Wicked Actor Bret Shuford Reveals His Concerns For Broadway's Return

With Broadway shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the immediate future of the theatre industry remains unclear.

So I had a brief chat with fellow actor, Bret Shuford, on how she’s staying safe in Pittsburgh, how he’s coping with the uncertainty of Broadway, and his honest concerns for performers moving forward.

Read our conversation below.

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Bret Shuford

Where are you currently spending your time in quarantine?

I escpaped the East Village with my husband Stephen to Pittsburgh, PA

How has the pandemic changed your way of life? How are you coping?

I was in the Broadway cast of Wicked and now no longer have the schedule of work, or the income. It's greatly impacted our plans for the future. 

Did you lose any contracted performance work due to the pandemic?

Yes, not really sure when I'll return to Broadway and it's certainly left me worried. 

Do you still have any other sources of income that are helping sustain you through this crisis?

My husband teaches ballet, and I coach which has both left us with a little bit of income. Very grateful. 

Have you had to file for unemployment? Have you had any success?

I have filed for unemployment, and finally got a call last week after 4 weeks. 

If you're a member of Actors’ Equity: do you think the union is doing enough to serve and protect its members given the circumstances? If not, what would you like to see happen?

I think the union is doing the best with what they have, I'm more frustrated with the federal goverment for not being more prepared. 

What are your biggest concerns with the theatre industry moving forward?

The longer we have to social distance the less likely shows will be able to come back. This could change the amount of work that exists for us moving forward.

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Shuford’s Broadway credits include Wicked, Cirque Du Soleil’s Paramour, Amazing Grace, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. Other N.Y. credits include Actors Fund Benefit performances of A Wonderful Life, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, On the Twentieth Century, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Shuford’s credits outside of New York City include the National Tour of Lincoln Center’s South Pacific and Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in Next to Normal at the Adirondack Theatre Festival. He originated the role of Vernon Castle in Castlewalk, a new musical presented as part of the New York Music Theatre Festival. He has sung with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and the Fort Worth Symphony. Shuford also has been seen on TV and Web series including Law and Order SVU, Alpha House, Submissions Only, and My Dirty Little Secret. His film credits include Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, Bedfellows, and Uncle Melvin’s Apartment. http://instagram.com/bretshuford