“Dazzling,” BroadwayWorld called Jessica Vosk, a vocal powerhouse performing at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on Friday, September, 23. Everyone at DPAC is beyond excited to welcome Jessica Vosk to Notre Dame to hear her electrifying voice soar in the Leighton Concert Hall. Fresh off Broadway’s Wicked, where Vosk starred as Elphaba, we asked her about shifting from Broadway to a solo tour, selling hundreds of tickets at some of the country’s most esteemed venues. Here are her answers:
What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?
Dealing with imposter syndrome, the more you do and the higher you climb. There is no artist handbook, and I continue to try and pave my own path with the things I am doing and the projects I take on. Sometimes, you need to be the first to do something, even if it scares the crap out of you. I like to remain honest and authentic about things like this because I know that other people have the same feelings I do — and it does not matter where you are on your own personal journey.
As artists, it is our job to stay vulnerable; that’s where the great work is. In moments of that lovely artist self-doubt, I try to remind myself how lucky I am to be here, doing the thing I have been in love with most of my life.
As artists, it is our job to stay vulnerable; that’s where the great work is.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring artists?
Please remain exactly WHO YOU ARE, even if you feel off balance sometimes. You are unique, you bring your own special sauce to the table. Some days you may feel low, or you may feel fantastic. Just know that is normal. People will always have opinions. Luckily, that has nothing to do with you or your fierceness.
You’re known for the phrase “Whateva Whateva.” Where did it come from? Is there a Backstory?
Well, I really think I am just a crazy weird lady from New Jersey, and I believe I was doing the 15th anniversary of Wicked on Broadway at the time. Naturally, the role of Elphaba is a pressure cooker (to say the least!) and I think I was getting ready for a photoshoot and had forgotten to eat … this is not a good combo.
Someone in the room had a stick of turkey jerky, maybe my dresser at the time, and during the shoot they gave me the look that says “Girl, you want me to throw you the jerky or not?” And to that I said out loud, “GIMME THE JERKY WHATEVA WHATVEVA.” I wish I had a sexier story than that honestly.
Which character you’ve played has been your favorite and why?
I recently had the great honor of closing out the amazing run of Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter off-Broadway. I got to play her mother, which was one of the most incredible, heartbreaking, hilarious, and smart roles I’ve played yet. The show itself is autobiographical, so it was important for me to feel like I had a grip on who Sarah’s mother was. It was a musical but read like a play, which is something I have been longing to take on for a while! I hope they bring it to Broadway; it’s just a fantastic piece.
Do you have any “bucket list” roles you’d like to play or things you’d like to do?
I’d love to originate something on Broadway or screen. I’ve had the extreme luck to live out so many of my dreams in such a short period of time — I really do have those “pinch me” moments when I realize how damn lucky I am.
Nevertheless, I want a lot of things!! I’d love to animate a character, I’d love to play the murderer on Law and Order … that’s right I said it. And, I do have a plan to head down to Nashville and begin on a new single, followed by an original second album.
A big thank you to Jessica Vosk for her insightful answers. While we’d love for her to grace our screens in an upcoming episode of Law and Order, we are most excited to welcome her to the center on September 23 as this year’s Presenting Series opening artist. Grab your tickets and join us for some amazing vocals and a little “whateva whateva” from Broadway star Jessica Vosk!
