This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Martín Acuña: Hi, everyone. I am Martín Acuña, and you are listening to Backstage Talk.

[0:19] Martín Acuña: Welcome back to another episode of Backstage Talk. Today, I have the privilege of interviewing real-life Prince Charming, but he's an evil Prince Charming. All the way from Disney's Frozen, I have here with me Jake Smith. Hey, Jake. How are you?

[0:34] Jake David Smith: Good, man. Happy to be here. I'll let you introduce yourself a bit before entering all these crazy questions about your journey I have for today.

[0:46] Jake David Smith: Sure. So my name is Jake David Smith. I was born in Richmond, Virginia. I grew up there, went to college in Elon, North Carolina, and then right after graduating college, I had the privilege of joining the Broadway cast of Frozen in an ensemble track covering the role of Hans. And then throughout the next year, before the pandemic hit, I got the opportunity to perform over 300 performances of Frozen, I think 15 or so odd performances as Hans, and it was just a crazy, crazy whirlwind. And I'm super grateful for all the crazy firsts that it gave me. And we're going to get into all of that soon enough. So that's me.

[1:41] Martín Acuña: You are 23 at the moment, right?

[1:43] Jake David Smith: Yes.

[1:44] Martín Acuña: So you're 23, and you've already been on Broadway. So that is amazing. How did you start in theater?

[1:48] Jake David Smith: Um, so I could, I sang all the time as a little kid. And my parents really didn't know, like, whether I was good or not or anything. And we went to this like, humongous Methodist church that had like a big, you know, like children's choir where you all wore like white polo shirts, and like you stood and you sang like a nursery rhyme in front of the congregation or whatever. And my parents' friends are like nudging them like, Jake's gonna sing a solo. And they're like, what? Like, what are you talking about? And they look up and somebody's handing the microphone to me like down the line of kids like singing. And I start singing and they're like, holy crap. Like, that's our kid. This kid can sing.

He can sing. And everybody's looking at them like, well, okay, like, that's not insufferable as far as youth choirs go. And so from that point on, my mom, you know, tried to make me take piano lessons. I had no interest. I wanted to be a rock star. I wanted to play guitar. And I mean, all the while, I grew up for the first my first 15 years of life, basically thinking I was going to go to like a state school and play soccer and play in the MLS. I did not grow up, you know, dreaming of being on Broadway. But I grew up playing guitar and ukulele and singing and even writing terrible songs on my own and performing them in middle school talent shows to haunt me for the rest of my life. And then basically, my mom signed me up for theater classes and this overnight theater camp because my middle school choir did a musical every year.

And it was like, whether you want to do it or not, like the choir does it and you are a member of that cast. And I was cast as like, the lead in like a junior version of some random musical, which was like, it was like, you know, a one act, like 90 minute thing or not even. And so she was like, all right, well, let's like, let's see. And I did that camp. I did like a sleepaway overnight camp. And like, I was like, oh, my God, all these people are so nice. Like, this is such a cool community of people. Like, I'm not being bullied at all. Like I am at soccer practice. I should do this more. And I had a guy convince me to do a local musical at that camp. And I did it. And that was, I think I was 15 when I did it.

And I never looked back. I just like, freaking dove right in and did like three or four different musicals a year. I directed plays. I went to more summer camps. I, you know, I was in show choir, barbershop quartet, chamber choir, the musical, the drama club, outside of school, like I did other community organizations doing theater. And because I started at 15, and I was made aware that like, you can major in this in college. And I was like, oh, well, like, I'm crazy behind and basically just like made up for 15 years of not knowing, like that this was my passion in four years and was doing like four musicals a year. Sometimes three, I was in one point, I was in three musicals at the same time.

And it was my mom looked at me and she was like, we're never doing this again. This is crazy. And I was like, that's fine. But it was like an insane whirlwind of like, hey, what's up? I'm the new guy. Like, I don't know anything. I literally couldn't sing you a single show tune. And then like, you know, two years later, I was like directing a play because I was just like, just dove right in and was like, this is my everything. So that's sort of like beginning to the beginning of theater to beginning of college, my theater experience.

[5:52] Martín Acuña: And what was the most memorable musical you did? Since you were 15?

[5:58] Jake David Smith: Oh, I mean, besides Frozen. Besides like pre-college. I mean, it has to be either Little Shop of Horrors, or Oklahoma, where my best friend from like four years old, Ben, we'll call him. Well, that's his name. So we'll call him Ben. And Ben and I literally like live down the street from each other grew up. We did all of the choirs together. And we did all of the scholastic, like all of the like the school musicals and plays and choirs together. And our junior year, we got to be Seymour and Moshnik in Little Shop of Horrors. I was the tallest Seymour that should never go on stage again. And then he was Moshnik. And then senior year, we were Curly and Judd. And like getting to like, create and like, play around on stage and like, absolutely weave in inside jokes and like everything like with your best friend of like 10 years on stage.

Is like an unforgettable experience, especially when things go wrong. We had a we had a like a sound effect for a gun go off in Oklahoma at completely the wrong time. And then like, I barely held it together. And then he we did the scene and he brought it back in with a joke. It was like blah, blah, blah, blah, no misfires. And I just completely collapsed laughing on stage in front of like 400 people who were all there. And everyone knew everyone in the audience knew that Ben and I were best friends and that he was messing with me. And like, they all erupted in like, laughter and cheers to sort of like cheer Ben and I on because it was our last show of our senior year of our last musical at our high school.

And it was just like it was like a movie moment. It was like super duper memorable. And something that I am frequently telling and retelling is that story of that missed gunshot sound cue and and all of the hilarity that ensued.

[8:09] Martín Acuña: That is awesome. I mean, those are the best memories. And let's talk about Elon, because I, since I was very young, I looked for musical theater programs in the United States. And Elon was and still is one of the best in the whole country.

[8:30] Jake David Smith: Yeah. So let's let's dive in into your experience at Elon.

[8:36] Jake David Smith: Yeah, I mean, I, I didn't know, or rather, I didn't bother to do a lot of research on schools, because like, basically, the most talented dude I know from Richmond went to Elon. And I was like, well, if he's going to Elon, then I'm going to Elon. So that's that. And I mean, I auditioned at like Pace and NYU and some other places, some other great programs. But I don't know why I just like made it up in my mind. And I was like, I will either go to Elon or take a gap year and then try to go to Elon the next year. Like I was obsessed with the school, because it was this like weird, like almost conservatory style training school, like in the middle of nowhere in the south. It was like very similar to the like, sort of vibe of my hometown of Richmond, where like, it was like very similar weather and like, you know, nature and I knew I was gonna feel like super comfortable there in all other ways other than theater.

And so I was like, I want to like, make my whole world like, I mean, I was still behind, like, I didn't go to a performing arts high school. And though I did a lot of theater in high school, like I didn't learn a lot about the art form itself. Like I, you know, I didn't know how to pick an audition song that was in the correct style of the show you're auditioning for. Like I was singing like, Love Never Dies for like Tarzan. Like, I, you know, I like there's no reason, but I was six foot and I could sing. So my community theater was like, sure, whatever, like, give him a call back. But I chose to go to Elon because I didn't, I knew that if I went to school in New York, that I would get lost and like, preoccupied with things outside of my training.

And so I went to Elon so that I could like, continue my pattern of diving in headfirst and just like, absolutely consuming all of the information that I could. And I, you know, I even chose like, not to minor or double major or do anything like that, because I was just like, I feel like I'm so behind, like technique wise, that I need to like, make my entire focus, you know, theater, theater history, you know, music theory, music, theater literature, and all of this stuff so that I can like, come out of this process, like, with like, you know, my head on my shoulders. And I not feel like when I, when I'm in New York, and I'm talking to somebody behind the table that I'm talking out of my butt, like, I feel like I need to know, you know, my world that I'm about to enter.

And Elon was a great place for that, man. I got some really, really good training. They have great connections. And the student body there really, really works together. So I had like, upperclassmen helping me find summer stock jobs where they were like, Hey, like, have you signed up for this conference yet? Have you signed up for this audition yet? Like, this auditions coming to school, like, you should really look into them. Their season is really good for you. And I had people helping me out. And there's like, there's a there's a real sense of family and community there. But yeah, I mean, just like any musical theater audition at any college, I when I was a senior in high school, I auditioned, I sang a couple songs, a couple of super duper basic musical theater songs, because I didn't know any better.

And they worked because I'm a super duper basic type. You know, and it just it, it's a weird universe thing, man, it all worked out in my favor. And I'm so blessed and fortunate that, you know, the one of the three musical theater colleges that I auditioned for accepted me. And I just worked my tail off when I got there. So that, you know, by the time showcase senior year came around, I had some options. And I had some, some agencies to meet with and some auditions with different casting companies to go to. And it all it all led to the right spot to Frozen. So it was super cool to see that, like, I definitely made the right choice. It's hard to argue with the results. And, you know, one year after graduation, I was cast as the lead in Between the Lines off Broadway, which I would be originating a role in a brand new musical in New York City, which is exactly what I told my agents that I wanted to be doing before I signed with them. You know, I sat down, I was like, this is what I'm really passionate about. I really, really, really want to create a character.

[14:48] Jake David Smith: It's such an interesting experience being a Disney Prince, but I think there's something really special about being a Disney Villain too. They have so much depth and complexity, and I love exploring that side of storytelling.

[15:18] Jake David Smith: When I first got the role, I was over the moon. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a part of something as iconic as Disney? The energy in the room during rehearsals was electric, and I felt like I was part of something truly magical.

[15:48] Jake David Smith: One of my favorite moments was when we had our first read-through. Hearing the music and seeing the characters come to life was surreal. It was a reminder of why I fell in love with musical theatre in the first place.

[16:18] Jake David Smith: The challenge of portraying a villain is that you have to find the humanity in them. They can't just be evil for the sake of being evil; there has to be a reason behind their actions. That’s what makes them relatable and interesting.

[16:48] Jake David Smith: I remember one scene where I had to really tap into that emotional depth. It was tough, but it made the performance so much more rewarding. I think audiences appreciate when they can see that complexity.

[17:10] Jake David Smith: The response from the audience has been incredible. People come up to me after the show and share their thoughts, and it's amazing to hear how the character resonates with them. It makes all the hard work worth it.

[17:20] Jake David Smith: I also love the camaraderie among the cast. We all support each other, and that creates such a positive environment. It’s like a family, and I think that translates to the stage.

[17:30] Jake David Smith: There are definitely challenges, though. Balancing the demands of the role with personal life can be tough. But I’ve learned to prioritize self-care and make time for the things that ground me.

[17:50] Jake David Smith: I think it’s important for performers to remember why they started in the first place. Keeping that passion alive is crucial, especially in such a competitive industry.

[18:10] Jake David Smith: I’ve also been working on my music outside of the show. It’s a different outlet for me, and I love being able to express myself in that way. It’s all about finding balance and exploring different facets of creativity.

[18:30] Jake David Smith: I’ve been writing some new songs that I’m really excited about. It’s a process, but I think it’s important to keep pushing myself creatively, even outside of my acting roles.

[18:50] Jake David Smith: The journey to Broadway has been a wild ride. There have been ups and downs, but every experience has shaped me as an artist. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

[19:10] Jake David Smith: I think the key is to stay open to opportunities and be willing to learn. Every audition, every role, teaches you something new. It’s all part of the journey.

[19:30] Jake David Smith: I’ve also had some amazing mentors along the way who have guided me and offered invaluable advice. I think it’s so important to seek out those relationships in this industry.

[19:50] Jake David Smith: I’m really grateful for the support I’ve received from my family and friends. They’ve been my rock throughout this journey, and I couldn’t have done it without them.

[20:10] Jake David Smith: Looking ahead, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I have big dreams and goals, and I’m determined to make them a reality.

[20:30] Jake David Smith: I think it’s important to keep pushing boundaries and challenging myself as an artist. There’s always room for growth, and I’m eager to explore new opportunities.

[20:50] Jake David Smith: I also hope to inspire others who are pursuing their dreams in the arts. If I can show someone that it’s possible to achieve their goals, then I feel like I’ve done my job.

[21:10] Jake David Smith: At the end of the day, it’s all about storytelling. Whether I’m on stage as a Prince or a Villain, I want to connect with the audience and leave them with something to think about.

[21:30] Jake David Smith: I believe that every role has the potential to make an impact, and I’m grateful for the chance to be a part of that magic.

[21:50] Jake David Smith: Thank you for having me on the show. It’s been a pleasure sharing my journey, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

[22:10] Jake David Smith: If anyone wants to follow along with my journey, they can find me on Instagram. I love connecting with fans and sharing updates on my work.

[22:30] Jake David Smith: I appreciate all the support from everyone who has followed my career so far. It means the world to me.

[22:50] Jake David Smith: And to all the aspiring performers out there, keep chasing your dreams! It’s a tough road, but it’s worth it.

[23:10] Jake David Smith: Remember to stay true to yourself and your passion. That’s what will set you apart in this industry.

[23:30] Jake David Smith: Thank you again for this opportunity. I’m excited for what’s next!

[23:50] Jake David Smith: Let’s keep the conversation going, and I hope to inspire others along the way.

[24:10] Jake David Smith: Until next time, keep dreaming big and believing in yourself!

[24:30] Jake David Smith: I can’t wait to share more of my journey with everyone. Stay tuned!

[24:50] Jake David Smith: And remember, every step you take is part of your story. Embrace it!

[25:10] Jake David Smith: Thanks for listening, everyone. I appreciate your support!

[25:30] Jake David Smith: Let’s keep the magic alive, both on and off the stage!

[25:50] Jake David Smith: I’m looking forward to what’s next, and I hope you are too!

[26:10] Jake David Smith: Until we meet again, take care and keep shining!

[26:38] Jake David Smith: I'm a senior in college. They were like, what? Oh, oh yeah, right. Oh my God. And I was like, yeah. So like I literally need to be in a cab on my way to LaGuardia at like 6:45 PM at the very latest. And so they were like, okay, cool, cool. Well, um, just to keep an eye on your phone, like we're probably gonna want to see you again. And I was like, Oh, um, can I ask what for? They were like, don't worry about it. And I was like, Oh, well, like here's the thing. Like, I understand that you might want to keep me in the dark, but like I have to pack a suitcase and I need to know like what all I should pack and what all I should like leave available for me to wear to this audition. When I go home next to my sister's apartment, like, you know, like, am I going to need to like reiron my dress shirt and like come in and sing?

Or am I going to need to like go quickly wash these sweaty dance clothes at a laundromat and like come back and dance again? She was like, Oh, no. Um, you're going to get measured, which means like measured for costumes. And then she quickly goes, I shouldn't have said that. And then runs in the room and shuts the door. Um, and so like, I go home and I shower and I put on a polo and jeans and I try to look, you know, like a high school kid. And I go to my Mean Girls audition all the while being like, I think I just got a job with Frozen. Like, I think that's what that means. Beginning measured means that right? You know? And I was like, you know, one of my other buddies was at this audition, um, for a different track on the tour or whatever.

But I told him what happened and he was like, Jake, you booked. And I was like, no, that's not, they're just, you're just seeing, they're just going to see like what fits. It doesn't mean anything. And so I do, I do the errand thing and I go, and then my agents are talking between Frozen and Mean Girls. They're like, look like we need to like, somebody needs Frozen, somebody needs a decision today. So we need to know if he's going to be Aaron or if, if, you know, he can go do Frozen or like if he's available to do Frozen. Cause I didn't have a contract yet. And Mean Girls, uh, didn't go my way. Not the end of the world, went a different direction, you know, sale of that happens. And, um, you know, my agent calls me, he's like, look, you didn't get Aaron.

It's dumb. I hate them. It's in the past. Which is like why I signed with them. Cause he's hilarious. And Christopher, you know, Christopher was just like, I don't get it. I'm going to yell at them later, but right now we've got to figure out this Frozen thing. Just sit tight. And I was like sitting in a Jamba Juice on like 33rd and Seventh or whatever. And, and, uh, I get another call. Where are you? I was like, I'm 33rd and Seventh. It's like, well, okay, great. So go up, uh, 11 blocks and over one Avenue, ring the doorbell at the St. James Theater, ask for Lisa Dawn. She's going to take you backstage to get measured for your costumes for Frozen on Broadway. And I like lost my mind. I literally have a duffel bag in my hand, like ready to get in a cab to go to the airport if this doesn't happen or whatever.

And so I run backstage and the stage manager is like, okay, like somebody on the phone told me that you have to leave this building in like 45 minutes. And I was like, you're correct. I am a student. Um, and I have an Italian literature final like tomorrow. And so they're like backstage in the wig room, like all hands on deck, like wrapping my head to make molds for wigs. They're like measuring every three inches up my arms and legs for like boots and gloves and jackets. And they put, um, like somebody else's wig on me just to like, see what it'll look like. They're like, okay, great, great, great. Now run to costumes cause they got to measure your head with a wig on. Um, so that they can measure your hats.

And so I do that. And then they're like putting Ross's costumes on me. Cause I, what I did is I replaced a guy named Ross, um, Lee cuts. Who's awesome. And, uh, so they're putting Ross's costumes on me though. Oh my God. Great. Like, um, we're going to have to do less work now because like you can't come back here between now and when you start rehearsal. So we have like a month where like you're going to be finishing school before you join the show and where like we need to be making whatever you don't fit into a Ross's for you. Um, and we don't really have time to like measure twice or whatever. And so like I'm sitting there and like, you know, I took a little picture of my head in this, like in this wig.

And I sent it to my buddies and I was like, I'm backstage at the St. James right now. I think I'm going to be on Broadway. And you know, like I get, I finally, like I get in the cab and I'm just smiling. And I was, I smiled, I swear to God, for eight hours until I laid down in my bed at Elon. Like all, like I was a weird guy on the plane, like smiling at everybody for no reason. They're like, what is with this guy? He won't stop smiling. It was like, you're in a New York airport. No one is supposed to smile in a New York airport. Um, and I was just like sitting in a cab, sitting in the, on the plane, sitting in an Uber the whole way home. I like told my Uber driver from, um, you know, Raleigh Durham airport to Elon.

I was like, I'm going to be on Broadway. And she was like, cool, man. I don't care. I was like, sorry, I just needed to tell somebody. Um, and the next day, you know, got a phone call with the official offer and everything. And, um, I got it in between classes, which was really cool. And so some of my friends were like, have you heard anything? And I was like, oh, I don't know. And then like my phone rang and I was like, well, okay, I'm going to go outside. And like, my, my buddies were like staring out the window as I was like receiving this news, like watching me pace the sidewalk, freaking out. It was, I mean, it was just like the most awesome story that you can imagine for like a college kid who's like dreams coming true.

It was like, so one, one in a million, so crazy universe things lining up them, you know, being okay with me pushing back my debut in the show so that I could graduate. Um, like Disney was like super duper accommodating with that. My agents were basically like, Hey, look, like I know you've scheduled his put in, you know, to the show to be for May 21st. Um, they were like, Hey, I know that you've scheduled his, you know, debut for the 21st he walks in a cap and gown on the 24th. Is there any way like we can push it back five days so he can like fly back and walk at graduation and then come back and keep rehearsing? And they were like, Oh my God, wait, no. Like college, that's important. Like take the whole week.

We'll just push everything back a week. And I was like, done. Boom. No questions. No, no grumbling. No. Um, animosity. They were just like, yeah, no. Like that is a life achievement milestone. Like grandma is waiting for that moment. We're not going to take seeing her grandson walk in a cap and gown away from her. Like, yes, we will put a swing into the show for a week in Jake's track and then just like push his debut back a week, which is what ended up happening. And you know, literally walked a graduation, packed my apartment, uh, drove three hours to Richmond, repacked everything the next day and drove five hours to New York City, moved into a buddy's empty room in an apartment, got us like, got a sublet with him, moved in his room and started rehearsal the day after that.

So within 48 hours of walking at graduation, I was like at Ripley Greer with our, I guess that's not entirely true. There's a rehearsal studio at the New Amsterdam Theater. So I was at the new am with this big sign that said Disney theatrical group and my binder that said Frozen ensemble slash cover Hans, Jake David Smith, like a big white binder, which I'd like, I still have over there in the corner. And you know, I was like, I was wearing a cap and gown two days ago. Like, this is totally surreal.

[34:44] Martín Acuña: It was meant to be for you.

[34:47] Jake David Smith: Yeah. I mean, it was all the puzzle pieces fitting in perfectly for you. It was awesome. It was, it was, I mean, you just, you cannot ask for a better story for better, you know, timing and everything. It was, it was insane. Even with me getting an apartment that I was cleared to live in for a full year in like a week, I was like, Hey, uh, I need a room. And he was like, I just booked a national tour. I'm going to be gone for a year. You can have my room. I was like, no way. I was like, when's your first day of rehearsal? He was like May 24th. I was like, me too. And so like on the same day he moved out, I moved in, he got in a car to Philadelphia to join the tour. And I got in a car, like a pickup truck, my dad's pickup truck loaded to the brim with all of my crap from college. Just shoehorned it into a New York City apartment and called it a day.

[35:37] Martín Acuña: That is insane. I mean, I really got happy and genuinely excited of you telling me this story.

[35:45] Jake David Smith: Thanks man. It's a fun story to tell. It's, it's super long and involved. Like whenever I do any interviews or anything like that and someone's like, how did you get the job? I'm like, Oh God, buckle up. Uh, because it's not like, you know, well, I was living in New York and I was auditioning. I auditioned, I did a callback and then I was in a show. Like, you know, it's like, it's not straightforward at all. It's very convoluted and involves taping and saying no and flying and another show entirely and all this crazy stuff. But you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. My head was spinning and I luckily like, didn't have time or mental energy to get nervous about the auditions because I was so preoccupied with like getting to New York and like not getting lost and like, you know, showing up to the right studio at the right time for the right show and like what room Frozen was in versus what room Mean Girls was in or whatever. I was so preoccupied with the details that I didn't understand the gravity of the situation and therefore like couldn't get super nervous. So it all helped really.

[36:46] Martín Acuña: It was the universe conspiring in your favor.

[36:49] Jake David Smith: Definitely.

[36:51] Martín Acuña: What are the pros and cons of working in a Disney musical?

[36:55] Jake David Smith: Well, I'd say the pros is definitely like veteran leadership, like all the way across the board from your head carpenter, your props master, your stage manager, you know, your set designer, your costume designer, your wardrobe team, like working on a Disney musical means that like the best of the best people were hired to do those jobs. Um, which means like whenever I was like a fumbling idiot backstage, like not really knowing what protocol was or not really knowing like where to stand when like there was somebody to put a hand on my shoulder and like guide me through the situation. Um, and it also means that like, you know, when you do a Disney musical, like a lot of the cast is also like Broadway veterans.

So even, even though, I mean, obviously Casey Levy and Patty Murin are legends. Those are, you know, the two lead women of the show. I don't necessarily interact with them a ton. I did have a lot of backstage traffic with Patty though. So that was a really fun time where I got to like bond with her. And I was like, you know, Oh my God, like you're Patty Murin and you're talking to me during my quick change right now and like making fun of me and like cracking jokes. Um, and then of course getting to go on as Hans with the two of them and being like, I listened to you in high school, like on Broadway cast albums and like now I'm saying lines at your face and you're saying them back to me. Um, but like, obviously that's a huge pro of like being like everybody around me is not phased and knows exactly what they're supposed to be doing.

So without even like having to, to, to like teach me a lesson, I was learning lessons every day, like without being taught them. Um, and then some people were directly teaching me lessons because I needed to learn them. You know, whenever I had a question about an audition for another show, like while I was in Frozen, cause like, wow. While Broadway actors are in shows, they're still auditioning cause like nothing is guaranteed. You don't know when the show is going to close. Uh, and all, obviously like you want to keep climbing the ladder if you're an understudy, you know, your agents and you want you to be playing the lead role in a different show if you can. Um, and so, you know, when, when I would get an audition that I was like, Oh my God, like I've never auditioned for this person before.

Do you think that playing guitar would be like a good idea? Like should I bring my guitar to the studio? My buddy Austin was like, no. Um, like they don't really like that vibe. I would just like sing a normal song, you know? And like I had, I had people in my corner who'd been in the industry a long time like to answer all of my dumb questions and also like give me a bunch of retro restaurant recommendations and be like, you know, here's where the best chicken wings are. It was the bomb. Like seriously, like I, like, I feel like I came out of that experience with a bunch of crazy aunts and uncles because I was, I mean, I, I was the youngest person in the cast for sure at 22 years old. Um, by, by a few years.

And I was actually, uh, Jeremy doesn't like this story. Jeremy Davis, but I was closer in age to the girl playing young Anna than I was to my fellow ensemble member, Jeremy Davis. I was 22 years younger than.

[40:57] Jake Smith: Firsthand, I had to learn from Joe Carroll when he was Hans and, you know, this is, you know, his third Broadway show or more. And, you know, just you ask somebody what they think of Joe Carroll and they're like, he's the best. He's the best guy to work with. He's so kind. Like, he's so cool. He's so genuine. And I was like, well, that's how I want to be spoken of when people ask. So I, you know, I, after like a couple of months in the show, Hans doesn't interact with the ensemble at all. Like there's no backstage traffic. There's no time, downtime in the show where you're like sitting and you're like, so Joe, like what's going on today? Like, you know, you just don't cross paths. It's the way the backstage traffic, you know, just worked out.

And so like Joe and I were walking into the theater and I was like, Hey man, I've been your understudy for like three months now. And I literally don't know anything about you. Like, do you want to get a beer this week? Like, do you just want to like go after the show? I want to know about you and like, ask you some questions about Hans. Cause like one of these days I'm going to have to go on. Um, I'd love to like talk your ear off for a moment. And then like, that became like a cool thing that we would do sometimes I'd be like, you know, Hey, uh, and we'd even like get the other Hans and understudy Anthony in on it. We'd be like, Hey, we're going to team Hans is going to have a meeting or whatever.

We're going to go to the bar down the street. Like you want to come? And like, we'd meet up cause you know, Hans doesn't get a lot of interaction with like the rest of the show. So it was cool for him to like, see what the rest of us were up to. Cause like, he was like, I don't know, like, do you, are you guys enjoying yourselves? Like how's the vibe backstage? So we just got, I, you know, he swung, um, one of my favorite shows of all time once. And so most of the time I was just bothering him with questions about once, um, and what it was like to like play all those instruments and do all that stuff. But yeah, I mean, I just, the people is basically what I'm getting down to was the biggest pro of working for Disney and, and on Broadway in general is, is the family and the people and in the leadership is really, really, really awesome.

[43:03] Jake Smith: How have you been keeping active during COVID because, uh, Frozen closed thanks to the pandemic. Yeah. Um, you know, I've been all over the place. I was in Florida for a little while and then I was in my hometown in Richmond, um, living with the parents. Uh, I, um, am super passionate about physical fitness. Uh, I, before moving here was planning on becoming a personal trainer as like my day job while I was auditioning. You know, I, I have been exploring different areas of fitness, like functional fitness and, and, and CrossFit and, and, um, yoga and like other stuff and just like diversifying my fitness portfolio, if you will, and just, you know, keeping physically active. And then as far as like keeping artistically active, um, actually like pick back up the guitar and started writing music again.

And I had completely forgotten how much I love doing that and how like that absolutely feeds my soul artistically. Um, just as much, if not more than musical theater does sometimes. And because of my like dive in headfirst nature, I had almost like abandoned that part of my life in the pursuit of becoming, you know, proficient at the world of musical theater, um, and learning all the information that I, I was behind on. And so like, uh, I've, I've written an EP and I'm going to record it and get it produced, um, by some really, really cool people. Cause I've got awesome friends who have awesome siblings and who have recording studios and I'm going to try to get this team effort together and sort of like put something out there for the universe.

That's been like my dad's dream for me forever. Of course, my mom was like, I just want you to be happy side. But my dad is like, dude, you and your buddies should start a rock band. And I'm like, dad, it's not 1975 anymore. Like, like there are other things you can do if you make music. He's like, yeah, but how cool would it be? He's like, I found this song and your roommate Logan should sing lead on it. But like the guitar looks like you could handle it. It doesn't sound too hard. I'm like, thanks dad. You know, I'm like Broadway, Broadway at 22 wasn't enough. You're not going to be satisfied until I'm in a rock band. Um, uh, and of course I'm teasing him and he's teasing me or whatever, but he, he, I think genuinely he'd be way more excited.

And this is nothing like, he's such a proud dad. He wept uncontrollably at my Broadway debut. Like my, my dad is six foot four, 300 pounds of like mustache and, and, and gruff. He's, I like to say he's like the real life Ron Swanson, um, only very liberal and, and blue and, uh, a hippie. Uh, but like, he's, he's like a very stern, like he talks down here and he's got a very different handshake and, and he's just like big, tough guy. And he just like, he just, he just picked me up and like engulfed me in his giant arms and just like sobbing on stage at the St. James. I was like, dad, take it easy, man. Like all my friends are here. Um, but so like, you know, obviously like he's a very proud dad.

I say all this not to embarrass him, but to, to, to prove to the internet or whoever's listening that my father is in fact, you know, supportive or whatever. I don't want, I don't want anyone thinking that he's not, or him hearing that he's not from anyone on the internet, but, um, he like, I swear to God, like once a month we'll be like, Hey man, you should play this song with your roommates and a gig. I'm like, there's a pandemic. Like, where are we going to play this song, Dave? But yeah, I mean, it's, it's cool. Like we collaborate all the time. Everybody in my apartment has, like I said, like four guitars. It's obnoxious. Our neighbors hate us, but we have, we have a good time, um, doing covers of songs and fun stuff on, on Insta whams and tech talk and all of the social medias and stuff.

But yeah, that's, that's how I keep active is as I, you know, I play, I write, I, uh, you know, I think I'm hilarious. So we write jokes and we write theoretical sketches and, you know, I'm living with my three best friends in an apartment in New York city. And that is enough chaos to keep me preoccupied in itself on top of all of the music that we all create. And you know, the guy, the guy neighboring this wall is writing a musical and the guy neighboring that wall is an agent. And then the guy on the other side, uh, does stand up comedy and also musical theater. And so like we all are always up in each other's business trying to collaborate and help, you know, tweak this joke or like add a new chord to this song in this musical or, or, uh, why don't you change this verse around on your EP Jake? Or like, you know, we, we all were, it's a team, it's a team effort here. Um, so I'm, I'm kept very busy. Um, it's cool.

[48:09] Martín Acuña: That's awesome. Um, when are you planning to release your EP? I mean, I, I, you just said it's unrecorded at the moment, but when can we expect music from you?

[48:21] Jake Smith: That's a very good question. And I also don't know the answer truly. Like I have never embarked on anything like this. Uh, I have, I, I do not know anything about this world because I've had my head buried in the musical theater sand for seven years. Um, and so I can't imagine that, that, you know, before the world reopens, we won't have music. Um, it's like five or six songs on an EP. Um, I want to get going. I want to get moving. I'm, you know, hopefully going to be able to put something down in the next month and release a single, uh, and then get working on an EP. So like I truly by, by the middle of March, like I want to have a single, um, but we'll, I mean, it's just going to have to see because also like I'm working on the charity of other friends, you know, I can't like demand that everything be finished and edited by March 15th because like, you know, they've got other lives and other jobs and stuff like that too. So, um, but geez, you know, your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea what I'm doing. Uh, I just know how to play guitar and sing.

[49:35] Martín Acuña: Before we go first question, where can people find you?

[49:46] Jake Smith: Um, cool. Yeah. I'm jake.david.smith on pretty much all platforms. Uh, I think maybe on Twitter. I'm like Jake David Smith too, or I'm not sure. I'm, I'm, I mean, it's a fairly common name. It's not super hard to spell or find. Um, but definitely jake.david.smith on Instagram is where like most of my attention goes. I rarely tweet anything, especially anything worth reading. Um, and then on Tik Tok, I am jake.david.smith as well. So, you know, follow me. It's a crazy ride. It's fun seeing, cause I take a lot of stories and videos of like people doing dumb stuff in my apartment. Last night we had five people in my bedroom because I don't know, it's like two people, two different people holding guitars, one sitting on the bed singing and the other had boxing gloves on because why not?

Why not? You know? Uh, and I was like sitting and I just pulled out my phone and I was like this, the internet needs to see this. This is a good time. We get off to all kinds of wacky stuff and be fun.

[50:51] Martín Acuña: And last question. A no brainer. Your top five favorite musical theater shows. Go.

[51:00] Jake Smith: Okay. Um, tied for first are West Side Story and Pippin. Then I'd have to say, oh man, oh, this is not a no brainer. How dare you do this to me at the very end out of nowhere. Um, I mean, I, I love the mental chaos I create every time I ask this question. So tied for first and second, I guess would be West Side and Pippin. Um, I love Catch Me If You Can. Um, I understand that that's not like widely beloved, but then, uh, American Idiot. Uh, I love American Idiot. I got to do American Idiot a few years ago. Love that show. Um, and then let's say, is that, is that four? Yeah. Five is going to be Wicked because if you like musical theater, then you love Wicked. And there is not an argument to be made against that statement.

I will not hear it. Uh, Wicked is objectively an amazing musical, it is for all, for all ages, shapes, sizes, creeds, you know, everything. Uh, Wicked is awesome. I just, you know, it's the quintessential, like most like musical theater-y like musical, but it's just, it's, there's a reason why it is so beloved and it's because it's so good. It's when you get down to the bare bones of Wicked and you analyze it, like it's just a brilliant show and it's, it's always a good time, you know, no one leaves Wicked unhappy.

[52:34] Martín Acuña: Well, Jake, thank you for being here. It's been amazing knowing your story, knowing your journey on Broadway. And I know that big things are coming your way, not only on Broadway, but everywhere. Um, thank you so much. So, so much.

[52:56] Martín Acuña: Thanks everyone for listening to this new episode of Backstage Talk. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Backstage Talk Podcast.