Connor Bailey

I have been lucky this summer. I’ve seen Connor Bailey on stage five times. I saw him twice as Warner, the not so admirable boyfriend of Elle Woods in NTPA’s Legally Blonde, and three times as the lead in NTPA’s The SpongeBob Musical. Connor is an actor who gives himself entirely over to a character, and that is especially a challenge when playing a sponge! Yet, somehow, this exceptionally talented young man, who sings just as superlatively as he acts, was able to make me care for, and hate to say goodbye to, a cartoon character that he brought to vivid, heartwarming life. I can’t wait to see where his remarkable skills are going to take him. Take a few moments to read about Connor Bailey, who is just as warm, joyful, and wonderful as the not so simple sponge he played.

When was your first time on stage?

I couldn’t have been more than eight years old... Maybe a little bit younger, old enough to learn a few lines at least! My mom had pulled me from soccer practices and thrown me into a theatre production camp. I don’t remember much from it, but I do remember getting to pick our own characters and costumes. Naturally, I was part of a show featuring “Winnie the Pooh” and “Pink Power Ranger.” I had chosen to make up my own superhero named “Super Johnny” and insisted they let me wear a leotard with green sequins that they had lying around the studio. I remember them trying to steer me away from the girl’s dance attire but I got my way in the end! I am lucky that my mom knew exactly where to put me, the theatre has always been my place, right from the start.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

I think my story might be the most traditional theatre kid call to action there is... My mom had gotten us tickets to see the Wicked tour and I was absolutely blown away. I had never experienced emotion, spectacle, and storytelling in such a powerful way before. At intermission I remember showing my mom the guy who was playing Fiyero on her playbill... I said something like “he gets paid to do that?” I don’t remember who was on at that matinee, but he was so inspiring that I decided I was going to do exactly what he was doing when I grew up. My mom was not thrilled for me, in fact I’m not even sure she believed me. To this day, I am still chasing those guys, singing and dancing, getting paid to be the coolest dudes ever right up there on stage!

 Who is your greatest mentor?

I have three separate answers to this question because I’ve been touched by three incredible artists during my time studying in DFW. Each of them fostered our relationship with their own interpretations and guidance. I can say with full confidence I would not be able to perform today without having met each of them. The first is Michael Childs, he is an artist around the area with many different projects going on, perhaps most well known in our corner of the industry for his excellent music direction. I was lucky enough to see him as a private vocal coach. I could speak on the technicality of our work and how he vastly improved my technique through his extensive knowledge, but instead I will comment on his incredible patience and compassion. I am a rather challenging student, often getting in my own way. He helped me find my self-confidence in singing, celebrating each step forward and working to understand each step backwards. I highly recommend any artist to connect with him, he has such a gift in guiding and supporting others. The second mentor I found was Marjorie Hayes; a talented and seasoned actress who uses her amazing understanding of the art and the industry to educate the theatre students at University of North Texas. She always took special interest in her most hungry students and during the pandemic. There weren't too many of us around, so, I ended up really getting to hear so much about her view on what it means to be a working professional in this field. She really challenges you to meet the industry standard and find within yourself how you’re going to get that next leg up. I’m really fortunate to have gotten to work so closely with her. Finally, I want to mention Daniel Miranda, the repertory director over at NTPA! I think Danny and I are similar humans. We both feel things very strongly and struggle in similar ways too... Now, if you’ve ever seen Danny perform, you know he is a killer talent on the stage. I started looking up to him while playing in the ensemble of Cabaret where he played the starring role of Emcee. Little did I know that in just a few months’ time he would be one of my best friends and have helped me find myself over the course of one of the greatest summers in my entire life. Meeting Danny changed everything for me and I never would have guessed it.

What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?

I just recently closed out The SpongeBob Musical where I got to play the title role. That show was something I had written off my radar, never expected to be a part of it, and didn’t even think I would like the show. I hadn’t even grown up with the cartoon! Later when I was cast in the role I still felt like, “what are they thinking?” After having explored the cartoon, found the incredible message and what the show means to me, I can proudly say I love it! SpongeBob was the perfect role, it challenged me and helped me grow into who I am today. I am sure I will be putting on the SquarePants again before too long...

Do you have a dream role?

I have many! I go through phases on which one takes the cake for me at the time, right now it’s Christian in Moulin Rouge. I just got back from NYC, where I saw Derek Klena in the role, he was fantastic and so inspiring. Just to list off some others: Seymour, Pippin, Jack Kelly, Clyde Barrow, Charlie Price, Jamie, Riff, JD, and Frank Abignale Jr. I want to play everything.

 What person would you like to be on stage with?

Easy answer: Jeremy Jordan. I am convinced I am that guy’s biggest fan. Better answer: Marjorie Hayes, one of my mentors. Specifically, I think the world needs to see her as Fraulein Schnieder in Cabaret! I would want to play her Cliff Bradshaw if the stars ever align right...

 What performances have you seen that impressed you?

I was fortunate to have gone to NYC with my high school back when The Color Purple was running previews. Cyntia Erivo singing “I’m Here” was absolutely nuts. I mean, she couldn’t even finish the number she brought the house down so hard. She broke character, asked us all to let her finish and brought the house down all over again. The entire theatre was in tears, I have never seen anybody become quite as powerful as she did right there in that moment, in that role, with that song. Locally, I recommend you check out Danny Miranda and Marjorie Hayes’ work respectively. They are the people who are at the level I am pushing and working myself to achieve. They are incredibly vulnerable and connected actors. It is a big part of the reason I hold them so closely to me as my mentors. Seeing Danny tear off his drag while singing “I Don’t Care” as the Emcee was powerful every single night. Marjorie is one of those performers that you want to be in the room for, she just has a tendency of getting emotional responses no matter what she is playing.

 What are your career goals?

I have about a handful of actors that I really idolize as individuals and who I would consider “stars.” They’ve always really inspired me to become a better version of myself. My career is genuinely all in an effort to follow in their footsteps. To try and bring my work closer to what I believe their work did for me. I want to take it to the Broadway level and further. I want to see myself become the best version of Connor I can be. The happiest with himself and the happiest with his performance. It is a huge undertaking but it is really fulfilling to tie my career so closely with what I want and who I want to be.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am incredibly anxious! I say this because I want the young kid at home to read this and know that we all struggle. For a long time, I felt like actors who were finding success had everything figured out for themselves. Obviously, as I’ve grown up, I learned that isn’t the case. Still, I want to be transparent and encouraging with any platform I am given. So, I want to mention that I struggle with lots of anxiety, and it takes a whole team of my friends and family just to get me feeling confident enough to get on stage. I am so thankful for them too, because when I am finally ready to get out there, I blow them all away and I have a blast while doing it!