Brittany Blaire Andersen, theatre educator and singer, songwriter and performer.

TheatrePeople (#5) - Brittany Blaire Andersen | Theatre Avenue

This week we are so happy you can meet Brittany Blaire Andersen. Brittany is a theatre educator as well as a talented singer, songwriter and performer.

Brittany Blaire Andersen, theatre educator and singer, songwriter and performer.

What’s a show that inspires you? (explain away!)

I wouldn’t say there’s just one show that inspires me. As a kid, I was completely enthralled with Singing in the Rain and Little Shop of Horrors. I had them on VHS (old lady reference) - and I would watch them over and over again. I performed as one of the doo wop girls at one of my church functions because I was so obsessed with them! Haha.

As a theatre educator, I’ve been inspired by shows that have changed my students’ lives. One was a production of THE WIZ, a production of YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU—and another was Charlotte’s Web. As an actor, I am inspired by roles that have changed me. Charity in SWEET CHARITY, Sally Bowles in CABARET, Sara in J.B., and Reno Sweeny in ANYTHING GOES. Those roles pushed me to find something in myself that I wasn’t aware I had.

What’s one of your happiest moments in theatre?

One of the greatest shows/casts I’ve ever been in was in college when I played Essie in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (obviously one of my favorite shows). All of my best friends were in it and it was such a blast! I can’t think of that show and not smile.

What’s the biggest ‘fail’ or goof you’ve seen on stage? (do tell the story)

Oof. The only one I can think of wasn’t even one of my high school or middle school productions, it was when I was in SWEET CHARITY. I was singing “Big Brass Band” and began dancing all by myself on stage, and my mic pack fell out….and there was nothing I could do but grab it and wink at the audience. I just held it for the rest of the dumb song while I was dancing about. Haha. In the moment, I felt SO dumb, but now I can laugh about it! Haha.

Why do you love theatre?

Theatre inspires and has the power to change. To change those involved in the production, or those who view the production.

I love teaching theatre because I get to watch actors and techies get “bit” by the bug. I get to see what they can imagine and create, and the pride they take in their work. I love the process of theatre. I love that no matter how prepared you are, and how much pre-production planning happens, there is ALWAYS something that inevitably will go arry ... the week of the show. I love the immediate response from an audience. I love that theatre has the power to uplift someone and inspire change in the world. I love that theatre is an escape for so many. And I love how different every show is, depending on the energy felt between the audience and cast. It’s a beautiful craft, and one that I’m grateful I get to be so heavily involved in.

Theatre is for...

COMMUNITY

Theatre bonds an audience together through their experiences. Theatre bonds a cast together through their production. Theatre creates community through collaboration on every possible level. Communities thrive when they are connected. Theatre has that power.