BWW Blog: A Little Fish in a Big Broadway Pond

As Drama majors, we are constantly looking ahead towards our professional futures. Every holiday has at least one cynical relative asking, "What are we going to do in the real world?" and, "When are we going to be on Broadway?" Whether that voice is from a family member or in your own head, we always seem to be clouded with thoughts of resumes and in search of a volunteer or performance opportunity to diversify our credits. We push through frustrating productions and "pay our dues" with the hope that one day we will be able to perform in something professional with a real proscenium and a NYC address.

On November 12th, I had the incredible opportunity to perform at The York Theatre Company's Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala honoring director and choreographer Susan Stroman. I was included in the opening of the gala where a group of us high school and college performers sang to raise money for the York's Musical Theatre Training Program. The program allows students to experience training from Broadway professionals, viewing Broadway performances, and the opportunity to perform in a showcase at an off-Broadway theater.

The song itself went well (I was so nervous that the moment itself became a blur) and we exited feeling intense relief. We were escorted up to the balcony into a green room-like section with the other performers. The rest of the event included speeches by Stro's colleagues and performances of songs and dance numbers from the shows Stro directed and choreographed. I watched with my jaw on the floor. My soul left my body somewhere between Sierra Boggess' rendition of "Oh What A Beautiful Mornin'" from Oklahoma!, the insane tapping of the men of Bullets Over Broadway, and Matthew Broderick reprising his role alongside Brad Oscar in "We Can Do It" from The Producers. It was amazing to watch people truly thrive in their professional environment.

The more time I stood in that balcony, the more empowered and significant I felt. I looked around me and saw professionals doing all the same things I do when nervous backstage. Ten-foot-tall beautiful dancers and old pros were stepping through their choreography, asking each other if everything looked good onstage, and watching raptly at the talent of the other performances. I watched singers pace, sit, and mouth through the words of their songs while practicing their big gestures. It was so humanizing to see people that I respect as professionals working through the same pre-show jitters that I experience. While I may have never performed on Broadway, I felt a renewed sense of confidence and inspiration being at that event seeing people I look up to act like humans. It reminded me to continue working at what I love and not to pretend to be anything more than the human that I am.