I am super excited to officially introduce you all to my gorgeous friend, Jillian Butler! She is a California native and Wicked tour alumni. We’ve never actually met in person, but we connected through Instagram a while ago because of all of our mutual Wicked friends. I just love social media and how close the Wicked family is! Jillian is currently on the road playing Cosette in the national tour of Les Miserables. While the tour was in Nashville, she took my photographer friend Colby Buchanan backstage for a little photo shoot. I hope you enjoy her interview and for some of you get to see her on tour this year!

How long have you been a performer?

I started dancing in middle school and did a lot of dance competitions growing up. Unfortunately I tore my ACL at a competition in 8th grade and had to have reconstructive surgery. It took me out of dance for a year… it was devastating at the time. But it was in that year where I focused on singing and really found my voice and love for theatre. That time of my life was a blessing in disguise. I truly believe that if I hadn’t hurt myself I would have never found my love for singing and the art of theatre as a whole.

Is this your first equity tour?

This is actually my third tour! Whoah. I feel very lucky to be able to say that. I joined the R+H Cinderella First National Tour January 5, 2016… almost two years ago! I then sent in a video self tape audition for WICKED when I was on the road with Cinderella and left to join Munchkinland. I got to understudy Glinda and Nessarose which was a dream come true. Being an understudy taught me a lot and I am forever grateful for that experience. This past July when I was on the road with Wicked I sent in another self-tape when Les Miz was looking for a Cosette and a few callbacks later I got the job. I have gotten really good at self-tapes on the road! I had about four days between leaving WICKED and starting rehearsals for Les Miserables. It was a crazy fast turn around between shows but I still pinch myself. I feel so grateful to do what I love and love traveling. I am living a true gypsy life!

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

When I was on tour with Wicked the bubble malfunctioned during the opening number when I was on for Glinda for the third time. Glinda is supposed to get back in the bubble but when I turned to get back in… the bubble was still five feet off the ground. Since the role was still new to me my internal monologue was something along the lines of: “Oh no… ah…breathe…AH” But somehow I managed to breathe, dramatically turned toward the audience and walked downstage center like I was on Americas Next Top Model. The cast totally had my back and we all did a brilliant musical theatre clump downstage. I laugh looking back at that moment.

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

This show- Les Misérables! I’ve toured with other shows but I’ve always joined productions that were already up and running. Usually you only get two-three weeks to rehearse before you’re put into a show. This show feels extra special because our company started rehearsals together in New York. It was incredible getting that time and space to create these characters and entire show as a company. We were also able to be part of the tech process in Providence where we really saw our show come to life. It was an incredibly exciting process that I will never forget.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Oh gosh…I can’t pick just one! Getting to travel, singing this incredible score every night and meeting the fans. Les Misérables is such an iconic masterpiece that so many people know and love. The people I meet at the stage door are always so thankful for this story we tell and it makes ME extra thankful to get to do what I love every night.

Backstage with fellow cast member Matt Shingledecker

What has been your most memorable moment on this tour so far?

Meeting and singing this score for the incredible writers Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. It was so surreal working with them. They knew what they wanted, were so kind and I wanted to take in everything they said. I still have our work session on a voice memo and love to listen back to it. I will never forget that moment and will forever cherish my photo with them!

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

Staying healthy. With this show we have a lot of “one weekers”, meaning we move to a new venue every Monday. That also means that our day off is our travel day. Traveling so much can be really taxing on the body and voice. Sometimes we even do eight shows in five days, which can be exhausting. I take a lot of vitamins, and love my hand sanitizer at the airport!

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

My steamer. A lot of the theaters we go to are very historic. They are beautiful but also… carry a lot of dust and mold. Steaming helps add moisture and relax my vocal chords. I truly can’t live without it! I also love Grether’s Pastilles and I drink water like I’m a fish. Oh, AND an eyelash curler… gotta look awake!

What's a random fact about touring that people are always surprised to learn?

Surprisingly…people always ask me if my hair in the show is my own hair. We have an incredible team who work on our beautiful wigs and they are amazing! People who aren’t in theatre are always shocked to find it’s not our real hair- they look so real. I wish I had that time to do my hair everyday!

What do you love about playing Cosette?

I love telling Cosette’s story. There is such a gentle, loving yet spirited nature to her character. She never fails to remind me of the sweetness of innocence and the purity of true love. The other day someone in the audience audibly said “awww” after Heart Full of Love and it made me giggle and smile. Playing Cosette always makes me happy and turns my day around. I feel honored to tell her story every night.

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

The people I get to work with and telling this story. You really become a family on the road and I feel lucky to be surrounded by such a loving and supportive cast. This show carries some heavy themes but our cast loves to laugh which creates a positive environment on and offstage.

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

-Embrace what makes you unique. There is only one you so don’t try to be anyone else.

-You can never be too prepared!

-Show up to those auditions that you think don’t matter. In my experience, a lot of the open calls I waited hours for ended up helping me form connections for future projects. You never know when the right door at the right time is going to open. Always show up.

What piece of advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Don’t be so hard on yourself! I have always been my biggest critic and sometimes it takes getting over that mental hurtle of self-doubt to really unleash the best parts of ourselves. Perfection doesn’t exist and it’s okay to mess up. Forgive and let go. That’s the beauty of theatre… every show is different and certainly never perfect. Enjoy every moment and the beauty of imperfection.

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

Be kind and work hard. There are a lot of talented people in this business. I always strive to be the people in the room people want to bring back to work with again and again. Kindness goes a long way and is never forgotten.