Jeremy Noel ’21 has built a promising career on Broadway. Noel is currently an ensemble member and Simba understudy in “The Lion King” North American tour, which was performed Dec. 4–15 at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, NY. Originally from Pennsylvania, Noel balances his artistic pursuits of music production and a passion for fitness, creating a dynamic career both on and off the stage.
Staff writer Thuweiba J-Elmi spoke with Noel about his break into Broadway and how Noel brings his character, Simba, to life.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Thuweiba J-Elmi: How did you become involved in musical theater, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?
Jeremy Noel: I always was drawn to music. I played piano, percussion, drums, violin and then I eventually started singing and also liked performing. … It’s actually kind of funny, because my brother did a show in high school, and it was the very first musical I ever watched. It was a production of “Peter Pan,” and I absolutely just fell in love with that feeling that I got watching him perform [and I wanted] to do that too. So I moved into singing and acting and a little bit of dance, and I eventually did my college auditions to get into Ithaca and started my training there. I actually did not do a lead role in college. I mostly did ensemble work. … Ithaca prepared me in a way that I was able to know how to navigate being in the ensemble, and also being a cover. So that’s something that I kind of already knew that I would be able to do with all the training that I had. … Everything that I do in “[The] Lion King” was directly related to [what I learned at Ithaca College].
TJ: What has been the most challenging and rewarding aspect of performing in such an iconic production as “The Lion King”?
JN: I would say the most rewarding is simply just the audience; performing for audiences that have the brightest, whitest eyes. Doesn’t matter if it’s a kid or an adult, they are all feeling so many of the same things, and that being able to actually come down the aisle and see their faces is the most rewarding thing. … I’ve never been that close to an audience member in any show I’ve ever done. So it really is a beautiful thing. … The most challenging part during the show is just the traveling part of it. We have a dress rehearsal in every show in every city that we come to, and I have to kind of revolve my life around whatever city that I’m in. … I try to do whatever I can to make sure that the audience gets the same kind of show and the same level of brilliance in the show. It’s kind of weird because I’ve done it for three years now. So I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily easy but it’s something that I’ve gotten a chance to develop and get better at. So I guess I don’t really think of the challenge itself as much, but the traveling will always be tough.
TJ: How do you use your platform to spread love and positivity?
JN: Yeah, I have been off of social media just for a little bit, just for myself, because sometimes it’s hard to see the human in people when you’re looking at them through a lens that they want to show you. So I’ve been able to just connect with people and my own family and friends on a deeper level by distancing myself [from social media]. But when I am on social [media] and when I am just about in the world, I’m a very big fitness person. I want to spread people taking care of themselves. I think sometimes we try to take care of others, and we forget to take care of ourselves. And I don’t think people realize how much joy it is, being able to take care of yourself and … being in good health, and what that does to the people around you. It creates a bright light for people to see and grab onto. And I think it creates a really great community when you’re able to actually treat yourself, then when you do it for other people … you’re just giving.
TJ: What excites you about performing in Syracuse, and how does that city compare to any other stops?
JN: It’s interesting. Last time I was actually up at Syracuse was during my college auditions … and so it was just kind of like a full circle moment of being here. It’s been like 7 1/2 years-ish [since] I’ve been in Syracuse, and it’s going to be the first time some of my teachers from my school, Ithaca, will be able to come up and see me perform. So I’m very excited to share what I’ve been doing, and for them to see me [outside] a class setting.
TJ: Any advice you have for current artists and musical theater majors currently studying here at Ithaca College?
JN: Don’t wait on your teachers and your assignments in your homework to do the work to become a performer. I think I spent a little too much time not honing my craft as well as I would have liked to while I was in school. … When our teachers are telling us something; don’t take it so much to heart, because it is way nicer in school than it is outside of school. Your teachers are there to try to help you with any problems that you have with them. Just really just be there to hone your craft and take the honest truth that they say to you, don’t let them sugarcoat anything, really gain some grit while you’re in school, because you’re … going to need that armor when you get outside of here. … It’s so crazy because I look back, and I’m like, wow, in some ways, I wish they were even harder on me; let somebody tell you your scene is bad, and let them tell you why. And if you cry, you cry, just take it and feel what that feels like, and let it fuel you. … If somebody’s telling you, “You have nothing to learn,” they probably gave up on you. When somebody is telling you that you can do better, then they believe in you. … Whatever somebody says to you that may have been negative, take it into a positive and keep working on your craft.
