Broadway’s Hamilton ensemble member and performer Preston Mui, who has previously collaborated with big-name artists including Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Janet Jackson, uncovers the transformative power of dance in an intimate and inspiring journey into his career.
Born and nurtured in San Francisco, Mui was introduced to the world of art and theatre from a young age. At just ten years old, he began to shape his dreams of Broadway, honing his dance skills in a garage-turned-studio. Later, Mui attended an arts-focused high school, immersing himself in modern, contemporary, African, and ballet dance styles. Keen to expand his understanding of the Hollywood landscape, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he added hip-hop and jazz-funk to his growing repertoire of dance styles.
Two decades of commitment and perseverance paid off when Mui received the life-changing call to join the Broadway cast of Hamilton. At that time, he was choreographing a show in Las Vegas and hadn’t anticipated stepping back into the role of a performer so soon. The unexpected news presented Mui with a thrilling chance to realize his dream of gracing the Broadway stage.
In the popular musical, Mui portrays George Eaker while also contributing as an ensemble member, thus spending a significant portion of each performance on stage. Reflecting on the initial experience, he acknowledges the daunting task of learning the show and recalls errors made during his debut. However, the supportive atmosphere fostered by his colleagues made the process less overwhelming.
Amid the pandemic, Mui describes performing for audiences as a deeply therapeutic and fulfilling experience. He takes immense pride in providing joy to spectators while simultaneously expressing his fervor for dance and theater. Despite always harboring aspirations to perform, Mui admits he could never have envisaged the extent of his success. Today, he takes immense pride in carving a space for himself in an industry where representation for individuals like him is lacking.
Emmy-winning anchor Tamsen Fadal recently interviewed Mui for The Broadway Show, a nationally syndicated theater news program. During this exclusive conversation, Mui offers deeper insights into his journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of his career, and the role of dance in his life and art. Fans of Hamilton and Mui can check their local listings to catch this enlightening episode.