Hot Takes with Branden Huldeen
Branden Huldeen will be hosting Musical Theater Bingo on Tuesday, February 18 at 7pm
Branden Huldeen (BSC- Artistic Producer; Associate Artistic Director) joined BSC in 2016 as a member of the Artistic Team. From 2008–2016, he was the New Works Director and Festival Producing Director at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) where he produced the Festival of New Musicals, launched/managed the National Fund for New Musicals and grants for writers, as well as consulted on, dramaturged, spoke about and advocated for new works development internationally. He was also a teacher and director at CAP21/Molloy College; a guest teacher at Baldwin Wallace, Ball State, Pace and more; and a freelance dramaturg/consultant. Prior to NAMT, Branden worked in education at TDF, house managed the Vineyard Theatre and produced for NYU, SPF, NYMF, FringeNYC and many others. He holds a BS and an MA from NYU.
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1. How did you first start working in the arts? As a performer, or have you always been on the business end of the equation?
I started out as an actor but started to figure out in High School that I loved theatre but acting wasn't that big of an interest, so I shifted to teaching, producing and directing. My first paid professional non-acting job was when I was 20 and I have been working non-stop ever since.
2. Have you always been drawn to theater? When did you first fall in love with this art form?
It has always been theatre with music being a strong second when I was younger. I have no clue it all happened, the bug has always just been there.
3. Who have been some of your heroes in your industry and art form? What do you admire about them?
My big hero has always been Hal Prince because apart from being brilliant, he was kind and compassionate. Lots of my heroes these days are some of my colleagues in our industry who go to work each day and bust their rear ends evolve our organizations and make great art. I would name them but then it would get "weird" between us, so I will keep my fandom in my head.
4. What have been some of your all-time favorite performances as an audience member?
Instantly, my brain goes to Vicky Clark in The Light In the Piazza. But also the original company of Xanadu, Lindsay Mendez in Dogfight (or anything/everything she does), Mark Rylance in La Bete, Pride Rock in The Lion King still gives me goosebumps, Lillias White tearing down the house at BSC's Mr. Finn's Cabaret, and on and on and on.
5. What have been some of your favorite performances that you’ve gotten to be a part of?
My Pharoah in Joseph when I was 17 at a summer theatre school was one for the books, or so I'm led to believe. As the man behind the curtain for the last 20+ years, I've been so lucky to make so many magical nights happen. My favorites are my swings for the fences that resonate with artist and audience.