Q&A: Briana Carlson-Goodman
Nikka Lanzarone
Where are you from? Brooklyn, NY
Broadway credits: Hair, Les Misérables, Doctor Zhivago
How did you hear you’d booked your first Broadway show? I was on the F train riding to meet my boyfriend (now husband) and friend to see a show at Saint Ann’s Warehouse. I was above ground for two stops and I got a call from the casting office at the Public Theater telling me that I was going to be making my Broadway debut in Hair! I didn’t have an agent at the time (I had gone to an open call!), so they got to tell me directly. It was very hard to not scream with joy on the subway full of people. :)
What is your favorite event in the Broadway community? I love the Gypsy Robe Ceremony. It has such a long history, and I love and appreciate the recognition of the ensemble members of our community as well as the all the people making their Broadway debuts. It’s just one of the many ways that the Broadway community feels like a big extended family.
What’s something about Broadway that fascinates you? The amazing history and that it is such a communal event. In such a small section of Manhattan there are so many people performing in, working on, and watching Broadway shows every night all at the same time. It feels so good to be a small part of that.
What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently? My husband. He works for a NY State Senator and every day works to make our city a better place for the people in it. He’s using his incredible activism skills in government and I’m very proud. I’m also inspired by the Black Lives Matter and feminism movements. When people look outside their despair and discouragement and find hope in coming together to work towards making things better for ALL people, I am inspired.
If I could have coffee with any living person, it would be… Bill Irwin…He’s an incredible artist. His career is endlessly fascinating to me, and I adore his work. I want to ask him so many questions!
If I could trade places with anybody for a day, I would choose… He is sadly not alive anymore but I would have LOVED to be in Jim Henson’s shoes for a day.
To be successful in this business, it takes… Good friends (community!), patience, compassion for yourself and others, hard work, determination, passion, and belief in YOU.
Tell us a secret. Somewhere on Youtube there is a video of me performing as a Cha Cha Coconut Tree with the cast of Go Diego, Go Live! on The Today Show.