Toby knew it was that time again. He sat “upright” watching Elena as she packed her bags. He looked her up and down as she folded her clothes and tucked her socks into the enormous duffle bag. He knew it was time for her to leave again. It was Monday, and she had to go back on tour.
Elena patted Toby on the head as he whined at her. She bent down and promised him she’d be back soon.
This has become a regular routine for the 29-year-old actress and her dog Toby. Elena Shaddow, an actress and Broadway performer, is used to the long nights; but being away with her traveling Broadway company for weeks on end has only been a part of her life since July 2006, when she began performing Light in the Piazza in different cities around the country.
“[When I got the part], it was mixed with a bit of emotion for me because I knew I was going to leave my home for a long time. It was bittersweet,” Shaddow said.
Being away from her husband and Toby, she said, is hardest thing for her on tour.
“Every time I leave, [Toby] gets this look on his face. He knows when I’m leaving. I miss him. I miss my husband, too; don’t get me wrong.” Shaddow said laughing.
Before being asked to travel the country and sing and act in Light in the Piazza as Clara Johnson, Shaddow said she performed different Broadway roles, working mostly at night, all during her senior year at New York University.
“I had classes during the day and was going to Broadway shows at night,” she said.
Her career started when a director spotted her in the operetta, The Student Print, performing the role of Kathie.
“The producer saw me and said, ‘That’s the girl. I want her to play the lead in my play.'” Shaddow said. “It all happened so fast.”
During her last semesters in college, Shaddow also starred in Les Miserables, along with other musicals. She was kept busy with one role after another.
“It was a false introduction to the business,” She said. “[Now I’m] not that busy all the time.”
Shaddow said many things prepared her for bigger roles like playing Clara in The Light in the Piazza, including her role as Lily in Carnival.
“It was the first time I’ve ever been challenged by a director. I had to explore my character deeply. It prepared me to play Clara,” She said.
Her role as Clara Johnson is complex, according to Shaddow, but she is still excited.
“I get the opportunity to craft this intimate, intense and complex character. I get to see the country, meet lots of people and sightsee.” She said. “It’s a nice adventure.”
And although being away from her apartment, husband and dog in New York City isn’t what she wanted in a job, she said she loves what she does, no matter where it takes her.
“When you love what you do, it’s the best. It’s really amazing,” She said.
Shaddow believes in fate when it comes to her career. She said she gets the roles she is supposed to play when she is supposed to play them.
“I know that all the roles I played so far have come at the right time,” Shaddow said. “I have never wanted to play anything. I’d like to play any role that will challenge me as an actor.”