#FFB: Phoenix Best
Connect with Phoenix! @misspheeny
"My name is Phoenix Best! I’m currently in my second Broadway show. My first Broadway show was the revival of The Color Purple! I was a swing/ASM for the show and I was in the show for the entire run. I also just did the North American Tour of Les Miserables as Eponine. I love to dance, specifically Latin Ballroom. I also take Gymnastics every Thursday."
Q: Can we start from the beginning… What was your journey to Broadway?
A: My journey to Broadway is kind of a crazy story. I had just graduated college and I was in an acting intern at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival for the summer. In my last week of the internship, I came to NY for an open call for the Understudy of Elphaba on Broadway. Long story short I have four callbacks over that next week and a half and I got down to the final two. I ended up not booking the job but I made an impression on the casting team at Telsey. They told me in my final audition that I should move to NY once school was over. Eight days after my internship I moved to New York with $100 and stayed with a friend. The day after I moved I got an email from Tesley to come in for the revival of The Color Purple on Broadway, which I ultimately booked exactly one month later!
Q: How have health and fitness been a part of your journey as a performer?
A: I have always struggled to find a health and fitness routine but finding things outside of a conventional workout, such as the gym, has helped shape my routine. I found how much I love to dance so I infused that into my workout regimen and I also take Gymnastics classes. Still working on the health part hahahaha. I have found that waking up earlier, being active and eating cleaner really help keep your energy up for an 8 show week.
Q: Top 3 tips for maintaining energy for your show.
Sleep
Staying Hydrated
Finding something that keeps you active
Q: Any other holistic practices to stay #BalancedOnBroadway?
A: I get Physical Therapy Massages, Cupping and Dry Needling
Q: Top 4 products, companies or brands that are shaping your lifestyle right now.
A: Neutragena Make up Wipes, Vicks Steamer, Ginger Tea, Adidas
Q: Dear Evan Hansen has been the catalyst for many conversations around mental health. Has it changed your understanding of your own mental health?
A: Yes it definitely has helped me look at my own mental help and realize it's okay not to be okay all the time. It has really made me assess how I treat myself and how I need to be kind to myself. Being in the business can really get to your head with all the rejection and all the reasons why you’re not right for a role. Taking time to check in with yourself is super important.
Q: We have a phrase at FFB: Broadway State of Mind. What does it mean to be mindful on Broadway?
A: I think it's being aware of yourself and being mindful of those you come in contact with and the lives that you touch by doing what you do every day. It's important to be mindful of the opportunities you have and not taking them for granted.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A: Ultimately the kids out there who look like me and who want to do what I do inspire me. I want to hopefully inspire them so the can say “If Phoenix can do it than I can do it!’
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring performers who have their sights set on Broadway?
A: Believe in you! There are a lot of people who have the opportunity to say no to you and your dreams, but you have to continually tell yourself YES! Know that there may be people like you or similar to you, but there is no one out the who is uniquely YOU!
Q: BROADWAY INSPIRES ME TO BE __ Fearless! Stepping out onto the stage every night can be scary but nothing makes me feel freer than singing out and giving it my all!
Phoenix is wearing The “Training for Broadway” Tank by Fit for Broadway Apparel
Photos & Interview by Jane Jourdan.