NYMT Encore: Catching up with AJ Parsons | Starlight Express

Every NYMT company is a starting point. Young people walk into our rehearsal rooms and, for many, walk out towards professional stages, and they never quite leave us behind. NYMT Encore is our portrait and interview series revisiting NYMT alumni where they are today: in the theatres, rehearsal rooms and places that matter to them.

We start in Bochum, Germany, where AJ Parsons spends eight shows a week on roller skates. AJ joined NYMT in 2021 as Frederic in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, returning in 2022 as Anatoly in Chess. After graduating from Italia Conti in 2023, he made his professional debut in Starlight Express, performed entirely in German, and this May took over the role of Greaseball full-time after time as a swing. We talked skate school, stamina, the night the costume finally became his, and why pressure is a privilege.

Starting Out

What's your first theatre memory? And do you recall the moment you said "Yes, I want to be a part of that world"?

I started performing when I was 3, mostly because my two older sisters did it and I wanted to be just like them. My earliest memory was playing Henry the Crab in a small little showcase for parents. The moment I realised I wanted to do theatre as a career was the first time I watched the proshot of the Broadway production of Newsies and I felt so inspired to see a cast of mostly men performing the most incredible choreography I had ever seen. Growing up, I wasn't surrounded by many other boys doing musical theatre, so knowing I wasn't alone helped me know this is what I wanted to do.

Did your time with NYMT influence your career choice?

I wouldn't say influenced, more solidified. I had already decided I wanted to do theatre as a career when I started NYMT, but doing it confirmed that this was definitely where I belonged.

What's your most vivid NYMT memory?

It would probably be when I first heard the organ being played in Manchester Cathedral in the finale song of Hunchback and how blown away we all were.

What did you learn at NYMT that you've taken into your professional career?

An important thing I learnt at NYMT was definitely respect and professionalism, how to present myself when working with industry professionals but also being able to have fun and have a laugh with these people.

"Doing it confirmed that this was definitely where I belonged."

Life as Greaseball

Tell us about your current work.

I currently work at Starlight Express in Germany, a sung-through musical about a child's fantasy of their toy trains coming to life and competing in a race, performed entirely in German and on roller skates! I play the role of Greaseball, the American diesel locomotive and reigning world champion.

How does it feel to make your professional debut in such an iconic show?

It makes me proud to know that all of the hard work is paying off, but also determined to still work hard every day and in every show to prove that I deserve to be here.

What has been the most challenging and the most rewarding part of the show so far?

The most challenging was definitely skate school. Almost 4 months of 9/10 hour days without taking off your skates, it was very painful and really pushed me to my limits. The most rewarding was when I first opened and how supportive everyone was for what we had all achieved.

"Almost 4 months of 9/10 hour days without taking off your skates… it really pushed me to my limits."

In May, you took over the role of Greaseball full-time after a couple of years as a swing. What has been the biggest change?

The biggest change has probably been the responsibility. I had covered Greaseball as a swing but to go to being first cast doing 7/8 shows a week is a big obligation and requires a lot of responsibility.

And the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is definitely the stamina of it. Being a swing was extremely difficult, but the shows off were nice, I once went 4 weeks without going on! So to go from that to doing the show every day in a very physically demanding role has been a big challenge for me.

Any highlights so far?

A highlight so far was opening night. Getting to put on the costume and wig and knowing that it was mine and I wasn't just filling in for someone else anymore was really special. We have amazing fans here at Starlight Express and seeing how happy they were for me to be upgraded to this role was really sweet.

What does a typical day look like?

I try to centre my day not around work, I think it is important to have hobbies outside of your career. Our call time is 2 hours and 15 minutes before a show starts so that we have time to do our makeup, do vocal warmup and skate warmup and get into costume. I usually get in about 3 hours before a show starts so I have a bit longer to do my makeup and so I can eat. After work I get home and have a couple of hours of downtime before going to bed.

On and off stage

How do you deal with pressure?

I used to really struggle with nerves but I have learnt to embrace it. There was a brilliant interview on Sky Sports with Tom Hiddleston where he says "pressure is a privilege" and I think he is absolutely right.

"I used to really struggle with nerves but I have learnt to embrace it."

Is it hard, from a mental health point of view, to balance being yourself with playing someone else? Is there something that helps you find yourself again when you feel lost or overwhelmed?

I don't find it too difficult because I am able to distance myself from the show. I know how to lock-in when I enter the stage and get out of character when I exit. I find that, if I am struggling, controlled breathing helps a lot.