What does it take to go from high school marching band to playing drums for major Broadway tours? Meet Jaren Angud, a versatile percussionist whose journey has taken him from ska cover bands in garages to international stages with Disney and beyond.

In this episode, Jaren and I dive deep into his story:

* How a high school French horn mishap led him to drums

* Playing in ska and punk bands before discovering theater music

* Why he originally planned to be an engineer, not a musician

* The moment he decided to pursue music seriously and how grad school shaped his path

* Landing national and international tours like Flashdance The Musical and Beauty and the Beast

* Touring across the U.S. and overseas—from Cairo to Qatar—and what it taught him about culture, travel, and resilience

* What life is like as the drummer for the First National Tour of Back to the Future: The Musical

* How he and his wife turned RV living into a full-time touring lifestyle

* Managing fitness, routine, and mental focus while on the road

* Advice for drummers who want to break into the Broadway world: versatility, preparation, and mindset

Jaren’s story is full of practical advice, real-life insights, and inspiring lessons about saying “yes” to opportunities and staying ready for the big call.

Mentioned in this episode:

* His early influences: Travis Barker, ska bands, and marching percussion

* Transitioning from music education to performance

* Why being a “total drummer” is the key to success

* Tips for navigating long-haul touring, from budgeting to health

* The reality of subbing on Broadway and how Jaren prepared for Back to the Future

Whether you’re a drummer dreaming of Broadway, a musician navigating freelance life, or someone curious about the touring lifestyle, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

And if you’ve ever dreamed of building a theater career of your own, my new book is almost here.

Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career is launching soon.

Get your name on the list at BroadwayBoundBook.com to be among the first to grab a copy when it drops.

Thanks for listening!

Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.

Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he has contributed his talents to notable productions such as Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, and Hadestown (tour), among many others. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.

Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.

Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe