Adi Schor Discusses the International Voice In Theatre
Thomas Burns Scully
“It’s really a blessing to be a part of the International Off-Broadway community right now,” says Adi Schor, “There’s so much going on, so much opportunity.” And if you look at her resume you can see what she means. With a slew of enviable credits in her recent past, and gigs lined up to keep her busy through Christmas next year, the waters seem quite temperate for an artist on the rise. “I’ve definitely been lucky to land where and when I have,” she explains, “it’s led me to a place I wasn’t expecting to be quite this early on.” We sat down with her to chat about her work, past and upcoming, with The World Voice Ensemble.
“I think the thing that’s been the best about [the WVE] has been the sense of community,” Schor says in discussing her involvement, “moving to New York was so intimidating, as it is for everyone, and after leaving drama school, landing in an environment that has been so supportive was wonderfully empowering.” Schor is a native of Israel. After completing two years in the IDF she moved to America to pursue the arts at the world-renowned American Musical and Dramatic Academy. After graduation she quickly began working. Taking on roles in, amongst others, Annie, The Spyglass Seven, Enlargement, OMG, and guesting multiple times in Off-Broadway improv-cabaret sensation On The Spot. “It’s one of those things where work begets work, which is just so satisfying to have affirmed,” she says, exuding positivity, “Apart from anything it makes me happy that people enjoy working with me enough to do so more than once.”
From job to job, introduction to introduction, Schor was eventually brought to the attention of the board of the World Voice Ensemble (consisting of Make Hirawaka Armstrong, Jerel Armstrong,, Aki Saijo, and Hiroki Moriuchi). “It was an immediate good fit,” she explains, “They were looking for international voices to headline their shows, and I went ‘That’s me!’. Apparently they agreed.” Schor began performing with them in a number of revues, as well as starring in their original musical Angels at Work. “It was a wonderful production,” she recounts, “It presented angels on a match-making mission. It was all about conquering fear and loneliness to find love… and I was one of the characters who needed help with that! Everything I’ve done with them has been a delight, and the response so uplifting and positive.”
Schor has become something of a rising star in the group, transitioning from just singing in their Off-Broadway cabarets to also hosting them. “I’m pretty talkative, so I think hosting comes naturally” she laughs, “It was a nice move for them to make. I am grateful for them constantly having faith in me”. She will be singing in, and hosting, their impending New York City on My Mind and Back to Roots. The former will see a sharing of NY themed songs and stories, while the latter will showcase the impressive feat of performers exhibiting Broadway hits in the singers’ native language.
“There’s something really personal about that,” Schor shares, “We all came here because we believe in Broadway and what it represents, but we’re expressing that belief in our own voices. Literally. Which feels like it says something about our identity as internationals within the theatre community.” The events promise to be stellar nights of entertainment, featuring some of Off-Broadway’s best up-and-comers. “They haven’t officially finalized casting yet,” says Schor, “But we do have several people locked in, and I think people will be thrilled when they find out.”
What else is on the horizon with Israel’s own musical theatre Wunderkind? “Well, it looks like I’ll be doing Heaven Sent by Bambi Everson (initially debuted at NYSummerfest 2018), which will be fun. I played the leading role of the angel Catherine in an adaption of the play called OMG, but now I get to work with Everson herself on the original version. Playing in a production about angels again... I seem to have a gift for that,” she laughs, laying out her busy schedule, “we’re talking about doing Angels at Work again very soon, so keep an eye on that.” Plus you never know what else will come up. That’s the world of theatre. Unpredictable.” She smiles, pleased, as anyone would be, with the promise of upcoming work. It takes real talent to work like Adi Schor does. Lucky for her, she has it in spades.