Words From the Wings: Maya Jerome Thomas of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Shares Backstage Must-Haves, Rituals, and More!

BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines!

Today we're chatting with Maya Jerome Thomas, who currently plays Rose Granger-Weasley in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! Maya told us all about her backstage routines, must-haves and more!

Check out her answers, along with photos taken by BroadwayWorld's Jennifer Broski, below!

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive to the theatre?

Sign in and get ready for warmup (I wish I could say it was something spectacular)

What’s the last thing you do before you go on stage?

I have this handshake that my partner (who I’m very lucky to work with) and I took from the movie ‘Nope’. It’s become like my preshow ‘hype up’ and I won’t go on stage without doing it. If he’s not there, I do it with one of our amazing dressers, Betty! 

What’s your must-have backstage snack?

Anything spicy and/or pickled or a baked good of some kind (a lot of times it’s a chocolate chip cookie or a basque cheesecake)

Pre-show ritual that others may think is weird?

I have these mini silica-gel shakers that I keep in the pockets of my opening jacket. I use those to shake out any pre-show nerves/anxieties and to scratch my brain. 

What are five must-haves in your dressing room?

Nuun electrolyte tablets (preferably with caffeine), a blanket, my inhaler (I’m asthmatic), photos of my parents, a mannequin head to hold whichever of my many wigs I wore because I didn’t want to do my hair

What’s your favorite moment from the show to watch from the wings?

Oooh ya got me there, I don’t actually think I can say #keepthesecrets ;)

What has been your favorite backstage moment in your time with this show so far?

As annoying as it might be to say, I don’t think I can boil it down to a specific moment. Some of my favorite ones, though, are the ones that happen in a split second running from cue to cue or catching a glimpse of someone from across the wing. Those mini sparks of connection are the most magical for me because they can happen with anyone at any time. 

About Maya Jerome Thomas

she/her. Broadway debut. Training: New Studio on Broadway. Theatre includes Rose’s War (Rave Theatre Festival); Impossible But True (Brooklyn Tavern Theatre).