What an incredible and inspiring experience for our GHCDS cast and crew of Hadestown: Teen Edition! This week, students had the unique opportunity to connect with Jessie Bittner, a touring artist with the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical Hadestown.
Jessie, a multi-talented performer, musician, and educator based in New York City, shared her journey from her roots in Appleton, Wisconsin, to the national stage. A graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, she has built a dynamic career as a singer, actor, violinist, music director, and songwriter, and has performed in over 300 shows as a violinist and Assistant Music Director on the Hadestown national tour.
During her visit, our students were able to ask thoughtful and engaging questions about life on the road, the discipline of touring, and what it takes to bring a production like Hadestown to life both onstage and behind the scenes. Jessie offered insight into the collaborative nature of professional theater, the importance of adaptability, and the passion required to sustain a career in the arts.
It was a powerful moment of connection—our students, currently building their own version of Hadestown, learning directly from someone who lives and breathes the show at the highest level. Experiences like this bring learning to life in meaningful ways, inspiring our students to dream bigger and work harder.
Thank you, Jessie, for sharing your time, your story, and your artistry with our GHCDS community. We are so grateful—and so inspired!
