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Disney’s Better Nate Than Ever: Calling All Broadway Dreamers!

Disney’s Better Nate Than Ever: Calling All Broadway Dreamers!

Lauren Katz

1 year ago

The Disney+ Original Movie, Better Nate Than Ever, is NOW STREAMING! Our Founder and President, Nathaniel Hill, got the incredible opportunity to attend the World Premiere with fellow Broadway Plus Artists!

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Better Nate Than Ever appeals to the little dreamer inside us all! Nate Foster longs to make it big under the bright lights of Broadway, a dream that all of our Broadway Plus artists (and maybe you too!) can relate to – so we decided to ask them some film-inspired questions! Learn how scenic extraordinaire, Brett Banakis, and Broadway villainess (actually Broadway Plus’s sweetheart), Elle McLemore, found their light 💡 in the theatre industry!

BRETT BANAKIS

When did you know you wanted to pursue theatre?

It took a long time, until I was looking at colleges. I didn’t really believe it was a profession for the longest time. I just thought it was a hobby, something I was good at but wasn’t a “real job.” Now, I feel like the luckiest person to do what I do for a living.

What advice would you give to your younger self/kids looking to make it in this industry?

Do as much as you can. Be a theater animal. Build sets. Hang lights. Sew costumes. See shows. Take part in any way that you can. It will only help to build your vocabulary and your experience.

How do you relate to Nate?

I definitely relate to Nate. I remember what it was like to be in High School and wait for them to post the cast list for shows. I actually worked on the film, in the Art Department, and I got to do the paint elevations for the “Lincoln” musical set.
BRETT BANAKIS – SCENIC DESIGNER

And I got to draw the designs for the tree costume/set piece for Nate since he’s cast as a tree in “Lincoln: The Musical.” I relate so much to this, because in High School, my sister played a Tree in our production of Peter Pan. I was really channeling her when I working on the designs for those trees. It was a blast and a trip down memory lane!
BRETT BANAKIS – SCENIC DESIGNER

Rueby Wood as Nate in Disney’s *Better Nate Than Ever*

How do you relate to Nate?

I definitely relate to Nate. I remember what it was like to be in High School and wait for them to post the cast list for shows. I actually worked on the film, in the Art Department, and I got to do the paint elevations for the “Lincoln” musical set.
BRETT BANAKIS – SCENIC DESIGNER

And I got to draw the designs for the tree costume/set piece for Nate since he’s cast as a tree in “Lincoln: The Musical.” I relate so much to this, because in High School, my sister played a Tree in our production of Peter Pan. I was really channeling her when I working on the designs for those trees. It was a blast and a trip down memory lane!
BRETT BANAKIS – SCENIC DESIGNER

ELLE MCLEMORE

When did you know you wanted to pursue theatre?

I was in show choir when I was Nate’s age exactly, and that’s when I first got the bug for musical theatre; but the moment I remember specifically was when I was 14. My dad was a pyro technician for The Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas. Sierra Boggess was Christine, and Anthony Crivello was the Phantom. I knew after seeing that this is what I wanted to do forever. Ironically, I ended up getting to be in Heathers years later with Anthony!
CHRISTY ALTOMARE (University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music Alum)

What advice would you give to your younger self/kids looking to make it in this industry?

Don’t let the rejection or fear of losing take away your magic, and joy for what you do. Keep working hard and focus on your strengths, because that’s where your uniqueness lies.
CHRISTY ALTOMARE (University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music Alum)

What is your most embarrassing audition story?

Auditioning for me is primarily embarrassing. I am always Nate with his pants ripped. I have broken heels during dance calls, forgotten the words to every lyric, gone to the wrong audition, the list continues 😂.
ELLE MCLEMORE – EVA IN BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL, HEATHER MCNAMARA IN HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL

How do you relate to Nate?

The real question is are we at all different? Haha! We are both very similar in the sense that, when I was his age, I was completely fearless and thought anything was possible. Thanks for making me remember what’s true, and who I am, Nate 🤍.
ELLE MCLEMORE – EVA IN BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL, HEATHER MCNAMARA IN HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL

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What’s better than hearing from Nate Foster himself?! In our most recent episode of The PlusCast, Founder and President of Broadway Plus, Nathaniel Hill, got to chat with the star of Better Nate Than Ever, Rueby Wood. In this exclusive interview, hear Rueby talk about the making of the movie, how he started his career, his time on stage in a national tour, his love of Broadway, and so much more!!

Looking for singing, acting, or dancing lessons to make your dreams a reality? We at Broadway Plus say “It’s better Nate than ever!” Book a coaching, or other Virtual Experience, with our wonderful Better Nate Than Ever artists.