For the third edition of Broadway Sessions, I am thrilled to introduce my beautiful friend Courtney Iventosch! She is a member of the Female Ensemble at Wicked, so you might recognize her from my Instagram. Courtney and I spend a ton of time together backstage, and she makes me smile without fail every single day. She is an insanely talented dancer and is truly a little fire ball of energy and sunshine. We first met about a year ago while Courtney was covering another girl’s vacation leave of absence. (Often times at Wicked they bring in actors from the touring company or Wicked alumni to cover for people on Broadway. Courtney first joined the Wicked family in 2010). Toward the end of her contract, we found out in the happiest twist of fate that she was being offered a full-time ensemble track on Broadway!! I was OVERJOYED! (The girl she replaced - who I also love very much - left us for Frozen. Small musical. You’ve probably never heard of it.) Anyways, Courtney is a San Jose State University alumna and California native. She made her Broadway debut in the hit musical Something Rotten! I’m so excited for you to get to know my adorable friend, and I hope you love her interview!

How long have you been a performer and did you go to college?

I have been a performer since I was a little kid! I started dancing when I was about 4. But, I've been performing professionally since 2010. I went to college for business. I got my BS in business at San Jose State University.

What was your "big break"?

I guess my first big break was when I was cast as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd street in the SF Bay Area. Once moving to NYC, my big break was getting cast as a swing in the 2nd National Tour of Wicked!

Have you ever been on tour?

Yes! I toured with Wicked on the 2nd National as a swing for 1.5 years, and then on the 1st National as the witch's mother for 1.5 years!

In the Gershwin Theatre lobby with fellow cast member Sterling Masters.

When was your Broadway debut and what was that experience like?

My Broadway Debut was on May 23, 2015 in Something Rotten! It was magical. Since I was swinging the show, my debut was a couple months after the show began previews. My mom and best friends were there, and the support I felt was incredible. I'll never forget it! :)

How long have you been a member of Wicked's Broadway company?

I have been with the Broadway company of Wicked for about a year a half (since August of 2016, with a 6 week break in the summer of 2017).

What is your favorite show you've ever worked on?

Gosh, my favorite show. I love Wicked and I love Something Rotten, but I think my favorite show I've ever worked on (not necessarily experience over all, but actual show) is probably 42nd Street or On The Town. In terms of experience, SR! It was magical!! And so much fun.

Who is the coolest celebrity you've ever met at work?

Broadway celebrities Brian D'Arcy James and Christian Borle were amazing to work with, so that was so fun. But, I'll never forget meeting Sarah Jessica Parker in the alleyway during intermission of Something Rotten! I was swinging the show and headed back out to the house to watch act 2 and she was being escorted back into the theatre. She was so kind!! That was a fun moment:)

What are some items you absolutely can't live without backstage?

Currently, m&ms and twizzlers at my station, and water!

What is the most interesting day at work you've ever had?

I would say probably when I was swinging Wicked on the road, and we did a split show (where more people are out of the show than there is coverage for). These happen from time to time and make it quite fun and interesting for everyone, especially the swings who are doing multiple tracks in one show.

What has been your most memorable moment on broadway?

Probably my Broadway Debut in Something Rotten (when my mom and best friends were there), and a few weeks after that when my dad got to see me on Broadway for the first time. My birthday this year was also very special because we got to do the show for an autism-friendly audience, and that was such a special gift.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I think my favorite thing about my job is the wonderful people I get to interact with on a daily basis. And the gift of being able to bring joy to people. We get to transport people to a different world and (hopefully!) bring them joy. How lucky is that?!

What is the most challenging part of being an actor on Broadway?

The schedule can be challenging, especially during holiday times. But, for me, the hardest part is being far from my family. I love what I get to do and I love New York, but I wish it all was closer to home!

What is your favorite memory from your time in Something Rotten?

Oh my gosh, that was so much freaking fun. Probably getting to make my debut with that incredible group of Broadway veterans. So special. And, of course, the Tony Awards and Macy's Day Parade were huge highlights. At the Tonys, I got to bring Alan Cumming onto the stage and my swing counterpart and dear friend Elizabeth Earley got to bring Kristin Chenoweth onto the stage, so that was so freaking cool!

What was it like to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Something Rotten?

Absolutely magical!! The Parade is something that everyone knows about and something that I had grown up watching, so to be a part of that was truly magical. I'll never forget getting up super early and getting ready for the parade. And getting to chat with BDJ in our trailer after our rehearsal and before actually going on. I had fallen during our rehearsal, so I was icing my knee and BDJ was so kind and sitting next to me, while we waited for our turn.

What is your favorite fun fact about Wicked?

The bead designer for one of the Madame Morrible dresses and also the crossover swing Emerald City costume is also the bead designer for the Queen of England! So cool!

What is your favorite part about telling this story every night?

The communal aspect. We are all in this together. It is such a team sport, and I love that. The audience, the crew, the musicians, the dressers, the stage and company managers, the hair crew, the actors, the house staff... we all get to tell this story together. I love that. My favorite part of the show to do is the opening number and courtyard/ozdust. And flying. I love getting to be a flying monkey:)

What is it about this job that makes you come back each day?

The people. And getting to do what I love to do for a living. I am SO lucky.

Have you ever had a breaking point where you considered giving up and leaving the city? What made you stay strong and keep going?

Absolutely. And I still do! When I returned to the city after touring for 3 years straight, I had the hardest time adjusting and wasn't sure if I could stay in NYC. And, in fact, every time I've left the city (whether for work or or fun), I go through an adjustment period.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?

My dear friend and director Mindy Cooper once told me, "you can only be yourself. Don't try to be anyone else." This has always resonated with me. Even though we all have our inspirational people and those we strive to be like, we simply can't be anyone but ourselves, nor should we be. We are all unique and that is a good thing!

What piece of advice would you give your 25 year old self?

Trust the journey. The universe gives you what you need when you need it. Trust that timing. And breathe.

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to move to NYC and pursue a career in the arts?

Go for it and enjoy the ride! Take every kind of class you can; say yes to every opportunity that presents itself. Have fun, work hard, and always be kind. It goes a long way.

What is your favorite Backstage Blonde memory?

Oooh there are so many fun ones! My recent favorites are the wonderful pet names we give each other during our quick changes. "Love and dove" and "tealey squealey" are two of my faves. And the most recent ones... I call Teale "squeal-nut" and she calls me "Fred"! I also love our unspoken monkey race in act one. It brings me so much joy!

FUN FACTS:

What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?

The first touring production I saw was Starlight Express in San Francisco when I was about 4. The first two shows I saw on Broadway were In The Heights and Wicked in 2008! I came to NYC on a trip with my mom during spring break of my senior year of college and got to see both of those shows! So much fun!

What is your favorite Broadway show you've ever seen?

Curious incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I accidentally ended up seeing that show when my friend Jose and I intended to see Aladdin, but it was sold out. We stumbled upon Curious Incident and Taylor Trensch was on for the lead. That performance changed my life.

What is your favorite costume in Wicked?

My favorite costume I get to wear is my oz dust ballroom dress because I have full mobility of my shoulders and it is so light! Plus, I love my shoes I get to wear!

What is your favorite costume you've ever worn?

I loved my "fancy" costume in SR. It was the last of the female ensemble costumes to be built, and boy, was it worth the wait. It was glorious! Blue/purple with gold! Ah! And I got to be blonde in those scenes, too:) I also loved getting to wear the adorable Ivy Smith costumes at Sacramento Music Circus last summer. Many of them were Megan Fairchild's and one of them had been Misty Copeland's! That was freaking cool!