Corey Hawkins’ training at the Juilliard School of Drama, and background in singing in church, set him on the path toward becoming what he calls “a well-rounded artist”—and he has a Tony, Emmy, and two SAG Award nominations to show for it! Speaking to Backstage, his go-to resource during post-grad years in New York City, Corey offers fellow actors plenty of valuable advice, particularly when it comes to auditions. “To go into a room and literally just have an opportunity to act, or sing, or dance, or do whatever you do, you get to showcase that and share it with somebody for that little bit of time. And that’s a joy.”

Born in Washington, D.C., Corey made his Broadway debut in “Romeo and Juliet,” which was followed by an award-winning revival of “Six Degrees of Separation.” After a Hollywood breakthrough in “Non-Stop,” he appeared on “The Walking Dead,” “24: Legacy,” and “Survive,” plus in “BlacKkKlansman,” “Kong: Skull Island,” and as Dr. Dre in “Straight Outta Compton.” This year is Corey’s most impressive yet, starring on the big screen as Benny in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s movie musical “In the Heights” and as Lord Macduff in Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” opposite Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. For resources and advice on performing Shakespeare, check out backstage.com: https://bit.ly/2Z5bEC7

Read about the newly formed Juilliard Black Alumni Association, of which Corey is a founder, here: https://bit.ly/3AXHaza
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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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