Meet Brenton Cosier | Actor/Singer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brenton Cosier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brenton, why did you pursue a creative career?
Performing came to me a little older than most. I only started “singing and acting” when I was 17 and played Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music at high school. I fell in love with every single aspect of theatre immediately. I played a lot of sport growing up so i enjoyed the teamwork aspect of it, how everyone has an individual role and if someone doesn’t pull their weight the show falls apart.

It wasn’t until I was in my early-mid 20’s that I really decided to pursue Musical Theatre as a career. What draws me to Music Theatre over say Film/TV, ‘straight’ theatre etc (don’t get me wrong, I adore these mediums) is how much emotion can expressed/felt through song and dance. The power to transport someone to a different time in their life, or to give someone the excuse to cry, to laugh or just to show emotions they may be too embarrassed to express out in the real world. I truly believe that great theatre can help people, from an individual to a community, begin to heal or begin to confront something they may have been too scared to acknowledge.

Great theatre starts conversations. I believe it can begin movements, cause shifts in the status quo.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel incredibly to have made a career out of Singing and Acting. Being an actor, I believe, is one of the most challenging career paths to go down. You have very little control over your path and how much work you get per year. Yes, you can put in the most work, the most preparation on not only the material but also yourself and you may go months, years, without work. You have to be able to roll with the punches and not get too down on your ability when the jobs just won’t fall your way which is MUCH easier said than done.

I’ve worked in so many different spheres of the performing arts world; Film and TV shows, Commercials, big commercial musicals to brand new experimental works. From Cruise ships to wedding bands to theme parks to Off-Broadway. It’s been one hell of a ride and I honestly believe that this is something that sets me apart from others. I’ve learnt to work in any situation and produce my best work with consistency which is the most important aspect of our jobs.

I also approach theatre from the mindset of an athlete, that the work is never done. It takes work on yourself as a whole, mind, body and craft to produce the best work YOU can produce. If you don’t bring your, and this sounds cliche, but your whole, authentic, truthful self to your work, it’s going to be subpar. I’m guilty of it and i’ve made sure i’ve acknowledged it and learnt from it.

A lesson i’ve learnt and that I would pass on to younger actors is that being open, gracious and honest in the rehearsal room goes a long way and that more often than not, a critique is NOT a criticism. The Director, MD, Choreographer are just trying to help you produce your best work possible and are there to help. They are not trying to attack you personally but when you are tired, stressed and emotional (Actors? Emotional? NEVER!) it’s hard to remember that.

Having banked over 10 years experience working professionally, moving to NYC has felt like starting a new in both good and bad ways. I miss my Australian community and relationships I established but I am so excited to work with the best in the world, NYC is the Olympics of Theatre and nothing excites me more than the thought of succeeding here. I’m excited, petrified and hugely grateful that I have the opportunity to be here and work. I will do my best to never that it for granted,

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m probably not the best person to ask as I moved to NYC during the pandemic and the city has changed so much. I would always take people to Central Park for a day and just walk around. I would make sure they go to all the museums, Natural History, MoMA, The MET etc. I’d make sure they came up to my end of Manhattan. Fort Tryon Park and Inwood Hill Park are some of Manhattans best kept secrets. They are so peaceful and beautiful. It really feels like you’re not in NYC for a while which is nice.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are honestly so many people but I think Kamahl Russell, who introduced me to theatre and shared his love of theatre with me whilst I was a student at Mount Lilydale Mercy College deserves a Shoutout that I don’t think i’ve ever given him. I feel like there is always that one teacher/mentor that makes a huge impression in your life. That you remember throughout your adulthood. Kamahl is that for me.

He set my life on a different path to where I thought it was going. I really hope he knows how much he means to me and that if it wasn’t for him, the boy from Coldstream in the Outer Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria wouldn’t be performing in shows in New York City. I really hope I can repay the favour someday.

Instagram: Brentoncosier

Image Credits
Matt Davis Photography Jason Moody Photography