Meet Broadway Wiz Bright Star, Nikki from Atlanta, Georgia.
Nikki is a huge fansie and she currently writes for a site called Theatre Nerds.
On average, how many Broadway shows do you see a year?
1-2
How many local shows or community theater shows do you see a year?
At least 10-12, if not more.
Favorite Broadway show:
Newsies
All-time favorite performer:
Corey Cott
Songs you like to belt in the shower:
Astonishing, Breathe, Home, any Disney Princess song, really.
Favorite piece of theater memorabilia you own:
I have a Newsies bobble head that was given to the touring cast members and an “all access” pass for the Newsies 1NT
Most memorable performance you’ve ever seen:
August 17th, 2014. A week before Newsies closed on Broadway, I got to see it front row center mezzanine. The energy and emotion of the cast was contagious and I’ll never forget seeing the show that got me to perform live.
Best interaction you have had with another theater fan:
I’ve had so many! I’ve got to say, I loved working the Theatre Nerds booth at BroadwayCon because I got to meet so many amazing people. I also love when I’m at the Fox and people come up to me because they recognize me from my Instagram!
Why do you love theater?
Theater is a way of dramatically expressing the emotions we all feel in a relatable format. Theater makes you dream, think, and most of all, feel things! It’s such a beautiful art form.
Dream roles?
First, Katherine Plumber in Newsies. After that, Glinda in Wicked and Jo March from Little Women are definitely up there.
Best stagedoor or backstage experience?
When I got to see Newsies on Broadway, it was a surprise. My dad had told me he had a business brunch early in the morning downtown and needed me to be his “plus one”. So, I went with him. At around 5:30 when we were in the car, my mom called and told me there wasn’t a meeting, but I should ask my dad to take me to New York to see Newsies. My dad handed me an envelope and there were tickets inside for that day’s matinee. Two months earlier, I has written Corey Cott a letter saying how much he meant to me and what I wanted to say to him at the stagedoor. When I was stagedooring that afternoon, I (apparently) said the same things I said in my letter. Corey stopped and asked if I had written him a letter two months earlier. I said yes. He asked me if I had just played Patrice in 13. I said yes. “You’re Nikki, aren’t you?” I started crying. He took my hand and said “you are going to go so far in this business and I’m going to be there to watch every step of the way.” Then he hugged me and went on. It was magical.
Favorite spots in NYC:
Schmackary’s (but isn’t everyone’s?) any of the theaters, Carmines, Broadway Dance Center, Dance Molinari, Best Bagel and Coffee, Pearl Studios, and Ripley Grier Studios.
If you could sing a duet or perform a scene with any Broadway star, who would it be?
Corey Cott
Did you ever fangirl when you met an actor/performer?:
I generally try to keep my cool, but I was fangirling after Ben Cook kissed me on the cheek when I stagedoored the Newsies Tour.
Favorite thing about Broadway Wiz?
All the interviews!
What would your super power be?
Being able to belt and hold notes. (Let’s be real–Sutton Foster is a superhero.)
Besides theater, what are some of your other passions or hobbies?
I currently write and tweet for a page called Theatre Nerds! I absolutely love it and love the environment. I recently learned I love being a saleswoman and out interacting with people. One of my FAVORITE things is teaching little kids. I used to teach beginning tap, beginning musical theater, mini vocals and even a couple routines I choreographed myself.
Where can we stalk you online?
Find me with Theatre Nerds on Twitter @wearethespians, find my personal @serenitymoon123. On Instagram, I run a Fansie account which is @something.to.believe.in 🙂
Anything else you would like to share? Funny stories, weird facts about yourself, cool talents?
I love to sew and make costumes with my mom! Also, we adopt special needs animals and every animal at our house is special needs. 🙂