Broadway Sessions: Interview with Broadway Performer Lauren Sambataro
I am absolutely thrilled to bring back the Broadway Sessions series and introduce you to one of my favorite Ozians, Lauren Sambataro! This dynamic, multi-talented woman continually inspires me to be the best I can be. I am blessed to know her and am pumped for you to read this interview!
How long have you been a performer?
Since I was a kid! I grew up doing children’s theater, and my first musical was Alice in Wonderland. I proudly played the Ace of Hearts and a Daffodil (my Mom lovingly made my costumes). My first professional show was at a local dinner theatre when I was in high school. I played Young Phyllis in Follies! I couldn’t believe I could get paid to have so much fun.... so I said, yup, that’s what I want to do.
What is your favorite show you've ever worked on?
Movin’ Out! (the Billy Joel/ Twyla Tharp show). Every night felt like we were at a rock concert (from the wings) and in a rock concert (onstage). It was a wild experience!
Have you ever been on tour?
I toured with Evita, Movin’ Out and then the Wicked Munchkinland Tour.
How did you feel the night you made your Broadway debut in Mamma Mia?
Blurry! I truly don’t remember a second of it haha, but I remember feeling incredibly joyful, elated, grateful, unbelievably nervous. The endorphins were on FULL BLAST. Thankfully I had my entire family and a bunch of friends there to vouch that it actually happened.
How long have you been a member of the Wicked family?
Going on 5 years!
What’s the difference between an internal swing on Broadway and a universal swing?
A universal swing travels between all of the companies. Right now there are two Wicked companies: Munchkinland and Broadway. Depending on vacation needs, I could be called to either at any point in time!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I love swinging because performing 10 different tracks means I get to interact with every member of the cast... at one point or another! As opposed to being one particular ensemble track that may only interact with the same five people every show.
What is the most challenging part of being an actor on Broadway?
Every single show is different, which is only multiplied as a swing! If we’re truly doing our jobs, the show will continue to live and breathe. Every moment is focused and present, and if I’ve missed one of those moments, I’m probably going to fall on my face. Dramatic I know, but I do fall a lot! And then there are those blackout moments which we lovingly call “swing brain” moments. They are live and real, and always make for a funny story later on.
What is it about this job that makes you come back each day?
The people! It’s an amazing community and family that picks you up and makes you laugh on your worst days, and will constantly remind you how special it is to be doing what we love as a career path.
Have you ever had a breaking point where you considered giving up and leaving the city?
I thought I was ready to stop performing and solely focus on fitness and health about six years ago. I was planning to move to Los Angeles and try a totally different lifestyle. Right before I made that move, Wicked happened to call and off I went to the Munchkinland Tour (my dream show! .... a sign that I wasn’t supposed to be done). Maybe it was a shift in focus, or just timing, I’ll never know! But I felt as though the Universe gave me a nudge to keep going.
What are some items you absolutely can't live without backstage?
I always have a stash of snacks, and supplements! Thieves oil and colloidal silver for immune support (illness spreads like wildfire in theaters and dressing rooms). Mushroom coffee packets, raw nuts and dark chocolate for emergency snacks. And sweatpants... for those random days that I happen to not be wearing workout clothes. I have to be comfy!
I love following your personal Instagram for fitness, health & wellness tips and inspiration! What motivated you to start your own business?
I’m so fascinated with upgrading or “biohacking” my health right now. There are so many lifestyle factors in this industry that are not ideal for optimal levels of health, like raising adrenaline and cortisol so late at night and being under super bright lights late at 10:30pm when most people are winding down and getting into bed. Because I can’t imagine not performing, I love to utilize the best technology and research to keep myself healthy and thriving! If you don’t know about biohacking, definitely check out my Instagram page for all the fun and wacky things I like to experiment with!
To answer your question, I started my own business so that I could share this knowledge with my community, because i think this is a relatively untapped market as of now. As a performer who constantly needs to keep my body and health in check, there is nothing more valuable than taking your own genetics and DNA and making them work for you.
What is the best advice you've ever been given?
Straight from a book. One of my favorites, The Fifth Agreement. If you haven’t read past the first four, you must! It advises to always use discernment. Be skeptical, not in a negative way, but to use your own knowledge and intuition to form your own opinion. This is so useful as a human, and more specifically when it comes to health and wellness. We can’t all abide by the same rules. “One person’s medicine may be another person’s poison,” right? Taking health advice as truth, whether it be from a magazine, a friend, or an expert in the field, will not guarantee positive change for you. Listen, research, digest, and figure out what’s best for YOU.
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to move to NYC and pursue a career in the arts?
Find out what you’re really good at and do that. That includes finding out what roles and shows are right for you. And never stop educating yourself! Going into an audition with knowledge is so powerful. Don’t try to be or do it all. What makes you special and unique will always prevail.
What is your favorite Backstage Blonde memory?
YOU IN A BANANA SUIT OUTSIDE OF KING KONG. You are my hero.
