March 05, 2023

#105. On Broadway with Jacob Starks

1 hour 19 minutes

This week’s guest is Jacob Starks.

What I love about the entertainment business is how everyone has a story to share and everyone’s journey is so unique. This week on A Voice and Beyond, we introduce you to Jacob Starks, who is a singer/ dancer currently performing in the cast of Aladdin on Broadway. I am so excited to introduce you to Jacob as I had the pleasure of meeting him for the time in 2018 on the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice, where he was performing as a production cast singer in his first contract for Celebrity. Last year, we caught up again in the Mediterranean on the ship Celebrity Beyond, where he told me that his dream was to go to New York and perform in a music theatre show on Broadway. Well, he has done it!!

Prior to working for Celebrity, Jacob was employed at Walt Disney World in The Festival of the Lion King, with FELD Entertainment; and Universal Studios Japan.

In this episode, Jacob shares his unique journey that has led him to landing his dream job. Despite not having had any formal voice training, dropping out of college and being fired by two different entertainment companies, he believes that these life events have led him to where he is now. Jacob also discusses the audition process that landed him his dream role, the busy rehearsal schedule, the expectations of production companies, his own experiences as someone belonging to a minority group and the general demands of being a performer on Broadway. Jacob Starks is one of my very favourite people and I am sure you are going to love him as well.

In this Episode
1:27 - Introducing Jacob Starks
7:14 - Jacob’s training and growing up in Louisiana
17:20 - Do you feel like not having formal training held you back?
26:42 - Auditioning for a role at Disney World
35:35 - Finishing up with Celebrity and auditioning for Broadway
40:53 - Do you have to be part of a union?
42:40 - Is it who you know?
1:04:49 - Is covid still impacting the shows on Broadway?
1:14:16 - What’s next for Jacob?

Find Jacob Online