This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Jennifer Apple: My name is Jennifer Apple. If you cannot hear it in my voice, I am so pumped and ready for what we have in store for you in this coming season. We here at EAC took a much-needed hiatus after 42 episodes, and I hope that you too are welcoming in this new year, this new season, with a sense of grounding, a sense of rest, a sense of purpose. Or perhaps you haven't found any of those things, and that's totally, totally okay. And maybe that's exactly why you are tuning in today. With that said, I am so excited to introduce our first guest for Season 2, Keri René Fuller, who I did Title of Show with back summer of 2021 at the Brooklyn Navy Yards. And the reason I wanted to have Keri on as our first guest back is because Keri's career thus far has been incredibly nonlinear, and it is the perfect reminder that there is no one right way to do this whole thing.

It is just what is right for you. We unpack what it means to call something a career, the importance of taking purposeful rests and breaks, as well as learning to lean on others for support. We also talk about cultivating trust, resilience, and a safety net. And Keri reflects so openly about her two-year journey into booking Six, the musical, as well as Waitress and Jagged Little Pill, going on tour with Cats, and this next chapter of writing and recording her own music. So without further ado, enjoy. Keri René Fuller, look at you and your little like ambiance filled candlelit environment.

[2:05] Keri René Fuller: I actually moved to this candle because I was like, I am missing something.

[2:09] Jennifer Apple: Just like a rogue candle on the-

[2:14] Keri René Fuller: Come on, you should be very familiar with candles and windows.

[2:17] Jennifer Apple: I am. I am. Thank you so much. Chag sameach. Happy holidays. Hi, love. I'm so excited for you to be here. But before we jump on in for like how we got to know each other and who you are and all that, who are you today?

[2:29] Keri René Fuller: Today, I am fun employed, I suppose. I just finished my second contract with Six, the musical on Broadway. And now I am, you know, I've done various other things prior, but this was my most recent journey. I'm currently in an acting program trying to, you know, not be shit. And then writing my own music, I've been really trying, which is a very vulnerable and terrifying thing to do, but so worth it at the end of the day. So I've been doing a lot of that and seeing very open to what is going to happen next. And I have no idea what that is.

[3:16] Jennifer Apple: None of us do. I mean, if we did, that would be a very different life that we would lead if we all had crystal balls and like actually be amazing.

[3:20] Keri René Fuller: Actually, you know, that would probably suck a little.

[3:24] Jennifer Apple: Yeah, that's the thing. I don't know. I don't know how I'd feel about it, honestly. Like part of me is really curious about it. And then it's like if you knew the way that everything would go, then you wouldn't actually be present for any of it. You wouldn't try as hard.

[3:35] Keri René Fuller: Exactly. It's just I mean, arguably, I wouldn't have like met you if that were the case.

[3:40] Jennifer Apple: Exactly. And then we would have never kissed. Truly. So context.

[3:44] Keri René Fuller: This is a great segue. I'm obsessed.

[3:47] Jennifer Apple: Keri and I did a production of Title of Show with Max Hunter and Josh Daniels. We were one of the first shows that came back, I guess, quote unquote, post pandemic in summer 2021 at the Brooklyn Navy Yards. And you were my Heidi to my Susan and I was your Susan to your Heidi.

[4:09] Keri René Fuller: And we got to swap liquids from our mouths.

[4:15] Jennifer Apple: Exactly. Don't worry. We were tested.

[4:20] Keri René Fuller: We were. We were like prime time testing. Oh, my God. It was wild. But I mean, I talk about this all the time that I literally received an email from Max, who is the director and producer and also was in it with us and like offering for me to do suits. He's like, I found you and I think you'd be great. And he like threw your name into the mix as like the as it's like to make it sound like it was legit being like we're doing it.

[4:41] Keri René Fuller: You laugh, but it's real. And honestly, that was the only thing that didn't make me delete the email. I was like, oh, yeah, well, if Keri René Fuller is doing it, then like clearly, you know, somebody real the memory chick.

[4:52] Jennifer Apple: Well, not only that, but because, yeah, I mean, I knew you from Cats because a friend of mine was also on tour with you. I mean, just like the world gets small. But if he hadn't literally name dropped you, I would have been like, this is going into spam.

[5:00] Keri René Fuller: Exactly. I totally get it. There's an Max Hunter anyways, you know, Max, when you listen to this, because you will. We love you. So we did Title of Show together. It was a totally wild experience. And since then, you have been on this wild journey, which I'd love to hear more about. We can start with Six and then like maybe go backwards if you're great with that. But you have had such an interesting, nonlinear journey with most of your career and more specifically with Six. And I would love to hear how that all began for you, like timeline wise. And we can go from there.

[5:27] Keri René Fuller: Yeah, it's so interesting, like hearing it called a career because to me, like, you know, being involved in, you know, every aspect of my own life and how that works, you're involved in your own life. Apparently, I have never really thought of myself as like having a career. I've always thought of it as doing a series, being involved in a series of like cool and weird things.

[5:50] Jennifer Apple: And why is that? Why don't you? Why don't you refer? I mean, there's neither here nor there about like, whether it's good or bad. But why have you never thought about it like that?

[6:15] Keri René Fuller: It's it's funny, because this is really the first time I think I have really thought about that. Like with me in this moment, this moment right now, because like I've heard like you in the acting world, you were really in any world you hear career, career, career, this person's career. And it is very interesting in the context of yourself really thinking about do I actually picture what I have done as a career? Because like you said, it's so nonlinear. And typically, when you think of careers, it's like, oh, you know, they've been a dentist how with their own practice for their dental career for 20 plus years. So it's interesting, because, you know, it's been 20 plus years for me as well, but it's been so fractured.

And I've done so many different things in the middle of all of the things that have are, you know, determined my career. Right. So yeah, that's a very interesting thought that I literally just had in this moment. Amazing. Can't wait to think about that more.

[7:21] Jennifer Apple: You're welcome, I guess. It's good. It's good. So yeah, with Six, seeing as that's like the most recent thing. It was such a straight, not strange, because strange makes it sound like a negative connotation. But it was so odd. Because I had my very first audition for it. I had, I remember being on the subway car on my way to rehearsal for Cats, just like in December of 2018. Right. And we're rehearsing at new 42. And, you know, new music Fridays pops up. And it's like, Six, the musical and I was like, you know, at this point in time, I was still like, Oh, like, musicals are cute. You know, at this point in time. I mean, I was I would have felt very hypocritical on my way to Cats for her.

[8:07] Keri René Fuller: Yeah. Musicals. I was like, of all the musicals to think of all musicals, too. Yeah, I mean, let's be clear. Cool. Yeah. Wow. Um, but I was like, wow, they really will write a musical about anything these days. They really will. And I was very hesitant going into it. Because in college, one of my main interests was European history. And so I obviously had studied the six wives of Henry the eighth, multiple times over. Um, and so I was like, but I listened to it. And I was like, Oh, oh, this music is good. This is good music. Like somehow, they've managed to make music theater sound poppy enough to where I don't think that I'm listening to music theater 100%. And I was like, that would be a really cool thing to be involved in. You know, this was the West End recording that one day.

[9:09] Keri René Fuller: Um, so I just go on about my cat's journey, you know, dressing up as a cat eight times a week and singing memory. We'll unpack that after this, but we'll unpack it. And then I'm at the very end of my cat's journey, actually, and I get an audition for Six. And the timeline wine, when is this?

[9:27] Jennifer Apple: Yeah, this is a year later. So like, I've been I'm in Toronto, around Christmas time of 2019. Okay. So I'm at the end of my contract, because we set out at the very beginning of January of that year. So I get an audition, and they're like, here's the they broke it down, not necessarily character traits, but more like singing qualities, like vocal qualities, and like, celebrity, not celebrity, um, pop star inspirations. And I was obviously submitted for Seymour. And you know me, I can sing a ballad.

[10:06] Keri René Fuller: Not only can you sing a ballad, you could shred a ballad. I mean, your vocal, I mean, sure. Yep. To shred. And so I, they were like, don't sing from the show, sing an actual pop song. So I was like, great. I sang You Don't Really Know Me by Jessie J. And I had had actually one of the local guitarists in Toronto, from our pit play for me, because you had to do this via self tape, because you were still on tour, via self tape, pre pandemic, self tape, pre pandemic, self tape. So it was like, when self tapes were still, you know, there was a little optimism surrounding the self tape. Now, it's just pure dread.

[10:44] Keri René Fuller: So I, I submitted that and I got amazing feedback. But, and then I got a call back, they're like, sing actual material. And so I sang Heart of Stone and submitted it. But then I didn't hear anything back from that. And so you got a callback or you didn't?

[11:02] Jennifer Apple: I did get a callback, but I didn't hear anything after that. And so I was like, okay, whatever ship has sailed, they're probably going with celebrities anyways. Did you have to come into New York for the callback?

[11:09] Keri René Fuller: No, that was still taped because I was still on the road for, for Cats. It was just it was right before I left. And so I get back didn't really hear anything. But then this was for the Broadway, this was like for the Broadway round. But when we were in Chicago earlier that year, they were doing their, their Chicago sit down. So I was kind of like, in the we were like around the corner from the theater, from their theater. So I was like, exposed to the world. And I was like, Oh, that's that musical that I thought was like, kind of stupid, but then turned out being pretty cool.

[11:45] Keri René Fuller: Um, so then I got the audition for it, then callback, and then life went on for a couple months. And all of a sudden, I got like, Hey, will you will you do a work session? And this was now in the pandemic, or we're still right before the pandemic, still right before pandemic, because this was, this was probably February. Very, very beginning of March. And when I tell you like, beginning of the pandemic, like moments before the ball dropped. And so I did a work session just over zoom.

[12:22] Keri René Fuller: And then I continue, who were you with, with the, the Broadway resident director, essentially, or the associate director. And so I did that work session thought it went very well, I, they kind of the pandemic then hit. So obviously, they wanted to keep working, because at this point in time, we didn't know what was going to come of being shut down, we didn't know how long it's going to last. They're like, let's keep the ball rolling. Because we never know, like, when we'll be able to come back and be in rooms again.

[12:54] Keri René Fuller: Were you also were you going in for at this point, like a specific, where you always see more, okay, always see more. And so it was only ever Heart of Stone in the monologue prior to Heart of Stone. And then everything really shut down. So at this point in time, I've I've sent in self tape. So I've had to set about five or six sessions, all virtual, all virtual over the course of how long over the course of like, three, four months. Wow. Okay.

[13:43] Keri René Fuller: I remember because my boyfriend and I were upstate for Thanksgiving. And I do have to say, being upstate and the snow and nature really lessened the blow. You're like, look how beautiful it is. I'm crying into my tears streaming into the hot tub. I was like, but this is also so nice. You're smelling the trees. Exactly. You're just like bloated from turkey. Exactly. It's all about balance. And so I was disappointed. I definitely was disappointed because I really thought that I had something cool to bring to it. Also, because at this point, you've literally been involved. Like 15 times. Over the course of, I guess, two years. Yeah, pretty much. Pretty much from the end of 2020 to the fall of 2021.

I really—well, you said end of 2019. Yeah. 2019. I lost an entire year. So I, yeah, I was disappointed to say the least. However, I just go on my life because that's all you can do. And so I was like, okay, guys, my savings is gone. Like the pandemic sucked it all up. And so I was looking for a survival job and I was like, let me be a trainer again. My intro to New York was very like, I'm a trainer. This time I'm going to make money. I need a free GYP membership. Let's go. And so I got a job as a trainer at F45 and literally my fourth day into work, I had just gotten home from the morning shift. This is in February. They were like, hey, can you come play Seymour for like 13 weeks at least? Can you start rehearsal tomorrow?

And I was like, I'm on the road. Like what? And there are no Broadway, but Broadway. Abby needed to go on a medical leave. And so I just hopped right in. And the ironic thing about it is that I rehearsed with the Aragon tour when they were rehearsing. So I'm like going in, mind you, this process was also crazy because I'm going in, like I get the call and I go on stage in two weeks. I also just want to like pause for a moment before we get further down into this, how again, to recap your journey, you've gone in over 15 times over the course of two years for Broadway and tour. And this time the call that you get isn't, hey, here's a runway. It was, you don't even need to send us a thing. You are coming in tomorrow for this is your official Broadway debut.

Well, my first, my principal debut, because I did Waitress in 2018 at the same theater. You know, we don't need to touch on Waitress very much, but like it was very nice to be back in the same theater. Yep. So, yeah, literally they were like, just show up tomorrow. And I was like, OK. And I texted my boss and I was like, luckily they're Broadway fans. And I was like, hey, I know you just hired me. However, I can't work here. And I'll get you standing room tickets at some point. Thank you for understanding. Yeah. So, yeah, that I started. I rehearsed in the, both Joy and I, she replaced Anna as Par and we both went in at the same time. And we rehearsed in the back of the room while the tour gals were all rehearsing.

And I was like, they had like four or five weeks to learn this show. And we have two weeks until we're just thrust into the abyss. Luckily, it's only a 90-minute musical. But, yeah, so I did that. It was amazing. My first, my first contract was definitely, felt like I was trying to prove a lot. In the Abby, in the Abby subbing. Just not as, yeah, in the, in the medical leave contract, because I was like, I only have a limited time here. I really want to make my mark. I just put a lot of pressure on myself and didn't allow myself to fully fall into what it could have been. You know, I was resistant because I felt like I needed to prove aspects of, you know, I'm a good actress. I can make this sound better or I can make this like look like real acting or whatever bullshit I lied to myself about. So.

[18:44] Jennifer Apple: And was that something that you were feeling externally from like external pressure of people being like, oh, you're in Six now. You are here because Abby is not here. Like, was it that or was it you just wanting to really prove to—

[18:54] Keri René Fuller: I think it was more myself. I think that myself and I think it was a lot about, as embarrassing as it is, like about validation.

[19:05] Jennifer Apple: Yeah. It's not embarrassing. It's real. I mean, that's what I want to talk to you about.

[19:11] Keri René Fuller: Yeah. I think a lot of my career has been about validation, which is why I've allowed myself to make certain choices about what I have and have not been a part of.

[19:22] Jennifer Apple: Are you saying that if you didn't crave the validation, you might not have chosen some of the projects that you've been a part of?

[19:26] Keri René Fuller: Yeah. Or I, I wouldn't have auditioned for certain projects that just didn't align with what I wanted to put into my being and the world and my career. I, I'm very proud of what I've been able to achieve. However, moving forward, this, this contract, the first one in particular taught me a lot about myself. And it gave me like, you know, kind of sort of like a set of balls to be like, okay, like, let's really like, look at what you want. Like, what do I actually want from a career versus what do I feel like I deserve? Because I think coming from the mentality of like, oh, I'm just grateful to be here. Like, there's so many people that would want to be in my shoes. You sell yourself a little short. And that's kind of where I've operated from a lot of my life. And so having the opportunity to reassess that was very valuable.

[20:29] Jennifer Apple: Was there something in this particular contract, like, through like a light bulb moment that made you realize like, oh, I've been operating this way for a while. Let's see if I want to recalibrate or what about it made that shift?

[20:37] Keri René Fuller: I felt it a little when I did Cats in certain places. But I think that it was realizing what I had to offer and that what I had to offer was unique. And that only I could do that. Like, I can only sing Heart of Stone, like the way that I sang it. And Heart of Stone, like I, you know, nobody else's version is going to be that version, just like nobody else's version is going to be Abby's or, you know, whoever. And I think that owning that was taking ownership about what I had to offer and be like, no, I deserve to be here. Was big. And so like, I didn't, I feel like I just kind of got into that at the end. And so I felt like it was a little squandered, the first contract and, but you know, I was like, lesson learned.

Okay, lesson learned. I go away for the summer because my, you know, my contract was up. Um, and then I return, I think that I got the offer to return back to the show to take over Abby's contract right before we left for Malta. And so it was very nice to be able to go away and know that I was coming back to something. However, life drastically changed over that summer because I really like for the first time wrote my own music and sang my own music. And there is nothing quite like that because when I do solo shows, there's just a visceral difference between when I sing covers of songs and when I sing my own songs because they're of me.

[22:26] Keri René Fuller: Right. Um, and I've put everything that I had and have into them. Was there something during that summer Malta trip that you were like, now is the time for me to start writing music as a dedicated practice? Or why then was that the time where you really threw yourself into it?

[22:38] Keri René Fuller: Well, I, um, I am a master procrastinator because obviously nobody can write my music for me. Right. And so this is the first time that I've not been held accountable to anybody else's schedules. Like if I need to learn a show, I learned the show in the amount of time that I, if I need to do a self tape, I learn the material in the time allocated. Um, however, the songs that I, I write don't get written until I sit down and write them. And so I've learned, I learned a lot over the summer, how important it is to have accountability. Um, and how important it is to put yourself in uncomfortable situations and how, uh, those are kind of the most fruitful circumstances that you can enter into and come out of the other end.

And while it's very painful at times to, you know, put so much of your private sacred self into material for other people to listen to where they might not get it, they might not know where you're coming from. They might, when they sing along to the songs, they might have no idea what they're singing along to. Um, it's scary, but I do feel like I am, I am putting into the world music that I wished I had had to listen to. And so that's kind of, um, that's why, and so when I came back in the fall to return to the stage and sing somebody else's words again, there was some, there was a void. There was some kind of void where I felt unfulfilled to a certain degree, not because I wasn't so thrilled to be a part of the show again, not because I wasn't excited to play with my castmates on stage and discover new things and like lean into it more where I didn't lean into it the first time around, um, have the opportunity to feel more comfortable being there.

Like, you know, I had staked my claim and like, I deserve to be here. Um, however, I did find myself being like very drained, um, and not writing my own stuff. Like after I finished writing Blood in the Water in Malta, I didn't write another song until like yesterday.

[25:08] Jennifer Apple: Because it took so much out of you emotionally to get that out of you?

[25:13] Keri René Fuller: It took so much out of me to just sit down and be with myself. Because I always had an excuse. I was like, Oh, gotta go to the show. Or whatever. Like I was always waiting to like, have inspiration, as opposed to just sitting down and being like, no, just just write something. It can be a shitty song. It's okay if it sucks. Just write something.

[25:30] Jennifer Apple: Yeah.

[25:36] Keri René Fuller: But I do think that writing is one of the more difficult things. And this is just, you know, writing a song, let alone like people that write entire novels or whatever. Like, where they have to think about multiple things.

[25:42] Jennifer Apple: Yes.

[25:48] Keri René Fuller: So it was just perspective. It was I think 2022 in general, and mostly surrounding Six because I had never really experienced anything like it was just a year of perspective shifts. And also coming out of the pandemic and being angry about it and wanting more and wanting other people to want more and feeling let down when they didn't. And but also realizing you can't hold other people accountable to your own standards. Like, you have to do that for yourself.

[26:15] Jennifer Apple: Um, yeah, I sound so like Eckhart Tolle, but like—

[26:24] Keri René Fuller: No, but that's the headspace that you're in right now. And I'm asking you to be present and honest about where you're at, you know, and I think it's, you know, you talking about this journey, I think is really important for people to hear, because we see shows like Six, which is such a phenomena about like, you know, oh, my God, I want to be a part of that. I love this so much. There are these shows that come around that really become, you know, huge parts of the musical theatre canon. And Six is one of them now. And there are so many people who love this show so desperately and idolize the characters as well as the storylines, you know, and but we're forgetting so often that there are people who are dedicating their lives to telling this story.

This is their career, but it's also a part of their lives. And to really put the humanity back into, you know, these things that seem larger than life, I think is really important to just remember that not in the belittling of it, but like it is a job.

[27:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[27:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[28:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[28:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[29:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[29:17] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[29:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[29:37] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries and by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[29:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[29:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[30:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[30:17] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[30:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[30:37] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[30:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[30:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[31:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[31:17] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[31:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[31:37] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[31:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[31:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[32:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[32:17] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[32:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[32:37] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[32:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[32:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[33:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[33:17] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[33:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[33:37] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[33:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[33:57] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[34:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[34:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[34:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[35:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[35:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[35:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[36:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[36:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[36:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[37:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[37:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[37:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[38:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[38:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[38:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[39:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[39:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[39:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[40:07] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[40:27] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[40:47] Keri René Fuller: Podcast is brought to you by Zola Levitt Ministries.

[41:10] Jennifer Apple: Welcome back to the Empowered Artist Collective Podcast. Today, I am thrilled to have Keri René Fuller with me. Keri has an incredible journey in the performing arts, including her recent role in Broadway's Six. Keri, thank you for being here!

[41:40] Keri René Fuller: Thank you for having me, Jennifer! I'm excited to be here and share my experiences.

[42:10] Jennifer Apple: So, let's dive right in. You've had a non-linear trajectory in your career. Can you talk about what that has looked like for you?

[42:40] Keri René Fuller: Absolutely. I think the idea of a linear career path is a myth in our industry. I've had my fair share of ups and downs, and it's taught me a lot about patience and resilience. Each role, whether it was a big break or a smaller part, has contributed to my growth as an artist.

[43:10] Jennifer Apple: That's such a valuable perspective. How do you define what a "career" means to you, especially in the arts?

[43:30] Keri René Fuller: For me, a career is about the journey, not just the destination. It's about the relationships I build, the experiences I have, and the art I create along the way. It’s also about taking purposeful breaks when needed and understanding that rest is part of the process.

[43:50] Jennifer Apple: Yes! Rest is so important. How do you cultivate trust and resilience in your career?

[44:10] Keri René Fuller: I think it starts with surrounding myself with supportive people. I lean on my friends and mentors during tough times. Building a safety net of people who believe in you can make all the difference. It’s also about trusting the process and knowing that everything happens for a reason.

[44:30] Jennifer Apple: That's a beautiful way to look at it. Can you share a bit about your journey with booking Six and how that experience has shaped you?

[44:50] Keri René Fuller: Booking Six was a two-year journey for me. It was filled with auditions, callbacks, and a lot of waiting. But through that time, I learned so much about patience and perseverance. Each step, even the rejections, taught me something valuable about myself and my craft.

[45:10] Jennifer Apple: That’s such a testament to your dedication. You’ve also been a part of shows like Waitress and Jagged Little Pill. How do those experiences compare?

[45:30] Keri René Fuller: Each show has its own unique energy and challenges. Waitress was a dream come true for me, and Jagged Little Pill pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. They all contribute to my artistry and help me grow as a performer.

[45:50] Jennifer Apple: And now you're moving into writing and recording your own music. What inspired that shift?

[46:10] Keri René Fuller: I've always had a passion for songwriting, but I think being in these shows gave me the confidence to pursue it more seriously. I want to tell my own stories and connect with people through my music.

[46:30] Jennifer Apple: That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to hear what you create.

[46:50] Keri René Fuller: Thank you! I’m really looking forward to sharing it with everyone.

[47:10] Jennifer Apple: As we wrap up, what advice would you give to other artists navigating their own non-linear paths?

[47:30] Keri René Fuller: I would say to trust your journey. It’s okay to take breaks and to not have everything figured out. Surround yourself with a supportive community, and don’t be afraid to lean on others. Your path is unique, and that’s what makes it beautiful.

[47:50] Jennifer Apple: Thank you so much, Keri. Your insights are incredibly inspiring.

[48:10] Keri René Fuller: Thank you for having me, Jennifer! It’s been a pleasure.

[48:30] Jennifer Apple: And thank you to our listeners for joining us today. Remember to support each other and keep pursuing your passions. Until next time!