The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Ep395 - Julia Knitel: Weird, Wild, and Wonderfully Herself
Julia Knitel grew up immersed in theater, with parents who ran a community company out of a church basement. From an early age, she was surrounded by costumes, sets, and the collaborative chaos that comes with putting on a show — and she was hooked. After booking her Broadway debut as a teen in Bye Bye Birdie, Julia continued to carve her own path through the industry, landing the lead in Beautiful, touring with Come From Away, and now earning her first Tony nomination for Dead Outlaw. In this conversation, she opens up about what it means to embrace your weirdness, trust your instincts, and find your place in a profession that often tries to put you in a box.
We talk about her journey from ensemble kid to leading lady, why she swears by film photography and beta blockers, and how Dead Outlaw gave her the rare opportunity to be fully herself onstage — quirks, noodle cowboy, and all. Julia also shares her thoughts on staying grounded, celebrating individuality, and the power of telling yourself you’re a star before you step into the spotlight. Julia Knitel is a Tony-nominated actor currently starring in Dead Outlaw on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in Bye Bye Birdie, later starred as Carole King in the national tour of Beautiful, and appeared in Come From Away. She plays eight characters in Dead Outlaw, a genre-defying musical with seven Tony nominations, including one for her performance.
Connect with Julia:
- Instagram: @juliaknitel
- Film photography account: @knitelonfilm
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- Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales
- Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.
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