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[0:00] Jackson Parker Gill: Hi, I'm Jackson Parker Gill, and you're listening to Behind the Awards.

[0:14] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila. I'm here with Bruce. Good morning.

[0:20] Bruce Gotlieb: How are you today?

[0:21] Eila Mell: Doing well. How are you?

[0:23] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm good. How are you reacting to the breaking news that Sherri Rene Scott is taking over for Juliette Lewis as Magenta in Rocky Horror?

[0:33] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah, I saw that this morning. I'm happy to see Sherri, you know, back on the boards again. It's obviously she's the, I don't know if they call it the guest star, the alternate, whatever with Queen of Versailles. So it's nice to see her back on a Broadway stage. I just would love to see her, you know, in something that they just give her the, you know, give her the part, right? She's, you know, so talented, and I would love to see her more frequently.

[0:58] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, I think she could play any of the female roles in Rocky Horror. I think she'll be great, though. She's gonna sing it fantastic. It's an interesting casting. I don't know that my would go to her. Initially, right, my first reaction of seeing the news was, Oh, good. Sherri's coming back to Broadway again.

[1:24] Eila Mell: Yeah, I mean, I think she's a natural Janet, just, you know, based on her looks. But, you know, I don't know. But it doesn't matter, because she'll be fantastic.

[1:30] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, I think she's too old for Janet.

[1:32] Eila Mell: Maybe, maybe I was trying not to say that. But maybe, maybe next to Andrew Durand, let's say.

[1:43] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe. Okay. I know Janet's supposed to be in her 20s.

[1:46] Eila Mell: Yeah. Yeah. So even Stephanie Chu is not in her 20s.

[1:50] Bruce Gotlieb: That's true. Yeah. But she's teeny tiny. Being petite, you know, helps.

[1:54] Eila Mell: Oh my god, it sure does. When I saw Carrie Young in Gruesome Playground Injuries, there was one scene where she played an eight-year-old, and it was so convincing.

[2:05] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. So yeah, I mean, obviously, great. Being a great actor helps. But yeah, being small can really go a long way, too.

[2:11] Eila Mell: Yeah, for sure. For sure. So Bruce, who are we bringing out today?

[2:16] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, speaking of replacements, we have Jackson Parker Gill, who has been the understudy in Ragtime since it opened, but now is taking over full time as the little boy in the Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center revival.

[2:31] Eila Mell: Best revival. Yeah. So let's not delay and bring Jackson right out.

[2:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely.

[2:48] Eila Mell: Well, Bruce, I mean, for us, this is personal, this interview. We're so excited to welcome Jackson Parker Gill to our show. And you know, for those who don't know, and that's all our listeners, we've known Jackson's mom and his grandma for a very long time. So we're so excited to welcome you.

[3:05] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes. Thank you. Thank you for making the time where you're a busy kid, starring in a Broadway show at Lincoln Center. For those that haven't had the opportunity to see Ragtime, Jackson is starring as the boy or the little boy in Ragtime. What was the audition process like?

[3:23] Jackson Parker Gill: So I had to first send in a tape. And this was when I was still in Les Mis. So I sent in a tape. And we were just like, let's see if we get it. Because it was that and Christmas Story for Ralphie on tour. I sent a tape for both. And then I got a callback for both of them. And then they were like, Oh, can you stay for like just a few more minutes? And then they asked me to do like a little dancing part, which is cool. And then I went back to tour because I was still on Les Mis. And then when we were on our way to DC on the train, I got a call from my agent saying, you got the part in Ragtime on Broadway as a little boy understudy. So yeah, that's so crazy. Exciting.

[4:14] Eila Mell: So when you're the understudy, I know that when adults understudy roles, they don't really get to rehearse it until the show is opened. Is that the same for you?

[4:22] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes. So it was like a lot of rehearsals because like, it's been done at City Center, but like everyone wasn't all at City Center. So it was like all rehearsal, but like not for me. So it was a lot of like, watching and drawing and watching drawing. So but then like once the show opened, it was called understudy rehearsal. So it was the understudies for like the principal roles.

[4:55] Eila Mell: It has to be at least fun that you have other kids in the show with you that are understudies. So you guys have time together, I would imagine.

[5:00] Jackson Parker Gill: Definitely. Yes. Yeah, we definitely do a lot of fun things. And I would think just in general, the kids on Broadway, it's a pretty small community. So do you know most of the kids? I see in your posts that a lot of them come to see you in the show?

[5:16] Jackson Parker Gill: Sometimes? Yeah, there was like Broadway Cares one time. So it was all the kids from all the shows came. So that was cool. I get to meet the Stranger Things kids like Lion King in school.

[5:30] Eila Mell: It's not typical for a kid to have a job, especially not such a demanding job.

[5:35] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. What's it been like with school and just, you know, feeling like a kid?

[5:39] Jackson Parker Gill: I'm being homeschooled kind of. We have a tutor at the theater who does school with us every Wednesday night. So we do school during the show.

[5:46] Eila Mell: Interesting. Now you mentioned Les Mis, you were Gavroche on tour. Yes. How was tour life going from city to city traveling? I'm assuming what you guys traveled by bus?

[5:59] Jackson Parker Gill: It was either bus, car or plane. And we didn't really do the bus. But yeah, we usually did the car and then sometimes we did the plane. But yeah, I would definitely do a tour again because it was fun. So yeah. And what a great way to see the country.

[6:16] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, literally. Like I like I would have never went to those places if I wasn't on tour, you know, like I would just go there for fun.

[6:24] Eila Mell: Exactly. Because you know, a lot of the tour stops are not necessarily vacation spots.

[6:30] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes, yes, definitely. Was the audition for the tour similar to the audition for Ragtime? Or was that in person?

[6:36] Jackson Parker Gill: So it was a little different. So I auditioned in 2023. And I sent in a tape, then I got a call back in person. And then they were like, thank you for your time, but it's not ready for you right now. Um, so then I tried again in 2024. And then I sent in a call, but I sent in a video, then I got a call back in person, then I got another call back. And then I got it. Because I just had to wait.

[7:15] Eila Mell: Yes. So never, never give up trying. Right? You never know why the rejection isn't a real rejection. It's just, you know, matching people up. It's not about the talent usually.

[7:20] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. So we have Brandon Uranowitz on our show who you know, and work with and was very excited to know that we knew you. And so you know, he played the little boy in the very first iteration of Ragtime. Has he given you any pointers?

[7:36] Jackson Parker Gill: Not really. But I've been learning from him. And he's a great actor. So yes, yeah, I've definitely been learning from him. And your mom is a director and a choreographer. So has she made it easier for you to, you know, does she observe the rehearsals also, as you're learning the role and then help you rehearse?

[7:53] Jackson Parker Gill: Not really, because they're not like allowed downstairs. So it's really just me, like hopefully remembering it. Yeah, and then showing it to her. And then she usually helps.

[8:06] Eila Mell: What's been your favorite part of Ragtime?

[8:13] Jackson Parker Gill: My favorite part, like in show? Yeah, probably either like the opening number or what a game what a game is really fun too.

[8:20] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah. So what's understudy life like? Because I think people don't understand what it is to be an understudy.

[8:26] Jackson Parker Gill: So if we have a two show day, I usually wake up at like 10:30 ish, I go to the theater. And then it's like it's three hour show. So like, I don't really do anything. So it's literally just like sitting there for three hours every day on my iPad, probably like playing games or something. So yeah, that's, that's really what it is. And it's not so bad.

[8:52] Eila Mell: Sorry.

[8:53] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, no, no. Yeah. But you have to be there and ready just in case something happens.

[9:00] Jackson Parker Gill: I always have to be there. Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, have you taken over the role now because

[9:07] Jackson Parker Gill: You are going to be the principal now. Yes. So it's June 16th. So when my 12th stage.

[9:14] Eila Mell: Ah, that's so exciting. Yeah. What was it like the first time you went on?

[9:19] Jackson Parker Gill: Oh, it was definitely scary. It was it was it was crazy. I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm stepping on a Broadway stage. This is crazy.

[9:28] Eila Mell: Did you feel ready for it? Mostly. Did you know that you were going to go on that night?

[9:35] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. Okay, so that's better than just be getting a call that morning.

[9:39] Eila Mell: Yeah. Since you've had time with the show and you've performed, have you gotten any of those calls saying, you know, so and so sick, you're gonna have to go on today?

[9:50] Jackson Parker Gill: No, not yet.

[9:52] Eila Mell: So you don't have a ton of interaction with the little girl in the show, but at the end you do. And that's nice. How has it been working with the different actresses?

[10:03] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. Yeah, they're, they're both great. Yes, we, we definitely hang out when I'm not on in the show. So they're great. And you know, I mean, it's just it's an unusual situation for you because you're in a world of adults. And yet, you know, you're much younger than everybody else.

[10:20] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. I think that though, that will serve you well later on, because you can help it adapt to that world.

[10:28] Eila Mell: Yeah. Does it feel different when you're just hanging out with kids who maybe, you know, separate from being an actor?

[10:34] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, definitely. Because they're not used to being, you know, having as much responsibility, maybe as you have.

[10:46] Eila Mell: While you're doing the show, are you able to do you know, you see a lot of actors that while they're performing in one show, they're doing workshops, they're doing readings, they're doing other things outside of the show that they're performing in?

[11:01] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah.

[11:02] Eila Mell: Able to have that opportunity?

[11:04] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes, I did just do like a 29 hour reading, like, like a month ago. And then I also did another one. So those are fun. I like those.

[11:16] Eila Mell: Yeah, it's so exciting to be in on the ground floor of a project.

[11:19] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, definitely.

[11:20] Eila Mell: So when you do something like that, do you know if you're going to continue with it? Or do you know if the project is continuing? What is that like?

[11:29] Jackson Parker Gill: So they usually don't tell you until a long time.

[11:33] Eila Mell: Right? Because you know, it's an issue with the kid because you're growing as you should.

[11:38] Jackson Parker Gill: And that's what exactly. Yeah. So you have to write. So I would think a lot of it is just are you the right age at the time that the project is ready?

[11:47] Eila Mell: Yeah. Obviously, your career is just starting. But is this what you think you want to do? Even when you're an adult? Is this a long term thing? Or are you just having fun with it now?

[11:59] Jackson Parker Gill: No, I think this is what I want to do.

[12:02] Eila Mell: Yeah, well, it's in your family. So yeah, in a way you had no choice.

[12:07] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, basically.

[12:09] Eila Mell: Do you have any bucket list roles that you want to do one day?

[12:13] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. So my first my first option is SpongeBob SquarePants.

[12:18] Eila Mell: Oh, fun.

[12:19] Jackson Parker Gill: Yep. Um, and then I want to be Seymour from World Trap and Forage. And then Dear Evan Hansen.

[12:27] Eila Mell: There you go. Amazing goals. Yeah. So who has come to see the show that's been exciting for you that you got to meet?

[12:34] Jackson Parker Gill: So definitely Michelle Obama.

[12:38] Eila Mell: Wow, that that that was crazy. Yeah.

[12:41] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. Are you I mean, you know, obviously, you weren't around the first time ragtime was on Broadway. Did you know about it, though? You know, and no kid. No, right.

[12:55] Jackson Parker Gill: No, I was like, Yeah, neither was like, Miz. I was like, What is this?

[12:59] Eila Mell: Yeah. What was it like? I'm sure there was special preparation that had to happen when Michelle Obama was coming to see the show.

[13:06] Jackson Parker Gill: So it was like, because I wasn't on. So we get kept backstage. So we didn't go out. Could we leave like 15 minutes early before the show ends? So we we like, went behind stage. So while Bows were going onto the stage, we're by the stage. And then the curtain came down and then we all came on stage. Naomi's just really like sitting there for like a good chunk of minutes until she came. And then yeah, it's crazy.

[13:38] Eila Mell: Bruce and I went to the Tony Awards the year that Hillary Clinton was there presenting.

[13:42] Jackson Parker Gill: Oh, yes.

[13:44] Eila Mell: And they didn't even have her at the rehearsal. And they didn't announce that it was going to be her they had.

[13:49] Jackson Parker Gill: That's insane.

[13:50] Eila Mell: Right? I know. Yeah.

[13:52] Jackson Parker Gill: So tight that it had to be a surprise.

[13:54] Eila Mell: Yeah. Yeah. Even for the people in the room. And I'm sure it was, you know, security was very tight with me as well.

[14:00] Jackson Parker Gill: Definitely. Yes.

[14:01] Eila Mell: A lot of your Les Mis friends have come to see you in the show.

[14:05] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah.

[14:05] Eila Mell: It must be so nice getting that support from them.

[14:08] Jackson Parker Gill: Definitely. Yeah. Very. Yeah, a bunch of my friends from Les Mis are coming in like a couple weeks when I take over the role. So yeah, I'm excited for that.

[14:19] Eila Mell: That's so nice. You know, it's it's a special thing because you're all in a way competing for the same roles because there's only so many kid roles. But you know, the fact that they just support you is so yeah.

[14:31] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. Yeah. And I'm sure you would do the same for them.

[14:35] Eila Mell: Yeah, totally.

[14:36] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. Are your best friends theater kids? Or are they like kids from home?

[14:41] Jackson Parker Gill: So both my best friends, one's from Chicago, one's from Indiana. So like, we're all spread out. Yeah, everywhere. And the little boy here, which we're also best friends. He's like from New Jersey. So like, it's still like far.

[14:57] Eila Mell: Yeah. But yeah, my mom owns a dance and theater studio. So I do have like a lot of dance theater friends.

[15:05] Jackson Parker Gill: Right. So it's true. Even your friends from home are still theater kids.

[15:08] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah, definitely.

[15:10] Jackson Parker Gill: Just maybe not necessarily actively working.

[15:13] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[15:14] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah. Well, so you're not because you're in the show eight times a week, you're not living at home home, right? You have to live closer to the theater. So are you with just one parent right now?

[15:27] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, so I'm with my mom. And she Yeah, it's usually her. And then sometimes dad comes in just that for her to have a break or something.

[15:36] Eila Mell: And you must miss your dad because you know, yeah, with a lot of fire.

[15:40] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, yeah. But we go home like Sunday night, because we have off Monday. So that I get to see him which is nice. And then we we sleep over Monday at our my real house. And then Tuesday afternoon, we take a train and come back here to the show.

[15:59] Eila Mell: Okay, so that's good. So you have a few days and then you're working anyway. So it's not like you have tons of time to do anything.

[16:04] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, yeah. So that's good that your spare time is with your dad.

[16:10] Eila Mell: Yeah. And I'm sure your grandma who is so excited. So yeah, yeah. And a talented director in her own right. Do you think you'll work with your grandma at some point?

[16:19] Jackson Parker Gill: It's possible. Yeah, I mean, yeah, maybe, maybe.

[16:24] Eila Mell: So obviously, you're in ragtime from, from now until it closes. And I know that there are other projects that sometimes come up. Sometimes we could talk about them. Sometimes we can't. But is there anything coming up for you after ragtime that you're able to talk about?

[16:42] Jackson Parker Gill: I don't even think there is any. Not really.

[16:45] Eila Mell: Yeah, there will be.

[16:47] Jackson Parker Gill: There definitely will be.

[16:48] Eila Mell: Yeah. I mean, it's, it's such an exciting time for you. We're so thrilled that, you know, that you have this experience. But also now that you get to do it eight times a week. It's just, you know, it's like you've earned this role so much.

[17:02] Jackson Parker Gill: That's what my mom said.

[17:04] Eila Mell: Yeah. Does it feel that way to you too?

[17:07] Jackson Parker Gill: Definitely. Yeah.

[17:08] Eila Mell: Yeah. You know, you never know what life would have been like if you had gotten a Christmas story.

[17:13] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah.

[17:13] Eila Mell: That could have been amazing too. But do you sort of keep tabs on what the other kids are doing? Just, you know, just to be supportive of each other?

[17:22] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Yeah. Like one girl from my nation just did, they're on the roofs with her dad.

[17:29] Eila Mell: That's fantastic.

[17:30] Jackson Parker Gill: Yeah.

[17:30] Eila Mell: Well, we just loved having you so much.

[17:33] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes. Thank you.

[17:35] Eila Mell: Yes. Oh my gosh. We'll be cheering you on your whole career.

[17:39] Jackson Parker Gill: Thank you.

[17:40] Eila Mell: If you haven't had the opportunity to see Ragtime at Lincoln Center yet, you should get a ticket and go see it. And you're in for just a beautiful, beautiful show. And we'll be following Jackson's career and letting you know what he's in next. So you can go and continue to support him on stage.

[17:58] Jackson Parker Gill: And if we're lucky enough, he'll come back for his next project.

[18:03] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes, definitely.

[18:05] Eila Mell: Thank you, Jackson. And we'll see everyone next time on Behind the Awards.

[18:08] Jackson Parker Gill: Yes. Bye-bye.

[18:10] Eila Mell: Bye.