Sutton Foster Shares Broadway Career Lessons With University of Utah Students

Sutton Foster’s Advice for Actors: ‘Protect Your Tender Hearts and Your Joy’

Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster told a room of University of Utah acting students that they should find value in their own uniqueness and protect their passion in a challenging industry. “You are way more interesting than anything you are trying to be,” she advised, according to a report from theU, the University of Utah’s official news outlet. This candid advice was part of a recent master class for students in the Actor Training Program (ATP) and the Musical Theatre Program (MTP), a rare and intimate opportunity for aspiring performers to learn directly from a Broadway veteran.

The master class, held on the University of Utah campus, was a pivotal moment for students navigating the difficult transition from academic training to the professional audition circuit. Foster, whose credits include starring in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” was invited to the university by David Eggers, an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre who had previously shared the stage with her on Broadway. The discussion was not just a lecture; it was a bridge connecting years of experience with raw, hopeful ambition.

A Masterclass in Perseverance

Instead of presenting a flawless success story, Foster offered a deeply personal and relatable account of her own early struggles. “I didn’t have any training, so I was figuring it out in real time,” she confessed. “I didn’t know how to sing eight shows a week or how to take care of myself. I was just flailing.” This admission of early naivete was met with nods of understanding from the students. Foster emphasized that her path was not paved with instant success but with resilience. “I got a lot of nos. And every time it fueled me to prove them wrong. I never felt defeated,” she explained.

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This message of embracing failure as fuel resonated deeply with Liesel Josephine DeWalt, a senior in the Musical Theatre Program. She found Foster’s validation of early mistakes to be a powerful reminder. “I need to keep that naivete with me and just believe that I am worthy, and I shouldn’t apologize for wanting to pursue the arts because I am good enough,” DeWalt noted. For these students, who are often told to be polished and professional, Foster’s permission to be “flailing” was a form of liberation.

“I think it was really nice to connect with someone who has been in my same exact spot and navigated that herself and genuinely wanted to help me navigate it for myself.”

Avery Addison Carlin, another MTP senior, became emotional during the session. The connection with Foster felt authentic and personal. “I think it was really nice to connect with someone who has been in my same exact spot and navigated that herself and genuinely wanted to help me navigate it for myself,” Carlin observed. This highlights a crucial aspect of arts education: the value of mentorship from artists who understand not just the technical skills, but the emotional and psychological toll of a life in the theater.

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The Athleticism of a Theatrical Career

Beyond the emotional encouragement, Foster provided practical, hard-won advice about the physical demands of the profession. “You have to think of yourself as an athlete. It’s a 24/7 job,” she stated, drawing a parallel between an actor’s endurance and that of a marathon runner. This perspective is increasingly recognized in the industry, where performers face grueling schedules, high-stakes performances, and the physical wear-and-tear of embodying different characters night after night. Foster's advice shows the need for rigorous self-care, a topic often overlooked in the pursuit of artistic excellence.

The star also issued a strong warning about the perils of reading reviews. “The good ones are never good enough and the bad ones will just destroy you.” This advice struck a chord with DeWalt, who immediately resolved to avoid reading critiques in the future, agreeing that they “will have you losing your mind.” In an age of instant feedback and online criticism, Foster’s counsel to shield one’s mental well-being is a vital survival skill for the next generation of performers.

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The Power of Authenticity and Connection

Throughout the evening, Foster returned to a central theme: the importance of being true to oneself. “I blazed my own path. I wasn’t trying to be anybody but me,” she shared. This message of authenticity was a powerful antidote to the pressure many young actors feel to conform to a certain mold or chase fleeting trends. MTP Senior Carina Purdy appreciated Foster’s grounded nature. “Celebrities can feel so idealized… but at the end of the day, we’re all the same,” Purdy said. “And I think that was a really good reminder that we’re all just here to create art because we love it.”

Foster reinforced the idea that professional success in the arts is built on a foundation of human decency and respect. “Kindness and respect and showing up on time and respect to your peers really pay off,” she reminded the room. This simple yet profound advice cuts through the competitive noise of the industry, suggesting that the most durable careers are built on strong, positive relationships, not just raw talent.

The connection forged between Foster and the Utah students wasn’t confined to the classroom. The following day, senior Adam Moore and several of his peers put her lessons into practice, sharing the stage with her at her concert at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. Reflecting on the opportunity, Moore noted, “She just seems so nice and down to earth… she used to be in our shoes.” This performance was the culmination of a masterclass that moved from theory to practice, leaving the students not just inspired, but equipped with a clearer, more compassionate vision for their own futures in the theater.

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