Backstage with Becca B‪.‬ Becca Brown

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!

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!

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!