Boulder native, Brittany Zeinstra has taken the stage in multiple Broadway performances. As an alum from my high school, Fairview High School, Brittany is making a name for Boulder. Theatergoer or not, you are sure to fall in love with her story.
- Her Campus CU Boulder: “What drew you to Broadway?”
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Brittany Zeinstra: “My first memory of wanting a life on stage was around age five. I asked someone at a backyard party, “what’s Broadway?” – neither of my parents work in the arts – and they said it was where people sing, dance and act on stage. I remember thinking, “that’s a job?! You can do that?!” and my sights have been set in that direction ever since.”
- HCCU: “What was your favorite role and why?”
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BZ: “My current role as Moaning Myrtle is by far the most fun I’ve had. She switches on a dime, has complete irreverence for rules of polite society, and I get to watch my castmates break onstage constantly. I love watching the corners of their mouths twitch, knowing I’ve hit a new funny bone. I can’t wait to return to her when theatre can resume safely.”
- HCCU: “Who was your favorite person that you have met through Broadway?”
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BZ: “How can one possibly narrow it down? The cast of “The Prom”, where I made my debut, was built of the strongest dancers and funniest people I’ve ever known. We lived in such close quarters backstage that no one could hide from one another. We held each other up through the most cardiovascularly intense show any of us had mastered: with toasted bagels on Sundays, a constant stream of vegan gummy bears, and constant comedic bits from Brooks Ashmanskas and Vasthy Mompoint. Those two were utterly incorrigible.”
- HCCU: “What does pursuing a career path in this industry look like?”
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BZ: “Like every career in the arts, theatre requires a balance of self-motivation and active rest. In New York, I would ask myself: How many auditions did you go to this week? Were you prepared? Did you write down the names of the director, casting, and producers, in case they want to see you again?
And the reverse: What classes can I take to fill my spirit, not just refine my technique? Am I letting these auditions go after I exit the room, or am I carrying them with me? Am I overanalyzing what I cannot change? That being said, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and it takes a lot of work to get here. There are always nos that far outnumber the yeses, and I do my best to stay in the present moment.
If you want to be in this industry, get yourself to class! Learn more about yourself and your fellow humans. What makes us tick? Why do we tell stories? That’s the essential question.”
- HCCU: “What were some ups and downs in your career?”
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BZ: “When I got the call about “The Prom”, I was ecstatic. It didn’t feel real for several months, but I was absolutely ecstatic. That ecstasy carried me all the way through our first performances – I didn’t care if I was exhausted, injured, whatever. I was on Broadway.
Then this funny thing happens, which friends have called Broadway Blues. No one really wants to talk about it, because you’re living your dream. You’re living all your friends’ dreams.
But that’s just it. Broadway had been my dream since I was five, and it was done. I had achieved it. So… what now? It’s a good lesson to learn in any industry: make big goals, then encourage yourself to dream even bigger. Wider. What kind of life do I want? Are my goals only career-focused, or might I also want solid friendships, spiritual life, hobbies that are just for fun?
We’re allowed to have a life outside of our ambition.”
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HCCU: “Best experience you have been able to do out of Broadway? (Macy’s day
parade, “Prom”, etc)”
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BZ: “The Tony Awards was the strangest day. It was basically four a.m.-two a.m. nonstop. What many people don’t know is: unlike other awards shows, the actors on the Tonys have a matinee performance the same afternoon, just before the ceremony. An early-morning, in-costume rehearsal for the opening number means we get to meet people from all the other new shows on Broadway. They are inspiring and caffeinated. We are all zombies. Then each show rehearses their individual number, which is just different enough from the everyday show version to make you think, “Crap! Am I going to mess this up in front of millions of people?”. It’s terrifying and exhilarating.
We take a million pictures of each other on the stage at Radio City, marveling at how truly giant and beautiful the space is. Our cast member Shelby Finnie has been a Rockette, so for her, it’s like returning home.
Then a matinee for an unknowing audience, and a 30-minute nap. Finally, on goes the lipstick, on goes the wig, we’re ushered onto a bus from our theatre to Radio City.
We parade off the bus, through a door to the backstage holding room. We wait. We wait again. A television in the room suggests the Tonys are happening right now. There are speeches. There are performances. Commercial breaks.
We’re herded like sheep down to the left side of the stage. They tell us we are next. We gaze at each other nervously and do a couple last minute squats.
We’re ON. There’s the music. Our music! We perform. We dance our hearts out. We go far too hard. The giant LED screen pretending to be a curtain descends in front of us. We cry. Mary Antonini says through tears, “I did the choreography right!”, as if she was afraid she could forget. Instantly we are ushered off stage left, out a door, back onto the bus to our theatre.
Our lungs are shredded. We take the many pins out of our wigs, change into formal clothes, and try to dab sweat from our brows. The Tony Awards are still going on. We walk two blocks in heels to the bar, order a drink, and watch the rest of the awards on the TV, events unfolding from afar. It doesn’t ever feel real.”
- HCCU: “What has being an actress during covid been like?”
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BZ: “I think most of us like to work. We like fast-paced rehearsal schedules and solving problems. This time really hurts, both financially and emotionally.
For many months, we’ve been grieving the loss of our industry,
employment, sense of community, and often friends or loved ones.
But we’re strong. We make new work where we can. I’ve been coaching
students, helping friends write songs, and playing “Among Us” with
friends across the country. Everyone needs connection, needs art.
One thing I ask: if anyone out there needs to hire an artist during
the pandemic, pay them. Not in exposure or experience. Buy them lunch,
ask their hourly rate, do them the service of acknowledging their
worth.”
- HCCU: “Who has been the most influential on your life?”
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“I had amazing training in high school from Angela Gaylor and David Ayers. They were New York actors who set up a studio in Boulder for a number of years, and I was fortunate enough to learn from them. I came at age 14 knowing nothing about musical theatre or acting. They introduced us to the Meisner technique, Stanislavsky, Viewpoints, and put on full productions on par with regional theatres in the area. They believed in us and treated us as young adults rather than children.”
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HCCU: “How did your experience growing up in Boulder influence who you
have become today?”
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“In Boulder, I was lucky to have nature close by, incredibly well-funded schools, and a community that cares about both organic food and arts programs.
I think growing up here, we take many things for granted. I brought friends from California and Massachusetts to Chautauqua for hikes, and it was incredible to watch them take in the beauty. I try to return to pine trees and music from street musicians whenever I’m feeling low – it brings me back home.”
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HCCU: “Best words of advice you have ever received speaking to being a
strong woman?”
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“My mother, who was working mom in the finance industry from the 80s onward, does not claim the title of “Feminist”. But she did imbue my sisters and me with lessons of equality.
That being said, I don’t know if I’ve learned how to be a strong woman yet. I know how to be an empathetic person, which might be just as important. I wonder if strength is how much a woman can bear in pursuit of her objective, or how much she trusts her own judgment, or how strategically she uses her energy and assets to aid others. It’s still a question for me. Good thing there’s still time to learn.”
Brittany Zeinstra teaches us the importance of being honest and real with yourself. She teaches us the value of being strong women by tuning into who we truly are. She will continue to inspire many young girls who want to grow up and be on Broadway.