JASON MARKS
WHY YOU KNOW HIM: Jason Marks, lyric baritone and resident instructor at the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, won the nationwide Big Broadway Break contest in early July, earning a six-month stint in New York to pursue his career dreams on the Great White Way.
WHAT'S NEW: It has been four months of highlights and hard knocks for Marks, who hasn't made it to Broadway yet but is enjoying every moment of the experience.
"I've had really wonderful auditions, and a few really bad ones," he said. "It's a very tough business, much of which is more about who you know and the connections you make rather than necessarily talent."
Marks participated in the 22nd annual Broadway Gypsy of the Year competition, an annual fundraiser produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an event that brings together many of Broadway's most talented singers, actors and dancers. He won a spot in the show as a backup singer for legendary 89-year-old songstress Carol Channing.
"It was a true honor to watch her perform live, and the audience went completely insane," he said. "The entire experience was thrilling, and one I will never forget."
His first Broadway classroom workshop, part of his contest prize package, was a mixed bag of praise and criticism, but he learned invaluable lessons about choosing audition materials.
Marks enjoyed a five-week session with Evan Pappas, whose Broadway credits include "My Favorite Year," "Lucky Stiff" and "Parade." Pappas invited him to sign up for a musical-theater audition technique class, where he learned that blown auditions and rejection are a necessary evil of Broadway.
He came home to Richmond for the dress rehearsal and Dec. 9 premiere of a SPARC holiday musical, "The Twelve Elves of Christmas," that Marks, his mother and brother penned years ago.
He calls his experience in New York life-changing.
"I'm constantly inspired by the Broadway shows that I've seen and the people I meet. Each experience I've had has helped me take a step closer to my dream, and I am so grateful for this opportunity."
Julie Young
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