You're On In Five! The Art of Understudying

In this episode, Scott and Elana chat with Quenna Lene Barrett and Karli Scott, who are currently understudying The House That Will Not Stand by Marcus Gardley at Invictus Theatre Company. We hope you enjoy!

Check out our latest episode with the tremendous Jean Marie Koon! We get into some juicy understudy gigs, discuss what it's like to come back to theater after a long break, and finish with things that bring us joy. We hope you enjoy!

THEE Jessica Dean Turner came through and churned out the realness. Tune in to hear about Jessica’s journey from beatnik poet to president of the thespian club to in-demand stage goddess!  Plus, you gotta find out what “EGO DEATH” is all about. JESSICA DEAN TURNER is an actor and educator from the west side of Chicago. As an understudy, she’s been able to cover roles in two separate Ike Holter plays, Lottery Day at the Goodman (covering two roles where she had to learn fight choreography against herself) and The Light Fantastic at Jackalope. She’s also understudied the ripple/the wave that carried me home, where she and an intrepid team of actors had 10 days to learn the show. Gulp. Throughout undergrad she understudied at various Shakespeare festivals as an acting intern, covering the Bard’s iconic roles of Helena in Midsummer, Mistress Quickly in Henry IV pt. I and both Portia and the Prince of Morocco in Merchant of Venice, meaning she had to unsuccessfully woo herself. Shakespeare and new work enthusiast who currently spends her time finding distinct voices for all the characters in the Little Blue Truck books she reads her daughter. That’s where the training really kicks in. 

In this episode, we chat with the splendiforous Larry Trice!  They talked about their recent experience understudying Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as well as a bunch of other exciting credits.  Larry demonstrates their commitment to diversity, their relentless pursuit of artistic goals, and the positive attitude that makes them such a wonderful member of the Chicago Theatre Community.  Enjoy!

If “The Art of Understudying” was a person, it’d be RJW MAYS!! A living example of how glorious leaning into your dreams can be.  Our conversation is rich with joy, wisdom, and laughter. Listen for some strategies on getting in the game later in life, how making connections can keep you growing as an artist, and plain and simply see how it’s never too late to do what you love!

Breon Arzell in da HAUZ!  We swear that’s relevant and not just us trying to be hip.  We are so excited to bring you this conversation where joy and authenticity collide and makes evident why Breon is a sought after, world-traveling actor, dancer, and choreographer.  This episode was a good time.  Join us, won’t you?!?

Laura Berner Taylor gets Season 4 jumping!  Listen to this juicy episode, where amidst and betwixt her understudy shenanigans, she regales us with enthralling stories of personal and artistic growth.  Vulnerable honesty rules the moment and hugs us like a cozy blanket, and you get to hear Scott pretend he isn’t a Type A personality. Check it out!

Are you ready to be soothed by the dulcet vocals of one Mr. Timothy Edward Kane?  Well you better get ready.  Grab a warm beverage and a fireside, relax and listen to him talk about early career hard learned lessons, playing the romantic interest of his actual wife, and ask yourself, “how many times can one person understudy Hamlet?”  Come on in, we’ve been waiting for you.

Are you ready to be soothed by the dulcet vocals of one Mr. Timothy Edward Kane?  Well you better get ready.  Grab a warm beverage and a fireside, relax and listen to him talk about early career hard learned lessons, playing the romantic interest of his actual wife, and ask yourself, “how many times can one person understudy Hamlet?”  Come on in, we’ve been waiting for you.

Hold on to your butts! Connar Brown shares delightful stories from her high school’s version of Avenue Q, Jr. to dinosaur-sized storytelling to The SpongeBob Musical to that time she took on a one-line role and saved the day. Full of laughs and very few complaints, Connar’s career has been quite exciting and we can’t wait for you to hear all about it!  

Hold on to your butts! Connar Brown shares delightful stories from her high school’s version of Avenue Q, Jr. to dinosaur-sized storytelling to The SpongeBob Musical to that time she took on a one-line role and saved the day. Full of laughs and very few complaints, Connar’s career has been quite exciting and we can’t wait for you to hear all about it!  

“They say the mind is the first thing to go-go Gadget helicopter!” Join us as we try to get Derek to remember things he’s blocked out or can’t recall!  Scott & Derek reflect on their respective and connected POSEIDON! experiences and Elana gets on a too-high horse about critics & reviews. This fun episode is a journey and we’re so glad you’re taking the ride with us!

“They say the mind is the first thing to go-go Gadget helicopter!” Join us as we try to get Derek to remember things he’s blocked out or can’t recall!  Scott & Derek reflect on their respective and connected POSEIDON! experiences and Elana gets on a too-high horse about critics & reviews. This fun episode is a journey and we’re so glad you’re taking the ride with us!

Japan. New York. Japan. D.C. Japan again!  Go on an international theatrical adventure with us and Manatsu Tanaka (they/them)! Manatsu is a Japanese nonbinary Performer and an Artist with many creative outlets: dance, acting, singing, Tate (Japanese Sword Stage Combat/Fighting), improv on the piano, aerial silks, drawing and recently they have started practicing hand poke tattoos. You do NOT wanna miss the exciting stories from this multi-talented extraordinary artist!  

Japan. New York. Japan. D.C. Japan again!  Go on an international theatrical adventure with us and Manatsu Tanaka (they/them)! Manatsu is a Japanese nonbinary Performer and an Artist with many creative outlets: dance, acting, singing, Tate (Japanese Sword Stage Combat/Fighting), improv on the piano, aerial silks, drawing and recently they have started practicing hand poke tattoos. You do NOT wanna miss the exciting stories from this multi-talented extraordinary artist!  

There are smart people / kind people / wise people. Tania Richard is all of the people!  Join us as we chat with, learn from, and are moved by Tania’s take on understudying, making career choices, and priceless advice. She takes us to school with life lessons that we can’t wait for you to hear. Oh and, check out her podcast Tania’s Take on race, culture and the culture of race. www.taniarichard.com

There are smart people / kind people / wise people. Tania Richard is all of the people!  Join us as we chat with, learn from, and are moved by Tania’s take on understudying, making career choices, and priceless advice. She takes us to school with life lessons that we can’t wait for you to hear. Oh and, check out her podcast Tania’s Take on race, culture and the culture of race. www.taniarichard.com

Scott and Elana kick off Season 3 with New Yorker-turned-Chicagoan-turned-Angelino, Juan Francisco Villa!  Anytime someone’s FIRST understudy gig is at Steppenwolf Theater, you know they have some exciting stories to share! Join us as we hear about Juan’s unique experiences, including having to take the stage without rehearsal!! Thank you for listening!

Scott and Elana kick off Season 3 with New Yorker-turned-Chicagoan-turned-Angelino, Juan Francisco Villa!  Anytime someone’s FIRST understudy gig is at Steppenwolf Theater, you know they have some exciting stories to share! Join us as we hear about Juan’s unique experiences, including having to take the stage without rehearsal!! Thank you for listening!

In our last episode of 2022, Scott and Elana speak with Kaleigh Cronin, our second Broadway understudy!  Kaleigh fell in love with the thrill of understudying when she was thrown on last minute for Olive Octopus (a role she did not cover) in a summer theater production in her home state of NH and the rest is history.  On Broadway, she stepped in for Emma Stone as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” when she left to attend the Oscars (no pressure), has understudied and performed as a Mom twice her age (the deep voice comes in handy), has had to learn how to play accordion (apologies to her husband who had to deal with her practicing daily) and rehearsed yet did not go on for a stern lady-boss in a killer power suit (Boo, Covid).  Her non-understudy credits on Broadway include Sexy Soccer Lady/Helga (Yes. Seriously.) in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Giorgio Moroder in “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical”, Marie in “A Bronx Tale,” Lulu / Two Ladies in “Cabaret” and Lorraine in the National Tour cast of “Jersey Boys.” We discuss all these juicy credits, and so much more in this really awesome conversation!