Podcast Summary: How Much Can I Make? – Career Insights For Your Job Search

Episode: Broadway Actress – Career Insights (November 4, 2025)

Host: Mirav Ozeri
Guest: Lauren Blackman (Broadway actress: "Hello Dolly", "Anastasia", "Lempicka", "Ragtime", "The Music Man")

Overview

In this engaging episode, Mirav Ozeri hosts accomplished Broadway actress Lauren Blackman, offering a candid and comprehensive dive into the world of professional theater. The conversation covers Lauren’s journey from her first musical obsession to making it on Broadway, the realities of auditions, training, daily routines, and the financial aspects of stage acting. The episode demystifies the glitz of Broadway, providing practical insights for aspiring performers and a behind-the-scenes look at an often misunderstood profession.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovering a Love for Theater

• Early Passion: Lauren describes being enchanted by old Hollywood musicals as a child and her unshakeable dream of Broadway.
  • "From the moment I saw a movie musical, I was done for… That was it for me." (01:00 – Lauren)
• Family Skepticism: She didn’t openly commit to theater until college, facing family concern and questioning.
• Perseverance:
  • "If there's anything else you want to do, do it, because it's so difficult... a lot of this career is perseverance." (02:40 – Lauren)

2. Regional Theater vs. Broadway

• Differences:
  • Broadway: higher pay, longer tech process, bigger budgets;
  • Regional: fast turnarounds (sometimes just 10 days of rehearsal), similar performance intensity.
  • "The business of Broadway and regional theater is different, mostly monetarily... the heart of it is no different." (03:55 – Lauren)
• Tech & Rehearsal Anecdotes:
  • "You do maybe two nights of tech… then you have an audience..." (04:48 – Lauren)

3. Training & Education

• Natural Talent vs. Training: Some succeed on raw talent, but formal training in acting is invaluable.
  • "If I didn't go east for college and if I didn't study acting, I was never going to go to New York." (06:45 – Lauren)
• Syracuse University Experience: Focus on acting as foundation; singing ability isn't enough.
• Ongoing Learning:
  • "Never stop being a student." (37:12 – Lauren)

4. Auditions and Breaking In

• The Grind: Open calls often mean waiting outside from early morning; competition is tough.
  • "You arrive at 6am and there's a line of people on the street just sitting there... desperate for a job." (09:01 – Lauren)
• How to Find Auditions:
  • Resources: Actors Access, Playbill, Breakdown Express, agent-submitted auditions.
• Getting an Agent:
  • Self-submission, college showcases; agents often found through networking and school events.
• Rejection:
  • "It's my superpower to not let rejection get me down… It's not being rejected, it's just a different direction." (14:09 – Lauren)
  • She stresses that rejection is rarely personal and can simply be about fit.

5. Daily Life & Backstage Realities

• Workload: 8-hour rehearsal days (10am-6pm), 6-day weeks. Ensemble typically present the whole day.
  • "You're the engine of the full machine, the ensemble." (17:42 – Lauren)
• Show Preparation: Principals often start learning material before rehearsal.
• Physical Demands:
  • "You have to be stronger than your show." (22:46 – Lauren)
  • Discusses injury prevention, repetitive motion risks, and even the challenge of “stairs everywhere” in Broadway theaters.
  • "You want to know what Broadway is? Stairs, stairs everywhere." (25:14 – Lauren)
• Forgetting Lines: Laughter and teamwork help cover mistakes on stage.
  • "Sometimes it doesn't come. I call it, you walk into the white room... everything goes white and blank." (21:20 – Lauren)

6. Emotional & Mental Challenges

• Career Insecurity:
  • "What is next is always the hardest challenge... am I still valuable?" (26:27 – Lauren)
• Dealing with Negativity: She details giving up negativity for Lent, realizing it was more helpful than abstaining from sweets.
  • "Let's give up something that's actually gonna... I sound so profound right now." (27:57 – Lauren)

7. Rewards of the Stage

• Audience Impact: The most rewarding part is touching audience members' lives, inspiring future generations, and creating a sense of escape.
  • "It's giving the dream back to somebody else... inspiring somebody else and letting them know they can do it." (30:13 – Lauren)

8. Show Closures & Industry Volatility

• Show Uncertainty: Even successful productions can abruptly close, often due to finances and unpredictable audiences post-COVID.
  • "We're in a different time now... ticket prices are high." (30:55 – Lauren)
• Origin of “Break a Leg”: Discussed in context of high show closure rates historically.
  • "That’s why the break a leg came from…" (31:57 – Lauren)

9. Financial Realities

• Union Minimums:
  • Broadway equity minimum is around $2,600/week for 8 shows (as of 2025).
  • "That is all for eight shows a week. That is the minimum." (32:49 – Lauren)
• Agent/Manager Cuts: Agents get 10%; managers 10-15%; can total 20%+.
  • "If you have an agent and a manager, you are undoubtedly paying 20%." (42:44 – Lauren)
• Health and Wellness Negotiations: Small negotiation possible for vocally/physically demanding roles.
• Injuries: Broadway union protection ensures support if injured at work.

10. Career Growth & Alternate Paths

• Career Longevity:
  • "If you have any sort of bitterness toward this business, just get out completely." (35:43 – Lauren)
• Other Options: Choreography, teaching, stage management, producing, styling.
• Staying In: Many remain in theater thanks to strong connections and “family” culture.

11. Advice for Aspiring Actors

• Kindness and Positivity:
  • "Always be kind. Don’t become negative. Negativity will not change the outcome." (37:12 – Lauren)
• Continuous Learning: Absorb from everyone around, formal and informal learning alike.
• Knowing Your Value:
  • "Your value does not matter on the number of Broadway shows you’ve done or what age you made your Broadway debut…" (37:45 – Lauren)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perseverance:
  • "If you can hang on to your 30s... get regional theater jobs, have a good day job... a lot of this career is perseverance." (02:40 – Lauren)
• On Rejection:
  • "It's my superpower to not let rejection get me down… It's just a different direction." (14:09 – Lauren)
• On Physical Demands:
  • "You have to be stronger than your show." (22:46 – Lauren)
• On Industry Reality:
  • "You want to know what Broadway is? Stairs, stairs everywhere. No elevators." (25:14 – Lauren)
• On Rewards:
  • "It's giving the dream back to somebody else… letting them know they can do it…" (30:13 – Lauren)
• On Money:
  • "The minimum I cannot tell you for sure. I think it's 2,600 is the minimum a week." (32:49 – Lauren)
• On Injury:
  • "If you’re injured while performing, even if it’s small... that is kept on file. If at any time it becomes worse or you need to see a doctor..." (34:25 – Lauren)
• Hilarious Wardrobe Mishap: Getting stuck on stage in a 30-ft train during "Anastasia", dragging herself off in the blackout. (41:49 – Lauren)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:55 – Lauren’s early love for musicals and deciding to pursue theater
• 03:55 – Regional theater vs. Broadway: differences in process and pay
• 09:01 – The grueling realities of open call auditions
• 14:09 – Handling rejection and the importance of mindset
• 17:42 – Daily schedule and rehearsal routine for Broadway actors
• 22:46 – Physical prep and the importance of being “stronger than your show”
• 26:27 – The uncertainty and mental stress of finding the next job
• 30:13 – The real reward: affecting audiences and inspiring others
• 32:49 – Money talk: earnings, union minimums, agent/manager fees
• 37:12 – Advice to aspiring actors: kindness, resilience, ongoing learning
• 41:49 – Funny incident: Lauren stuck in a massive costume during show

Conclusion – The Takeaway

Lauren Blackman’s story offers aspiring actors a real look at what it means to build and maintain a career on Broadway, balancing art and survival, joy and heartbreak. The episode delivers hard truths but also encourages resilience and a love for the craft over the superficial allure of fame or applause.

Final Advice: Work hard, stay positive, keep learning—and be kind, to yourself and others. Your value is in your artistry and community, not your résumé or opening night.

Recommended for: Anyone considering a career in theater, fans of Broadway, or anyone curious about the real lives behind the stage lights.