"We are coming back, and you want to be ready when it’s time." - Chatting with Stephanie Renee Wall!

I would like you to meet the wonderful Stephanie Renee Wall! This talented mother of two has been performed on Broadway in Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Marilyn Ward). Other credits for Stephanie include Michele Weinberger in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: The Musical (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Nellie Forbush in South Pacific ( McCoy Rigby Entertainment); Title Role in Mary Poppins, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, & Fiona in Shrek (Performance Riverside); Louis in Gypsy ( West Coast Ensemble Theatre); and Elsa in Frozen: Live at The Hyperion (Disney), just to name a few!

I have followed Stephanie's career for many years, and there is nothing more inspiring to me than seeing a triple threat mother of two keep such a positive spirit and energy during these crazy times for performers. I am so happy to have the chance to feature Stephanie!

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

My mom took me to go see a children’s theatre (called MYART) production of Annie when I was 4, and apparently, at intermission, I pointed to the stage and said “Mommy! I wanna do THAT!” Afterward, she signed me up to be in their next production of “Sound of Music” and the rest is kind of history!

Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing performer you are today?

First of all, thank you! That’s very kind of you! I definitely have to mention The Young Americans - specifically Bill Brawley. I began working with him when I was about 8 years old, and his belief in me along with his training and healthy pushing towards being the best performer I can be was massive. He used to call me “the little girl with the big voice.” I remember him encouraging me to shine while also majorly focusing on me being a courteous and gracious performer and being “360°” at all times - which means being someone who is aware of those you’re sharing the stage with, those supporting you offstage, and your audience.

I learned more in my time with Bill and The Young Americans than I ever did in college. I also have to mention my vocal coach, Eric Futterer. I’ve been working with him since I was 14. He’s a wizard.

We are living in some unprecedented times in the world, but are very fortunate right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel. For all artists (especially performers) it has definitely been a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?

Well, I have two kids, a 6-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl, so my daily routine revolves heavily around them. I’m basically up at 6:30 every day, and once I get them all sorted and to school at 8 AM, the timer starts for me. I have 7 hours to be as productive (or not - LOL) as I possibly can! Usually, I’ll start by replying to emails over coffee and checking my “to do” list. Then, I’m either writing sketch comedy for my YouTube show that I created back in March (called "Quaratime with Friends") or recording vocals/videos for the online variety show I perform in most Saturday nights.

Managing my social networking, which has become an even more necessary evil as our business continues to gravitate more heavily towards digital media, takes a little chunk of time too. Also, I try to squeeze in some sort of HIIT workout that I find on YouTube 2-3 times a week. It probably doesn’t sound like much, but you’d be surprised at how quickly 7 hours go by!

Are there any roles and shows you have done in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?

I’ve gotten to play Elle Woods twice (once while I was pregnant with my son, Emmett!), and she will always be very close to my heart. I loved playing Elsa in Frozen at Disney’s Hyperion Theatre. Her frailty and brokenness, which then blossoms into a journey of radical growth and (ultimately) strength, is a story that I relate to very strongly.

Also, I play “Michele” in the Broadway-bound musical “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion: the Musical” and I can’t wait for that to get back on its feet. I was meant to be boarding a plane to New York in 19 hours to start rehearsals when I got the email from our producer to cancel flights and put everything on hold because of the pandemic. It was nuts.

Cortney Wolfson and Stephanie Renee Wall as Romy and Michele

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists during these times?

Keep going. Get creative. Don’t let yourself get rusty. Do whatever you need to do to keep your mind and your skillset sharp. We are coming back, and you want to be ready when it’s time. Revamp your audition book. Shoot new headshots. Learn a new dialect by watching YouTube tutorials. Take an online acting class. Teach yourself to juggle. Whatever. Just keep doing!

Check out this behind-the-scenes video of when Stephanie played Michele Weinberger in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: The Musical at 5th Avenue Theatre