"What makes you feel ALIVE?"
Part of our mission at FFB is championing the movers, shakers and creators in the industry. Today we are highlighting FFB Alum, Josh Canfield along with the cast of his original musical Alive! The Zombie Musical; including Becca Faulkenberry, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Matthew LaBanca, Chris Dwan & Lindsay Roberts. Everyone hopped on a group chat to share their Fit for Broadway tips and what makes them feel ALIVE!
Note from Josh: I’ve been privileged to be a part of two original Broadway casts plus a Survivor castaway on CBS, and nothing has been as much work as writing and producing my own show. Ok, well, maybe starving on an island was a little harder, but you get the point. I was always writing music when I was young and because of my love for theatre, it was only a matter of time before the idea to start writing musicals would pop into my head. The first musical I wrote was during a period of time where I was unemployed as an actor. I knew I couldn’t just sit around and wait for “Broadway to call”, so I decided to create my own work. The difference between being in a Broadway show and writing a show for Broadway is as different as The Great Comet is from A Chorus Line. I love being an actor and I love creating new worlds for actors.
Becca Faulkenberry & Hunter Ryan Herdlicka
Q: What makes you feel ALIVE?
Becca: Taking my headphones out, eyes up from my phone, and looking at a tree. Or the sky, haha. But really, in NYC that grounds me. Also any art - when I'm in acting class, hearing live music, seeing a film etc.
Hunter: great theatre. brilliant directors. coffee.
Josh: When I’m creating. Whether it’s penning lyrics to a melody that has been floating around my head, exploring new staging in a rehearsal, or laying down a track of an original song.
Matthew: Building community. Creating. Expressing myself. And shopping for a bargain.
Lindsay: Every morning when I wake up, I take a moment to take a deep breath in. That inhalation reminds me that I am alive, that I have a purpose, and that my work here on this earth is not done. It's an empowering way to begin each day.
Q: Best Wellness tool?
Becca: I’m a member of Inscape, a meditation studio on 21st st and it's basically my church. And a good playlist while I workout is healing too. And a $10 foot rub from Maggie at Snowflake Spa on 49th :-)
Hunter: I can't lie: it's my Brookstone back massager.
Josh: Gospel and worship tunes. Also it’s not necessarily a tool, but I would say the thing that keeps me the healthiest is a consistent and clean diet.
Matthew: My sense of humor.
Lindsay: The Bible. I read a lot of scripture and believe that the "wellness" I achieve in the spiritual realm will be mirrored in the physical. Also...a gym membership? Lol.
Lindsay Roberts, Matthew LaBanca & Chris Dwan
Q: What is your definition of Fit for Broadway?
Becca: Fit for broadway is whatever upkeep puts you in a position to do your job without stress or hurting your body. I hurt my back in a show, (guess which one, hint; I flew in a harness :-) and the last 5 or so years have been a challenge to keep that injury from flaring up, or getting worse. It's hard to act/sing/dance when your body's in pain - so doing all the things to keep loose and tight!! So far, so good... most of the time!
Hunter: As a performer, it's important to be fit because it can aid in keeping you injury free while doing a show 8 times a week. staying healthy, strong, and flexible are all really important for our really tough jobs. not to mention, having to be ready at a moments notice for that rigorous and stressful audition or callback!
Josh: Always being prepared…which spans the spectrum from staying physically active, to remaining mentally sharp.
Matthew: Seeking others’ approval was a difficult performer’s paradox for me to deal with: “What will the audience think? What will casting think? How am I coming across?!” I realized I was most fit for (and deserving of) Broadway when my artistic expression mattered more to me than what other people thought of it.
Q: What is your favorite way to stay fit?
Becca: I usually frequent the gym and use the Kayla Itsines #BBG app ... but if I had millions of dollars I'd be at all the expensive boutique fitness places I love- barry’s bootcamp, flywheel, peloton, pop physique, physique 57, rumble, laughing lotus, etc. It's easier to push yourself when someone tells you what to do:-) so if anyone has a million dollars to donate to my fitness routine, I will gratefully accept!
Hunter: equinox and the bulletproof diet!
Josh: Indoor rock climbing!
Matthew: Eat well. Sleep as much as I want. Get out of the apartment. Don’t take myself so seriously. Find something - any thing or moment - that makes me feel good. And most of all, HAVE FUN!! What better reason to do this crazy, wonderful business?!!
Photos & Interview by Jane Jourdan.
“Fit for Broadway” Pullover from Fit for Broadway Apparel | click HERE or click the picture!