162: JJ Niemann – B’Way THE BOOK OF MORMON & TikTok Sensation on You Booked It podcast!
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EP 162: JJ Niemann (autogenerated)
Dane Reis: [00:00:00] you booked it. Episode 162. Okay, or let’s get started. I am excited to introduce my guest today. JJ. Neiman.
[00:00:13]Are you ready for this?
[00:00:14] JJ Niemann: [00:00:14] Oh, I’m so ready.
[00:00:16] Dane Reis: [00:00:16] Brilliant. JJ is a New York city-based actor, a Broadway performer, choreographer, and coach. After growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, JJ graduated in 2017 with a BFA in music theater from Ilan university.
[00:00:30] Shortly after he joined the Broadway cast of the book of Mormon as a swing where he has been performing . For the majority of the past three years, most recently, JJ was in developmental workshops and the world premiere of the new musical bliss, which made its debut in February at the fifth Avenue theater in Seattle, aside from developmental readings and workshops, JJ has performed regionally at theaters like the muni Pittsburgh CLO Bay street theater art.
[00:01:01] Park and grand street theater. In addition to performing JJ teaches his own dance classes in the city called jazzing with JJ and coaches regularly at the Broadway collective programs, including hello, Broadway gathered and prescreen prep. He also recently became an. Avid Tik TOK creator reaching over 400,000 followers and 80 million views with his Broadway and the theater comedy videos.
[00:01:28] He was named one of Broadway world’s top 10 tick talkers, and was also featured on CBS is the greatest at home videos. JJ. That is a quick intro of who you are and what you’ve done, but why don’t you tell us a little bit more about yourself, filling the gaps and a little bit more about what you do as a professional in the entertainment industry?
[00:01:51]JJ Niemann: [00:01:51] Absolutely. Well, thank you for that introduction. I appreciate it. Um, yeah, so I, I grew up, um, I originally am from Annapolis, Maryland. I was born there and. Did a show as young as I possibly could. I turned eight years old, which is how old you had to be to be in the children’s theater shows there. And I did Charlotte’s web.
[00:02:09]Um, I played Avery, the bratty little brother and, um, I just like absolutely had the theater bug. I knew from the youngest age, I was like, this is my tribe. This is what I want to be doing. Um, Um, Just because I loved it so much. And I grew up around the arts. My whole family, like was involved in theater.
[00:02:24] My parents ran their own like Christian theater company called Hosanna players putting on like biblical shows. And so I would like see all these rehearsals and just was like, I want to do this so badly. So yeah. So, um, then I moved to Wilmington, North Carolina when I was nine and they, uh, there wasn’t any like professional theater there, but a ton of community theaters, like 15 or so.
[00:02:44] So I was doing shows. Year round there when I was growing up. Yeah. I got to do a ton. Um, and that’s, that’s basically what most of my training was, was just doing shows for fun. Um, and then, yeah, I, uh, when I basically was like, I want to do this as a career, I decided to audition for colleges, went to Elan, like you said, um, which was like the best four years of my life.
[00:03:05] And, um, yeah. And so I was a swing in book of Mormon and, um, Now just working in the city and, and doing all of those things, um, all the, all the actor things, you know?
[00:03:13]Dane Reis: [00:03:13] for sure. And let’s dig into this first section here in JJ. Look, I am a sucker for a good quote. What is your favorite quote? You’d like to share with everyone
[00:03:26]JJ Niemann: [00:03:26] Okay. So this is a little corny and I know everybody says this, but, um, Like the quote be yourself because everybody else is already taken is something that really resonates with me in the sense that, um, like people are gonna say things about you and make judgements about you and have an opinion about you.
[00:03:43] No matter who you are, if you live the quietest most simple reclusive life, somebody somewhere will still make a judgment about you. So allowing those kinds of things to prevent you from. Pursuing what you want from making art or being who you truly are at your core and presenting that way is just total BS.
[00:04:05]Like there’s no reason to have fear of that and let that control you. And I feel like I did for a long time, because I. Like growing up, I was making YouTube videos and content online when I was like 12, 13, 14. And obviously like, you know, the internet is brutal. And when I was really young that really the bullying and stuff got to me.
[00:04:24]And prevented me from continuing to make those in high school and college and who knows what, what would have been, you know, but, um, I, I w hit away from doing that kind of stuff because I was so scared of people out there judging me and, and calling me gay slurs or things like that, that I, I just like, was like, well, it’s better to just not do anything at all.
[00:04:42] And now here I am like making content that , is being seen by millions of people. And I’m just like, I’ve thankfully gotten to a place where I’m like, People are going to say something about you, no matter what. So you might as well do what you love and just put yourself out there. Yeah.
[00:04:56]Dane Reis: [00:04:56] people are going to say something about you, no matter what. So just do it. I love that mentality. And it’s so true. You have nothing to lose if people are going to be mean, that’s always, there’s always that group of people always, always, always. So the, I guess the funny part or the ironic part about it is when you do put yourself out there.
[00:05:14] Sure. You’re going to get some negative comments. That is an inevitability. Right. But you’re also going to attract the people that love what you do,
[00:05:23] JJ Niemann: [00:05:23] Yes
[00:05:24] Dane Reis: [00:05:24] you know, you know, and. just latch onto that and roll with that because you’re making it for yourself and you’re making it for those people who cares about everyone else. Yes. And well, let’s get into this next section here in JJ. Of course you are an entertainer, I’m an entertainer. And I think that you’d agree that this industry can be one of the most subjective, brutally, honest, personally, emotional industries in existence. And you know,you know, as well as I, that in order to create and have a successful career in this industry, like you’re having now, it takes a lot.
[00:05:59] Of dedication and hard work. And while, yeah, there’s an outrageous amount of fun and excitement doing what we do. There are also our fair share of obstacles, challenges, and failures. We are going to experience and we’re going to have to move forward through. So tell us, what is one key challenge or obstacle or failure you’ve experienced in your career and how did you come out the other side better because of it.
[00:06:22]JJ Niemann: [00:06:22] yeah, I think a lot of us battle. Types of things and the business and what we do is so physically demanding and rigorous. And there got to a point like when I was growing up, no shade to, uh, my old teachers, but I feel like I was, I don’t feel like I know I was taught. Some incorrect techniques that really harmed me vocally and things like that, that I, at the time just thought, this is, this is what I have.
[00:06:51] This is all I can do. I, this is how I sing without knowing how to properly use my instruments. So thank God for training and for all of that, because I had voice teachers that like whipped me into shape and got me ready to do HOX on Broadway, but that was a really big hurdle. And. I remember like finishing my first eight show week on Broadway and just like breaking down, crying because I remembered back to like a time at school when I was a freshmen and I like couldn’t vocally.
[00:07:19] Get through. Uh, a certain song in a show. And I literally in the middle of like the dress rehearsal ran off stage, like ball and went to the bathroom and like bald and people were so sweet and consoling me. But like in moments like that, it’s like, our voice is such a big part of who we are. And when you feel like that’s at risk it’s, so it just like, feels like a part of you is missing.
[00:07:40] And, um, so I was so emotional, like getting to the healthy vocal. Place that I’ve gotten to and getting to like, be like, I’m doing HOX on Broadway. I’m doing incredibly rigorous. Like book of Mormon is the hardest show. I think I’ve ever sung. And I was like, I’m doing it. Like I’m, I’m so proud of, of that work.
[00:07:57] And, um, so that was a really big hurdle. I think that was years in the making, but something that I’m so glad that I put the work in time in and had the teachers I had.
[00:08:06]Dane Reis: [00:08:06] yeah, for sure. And you’re doing it eight shows a week and you’re doing it healthily, right? A lot to be said about that, because here’s the thing. A lot of people, I think sometimes get disillusioned with the idea that, Hey, if I’m going to, I want to be on Broadway. Let’s say, that’s your dream. Right. I wanted to be on Broadway.
[00:08:24] We get to Broadway and you make it. And then you envision that once you’ve made it to Broadway, like, that’s it. But it’s not it. You get there and you’re like, this is amazing. Great. And then your career, you’re not just like set for life, you know what I mean? you know what I mean? You have to continue working. You have to keep showing up
[00:08:41] you also are going to probably want to be in another show eventually. Right? So you have to be auditioning and it’s a whole, it’s a career, right. Of doing this. You will have arrived, but then you continue to grow and you continue to evolve. So. A lot of people, I think will sometimes get the idea that that’s what they’re trying to achieve.
[00:08:57] And they’ll do anything to get there. Even if it means physically damaging themselves, their voice or their body to get there. Right. And no one show, no handful of shows or contracts is worth jeopardizing the longevity of your career. Because if you destroy it to the point where you. Really can’t recover then that’s it.
[00:09:16]JJ Niemann: [00:09:16] Yeah, it’s a marathon,
[00:09:18] Dane Reis: [00:09:18] yeah. You have to take the time to learn how to do things healthfully and always be checking in with yourself. So you can have that wonderful, fulfilling a long career that you’ve always really, truly envisioned
[00:09:30]JJ Niemann: [00:09:30] right? Absolutely.
[00:09:32] Dane Reis: [00:09:32] for sure. And let’s move on to a time that I like to call your.
[00:09:39] Spotlight moment. That one moment in time you realized, yes, I am going to be an entertainer for a living or maybe it was, yes. This is what I need to be doing as an entertainer. Tell us about that.
[00:09:55]JJ Niemann: [00:09:55] Yeah, well, I basically, I have two, the first one being, you know, the summer before my senior year of. High school. I did a production of hairspray and it was with kind of a big director from New York and someone that was, you know, the first, the most professional experience I had had at that time. And he, you know, at closing night or, or something, maybe it was opening night, but he, he pulled my parents aside and was like, your son.
[00:10:19] Really has a special gift. And if he wants to do this as a career, he can, you know, and, and open my parents’ mind about like conservatories and, and, you know, colleges and going to college and training for it. And at that moment, I was like, that was when we kind of were like, okay, uh, yeah, I guess this is something we can do.
[00:10:36] I had never considered doing it as a career, really. Um, so that was my aha moment being like, transitioning into then. Trying to get into some coachings and preparing for those college auditions.
[00:10:48] Dane Reis: [00:10:48] right.
[00:10:48]JJ Niemann: [00:10:48] but in terms of, you know, while I was at school, my sophomore year of college, we have a class it’s like performance and musical theater, and it’s all about acting through song and storytelling.
[00:11:00] And I. Really was so closed off for awhile. Ironically, I’m a very, very outgoing and friendly person, but that can sometimes be a facade for, you know, hiding from a lot of other ways. Um, so I, uh, my sophomore year we were doing this acting through the song class, and that was the time that it really clicked with me of fully letting go and realizing like, how to like learning how to open up and tell a story through song, how to process my own past and my emotions and, you know, being like growing up gay in a , uh, conservative place, like, you know, you build up all of these walls and, and realizing that you can use so much of that.
[00:11:42] And if you break down those walls and, and tap into that beautiful, beautiful. Part of the human heart, you know, you can channel that. And that’s what people want to see when they see theater, that’s what they want to experience. And so I realized that I can provide that for people and also use it as a form of kind of like opening up in therapy.
[00:12:00]So,
[00:12:00] Dane Reis: [00:12:01] Beautiful. Love both of those. Thank you for sharing that. And let’s piggyback on that question real quick and talk about your number one, booked it moment. Walk us through that day, the auditions and callbacks. If they happen to be a part of it, what was going on in your life? And what about that moment?
[00:12:23] Makes it your favorite? Booked it moment.
[00:12:26]JJ Niemann: [00:12:26] Yeah to talk about this moment, because it kind of is like a Cinderella story, audition story, and it’s really cool to be able to like talk about it years later and realize how cookie it is. But I, my senior year of college, I, um, We at Ilan bring casting directors and agents to campus instead of doing a New York showcase.
[00:12:46] So we were bringing down, you know, that’s how I ended up signing with my agents, CGF talent. And I, um, got in front of Steven Copel. Who’s an associate of Carrie Gardner who casts the book of Mormon. And so they reached out to me. Um, I think it maybe April to send in a video submission, um, you know, doing a song, a cut song from the show, your own song, tap a few scenes, all of those things.
[00:13:08] So I submitted, um, my video and got a call back in New York for book of Mormon. And, um, yeah, let’s see. I, I got the call back and it’s, it was like a day after I graduated college. So I graduated college on Saturday. May. 20th or something like that. And then I flew to New York the next morning I packed up my apartment.
[00:13:29] All of that flew to New York. The next day, um, was able to stay with my friend and actually like five or six of my classmates. We all went up together to this callback. And, um, I then had the callback on Monday, went in, did all, basically all the same stuff, but then had all the dance calls and we’re learning the tap combo jazz combo and got a call from my agents to come back.
[00:13:49] The next day. And they were like, make sure he dresses. He looks a little too contemporary. So make sure he dresses in like a colored shirt and all that stuff, not a tank top, all those things. So then I came in the next day. I didn’t know it was a final callback cause you know, they’re always building their files for tour Broadway, all those things.
[00:14:05] So I didn’t really know, didn’t think much of it. So I went into all the same things for the team and then they also pulled us into another room to do a. What I later learned was the swing test, um, which was, they taught us like three of us, uh, a combo really quickly to see how detail oriented we were and how quickly we could pick it up.
[00:14:23]Um, and so I just honestly nailed, nailed all of it. It was like, just meant to be, and I was exactly what they needed in that moment. And later that day found out from my agents, like. You know, they’re going to send a video to like Casey Nicola and all the people who have to sign off on it, but you basically have the job.
[00:14:38] They just have to have the final people sign off. And if you do the job, you start tomorrow. And I was like, Oh, okay. And also, meanwhile, the head of my program at Elan called me and she was like, did you just go in for this casting director, Carrie Gardner? And I was like, yeah, why? And she was like, Um, and then she called me, she was like, don’t freak out.
[00:14:56] But like, she just called me asking as a reference. Cause I guess they kind of, you know, knew each other they’re friends. And she was like, can we trust this, you know, 21 year old kid to be a swing and cover seven roles? Like, is he organized? Can he do this? And I was actually the head of my program’s assistant.
[00:15:12] So I was like the one responding to all her emails and. All of those things, helping run audition days and all those things. Um, and so she was like, he will show up day one with like color coded notes and everything. He will be ready. Um, and so I was like, okay, well well you spoke that into existence. So I gotta make, I gotta keep, keep up that promise.
[00:15:29]Um, and so I ended up having an audition the next day for Charlie and the chocolate factory, uh, for an immediate replacement. And I went to that. Audition, even though I knew basically I was going to be doing this other job, but I went to it and got cut immediately. And I just wasn’t right for the track that they were looking for and all that stuff.
[00:15:47] And I was like, okay, so this is, this is more New York. This is more like what I expected to just be cut immediately. But I came out of that audition and had a voicemail from my agents that I booked book of Mormon. they were like, call us back immediately. And I started rehearsals that day. They were like, get to the theater at three o’clock, you’re going to start rehearsals in the music room, learning the vocals.
[00:16:09] And I was just thrown into it and I was supposed to do shows like. At the muni and Maine state music theater. And I had like three months of work that I had to cancel all of it and immediately like start rehearsals and I didn’t even have a place to live and I had to figure it out. It was like crazy. Um, Um, and I was just thrown. So that that’s pretty crazy book to it moment for sure.
[00:16:29] Dane Reis: [00:16:29] I would say, so that is wild bonkers even jeez way. Cool though. And you know, you said, you’ve said a couple things in there. You said when you said he went to the final call back, he said, I didn’t realize it was the final callback. I just, I just went in there and said, all right, let’s, let’s just do my thing.
[00:16:48] And that. That mentality, that energy has been a through line. Something very consistent that keeps coming up in this podcast that when people are booking their jobs, Those big shows. It’s when they have that vibe and feeling going into the room, they just are themselves they’re present. And I think that’s such a huge takeaway that this podcast is really highlighting for all of you aspiring entertainers out there, or even those of those of you that are listening to this that are in the meat of your career and going, Oh, I kind of feel like I’m a little bit in a rut to just get that reminder that Hey.
[00:17:27]It’s all about being present, being relaxed, being chill in that room and just giving yourself doing you. And I’m so glad that you brought that up because it’s really fortifying that that is a fundamental to what helps create a successful career. It helps them book, big jobs.
[00:17:43]JJ Niemann: [00:17:43] Oh, yeah. And when you’re like really high stakes about something and you’re like, Oh my gosh, I have to be in this show. This is, this is it for me. Like the times that I have been like that, I’ve a not been able to sleep the night before. So I’m ragged tired because I have so much. Anxiousness and anxiety about it.
[00:17:59] And then like, yeah. And then I, maybe I ended up getting to the final callback, but like, then you’re so heartbroken when you don’t get it, because you’ve built this up in your mind that this is your job, but like that’s, that’s not, it’s not your job. Like what’s meant to be, your work and what’s meant for you is not gonna pass you by.
[00:18:14] So you have to like, trust that.
[00:18:16] Dane Reis: [00:18:16] for sure case in point with book of Mormon, you got wrapped up in that whirlwind. You were exactly what they needed at that exact time. And that’s wonderful. And you just were present enough to show up for them. And then, like you said, the next day you went to the Charlie and the chocolate factory, you were like, boot cut right away.
[00:18:31] You go, there we go. Look at that. And that’s the way it is. And you really can’t take those things personally because. You’re either what they’re looking for, or you’re not, there are so many more factors that are outside of yourself and what you can bring to the table that it’s not even worth worrying about.
[00:18:47]JJ Niemann: [00:18:47] Yeah, absolutely.
[00:18:49] Dane Reis: [00:18:49] For sure. And let’s take a moment to talk about the present. What projects are you working on now? What are you looking forward to? And, Hey, it’s a weird time, right? We are amidst this global pandemic. How do you see the entertainment industry moving forward in the next couple of years?
[00:19:08]JJ Niemann: [00:19:08] Yeah. So right before, uh, you know, the pandemic hit, um, I was doing the world premiere of bliss in Seattle at the fifth Avenue theater. Um, that was my first like original cast world. Premier moment. I had been, I did the workshop of it in October, 2018. Did a reading of it in May, 2019. And then yeah, we.
[00:19:27] Rehearsed to December, January and ran January, February. And I can’t believe we got our full run in before COVID and everything. I was so thankful, like looking back I’m like, that is just such a blessing that we got to do that. Um, and the show was like, just, it definitely has a life I’ll say that it, it definitely has a lot of, um, investments and stuff coming in and their plan is to, to be in New York.
[00:19:52]Um, when. When all is said and done. And when, when all of this is over, so I’m really excited to hopefully continue with that. And that was a really cool experience to get to like under study, uh, under study, a lead role for the first time, I also got to like help create a lot of the choreography cause you’re like truly developing a show from scratch.
[00:20:09] Um, Um, and choreography is something that I, I really ultimately want to do in my career. So I’m really thankful. I got to do a little bit of that. Um, But yeah, I actually was in, we were in Seattle when the first COVID cases in the U S were announced in Seattle and it ended up being people in my cast had it and got it while we were there.
[00:20:27] But didn’t realize that they had it. They were just like, Oh, I have flu flu like symptoms, but I don’t have the flu. So I don’t know. And we were all like, okay, like whatever. Um, so that’s the biggest development thing. Um, I’ve been working on, but I also, you know, during this quarantine . Started making Tik TOK videos, literally, just because I was bored.
[00:20:45]Um, I was living with my family in North Carolina and I was wanting an artistic outlet and people just started loving my theater related humor and I found kind of a niche for myself. Um, and now have built a huge audience. I’m doing a lot of like, You know, paid promotions and things like that. Um, and getting invited to do really awesome podcasts like this.
[00:21:04] I’m so thankful to be on this. Um, so that has provided a lot of, and really genuinely opened a lot of doors. Um, and hopefully we’ll continue to, so yeah, that’s, that’s basically been. Uh, a big passion project. And then of course, I’ve been able to continue coaching during all of this. And now I coach with also Broadway plus and artists and beyond.
[00:21:24] So I’m kind of working with a lot of different coaching agencies and it was really cool to get, uh, 35 different students, you know, through the pre-screen process, I was their dance coach with the Broadway collective and getting to like talk to them. And they’re getting, you know, through getting callbacks and getting seen for all of these different colleges and getting to like help other artists like reach their goals and their dreams is so fulfilling.
[00:21:45] I’m so thankful to get to do that. Now during this time,
[00:21:48]Dane Reis: [00:21:48] very cool. And how did you enjoy Seattle and working in Seattle? That’s a very different market from New York.
[00:21:56]JJ Niemann: [00:21:56] It is, I loved it. And the fifth Avenue theater is incredible. Um, I was there kind of like we were there at like, not the best time of the year to be there. Cause it was very cold and very rainy. And because we were there taking a new show, I mean, that was my first experience doing anything like that. And it was.
[00:22:12]Absolutely brutal. And our show had so many tech elements that actually they had to cancel several shows because our automation and all, you know, it’s like a fantasy fairy tale spectacle. And so a lot, a lot of stuff was breaking. And so it was really. Kind of frustrating at first and they had to cancel shows and then we ended up adding them basically to make up for that.
[00:22:32] And at the time I was like, this is so sad. We had to cancel like four or five shows, but looking now I was like the amount of shows I had to get canceled because of COVID. I was like, I can’t even complain, like we got to do our run. So, um, but I loved, I loved to Seattle what I got to see of it. And I would love to go back for sure.
[00:22:47] Dane Reis: [00:22:47] Yeah, very cool. And it is time to move on to one of my favorite sections in the interview. I call it the grease lightening round. I am going to ask you a handful of questions. I want you to answer them as quickly and concisely as possible one after another. Are you ready?
[00:23:07]JJ Niemann: [00:23:07] Yes, I’m ready.
[00:23:08] Dane Reis: [00:23:08] All right. First question. What was the one thing holding you back from committing to a career as an entertainer?
[00:23:15]JJ Niemann: [00:23:15] Fear. I’ll just say that like, fear of not being good enough fear of like rejection and all of those things. Um, yeah. And just it’s, it’s a vast industry. So fear would be the number one thing.
[00:23:27] Dane Reis: [00:23:27] Yes. Second question. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
[00:23:33]JJ Niemann: [00:23:33] Ooh, I think, um, that every, like there are so many, uh, renditions of songs and musicals and things done out there. Nobody needs to hear you like JJ singing, Jeremy Jordan’s version of Santa Fe or JJ singing Aaron debate’s version of next to normal, like. People want to hear you for the first time and see what you bring to the role.
[00:23:52] That’s the entire reason that you’re there auditioning. So, um, bring yourself to the role and don’t try to imitate what other people have done. Um, even though that’s successful, but like don’t, don’t do it.
[00:24:02]Dane Reis: [00:24:02] right. Third question. What is something that is working for you right now? Or if you’d like to go pre COVID, what was working for you before our industry went on? Pause.
[00:24:13]JJ Niemann: [00:24:13] Yeah. Before the industry went on pause and I was. Um, you know, working consistently, my biggest thing was finding the balance between like a little bit of chaos, which like we all have in our lives, stuff happens, but finding the balance between that and a really solid routine, because it’s important to be doing your yoga, doing your workouts and vocal exercises and getting your body and voice in alignment.
[00:24:34]Every day ready, you know, you know, before you do the show, don’t let that be your up is, you know, doing the show. You need to like prep properly, you know, have a routine and, and be in shape and vocally ready and physically ready to do what you gotta do.
[00:24:48] Dane Reis: [00:24:48] yes, well well said always stay ready. And the fourth question. What is your best resource? Whether that is a book, a movie, a YouTube video, maybe a podcast or piece of technology you found is helping your career right now.
[00:25:05]JJ Niemann: [00:25:05] Yeah, there’s so many out there. Um, something that I’ve really enjoyed is, uh, a friend of mine. Um, clay has a podcast entertainment, X, and he does a lot of interviews with people. And so that’s been really cool. Um, and when the industry was like, you know, really. Happening. That was really cool to hear from different casting directors.
[00:25:21] I’ve been in four, hear their experiences and what they look for. Um, and also like my agent, one of my agents was a guest. And to get, to hear their experience as an agent, it kind of gives you a broader picture of other aspects of the industry and other roles, um, that you wouldn’t necessarily know and, and be able to kind of be in their mindset.
[00:25:39]Dane Reis: [00:25:39] Yeah, very cool. And. The fifth question. If you had to start your career from scratch, but you still had all the knowledge and experience you’ve collected from your career in this industry, what would you do or not do? Would you do anything differently or would you keep it the same?
[00:25:57]JJ Niemann: [00:25:57] Um, yeah, I definitely would change some things. Like I just wish I, like, I really wish I was in ballet classes and really like, Getting a hold of my technique from a young age, I didn’t seriously train in dance technique wise until college. Um, I just did shows for fun, which you know, that’s awesome. And I’m glad I had a wonderful childhood, but I really wish that I had.
[00:26:22] Been a little more proactive about that because I, if I could just be like this much more flexible and this much more technical than I might’ve been able to open more doors. Um, but ultimately, you know, I’m, I’m happy with how everything turned out in the long run.
[00:26:36] Dane Reis: [00:26:36] Ah, beautiful. And. The last question. What is the golden nugget knowledge drop you’ve learned from your successful career in this industry? You’d like to leave with our listeners.
[00:26:49]JJ Niemann: [00:26:49] Ooh, that’s a hard one. Um, ultimately like if my, you know, my telling my book, that story and all those things mean anything, it’s just that like what’s meant for, you will not pass you by and. W w when it’s right. It’s right. You know, like what’s meant to be, and what’s meant to happen to you in your life, what you’re meant to do.
[00:27:06] Will happen. If you are present, you’re doing the work and you’re there and you can not get bogged down in the things that don’t go your way, because that was never yours. That’s not yours. That’s not your path. And you can carve a new one. You can seek out other opportunities. So just, just have faith in the universe or God, or whatever, higher power you believe in.
[00:27:28] And just be able to trust that when all of a sudden done.
[00:27:31]Dane Reis: [00:27:31] beautiful, such fantastic advice. I would recommend everyone rewind that and have it another listen. Very good. And to wrap up this interview, JJ, it is time. And to give yourself a plug, where can we find you? How do our listeners connect with you? Is there anything you want to promote?
[00:27:50]JJ Niemann: [00:27:50] Yeah. Well, you can check me out on, um, Instagram and Tik talk at JJ Neiman that’s JJ, N I E M a N N. Um, I’m also having some merch, um, that I’m going to be releasing soon, which is so silly to me, but, um, people haven’t asked me to do it. So I’m doing some fun, little Mertz related to my videos. Um, And yeah, you can also check me out.
[00:28:11]Um, the link is, you know, in all of my bio’s on my socials, on my link tree, if you want to do a coaching or Q and a, or genuinely anything, um, we’re all just trying to find ways to connect and grow and learn. So I am more than happy to do that with anybody. Um, but yeah, that’s it for now?
[00:28:28]Dane Reis: [00:28:28] Brilliant. And for everyone listening out there, I have put the links to everything. JJ just said into the description of this episodes, you can easily connect with him and be sure to share this podcast with your fellow entertainers, coaches, teachers, arts, and entertainment educators, and anyone, you know, you know, aspiring to create a career in.
[00:28:49] This industry you booked. It is the number one resource of expertise on how to actually create a successful entertainment career case in point, everything JJ just dropped today in this episode. So many fantastic, actionable insights. And if you enjoyed this episode, please hit that subscribe button. We’ll see you next time, JJ.
[00:29:12] Thank you so much for your time coming on and sharing everything you did.
[00:29:17] JJ Niemann: [00:29:17] Thank you. It’s been such a pleasure talking to you.
[00:29:20]