From Dropping Out of Music School to Broadway Stardom: The Rise of Jasmine Rogers

After leaving the Manhattan College of Music after two years, Jasmine Rogers quickly found success in the world of musical theater. In 2019, she landed a role in the new musical Becoming Nancy, directed by Jerry Mitchell, which premiered in Atlanta. Following a successful tour as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, she caught the eye of Mitchell once again and was invited to audition for the role of Betty in the Chicago try-out of Boop! in 2023. Although she had previously played a supporting character in an earlier workshop of the show, she faced a new challenge when she encountered the tap-heavy choreography involved in the audition.

Despite being a competitive dancer in her youth, Rogers had stopped training when she moved to Texas at the age of 11. She underestimated the level of skill required for the audition and found herself struggling with the tap routine. Disheartened by her initial failure, she returned home in tears. However, her determination and passion for the role led her to take matters into her own hands.

One day, while assisting a friend in a rehearsal space in Manhattan, Rogers heard the familiar music of Boop! playing nearby. Realizing that the role of Betty was still vacant, she made a bold decision to reach out to her agent and request another chance at the audition. With only two weeks to prepare, she immersed herself in tap classes at Broadway Dance Center to hone her skills.

Her perseverance paid off, and Rogers delivered a remarkable performance as Betty in Boop!. She seamlessly blended the larger-than-life energy of a cartoon character with a genuine human touch, earning praise for her portrayal. Her show-stopping number, “Something to Shout About,” a powerful David Foster ballad, became a highlight of the production.

Rogers attributes her success in bringing Betty to life to her own bubbly and larger-than-life personality. She found a connection between herself and the character, allowing her to authentically embody Betty on stage. Collaborating with costume designer Gregg Barnes, who is also nominated for a Tony award, Rogers embraced Betty’s iconic hourglass figure with a corset that both delighted and challenged her. Her signature bob and curls, created by hair stylist Sabana Majeed, drew inspiration from old Hollywood glamour, adding a touch of elegance to the character.

As Rogers continues to shine on Broadway, her journey from music school dropout to leading lady serves as a testament to her talent, dedication, and unwavering determination.