I am super excited to introduce you to my dear friend, Tia Altinay, in the newest edition of On The Road! Tia has performed on Broadway in Aladdin, Mary Poppins and A Christmas Story. Prior to her Broadway debut, she toured with Mama Mia!, High School Musical and Bombay Dreams. Tia is currently touring the country with Hamilton as a member of the female ensemble. She also understudies Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds!

This beautiful, talented, fiery woman is one of my favorite people on the planet. I first met Tia in July of 2015 when I started working as a swing dresser at Aladdin. Then in 2016, I hit the jackpot and got to be her full-time dresser for a wonderful nine month stretch. I loved making her laugh backstage in between scenes and treasure our many heart-to-heart talks in her dressing room. She adopted me as her little sister and welcomed me into her chosen family tribe. My time with Tia at the New Amsterdam Theatre was truly one of the most magical and fun seasons of my life!

I hope you enjoy this interview with my wonderful friend, and if the Hamilton Philip tour passes through your city, please bring her a treat for me!

How long have you been a performer?

My first paid professional show was when I was 9 years old. I was on the tour of Jesus Christ Superstar as a child of Bethlehem and a leper. lol.

Was there an exact moment when you knew that you wanted to perform on Broadway?

I used to go to the theater with my mom. We had season tickets to all the tours that came through. It was the highlight of my month. The tradition of getting dressed up, going to dinner before, reading your playbill and listening to the musicians tune their instruments, the show and the excited recap with my mom on the way home. I loved it all. I already was in dance class, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that feeling for other people. I wanted to be a part of the theater community for life. Getting paid to tell stories and do what I loved - I was hooked. I knew Broadway would be what I would work toward.

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

Aladdin was thrilling because I had the opportunity to work on the show from the beginning. It’s pretty exciting to be in the room with Alan Menken while he is writing an original song. A song that you later get to record on an original cast album.

How did it feel the night you made your Broadway debut in "Mary Poppins”?

I was elated. It was a dream come true. I felt like so much hard work and perseverance was finally being rewarded.

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

The day of the Tonys was a dream. You go to Radio City to rehearse and camera block and everyone is buzzing. It’s our Super Bowl. It’s the Oscars of our business. I couldn’t believe I was finally going to realize the dream of performing on the Tonys stage. We rehearsed on the stage, then went back to the New Amsterdam Theatre to get into costume and makeup, then we get on a bus and go back to Radio City to be there in time for our performance. While we were getting into place backstage we ran into so many fun people, Neil Patrick Harris, Hugh Jackman, Lucy Liu, and my personal favorite, LL Cool J. I mean what an eclectic bunch. That’s the beauty of theater. It brings all people together. After our performance we bussed back to the theater to get ready for the party. As we were all getting ready we turned on the tv to watch the Tonys live. We stopped getting ready to watch the best featured actor category. James (Monroe Iglehart aka the genie) won. We erupted with excitement, we were cheering and crying and just so proud of our genie. Our friend and cast mate realized an ultimate dream that night and we were all there enjoying that moment together. It was indescribable. After that we headed to the party to dance and drink and carry on the way only actors do :)

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

Kelly Clarkson. She went around and shook all of our hands and took pictures and talked with everyone in the theater. She was the nicest! So gracious and real.

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

Last spring we did a Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS benefit. It was incredible. The venue we chose was 1st avenue. It’s a historical rock venue in Minneapolis where Prince filmed purple rain. I mean talk about iconic. Everyone that performed blew me away. We raised a ton of money for BCEFA and had fun doing it. It was an epic night of talent. Our band rocked, our singers sang down, our co manager dressed in drag and MC'd and even our wardrobe mistress sang back up vocals. So many talents featured. It was pretty great.

Do you have any special rituals or moments that happen backstage before or during the show each night?

Every night our cast holds hands and circles up backstage to get centered together. We breath together and we share a positive message with the group. Then a word is picked to focus on during the show. Something like, gratitude, or love, or family. I really thought this tradition would die out-but we are still doing it and I love it.

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

My water bottle, I have some young living essential oils that I use for energy and balance, and my heating pad. The theaters are freezing backstage!

What is your favorite thing about your job?

The story I'm telling right now is important. Our history is worth knowing and sharing. I'm proud to be part of making people excited about our history.

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

It’s hard to be away from all your friends for an extended period of time. I traded in my dresser for 2 suitcases. Readjusting to a new environment every six weeks is work. Getting to know a new city is nice, but its challenging.

What is your favorite number to perform in your show?

The Battle of Yorktown. I remember being an audience member and getting so hype after. Now I'm getting to be onstage in my blue coat telling the story. It’s a great feeling.

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

The money. Just kidding :) Theater is important. It teaches us about ourselves. It helps the world see things from new perspectives. Being creative helps me communicate who I am and makes me feel like I'm contributing positively to this world. I can't see myself ever giving that up.

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

The only person you should be comparing yourself to is yourself yesterday. It’s my job to work on me. I try to be a better person today than I was yesterday.

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

You are exactly where you need to be. take a deep breath, enjoy this moment. Live in the present. Celebrate your accomplishments before moving on to the next goal.

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

You can only be truly great when you are living in your truth. There is no one else that can be you but you. So shoulders back, head high, and go into every situation as yourself, not the person you think they want.

What is your favorite Backstage Blonde memory?

The multiple times I would come off stage and Teale would be in a costume. Could be a tutu, a full onezie, a carrot costume, a Harry Potter cape complete with lightening scar, or just a fun Kylie lip. The amount of joy and sunshine Teale brought to my life during our time together was invaluable. Some of the best parts of my job are meeting amazing humans like Teale, that I wouldn't have otherwise met, and creating lifelong friendships with them.

FUN FACTS:

What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?

Les Miserables. A classic that I'm still obsessed with. The overture can't be beat.

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

In the Heights. I was floored. It was the first time I had seen a story being told in that way. The movement and the music was so beyond anything anyone had tried. I saw it twice Off-Broadway and 4 times on Broadway. I so wish I was able to be in that show.

What is your favorite restaurant or bar that you've found on tour?

There is a cocktail bar called Vault in Cleveland. It’s an old bank vault that they have turned into a craft cocktail bar. The drinks are great and the atmosphere is super interesting. a lot of the old bank touches are still present. I love anything with a historical touch.