Hosting Stephanie Klemons on The Friend Zone was an absolute honor. As the Associate Choreographer and original Dance Captain for Hamilton, Stephanie brought a wealth of insight, heart, and inspiration to our conversation.
We took it all the way back from her childhood love of Cats (fun fact: even my Bar Mitzvah had a Cats theme!) to her early gigs, like a Nickelodeon commercial with Ciara we actually tracked down, and her breakout in In the Heights. Her story is pure grit, passion, and perseverance.
We dove into her work with New York Fit Fest and the amazing energy that happens when community, dance, and fitness collide. We also talked about Katie’s Art Project, her powerful nonprofit that connects terminally ill kids with professional artists a moving example of how art can bridge even life’s toughest challenges.
Stephanie didn’t hold back about the realities of Broadway the massive success of Hamilton, the complexities of profit sharing, and the not-so-glamorous side of managing a production that spans the globe.
What struck me most was her openness around stage fright and performance anxiety. It was a real moment of vulnerability that I think so many artists can relate to. We even got into our shared experiences with imposter syndrome proof that no matter how far you’ve come, self-doubt can still sneak in.
Stephanie is the real deal: talented, grounded, and deeply human. It was a conversation I’ll never forget.
Gear Used
Camera – Sony a9 / a1
Microphones – Shure SM7b
Links for all of Jay’s and Floored Media’s photo gear!