<body><div>For the past ten years, Brittany Bellizeare, MFA Acting ‘09, has performed in premier regional theaters, countless New York performing arts festivals, off-Broadway shows, and even the occasional commercial and television series.Now, she stars alongside Robert Downey Jr. in “McNEAL,” which marks her Broadway debut. The one-act play, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar, explores themes related to artificial intelligence, storytelling, technology, art, and more.“It took a while to get here, so it feels like a relief to finally get to this point,” says Bellizeare. “I’m super grateful to be making my Broadway debut with so many others in this production of “McNEAL,” including THE Robert Downey Jr., so this means a lot. And I hope that those of us out there whose journeys have taken the longer route to arrive at this [level] stage, know to keep going. Keep pushing, because one day, you’ll get there, just like I did.”The show, which is currently running at Lincoln Center Theater, has been resonating with audiences, thanks to the numerous timely topics it delves into. Bellizeare’s character is a New York Times journalist, and has a crucial scene with Downey Jr.’s character, where they discuss his work as an author, which showcases both actor’s abilities, and highlights many of the themes that keep the play so interesting.“The show touches on a variety of prevalent topics,” explains Bellizeare. “AI and its effects on the future of the entertainment industry. How an artist can wrestle with the relevancy of their work and the driving force behind their creativity. Art imitates life, right? And lastly, there are elements of this show that are not only drastically stunning but unlike anything else we’ve seen on stage before. Therefore, this production challenges the concept of growing technology existing in conjunction with the human form of storytelling.”As an actor and artist, Bellizeare is inspired by other artists and creatives, great storytelling, her family, and the desire to tell stories from people who have often been silenced or ignored in this country. Her time at the School of Drama solidified for her that there is no one way to approach material, and that technique comes in multiple forms.“There are various ways to tackle a script and develop a character,” she explains. ‘The fun part of all of this is discovering what works best for you. Graduate school helped me find what works for me and be more of a grounded actor.”Next up, Bellizeare is committed to a workshop, in addition to auditioning for new roles. She is also at work on a series of children’s books, which she aims to complete by next year.</div></body>

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Brittany Bellizeare, MFA Acting ’09, Makes Broadway Debut with “McNEAL”

For the past ten years, Brittany Bellizeare, MFA Acting ‘09, has performed in premier regional theaters, countless New York performing arts festivals, off-Broadway shows, and even the occasional commercial and television series. Now, she stars alongside Robert Downey Jr. in “McNEAL,” which marks her Broadway debut. The one-act play,...