Alex Hartman’s Broadway debut shines after years of training
When the curtain rose on "Death Becomes Her" Oct. 21, Alex Hartman stepped onto a Broadway stage for the first time.
Hartman, a Highland Community College graduate, was joined by approximately 30 friends and family members who traveled to New York to witness her debut, according to a community announcement.
At the end of the performance, the leads brought Hartman to the front of the stage to take an additional bow, celebrating her achievement. Outside the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, she was met with cheers and applause from fans and friends.
For her father, John Hartman, it was an emotional moment.
"When she walked out that stage door, people were screaming and clapping. That did it," he said.
A lifelong passion for music and performance
Hartman grew up in a household filled with music. Her father, a musician and Highland instructor, believes her passion for the arts developed independently.
"She has been an inspiration to me really. She never needed me to give her confidence," he said.
Hartman began dancing at a young age and continued to refine her skills over the years. After leaving Freeport in 2011, she worked various jobs while pursuing her career in the performing arts. Her dedication paid off when she received a FaceTime call from her agent with the Broadway offer.
"I spent years and years and years training, and I still train consistently," she said. "If you love it, you love it, and I do, which keeps me saying 'yes.'"
Highland Community College played a pivotal role
Before her Broadway debut, Hartman spent two years at Highland Community College, where she was involved in the Royal Scots, plays, musicals and music classes.
"Because of knowledge gained from Al (Redford) and my dad, I tested out of all music theory with flying colors when I transferred to Illinois State University," she said.
Redford, a retired Highland music instructor and former Royal Scots director, remembered Hartman as an excellent student.
"Her dedication to excellence, her kindness and her passion for what she does were as evident at that time as they are now," he said.
Highland's Fine Arts programs offer many opportunities
Highland's Fine Arts programs have long been a cultural cornerstone in northwest Illinois, providing a home where emerging and established artists can learn, perform and explore. With a 398-seat theatre, a rotating schedule of live productions, vocal and instrumental ensembles and the Highland Gallery open throughout the year, the Ferguson Fine Arts Center offers many opportunities.
Dr. Randy Haldeman, Highland's current music director, believes Hartman's achievement reflects the broader mission of the department.
"Talent alone isn't enough. You need discipline, resilience, adaptability and what I call professional fluency," he said. "At Highland, we emphasize these qualities alongside technical excellence."
Haldeman added that the skills gained in the arts are "valuable in virtually any field." He also wants students and families to know that arts careers are real and needed. "There are currently more than ten unfilled full time music positions within a thirty-minute drive of Highland."
A message to aspiring artists
Hartman has lived the reality of the performing arts world and offered advice to aspiring artists.
"Never stop training," she said. "Be kind to everyone. Always. It's a very small world."
She added that the secret is to show up authentically at every audition.
"You actually want to shine as an individual," she said.
After years of professional growth, dozens of roles, relentless training and now her Broadway debut, she sums up her journey from the rural Midwest to the big stage with one sentence.
"Moving to NYC from Freeport made me scrappy, gritty, graceful and wildly grateful."
This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct .
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: How did Alex Hartman go from Highland College to Broadway?
