EP 113: Tyler Hardwick - Broadway & Screen Actor on You Booked It podcast!

IG: @Tylerhar

Twitter: @tylerhardwick1

EP 113: Tyler Hardwick (autogenerated)

Dane Reis: [00:00:00] you booked it. Episode 113. All righty. Or let’s get started. I am excited to introduce my guest today. Tyler Hardwick, are you ready for this Tyler?

[00:00:15]Tyler Hardwick: [00:00:15] Yes.

[00:00:17] Dane Reis: [00:00:17] All right. Tyler is a musical theater, performer and screen actor who has been seen on some of the biggest stages in the country. Credits include Broadway. Once on this Island, and Motown the musical tours include once on this Island, dream girls and Motown the musical New York include bliss, pop star, and regional credits include.

[00:00:41]Murray dancing, still TV film includes NBCs the blacklist Tyler. That is a quick intro of who you are and what you’ve done, but why don’t you tell us a little bit more about yourself? Fill in the gaps and a little bit more about what you do as a professional in the entertainment industry.

[00:01:01]Tyler Hardwick: [00:01:01] So you said a couple of great things. He made it sound very impressive. So yeah, I did. I did. Most of the time, the music Broadway, I did it on tour. I did once on the silent on Broadway, uh, and then did once on this Island, um, on tour and I was, I was the first national Daniel. Um, you know, I got a little cute CoStar on the blacklist, um, um, which was awesome, uh, to make that TV leap.

[00:01:25]Uh, so yeah. Um, that’s, that’s. The gist of it so far.

[00:01:28]Dane Reis: [00:01:28] Perfect. And let’s move on to this section here. And Tyler, look, I am a sucker for a good quote. What is your favorite quote you’d like to share with everyone?

[00:01:40]Tyler Hardwick: [00:01:40] Uh, I don’t live by, uh, you know, uh, day to day quote, but I actually have to, if I can, um, um, in the wake of where we are, In our world. I would like to say one by James Baldwin. This has been on my heart for awhile and yeah, explains a lot of things for a lot of people. And I’ll definitely be moving forward with this quote on my heart.

[00:02:04] And the quote is we can disagree and still love each other. Unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist. That’s James Baldwin and I, it is great. Cause I think people think that, you know, we can agree to disagree, you know, and people have to accept that.

[00:02:25]And I, and I agree with that. Uh, for the most part, but I, it, you know, where I draw the line and where I think most people should draw the line is when the disagreeing is, um, with the pressure, you know? Um, and then the second quote, uh, because of yesterday, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a true Patriot, um, I’ve always loved this quote from her.

[00:02:43] She says, I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brother is that they take their feet off of our next that’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Um, may she rest in power rest in peace? Um, I’m sure she won’t be able to rest it as soon as she would. Like, Like, as of, as of our current political statements, she was even giving, you know, um, her last statement on her death bed, hoping that they hold off on that we’re replacing her until after the election.

[00:03:09] And. she’s a true Patriot, you know, groundbreaking and, and, and she’s just one of the most incredible human beings. And it’s this year has, we’ve lost a lot of great grades.

[00:03:18]Dane Reis: [00:03:18] We certainly have, unfortunately, but thank you for both of those quotes. They’re so relevant and they’ll continue to be relevant for as long as I can foresee. So thank you for that. And let’s move on to this section here. , and Tyler, your an entertainer, I’m an entertainer. And I think that you would agree that this industry can be one of the most subjective, brutally, honest and personally emotional industries.

[00:03:49] In existence and, you know, you know, as well as I, that in order to create and have a successful career in this industry, like you’re having now takes a lot of dedication and hard work. And while yeah, there was an outrageous amount of fun and excitement being an entertainer being up on that stage or on screen or on set.

[00:04:09]There are also going to be our fair share of obstacles, challenges, and failures. We’re going to experience and we’re going to have to move forward through. So tell us, what is one key challenge, obstacle or failure you’ve experienced in your career and how did you come out the other side better because of it.

[00:04:26] Tyler Hardwick: [00:04:27] failure. I go through failures every other day, every day. Uh, you know, um, you know, I haven’t been as prepared as I would like to be at every single opportunity or situation that I’ve been in. it’s something, you know, I’m, I’m a very. Prepared kind of person. So, but you know, when the, when the, when the work is piled on, it can sometimes be very stressful and sometimes they can get the best of you.

[00:04:50] So there’s been times where I definitely winged it. I don’t know when, uh, uh, and it did not go and yeah, it did not go my way, but it definitely was a moment of. You know that I recognized and I was like, Oh, that’s not, that’s not a good feeling. I don’t want to live in this. And you know, I definitely change that behavior and I try to avoid procrastinating.

[00:05:15] We’re human though. So it happens.

[00:05:17] Dane Reis: [00:05:17] Of course. Yeah. Procrastination does inevitably happen to us all in some form sometimes. Right. But really the biggest takeaway that I’m hearing is that you recognized that that didn’t feel so good when you show up somewhere you’re not prepared. And especially when you’re in this entertainment world, when it’s you, who people are looking at and it’s your performance and your ego, you know, it’s not like you’re. Doing something on a spreadsheet that you just kind of send away it’s you in that moment in real time, having that immediate feedback and it doesn’t feel good, you know,

[00:05:51]Tyler Hardwick: [00:05:51] Yeah. And they say, don’t take it. Yeah. And they say, don’t take it personal, but it is personal because you know, the work comes from within, it comes from you, it comes from your imagination, your crafting. So it does get personal. And we also know that our exterior physical attributes are also a part of the, the yes or the no, which can be hard.

[00:06:11]Dane Reis: [00:06:11] For sure. But by taking control of the things that we can try not to procrastinate, trying to make sure that we’re as prepared as possible and learning from those instances, when we went into a room and winged it, that, you know, this is how we grow, and this is how we continue having more successes throughout our careers.

[00:06:30] Tyler Hardwick: [00:06:31] Right.

[00:06:31]Dane Reis: [00:06:31] Great. Well, let’s move on to a time that I like to call your spotlight moment. That one moment in time you realized, yes, I am going to be an entertainer for a living or maybe it was, yes, this is what I need to be doing as an entertainer. Tell us about that.

[00:06:52] Tyler Hardwick: [00:06:54] In my junior year in high school, um, when I realized I wanted to do this and I went back to my, my, my parents and I said, so I want to go to school for theater. They were like, 

[00:07:06] Dane Reis: [00:07:06] did that

[00:07:06] Tyler Hardwick: [00:07:06] Oh, okay. Actually I must say my parents were very, you know, supportive and positive and they just told me to do the best I can in anything that I want to do. So that’s something that I’ve tried to live by as much as possible, be the best, um, and be the best me.

[00:07:26]so they were very supportive and, and they definitely made me do all the work in terms of researching schools and all that stuff. So that was quite difficult because I didn’t come from a theater family. And, and theater came into my life later, you know, I didn’t go to any theater camps. So they were, they were pretty psyched about it.

[00:07:42] Cause I, I made it very clear. I was like, I know I can do this. And you know, I told them, I honestly hate science. I hate this. I hate that. It didn’t stimulate me in the same way. I, I got great grades, but I told them it’s, it’s not fulfilling. And if you know that at such an early age, why would you sign up for that for the rest of your life?

[00:08:02]You know,

[00:08:02]Dane Reis: [00:08:02] Yeah, there is so much in what you just said. Why would you sign up for that? If you already know you don’t enjoy it. We often think that we have to do that. Quote smart track in life. Right. But especially in times like this with COVID in the way we’ve seen so many jobs, disintegrate, obviously the entertainment industry included, but so many other industries outside of the entertainment industry, it’s quite clear that that quote safe path is not really all that safe.

[00:08:33]So do what you’re passionate about, do what you’re drawn to. That gives you fulfillment. And you’re so lucky to have found that passion for something so strongly. So young,

[00:08:44]Tyler Hardwick: [00:08:44] It was bad or being a famous, a famous soccer player. And then I realized that I’m, that I’m a guy in the U S and our team is, is, is horrible. So that wasn’t gonna happen. But, uh, our women are the number one. 

[00:08:57] So, you know, 

[00:08:57] I’m on their bandwagon all day. They’re amazing.

[00:09:00]Dane Reis: [00:09:00] Exactly. I guess, I guess, put ball in baseball, kind of, and basketball kind of take all of the top talents. Or soccer

[00:09:08] Tyler Hardwick: [00:09:08] You’re right in this country. 

[00:09:09] Dane Reis: [00:09:09] Yes. Yes. Yes. Wonderful. Well, Well, let’s piggyback on that real quick and talk about your number one, booked it moment. Walk us through that day, the auditions and callbacks. If they happen to be a part of it, what was going on in your life?

[00:09:27] And what about that moment? Makes it your favorite? It booked it moment.

[00:09:32] Tyler Hardwick: [00:09:34] I think. I think my Broadway debut has to be it just because every moment is always really amazing. obviously, so because it’s, it’s a validating moment. It’s a, it’s a purpose and all of the above, but I was a wee baby at university and I was flying back forth from school to New York to go to callbacks, to Motown the musical.

[00:10:00] And I maybe did about. Three, four of them at this time and, you know, very stressed. I had like a whole packet of Motown songs and I was like, Oh my God, I don’t know if I can do this. But you know, I just dove right in and at the final callback, Barry Gordy was there and I couldn’t believe that. Um, it just was so.

[00:10:19]Crazy. You know, I was like, wow, I’m in New York doing a thing. Uh, and that I went into the bathroom to, you know, after I went through my audition, I’m very gorgeous. Comes in, take off to the bathroom as well. And, you know, I was like, I don’t know what to say. And, and he was like, so like, Where do you live?

[00:10:39]Like, are you in school still? I said, yeah, but I’m, I’m, I’m leaving soon. So like, um, I’ll be free. Cause I, I wanted to next year they knew like I can take the job. Um, Um, and he goes, don’t you worry about that? Like, you’re so talented. You’ll be, you’ll be great. And I just, I couldn’t believe that. And, and I also was like, well, this is awkward, cause we’re in the band, but I want to give you your, your, your social, uh, distance.

[00:11:02] Have you. Um, but also it was like, The best kind of like moment in the most peculiar place and maybe a couple of weeks later, I’m sorry. I’m actually, I’m actually realizing I’m I’m mushing two moments together. That was for the promotional tour that I booked out of school. Flash forward a month. I’m sleeping.

[00:11:30] Bethany Knox, who was the casting director for Motown, the musical calls being coast, Tyler, you book to your Broadway debut. And so I kind of put all of this, you know, all of this together, because that was the domino that fell, that led to this, to that, to that. Um, so, you know, I kind of think about that experience altogether and I was so.

[00:11:48] Like, I couldn’t believe it. I sort of like jumping around my apartment and, and, and it just was so great. It was, you know, the stereotypical way that you would think about it. It’s just like, 

[00:11:56] Dane Reis: [00:11:56] Yeah. That’s such a good story. And you’re right. I love how you had those two months. The promotional tour that led into that almost be like it’s okay. It’s okay. I don’t need to keep doing school. Just let me 

[00:12:10] Tyler Hardwick: [00:12:10] Yeah. I just wanted to be clear. You had just like, just say, you know, I’m free, I’m available without trying to be as awkward as possible. It’d be like, 

[00:12:19] Dane Reis: [00:12:19] Yeah, exactly. Right. Well, Right. Well, let’s take a moment to talk about the present. What projects are you working on now? What are you looking forward to? And. It’s a weird time. We talked about it a bit, this crazy pandemic that we’re in. How do you see the entertainment industry moving forward in the next couple of years?

[00:12:41]Tyler Hardwick: [00:12:41] so where I am now, uh, I actually had a very bad accident about a couple of months ago. So he’s passed. Couple months. I was, I was recovering, um, which, you know, recovery is no joke. Uh, but recently I’ve been, I’ve been much better, more mobile. And I have started, you know, taking some classes cause you know, I don’t want to get rusty.

[00:13:01] I want to still fulfill my life with purpose. And obviously I feel like I have purpose when I’m busy doing what I love and. You know, when I’m stressed about what I love. Um, so classes, uh, I, I have a, workshop coming up via zoom with Susan Stroman and an amazing team. They’re doing an adaption of New York, New York.

[00:13:21]Um, I don’t know much about it other than I’ve worked with this team on Murray dancing still. so I’m excited to see what that’s about. That’ll be a new experience for me, figuring out what this zoom land is via a theatrical experience. Um, so that would be cool. And yeah, just taking a lot of class and I, and I think the business is, is picking up, you know, there’s some TV I’ve been, I’ve been doing some self-tapes.

[00:13:48] We call them for some TV, uh, and hopefully Broadway we’ll be back. Come March, uh, 23, 21 at the latest. And, you know, um, I think the business is also moving in a better social direction. Um, and I hope that work continues to happen, because there’s there’s space for us all and there’s space for us all in a very equitable, equitable.

[00:14:11]Appropriate way. Um, and I think we’re figuring that out and I hope we continue to do that.

[00:14:16] Dane Reis: [00:14:16] Yeah, I love your insight on that. Thank you.

[00:14:19] And yes, and it is time to move on to one of my favorite sections in the interview. I call it the grease lightning round.

[00:14:29]I, I am going to ask you a handful of questions. I want you to answer them as quickly and concisely as possible one after another. Are you ready?

[00:14:38] Tyler Hardwick: [00:14:38] Oh, my goodness. Okay.

[00:14:41] Dane Reis: [00:14:41] All right. First question. What was the one thing holding you back from committing to a career as an entertainer?

[00:14:47]Tyler Hardwick: [00:14:47] nothing.

[00:14:48]Dane Reis: [00:14:48] Second question. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

[00:14:53]Tyler Hardwick: [00:14:53] Ooh. Um, I want to say be kind, but I’m not good at fast things. I have to admit best advice. Best advice. Specifies. I get really flustered. Uh, I can’t swear, like, uh, someone told me to F it up.

[00:15:08] Dane Reis: [00:15:08] Oh,

[00:15:10] Tyler Hardwick: [00:15:10] I’m sorry. They did it. They could, they consolidated it into like, Go after it was essentially what it was. So I’m sorry.

[00:15:18] I’m really bad at lightning rounds. Go

[00:15:20] Dane Reis: [00:15:20] Beautiful. Beautiful. Third question. What is something that is working for you right now? Or if you’d like to go pre COVID, what was working for you before our industry went on? Pause.

[00:15:33]Tyler Hardwick: [00:15:33] I think I like to talk about the present. Um, I think that this moment really shook us to the present and. You know, there is no pre COVID in terms of what things are, because we’ve learned a lot of things that were in the closet and now things are out. And, you know, what’s working for me now is I’m a grounded individual has shed some skin because of this experience that we had, you’ve gone through globally.

[00:15:57] And I’m really excited to move forward with this new found wisdom and. I’m excited. And I, and I, I know what I will tolerate and I know what I will not, and I know how I know how to pivot and I have the vocabulary to explain, you know, what my thoughts are about every little social or whatever nuance of the world.

[00:16:18] So I’m really excited to be getting out there and being with more people and spreadings and love. And I think that’s been working for me and will work better for me.

[00:16:28]Dane Reis: [00:16:28] Great. And the fourth question, what is your best resource? Whether it’s a book, a movie, a YouTube video, maybe a podcast, maybe a piece of technology that you found. It’s helping your career right now.

[00:16:43]Tyler Hardwick: [00:16:43] Well right now, the resources zoom, because that’s what keeps me connected, keeps me connected to the world of my. Work, but, uh, you know, Google has always been a resource. I think for everybody, I know she’s got, I mean, there’s so much information readily, readily available there that I’ve used trying to figure out certain things around, you know, a time period, this or that in, in, in audition that I’ve had.

[00:17:05]Um, so I think that’s a great resource. 

[00:17:07] Dane Reis: [00:17:07] For sure. You know, I know Google is definitely part of our lives a lot, but it’s so easy. Everyone has it. Everyone’s got their iPhone or whatever. Right. But I don’t know about you, but my parents will still ask me questions and not ask Google questions. Cause all I do is turn around and ask Google the question, tell them the answer, So. So. While we, you know why we use it a lot. Let’s not forget. There’s a lot of people out there. Not fully Google fide yet.

[00:17:35] Tyler Hardwick: [00:17:35] Then I don’t know what to tell them. I don’t know. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:17:43]Dane Reis: [00:17:43] And the fifth question, if you had to start your career from scratch, but you still had all the knowledge and experience you’ve collected from your career in this industry, what would you do or not do? Would you do anything differently or would you keep it the same?

[00:18:00]Tyler Hardwick: [00:18:00] Oh, I have two answers for this. Uh, an ideal world, um, probably would have gone to a different unit. I would have loved to apply and go to Carnegie Mellon or university of Michigan. I just talking about resources. I didn’t have the knowledge. Personally, while I was doing my own personal research into schools to even know about those schools or I just was so new to it.

[00:18:27]but then again, I say everything happens for a reason. I think it would be a Tuesday. Everything, everything happens for a reason. Um, I love that show. So I think everything happens for a reason and I’ve learned really valuable lessons through. That experiences, good experiences. And I think that those are just as valuable as the good experiences.

[00:18:50]So, you know, it’s good to maneuver through situations that make you uncomfortable, that, that you also don’t like, because that’s going to happen as an adult.

[00:18:57]Dane Reis: [00:18:57] That is such great advice. And the last question, what is the golden nugget knowledge drop you’ve learned from your successful career in this industry? You’d like to leave with our listeners

[00:19:10]Tyler Hardwick: [00:19:10] Oh for musical theater. Hydrate Hydrate hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, drink lots of water and take care of your instrument. Um, I, you know what actually advice that I always IO, uh, I really like, and I, I find a lot of people don’t talk about this because it made me uncomfortable. the financial aspect of this business, uh, theater, particularly, you know, people that are doing ensemble contracts or full production contracts, tour, Broadway, whatever have you, you get that, that big job.

[00:19:42] And it’s a lot of money at first. Um, I think people get used to spending in the present opposed to saving because our job and our career is so inconsistent. I think that’s something that I learned a lot from a castmate that I worked with. Cretia who I look up to so much. She’s now teaching at university of North Carolina.

[00:20:02] We did Motown tour together. So amazing. So inspiring. Um, you know, just not about taxes and you know, all this boring stuff that we don’t want to think about, but. You know, , those ideas really put me in a good place when COVID struck, because I always operate . Like, you know, for the future, like you never know what can happen to da and.

[00:20:22]With my accident with my, you know, with COVID, I’m really happy at my habits that I had in the past. And as we saw in this country and in the world, a lot of people really needed assistance. And, you know, and I understand that sometimes you’re not able to say, but if you are able. In a, you know, let’s say in the contract that we have.

[00:20:42] And so it’s a good opportunity to, to just snuggle a little bit of little bit of Moolah away if you, if you’re able. Um, and, and that’s advice that I always, I wish I got sooner, but I did get it at a good time where I was able to build a great habit. so I think, you know, I think that’s important because , our career is very inconsistent and if it’s consistent, great.

[00:21:02]Dane Reis: [00:21:02] For sure. I’m so glad you brought that up because the financial side, the business side of this industry is just as important as the performance side. If you want to have a career that has any sort of longevity to it, because. Like you said, we, we as entertainers, don’t really enjoy that stuff is boring.

[00:21:21] Learning about taxes and learning about taxes is quite boring, but it’s really not that much information to learn. And you just need a bit of it, but take the time to become more financially literate and to know your. Tax situation to know if you’re going to be incorporating or not. If that’s even a good idea for you to do that based on the type of work you do.

[00:21:43] And like you said, saving it is so important to having a successful career that it definitely needs to be much more featured in the training programs of this world. But hopefully podcasts like this will at least shed some light on that and actually something I’m going to be doing. Fairly soon.

[00:22:02] I’m going to be doing something a little bit different on the podcast that is outside of the normal interview session that I have every day. And I’m going to bring some CPAs on that’s certified public accountants that specifically work with people in our industry.

[00:22:22] And they’re going to give. A little bonus episode masterclass about how we can become more financially literate, the things we need to pay attention to. It’s going to be chocked full of so much value, and it’s gonna be so helpful for entertainers like us. And I’m really looking forward to that.

[00:22:39]Tyler Hardwick: [00:22:39] I mean, yeah. You know, as soon as I got. Yeah, and I have very basic knowledge, you know, I’m no, I sound like such a, I’m so boring. Um, I promised them that his board and he gets this, but I, I do think it’s a ferry very important. And I, I, I say this because I know what, you know, what my habits were before I had this knowledge and I know my habits now and the amount of money that I’ve been able to save or, or just.

[00:23:04]Being a good safety net is, is night and day. Um, and it’s just being organized in your taxes and all that stuff. It’s just, it doesn’t make that whole tax thing, such a miserable thing. Um, I’m very organized throughout the year, so it just has a folder pass off and I’m done, you know, which is, which is great.

[00:23:22]So, um, You know, we talk about the acting, the singing, but it’s like, it is a business. And I think that that was information that I never got. So I just like to like to pass it on just food for saw, do some Googling.

[00:23:36] Dane Reis: [00:23:36] For sure. Thank you for bringing that up and to wrap up this interview, Tyler, it is time to give yourself a plug. Where can we find you? How do our listeners connect with you? Is there anything you want to promote?

[00:23:50]Tyler Hardwick: [00:23:50] uh, you can follow me on Instagram at Tyler har that’s T Y L E R H a R or Twitter. Um, Tyler Hardwick one. That’s the number one, uh, and that’s set out it. You can follow me and I put everything up on there as much as possible, and please get registered and don’t forget to vote.

[00:24:16]Dane Reis: [00:24:16] Tastic. And for everyone listening out there, I have put the links to everything. Tyler just said into the description of this episode. So you can easily connect with him. Tyler, thank you so much for being here. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and have a little chat

[00:24:34]Tyler Hardwick: [00:24:34] Thank you too. Nice to meet you with you. 

[00:24:38]