During their New York City trip leading up to a performance at Carnegie Hall, members of the Elon Wind Ensemble attended Broadway shows and connected with three Elon University alumni performing in the productions.
Students in the Elon Wind Ensemble experienced more than just a performance at the well-known Carnegie Hall venue during their recent trip to New York City.
While in the city, the ensemble also had the opportunity to meet with Elon alumni currently performing on Broadway.
During the week, students attended performances of “Aladdin” and “The Book of Mormon.” Alumni currently performing in the productions took time to meet with the students after the shows to share stories of their experiences on Broadway.
Michael Callahan ‘13 and Campy Rodriguez ‘26 welcomed one group of students following the March 10 performance of “Aladdin” for photos and a backstage tour. Callahan is cast as a swing — covering multiple ensemble roles, dance captain, fight captain and understudy to Iago and Omar. Rodriguez is making his Broadway debut as a henchman, ensemble member and understudy to Aladdin.
Callahan and Rodriguez gave the students a behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre, offering students a rare look backstage at the production. Students were able to see props and technical elements used in the show and learn more about what it takes to bring the Broadway production to life each show.
“Getting to meet Michael and Campy made such a big city feel like a small world, knowing I had an Elon connection to people doing such amazing things on Broadway,” said Alana Driver ‘27, a flutist in the Wind Ensemble. “It was inspiring to hear about their journeys and see how their experiences at Elon helped lead them to where they are now. … Standing on the stage and realizing Elon alumni are part of what makes those productions possible was incredibly meaningful.”
Andrew Stevens Purdy ‘20 invited another group of students onto the stage for a photo following a March 10 performance of “The Book of Mormon” where he is making his Broadway debut in the ensemble cast.
“Meeting an Elon alumni on Broadway showed me that with hard work and perseverance, you can achieve the seemingly unattainable goals you set for yourself,” said Ian Wong ‘28, a flutist in the Wind Ensemble. “At one point, he was in the exact position I am in now — a first-year student at Elon, striving to work hard and make a name for myself. Being able to go backstage and walk on a Broadway stage was an incredible experience. Seeing first-hand the complexity of the props, lighting and all the details that go into making a show run smoothly was really eye-opening.”
The Broadway shows were one of several experiences the Wind Ensemble enjoyed during their trip in New York City, culminating in their performance at Carnegie Hall, the first time an Elon ensemble has performed at the venue.
The alumni were excited for the opportunity to meet current Elon students and share a part of their world with them.
“I had a wonderful time meeting this group of Elon students and, hopefully, helped them bridge the gap between dream and reality in some small way,” Callahan said. “I remember the Elon alumni who were, and still are, resources for me as I graduated and pursued a career in New York City. I’m honored to pay it forward.”