SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The 2019 Tony Award nominations were announced by the American Theatre Wing early on Tuesday, April 30th and there's a Sacramento connection.
"Tootsie" received 11 nominations, including Best Director and Best Musical. We're highlighting this musical because Jenifer Foote, of Sacramento, is credited as a "Swing," meaning she is responsible for understudying multiple performers and tracks.
"Theater is what I love to do, and where ever I get to do it, I feel lucky," Foote said. "I’m thrilled to do it. I am grateful every single day I get to do it. Every time I get to walk through a stage door and they let me in, I feel so lucky."
At nine years old, Foote started performing at Sacramento Music Circus and continued training and performing in the Sacramento area until going to University of California, Irvine.
With over a dozen Broadway credits to her resume, and many more in regional theaters, Foote said she'e been very lucky in her career.
“Actors are so quick to say there is a lot of challenges and a lot of unemployment, but my truth is that it has been a very happy, lucky life,” said Foote.
Beyond performing, Foote is an accomplished choreographer and director.
"I saw a big picture of theater young, and that I made sure that I was equally studying acting and voice and things like that, because there is a longer time frame to be an actor in New York," Foote said. "You can't dance forever, is the truth. I've been able to transition from playing the teenager to playing the mom."
Despite her years in New York City, Foote cherishes her California roots.
“I feel proud of Sacramento," Foote said, adding that there’s "fantastic theater here, from community theater, and schools, to professional theater."
Continue the conversation with TC on her Facebook and Instagram pages.
________________________________________________________________
WATCH MORE:
Sacramento native Jenifer Foote has performed in over a dozen Broadway shows, but still cherishes being from the Farm to Fork Capital. | On Stage