We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jose Rodriguez Marmol a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jose thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

When I was eight years old, I saw my first Broadway show: Cats. I still remember being completely captivated by the cast, the live orchestra, and—most importantly—the way the experience made me feel. In that moment, musical theatre became more than entertainment; it became a dream.

Although I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, Broadway always felt close. My family regularly traveled to the United States during summer breaks, and I even lived in Chicago with my parents and siblings for a year when I was a sophomore in high school. Whenever a Broadway national tour came through, I made it a priority to attend.

That passion deepened in 2007 when I saw Wicked in London’s West End. The experience was transformative. For the first time, I began to wonder not just how these productions were created, but how I might one day contribute to bringing them to life.

In 2022, after more than a decade living in the United States, I decided to take a leap and apply for an internship at 321 Theatrical Management.

General Managers serve as the business representatives of a production, overseeing the operational and financial elements that allow a show to succeed. It felt especially meaningful that 321 was the General Management firm behind Wicked on Broadway and its national tours.

After interviewing, I was offered a position in the Fall 2022 internship program. Accepting the role meant relocating from Orlando to New York City with my husband and Sandy, our six-year-old Labrador retriever. It was a major life decision, but one fully supported by my husband and driven by a lifelong ambition. Was it a risk? of course, but what if I didn’t take it? I’m not a huge fan of what if’s you can either succeed or fail but at least tried.

That leap of faith became one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. As an intern in Company Management and Marketing for Wicked on Broadway, I had the opportunity to work on a production that had inspired me since I first saw the West End production back in 2007. The role later evolved into a Production Fellowship during the 20th anniversary Broadway revival of Topdog/Underdog, further solidifying my commitment to a career in theatrical management.

When my internship on Wicked and my Production Fellowship came to an end, I faced the question every early-career theatre professional asks: What comes next?

I refused to let the momentum stop.

Just a few months after my final day at 321 Theatrical Management, I began a new chapter as assistant general manager at Foresight Theatrical. Over the course of nearly three years, I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of developmental productions, gaining invaluable experience in the financial, operational, and strategic aspects of commercial theatre.

Among the highlights of my time at Foresight was serving as Assistant General Manager on The Picture of Dorian Gray, starring Sarah Snook, as well as in the pre-Broadway previews of Purple Rain.

My years at Foresight were transformative. They allowed me to contribute to high-profile productions, collaborate with exceptional industry professionals, and deepen my understanding of what it takes to bring ambitious theatrical projects from development to the stage.

As everything in life, there comes a time where there is an expiration date, my time at Foresight Theatrical ended, and led me to now working alongside three-time Tony Award Winning Producer Kevin McCollum at Alchemation. Is this the end of the road? No, it is definitely the beginning of wonderful adventures that I will always treasure and that are now possible just because I took the risk.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When close friends and family ask me about the highlight of my career so far, my answer is always the same: watching Defying Gravity from stage right alongside Susan Sampliner, who served as Company Manager of Wicked for more than two decades.

I vividly remember standing there as Talia Suskauer, who was playing Elphaba at the time, delivered that iconic final note. In that moment, I paused and thought to myself, “Wow, how lucky am I to be here?”

It was one of those unforgettable moments when a childhood dream became reality—a reminder of how far I had come and how grateful I am to be part of the Broadway community.

I always try to make the most of every experience and every relationship I build along the way. My time at Foresight gave me the opportunity to work with extraordinary artists and creative teams, and each project left a lasting impression.

Working on The Picture of Dorian Gray was particularly memorable. Collaborating on a production led by Sarah Snook was truly inspiring. She is not only an exceptional performer, but also a remarkably kind human being. Seeing my name printed in the Playbill for that production was a proud and deeply meaningful milestone.

I am also incredibly grateful to have worked on the pre-Broadway previews of Purple Rain in Minneapolis. Contributing to a project built around the music of Prince—an artist whose work has inspired generations—was both exciting and unforgettable.

These experiences reinforced why I love this industry: the opportunity to help bring powerful stories to life while collaborating with some of the most talented and passionate people in the world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Understanding that every chapter in life has its season has taught me the value of resilience. Each experience, whether it lasts months or years, serves a purpose and prepares us for what comes next. I believe there is a path unfolding before us; our job is to embrace the journey, trust the process, and make the most of every opportunity along the way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Starting as an intern at 37 was both a leap of faith and an incredible adventure. Every day, I reminded myself how grateful I was to have the opportunity and, most importantly, to have a foot in the door of an industry I had dreamed of joining since childhood. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Would I do it again? Without a doubt.