The Ensemblist

Whether its your first Broadway show or your sixth, closing a show is an emotional experience. You’re saying goodbye to a creative journey, a community of artists as well as stability and a paycheck. When the company of Broadway’s Frozen was asked to move out of the St. James Theatre after the show closed during the Coronavirus pandemic, we reached out to members of the cast to tell us about visiting the theatre for the last time. Here’s what Nina Lafarga and Robin Masella had to say…

On March 11, 2020, 457 performers were employed in the ensembles of Broadway musicals. Across the companies of 24 musicals, these artists had come to the Main Stem to pursue their dreams of working on Broadway. One of the last to join these ranks was Tony Neidenbach, who made his Broadway debut just ten days earlier. We asked Tony to share the story of his Broadway debut as well as his experience moving out of the St. James Theatre last week. Here, in his own words, is Tony Neidenbach.

This was meant to be a celebratory week for the New York theatre community. We were meant to be seeing our dreams come true. We were meant to be exhausted from the weeks of two-show days and press events. We were meant to be cheering each other on while we gamed award ceremonies. We were meant to be celebrating the power of coming together. But instead, we are home. This pause has been touted as “only intermission” for the theatre industry...

It’s difficult to even fathom what the next three months will feel like. As Broadway waits for the green light to start performances, the performers in those shows are waiting as well. However, that waiting comes with knowledge that even when Broadway opens they may not have a show to come back to. On March 12, there were 457 ensemblists working in Broadway musicals...

Scanning the pages of Broadway ensemblists on social media, its hard not to take stock of the number of performers who are moving out of New York City. While some of these moves are temporary and others seem more permanent, what I'm struck by is the fact out performing artists have a reason or means to stay in one of the most expensive cities in the country. One of those artists is Lindsay Northen...

Performing on Broadway comes with certain rites of passage: first costume fitting, first performance, first backstage birthday cake. But 2020 has brought a new rite of passage: visiting your darkened theatre to clean off your dressing room station with the prospect of your being closed for at least a year. Here to share the story of his experience visiting the Richard Rodgers Theatre is Hamilton’s Preston Mui...

Jessica Rush has performed in a remarkable six Broadway musicals in the last ten years, but a large chunk of that time was spent in the ensemble in Jersey Boys. She is also the co-host of the very great, very good podcast Mama’s Talkin’ Loud, also available on the Broadway Podcast Network. Having spent almost six years and more than 2,300 performances in Jersey Boys, Jess shares how working a long-running show changed her life - both as an artist and a mama...

The shutdown of Broadway theatre has paused the careers of 414 ensemblists, including many making their Mainstem debuts. Back in February, Mrs. Doubtfire swing Brian Martin wrote a story for our blog about finally feeling ready to make his Broadway debut. Six months later, we asked Brian to revisit the story and share how the last six months have affected that readiness. Here, in his own words, is Brian Martin...

Today, we share a story of love from Daniel Switzer. Not only about falling in love with a person, but also a city - and how both of those relationships bloomed over a years-long courtship. Here, in his own words, is Daniel Switzer.

On March 12, 2020, the Broadway League suspended performances for all Broadway shows through April 12 amidst rising Coronavirus concerns and bans on large gatherings. Six months later, most industries are reopening, television/film production is resuming, and many office employees are settling nicely into remote work routines. Yet staying masked, practicing social distancing, and avoiding large crowds remains crucial in the fight against COVID-19...