#FFB: Morgan Marcell
From Morgan: "I grew up in San Diego, originally wanted to attend law school, but soon found out my creativity wouldn’t let me sit still. I left Boston University after my first year and moved to Los Angeles. After training and working as a commercial dancer, I booked the first national tour of In The Heights. I continued to study classical theater with the Antaeus Company and shortly after moved to New York and booked Hamilton, making my Broadway debut in the original company! I continued on Broadway with Bandstand and currently perform in Moulin Rouge. My first documentary is featured in the Smithsonian and I directed a dance short that is on the way. I can be seen in Fosse/Verdon, on and behind the camera, and made my NY actor debut in Law & Order SVU! Much love to the fam, friends, and fans!!"
Currently Fit for Moulin Rouge
Q: Can we start from the beginning… What’s been your journey to Broadway?
A: My mom asked me if I wanted to be in soccer camp or arts camp while she worked full time one summer. I said Hmmm... I guess arts? That’s where my journey started. But there were some detours. I gave up the arts for a long time to study hard and get into a college. I went, was miserable, and picked up dance, professionally this time, and in LA. I booked the first national tour of In The Heights, a show that changed my life and showed me I could make a living doing musical theater. I moved to New York City 5 years ago, was lucky enough to get an audition for Hamilton and made my Broadway debut. It certainly wasn’t all that simple, but that’s the short version.
Q: How has your wellness practice evolved during your journey as a performer?
A: When you're 21, you're invincible. You can live two lives, party, do your work, it doesn’t matter. When you get to your late twenties, you realize that the warm-ups you didn't do actually mattered. Things become chronic, maybe not debilitating, but you're in PT more, you're taking anti-inflammatories, you don't drink as much before auditions etc. Now, I am into preventative wellness. How can I develop a regimen that keeps me out of PT and in my show? Not sure I've nailed it, but I can certainly cater to a wellness program for each show I’m in.
Q: Top 3 tips for maintaining energy for your show.
Concentrated Hydration
Boost of carbs an hour or so before
Get a PT drill or roller, your muscles aren’t as fatigued the next day
Q: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
A: Dang, what a hard question. I think I have to say my parents and a community theater director named Grace Ann. She had a jar and every time you broke character, you had to put a penny in. She taught me about accountability and work ethic.
Q: What’s been a personal challenge you’ve had to navigate as a performer?
A: As a performer, you can make everything personal. You're selling yourself as the product. I think body image as a dancer and failure as a person. I was so scared of failure, I didn’t try. That is the death of an artist; the real failure is not trying.
Q: What creates the biggest impact on your performance feeling great or not so great?
A: HYDRATION and Mental Space. I didn’t figure that out until Moulin Rouge. If I’m anxious, my legs feel like lead, I have no motivation. If I’m dehydrated, everything feels hard.
Q: Top 5 products, companies or brands that are shaping your lifestyle right now.
A:
Pedialyte
TURMERIC BOSS (get them)
Epsom Salt
Wellness Formula
Apple Cider Vinegar
Q: Fill in the blanks…
A: The best part of working on Broadway is… seeing humanity. The laughs, the cries, the participation. The change in an audience member.
The most challenging part of working on Broadway is… eight. shows. a week. Maintaining a difficult show takes more than the 3 hours you're on stage. It takes sacrifice, for your families, friends. You give up your body to your art. I think the hardest part is knowing my 94-year-old grandmother and my 4-year-old niece celebrate their birthdays and most holidays without me.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A: the untold story. We do it because we know there are aspects of our culture, our differences, even, that actually make us all the same. I’ll get out of bed to tell a story that matters.
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring performers who have their sights set on Broadway?
A: That you’ll never have “it" figured out. Just like I don’t. BUT there is power in that. Figure out the things you DO know about yourself, that's all you can control, and broadcast them everywhere. Everyone is just doing the best they can in this world, directors, casting, actors, so if you're confident in something, they’ll follow your certainty.
Q: What’s your personal definition of being “Fit for Broadway”?
A: Are you balanced and are you happy? Can you do another show after this? If you are, or if you’re trying, you’re fit baby.
Morgan is wearing "Training for Broadway” Tank by Fit for Broadway Apparel.
Photos & Interview by Jane Jourdan.