By. Kevin Ray Johnson (Staff Writer for OnStage Blog)

Meet the oh-so-talented newcomer Emma Pittman! Emma is set to follow Pamela Anderson as Broadway’s next Roxie Hart in Chicago for two weeks only from June 6th to the 19th (where she'll star opposite Broadway Legend and original Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday as Matron "Mama" Morton). Emma received Over 41,000 votes and made it to the final three in "The Search For Roxie!" competition, where she was handpicked for the role by Chicago & Broadway legends Bebe Neuwirth, Bianca Marroquín, and the late, great Ann Reinking. She was ready and set to debut in Chicago and then...Broadway went Dark. This amazing triple-threat has now waited over two years to show everyone her Roxie and I am so excited and happy for her. I am so honored that Emma took the time!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?

This is a great question. I have been dancing since I was two years old, so it’s hard to pick an exact moment because I’ve loved it ever since I can remember. I will say, the moment I knew I wanted to perform in theatre, rather than the professional dance world, was when I was cast in my first role in high school. I played the Jitterbug in The Wizard of Oz. It was during that show that I fully realized my love for telling a story.

Where did you study? Are there any mentors who helped you become the amazing performer you are today?

I started my journey back in Mississippi doing competition dance, where I danced most styles of dance with no formal ballet training. In about the 8th grade I started to take my dance training more seriously because I knew if I was going to make a career out of it, I had to work hard. So for the next 4 summers after I trained at the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive and got really involved in my theatre department at my school. The department is run by John Davenport who is such an amazing teacher, mentor, and now friend of mine.

After High School, I attended Wagner College where I continued my studies in theatre. I was trained by the incredible professors there, who truly shaped me into the performer I am today. Michele Pawk, especially, was a huge influence on me during my time at Wagner and still is to this day.

Congratulations on Chicago! After 41,000 votes, making it in the final 3 for "The Search for Roxie" competition, and waiting two years you finally get the grace the Broadway Stage in the Iconic Role of Roxie Hart. How excited are you right now and how does it feel?

Thank you! It feels incredible. I’m so grateful to finally be here, doing this work with the team at Chicago. David Hyslop (PSM), Rob Bowman (Music Director), and David Bushman (Dance Captain) have been so welcoming, encouraging, and inspiring throughout this process. I’m honored to be working alongside them, and honored to be doing the work Ann Reinking believed I could do.

Are there any shows, moments, or performances in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart?

I think in this moment, “The Search for Roxie", goes unsaid? This entire experience has been, and still is, so special. An experience I’ll never forget.. Meeting Khalifa, Kate, Paige Davis, Paul Wontorek, Stewart/Whitley, the creative team of Chicago, Bianca, Bebe, AND the late Ann Reinking was a dream come true! Without a doubt the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.A couple of my favorite roles have been Judy in A Chorus Line, Lola in Damn Yankees, and Claudia in Nine. When I look back at these roles, I remember how much I grew in them. At the start of each process, I was afraid of not being capable to deliver what the role needed, but as I got to know the material, and saw so much of myself in these characters, I was reminded that I was enough.

What advice would you give any aspiring artist who wants a career in the performing arts?

Be yourself. I know, especially as performers, we tend to put ourselves in “types”. I’ve found that if you try to put yourself in that box, you will limit yourself. I believe this profession has space for everyone. If you don’t see yourself represented on stage right now, I promise there are people right now writing for YOU. Never take an opportunity to share your authentic self, for granted. The people who will support you, hire you, and celebrate you in this industry will find you because you’re simply being yourself. I can say, in my journey, that I’ve found that to be true.

For tickets to see Emma as Roxie in Chicago on Broadway please visit - https://chicagothemusical.com

You can view Emma’s full "The Search For Roxie!" journey here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu_d_S4ydH-GpVUfA06ySgQQEhlWTHi8U

Emma Pittman discusses her inspiring journey to Roxie in Chicago on Broadway!

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