The Piazza that where he played Fabrizio, working Ruthie Ann Miles, and more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Vanessa about the moment she knew she wanted to be a performer, becoming a well-rounded performer, building a theatre resume in Canada where she grew up, her favorite regional production of a show she's been in and why, the Canadian premiere of Kinky Boots where she starred as Nicola, winning awards for her performances like the Dora Awards and why the awards she's won in Canada are so special to her, auditioning for shows in New York, her audition for New York, New York on Broadway and the process of moving to New York, how she relates to Francine Evans and what made her excited about stepping into the role, her job as a standby, the day she made her Broadway debut, her dream roles, and MORE!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Tara about what made her realize she wanted to be a performer, the first show she saw that really inspired her, becoming a well rounded performer, what lead to her deciding to go to the University of San Diego and the most valuable lesson she learned there, her favorite regional production of a show she's done, the several shows she's been a part of on the Disney Cruise Line and the challenges when it comes to performing on a moving ship, her favorite Disney character to play and her dream Disney character to play, her audition for Wicked plus the first cast she ever saw in Wicked, the rehearsals and preparations pre-making her Wicked debut as Nessarose, how she goes about making such a 3-dimensional character like Nessa her own on stage, what makes Wicked successful, being a vacation swing for the Aladdin national tour, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Aline about the moment she realized she wanted to be a theatre performer, what the first show she ever saw was, her favorite regional production of a show that she's done, why shows Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Cinderella in Into The Woods were shows on her bucket list, being in the cast of Off-Broadway's Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation, impressions + comedy, dancing, her audition for Katherine Howard on the Boleyn Tour Of SIX U.S. Tour, putting her own spin on the character of Katherine Howard, and more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Aline about the moment she realized she wanted to be a theatre performer, what the first show she ever saw was, her favorite regional production of a show that she's done, why shows Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Cinderella in Into The Woods were shows on her bucket list, being in the cast of Off-Broadway's Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation, impressions + comedy, dancing, her audition for Katherine Howard on the Boleyn Tour Of Six, putting her own spin on the character of Katherine Howard, and more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Jackera about the moment she knew she wanted to be a performer growing up, her favorite regional/educational show she's ever done, the most valuable lesson she learned at Sam Houston State University where she earned her BFA, her audition process for Beetlejuice, what her reaction was when she heard she'd been cast as the Girl Scout and an understudy for Lydia, preparing to go on a tour, how intricate the Beetlejuice set is, how she makes her track and Lydia her own, what representation on stage means to her, her inspirations, advice for young performers, and more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode, I talked with Drew about where his love for theatre and performing stemmed from, what helped him become a well-rounded performer, studying at Elon University and what he learned at Elon that helped him further his career the most, getting involved in workshops and labs such as Chasing Rainbows and The Outsiders, Casey Nicholaw's Mean Girls and The Prom, why comedy is important to tackle as an actor, his current show New York, New York, understudying three roles in the show, why people should buy tickets to see New York, New York on Broadway, and MORE! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support

On this episode I talked with Zurin about when she first knew she loved performing, her first Broadway show Shuffle Along in 2016 and how she got involved, being a part of an iconic show like The Lion King on Broadway, understudying both Gretchen and Karen in Mean Girls and her process for learning two roles in one show that are so different, the national tour of Tina Turner The Musical where she currently plays Tina Turner, making the role her own while staying true to Tina Turner's story, and much more!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagewithbeccab/support