Backstage with Becca B.

On this episode I talked with Lizzy about her journey as a performer — from falling in love with musical theatre as a kid watching The Wizard of Oz and Smash, to her first big role as Gabriella in High School Musical, to finding her artistic voice at Texas State University with the guidance of incredible mentors. We talked about her first professional experience in Rent in New Orleans, the challenges and growth that came from it, and her exciting Broadway debut in Boop the Musical! Lizzy shares what it was like going through the Boop audition process, including an intense dance call with Rachelle Rak, how she learned the whole show in just a week, and what it means to her to be in the ensemble and understudy both Betty and Trisha. She also talks about the joy of working with legends like Jerry Mitchell, the importance of bringing her own voice to her work, the power of storytelling, and so much more! 

On this episode I talked with Alex about Alexander/Aristotle now playing at Company Of Angels through May 10th — emphasizing its intellectual depth and audience engagement, the rich historical connections and cultural experiences tied to Greece, particularly during the Hellenistic period, emphasizing the importance of art and theater in understanding these historical contexts, how understanding Shakespeare and Greek mythology is crucial for appreciating modern storytelling, the transition from mythology to evidence-based thinking marked a significant shift in philosophy and governance, his belief that theatre should challenge viewers with complex ideas and foster discussions, and much more!

Backstage With Becca B. Episode 179 with guest John Kapelos is now LIVE on YouTube. On this episode, I talked with John about the challenges of building theater communities in L.A., his early days in Chicago’s collaborative scene, and how support from his father and a role at Second City helped launch his career, how the digital age has reshaped the entertainment industry and brought more opportunities but also more competition, his thoughts on the evolution of storytelling in film and TV, his current show Aristotle/Alexander at Company Of Angels where he stars as Isocrates, historical narratives, focusing on Alexander the Great and his complex relationship with Aristotle, the psychological layers of leadership, the influence of mentorship, how these ancient stories can still resonate today, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Anika about her journey as a performer including the moments she fell in love with theatre, her initial career path she thought she wanted to pursue, what ultimately guided her toward theatre, her experience in the immersive experience of “The Great Gatsby” in New York, how unique audience interactions are during an immersive show, her education at NYU, getting involved with the For The Record series, FTR’s new venue The CineVita and how special the energy at the venue is, her talented costars in Tarantino: Pulp Rock at The CineVita, preparation for her role as O-Ren in Tarantino: Pulp Rock, advice for aspiring performers in the industry, her singing group with her sisters called The Braganza Sisters and where you can check out their music, her desire to uplift in her work, dream roles, self-confidence, and much more!

Backstage With Becca B. Episode 177 with guest @blockedanddeletedangel is now LIVE on Youtube. On this episode I talked with Emily about all she’s done since the last time we talked, including the life changing experience of performing in her favorite musicals such as “Sunday in the Park with George” at CCAE and “Cabaret” with Altadena Music Theatre, plus performing at Escape Hotel in Hollywood and how that experience was unique as a performer for her. Performing with For The Record Live, emphasizing it’s unique style of immersive theatrical shows, their new traveling venue, The CineVita which is currently in Inglewood, the exceptional talent of the FTR team, the unique atmosphere of The CineVita, and the high stakes involved in productions there, her artistic evolution with her new band, Leopard Skin Dolcinea, upcoming gigs, people who influence her, her desire to play every female Sondheim role and other classic characters, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Alex about how he transitioned from aspiring to be a teacher to discovering his passion for acting during high school, his college experience at Emerson College where he graduated with a BFA in acting, his desire to inspire future theater makers, his audition for Albus Potter in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," and the supportive atmosphere he encountered, the journey to making his Broadway debut, from the rehearsal process to the excitement of his opening night on Broadway, the unique nature of live theater, where each performance is shaped by audience reactions, making it a distinct experience, insights into his character, Albus, who he portrays as a misunderstood teenager striving for individuality while navigating societal expectations, his enthusiasm for video games, “Next To Normal”, dream roles, the emotional impact of storytelling in theatre, and much more!

On this episode I talked with Erik about his journey into theater, highlighting his early inspiration from his father's role as a high school theater teacher, the unique experience of live theatre, his decision to attend Webster University after auditioning for 19 schools, the significance of campus visits and interactions with current students in determining the right fit for his education, the empowering approach of his professors, which allowed him to take charge of his learning and apply the skills he acquired, his audition experience for "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which began shortly after graduation and involved multiple callbacks, leading to an intense rehearsal process that contributed to his Broadway debut, his ongoing experience in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," including the excitement of working with new cast members and the creative team's involvement, special connections with the audience, his growth as an actor over the past two and a half years, and how his portrayal of Scorpius has changed, self-confidence in the industry, and much more! 

On this episode I talked with Allie about her journey to becoming a theater performer, her early involvement in sports and how her passion for theater was sparked by attending her first Broadway show, her gratitude for her family's support in pursuing the arts, despite their lack of a theatrical background, her path to attending the University of Michigan, which began with a friend's suggestion during a community theater production, theatre workshops she’s had the opportunity to participate in including her favorite workshop, "Fountain of You," her roles in productions of "Sweeney Todd" and "Grease,” her audition for Harry Potter and The Cursed Child which included physical movement tests and multiple callbacks, how she captured the essence of Moaning Myrtle while adding her unique interpretation, the day she made her Broadway debut and the emotional experience of performing in front of a supportive audience, Cursed Child’s appeal to a wide range of theatergoers and the significance of stage door interactions with fans, her dream roles in various Sondheim shows and "Wicked," the supportive nature of the theater community, and more!

On this episode I talked with Ayanna about her background in theatre, including her childhood in the Bronx and her move to Los Angeles, where she attended performing arts schools, the cultural adjustment she faced in LA and her longing for New York, especially during the pandemic, choosing to study at the Manhattan School of Music and appreciating it’s welcoming atmosphere and rich history, the significance of the people and experiences that shaped her artistic journey, her casting experience for "How to Dance in Ohio," which began with a self-tape submission after seeing a casting call on social media, her excitement when she received a callback for the show and the welcoming atmosphere during her final audition, how the show resonated with her post her autism diagnosis, her Broadway debut and experience as a swing in @ohiomusical where she covered five roles, her current role in Harry Potter & The Cursed Child on Broadway where she plays Rose Granger Weasley (the daughter of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger), being part of a new cast who debuted a new version (under three hours) of Cursed Child on Broadway, characteristics of Ron and Hermione that she has made sure to add to Rose Granger Weasley on stage, her favorite bit of magic that happens in the show, her real life Hogwarts house, dream roles she has, her passion for jazz music, and much more! 

Backstage With Becca B. Episode 172 with David Schubert, the guest experience manager at the @civilianhotel is now LIVE on Youtube. On this episode I talked with David about travel tips for visitors to New York City, the hotel’s bustling holiday season, the unique atmosphere at The Civilian Hotel where staff members are encouraged to express their individuality, creating a welcoming environment by having genuine interactions with hotel guests, why it’s important the Civilian Hotel serves as a hub for people who have come to New York to see Broadway shows, notable art pieces and decorations throughout the hotel that celebrate the history of theatre, the design of the rooms which maximize comfort and functionality, the hotel’s goal to make trips more affordable and accessible by offering guidance on both paid and free options of activities in New York City, his own appreciation for live performances, influenced by his family's involvement in local productions, and much more!