Jeremy Jordan, Josh Young, Jessie Mueller and More Give Acting Advice

The Broadway newcomer is a deceptive term. By the time an actor lands a role on Broadway, it’s likely that they have spent years preparing for auditions, awaiting callbacks, and shaking off rejection. It’s a process for every artist, and it may be comforting to know that even veteran actors have experienced the ebb and flow of the business. 

At the Theatre World Awards on Tuesday night, 12 actors were honored for their achievements in a Broadway or Off-Broadway debut. Yet many of the recipients acknowledged that hard work and resilience are as vital to a successful career as acting itself. Stacy Keach, who presented an award at the event, said: “The ability to withstand rejection has a lot to do with your talent. Talent isn’t just the ability to act.”

Jeremy Jordan who received a Theatre World Award for his performance in “Bonnie & Clyde” and has a Tony nomination for his role in “Newsies,” said, “If there’s anything else you can see yourself doing, do that because [the business] is hard.” To aspiring actors, Mr. Jordan advised: “Find where your strengths lie and embrace them. Take risks. There are so many people doing the same thing, so do something that no one else is going to do. You may fall on your face, but you may also stand out in the crowd.”

For Josh Young, the Tony-nominated actor for “Jesus Chris Superstar,” the key is impressing the casting director. He landed the role of Judas Iscariot after the show’s casting director remembered him from another audition. To make every impression count, Young tells young actors to “go to every audition, and try to capitalize on what makes you different.”

Many actors who advance to Broadway are originally cast outside of New York. Jessie Mueller, who starred this year in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” and received a Tony nomination for her performance, auditioned for the show in Chicago, where she had been living and working at the time. Her guiding principle is one that so many successful people point to: “Be yourself.”

Philip Boykin also began work on his current show, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” outside of New York. Through the many incarnations of the musical, he transitioned from role to role. “I’ve played every role except Bess and Porgy,” he said with a laugh. That versatility and ease ultimately helped him land the role of Crown and also earned him a Tony nomination.

Attending graduate school is a necessary step for some actors in honing their technique, gaining mentors, and making connections. That was the case for Crystal A. Dickinson who is in “Clybourne Park” on Broadway. Her advice is to “choose the projects that are important to you.” That sentiment is reinforced for Dickinson at each performance of “Clybourne Park.” She likens the experience to being part of “a great jazz band. Night to night that tune will differ a bit, but we’re all gonna be there putting together this great song.”

Michael Cerveris, a former Theatre World Award winner, has had the sort of stage career that most actors would envy. Yet he acknowledges how much luck plays a role in success.

“I know a lot of people who are extremely talented who haven’t had that convergence of the right role at the right time in the right season,” he said. “My advice is to not focus on goals as much as the process. Learn more than you knew yesterday. When I auditioned for ‘The Who’s Tommy,’ it was this weird show at La Jolla Playhouse. At that time it could have been a complete disaster. You never know what will be that thing.”