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Photography by Kevin Thomas Garcia

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Julia Murney: Broadway performer

What does creativity mean to you?

It means getting to use your mind in ways that feel like a really good stretch. It means sometimes, in a very solitary manner, thinking through things. But it’s a lot more fun to do with other people. I can think that I don’t have a single idea or thing to say, but the minute someone else throws something out, I can have an idea and it can go from there. It feels like a nice stretch.

You’ve been working and in shows for many years now. How do you continue to challenge yourself?

Sometimes, the challenge is just getting through. That can be a challenge. It used to be that if something was hard, I wouldn’t do it. Now, I try to figure it out and give myself the release to know that maybe it’s not for me. But I attempt to see if I can wrestle the bear to the ground before I go, “Bear wins. I’ll leave.” I try to see if the bear and I can have a talk first.

What’s coming up?

I just did three shows at 54 Below and beyond that, I have two concerts in California that are private events. I’ve been doing concerts recently and they are both fun and make me anxious so I’m looking for the next challenge.

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Ryan on Julia:

Julia was the first person I interviewed who I had previously known who she was, meaning, before I moved to New York, I knew who she was because of Wicked. So, when I showed up for our interview, I was mentally prepared for a full-on Broadway diva. However, who I met was a down-to-Earth, approachable and wildly funny Julia who, by just being herself, taught me to put down my guards before interviews and be myself, just as much as I want the person on the other side of the table to be themselves. Plus, she’s unrealistically talented. And beautiful. And funny. And I’m a big fan.