Elementary and high school students at Grundy Center recently had an opportunity to learn some of what it’s like to be a Broadway performer from Hayley Podschun. The actress visited the district on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1. Podschun shared about her experiences of living in New York, and how she’s navigated life as a stage actress.
“Kids of all ages are interested in what the life is in Broadway or living in New York City,” Podschun says. “I might just get a little bit more detail-oriented with the older kids because they might be interested in that type of stuff. But I’m sharing all the details of like what it’s like to live in New York and what it’s like to be a Broadway performer. So kids of all ages, from K through 12 and even beyond, kids still like learning about stuff like that.”
She’s been a pen pal with Elementary Principal Brian Sammons since she began her professional career, dating back to when Sammons was a third grade teacher at Aplington-Parkersburg.
“I’ve basically been his pen pal since the beginning of my adult Broadway career when I did Hairspray on Broadway. I stayed with his third grade class for many years when he was at Aplington, and then once he became principal I was lucky enough to just chat with all of his students. They learn about New York through me and whatever Broadway show I’m doing at the time, and so I’m so happy to be here.”
She describes what she hopes the students can take away from her visit.
“A quote from Avenue Q, one of my favorite musicals, is there is life outside their apartment, and there’s life outside of wherever we all live. Being from Kansas, I knew that there was life outside that I wanted to experience, and that there are so many different ways to story tell, and music brings happiness, and moving your body feels great. So just getting the opportunity to see what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes, I think is so exciting and I know I love learning about that even as an adult. And for someone like me to bring my experiences to Iowa is really special.”
Some of her work includes roles in Wicked, Hairspray, Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music and many others.
