Photo Flash: WAITRESS Star Jessie Mueller Mentors Kids at Broadway Artists Alliance

On Friday, August 5th, the students of Broadway Artists Alliance received a visit from Tony Award winner, Jessie Mueller. She charmed them from the first moment when she sat down for her interview and rescued an eyelash from Artistic Director Jennifer Johns' cheek so that she could make a wish. Mueller's down-to-earth insight and wisdom was welcomed by the students of Broadway Artists Alliance in a Q&A that seemed to fly by. Scroll down for photos!

Born and raised by a family of Chicago actors, Mueller always knew theatre was in her blood- both of her parents were actors and her sister, Abby, has since taken over the role of Carole King on the Broadway tour of Beautiful- but, initially, she didn't have a strong desire to live in New York City. She expressed her love for her hometown, confessing that she only moved to the Big Apple when a Broadway contract beckoned, and encouraged the BAA students to have a career plan but to be open to where opportunity might take them. Though the Midwest may lure Mueller back at some point, her appearance in five successful Broadway productions makes it likely that she'll remain an east coast girl in the near foreseeable future.

Nominated for three Tony Awards, including one for her Broadway debut in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Mueller won Best Leading Actress in a Musical in 2014 for her portrayal of Carole King in Beautiful. A huge fan of King's music, Mueller revealed she was nervous about portraying the folk icon. She met King for the first time during a workshop, but it wasn't until more than a year later that King saw the production. Recalling the emotion she felt when King surprised the cast during their bows, Mueller struggled to convey how much that meant to her as a performer. Also originating the role of Jenna in Waitress, Mueller humbly admitted that though she had never been a waitress, she worked in a comfort shoe store before receiving her big break in Chicago. Mueller won a Joseph Jefferson Award in 2008 for Carrie in Carousel, and 2011 for Amalia in She Loves Me, securing her place as a voice to be reckoned with Chicago Tribune's 2011 Actor of the Year Award.

Broadway Artists Alliance of NYC, founded with the goal of providing professional-level training to talented young artists, enlists the expertise of Broadway performers, Tony Award winners, and top industry professionals. Students enjoy a wide range of classes including vocal training, song interpretation, scene study, on camera technique, and various types of dance. BAA offers four Summer Intensive Sessions and one Winter Workshop for students ages 10-21, BAA Junior for students ages 6-10, and a College Audition Workshop for high school Juniors and Seniors who will be auditioning for Musical Theatre and Acting degree programs.

Broadway Artists Alliance's roster of master class instructors and guest speakers includes Laura Benanti, Susan Blackwell, Stephanie J. Block, Sierra Boggess, Christian Borle, Alex Brightman, Jason Robert Brown, Andrea Burns, Norbert Leo Butz, Carolee Carmello, Matt Cavenaugh, Michael Cerveris, Adam Chanler-Berat, Jenn Colella, Gabriel Ebert, Eden Espinosa, Michelle Federer, Katie Finneran, Sutton Foster, John Gallagher Jr., Alexander Gemignani, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Lena Hall, Douglas Hodge, Bill Irwin, Christopher Jackson, Nikki M. James, Gregory Jbara, Adam Kantor, Judy Kaye, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Beth Leavel, Norm Lewis, Andrea Martin, Lindsay Mendez, Lea Michele, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bebe Neuwirth, Karen Olivo, Laura Osnes, Billy Porter, Alice Ripley, Lea Salonga, Stephen Schwartz, Duncan Sheik, Will Swenson, Marc Shaiman, Aaron Tveit, Noah Weisberg, LiLlias White, Scott Wittman, John Lloyd Young, and many more.

For more information or to register for Fall and Winter Classes, visit www.broadwayartistsalliance.org.

Photos by Laura McBride

Broadway Artists Alliance students surprised by Tony winner Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller at Broadway Artists Alliance

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller and BAA Artistic Director Jennifer Johns

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller at Broadway Artists Alliance

Jessie Mueller

Jessie Mueller at Broadway Artists Alliance

Tony winner Jessie Mueller and the students of Broadway Artists Alliance