Meet Meredith Patterson | Broadway TV and Film actress, singer, dancer, writer, & producer

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

Hi Meredith, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My Mom passed away in November 2022, and I realized something I had known forever, life is so precious and your time is something you don’t ever get back. I decided then and there I was not going to spend my time doing anything I don’t love and are passionate about. So, fearlessly, I launched my own production company, called Merie Productions, with that very ambitious mission in mind. Merie (pronounced Mary) is the nickname my Mom made up from my full name Meredith. Every time I see that name, Merie, I am reminded of her and what she would always say to me. “Go for it with all you have! Live your life to the fullest and dream big!” That’s what I am trying to do every single day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an eclectic creative artist loving all sides of the entertainment industry, from producing to performing. I have created the brand Confessions Of An Actress, which is a podcast as well as a book series.

I am so humbled to have been hailed by critics as an actress that is “exquisite, a beguiling delight possessing a refined touch in both physical and verbal humor.” As a dancer with “a rare combination of spirit and vulnerability, and a lit-from-within radiance!” And her singing is “exquisite, she is blessed with a rich voice and has a glowing presence that permeates every note she sings”. My debut memoir has been called “a must read for all musical theatre hopefuls!”

I am just grateful for the life I lead and for the ability to do what I love in the world.

I have had my challenges but in my eclectic career, I have been very lucky. I have easily excelled in theatre to television to film. I have starred on Broadway and then guest-starred opposite Emmy Award-Winning actors on major television networks. I am known on Broadway for my skills as a dancer both in balletic grace and tap dancing, having been compared to the legendary Ginger Rogers by the New York Times.

I recently relocated to Whitefish Montana after working and residing in Los Angeles & New York City for over 25 years.

Before leaving Los Angeles, I launched my own podcast “Confessions Of An Actress” available on all podcast platforms, giving the listener an inside look at what life is really like in the entertainment industry. I have guests from all walks of life on the podcast, talking honestly and vulnerably about their experiences in show biz. I also have bonus episodes called #WellnessWednesday which give tips and advice on keeping you balanced as an artist (and a human) body, mind and spirit.

The Confessions Of An Actress brand is also a book series that chronicles my journey from the chorus to the starring role in my first Broadway musical, 42nd St. and beyond. My second book in the series titled “Sunday Letters From Moscow” about my time starring in a show in Russia, was released June 23, 2023

Before moving to Los Angeles from New York City in 2012, I completed my Jazz EP “Little Did I Ever Dream” with some of New York City’s finest Jazz musicians; Tedd Firth, Tom Hubbard, and Warren Vache. Produced by Meredith and Aaron Weinstein. Available on iTunes. I debuted my solo jazz show “Sweet Old Fashioned Girl” at Birdland Jazz Club on 54th Street in New York City accompanied by a stellar jazz quartet of piano, upright bass, guitar and drums. She made such an impression she was asked to play a return engagement. Then the prestigious Feinstein’s asked her to debut her show in August as part of their summer series.

In the theater world, Meredith has an eclectic and impressive resume. She worked for The Weinstein Company portraying the role of “Mary Barrie” in a reading of FINDING NEVERLAND opposite Broadway’s Jullian Ovendon and Kelli O’Hara. She originated the role of Gwen Greene in the new musical RADIO GIRL, based on the hit 1938 movie Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, at Goodspeed’s Norma TerrisTheater in Chester, CT. Working alongside Broadway’s best creative team Christopher Gatelli (South Pacific), Daniel Goldfarb (Martin Short’s Fame Becomes Me, TV’s Julia), Henry Krieger (Side Show, Dreamgirls), and Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam).

Meredith doesn’t just stick to stage work, she seamlessly moves from one medium to another. Working on Broadway, TV, Recordings, and Film. She made her soap opera debut in 2009 as Francesca on ABC’s All My Children. She is also featured as one of the last 3 girls for the role of Val in the critically acclaimed A Chorus Line Sony Classics documentary Every Little Step.

In January 2009, Meredith finished her spectacular run on Broadway at The Marquis Theater after originating the role of Judy Haynes in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Meredith is no stranger to Guest Starring on Network Television. Guest Starring on LAW & ORDER SVU, THE GOOD WIFE, MADE IN JERSEY, but she began her TV career with her hilarious role on ABC’s BOSTON LEGAL in a 5 episode arch opposite Candace Bergen and Tom Selleck.

Meredith lived the classic understudy’s dream come true in 2001 when she took over the starring role of Peggy Sawyer in the Tony Award Winning Revival of 42nd ST, making her Broadway musical debut. Meredith’s dream came true every performance, starring on Broadway in what’s been deemed the best female tap-dancing role in theater history from August 2001-August 2002. She also was the first only non-original principal to be recorded for prosperity with the prestigious Lincoln Center Archives. When her contract was up on Broadway Meredith was asked to star in a groundbreaking production of 42ND ST in Moscow. Being the first American Actress to perform in an English-speaking production in Russia.
In the summer of 2003, she graced the stage as Polly Browne in THE BOYFRIEND under the direction of the legendary Julie Andrews. In February 2004, Meredith made her Los Angeles theater debut starring as Louise Maske in Steve Martin’s hilarious adaptation of the play THE UNDERPANTS at The Geffen Playhouse for which she received critical acclaim.
Meredith’s feature film debut came as Marilyn Monroe in Paramount Classics COMPANY MAN. She can be seen opposite the hilarious Bill Murray in Focus Features Film BROKEN FLOWERS, as Lady Alyssa in Disney’s THE PRINCESS DIARIES II: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT, in Sidney Lumet Feature BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD, and co-starring as Katherine ‘Kat’ Curtis in MY SECRET BILLIONAIRE.

Meredith’s journey to Holistic Health Practioner & LMT –

Meredith has always had a passion for wellness. In 2012, she became a board-certified Holistic Health Practitioner, from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). A graduate from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in NYC and a recent graduate from The National Holistic Institute in Los Angeles.

Meredith has always taken care of herself as a professional Broadway actress, singer, and dancer, but for years was not always doing it in a balanced way. She ate cheap processed food, slept a little and then a lot, was physically fit, but nutritionally and emotionally drained.

Mind, Body, and Spirit balance was something she craved.

Then in 2010, her personal & business life was flipped upside down. She went through a horrible sudden divorced & filed for business bankruptcy in the same year. Many of the people she loved and trusted, just went away and ghosted her. Meredith calls it her period of “exfoliation”, because she learned to slough them off like dead skin cells. A visual she thanked her therapist for giving me. It was a time of broken promises and a lot of pain and mistrust. Meredith’s mental and physical health was at an all-time low. She was desperate to find her way back to me, thrive, and flourish.
Meredith had to push through this desperately low time….to find the happiness, health, and personal wealth she has now.
Within 6 months she met the love of her life and begin to rebuild her career. Meredith had clarity like she never had before and was trusting her gut instincts again about people, her career, and her direction in life. No longer did she apologize for feeling the way she did, and she finally had the strength to say no to so many toxic people and relationships.
This is what it means to lead a holistic life. To be authentic and true to you and your journey.
It is bio-individual that only you know what direction in life is right for you.

Nutritionally, Spiritually, and Physically, Meredith thrives on guiding & mentoring personal clients to their best health and best self.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being that I don’t live full time in Los Angeles anymore, I would show them around Whitefish Montana! My current home. I would tell them to come to Blackstar for a smash burger, see a great show at The Whitefish Theatre Company, a concert at The Great Northern, and go to Glacier National Park, stay at the Apgar Village and jump in Lake McDonald.

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?
I want to dedicate my shout out to my husband, Dustin Brayley, who is my best friend, support, father of our two children and love of my life. He is a Broadway actor, singer, musician and a 10 year band member of the multi million dollar touring company The Transiberian Orchestra (TSO)

Website: www.meredithpatterson.com

Instagram: @merpatterson

Linkedin: meredith patterson

Facebook: @MeredithPattersonActress

Youtube: Meredith Patterson

Other: @MerieProductions @ConfessionsOfAnActress

Image Credits
Photos by Brayley Photography @brayleyphotography