Elizabeth D’Aiuto

Years in the industry: 10+ years

What is your current role?

I play Marian Paroo in The Music Man.

What sparked your interest in the arts?

I was raised in an incredibly artsy family. On my father’s side, I come from a long line of Broadway stagehands, and my mother was an actress. From a very young age, I was immersed in musicals and the world of Broadway, which sparked my love for the arts and theater. It’s shaped who I am, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

What advice would you give to young women entering the arts?

The advice I would give to women entering the arts is to truly be yourself and no one else. It’s incredibly easy to compare yourself to other women in this industry, but one thing I remind myself whenever those comparisons creep in is that I am enough. We are all uniquely beautiful and talented in our own ways. I would also stress the importance of resilience and patience, especially in theater. Find a community of people who love, cherish, and support you while building meaningful relationships along the way. And most importantly, take care of yourself, both mentally and physically.

What is one of your favorite behind-the-scenes moments or photos?

One of my favorite moments on this tour was watching one of my incredible understudies, Whitney Daniels, go on for Marian. It was our final night in Columbia, South Carolina, and she was performing for her family. I had the privilege of sitting in the audience, cheering her on and supporting the entire company. Moments like that, when an understudy goes on, are truly beautiful, because they work so hard and deserve to shine.