Elon Music Theatre alum joins the First National Tour of 'Hamilton'

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Fergie Philippe-Auguste '17 has joined the first national tour of the revolutionary smash hit, “Hamilton,” and will be playing Hercules Mulligan and James Madison.

“I heard about “Hamilton” from my friend/mentor and fellow alum Daniel Watts '04, who did some workshops and the show on Broadway," Philippe-Auguste said of his first experiences with the show. "At the time that he was doing the workshop, he told me that when the show opens, it’s going to change the world.

"Later that semester I did 'In the Heights,' and I realized how much I identified with Lin Manuel Miranda’s music, and decided to look more into 'Hamilton,'" he said. "From that moment on I was hooked. I got to see the show on Broadway the night before it opened and it changed my life. That day I went home and I vowed would work every day until I got into the show.”

Philippe-Auguste said his music theatre training at Elon helped him find success upon graduating. “I thank and credit Elon so much for preparing me in the best way possible for these auditions at the tail end of my senior year," Philippe-Auguste said. "I walked into Elon with almost no singing and very little dance training, and while the faculty did an exquisite job at expanding my knowledge and skill-set, they understood that the true unlocking of my potential and growth was through the spirit. The best thing Elon gave me was guidance to my self-confidence and self-love and THAT Is the greatest thing any program can give an artist in this wonderful but challenging business.”

The “Hamilton” tour will begin Feb. 6 in Seattle at the Paramount Theatre. Philippe-Auguste is one of many alumni who have recently joined the companies of Broadway National Tours such as “The Lion King” (Gerald Caesar, Simba), “School Of Rock” (Patrick Clanton), “Wicked” (Matt Meigs and Ginna Claire Mason, Glinda), “Love Never Dies” (Alyssa McAnany), “Les Miserables” (Matt Shingledecker, Enjolras), and “Cinderella” (John Barsoian).