"Don’t Let Anyone Define Your Personal Success but Yourself." - Chatting with Judah Woomert!
Judah Woomert is someone I met several years back when we performed together in a musical called James and the Giant Peach (He was James, and I played the Earthworm). Now, he is getting ready to take on another title role portraying Joseph in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Booker High School's VPA Theatre Program in Florida (Chair - Sunny Smith). Judah is a talented young artist who has performed throughout the country for well-respected companies such as the Paper Mill Playhouse where he played Ralphie in A Christmas Story, The Asolo Repertory Theatre in their production of The Sound of Music (Directed by the incomparable Josh Rhodes), and in the Regional Premiere of my play The Unpredictable Times at Rise Above Performing Arts. Judah is also the front man for the Punk Rock Band "Grand Central" based out of Sarasota.
"Judah strikes me as a young artist who will find an amazing path in the arts. He has so much passion for music. And he is compassionate as well. I know that his passion is going to create some wonderful art. I can’t wait to see it all unfold."says director Josh Rhodes.
Judah is a very gifted young man who truly will shine with whatever he chooses to do. For him, the sky is truly the limit with performing. I am very happy to have the chance to feature Judah in my series!
If you could pick your favorite musical of all time, what would it be?
This is a difficult question to answer. I like different musicals for different reasons. I tend to gravitate more towards the quality of the writing and the material itself rather than the spectacle or the entertainment factor of any given piece. Sondheim Musicals like Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods come to mind because of the ingenious complexity of the scores, but as far as the writing of the scripts and stories go, I personally believe that the most perfect musicals every written are Gypsy and Fiddler on the Roof. Every little aspect of both shows is just incredible. The character arcs, storylines, morals, and messages behind them are just flawless in every little way.
When did Rock music come into the picture for you, and how has it been playing in a Band?
This is a fun question. Rock music has always been a major part of my life. My mom raised me on all the classic bands. In my younger years, it was The Beatles. They jump started my appreciation for the genre. It didn’t really become something I wanted to persue until I got my first guitar. It’s funny because most guitar players had a guitar hero of some sort that inspired them to pick up the instrument. I didn’t really have a guitar hero until after I learned to play. My dad took me to guitar center on my 14th birthday and got me a guitar. I didn’t actually ask for one, and I was scared to give it up and waste his money. So, I went home, got on YouTube, learned a C chord, and I haven’t put it down since. It’s as much a part of me as Musial theatre is, and that’s how I like it. My band is just amazing. We’re working on a ton of original music that we plan on releasing eventually, and we can’t wait to share it! It’s like they can read my mind when I am in the creative flow. The songs really do write themselves.
You have had the chance to perform for two very well-respected regional companies in this country, The Asolo Repertory Theatre and the Paper Mill Playhouse. Looking back, what are some of the highlights you remember from those experiences?
I was 11 when I booked A Christmas Story, and there’s never a day that goes by where I’m not proud of myself for that. I met so many people who I’m still in touch with today, and I’m glad I was able to get a glimpse of the professional world at such a young age. Working at the Asolo Rep is, to date, the greatest theatrical experience that I have ever had. Josh Rhodes is one of the most artistic and genius director out there, and it was an honor and a pleasure to work with him. The cast was wonderful, What I really appreciated about them was that they treated the kids like young professionals. Yeah, I was 15, meaning that I was one of the older kids in the cast, but they still held me and the younger kids (who were 6-9 years old) to the same professional standards that they held the adults to. As a result, even the youngest kids behaved like professionals. It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.
After 20+ Years, Scott Keys decided to hang it up and retire last year as the Head of the VPA Theatre Department at Booker High School. What did Mr. Keys mean to you and for your development as a performer?
I’m not sure what more I can say about Mr. Keys that hasn’t already been said. He’s an incredible man who did incredible work and made incredible impacts on an incredible number of kids (myself included). I only had him as a teacher for two years, but I know I grew as an artist and a person in my short-lived time as his student. He has a great gift for teaching. Lately, he’s been directing a lot of theatre locally and in other states, and it really is amazing to see how happy he is and how he’s managed to keep theatre as a major part of his life after 20 years at Booker.
If you could give advice to your peers or anyone who wants to do theatre what would it be?
As cliché as the notion is, when directors say “be yourself” they mean it. Now more than ever, the theatre industry is looking for people who break molds, stereotypes, and “type casts.” Don’t even get me started on typecasting. It just doesn’t make sense anymore. In an industry full of so many different performers who all look, sing, move, and speak differently, it’s just really old school to keep casting the same types of people over and over to play one role. Mix it up a bit. Don’t be discouraged to audition for a role just because you don’t look like every other person who’s played the role. If you think you’re right for the role then you need to walk into that audition, kick ass, and show the people behind the table why you are. Break boundaries and reshape molds. The industry is changing for the better, and there is a place for you within it.
Work hard, go to every audition, and keep your head up when things don’t go as planned. Don’t let anyone define your personal success but yourself. You’re not a failure just because you didn’t live up to someone else’s expectations of you. It’s your life, it’s your career, and you are successful when you say that you are. When you feel content with your life it doesn’t concern anyone else whether or not you book every show you audition for. Screw the critics who try to force you into a mold that you don’t feel right about. You’re a badass; believe it, baby.
To learn more about Judah's upcoming production of Joseph..., make sure you visit - https://www.bookervpa.com; and to learn more about Judah's Band "Grand Central" make sure you follow them on Instagram: @grandcentral.srq