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[0:00] Linedy Genao: Hello, hello everybody. Welcome to Entre Acts, your favorite podcast, Ya Tu Sabe. I'm Linedy Genao and I'm so excited to announce this week's guest. I just saw her. I can't tell you what she's in yet because you know I'm going to say the bio and everything, but I just saw her performance this Wednesday matinee and was blown away. I hadn't seen the show in seven years. Seven is going to be a very important number on this episode. I hadn't seen the show in seven years and was blown away, fell in love with the show all over again and with her performance. Our guest is a luminous talent currently taking center stage in one of Broadway's most beloved hits. You may have seen her as the original Young Ally in The Notebook on Broadway.

Also as June in the acclaimed Gypsy with Audra McDonald and most recently descending into the underworld every single night starring as Eurydice in the Tony Award winning musical that is celebrating seven years today, Hadestown. Mi gente, please welcome Jordan Tyson.

[1:05] Jordan Tyson: Thank you so much for being here. What an introduction. Thank you. We just found out right before this episode started that today is the seven year anniversary of Hadestown. Seven years on Broadway. But the funny thing is in my head, everybody who knows the show from the beginning is like, this thing has been around for way, way longer. But to be on 48th Street at the Kerr is just like, it's just amazing. I'm a part of like a legacy truly.

[1:35] Linedy Genao: Absolutely. Congratulations. Go Hadestown. Hadestown at the Walter Kerr. And so you all have some festivities today.

[1:42] Jordan Tyson: Yeah, yeah, we're gonna we're literally gonna be singing on the balconies of the theater for the mayor's office, which I really pray that Zeron comes around.

[1:52] Linedy Genao: Oh my gosh, if I have time, I may go see that myself.

[1:59] Jordan Tyson: 430. I think stay tuned for that. Stay tuned for that. Jordan, thank you so much for being here.

[2:03] Jordan Tyson: Of course, before we get started, I like to play a little game of dominoes. You know, dominoes is a big game in the Latin culture and other cultures and I want to incorporate that here. We're not gonna really play the way you play dominoes.

[2:12] Linedy Genao: That's fine. That's fine.

[2:15] Jordan Tyson: Because I'm training girl. We got dominoes to a so awesome. Okay, girls in the house. So you're gonna pick we're gonna pick four or five dominoes one at a time. Okay, I'm gonna pick a domino some that number and it's gonna pertain to an icebreaker question. Are you ready?

[2:25] Jordan Tyson: I'm ready now. Okay. I love that you took a moment to get ready for it. I love it. Yeah. Okay. Pick the domino that calls to you. Here we go. We got a number five, five.

[2:41] Linedy Genao: Okay, a ticket to the underworld or a one way trip to the surface.

[2:50] Jordan Tyson: A ticket to the underworld or a one way trip to the surface. So like a one way forever or a one way a one way Oh, God, that's really hard. I love life though. I'm gonna say the surface.

[3:05] Linedy Genao: Me too. I love great answer. Great answer. See the sunshine and the grass and okay, that's a great answer. Okay, next domino.

[3:11] Jordan Tyson: Okay. Here we go. Five again. Another five. Travel to the past or travel to the future.

[3:22] Linedy Genao: Past. I want to be excited by things I don't know yet.

[3:29] Jordan Tyson: So I love that I don't need a giveaway. You know, what would you do?

[3:33] Linedy Genao: Travel to I was going to say the past because I, I have this theory that the day that I, you know, say it, but the day that I um, I want to I want my soul to visit other parts of history. I want to experience medieval times. I want to see what the Roman Empire was like. I want to see all these times. But you're I never thought of it that way to not want to travel to the future. So that you're surprised.

[3:54] Jordan Tyson: Yeah, I don't need to know. I want to be excited. No, but that's a great idea to know. I love that. Hmm. Okay, next. Okay. This is a five. It better not be. Seven. Okay, we got a little bit. Again, seven is the lucky number seven. Okay. Um, the airplane middle seat. Do you claim both armrests? Or do you shrink into a ball?

[4:14] Jordan Tyson: Oh, my goodness. Um, I'm trying to sleep no matter where I am on the plane. I think I would claim both armrests. I'm a tourist girl. I need to know Gemini. When's your birthday?

[4:32] Linedy Genao: May 12.

[4:39] Jordan Tyson: May 27. Okay. Your birthday is in literally less than a month. I know it's in like two and a half weeks or something like that. Okay, I'm writing a lot of great things here. This is great. Okay. We're armrest girlies. Okay. One more. One more. Okay. Here we go. Eight, eight. I'm just really going for the numbers. I know. This is why I'm an actor.

[5:00] Linedy Genao: Oh my gosh. What is your most used emoji? Show us.

[5:05] Jordan Tyson: Probably. Um, I always like yes. The eyes. Yes, the eyes and also this. Oh, I just saw a video on Instagram where it was a funny video about how people think you're sending this but it's really that you're going like this.

[5:22] Jordan Tyson: No, no, I can't unsee that. They always say that there's something else like the prayer hands, not prayer hands. It's a high five. Yeah. And I'm like, no, it's prayer hands to me. So please know if I send you this, it's an actual heart. It's an actual heart. Please, please, please know that. I promise. Oh my God. Now we have to know.

[5:43] Linedy Genao: Okay, great. Well, you can edit out that cancel, but I got really nervous for a second. Okay. I don't know, girl. I'm just getting to know you. So you might be lying. Thank you for playing that game of dominoes.

[5:57] Linedy Genao: As you know, this show is called Entre Acts. Entre in Spanish means in between, right? Just like an on track in between the acts. So I wanted to create a space where we as artists talk about the in betweens of life and of our artistry. And just how we navigate that because sometimes there's shame or embarrassment. And again, anybody in any industry goes through this. But specifically as artists, I feel like there's this, I don't know, uncomfortable feeling about it and about talking about it. So I wanted to ask you when life feels intermission and doesn't tell you what's next when you're on the road to the next journey, but you don't know where that road leads. What does that mean to you? What does that in between space mean to you?

[6:41] Jordan Tyson: I think it changes at different parts of my life. It's meant different things. I have two big ones that came into my head. The one was most recent right after Gypsy. And I didn't have a theater schedule for the first time in like a year and a half. I was six days a week for a year and a half. And really, I had come off of a long run before I even made my Broadway debut. And so I had six months between Gypsy and doing Hadestown. And I felt like it was so necessary. I'm not someone who needs to be pounding the pavement at every moment. Yeah, like, I cherish a vacation. I cherish doing nothing. And I think a lot of and on tracks, I guess are necessary to sort of like refill your cup. I got to go see other people's shows and other people's music and take my self out of the theater district, which I also think is necessary.

Correct. We also learned we're Long Island gals out of the city alone is a great thing. Truly, truly. And so yeah, see my family and all this stuff. I think, like, the nature of what we do, they try to convince you that, like, being not busy is a bad thing. And it couldn't be further from the truth. Like you have to have space to, I don't know, get ready for what's next. And then the other time that I thought of was the only time in my life where I truly thought, maybe I have a plan B. Like, maybe I'm leaving because it was just too hard. It was before I made my Broadway debut. And I was a working actor. I've worked regionally in many places and would come back and be a barista for a moment or be a nanny and like, do all kinds of like, you know, other kinds of work to, to support myself.

And just thought like, I know what I have. I know the work that I do is excellent. And I'm aspiring to be a master at what I do. But like, I gotta eat. And this is too, it just became what felt like too hard. And as soon as I sort of made that confession out loud to whoever you want to call God or spirit or whatever, my life changed. And I was like, okay, this is too hard. Like, if you want me somewhere else, I saw another route that was possible. And then it just pulled me right into a place where I could feel supported. And, and like, I'm not struggling.

[10:51] Jordan Tyson: I promise I'm not lying. This career has an expiration date in the sense of like, I can't play 16 forever. At that time, I was, you know, I was 30 playing the 16th. And that's on jeans, okay? Exactly. Thank you, mama. Thank you, mommy. Thank you, tías. So, I had to pivot. And that was when I finally kind of let that go. And I was like, wow, I'm letting my dreams go, like, boom. Hello. They're like, just kidding. You need to be doing this. Yes. And so I was like, thank you for that sign. You know, oh my gosh, I love that. I love that. And I'm so not surprised. That's how it goes. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. So talk. Okay, I got to see you as Eurydice Wednesday matinee and talk to me about that experience.

It was again, I hadn't seen the show in seven years. So it was like seeing it again for the first time and to witness you and my friend Jeffrey, who we did at Dear Evan Hansen together. And Gabi, the first Latina Persephone. Oh my gosh. Stunning on and off stage. She's a sweetie pie. Incredible. Yeah. Talk to me about this experience. And you know, like you said, the six months. And so what did you do to kind of prep for this and navigating through this now? You know what, like the show has always interested me. And I love Rachel Chofkin's work. And I worked with her on Lampika before. And when we finished Gypsy, I was just, you know, resting, but also having a lot of conversations about what was next for me with my team.

And I'm really drawn to very specific kind of work. I need honesty. I need a groundedness in the kind of work that I do. And that show was like everything to me. The music is stunning. It's grounded. It has a, I mean, this ancient story too that's exciting. And I, I just reached out to the team myself and was like, Hi, I would love to be a part of this. Could I join you? Like, could I come and be seen if you guys are recasting? And so then I came into audition. And it was truly just easeful. Wow. One of the most easeful experiences I've had. Because it was like, you know, take it or leave it. You know, yeah, this might be right for me, and it might not. And I hadn't even seen the show. I had only heard it in my ears on the, you know, cast album.

But I learned, like, I knew the songs, kind of like I knew what they sounded like, but I had a month before, like I actually auditioned and the music just, I think it's a testament to well-written things, how easeful it is to sort of learn material. Yeah, it's like, Oh, these lyrics just make sense to me. So it's sticking in my brain. And so yeah, um, yeah, I, I knew that I was going in since like, October. So we finished Gypsy August, October, November ish, I knew I was coming back in February. And yeah, it's been amazing.

[13:49] Linedy Genao: Oh my gosh, that's fantastic. I love that. Listen, people, sometimes you have to open the door yourself. And that's inspiring me, because I'm very much I have a lot of sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome or self-doubt. And so that inspires me to be like, you know what, if I want to do something, I have nothing to lose, they're gonna say no, you know what I mean? They're gonna say no, especially with this podcast. I'm like, I want to reach out to this person, but I don't want to slip in their DMs and then be like another podcast invite. But it's just like, I just you just have to do it sometimes. I mean, if somebody is rolling their eyes about another podcast, that's the way my brain works. Do you want to be with that person then? You're right.

[14:26] Jordan Tyson: Wow, you're dropping. Sorry, girl. But I'm also thinking just the emoji right here.

[14:32] Linedy Genao: Yeah. Yes. Yeah, the eyes, the eyes. You have to be in good company. You're right. Yeah, you're absolutely right. I love that. So you're also a recording artist. Yeah. And I saw you recently did a concert. So talk to me about that. Did that come from inspiration during the in-betweens of your life? Have you always been a recording artist and songwriter? Talk to us about that.

[14:55] Jordan Tyson: So I have always wanted to write music. But a lot of like, my training has been very sort of like structured within the theater or with like, chorus stuff, like Long Island people, I used to do NISMA. Like, I competed in all these choirs in high school. And that's sort of like, love it. And yeah, so I had this very, like, I don't even know the word structure, just the first thing that comes to mind, but just very like a box. And even in my theater career, I've always craved something that is not necessarily welcomed on Broadway. Because I like, I like things that are a little weird, a little off-center. And when I get to sing and write my own music, I can do whatever I want. There's no director, there's no all of those other eyes on you, saying like, this is what we're doing.

And there's a time and place like, I love to collaborate. But I need my own ownership over something. And so yeah, so I started really writing music in COVID times, I taught myself guitar, because I loved I love strings so much. I don't know what it is about them. Doesn't matter what kind of strings violin, cello, guitar, but I was like, violin might be a little too difficult. Yeah. So I went on YouTube, and I was like, teaching myself songs that I love. That's what I started with. And the point was just to have fun, but also to be able to get out whatever basic idea I had in my head, because I always when I write, typically have a melody and I typically have a poem started some sort of lyrics.

And I wanted to be like, okay, hi, friend who's actually really good at guitar. Here's my idea. And then they go and make it better and develop it, you know, with me. And so yeah, so I've been writing since COVID partly to have ownership over my stuff, partly to move through a tough breakup and like life, like moments and stuff. And, and now I'm this close to finishing my first EP. I have a single out already.

[17:25] Linedy Genao: Yeah, yeah. So tell us where we can find that anywhere you stream music. I decided to create an artist name aside from my theater persona. It's it's love Jordan. And to me, it feels like my music. It's like a letter to you. So I'm saying, here's Godspeak. Love Jordan.

[17:42] Jordan Tyson: I love that I recently did a concert and my tagline was xoxo the native written as a letter. Yes, we're sending little messages to also have an EP. So you are inspiring me. I can't wait to get your YouTube links for guitar because I've been waiting a lot of years for my dad to teach me and Bobby I can't keep waiting. I have to open that door. So this is

[18:03] Jordan Tyson: Oh my gosh, I have so much information for you because it seems so daunting because I didn't have any production background. And it's just mostly the challenge. I don't know about you. But the challenge is just like, you know how much work it's gonna be done to you. Girl, you're like this podcast is teaching me that because it's a lot of work a lot, but you're doing it and you have to go for it anyway. Otherwise, you'll just be like, regretting. Absolutely. Anyway, YOLO. Life is too short. Do what makes you happy. Do what scares you even if it's a lot of work.

[18:38] Linedy Genao: Yeah. So for people who only know you through your artistry, right? A lot of times we our identity is tied to our artistry, especially when we're not working. Yeah. So how would you describe who Jordan Tyson is outside of her artistry? Who are you?

[18:50] Jordan Tyson: I really picked an interesting career because I am an introvert. I am very much introvert. I love people so much. Like love people. I love people. That's what I do is study behavior and all of that. But my like ideal situation is me like living on a farm, very far away. But I'm someone who loves to laugh. I like love comedy stuff. I love I love simplicity. I like cooking and going for walks and working out. I really love I'm falling in love with lifting again.

[19:39] Linedy Genao: Okay, I'm gonna strong. Let's get another emoji. You see, you know?

[19:45] Jordan Tyson: Oh, yeah. I like to use the punching one. So yeah, yeah. Well, yes. Yeah, there's a time and a place.

[19:51] Linedy Genao: Yeah, exactly. But yeah, I'm very I'm a very simple girl. I like reading. And yeah, I love that. I love that. Listen, simplicity is best most times.

[20:00] Jordan Tyson: Yeah. So now we've gotten to the end of the sandwich cheeto. Right?

[20:05] Linedy Genao: Oh my gosh. So fun. We can talk forever. I feel like we could say well, we probably will. What time does she have to be at the Hadestown? How long does she have here? We have a lot of things to get done.

[20:17] Jordan Tyson: Oh, wait, I actually have one more question. Okay. If someone is listening right now, and they feel like they're in a permanent intermission, waiting for a phone call, a job assign, what's one thing that you would tell them to do to stay grounded and trust and what's meant to be?

[20:29] Jordan Tyson: I think, make your life creative, wherever you are. Like, don't wait for a specific venue, a specific stage to do what you want to do. Like, if you want to sing, go to the park and bring a speaker. If you want to sing, go on YouTube. Like, don't keep waiting for other people. I think I was just talking about this the other day, about getting upset because other people won't give you x, y, and z. And it's like, if you are upset about other people not doing what you want them to do for you, gonna be upset for your entire life.

[21:05] Linedy Genao: Damn. You are dropping gems.

[21:08] Jordan Tyson: I got it. I got it. I just, I think a lot of, I'm a deep thinker as well. And I just, I think if you genuinely want to be happy, you gotta do that for you. You gotta do that for you.

[21:25] Linedy Genao: Don't wait.

[21:25] Jordan Tyson: I needed to hear all of this. So thank you. Because I had a rough morning and this is just everything it's meant to be.

[21:30] Linedy Genao: I'm happy. I'm happy to be here.

[21:33] Jordan Tyson: Me too.

[21:35] Linedy Genao: I needed to be asked these things too.

[21:36] Jordan Tyson: And I needed to hear them. So this is, this is all meant to be. Thank you Hadestown for your seventh birthday.

[21:41] Jordan Tyson: I know, happy seventh.

[21:43] Linedy Genao: Welcome back to Entre Acts! I’m your host, Linedy Genao, and today we have the incredible Jordan Tyson with us.

[22:43] Linedy Genao: Jordan is currently starring as Eurydice in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown.

[22:45] Linedy Genao: We’re going to dive into her journey, but first, let’s kick things off with a little game of dominoes.

[22:47] Linedy Genao: Jordan, are you ready?

[22:49] Jordan Tyson: I’m ready!

[22:51] Linedy Genao: Okay, first question: if you could travel to the past or the future, which would you choose?

[22:55] Jordan Tyson: I would definitely travel to the past. I think keeping the future a surprise is more exciting.

[22:59] Linedy Genao: I love that! And how about this one: when you’re stuck in the middle seat on an airplane, do you claim both armrests or just one?

[23:01] Jordan Tyson: Oh, I’m firmly in the claim both armrests camp!

[23:03] Linedy Genao: Yes! That’s the way to do it.

[23:05] Jordan Tyson: You have to establish dominance right away.

[23:07] Linedy Genao: Exactly! Now, let’s talk about your Caribbean roots.

[23:09] Jordan Tyson: Yes! I grew up surrounded by Spanish speakers on Long Island, so I’m fluent in Spanish.

[23:11] Linedy Genao: That’s amazing! And I hear you also speak Italian?

[23:13] Jordan Tyson: Yes, I do! I learned it during my time in school and just fell in love with the language.

[23:15] Linedy Genao: That’s so cool!

[23:17] Jordan Tyson: Thank you!

[23:19] Linedy Genao: Now, let’s get into the heart of your career. You had a pivotal six-month break between Gypsy and Hadestown.

[23:23] Jordan Tyson: Yes, that time was really challenging for me.

[23:25] Linedy Genao: What was that like?

[23:27] Jordan Tyson: It was tough because I was questioning if I should have a "Plan B" since being a working actor felt so heavy at that point.

[23:29] Linedy Genao: I can imagine.

[23:31] Jordan Tyson: But I pushed through and focused on my passion for music during that time.

[23:33] Linedy Genao: That’s incredible!

[23:35] Jordan Tyson: I started teaching myself guitar through YouTube, and it really helped me find my voice as a recording artist.

[23:37] Linedy Genao: And now you’re performing under the name lovejordan!

[23:39] Jordan Tyson: Yes! I recently released my debut single, and it’s been such a fulfilling journey.

[23:41] Linedy Genao: I love that you’re pursuing both acting and music.

[23:43] Jordan Tyson: Thank you! It feels like a perfect blend of my passions.

[23:45] Linedy Genao: Let’s talk about your audition process for Eurydice.

[23:47] Jordan Tyson: It was surprisingly easeful, which is not something I expected.

[23:49] Linedy Genao: That’s wonderful to hear!

[23:51] Jordan Tyson: I felt really connected to the character, and it just flowed.

[23:53] Linedy Genao: That’s the best kind of audition experience!

[23:55] Jordan Tyson: Absolutely!

[23:57] Linedy Genao: Now, let’s do a quick round of Bed, Wed, Dead with some Hadestown characters.

[23:59] Jordan Tyson: Oh, this is going to be fun!

[24:01] Linedy Genao: Alright, first up: Orpheus, Hades, and Hermes.

[24:03] Jordan Tyson: Hmm, okay.

[24:05] Jordan Tyson: I would wed Orpheus, bed Hades, and sadly, I’d have to say dead to Hermes.

[24:07] Linedy Genao: Interesting choices!

[24:09] Jordan Tyson: I know, right?

[24:11] Linedy Genao: It’s always tough to choose!

[24:13] Jordan Tyson: It really is!

[24:15] Linedy Genao: Thank you for playing along, Jordan!

[24:17] Jordan Tyson: Of course!

[24:19] Linedy Genao: This has been such a delightful conversation.

[24:21] Jordan Tyson: Thank you for having me!

[24:23] Linedy Genao: I can’t wait to see what you do next!

[24:25] Jordan Tyson: Me too!

[24:27] Linedy Genao: And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to Entre Acts!

[24:29] Jordan Tyson: Bye!

[24:31] Linedy Genao: Until next time!