5 Questions with WICKED's Lindsay Northen!
Kevin Ray Johnson
I would like you to meet the wonderful Lindsay Northen! This talented actress has been performing in Wicked on Broadway for many years and is currently performing in the Ensemble and is the Understudy for Glinda. Other credits include Maria in The National Tour of The Sound of Music, Sally in Happy People at Lincoln Center Broadway's Future Songbook Series, and Isabel in Pirates! at Goodspeed. Ms. Northen has also guest-starred on Television in CSI Miami and Mr. Robot. Lindsay is a true gem and has had a career in the Broadway community that many dream of! It was such a privilege to have a chance to interview her!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
14! 9th grade, I was in Big River at my highschool in NC and I wanted it to last forever! (it only lasted a weekend, so I figured, I better do this as a career).
2.) Where did you study? Are there any mentors who truly helped make you the performer you are today?
I studied at Elon University. I learned a lot from my teachers at Elon, Cathy Mcneela, Polly Butler Cornelius, Fred Rubeck, Linda Sabo, Nina Wheeler. I would also call Donna Lynne Champlin a mentor of sorts. She does what I do, but a few years ahead, and much better. I’d be thrilled to have a career that follows a trajectory like hers. She also always paid for my dinner when she was on a broadway contract whenever I met her. :) very generous spirit. Rondi Reed has also taught me a lot about this business, and how to be a generous and thoughtful person.
3.) Wicked is definitely a true staple not only on Broadway but in the world of theatre. Your journey started with this show many years ago. How has your time been and what keeps it so fresh for you?
I’ve lived almost my entire adult life at Wicked. It’s been an amazing gift, at times a challenge, but has afforded me many luxurious most actors don’t have. I’ve grown as an actress and as a person. I got married to my wonderful husband Jared Bradshaw, we had our daughter in 2013, I’ve shot 13 TV commercials, 6 TV shows, and have traveled to London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Naples, Capri, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Japan. Travel is our family’s thing, and Wicked is why we could afford to travel! What keeps it fresh? The constantly rotating cast of new people. Who always seem to be wonderful.
4.) Is there another show that you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart?
The Secret Garden will always make my heart swell. I played a small role in that show in college but whenever I hear that music... I feel it so deeply. I would love to do that show again.
5.) What advice would you give a performer who wants a career in theatre?
If you think you might like to be in a show, give it a shot! Start small and dream big! Be a part of as many shows in any capacity that you can. If it makes you happy, find opportunities to perform wherever you are, it will grow from there.
To learn more about Lindsay, make sure you visit her official website at www.lindsaynorthen.com, and to learn more about Wicked make sure you visit - https://wickedthemusical.com