The new Broadway national tour of DEAR EVAN HANSEN is now playing in Springfield! We asked cast member Makena Jackson about her journey with the Tony Award-winning musical and her experience on tour so far. See Makena and the rest of the touring cast now at Juanita K. Hammons Hall – playing through Thursday, October 10.
MAKENA JACKSON (Alana Beck) is a New York City based performer, making her National Tour debut in Dear Evan Hansen! TV: “Up Here” (Hulu). Makena would like to thank her endless support system for always believing in her. @makenajacksonn
What was your path to becoming a professional performer?
My path to becoming a performer was quite complicated. I started doing straight plays when I was 6 or 7, following in my sister’s footsteps (as per usual). After about three years, I started looking into sports and fell head over heels in love with volleyball. I played for my school team, and when the season was over, I’d play for a travel team for the remainder of the year. I played volleyball competitively until my junior year of high school when suddenly, the pandemic changed my plans of becoming a D1 athlete. I had done a few school musicals and was rediscovering my love for performing during the pandemic. After much deliberation, I chose to pursue theatre by auditioning for college programs, and leaving my athletic past behind me.
What is a favorite onstage or offstage memory with your castmates?
My favorite onstage memory with the cast is when I couldn’t find my backpack for one of the scenes between Gabe, Mikey, and I. Right before going on I told Gabe “I can’t find my backpack” and he immediately dropped his backpack so that we’d both be bag-less for the scene. King of solidarity!
What do you think makes DEAR EVAN HANSEN stand out from other contemporary musicals?
The score, book, and set are all at equal levels of amazing. I think it’s super rare to find a show from any era of theatre that is equally compelling across the board in the way that Dear Evan Hansen is. It was one of the first contemporary musicals that got me into musical theatre, and I remember being so appreciative of Steven Levenson’s fantastic book writing. I felt like I was watching real people having real, nuanced conversations on stage. As for the score, prior to seeing the show, all I had of Dear Evan Hansen was Pasek & Paul’s score to listen to. The way in which the music touched me and earwormed its way into my brain was instantaneous. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of those songs. The set is also mind blowing. I got to watch our production a few weeks back, and the lighting in particular was definitely a show stopping element. It’s such a key part of our storytelling (especially with the shows running theme of social media), and the lighting design/use of projections plays just as big a role as me and my castmates!
Do you have any pre-show traditions you do backstage that help you get in the zone before each performance?
Hatty and I usually share a dressing room at every tour stop, and getting to catch up on our days usually grounds me. Gabe and I also tend to dance in the wings during the opening number, which helps bring my energy up and shake off any last-minute nerves!
What was your audition process like for this show?
I’ve been auditioning for Dear Evan Hansen since my freshman year of college (~ 3 years ago). I made it pretty far in previous audition processes, but never booked. When I saw that this tour was holding auditions, I made sure to put in a word with my agent about being submitted. I submitted in the last few months of my junior year of college, and was invited to a callback a month later. I felt very lax during the audition process. I’ve been so obsessed with the show for years, that it felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be, auditioning with material that I was very familiar with. The final callback is where the nerves set in. I was so close to something I’d been fantasizing about, acting out in my room, since I was in middle school! I left the final callback, on the phone with my mom, telling her that it was the best audition I ever had. A few days later, I’d been sent an offer to play Alana!
What is something about life on tour that might surprise people?
There’s a lot more down time than anticipated! When I first signed the contract, I was under the impression that I would always be tired and need to be on vocal rest. We actually have a decent amount of time to ourselves (especially during longer sit down periods in certain cities.) I tend to spend my day exploring the city we’re in or, if I’m feeling exhausted, resting up for the nighttime show!
Dream role?
I would do anything to play Ali in Hell’s Kitchen! I grew up in Manhattan Plaza (where the musical takes place), and my parents would see Alicia Keys in our apartments elevator all the time. I also feel like it would be very full circle for me as a performer, as I was raised on her music.
What item can’t you live without on tour?
My steam inhaler! If I ever experience vocal fatigue of any kind, one 40-minute session with my steamer will get my voice where it needs to be to belt Good For You!
What’s your current favorite song or artist you’ve been listening to on repeat?
Like many people, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” has been on repeat in mine and Hatty’s dressing room! My favorite song off the album is definitely “Sharpest Tool”.
What’s your favorite theater you’ve ever performed in?
My favorite theatre that we’ve performed in thus far has been Theatre Under the Stars! So many shows with some of my favorite actors have played there, and the stage doors there were amazing. Not to mention, there are stars on the ceiling! I actually saw a shooting star one day during soundcheck.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN is playing now through Thursday, October 10 as part of the 2024-2025 Great Southern Bank Broadway Season. Visit HammonsHall.com to learn more and purchase your tickets today!