Broadway star Claybourne Elder is known for his theatrical work in the Tony-winning musical "Company," and for playing John Adams in "The Gilded Age." He will be performing at 54 Below on April 15th in support of his latest studio album "If the Stars Were Mine," which was released via Center Stage Records. Elder shared 10 interesting and fun things about himself.
His Favorite Movies
On his favorite movies, he said, “When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the Indiana Jones movies because he was an adventurer and he was hot.”
“I became really obsessed with travel, just because he was going off and adventuring places. When I was in college, I worked for a non-profit that sent me to China and I backpacked through Southeast Asia right after college, because I loved that kind of adventure of it all.”
“Honestly, that spirit gave me a lot, especially in going to New York to become an actor,” he added.
Claybourne's Favorite Series to Binge-watch
His favorite series to binge-watch include Parks and Recreation, The Great British Bake Off, and The Great Pottery Throw Down. “I love those shows,” he admitted. “I could watch ‘Parks and Recreation’ all the time. Lately, I’m watching Season 3 of ‘The Comeback’.”
Favorite Sports to Watch and to Play
On his favorite sports to watch and to play, he said, “I play soccer, but I don't like to watch it because I find it boring. I like to watch any game when a group of people is watching it, or tennis when everybody is watching the U. S. Open, and then, suddenly I get into tennis.”
“Otherwise, I don't get into sports until those times. I like the social aspect of it. If I have a friend who is really into a team, I will sort of get into that team because they will talk about it, and it will be fun,” he admitted.
His Favorite Cheat Meal
On his favorite cheat meal, he revealed, “All of them. Oh, my gosh. I worked at a bakery in college, and so baked goods are my weakness. I will always be a sweets person, and I will always go for cake.”
Clayboure Elder's Favorite Motto to Live by
On his favorite motto to live by, Elder remarked, “I don't know if it's a motto, but I would say that I started doing this thing when I was 33. I decided I was going to do my own Happiness Project, where I would read every book I could about happiness, research it, and study religions that teach it.”
“Starting at that time in my life, I started doing these free writes about things I'm grateful for.
“I will say that I try in the morning to write down the things that I am thankful for, and it sets a tone for my day. I've started doing it. I do it with my son in the morning and at night at the end of the day.”
“We call it good things. I say, ‘What's your good thing for the day?’ and it can be anything you want.”
The Best Advice Claybourne Elder Says He has Ever Been Given
On the best advice that he has ever been given, he said, “My mom truly, deeply believes that when several bad things happen to you in a row, it's because something really good is coming, and she’s not wrong.”
“Something really good is always coming,” he said, optimistically.
If Claybourne Elder Could Have a Superpower it Would Be...
His superpower of choice would be “teleportation.”
How He Unwinds
To unwind and relax, Elder enjoys cooking. “I really love to cook,” he admitted. “Even when I have a day off, cooking a big meal for myself and my family is always a way that I show love for people.”
“It’s such a great thing to do things together. I even get my son involved,” he said. “Even though he is only eight years old, I get him to peel something for me, so now, cooking has turned into an activity that we do together, and that makes it even more special and fun.”
What He Says is the Best Thing about Being his Age
On the best thing about being his age (43), he said, “There is so much more to life. I like growing older; I really enjoy it. I think at this particular time in my life, I feel like I belong here.”
Claybourne's Advice for Hopefuls that Wish to go into the Entertainment Industry
For hopefuls that wish to go into the entertainment business, Elder said, “I didn’t have success right away, and I don’t have success all the time because it comes and goes.”
“I think that the most important thing you can be is buoyant,” he underscored. “The people that I know that have the most longevity, as artists, are people that can bounce back really easily when they have failures because we have them all the time.”
“People at the top of the game are looking beyond the next thing,” Elder noted.
Claybourne's New Album
His album “If the Stars Were Mine” will be released via Center Stage Records, and it is available by clicking here.
For more information on Broadway actor and singer Claybourne Elder, follow him on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Alison Rosa, HBO.