Shuffle Along star Joshua Henry took some time before rehearsals to go back to the place where it all began.
The University of Miami graduate got a little nostalgic with his social media followers as he took a literal walk down memory lane through the campus. Boasting his Miami green “U” tank top and sandals (clearly enjoying the antithesis of New York winter weather), Henry stood proudly in front of the Jerry Herman Ring Theater, the student performance space that cultivated his budding creativity as well as that of several other notable students.
Never forget where you came from. Before I was ready for Broadway, I honed my performing chops here at the University of Miami’s #JerryHermanRingTheater. This is where the fire was fanned. Just visited today and felt all the feelings again! #AllAboutTheU #humblebeginnings
Inside the theater, it was almost as if Henry had stepped back in time and could see and feel all of the experiences he’d had in the space. He vividly narrated the memory of his first acting class:
This is the black box theater at the University of Miami. Bruce Miller was the first person to give me an acting class in college. Freshman year we all sat in a circle here and we said something about where we’re from and what we wanna accomplish in the next four years and there was just so much love here, but it just brings back the craziest memories. Wow.
After graduating from the Coral Gables campus in 2006, Henry instantly landed a role in Godspell at Papermill Playhouse. By 2007, the crooner was on Broadway with In the Heights. Henry played “Tin Man” in The Wiz at City Center and a very sexy “Favorite Son” in American Idiot before earning a 2011 Tony Award nomination for his powerful depiction of Haywood Patterson in Scottsboro Boys.
VIDEO: Where did I learn how to act? University of Miami theater department! #DaU #HumbleBeginnings https://t.co/GEPn2c5O3N
— Joshua Henry (@joshuahenry20) January 5, 2016
VIDEO: Where did I learn how to act? University of Miami theater department! #DaU #HumbleBeginnings Jerry Herman Ring Theatre
Posted by Joshua Henry on Tuesday, January 5, 2016
I’m counting the days until we get to see many of our favorite Broadway Black stars in Shuffle Along, namely, my boo, Mr. Henry. I’m also hoping that somewhere in Hamilton’s eternal run (because it’s obviously not going anywhere anytime soon) I will get to see a Joshua Henry portrayal of Aaron Burr. #FangirlFantasy. Lin Manuel, are you listening??
