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Get to know several members of the Broadway Babysitters team this week in our exclusive Q&A series. You can learn more about Broadway Babysitters by visiting their website and listening to our latest episode.

What if your name? N’Kenge

What neighborhood of New York City do you live in? I grew up in the Bronx and Brooklyn, and I’ve lived all over NYC in Harlem, Murray Hill and Lincoln Center. Now I live on the waterfront in Newport, Jersey City and get to have the fabulous view of NYC.

How many children do you have, and what are their ages? I have one 19-month-old little girl named Jahzara Martina.

Has being around the theatre business been a good thing for your child? She loves it. I think she really appreciates music and is more social because of it. She gets upset when the babysitter doesn't let her sit and watch me teach voice lessons to my students. It's very funny.

What about your career as an actor has prepared you for parenthood? As an actor, you learn to wear many hats and seamlessly shift through different scenarios. I think because of that, the transition to parenthood wasn't so foreign.

Connect with Vasthy: website | facebook | twitter | instagram

Vasthy's Episode: As Cast (#74)

Where are you from? Haiti, North Carolina, Alabama.

Broadway credits: Good Vibrations, Hot Feet, Mary Poppins, Ghost, Soul Doctor, Rocky

How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? I was in a cab that I could not afford on my way to a job that paid me $250/week.

What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? THE JAM by Daniel Watts. It is a celebrity fest.

What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? The work that everyone puts in. The years of training and determination that goes into getting there. The clash of different backgrounds, beliefs, lifestyles and talent on the same stage for a brief moment in your life that you never forget whether it closes right away or runs for years. 

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently? Artists with children. The sacrifice they make to create a life when they know their jobs are uncertain. The way they raise them to be open-minded. They are heroes. I cannot wait to be one. 

If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be... Barack Obama. (Viola Davis and Tom Hanks will be sitting at the table next to ours, and we will ask them to join us.)

If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose... Anyone sitting on the beach in Greece.

To be successful in this business, it takes... Checking in. Checking in with your friends and family. Checking in with the world outside the business, and most of all checking in with yourself. Do not let it take over all of your senses. Meditate, do yoga, read a book on Rome, but take time. A teacher once told me, "You cannot imitate life if you do not have one." 

Sean's Episode: As Cast (#74)

Where are you from? Melbourne, Australia

Broadway credits: Crazy For You, Contact, Curtains, Promises, Promises

How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? I got a phone call from the company manager on Crazy For You on a Friday night at 11:30 PM.

What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? Definitely backstage birthdays - intermission birthday cake and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday."

What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? Playbill’s "At This Theatre” page. I love learning which actors tread the boards in the hit shows of yore.  

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently?  Tennis. Serena Williams. Lleyton Hewitt. 

If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be… Hillary Clinton.

If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose… Queen Elizabeth the Second, queen of Australia. 

To be successful in this business, it takes... talent, timing, luck, a good attitude and good humour.

Connect with Anne: website | twitter | instagram

Anne's Episode: As Cast (#74)

Where are you from? Rockland County, NY

Broadway credits: It Shoulda Been You, Once, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins, Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Ragtime

How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? I was in RAGTIME's pre-Broadway run in Toronto, so we sort of knew that was going to happen unless we sucked and would get replaced- Lol! And by the way- of course I was a bit nervous. I honestly don't remember exactly how it happened, but it was definitely a thrill.

What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? I have been lucky enough to be in several Tony Awards telecasts, and I love the morning when all the shows are at the dress rehearsal. It's a beautiful time when you get to see all your friends, and everyone is in costume, and it's just weird and wonderful. 

What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? It's the ritual. There's something really great/weird about doing the same thing 6 days a week- the warmups, the between shows meals, which dressing room do you hang out in, etc. 

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently? Scott Kelly- a year in space. Come on!

If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be... Louis CK or the Obamas. I cannot make up my mind!

If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose... George Clooney, but only in his Italian Villa on Lake Como- not interested in spending time with his wife. Just by myself in his Villa. I guess what I'm saying is anyone who has a ton of dough and a really pretty house on water. 

To be successful in this business, it takes...

I have several answers- Lol!

You have to be sooooo hungry. I have been knocked down thousands of times. What separates you from everyone else is if you can keep getting back up, dust yourself off and try again. 

You have to keep getting better. Keep studying. No matter how old you are. And be current- know whats going on NOW.

Connect with Steve: twitter | instagram

Steve's Episode: Associate & Resident Directors (#73)

Where are you from? Marion, OH

Broadway credits: The Addams Family, Sister Act, The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten. And, in other capacities, Billy Elliot and Epic Proportions.

How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? I guess that would be when I was a P.A. on Epic Proportions during my senior year of college. The director I was working with set up a meeting with the PSM, and he told me I had the gig right there. And then he said, "We have a meeting with Jerry Zaks in 15 minutes." Next thing I knew, I was on his couch taking script notes. Cool day.

What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? I love a gypsy run (invited dress).

What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? The theatres themselves. They're amazing buildings and landmarks that aren't like any other theatres in the country. So much history, and they're remarkably small.

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently? My son

If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be... JJ Abrams.

If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose... I'm thinking 1980s-style "trade places" (a la "Vice Versa" or "Like Father Like Son"). So I choose LeBron James. It must feel so good to be that big while still having agility and speed. I would just dunk over people all day.

To be successful in this business, it takes... Still trying to figure that out. But to get where I am? I guess I would say kindness.

Connect with Brandon: twitter | instagram

Brandon's Episode: Associate & Resident Directors (#73)

Where are you from? Seattle, WA

Broadway credits: A Christmas Story, First Date, Next to Normal, Catch Me If You Can

How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? My very first Broadway show was Next to Normal, and I sort of knew the offer was coming so it's not the best story. I got an email from Brian Yorkey saying that he and Tom Kitt needed an assistant for tech and previews on Broadway, nothing too exciting. My first assistant director position I got was actually out of the blue in an interview for an SDC Observership with John Rando for the Encores! concert of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I ended up not being available for that because the dates changed, and when he heard that he said, "Well that's too bad. I like you. <beat> What are you doing next fall? Would you like to assist me on A Christmas Story on Broadway?" And I said, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"

What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? The Broadway Flea Market is my absolute favorite. Walking through summer on 44th Street wearing a tank top, buying brownies made by actors and sifting through old Playbills is my favorite.

What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? The way that developing a show has changed is so interesting to me. Getting a show on Broadway used to involve going over to a producer's home, explaining the plot, playing a few songs, and then they booked you a Broadway theatre. Now with the workshop process and developmental readings, it's a whole different beast and the transition between those two extremes is really interesting to me.

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently? I have two friends who just finished up two national tours as a newly signed electro pop band. I saw them perform a month or so ago for the first time since they last played in a dingy little club in the East Village, and I am so inspired by their talent, growth, and determination.

If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be... Hal Prince.

If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose... Oprah.

To be successful in this business, it takes... Determination.

Connect with Jen: website | twitter | instagram

Jen's Episode: Associate & Resident Directors (#73)

Where are you from? Marion, Ohio

Broadway credits: The Lion King, Avenue Q, Honeymoon in Vegas, Steel Magnolias, The Wedding Singer, Sweet Smell of Success

How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? I was the music assistant on Sweet Smell of Success during their out-of-town tryout in Chicago, where I lived at the time. The producers said, “It’s a shame we can’t take you with us to Broadway.” I said, “You can! Just tell me when to be in New York!” And I moved from Chicago to New York on our one-week hiatus. 

What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? Broadway Bowling!

What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? Shows open and shows close, but Broadway an entity and a community is a consistent force.

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently? Nature. Every day. 

If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be… President Obama. 

If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose… LeBron James.

To be successful in this business, it takes… Saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way, without regard for the paycheck or hours or location.