"It's funny, I'm not saying I did it, but to me, it's we did it like all versions of myself, you know, the girl who thought it'd be easy, the girl who thought she should give up, the girl who, wasn't sure if this was going to pan out...Like all the versions of myself. We did it." — Zoie Tannous

Welcome Zoie Tannous:

We’re joined on the Starline by an actress who grew up in the valley and went from running operations in health care to chasing a stage light across the country on the national tour of Clue where she plays Yvette. We welcome Zoie Tannous.

Zoie, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You’re an LA kid who grew up in the valley and got your BFA from UC Irvine. Moved to New York to follow your dreams. Now that you have your 1st national tour, was there a moment in those five long years in New York where you thought, “this might never happen”?

You’ve done musical theater, but Clue is a straight play. Do you ever have to fight the instinct to sing… and if you didn’t, what song would slips out?

Portraying Yvette is different from playing Conchita in “Anna in the Tropics” and Cinderella in “Into the Woods”. How does Clue challenge you differently since you aren’t singing?

You have a minor in Psychology and Social Behavior. On a tour like this, when does that actually come in handy? Are you the one needing it… or the one giving it on the road?

The Rockin' 8:

Clue is the show, and Zoie Tannous joins us for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, just trust your first instinct. There is no Pressure.

1. You worked at Nektar Juice Bar. Customer can't decide, soooo what do you make them?

2. Buying a coat is "such a fashion commitment." What's the biggest fashion commitment you've ever made and regretted?

3. What's a song you know every single word to that would genuinely surprise people?

4. What was your first guitar and who gave it to you?

5. IKEA Meatballs, enjoy them at the table or standing at the counter?

6. What's something you were absolutely convinced you were good at, that it turned out you were not?

7. Growing up, what was the one thing your family still teases you about that you secretly love?

8. First thing you bought with your first paycheck from Clue?

The Back Half:

In the National Tour of Clue star Zoie Tannous joins us for the Back Half. Zoie, what was the first Broadway show you saw live and how did that encourage your love of the theater?

When you get into a new city, what’s the first thing you’re looking for, a place, a drink…?

What is the one comfort item you bring on the road so you always have a piece of home with you?

Zoie Tannous from Clue joins us Beyond the Mic. You and Eleni… same apartment, same jobs and a dream that defined you both. A month apart, you both book national tours. Who got the call first?

How did your heart feel when you finally got your call?

The Impossible Question:

If Eleni called you right now and said "I need you," what would you do?

Sneaking in a A Couple More:

Where were you when you found out and what did the moment feel like when your dream became reality?

Family has supported you, loved you and would follow you to the ends of the earth for this success. When your parents or brother are in the audience watching you how hard is it to keep it together?

You talked about a good show, what are the elements in a good show?

How does your team, the amazing cast you are with, grown closer the more time you’ve spend on the road together and who are you the closest with?

What did five years of running operations teams teach you about performing that acting school didn't?

As you take the nightly curtain call, what’s your message to a dreamer who wants to be where you are?

Five years from now, you’re booking your dream role. What is it? What’s Zoie’s best chapter?

One Big Question:

Zoie Tannous from Clue joins us for One Big Question. Zoie, you spent five years being genuinely good at something that wasn't this. Managing teams, hitting goals, building something real. At some point you had to decide: keep building that life or bet on yourself. What made you bet on yourself when the safer version of your life was already working?

The Wrap:

She wanted to be an artist like Monet, loves meatballs from IKEA and on a mission to bring back planking, Zoie told us if Eleni called and said 'I need you,' she'd be there. Two women. Five years. One month apart... they both said yes to the same dream. That tells you everything you need to know.

Zoie Tannous, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.

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