We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Whitney Sprayberry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Whitney below.

Whitney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In my career, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of many meaningful works of art. It is hard to narrow down a single project. To start, making my Broadway debut in “Spiderman Turn off the Dark” will forever be a moment! The moment where everything you worked for, every dream you ever had, it all comes to fruition. As you take that first curtain call, bow, and tell yourself, “You did it! It was all worth it for this moment!” Adding to that, I have worked with renowned choreographers like Ryan Heffington on an immersive show entitled “Seeing You” in New York City, which was a show that followed the lives of Hoboken families as they grappled with the effects of World War II in their community. This type of theater thrusted me into a whirlwind of emotional performance I didn’t know I could find. It opened my eyes to what art should be. The profound imprint it can have on every person in that shared space.And the lasting connection we all have within an art piece simply through movement. Another meaningful moment in my career was the opportunity to work with Alanis Morsette in her show – “Jagged Little Pill.”I was a featured ensemble member for the world premiere at American Repertoire Theatre. This show came into my career when I was ready to see what other paths might interest me, leaving creative arts behind. Thankfully, I stayed. My artistry tested but forever changed. Jagged dealt with deep, honest, current topics, such as the opioid epidemic, race, gender, and many other weighted subjects, beautifully written by Diablo Cody. “Jagged Little Pill” is where I uncovered the idea of artivism. It connects the dots of art, activism, and community and how we, as artists, can have a tremendous impact on and off the stage.
My final moment is where I am currently. For the past two years, I have been creating, directing, and choreographing a female-driven show, “Hypnotique,” currently running at the famous “Mckittrick Hotel” – home to Sleep No More. We completely deconstructed the burlesque concept and created something wild, fun, and fresh. Each woman is a featured superhero in her own right. The feat of this enormous undertaking will forever be a glorious, life-altering moment.

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.

I am a seasoned professional on the NYC circuit. Since the age of 7, I trained as a competitive dancer. My sights were always on NYC and Broadway. At 17, I moved to the Big Apple to pursue my dreams. In 2018, I was featured in the world premiere of Jagged Little Pill, a musical based on Alanis Morrisette’s 1995 album. The new musical is under Tony Winner Diane Paulus’s direction, with the book by Diablo Cody, musical arrangements by Tom Kitt, and choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. I was also a cast member in Broadway’s Spider-man “Turn off the Dark,” directed by Phil McKinnley. Other credits include assistant choreographer to Chase Brock on “Alice by Heart,” a new musical by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik (the geniuses behind Spring Awakening), original swing for “Seeing You” (an immersive show choreographed by Emmy winner Ryan Heffington), playing the role of Jack in Speakeasy Magick at The Mckittrick Hotel (home of Sleep No More) and has appeared on multiple T.V. shows including “Modern Love” and “Gossip Girl.” As a choreographer, I created all the movements for the acclaimed off-Broadway immersive experience “The Hidden Ones.” I have taught multiple movement workshops, including BroadwayCon, and created original pieces for studios and college programs nationwide. My latest creation is a new late-night sultry experiential show, “Hypnotique.” I have been a faculty member at Fordham University for both the Dance and Musical Theater programs, and currently, I am on faculty at Marymount Manhattan College in their B.F.A Musical Theater Dept. and at STEPS on Broadway. Catch me starring in the music video “Brightside” by Stephanie Carlin, and for more footage and information, you can always follow me on Instagram: @spraybs.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is the ability to bare your soul through your work. Often, my work reflects my life—a mirror image of experiences, emotions, or even dreams. The freedom to have no wrong answer is what drives me personally. I create wildly weird movements and then put them on dancers who magically make sense of them, which leads me to my next reward: community. Collaborating with other fantastic artists is a driving force in my career. I love a nurturing environment where a group of artists can create safe spaces to make magic. There truly is no better feeling.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a long-time performer and creator, there are always endless goals. Both personal and professional. Lately, however, my career is so much deeper than that. Within the performance arts industry, there needs to be more female representation on the creative side. My mission is to make more space for women as creators. Being a female director and choreographer comes with extra weight. That needs to change. My energy has shifted to this focus even more with the birth of my daughter. If she chooses to grow up and be a part of the arts, I want endless opportunities for her and every other girl with dreams of being a creator. And with this, I hope only to align myself with projects supporting this mission.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @spraybs

Image Credits
Stephen K. Mack Steven Truman Mr. NYC Subway