The graduate of Elon University’s music theatre program reflects on her roles in the popular Broadway musical and the journey to success on stage.
Less than half a year after graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elon University, Elsa Keefe answered the call that changed her career.
The music theatre alumna had recently accepted work with a regional theatre when her agent shared unexpected news: Keefe was invited to join the ensemble cast of “& Juliet,” a Broadway jukebox musical featuring songs from NSYNC, Ariana Grande and Celine Dion, to name a few.
She soon began an intense schedule of performing eight shows a week while rehearsing during the day to learn the two lead roles she understudies: the nurse, who serves as Juliet’s mentor and confidant, and Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway.
Keefe is now responsible for being ready to perform one of three roles in the two-and-a-half-hour show.
“I think learning different roles has influenced how I do other parts of the show,” she said.
Keefe’s interest in the stage started in elementary school with a community youth theater. Her first professional production, The Who’s “Tommy,” took place in New Hampshire during her sophomore year of high school.
“I started doing theater again when I was probably 9 years old and I don’t think I’ve taken a break since then,” Keefe said.
While attending Elon, Keefe focused on building her life and reputation in music theater. That focus has paid off, she said, and she credits her success to the support of friends and the campus community.
Keefe said her first show at Elon, “Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” was an important milestone.
“Getting to do that show was a really amazing way to meet some upperclassmen,” said Keefe. “College is so much of starting to figure out who you are, and that can be influenced by the people around you and your environment. Elon gave me a lot of resilience and empathy for understanding how other people learn.”
She was soon featured in Elon performances of “42nd Street,” “Head Over Heels” and “Bridges of Madison County.”
As a performer considered a mid-sized dancer, Keefe’s goal has been to continue the push toward more diverse representations of body sizes on stage.
“I’m really hoping to create roles that accept more people into the Broadway community,” Keefe said.
Keefe said she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to dance on Broadway in the body she has. Audience members were delighted to see her onstage.
“’& Juliet’ is incredible because they have created an ensemble of talented dancers that more accurately represents the wide array of people that see our show,” Keefe said. “I’m already in a Broadway body, and so is everybody else in the audience.”
Elon classes also helped develop her professionalism, Keefe said, and she considers herself “very lucky that I had great professors” who have already reached out to congratulate her on her Broadway debut. So have fellow Elon University alumni who have reached Broadway.
Courtney Liu, assistant professor of music theatre, was one of Keefe’s professors.
“What stands out as someone who taught Elsa was her strong determination to grow into a triple threat performer in the face of challenges – to improve her singing, acting and dancing simultaneously and to weave them together when performing,” Liu said. “Seeing Elsa perform onstage on Broadway was an incredible experience. It is just so rewarding to see students shine in their element whether that be performing onstage, presenting research/creative work or growing into a new phase of their own artistic journey.”
Keefe’s advice for young performers is to acknowledge that “what we do requires a lot of ourselves” and it can be hard to separate you as a person and your work.
“I think the people I admire the most and the people that have the most longevity in this career path are the people that are able to exist as humans outside of what we do,” Keefe said.
“& Juliet” is currently showing at The Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City. Visit the website for tickets and showtimes.