me with Shoshana in New York City February 2019 |
THEATRE ENTHUSIAST: Thank you so much for agreeing to interview with me, Shoshana! How about you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself! What’s your background, and how did that lead you to want to launch BwaySHO?
bwaySHO: Hi Hillary! It’s my pleasure! I’m a proud New Yorker and graduated from the University of Maryland (Go Terps)! I’ve always loved the theatre. Some of my fondest memories consist of running from box office to box office with my friends, trying to find student rush tickets. There’s nothing quite like live theatre and I love being in the room where it happens!
After graduating from UMD, I worked at Comcast SportsNet. I loved interviewing professional athletes and working with some of the best in our industry. I worked there until the beginning of 2017 when I moved to West Texas to pursue my career as an on-air reporter. I was a multimedia journalist and anchor for CBS 7 and met some truly wonderful people in my time there.
Towards the end of 2018, I realized I was constantly talking about how much I love theatre. I finished my contract and drove across the country to NYC. I didn’t have a job, but knew NYC is where I belong.
I attended BroadwayCon and flew out to Puerto Rico to see Hamilton, two fabulous experiences!! Lin-Manuel Miranda quote tweeted the photo I took of him on his birthday! As my Hamilcast Patreon Peeps friends and I like to say, “I saw my ghost leave my body.”
I decided Intermission and post-SHO reports gave me the opportunity to report from the theatre. That’s when I launched my bwaySHO YouTube channel and matched all of my social media handles to connect with my new brand.
TE: I know you just started your YouTube channel recently, so where do you see you channel going from here? What are your goals for the vlog?
bwaySHO: I have been overwhelmed by the support the theatre community has given me. I interviewed Kimmie Mark, a star dresser at Hamilton, and saw the way my YouTube channel could be used to help bring light to different aspects of life in the theatre.
I’d love bwaySHO to be a place for fans and theatre professionals turn to for opening night coverage, inside scoops and thoughtful interviews.
TE: In this short time period, you’ve been able to conduct some awesome interviews and see some great shows! What’s been your favorite experience so far in making the vlog?
bwaySHO: It’s incredible how many videos I’ve been able to produce in this short amount of time. I loved interviewing Kimmie as previously mentioned, Ariana DeBose (#TheBullet) and working the Be More Chill Opening Night after party.
TE: What would you say is the biggest challenge that comes with keeping up a regular vlog?
bwaySHO: The biggest challenge is making sure I’m producing consistent quality content. I pay for all of my own equipment and edit my own videos. Videos take longer to edit than most people expect. I always want to put my best product forward, so I spend a significant amount of time on my videos.
For my post-SHO interviews, I try to find an excited fan to interview. I’ve been fortunate in finding wonderful people to interview so far.
TE: Do you think the increasing presence of YouTube and other social media outlets can help expand the Broadway world beyond New York City? How do you think your influence online can make theatre seem more mainstream and accessible?
bwaySHO: Social media has been a major factor in my early success. I have spent many days watching performances of the Tony Awards on YouTube and interviews of my favorite theatre people. It has also connected me with this beautiful community. I can’t emphasize enough how much the Hamilcast Patreon Peeps were an integral part in making bwaySHO what it is. We have a closed Facebook page for people who support the Hamilcast Patreon. They are some of the most supportive people and love theatre as much as I do.
While I try not to be on social media as much as I have been, it’s been very helpful in connecting me with the greater Broadway community.
TE: Do you have any exciting projects coming up, especially with so many shows opening in the next month and Tony season coming soon?
bwaySHO: We’ve been talking about the Tony awards: just you wait! I have a lot of exciting projects coming up in the next few days and months. I can’t say too much yet, but I’d recommend keeping an eye on my social media pages!
TE: If you could conduct an interview with anyone in the Broadway industry, who would it be and why?
bwaySHO: There are a lot of incredible people in this industry I would love interview. I’d have to say Lin-Manuel Miranda is at the top of that list! Hamilton and In The Heights changed the face of Broadway. I love how inclusive Lin's shows are. He’s incredibly talented in a multitude of ways.
TE: Where can people follow you to see what you’re up to next?
bwaySHO: You can follow me @bwaySHO on all social media platforms.
I also made a new website: https://www.bwaysho. com/. That’s where you can find my latest videos, blog posts and photos.
Plus, you can always reach out to me. I’m always happy to connect this inclusive community!
Thanks for the interview!
TE: Thanks Shoshana, and best of luck to you! Everyone make sure to go follow bwaySHO to see what exciting projects she has in store!
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