Broadway"s Laura Schutter on Corporate Entertainment
Laura Schutter has been lighting up audiences all over the world, starring on Broadway and in London's West End. She currently appears in the Broadway hit Mary Poppins. We took a few minutes to find out how her career began…
Q: We heard that you were discovered in a very dramatic way, like something out of 42nd Street…?
A: It was backstage during the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I started the tour as an understudy to the lead and one night during the show the lead became ill after the start of Act II. The stage manager grabbed me and sent me to quickly get my wig and red dress, and within two minutes I was on stage singing the biggest number in the show. The funny part is that I am about a foot shorter than the girl who normally played the part, and when I entered the stage I could sense the audience's confusion. However, at the end of the show I still received a standing ovation.
Q: How would you say performing in a Corporate Event is different than a Broadway show?
A: Performing in a corporate event differs from a full Broadway production in that the show often has many production numbers from a variety of shows - every number is different and exciting. One of my favorite numbers to perform is "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago. Most people have seen or heard of Chicago from either the movie or the Broadway show so the audience response is always amazing.
Q: Do you have any special memories of these "audience responses"?
A: My favorite show was a recent event in Hawaii for Prudential (and not only since it was in Hawaii!). There were many songs in the production that had the audience singing along. By the end of the show they were on their feet and dancing with us on the dance floor. It was such a thrill to see how much they enjoyed our show.
Laura Schutter is currently performing in the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins. Other Broadway credits include The Apple Tree, Kiss Me Kate and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Laura has toured with many Broadway productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, and Showboat in London's West End. www.lauraschutter.com
Q: We heard that you were discovered in a very dramatic way, like something out of 42nd Street…?
A: It was backstage during the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I started the tour as an understudy to the lead and one night during the show the lead became ill after the start of Act II. The stage manager grabbed me and sent me to quickly get my wig and red dress, and within two minutes I was on stage singing the biggest number in the show. The funny part is that I am about a foot shorter than the girl who normally played the part, and when I entered the stage I could sense the audience's confusion. However, at the end of the show I still received a standing ovation.
Q: How would you say performing in a Corporate Event is different than a Broadway show?
A: Performing in a corporate event differs from a full Broadway production in that the show often has many production numbers from a variety of shows - every number is different and exciting. One of my favorite numbers to perform is "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago. Most people have seen or heard of Chicago from either the movie or the Broadway show so the audience response is always amazing.
Q: Do you have any special memories of these "audience responses"?
A: My favorite show was a recent event in Hawaii for Prudential (and not only since it was in Hawaii!). There were many songs in the production that had the audience singing along. By the end of the show they were on their feet and dancing with us on the dance floor. It was such a thrill to see how much they enjoyed our show.
Laura Schutter is currently performing in the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins. Other Broadway credits include The Apple Tree, Kiss Me Kate and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Laura has toured with many Broadway productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, and Showboat in London's West End. www.lauraschutter.com
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