Hannah Kevitt's Path to Broadway

Join us as we discuss the importance of education in the performing arts, and how Hannah has used her experiences at Elon to prepare for her Broadway debut. We also explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Broadway newcomers, and the supportive theatre community that helps them succeed.

Whether you're a theatre lover or simply curious about the path to stardom, this episode is not to be missed. Tune in to hear from one of Broadway's brightest young talents and discover what it takes to make it in the world of theatre.

I'm Angela. I'm Cathy. I'm Kristen. And we are the drama model. Yay. And today we have Hannah Ket, the amazing actress who has just been cast and back to the future. Broadway. Hi. Hi. Hey, can you see us okay? Hey Hannah. So let me see. Yes. Hi everyone. Hi everyone. Hi. Hi. Hi. So I'm Kristen. And I'm Kathy. And I'm Angela.

It's great to meet you. Thank you so much for coming on our show. Hi. Of course. Thank you for having me. Oh my gosh, super excited. Yeah. Are you so excited about your upcoming role? I am so excited. It's so funny. Literally in a month, A month from today, I'll be in my first rehearsal, so, um Oh wow. And I just got, oh, so you're not even in rehearsals yet that we, um, that my contract is, you know, ready to be looked over and stuff, so it's crazy.

Yeah. Yeah. Oh wow. So you're still full-time at school? You graduate in May, correct? Yes. Okay. I actually will not walk at graduation because graduation and the first day of rehearsal are on the same day. Oh my gosh. Can choose your Yeah, they can send you your diploma. You're good. You're good. Yeah. I begged my mom to let me stay home from graduation.

I was like, I don't need to be there. She made me go. So I'm kind of jealous for you. Yeah. Up and gown and like, we're gonna do a little photo shoot on campus. Mm-hmm. And call it a day. Nice. Very exciting. Excited. So we wanna hear all about a lot of things. I've been cyber stalking you and I, I already feel like a proud mom, like I know you and I'm so excited for you cuz you're kind of following the trajectory that our kids are following.

I mean, obviously you're way far down the line, but, um, yeah. So we have lots of questions for you, but tell us about your. Back to the future experience, like how you auditioned, how this came about, just lay it all out there. Sure. Here we go. It's kind of like a whole journey. So here we go. Oh, good. We wanna hear it all.

Yeah. So, um, I go to Elon, um, and, uh, for, and for my BFA and new school theater. And, um, I've been training here for a couple years and before that I had taken a gap year-ish, um, and auditioned for some, uh, for some shows in, in New York and stuff. Um, this comes into, into play later, so yeah. Um, I had seen on Playbill, um, which is where a lot of actors look for jobs.

Um, on play bill.com. I had seen that back to the future, um, was holding an open call and they had listed like a dance to learn and, um, I was like, oh, great. Um, so about like the last week of August, um, it was due and I was like, okay. So I learned it and I sent it in, um, like a little YouTube link. Um, and I noticed it wasn't getting watched and I was like, dang, like I really feel like I would be good in this.

Mm-hmm. Um, and so I, um, the casting agency that was casting back to the Future is Tara Rubin casting, um, one of the biggest casting offices in New York. And I have been fortunate enough to go in for them for a few different projects. Um, and I felt that I knew them well enough and they knew my work well enough, um, for me to email them directly.

So, and at this point I did not have an agent. Um, and so I emailed, uh, Claire, who was in charge of the back to feature casting, and I was like, Hey, Claire, like I loved coming in for you for this other project. Like, I would love to be considered for this show and I would love for you to look at my tape. Um, and I heard nothing and I kind of forgot about it.

Mm-hmm. Um, until about a month later. Um, and I got an email with an appointment time, um, to go in and sing and do some, some acting. Um, nice. So I went in about a month later and, um, did that stuff, felt fine about it, uh, but was a little nervous. Nervous. Um, and then about a week later, they called me back again to dance.

Um, and so I went in, uh, this, these, all these callbacks are in New York. Um, oh, so you're having to travel back and forth from North Carolina. It was crazy. I got a lot of miles. Um, so I went back the following week, um, and I danced, uh, and I got to work with the amazing team, um, and then didn't hear anything for another month.

Another month goes by or like from that point, a month goes by. Um, and then I get another callback, uh, to come back and. Uh, dance again. So I could I go back and I dance again. And then I think that was about, let's see, that was in late October, and then the callback was November 3rd, and then I went back in December.

That's what happened. Oh gosh. Wow. So, wow. I went back in December. Um, and that was during our break. So, um, my boyfriend and I drove from North Carolina to New York because I was like, this is so expensive. Fly. Yeah. Um, especially like last minute tickets. Mm-hmm. You know, just get more expensive. So we flew or we drove, um, to New York and we just like made a little trip out of it, like for our, our winter break.

So, um, I went in on like a Tuesday and then they called me back on Wednesday to go back on Thursday. Um, I got an email Wednesday to go back on Thursday. Um, and so on those two days, um, in that middle week of December, I went in and I danced. Um, and then I sang all of my stuff for them, like all the stuff on the show and, um, my own songs for my own book.

Um, and then, uh, came back on that Thursday we did a work session, um, where we, uh, did some partnering cuz there's some partnering in the show. Um, for, for about like two hours we did a work session with the choreographer for about an hour with the choreography we already had. Um, and then the whole team came in for our appointments to sing and act again.

Um, and then it wasn't over yet. Oh my god. Geez. So I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything in December, um, for the rest of December, cuz it was like Christmas and then New Year's and stuff. And then about early January I heard that they were like, Hey, we wanted to know if you were still in New York, um, and we would love for you to come back in and do like a work session with the music director.

And I was like, I'm sadly not in New York still. I'm, I'm at school and I'm actually at the show, so I can't. I can't fly up this month. Um, and I didn't hear anything and I was like, crap. Like that. That was, that was it. I saw it float away, right? No, but actually Elon Music Theater program, um, has this thing called agent casting Director series, where we bring for our senior year, um, we bring in different agents and different casting directors to come in and work with us and workshop and meet us and just a chat.

Um, and so we actually had Mary Sugarman from Tara Women Casting come in just by happenstance. Oh, cool. Um, worked with her. She was wonderful. Um, and then she came in on like a Monday, and then I heard back on a Tuesday from the casting team. Wow. And then like, Hey, We really wanna work with you anytime that you're free in the next month.

Let us know when you're available, which as an actor, hearing that they wanna work on your schedule is like a big deal. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So I was like, freaking out. Okay, well this works for me. And then they were like, great, come in. So then I went in late February, um, to work with the music director and we just like worked through some of the stuff from the show and worked through some of the stuff in my book.

Um, and then about two weeks later, so on March 7th, um, or about a week later or something, um, I got an email from. Claire and she was like, Hey, do you have some time to call? I just got out of class and I was like, oh my God. Yes. Right now, right now doesn't answer. So I was like, oh my God. And so that's when my next class and I'm sitting in there like listening to all these people saying, oh my gosh, this is crazy.

So I'm like, my heart's racing, you know? And then she calls me and then, um, she told me that they're going to offer me a contract. Yeah. Um, for back to the future. So it was a long process. Wow. But it was, it was well worth it. Yeah. Holy cow. That's a lot of back and forth and Yeah. And travel's a lot of commitment, perseverance, zoom and everything Now that maybe you wouldn't have to do as much back and forth, but it sounds like they want you there in person for this.

Yeah. Um, especially for callbacks. Mm-hmm. I think some things can be virtual. Um, sorry, you're about to hear a train. I live near a train. Oh, okay. Oh, we're familiar with those. No worries. Um, but yeah, I mean, it's for callbacks, I think they're trying to move to more in person. Mm-hmm. Um, Situation, which is, you know, crazy but great.

Yeah. And it's cool to be in the room, so Yes. Yeah. I'm sure he is a different feel for it. You got to meet some of the people that you'll be working with. Some of the d Yeah, I mean, I got to go in for the director, John Rando and the choreographer, Chris Bailey, and, and all of the, the team I got to see multiple times as well as different casting people from Tara Ruben.

And it was really cool. And by that point, I mean, like, when you're going in so much, you're like, oh, hello again. Yeah. Right. Me, I'm back. Yeah. Yeah. So we, it became more like you're a person, you know? Mm-hmm. Right. Instead of just like another number or another auditioning, it's like, oh, like maybe let's start with this.

Or like, let's, you know, I'm feeling more like singing first or acting first, or whatever. Mm-hmm. So it was cool. They were all very, very wonderful. So I'm so excited to work with them, um, in a about a month. That's amazing. Wow. That's great. You'll move up there pretty soon. Yeah. So we, um, finish, uh, classes end on the 9th of May.

Um, and then my last final is on my birthday on May 15th. Oh, jeez. Um, And I'll finish that up and then I'll drive home. I'm from Hickory, North Carolina, so it's only about two hours from Elon. So I'm driving home so that my parents can have my car and do whatever they need to do with it. Cause I won't need it for about a year.

So, um, yeah. I am buying my one way ticket to New York, which is why all this crazy. Woohoo. Yes. That is my goose. Yes, I know. And I love that it's a proven show. It's like you're not going into something that, you know, we're not sure about this one. That it's, it's a really great show and that's very exciting.

That's great. Yeah. I'm so excited to be a part of it. Are you having a hard time, like, focusing on class and like, okay, let's go and let's get this over with. Yeah. You gotta feeling impatient, right? Yeah, I mean, um, it's interesting cuz right now I'm a part-time senior. Mm-hmm. So I like finished a bunch of my credits early on, so I'm, I just have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they're just like performing arts classes.

Oh, perfect. Um, so it's, it's fun. Mm-hmm. Um, and like I have like some papers that I'm like, oh, I don't really wanna do a paper right now, but like, um, I'm trying to be as present as I can and, um, using this month, To, um, prep, um, and, and get myself in in shape and, um, mentally and physically and spiritually ready to, to take on the next chapter.

So it's kind of nice I get to rest for about a month ish. Yeah. Well, yeah. I don't know if you can save up that rest, but you'll have shows eight, eight times a week, right? Yeah. So yeah, that's gonna be awesome. So a lot of it is like me prepping, like to be in the dance shape that I need to be in to do the show, um, and dancing as often and as you know much as I can so that I'm like ready to do whatever they ask me to do.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Hannah, did you say you're some, you're from Greenville, Hickory? I'm from, um, Hickory. Oh, Hickory. I thought you said Greenville. That's okay. That's a little town, isn't it? Pretty small place. Small town. Yeah. Uh, we have like tractor day tractor into school. Oh, oh my God. But I love it. I went back, like, um, last weekend with my boyfriend to, for Easter.

Mm-hmm. Um, and to see my family and I was like, you know, it's cute. I, I do love my hometown. Going to a little bit different place in New York City, like they drive track to work. No, that's hilarious. Do you have, oh, sorry. I was just gonna say question. Gonna ask what we do though. I know. Oh, go ahead. So growing up in a smaller town, did you have a a, was there a good theater program there that kind of gave you your start in theater?

Yeah, so, um, I was actually really, I had a lot of stage fright as a kid. Um, I was really shy. Um, so my dad was like, I know what she'll do theater. Um, so I did some community theater and then I, um, went to a couple studios, um, for dancing, for acting in, for singing. Over the years in my hometown of Hickory, Hickory, North Carolina, Hickory North Carolina loves arts, um, and they love writer.

Nice. I was, um, very, very fortunate to be able to train under a lot of amazing people. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You're a, that's great, beautiful dancer. So thank Yeah. Like, wow. Um, So did you pretty consistently train with dance and what type of training did you have? What type of dance? Yeah. Um, so I went to an afterschool program, um, that was singing, acting, and dancing for the majority of my, um, young life, um, from about the, the age of nine to like, uh, like 17.

Mm-hmm. Um, I trained a lot in dance just because dance is one of those things that like is you just have to work it every day. Mm-hmm. Um, and dance is my favorite of, of the three of singing, acting, and dancing. Um, and I had a wonderful, wonderful dance teacher. Um, Bonnie Harper is, wa is the most amazing. I called her the other day.

Um, bet she's please pleased. I think she's super proud. Yeah. Say what? I, we think she's really proud of you. I'm sure. Yeah. That, um, she really taught me to love dance and, um, so we, so my training looked a lot like I would take voice lessons once a week and then I would, um, Most, I would be dancing about like five hours a day.

Oh, wow. That's a lot of dance. Yeah, it was crazy. Um, and then after that, um, I, at 17 I did a, a show in Atlanta. Um, I did Miss Saigon at Toby Playhouse, um, which was my first professional theater job. And then I came back and I was like, oh crap, like there's more that I can work on, um, in dance specifically.

Mm-hmm. Um, so I ended up going to a ballet school in Hickory, um, to work on my technique, um, which totally kicked my butt. Um, but I'm very grateful for that as well. Mm-hmm. So it was kind of a mishmash of a bunch of training over the years, um, and what I needed at the time. But, um, yes, I, I grew up dancing a lot.

Yeah. That sounds pretty intense for a lot of dancing, but it shows you're an absolutely beautiful dancer and you're a beautiful singer. So I'm wondering if the triple threat, do you have a weakness? Because I've heard you sing and I've seen you dance, so how's your acting? Um, I've been very, very fortunate to get some, some wonderful training over the years and, um, and to, I've, I grew up with the mentality of like, I wanna train like a person who only dances.

I wanna train like a person who only sings and a person who only acts mm-hmm. In all three disciplines, which like is so, so hard to do and there's only so many hours in a day. So sometimes it's not feasible. Um, but I wanted to be the best I could be at each threat. Um, so I tried to put myself in positions where I was not the best, um mm-hmm.

At any one thing, so that I could be the best. Mm-hmm. Or it might be my best maybe. Sounds like you might need to be a little motivational speaker and come talk to kids in the community theater about Oh yeah, no kidding. The drive that it takes to get where you are now headed, which is super, I'm so excited.

I know. Yeah. That's awesome. So I, you told a little story on your website or wrote a little story about your dad taking up community theater to help you. Yeah. Tell us about that. I love that. Oh, I was so scared of theater. Um, I was so scared of, um, I was just so shy as a, as a kid. So, uh, my dad enrolled me to this community theater, like, um, camp, um, when I was like four or five.

Cause I loved singing and I loved dancing. Um, but only in my house. Um, so he enrolled me. He was like, oh, perfect, like this theater is doing this camp, like for like riddles or something. Like, it was something so like little and cute or whatever. Um, but I got on the stage and froze and cried. Um, And like ran off his stage.

So I, my dad is the kind of person that's so like, okay, you gotta get back on a horse, you know? Mm-hmm. And so he was like, I'll go with you. So we found this community theater in our hometown, um, and he was like, let's do some shows here together. Um, and so we did a few shows together. We did like Annie and Al Oh my gosh.

And he ended up, he did theater in college, um, and ended up finding like re igniting that love, um, for theater. So after I started training, um, he, and focusing more like on wanting to do this as a career, he was like, I'm gonna keep doing this and still does like profe, uh, like still does community theater, um, in our hometown.

He was just in Bridges, so it was really fun. Oh yeah. Very. Oh, I love that story. Yes. Kinda like it's a great one. Kristen here has gotten into, Some of the actors. Yeah. I wanted to do it with my daughter too. Like she got started in um, 2019 and uh, we were always kinda like, okay, well we'll totally support you but you know, behind the scenes we'll help out where we can just try to be good parents.

And then she was like, well, you should audition. So I auditioned and I found out like, I actually really like it. I'm not necessarily the best, but That's okay. You know, it's community theater, but that's, yeah. It's a lot of fun theater's the best it is. Yeah. We will not be on the stage, but we do a lot behind the scenes.

Yeah, we all do. Yes. We're like stage crimp, you know, we do that stuff. My mom is not like a performer at all. Mm-hmm. But she is like the most supportive person. She was always there helping on the sets, helping with the costumes, like she was always like providing dinners for our tech weeks and stuff. My sister also was not like, um, a big performer, personality.

She did a lot of like sage management and stuff. So yeah, it's a great place to spend time with your family and get to know everybody. Yes. Like you get, you get real tight, you know? Yep. Yeah. Yep. That's how we started. Yeah. Yeah. That's how the drama mama started because our kids, you know, we noticed they were had, you know, similar interest, obviously they're at the theater.

We would always be spending hours together at auditions and callbacks and, you know, we just started chatting and our families got really into it. We would always be volunteering. My husband started doing stuff on the stage. Yeah. And, um, which is great. He gets to do it with Gabby too. And so we just kind of formed this bond that we never really knew that we needed, but we totally need it, and it's an awesome thing.

And so that's how kind of we got started. Yeah. I love that. So we share that with you by such like an amazing community of people. Mm-hmm. Everywhere that I've seen in, in my lived experience. So it's, that's so awesome. I love this. Yeah. Do you find that as well at college that it's. Still a tight scene or?

Yeah. Um, we have a, a fairly small, uh, music theater, um, program here at Elon. Um, our classes are just smaller, uh, from what I know. Um, so we, we get pretty close. Mm-hmm. We, uh, we love each other. Um, my best friends are all in the musical theater department, um, cuz you get it, you know, and like, I mean, uh, all of the parents at Elon, like my Elon Music theater parents have all like, saved my butt at one point or another.

Um, and so it, it, it is close, which is so nice. Mm-hmm. Yeah. How was the, so you took a gap year and in that year you were auditioning for college and Yeah, well, for a little bit. I thought, I, I didn't wanna go to college. Um, I was like, college is stupid. Maybe I'm Broadway when I'm 18 years old. Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. But from living life, I realized that, um, it's what I needed and, um, and. I weirdly, like working in theater regionally, um, showed me that I had some gaps in myself as like a performer, um, and as a human being, um, that I wanted to fill. And I thought that doing that within the safety of four walls, like um, was the best option for me.

Mm-hmm. Did you apply to a lot of schools because you got into a great school? No, actually, um, I only applied to, seriously, I only applied to Elon. Oh my gosh. Uh, because I had done a show, um, here in North Carolina at Green, in Greensboro at Triad Stage. Um, I did South Pacific when I was 18, um, with some professors from Elon.

Um, cause it's so close. And I remember at 18 being like, oh, that's weird. Like they teach at this school. That's good, I guess. Um, and then about. About it later. I was like, huh. And then I called um, Dan Calloway, who was in that, in that show with me. And I was like, he was a professor here at the time. And I was like, Hey Dan.

Like I know you taught at the school called Elon, like how do you like it? Like is it good? And he was like, yeah, you should come. And I was like, okay. Um, so I knew either I was gonna go to Elon and, and put my career on hold to train, um, or I was gonna move directly to New York. Mm-hmm. Um, and I was just kind of seeing which one happened.

It's funny cuz that production of South Pacific, um, will Braner, uh, was played opposite of me. Um, he played cable and I played Leon in that show and he's actually in the cast. So back to the future. So we will get to see Oh, nice. What a small world. Right? Hello? No, I love how it's kind of all come full circle for you, you know, and it's almost, it was meant to be.

Well, yeah. I mean that's, that's kind of how things tend to go, right? Like what's meant to happen kind of happens. Mm-hmm. Yeah. She was open to either path and here's the path that was the right path for you. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and it sounds, you must have a very supportive family, not only through high school, but allowing you to take that gap year in trying to figure it out for yourself versus this is what you're gonna do and this is how you're gonna do it.

I do. My parents are the best. Um, they tru, I mean, they knew nothing about theater, like in a s in like a performing way, like in a career way. Mm-hmm. Um, cuz they loved theater grow. Like they, they, um, went to a lot of shows, but they knew nothing about the business of it. Um, and then little me was like, I wanna do theater for my entire job.

And they were like, okay. Um, how are you gonna support yourself? Right. They've had a lot of faith in me, um, and have been so, so, so supportive, which is such a big deal. Mm-hmm. Um, in this industry. Yeah, definitely. I'm, I'm, we could learn something from your parents as well. Yeah. I'm sure you have a family motivation's.

Yeah. Yes. Have them on. I know, right. Um, so I had a weird question as I was looking through your stuff, because we keep joking about how, you know, when you're in community theater and you're working your way up the ranks, you're often like an animal or a tree or something like that. Yes. Mm-hmm. Did, did you find yourself playing animals a lot when you were young or like the little rolls?

I, I played a crow, um, in Wizard of Oz one year. Yeah. Um, I'm sorry. I remember the, the first role I auditioned for, that I really wanted, that I didn't get it, was actually for South Pacific, a production, uh, community theater production I was doing with my dad. And I was in the fifth grade and he took me out to, cuz the director of this community theater called him and told him that I didn't get the part.

And so my dad took me out to brunch and was like, Aww. To tell me that I, this was the first role that I auditioned for that I didn't get. And I sobbed, I mean, the waitress thought I someone died because I Oh gosh. So heartbroken. But, um, it's a, it, yeah. So I, I remember, um, in that production of Wizard of Oz, my friend had told me that I was gonna play the oz guard.

And I was like, what? Like the guy who like has the mustache, like, and I was like, disappointed because I really wanted to be the wicked witch of the west. Mm-hmm. Like, So, yes. Um, but I've also been fortunate enough to like, uh, have grown up and played some roles that I really loved. Mm-hmm. So, yes, and yeah, it's kind of a balance, you know?

Yeah. We're finding more and more that there's, you can't be the lead all the time. You have to mm-hmm. Be in the ensemble and play your part and support the cast, and it's just every show's different and every need of every show is different. So I, you know. Yeah. Yeah. No, and I, I love being in the ensemble.

I'm so excited to be in this ensemble and be dancing with all of these amazing people. Um, and I've, from what I, I was given the advice once that, um, I'm sorry guys. Oh, it's a No. You're so great. Uhhuh. Um, they cast leads in the ensemble because they need like, strong people to be, um, telling the audience what to think about, what's going on, on stage.

Mm-hmm. Right. To be the storytellers, you know? Yeah. Yeah. It's true. So exciting. That makes sense. So we're, my family's coming back to New York next spring break. We haven't talked about it yet with you guys, but, um Oh, we'll be coming to see you for sure. Oh yeah. Well, let me know when you come and I'll I will.

Yeah. We're so excited. I don't, I mean, I know the story of Back to the Future, but it's so hard for me to picture it into a musical form. Do you already have the script and everything like that? Are you already working on things? Say it again. Do you have the script, have they sent you materials that you're already working on?

Um, I haven't gotten any materials yet. Um, but I, uh, there is because it was on the West End. Mm-hmm. Um, and it still is on the West end, I believe. Um, and they made a West End recording. Um, so while I'm at the gym, I like run to, um, the, the West End recordings and to try to prep Nice and get familiar with it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That way, you know. So you have about a month from when you. Show up in New York till the preview opens. Is that about how long you have? Yeah. Um, we have, um, we start rehearsals May 19th and then we, um, our first preview is June 30th, I believe. Mm-hmm. Um, so those will be, um, performances.

Um, and then we officially opened like the public and the show is like, set, yeah. Um, on August 3rd. Okay, cool. Now, do you already have housing set? Like do they help you with that or, um, is that kinda all on you? I'm want to move to New York anyways. Perfect. Um, and this just makes it easier to, um, and gives me a reason to Yeah.

Gotcha. Officially, so I am moving with my boyfriend Yaakov, um, into, um, an apartment with our, one of our best friends, Willam, who's actually on the Anastasia tour right now. Um, oh, nice. And, uh, he finishes up tour in May and Yaakov and I both graduate in May. So, uh, we have already signed our lease. Um, nice moving, exciting moving to New York.

Okay, cool. How far away from Broadway will you be? Like, do you try to get close or, I mean, gosh, I can't imagine. Like do you can cost spend a lot of time commuting maybe. Right. Um, we are in like the upper West side. Mm-hmm. Which I'm really excited about. I like that area. I've been ins Nice. Um, that part for, uh, a couple times staying with some friends and stuff.

Mm-hmm. Perfect. Um, so we're like right off like a really convenient subway stop and I've, uh, I've been going to New York since I was like 16. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, so I, I'm pretty familiar with, with the thing, but I'm excited to live there and have my own space. Mm-hmm. So it'll be awesome. Yes. And have a routine and you're gonna be get to live, I mean this dream that you've worked for for so long and put all this blood, sweat, and tears in and it's coming to fruition and it's so exciting.

This is gonna be an amazing platform for you. Oh yeah. Um, so are you already Yeah. Are you already equity or like, how does that work with all of this? So I'm still learning because I am not equity yet. Okay. Um, I technically, back when EMC was a thing, like the equity membership candidacy, um, when that was a thing a couple years ago, um, doing, um, a show at an equity house, um, gave me like points basically towards becoming equity.

They don't really do that anymore. Um, based on my understanding, um, equity changed the rules a couple years ago, pretty much based off of Covid. Um, and the fact that people couldn't work in theater. Okay. Um, and if you had worked professionally, meaning that you had been paid to do theater, you could join equity whenever you chose to.

Oh, okay. Oh, that's amazing. Okay. Yeah. So I thought about it and then I was like, I don't want to join equity until I have a job that requires me to do so. Um, which just kind of my personal mm-hmm. Decision and my personal journey and based on some advice I had gotten, you know mm-hmm. From different people.

So anyway, because Broadway is. You know, uh, overlooked by equity. Um, I will join and I'm learning. I called the membership office the other day and I was like, how do I do this? Nice. So, yes. Have to be a big girl now. Yeah. It's all girl stuff. Adulting is tough. Let me just tell you. Yeah, yeah. But you're doing great.

We got Yeah. You're, oh my goodness. So exciting. You're gonna be moving to this. I know. And so many changes and so much excitement. All yeah. Happening in perfect summer. Professionally, socially, I mean, moving with your boyfriend, like, I don't know if you guys live together now. We don't even talk about that, but I'm saying that's, that's, that's also like a big step in life.

You know what I mean? I'm gonna totally mom you right now, but No, but that's exciting. You know, it's exciting. Totally. Gosh, it's not just theater. I'm very much, I'm so, so grateful. I mean, I feel like I'm very much living the life. I, I cried the other day cause I was like, oh, I felt like. Um, little 13 year old me, this is the life that she would very much want.

Mm-hmm. Um, and it feels very surreal to be experiencing it right now. Um, so it's really cool. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know how you're focusing at school. Cause I would be like, I know up now in the clouds. Yeah. That like, senioritis thing would be like, yeah. Forget full on peace. Wow. Did you, have you auditioned for other Broadway shows before this one?

I have, yeah. I've actually been in, um, for a couple Broadway shows before, um, which is how I've gotten to know the casting office. Mm-hmm. Um, and uh, yeah, I've gotten a few callbacks. I've learned a lot. Um, I've been in some Broadway callbacks that I've been so bad in. Um, and you just, you learn on the go.

Mm-hmm. Um, so yeah. Yeah. If you were to give tips to 13 year old you, what would you tell 13 year old you about this whole thing? Oh, gosh. Hmm. I know it's hard sometimes to be like, how do I, how do I think through all of this stuff I've learned? Right, right. Yeah. I think the main takeaway for me, um, has been, I, I have, I'm not sure, I haven't fully reconciled whether I believe that everything happens for a reason, but I do believe mm-hmm.

That none of this would be possible without the people that made it all possible for me. Mm-hmm. Um, I don't think I could have ever done this alone. Yeah. Um, and I don't think I will ever continue to do this by myself. Um, I think it's the support system that I've had over the years and, and they've changed, I mean, different people, but they also, some have been constantly my parents and my sister.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, Those, my dance teachers over the years, different vocal teachers, different acting teachers, like I have learned, everyone I feel like has laid a hand print on my career. Mm-hmm. And I am grateful for every person that I've come in contact with, um, that has, has, has taught me something. Um, so I think that is what I would tell a little 13 year old me, is to be grateful for every person that Yeah.

Um, has a hand in, in making what you want it to be. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. That's great advice. You learned something from every person. Yeah. Totally. Good. Or take away good, bad, I guess. Right. Exactly. Takeaways. When did you, um, now you had stated that you hadn't had an agent yet when you had to. Okay. So when did you make that decision to get the agent?

Was that during that process when they came to your school and you were like, this is serendipity once. Mm-hmm. Um, so because of the casting agent, Director series thing that Elon does for senior, um, music theater majors. Um, we had been meeting with some agents and I was like, and had just been in talks with some of them, but I wanted to get to the end of the process in like, uh, like March, I think is the last one that we had.

Mm-hmm. End of March. Um, and to, to make a decision. I had been having some meetings and was like, maybe, I don't know, and I'm still in talks, still in, in the mix for back to the Future and I was like, who knows? Right. Um, but when I got the call, um, that I was going to book back to the Future, I was like, oh crap, I don't know how to do any of this.

I don't know. You're like, I better get some assistance. It's quick. Yeah. I was like, I dunno how to, how to talk to these people. I got an email from the general manager and I was like, I don't know what this means. Um, So I had been in talks with one agency, um, H C K R, which is my current agency. Uh, and I just got off the phone with Michael, actually my agent, so he's amazing.

Um, and I had been in talks with them, had loved them, um, and they had been, um, sending me in for some things just kind of that they thought I was right for. They had been very kind. And then I was taught, I called Michael the next day and I was like, Hey, I booked back to the future. Um, like I would love to chat more about, uh, us and, and you know, what, uh, next steps for, for signing maybe.

Um, and just ask some more questions and whatever. Mm-hmm. Um, and he was like, that's congratulations. He was like, I would be happy to talk you through this contract at no charge. Like, no obligation to sign. Oh, that's amazing. Yeah. Um, And so he, I, that was a great thing. And then, um, I just, I just got really, really great vibes from that whole, uh, office.

Um, and they had been supportive of me and believed in me before the back to the future thing. Mm-hmm. So I, I was like, I think they'll believe in me after, so Oh yeah, for sure. Yeah. So I would love to sign with you guys. They've been nothing but amazing. And, um, I knew a lot of people who had been, who had signed with them mm-hmm.

Um, and who spoke nothing but, but their praises. Mm-hmm. Um, so I felt really good about them. Yeah. Nice. And so you, the other shows that you did on Broadway, what was that audition process like? If you don't mind talking about that, especially when you don't have an agent. Right. So is that just going out and pounding the pavement and searching the internet and finding out when auditions are like, how did you go by that?

Yeah, so it's changed, um, a lot since in, in years past. I started auditioning for Broadway when I was like 16. Okay. Well, I guess. Technically I auditioned for Annie Junior, like, or Annie when it was on Broadway when I was like nine or something. But like, that wasn't, I mean, that was just crazy. Like a huge open call.

I'm so sorry, my phone is left outside, so I'm gonna talk and get a Yeah, no, you're good. Um, so, um, okay. What happened? So the other shows I had been in for, um, kind of buried her, um, her show, um, I remember, um, going in for Miss Saigon. Mm-hmm. Um, a little bit. Um, and that w uh, a friend of mine, um, Ammar Cabling, um, I have to send this to him now because I, I'm mentioning him.

He's wonderful. I just saw him in, um, Pacific Overtures, um, oh, he, uh, had put in some a good word for me and, and got me an appointment actually, um, to go in and audition. Um, I auditioned a few open calls. I went in for the Wicked Open call once. Okay. And I learned a lot at that one. Okay. What typing was? Um, I don't know if they do this anymore, but they used to take a bunch of head shots Yeah.

And like, look through all of them and be like, these are the people that kind of look right for what we're looking for. And then they would send everybody else home. Okay. Okay. Just by your photo. Wow. Yeah. By headshot and resume. And I learned, I don't know if they do that anymore. Um, okay. And, uh, I, but I remember, um, during my gap year, I, uh, like just searched on playbill and, um, backstage and Broadway world.

Um, like different auditions I wanted to go to. And I sub, uh, I subletted a place, um, for like two weeks. Mm-hmm. And just like went to auditions. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, and would just wait around all day and like, get, you know, maybe get seen, maybe not get seen. Um, usually the ones I would go in for were dance. Um mm-hmm.

I remember I went in for the, for when I was 16, I went in for King and I, um, when it was on Broadway and, um, totally butchered that audition. That was so embarrassing. Oh, in hindsight. Um, but I learned a lot about that. Um, I learned that you should bring in a song that kind of reflects the, the mood of the show that you're auditioning for.

Mm-hmm. Um, but yeah, I, um, what else? And then the other Broadway shows I had been in for, um, actually two, maybe. Yeah. Two years ago. Um, I got an Instagram dm, um, from Tara Ruben Casting mm-hmm. And the casting office that cast back to the future. And, uh, but two years ago they, they messaged me and asked me to submit for a couple shows.

Okay. Um, and I was like, whoa. That's crazy. They've slid into my dms, that's why. Yeah. How do you think, how did they find out about you, Hannah? How do you think that? So when I went into Miss Saigon, that was the company that was casting them. Okay. So I auditioned for them for, for years now. Okay. Gotcha.

Mm-hmm. Um, and that, the lesson, and that to me, um, was just like, keep showing up. Mm-hmm. Keep doing work. Right. Um, do your best. Mm-hmm. Um, and the right thing will come along, you know? Yeah. Um, be a kind person in the room mm-hmm. And like be like cool to work with. Yeah. Um, cause they are, I love this casting office.

Um, they are so good about remembering people and pushing for them and it's just amazing. Um, so anyway, yeah. Like going in for them for years has been, has been wonderful. So you seem like an extremely positive person in bubbly Yes, she do. In all of that, did you find yourself getting kind of worn down?

Like, am I doing the right thing, or did you just keep pushing through? I think that moment came for me, um, after I graduated high school. Um, I, um, started seeing those gaps in myself as, as, um, a person mostly. And because I was like, oh gosh, like I'm just a musical theater robot. Like, I don't know if I, I like the person that I am, um, so far, you know, at 18, and I was like, I think I need to learn more about the world.

So I was like, I'm gonna keep training, but I'm going to not audition for as many things. Um, so I went to community college, um, and. Just took like classes about everything, um, things totally not related to theater. Um, and it was amazing. I had such a good time at community college, um, and I got to grow as a person, which I think is, is super, super important as an artist and as a performer.

Um, because we are all, our job is to, to portray life as we know it. Um, and we have to know a little something about life, you know, outside of theater. So, um, I, when I was going to community college, I was, I found a love for like, writing. I got my yoga certification. Um, I became like an editor at our little, uh, like news thing.

I thought I was gonna maybe major in English. Like a lot was happening and the world was opening up in a way that I, I had never been before. I had always been very tunnel vision about I wanna do theater and nothing else. Mm-hmm. And at that point I was like, whoa, there is, there's all the other things. Um, and I was like, maybe I don't wanna do theater.

Maybe I'm, I'm, I'm just doing theater because I've always done theater. And at that point, um, I had to make the conscious decision whether I wanted to keep, keep doing it or not. I'm very grateful that I chose to do it. Um, but yeah, I think that moment came and then once I had decided that I was going to do theater at this point in my life, um, I kind of went full force.

And doing Elon was wonderful and going here has really kickstarted that in a way, um, or reinvigorated my love of, of performing and being inspired by my peers all the time. Um, and by my, the faculty. Um, so anyway, yeah, once I made that decision, I think I was like, now we're in it. Mm-hmm. But I think, I do think it's important to make, like the conscious decision to wanna do it.

Cause it's hard. Theater is a tough, tough industry. It is. That's really great advice. You gave yourself a chance to decide for yourself that this is really what I wanna do and Yeah. Yeah. That right there is some excellent advice for everyone. Listen. Yeah, it is. And to have those crossroads and then say, you know what?

I'm gonna do it. Cuz once you say you're gonna do it, you're going all in. Right? Yeah. So that's what, yeah. Gotcha. You don't have any regrets? No. Yeah. Yeah. That's great. Yeah, for sure. Sure. So, um, we, you know, this whole podcast is all about helping other parents who are blind in this whole process of having kids in mu musical theater.

Yeah. Um, what advice could you give parents listening that have kids in musical theater? Like, what advice could you give them about things they could do that would help their child? Hmm hmm. Oh gosh. I should have asked my parents. My parents, um, I wanna meet them by the way. I know. Yeah. No kidding. They produced a beautiful child.

I, my parents, um, I'm trying to think from their perspective. Um, I think so when I wanted to, when I expressed interest in doing theater from a young age, um, they were like, we will offer you every resource that we possibly can, you know, within our, our limits. Um, and then it's kind of up to you. Um, they let me kind of steer the boat and I think that that has made me a really independent person.

Um, and this industry requires so much like self-discipline, um, because you are your own boss. You in a sense you are your own company because you are like auditioning. Um, so I remember they wanted me, so I wanted, I started expressing interest in going to auditions outside of North Carolina, um, around like.

I don't know, 15, maybe. Um, and both of my parents worked and so they were like, I don't know how you want us to do that, Hannah. And I was like, but I really, I really want to. And they were like, okay, find us a way to make it work. Um, because you're in school too, right? I mean, you're in high school. Yeah, so I, I didn't have my license.

I didn't get my license until 18. Um, cuz I was scared, uh, to drive. Um, and so I, my mom's an accountant, so she's very, like the numbers of it all, um, my dad's the dreamer of the two. Um, so I That's awesome. My mom was like, okay, prove to us that you can do it. So I put together like a PowerPoint presentation for every audition that I wanted to go to, um, about how much money I would make if.

I got it. How much money I would lose if I didn't, how much money it would cost to go, you know, the whole thing. Um, and like how feasibly like a plan of action. Um, and sometimes we were able to do it and sometimes we weren't. Um, but I learned a lot from that. Um, I learned that like, dreams are wonderful and like such an inspiration to us all.

Um, but I learned from my mom that dreams take planning, um, and logistics. Um, and sometimes they don't work out and sometimes they do. Um, and I am so, so grateful. She taught me that. Um, and then my dad taught me to dream big and be like, yes, maybe not this one, but the next one. Um, and just like perseverance and, and um, grit, I think.

Yeah. Oh gosh. Grit. That's a good one. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and I imagine the way your mom did that, it. You then took ownership of it. So it was, you kind of drove, drove the boat on him. What am I trying to say? Like you, she was invested in it. Right? You were invested. Yeah. You, you, I'm sure in that process proved to yourself, I really do wanna try this.

And so it became something that you were then kind of leading the way versus a parent being like, I'm gonna take you to this audition, you're gonna go to this. It was really something you were striving for. Yeah. So my parents with, with both me and my sister, um, were very big on laying a foundation of, um, of trust and, and communication.

Um, so that when I did go to them and I was like, I really want to do this, they were like, okay, um, let's work together to figure out how. And of course, they would like help me in things, but um, they wanted it to be my dream. Yeah. Have you always been. I think so. Um, I'm a bit stubborn. Um, so, um, and I, I do genuinely like, love what I get to do, um, every day.

So, um, I, uh, this is where my dad's advice comes in. Like he was really, really big about doing your best and showing up and um, really, uh, fighting for what you want. And, um, yeah, I mean I am just very, very grateful for my parents. Wow. I should call them after this too. Yeah. And they are. I think we can learn some from your parents as well, not just you.

Um, I'll tell them, I'll send them this. They'll be so, so thrilled. They were, they're just the best. That's awesome. I feel so lucky to meet you right now. Cause I feel like you're going places. Oh yeah, that's. Well, you're, you're giving out the message that we keep trying to give out. Like just do some good in universe.

Be a good person. Try your best. Like, yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think that's a big, I mean, this industry is really, really small actually. Um, once you get down into it, um, and being a good person and being kind, um, goes, goes a long way. Mm-hmm. Um, in my opinion and being someone that people wanna work with, um, goes a long way.

I mean, I'll report back maybe, uh, in about a month, but, uh, check back in. Yeah. No, we keep hearing that it's a very small, like it's a small world. Yeah, yeah. People know people and people, word gets around. Yes. Word gets out. So if you're being kind and treating people's respect, and, and we also heard that there's not too many divas because if you are, it will, you will get worked out of the process pretty quickly.

I have also heard that, um, I have not really experienced that personally, um, but I, I have heard that. And, um, I have been very, very grateful to, for all of the cast I've gotten to work with, um, have been so, so wonderful and I've made some, some wonderful, wonderful lifetime friends, um, in all of them. So, so do you have a favorite musical that you've seen still even been in, but what's favorite?

Your favorite? My favorite musical is Legally Blonde The Musical by far. Oh, nice. That's not bad. We just saw that, uh, it, it was touring and it came down here and, um, my, I took my daughter to go see it and she didn't know much about it, strangely enough. And she's real big on mean girls, but not on legally blonde.

And so we get in there and it gets to the scene where the professor kisses her and that it was, it was so dead silent, you could hear a pin drop. And my daughter has this audible gasp and the entire place like turns and looks at her. It's a, it's a shocking moment. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. It's so good.

I love Legally Blonde so much. The music is so fun. Mm-hmm. Also, if you guys have not watched the search for Ell Woods, um, it is MTV's, um, reality show, basically. Like, oh, to cast it be nice. Oh, we're gonna have to write that. Oh my gosh. It's on YouTube. All of the episodes are on YouTube. Oh, nice. My boyfriend Yaka and I just watched them, um, the search for Al Woods, and it's just so good.

It's like, I love reality tv. Yeah. So, and it's so do I. It's okay. Yeah. Um, and, uh, it's, it's a joy to watch, but I, I love the show and I love what it stands for. Mm-hmm. Um, it's, it's like a period piece at this point. Mm-hmm. Which is weird to say, but Yeah. Yeah. I think it's got a little cult following. Mm-hmm.

You know? Mm-hmm. It's just, it's just that type. Yeah. I love, it's my favorite musical by far. I also love Miss Saigon cause it was the first show that, um, I got to do professionally. Um, And, uh, it's, I mean, it's just gorgeous. It's a gorgeous show. Mm-hmm. What's your dream role? This one's so tough because, um, I love dance so much mm-hmm.

That I have dream shows, um, but not necessarily like roles. Mm-hmm. Sure. Um, I have tracks that I would like to, to be like, I would love to be in Hamilton. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, and like understudy, uh, like be an onstage cover for like Peggy and Mariah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Or like understudy Eliza or something. Yeah. Um, I, uh, when I saw Anastasia, I saw my friend Willam, um, in Anastasia.

Um, I love that show. Mm-hmm. Um, so I think it'd be like cool to, to be at Anastasia. Mm-hmm. Um, See what else I would love. I love the choreography of Wicked. Mm-hmm. Um, I love like Mulan Rouge choreography. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Yes. We just saw that when we were up in New York. Oh, I'm so jealous. I wanna see it. Oh girl, you have to, so make sure you make, well you're gonna be up there, so Yeah.

On your one day off. Well, unfortunately I will not have a bunch of time to see. Oh. Um, but that's okay. Uh, what else? Yeah, I don't know. I have a hard time answering that question. Usually, like I would love to be Victorian kass. Mm-hmm. Um, cuz that's a, just a big dancer role, but, um mm-hmm. Yeah. Nice. All right.

You guys have anything else? N well, I mean we could probably talk for hours, but I feel like we need to, like, we also wanna be, go out for a drink or something. It's cognizant of her time. Yeah. I gotta go reevaluate my life choices. Cause I'm feeling like, like my parents and choices. Wonderful. Thank you so much.

You Yeah. Coming out. We appreciate you. You are gonna, you're going to go places you're Yeah. And we, you're gonna kill it. See you there. Yeah. I can't wait to meet you guys. Yes, definitely. And I'll, I'll be hanging out. I'll be in New York. All right. Welcome. Come bang on the stage door. Yeah, we'll we'll be like, send Hannah out here to see her.

Tell her it's to drama mamas and we're in full effect. Ready to come see you. Well I love what you guys are doing. I was actually just talking to my voice teacher today about being on here and I was like, I'm so excited to be a part of this. Cuz I think often we, um, The business of musical theater is like gate kept, um, or like, you know, made to be a secret.

Um, and I think my philosophy at least, um, is that, um, we should leave the door of opportunity open for everyone, you know, and, and share as much information as we have. I'm, this is as much information as I have currently. We'll reconvene and see if that changes. Yeah. We'll check up next year. Exactly.

She'll be like, strike what I said about such and such update. Um, but I think, yeah, like I, I think sharing the, the, the wealth of knowledge is, is important and it's an important part of, um, you know, demystifying. Theater, um, as an industry. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. And we, I mean, half of it for us is just making the connections.

Like we have seen what it's done for our children or for us, and we want other people to experience that and be successful. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So, thank you guys. Well let them know. They can message me or I don't know if they have social media, but they can reach out. Okay. Or whatever. I'll Yeah. Respond.

Oh my gosh. They would love that. Yeah. Yeah. I would You're gonna have three little fans Yeah. Coming at you. Oh, that's so silly. It's the truth though. They will, I mean, cuz you're, you are that epitome right now to them. Yeah. You're, you're where they wanna be. Yeah. I mean, they're 11 and Lily Kate just turned 13 and Pinky's 14.

Yeah. So they're in that stage right now where, where you had said, you know, 13 year old self. Wants to do this. Yeah. And that's what they're dreaming about. When they go to bed at night, they lay their head in the pill. They're like, oh, Broadway, that would be so wonderful. Oh, you know, I would be happy to talk.

I was just talking to my friend, um, my best friend Sarah here. We were talking about how, it's weird cuz everyone's like, oh my gosh, Hannah, like, this is so crazy. And I was like, I don't feel any different. I,

um, yeah, very, very grateful. I feel grateful in that way, but yeah, I don't feel like I've changed a lot as a, as a person. Mm-hmm. So, no, I have, I think you're gonna stay pretty grounded. Yeah. Yeah. I don't have any worries about think your parents have done a good job. Yeah. Thank you so much. I can't wait to call them and tell them.

Taught them so much. Yes, you did. But that's okay. I think they're not gonna mind that one bit. No, they're gonna be so proud. They're already ridiculous. I'm, they're proud of you, but you know, you have your own set of drama parents, you know? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. And they knew nothing. So you guys were way ahead of the game.

Wow. Well, I don't know ev, every week we, yeah, we learned. Figure out there's a lot to learn. Yes. There's a lot to learn. We do not know. Yeah. Yes. Right. Well break a leg. Yes'. So excited for you. Thank you so much, so much. And uh, thank you for having me on here. This was so fun. Absolutely. Absolutely. Slay your finals, do your thing.

Yes. Stay focused. Stay focused. I will do my best. And then happy birthday, May 15th. My birthday's on the 10th, so I got lunch on the fifth. Yes. Like 5, 10, 15. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Wow. That's kind of weird. Yeah. Bunch of Tauruses hanging out. I know. So Chris is gonna turn the laptop around and talk to you. Oh, okay.

Great. Yeah. Oh, I'm not impressive part of the show. I'm gonna just hit stop on recording and then if you could just leave your computer up for a minute on this so it downloads or uploads the rest of your file. And so I, so I can get it. And then that's it. And then, but you don't have to hang out for it if you just wanna leave your computer open.

You can go about your business or, I think she's on her phone. Okay. I can chill, Garrett. We can chat more if you guys, yeah. Cool. Let's do it. We're gonna totally chat. Yes. We're gonna take advantage of that. Yeah. I love it. So, hey, so I have another quick question. So yeah, the regional, so this is kind of where we're at in our kids' lives.

Sure. They're on community theater, they've been doing it for years now. Um, we're kind of feeling we're at the point where, you know, they're, they're wanting more, okay. Mm-hmm. So they wanna do more. And here in Lakeland, Florida, we are in a unique area where, you know, we're right between Tampa and Orlando.

Um, we have two wonderful community theaters within, you know, 20 minute driving distance, 2030 depending on traffic. Yeah. Um, totally doable. So we're able to go back and forth between the two theaters, depending on, you know, what shows they have and what's interesting, um, a lot of times we do shows at the same time, but it's all like community theater stuff, all community we're, we've hit this like sort of Plato Yeah.

Stagnant point with the kids and we're not sure where to go next, I guess. Sure. Yeah. I remember being at this point, um, it's tough when you're a minor. Mm-hmm. Um, because it, um, like, it, it just makes it harder for you to work because they're just more rules and regulations that go into that. That makes sense.

Yeah. Yeah. Um, and we've heard that like they'll, they'll cast like a 18 year old who looks younger to play that 15 year old so that they don't have to cast a minor. Right. Yeah. Like, like, so I remember being like, dang, like I can't work for like a little bit. Um mm-hmm. But I, I'm trying to think what I did.

Um, I, I talked to my parents and they were like, just keep training. I was really involved in the, in the, um, mm-hmm. Afterschool training program that I was in. Um, I think training's really important, like classes. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, because like you get, like, you use the muscle of like doing a show. Mm-hmm. Um, but sometimes you're just using those muscles.

Mm-hmm. And I think training is about using all of mm-hmm. Your muscles, learning how to, how to, uh, do it all. So come on over, Lily. Um, maybe classes. Hi. Say hi, Lily Kate. Don't be shy. She's gonna be super famous one day. Yeah. Hi, this is my daughter, Lily Kate. Hi. So nice. Hi. Saw you. Hi. Remember that face, Peter, if you wanna talk.

Um, so yeah, I mean, it's, it's tough. I mean, I also, I know, so my boyfriend did, um, a uh, like summer stock series, um, uh, some shows in rap in Montana this summer, and I got to go. Um, seen him and there were some kids in the shows. Mm-hmm. Um, cause it was Freaky Friday. It was full Monty, both of those kids. Um, nice shows.

So like, things like that, you know what I mean? Where, where they're looking specifically for kids. Mm-hmm. Um, would be easier just because like if you're auditioning against like an 18 year old, they're gonna get the job just because they, it's easier. Really signed a contract mm-hmm. And don't need like a chaperone and a wrangler and you know, all the things.

Yeah. Um, so I remember being like frustrated cuz I was like, I want more and I want, I wanna be doing this professionally. Yeah. But there was so much time, like, so much time, yeah. To, to work and like for it to be your job. I remember having this conversation with my parents. They were like, You can work for the rest of your life.

Mm-hmm. Um, you can only do this for fun, like, for so long. Yeah. Um, so yeah, I don't know if that's super helpful, but I think like classes are good just because like mm-hmm. Um, or like masterclass, a lot of studios like hold master classes with people's uhhuh that, um, you know, either went there or they're paying to be there or whatever.

Um, is really fun and, and like a cool way to. To get involved in your community that isn't just like shows, um, in a different way, you know? Right, right. But keep doing shows. I don't know. That's fun. Yeah, it is fun. And they do, yeah, they literally go from one to the next, to the next to the next. And we've talked about that.

You know, like we get the kids are getting the training within the show, but you know, we're like, okay, maybe. And they take vocals, you know, all three of them take vocals. So we're like, oh, well maybe we need to step it up and get more, you know, private dance or, you know, they were doing it with Caroline, but unfortunately she actually moved right up to North Carolina, so she's probably up, I don't know what town, but anyway, north Carolina's kind big.

But anyway, so, you know, I digress. So we're, we're trying to get them focused and get them on a path where, You know, they're filling their cup, you know what I'm saying? So Yeah, for sure. That, that's kind of where we're at. Did you do intensives and things like that in the summertime, because that, that's kind of what we're looking at.

Yeah, I did. Um, mm-hmm. I, the studio that I went to was, um, very, like, it, it marketed itself as like a pre-professional. Mm-hmm. Um, okay. Uh, triple threat Studio. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, so a lot of it was like, we had different summer camps throughout, like the summer, and I did those, and those were pretty intense.

Like my dance teacher, Bonnie Harper, like tried to kill us. Um, we did so much conditioning and stuff. Um, but I will say like doing training. For me in that way. Mm-hmm. Like every weekday, like during the school year, like mm-hmm. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, whatever was ballet Tuesday, Thursday, whatever was like jazz or lyric or mm-hmm.

Whatever. Mm-hmm. Um, we had these, some classes like Stretch Stu Turns, which were basically just technique classes. Mm-hmm. Um, and though technique is not always the most fun, it's not like, this isn't like thrill as doing a show. Sure. Um, I, I personally believe that like, it's, it set the foundation for me to like, be able to do what was asked of me when I did get to do shows.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Sure. If that makes sense. Yeah, no, absolutely. Gotta have that foundation. I don't know that we have something like that here. I don't think we do. No. Some of the dance studios and it's, you know, they spend the whole year prepping for a recital. Like, and that's, to me, it's just a waste of time.

We need recital base, real training. Yes. There was, um, there was a time where I, um, when I went to the ballet school, I was like, I don't wanna be in any ballets. I don't wanna perform in them. Mm-hmm. I want the training. Mm-hmm. I wanna just come in and take bar or like, I wanna, I'll stand in the back, like, you don't even have to correct me.

Mm-hmm. I just want the training. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, and so that's what I did for a little bit. I, I took a t class, um, at a different studio. There was a point in time where I was gonna like four different studios because like they all specialized in something else. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Um, so like, I went to ballet, um, with the people who were only doing ballet.

I went to tap with the people who were only doing tap. Um, and I was the worst in all of these classes. Um, but I was trying to be like my best, like I was talking about earlier. Yeah. Um, but all of those studios I had different conversations with and I was like, this is my end goal. I want to be training in a way that like, um, that I'm cross-training mm-hmm.

In all of these areas because it makes you a stronger performer, um, especially in dance, because like the more you cross-train, the less likely you are to injure yourself. Mm-hmm. Um, so yeah. Gotcha. I don't know if that's worth like a conversation, but Yeah. No, that no ab that's perfect sense. Yeah, it totally does.

Absolutely. Yeah. Cause that's kind of why we went at the private route because we just, I got sick of preparing for a recital that was stupid. Wasn't Yeah. You know, it wasn't purposeful for us. Well, and it, and honestly, it's hard, like if, if the kids are interested in being in shows, it's hard to, to do shows and also have a recital with the dance class that you wanted them to take.

Yeah. You'll have conflicts out the wazoo, you know, you can Yeah. You can't do that. I, um, I now teach at a studio. Agree. That's, um, you guys should move to, I know Dance Studio sounds like Yeah, yeah. Um, we're coming the, they try to work around the, the community theater. Mm-hmm. Um, things because they know that like, the kids also wanna be in BM shows.

That's the fun part of theater. Mm-hmm. Like, not like that is what makes the training. Mm-hmm. Um, that's the, they can see the results. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Um, absolutely. So yeah. That, yeah. Yeah, it sounds like a great environment. I had no idea Hickory was like, so I guess, are you close to Asheville ish?

Like two hours from Asheville, one hour from Charlotte. I don't know why all these like, performers from years pass, like decide to move to Hickory. Mm-hmm. But, um, it, it's great. I have a great time. Um, and we care a lot about music. Mm-hmm. We have like a symphony there. It's a small town, but they care a lot.

Dollars sounds like. Yeah. That is awesome. Is it by Fayetteville? I have an aunt that lives in Fayetteville and my brother's in Asheville and my aunt and cousins. Did you like pull it up? Yeah, you're gonna have to are in, um, Greenville, which is what I thought you had said earlier, which is why I brought it up.

But yeah, we're totally googling your town right now. So ambassador, I mean, just for reference, right? Like Yeah. So we can kind of see where is that in relation to some other things that you're Yeah. You maybe know. Uh, let's see. Green. Oh, Statesville isn't too far. Salisbury. Gastonia. Oh, Charlotte. Yeah. Okay.

Winston-Salem. I mean, it's like down here there's a big state, so Yeah. Yeah. There's Asheville. So it's not quite as west. I know where you're now Asheville. So it looks like you're, I've in Asheville a few times. Actually auditioned there a few times. Like it's, it's four like Asheville West. Yeah. I think they're pretty artsy too, from what I've heard.

Very, very artsy. So it's not on the coast, it's like hip. Yeah, it's in the middle. Cool. Yeah. Over by the kinda like, is that Blue Ridge? That's the mountains, right? Yeah. You're not far from the mountains. Pretty close to the mountains. Mm-hmm. We're like a couple hours away from the beach. Um, it was a great place to grow up, honestly.

Yeah. Very, very fortunate that there smack smack dab in the middle that I could do theater. Close to me. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. Mm-hmm. It's such a good theater cuz there's a lot of 'em that, you know. Yeah. I mean, it's kind of a mix. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. We have a couple regional theaters by us, one in Tampa, one in Orlando.

But the challenge with getting involved in that, one thing that I've noticed is like rehearsal time, you know, it's like a mm-hmm. Four o'clock in the afternoon. Well, we're not gonna battle I four traffic. You, our kids are still regular school. They don't, they're not homeschooled. Traffic means like an hour commute to go to one of those, or worse hour day.

Yeah. Hour on a good day. Um, and some things are just like not feasible. Like I, for a while I thought I was going to, um, the studio in Asheville, like, which is like two hours away from me, and I was like, I'll go there every Wednesday to make sure that I'm like, Getting like the best, like whatever leaps training I, I wanted.

And I went like one day and I was like, this is exhausting. I'm not doing Yeah. That's a lot of time in the car. It is a long time in the car. Yeah. If it's two hours there and then two hours home. Yeah. Sometimes what look looks good on paper just doesn't work out. Yeah. But you know, your parents let you do it so you could figure out for yourself that it wasn't gonna work.

Yeah. Yeah. I explained to 'em and they were like, okay, Hannah, like whatever. And then I was like, I'm not doing that anymore. And they're like, okay, that makes sense. Yeah. Shocker. They're like, uh, we could have told you that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But sometimes like they just let me do things and I was like, okay.

Like I'm just doing it. I imagine being my parents, like at 16 I was like, okay, I'm gonna sublet this place and I'm going to New York for two weeks. They were like O okay. Oh my gosh. At 16 Holy smoke. Yeah. New York of all places. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't, I don't think I would've been like, okay. Mm-hmm. I'll go with you.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I'll do that. Yeah. We'll make it a girls trip. It'll be great. Is your sister older or younger? Um, I'm sorry. Is your sister older or younger? She's younger than me. Okay. You're pretty close it seems like. Yeah. I love my sister. Oh. Um, I just saw her recently, so she's, she wants nothing to do with theater now.

I was about to ask, um, she's so done with theater. She has like a real girl job, like a, like with a salary and a cubicle and that health benefits, you know, all that stuff. Yeah. Yeah. So she is very far away, but she under, I mean, we, we grew up doing theater together, so she Aw, she gets it. Mm-hmm. Um, but she doesn't want a part of it.

Right. She's like, that's really cool, Hannah, but like, moving on. Yeah. She'll come see you, I'm sure, but, you know. Yeah. I'm trying to, to convince her she hates New York, so I don't know. Oh, no. Well, yeah. I mean, it's not for everybody. No, it's, and it, it's one of those places you either love it or you hate it.

Yeah. There's really not an in between. Mm-hmm. No, there was a time where I, I really hated New York because I just went up there for callbacks and stuff. Mm-hmm. Um, and I just had associated with, associated It with work. Mm-hmm. And I was like, I don't know about this. Um, but I went back at a time or two later just like, just for fun.

Mm-hmm. Um, just like to see a friend or to see a whatever, a show or something. I was like, this is so fun. Like when you just go for mm-hmm. Like not work. Mm-hmm. Um, so I think all things, you know, can exist. And I think, um, New York is like, uh, obviously like the center of like grind culture. Mm-hmm. So like you have to be pretty, pretty sure of who you are and what you need to, to operate to, to live there.

Yeah. From what I can tell. Yeah. Again, I'll check back. Yeah. Yeah, cuz you gotta hustle, you know? Yeah. You gotta hustle. Uh, well, you're gonna do fantastic. Yep. Yeah. You are excited. We're so excited. We're so excited for you. Yeah. Uh, it does look like the upload is complete. We're good? I think so. We're good. I think we're good.

Okay. All right. Well, Hannah, listen, you have a great night and, um, thank you. Thanks again. Yeah. Thank you again so much. Yeah, thank you. When should I expect, like it's gonna go somewhat like where is this? So I try to get them edited and posted on Tuesdays. Um, I ran a little behind this week, so, um, but. Yeah, I would expect to see it on Tuesday, um, next week.

Yeah. Yeah. Perfect. Yeah, so share it. Tell all your friends. Yeah, if you have friends, friends they would like to come on, we'd love to hear from them. Yeah, we'll talk to them too about their journeys and just talk. Perfect. Wonderful. Excellent. Yeah, thank good stuff. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Hannah.

All right, thanks. All right. Take care, byebye. Bye. Bye-Bye. Legs, yes, all of them. Yes. Lots of legs.