The "Unknowns" of Theater

One of my favorite parts about going to shows is getting to see all of these talented actors who are poised to become the next “it” actors of the theater! It is such a treat to get to see them perform and think that they are on their way to becoming next big thing-we’ve definitely seen it before from Brian D’Arcy James, Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Andrew Rannells, Jon Groff, Lea Michele and now Jeremy Jordan. While considered somewhat “unknown” today these extremely talented people are bright stars of our tomorrow!

1.Barrett Wilbert-Weed

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Veronica in Heathers and Nadia in Bare:The Musical

From her breakout performance in Bare to most recent triumph in Heathers, Barrett is a standout performer with the acting chops and pipes to match-also I went to see Bare and Heathers with different friends who each said the same thing about her “Her voice is incredible-she’s going to be the next big thing!”

2.Taylor Trensch

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Christopher alt. in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Boq in Wicked, Peter in Bare:The Musical and more

Taylor is one of those performers that is for one consistently putting out great work but is also incredibly diverse. From his funny one-liners as Matilda’s brother in Matilda to his moving and heart-wrenching performances as Peter and Christopher he has proven that he can successfully take on roles from all different genres.

3.Courtney Reed

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Jasmine in Aladdin, Carla in In the Heights and Mamma Mia

I said it before in my post about Aladdin, but Courtney is a star in the making. Playing an iconic Disney character can do that, look at Sierra Boggess but, Courtney has the presence and a voice that is comparable to Lea Salonga which will only work in her favor. I’m going to start the campaign for her as Pocahontas in a musical of the classic film(or Rapunzel in Tangled as she’s said before) and Kim in Miss Saigon now!

4.Alysha Umphress

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Hildy in On The Town and American Idiot

The breakout star of the year, Alysha has shown her impeccable comedic timing and killer voice in her star-making turn as the candidly funny cab driver Hildy in On The Town, delivering a performance that people will remember for years. Oh, she’s also a fellow Barbra fanatic-need I say more!

 

5.Joshua Henry

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Flick in Violet, Bring it On, Jake in Porgy and Bess and more

While he is no stranger to the theater-he’s got quite the resume and his beautiful performance as Flick in Violet took all the notice, I left wanting to see more work of his. Flick was one of those roles that people will look back on and remember as well as brag to their friends how they loved him in a show before he was a big theater sensation!

6.Ciara Renee

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Leading Player in Pippin, the Witch in Big Fish and Esmeralda in the upcoming Broadway Production in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

I had the pleasure of seeing Ciara when she was in Big Fish and while I missed her in Pippin, I have tickets to go see her in Hunchback at Papermill. In Big Fish, Ciara gave one of those performances that was so memorable, yet she had a smaller role. It was clear that that was not the last that we would see of her. Not only is she a dead ringer for Esmeralda but now, she too joins the ranks of the Disney stage performers something that I’m sure will present her with many more incredible opportunities! 

7.David St. Louis

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Jake in Side Show and more

In a role that was previously inhabited by Norm Lewis in the original production, David gave an outstanding and touching performance that made everyone take notice. While it still saddens me that the Side Show has closed, as well as hoping for a Tony nod for him, I know that is not the last that we will see of him.

8. Janel Parrish

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Mona in Pretty Little Liars, For the Record shows in LA and Young Cosette in Les Miserables

You might know her from the TV world as Mona on Pretty Little Liars or most recently Dancing With the Stars but Janel has been working in theater since she was a child. With past work including the L.A. production of Spring Awakening, she’s currently performing out in L.A. in the For The Record shows which celebrate the films of accomplished directors with the likes of Tracie Thoms (Rent), Lindsay Pearce(The Glee Project) and Corbin Reid(Rent Off-Broadway). Known for her acting, Janel has got an incredible voice and personality that will make all theater audiences take notice. If Miss Saigon ever comes back to Broadway along with Courtney, Janel is on my short list to play Kim!

9.Taylor Louderman

Where You’ve Seen Her:

Wendy in NBC’s Peter Pan Live! and Campbell in Bring It On:The Musical

From cheerleader to Wendy Darling, Taylor has proven not only her wonderful voice but ability to hold her own as the sole female in group of Lost Boys! As the other NBC Live! broadcast has done, it has brought Taylor some well-deserved exposure that I am hoping will lead to more incredible opportunities!

10. Matt Shingledecker

Where You’ve Seen Him:

Fiyero in Wicked, Roger in Rent Off-Broadway, Tony in West Side Story and Spring Awakening

I first saw Matt in Rent and if anything it was clear that he has a star-like quality about him. He has played some loved and well-known roles that have been done by many other iconic theater actors, not an easy thing to do. But he makes the roles his own in shows such as Rent and Spring Awakening, which have massive fan bases. I can’t wait to see him in Wicked and if you haven’t I strongly urge you to listen to his rendition of One Song Glory, you won’t regret it!

XOXO

-Bwaygirl828