Who: Meredith Swanson
Snapped: Outside the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 45th Street

You look like you have a bounce in your step!
I’ve just come from the Broadway Dance Center. I took Lizz Picini’s Beginners’ Theatre Class. She is a good friend of mine and an amazing teacher.

What were you doing in the class?
We went over some basics, but this particular class was [linked to] Grease Live.

Do you have a dream role in Grease?
Don’t be fooled by the blonde hair, I want to be Rizzo. She’s definitely a sweetheart inside but a little bit catty on the outside.

Are you a performer professionally?
Yes. I’ve been dancing since I was three. I have a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Hartt School [at University of Hartford], and I’ve been living in New York for two years now—I come from Hamilton, Massachusetts, originally.

Finish this sentence: ‘I moved to New York with…’
Passion.

Did you come here on your own?
I came with a group of college buddies. We’re in this together; we motivate each other; and we wake up at 4 AM to go sign our names on audition lists.

What was the last show you auditioned for?
Hamilton. I went to the dance call. I was lucky enough to see the show, and I’ve been taking a few hip-hop dance classes. Whenever I go to a dance call, I try to think of it as a free class and then I won’t be so uptight or nervous.

What’s your dream?
In increments: I’d love to do a tour and be able to travel, because I never got to go abroad in college. I want to see the country and still do what I love. Then, Broadway. That really is the ultimate goal.

Who is somebody on Broadway that really inspires you?
The first person that comes to mind is Megan Hilty. I really look up to her.