Concordia alumnus Wesley Barnes, Broadway performer, currently starring in Broadway’s 50th anniversary tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” graced Concordia Theatre Department’s stage in a nostalgic fashion paying it forward to young and upcoming performers. Barnes spared no details as he discussed the grueling process of auditioning, what it takes to “learn the game” in the performance world, as well as taking your success without letting losses weigh you down.

Barnes has performed in notable theatre productions such as “In the Heights,” “Scottsborough Boys,” “Sophisticated Ladies,” and even appearing on a tap tour in Germany and Taiwan titled “Magic of the Dance” to name a few.. 

One of the most notable gems Barnes dropped in the starry eyes of his audience was, “Make auditioning your job. Booking the job is just the cherry on the cake.” 

In so many words, Barnes instilled in his audience that you must love what you do so you don’t allow nerves or uncertainty to fit into your audition slot. Rather, we must approach every audition with the mindset of “Why not me?” instead of “Why me?”

To be successful on Broadway, it takes tough skin. Every week, Barnes dedicated four out of seven days of the week to just auditioning in addition to his regular job. As tiring as this process was, Barnes is absolutely certain that he loves his work and would be “absolutely miserable doing anything else.”

He expressed, “As long as I continue to show up, the work will come.” He emphasized to the audience that it's merely a numbers game. “What is for you will not pass you by.” 

In one of the most peak moments of his career, Barnes auditioned in front of producers such as Tina Fey. In a moment Barnes thought fate was sealed making it to a final round of auditions, he was informed he did not make it. For him, it was crushing.

Professor Lori Siekmann interjected, “But, look at what you were able to accomplish!”

This brought Barnes to yet another valuable tip he shared with the audience which was, “Do not keep track of losses and failures. Just continue.” He furthered, “Don’t fear what you’re not good at. You don’t have to show up perfect. You just have to show up and commit. There’s still a rehearsal process. You’re a continued work of art.”

As Barnes continued recounting his remarkable yet ever progressing uphill incline of a story, there are a few ingredients that have remained consistent in his formulaic recipe of success and self-discovery in the arts: authenticity, commitment and consistency.

In the words of Siekmann, “Close your eyes and imagine yourself exactly where you want to be.” Barnes did just that. Much like Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz,” Barnes left the only home he knew in Los Angeles, clicked his shoes, and found himself on Broadway's doorstep in New York with nothing short of hard work, dedication, and patience in between. Let it be a lesson that if the heart can conceive it, surely you can achieve it.

If you would like to see Wesley Barnes in his upcoming performance, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” visit https://ustour.jesuschristsuperstar.com/people/wesley-j-barnes/

Tags: Alexander Carr, alumnus

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