Photo FeaturesGo Behind the Scenes of 9 Broadway Dressing RoomsMichael Kushner shares his photographic journal of actors preparing for their roles on Broadway in The Dressing Room Project.
By
Hannah Vine
May 21, 2017
The Dressing Room Project is a photographic journal of actors preparing for their roles on Broadway. Created by actor-photographer Michael Kushner, the project is meant for theatre lovers everywhere.
In his own words, “What happens onstage demonstrates brilliance. What happens before hand demonstrates skill and dedication. The Dressing Room Project unwraps a side of artists we rarely see. No VIP ticket can put you in touch with how an artist prepares. This collection brings you into the dressing room where the art begins, before the performance starts.
So, what becomes a Legend most? Follow The Dressing Room Project (Instagram: @thedressingroomproject) and decide for yourself.”
Flip through the photos behind the scenes of Anastasia, The Great Comet, Kinky Boots, and more:
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Go Behind the Scenes of 9 Broadway Dressing Rooms
Go Behind the Scenes of 9 Broadway Dressing Rooms
Michael Kushner shares his photographic journal of actors preparing for their roles on Broadway in The Dressing Room Project.
24 PHOTOS
Ali Ewoldt, the first Asian - American Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, shares a laugh after discovering we're both enormous Les Misérables fans. She dug up an old video of her singing the Confrontation with her brother. She was Javert.
Ali perfects her top of the show look with her ballet slippers. I love this photo because it captures the grace and focus that Ali has both as an artist and a person.
Tada! The complete top of the show look for Ali. She's warmed up and ready to go on for Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.
Grace McLean of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway, diligently executes her make up for the fierce Marya. Notice the dots lining her lower eyelids.
Grace secures on her beautiful costume designed by Paloma Young. Throughout the process, she warmed up her voice, which is imperative for this vocally colorful and demanding performance. As much as pre-show process is important, she also warms down her voice once the show is over.
The pieces of the puzzle are coming together. You can see Marya coming to life in Grace's eyes, and she is ready to explode onto the Imperial stage.
Janelle McDermoth, Frieda in Broadway's A Bronx Tale, finds focus in perfecting her show make up.
Megan Ort, understudy for Grizabella in Cats, takes a moment to focus and ground herself before she sings Broadway's most popular song, Memory, for the first time.
Megan relaxes on her digs for the show. Whoever is on for Grizabella during that performance gets to inhabit the "star dressing room" at The Neil Simon.
Q. Smith, Hannah in Broadway's Come From Away, goes through a full body warm up before getting into make up and costume. The whole experience being backstage was light and joyous.
The vibrant Q. Smith begins her journey into Hannah. We discussed her relationship with the real life Hannah, what she learned from her, and how she brings her to life every performance.
Hair supervisor Mathew Armentrout assists Q. with applying her wig before every show. The journey into Hannah is almost complete.
Ramin takes time to speak with me about life and inspiration.
Ramin Karimloo of Broadway's Anastasia is extremely connected to music. I didn't know I would get a free concert out of this and I am certainly not complaining!
Michael Kushner
Getting into costume, Ramin starts to become the strapping Gleb in Anastasia.
Ramin's top of the show look. Being in his dressing room was a serene, human experience and it was so refreshing to see that music played such an important part of his preparation.
Sisters on stage and off, Samantha Massell and Alexandra Silber of the recent Fiddler on the Roof revival, share a pre show hug. Their smiles and energy is absolutely infectious; their bond intensely genuine.
Going back to 1905 - Samantha and Alexandra step into the iconic clothes of Tzeitel and Hodel, designed by Catherine Zuber.
Samantha and Alexandra celebrating after a race to finish dressing. To heighten the stakes, they do it to Henry Ford from Ragtime, which is a 1:28 minute song.
Todrick Hall, Lola in Broadway's Kinky Boots, poses for a snap. This is in the middle of just one of the dressing room dance parties. Yes, they are fun, but they serve a purpose. Lola is full of sharp, electric energy and Todrick uses this time to get Lola into his body.
Todrick's transformation is complete. Lola is ready to grace the stage for hundreds of screaming fans. This is his top of the show look.
Will Pullen of Broadway's Sweat has no easy feat tackling his complex character Jason and without a doubt needs a warm up to match the intensity.
Is it anguish or is he massaging his vocal resonators? Maybe a little bit of both.
Jason envelopes Will. Those are the only words to describe what is happening in this picture.
Michael Kushner is a New York based actor and photographer. As a photographer, Michael has worked on shoots for Allegiance, Les Miserables, and Disaster! His work has been featured in The New York Times and other publications nationally and internationally. He currently owns Michael Kushner Photography (michaelkushnerphotography.com) and is Resident Photographer and Membership Coordinator at Musical Theatre Factory. Instagram: @michaelkushnerphotography
