Life & Work with Jacob Dunham and Chris Hendricks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Dunham and Chris Hendricks.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Jacob: Hi, thank you so much for your interest in The National Broadway Theatre! Performing Arts has been the focal point of our lives since we were both very young. I graduated from Fryeburg Academy, in Fryeburg, Maine, and Chris from Interlochen Arts Academy, in Interlochen, Michigan. We both grew up heavily involved in professional theater, film, and dance productions. Then when the time came, it only made sense to study theater at the collegiate level, so I studied Directing at Temple University, and Chris studied Music Theatre at The Hartt School. After college, we relocated to New York City, where we first met within the theater scene. Living and working there for six years, we both began to grow our careers in the arts, earning accolades such as Josephine New York Theatre Award nominations, as well as regional awards for excellence in choreography and directing. 

Chris: Then, after those six years in New York with both of us working on projects ranging from Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional Houses, Opera, and Film, the Covid-19 Pandemic forced a pivot in our lives. The theatre scene suffered an enormous impact, sending Broadway productions and smaller regional theaters alike to close their doors; some to never reopen. I ended up discovering a new path in Residential Mortgage Lending, which guided us to Grand Rapids, Michigan. While we settled into Grand Rapids, Jacob became involved with local community theaters, beginning by teaching and directing at The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of my new career path but still held onto my passion for performing, and eventually, I joined the Opera Grand Rapids. 

Jacob: While working in this generous and welcoming Grand Rapids theater community, I began to notice that something was missing. Grand Rapids has an incredible community theater scene! I was completely blown away by the caliber of talent in this city. But what was surprising to me was that many of these artists lacked one thing, and that was a paycheck for their work. I always envisioned the position of “Artistic Director” would come in the later years of my career. But I believe there is a time and place for everything, and when the pandemic left many artists in a state of redirection, I then realized now is the time. So, I set out to create a non-profit professional theater company in Grand Rapids, The National Broadway Theatre. The mission of this company is to engage, educate, and enrich lifelong learning in the community by collaborating with local and national talent to create accessible high-quality theatre. Chris joined me on this business venture and currently serves as the Vice President and Treasurer of the company. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Chris: Well, when starting any business, there is a standard process between the federal government and the state. However, when creating a non-profit, the challenges and paperwork become extremely intricate and complex. Starting at the foundation, we knew we had to find a team of collaborators that would share the same vision for the future and truly believe in the work being done. Without the other members of our team Chele Pippin-Reagh and Aimee Frechette, we would still be pushing to get this company off the ground. It truly has been a collaborative effort. Also, like most things in this world, so much revolves around finances. Raising the funds to achieve any mission takes a lot of hard work and dedication, especially when you are still relatively new to the area. Our stellar team is continually looking to grow and expand as we face the struggle of finding a venue to partner with and call “home”. In the meantime, we will stay creative and think outside the box to find new and innovative ways to share National Broadway Theatre’s visions with the community. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Jacob: Of course! NBT is staying right on track with our mission as we completed our first pillar, “To Engage.” Through collaboration with Amore Trattoria and The School Of Rock Grand Rapids, we just produced a Rat Pack-themed fundraising cabaret, which completely sold out two weeks prior to the event! Our purpose for this event was to engage the community. We wanted to introduce ourselves and our mission while working alongside some incredibly talented local professionals. Next on the agenda, NBT will complete our second pillar, “To Educate.” Planning is underway to bring Broadway talent to Grand Rapids in order to offer professional workshops and classes. This city has a thriving group of artists, and the National Broadway Theatre will become the platform that bridges the gap between local and national talent as a professional regional theater. Everyone deserves the chance to see and love the city of Grand Rapids, and The National Broadway Theatre wants to help! 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
Jacob: One of my favorite childhood memories was the first play I directed. When I was a child, I planned a birthday sleepover. All of my elementary school friends came over the day before my birthday, and together we wrote a play and rehearsed into the night. The following afternoon, extended family members and parents came to my birthday party, where they got to watch my directing debut. Upon arrival they were given Monopoly money to use for “admission” and “concessions.” Once everyone had purchased their ticket and snacks, they got to watch my first play, which was “perfectly” performed on my parent’s backyard clothesline. For an 8-year-old, this was the absolute real deal. 

Chris: My favorite childhood memories was how I got interested in theatre. I was out on a kindergarten field trip to the Marquis Theatre in Northville, MI to see my first musical The Pied Piper of Hamelin. My mother was actually volunteering as a chaperone on the trip at that time. It was in the middle of the show when I remember seeing all of the mice singing and dancing; they were laughing and having what looked like the most fun in the world. I leaned over to my mom, pointed to the stage, and said, “That’s what I want to do.” She promptly responded with some confusion and asked, “What?” I pointed again at the stage and repeated, “That’s what I wanna do. How can I get up there and do that?!” She smiled and assured me that she would figure it out right after the show, and that’s exactly what she did. She went and talked to the staff and figured out that they had summer camps for all ages and signed me up for, what I didn’t realize at the time, but a lifelong love of the performing arts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.NationalBroadwayTheatre.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalbroadwaytheatre/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalBroadwayTheatre/ 

Image Credits
StudioCPR
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy