While in New York last month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Taylor Sternberg, who’s currently in Broadway’s mega-hit musical JERSEY BOYS. Sternberg is my first interview in a new “Meet Me” series on withjosh.com that will profile people who are on their way to making a significant mark in pop culture. These individuals have been on an inspiring journey and have a story I think you should hear.

Former withjosh guest Lauren Pritchard insisted that I meet Sternberg because he reminded her of me. I’m not sure if I see the resemblance, but if I’m half as witty, cool, and easy to talk to as Sternberg, I will take it as a great compliment.

Sternberg is no stranger to Hollywood; he grew up watching his parents work with celebrities and executive produce television. However, unlike many Hollywood kids, he didn’t wait for opportunities to be handed to him: he created them. And he has made a point not to be confined to any one direction or character in his career. He is constantly evolving, learning, and creating “new media.” In the interview, he suggests that individuals that want to enter the business should remind themselves to be “a human first and a performer second.” He suggests this because often talented people lose sight of the “team” (friends, family, agents, etc) that helped them along the way.

Sternberg spent years working with ComedySportz L.A., which is the longest running improv show in Los Angeles. After graduating from college, Sternberg booked the first national tour of JERSEY BOYS. Amazingly enough, this was his first professional musical theater audition. He spent two years on the road and is currently one of the JERSEY BOYS Broadway swings where he understudies for the lead of Frankie Valli and three other roles.

Posted by Josh on December 11, 2009 @ 6:02 AM