BWW Blog: Getting to Know You

Hi, everyone! My name is Elana, and I am so excited to begin writing on BroadwayWorld! I have always enjoyed writing, and am ecstatic to share my life and love of theatre with you all.

I am from New York, and go to school in Philadelphia. I'm a sophomore transfer student from SUNY Purchase at The University of the Arts, pursuing a BFA in Directing, Playwriting, and Production, with a minor in Music. In my studies here at UArts, my major focus is directing, though I am constantly involved/interested in musical composition, choreography, TV/film, and more!

Last semester, I was the assistant music director on The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was an absolutely incredible learning experience, and I couldn't have picked a better show to kick off my first semester at UArts! I am now reprising my role as AMD for a show in our annual new musical festival (Polyphone), called Cowboy Bob. We have been in rehearsal for nearly a month now, and it has truly been a dream to work on this show and be a part of the process. The CB team includes Annie Tippe (Director), Molly Beach Murphy (Playwright/Lyricist), Jeanna Phillips (Composer/Lyricist), and Alex Thrailkill (Music Director/Arranger), and they are all such incredibly kind, smart, and creative people to work with and learn from. I knew last semester that I had to work on this show when our 2018 Spring season was announced and Cowboy Bob was briefly described to me as a feminist musical comedy, which is exactly the type of theatre I am most drawn to and want to make in my career; how perfect! Tickets for Cowboy Bob and the rest of 'Polyphone' go on sale March 5, and the show runs March 28 through March 31. Come check us out!

I thought to name my first blog post after a song that I grew up with from one of my absolute favorite R&H shows, The King and I. My family always surrounded me with music and theatre, and my Grandma used to sing this song on the first day of school each year to her students. So long for now; thanks so much for reading!

PS--In the coming weeks, I will be collaborating with Josh Farner who is also a student working on Cowboy Bob. Be sure to look out for that!

Photo: Pictured left to right: Josh Farner, Molly Beach Murphy, Jeanna Phillips, Annie Tippe, Alex Thrailkill, Elana Mariani