The #1 Way to Get a Broadway Drumming Gig (That Nobody Talks About)

🎧 In this clip from Broadway Drumming 101, Andrew Atkinson — drummer for MJ: The Musical — gets real about how not to introduce yourself if you're trying to break into Broadway.

He explains why timing matters, how first impressions stick, and why cold emailing without skills or connections usually doesn’t lead to a gig. If you’re not ready—or if you don’t come recommended—you’re probably just wasting your time.

Andrew breaks down: ✔️ The importance of being musically versatile (even in styles rarely used on Broadway)✔️ Why you need to be ready before making that first move✔️ The power of personal recommendations✔️ How to avoid sending boilerplate emails that get ignored

📣 “We can tell when it’s boilerplate.”📣 “If Clayton Craddock tells me you're good, I’ll pay attention.”

This is essential advice for anyone trying to sub, network, or build a career on Broadway.

🗓️ Full episode drops soon at BroadwayDrumming101.comSubscribe for more clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights from Broadway’s top musicians.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments: What’s your approach to connecting with working musicians?

Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.

Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.

Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, Aquarian Drumheads, and Empire Ears in ear monitors.

Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com