Broadway Drumming 101 - The Podcast

Thank you for being a longtime listener of Broadway Drumming 101.
I’ve been thinking about doing more solo episodes for a while, and I’m finally starting today.
Over the past week, I’ve been deep in rehearsals for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and this version is even stronger than what we did at PAC. Everything feels sharper and more focused. We officially open on April 7th, and I’m excited for people to see it.
READ: Two Icons of New York, Ready for Broadway’s ‘Jellicle Ball’
At NAMM, I brought up a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough:
How careers really begin.
For me, it wasn’t Broadway. It wasn’t some audition. It was a hotel gig in New Rochelle, playing the same 20 songs every other Friday night.
A connection from that gig led me to a tour.That tour opened the door to subbing.And subbing eventually brought me to Broadway.
In this new solo episode, I break down:
• Why saying yes early in your career matters• Why showing up beats just posting• How small gigs compound over time• And how to know when it’s time to start saying no
If you caught my talk at NAMM, this episode goes even deeper into that topic.
READ:
And if you’re serious about building a real career in theater, get my book:
Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career.
You can order it right now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.If you want a signed copy, go to SignatureBrandWorks.com.
Listen to the new solo episode.Pick up the book if you’re interested.And I hope to see you at the Broadhurst!
Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career.
His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.
Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.
www.claytoncraddock.com


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

Guest: Elena Bonomo, drummer for SIX. Originally released January 14, 2022.
This is one of those conversations that still holds up years later.
In this episode, Elena Bonomo talks through what it actually looks like to build a career in theater music from the ground up. Elena shares how early musical experiences with her family shaped her connection to music, why drums always felt like fun instead of work, and how getting her first drum set set everything in motion.
We also talk about her early pit experiences, reading music at a young age, and how playing school musicals laid the foundation for what she does now.
She breaks down her time at Berklee, why versatility mattered to her more than locking into one lane, and how musical theater work at school mirrored the real expectations of Broadway life.
Elena also gets honest about touring right after school, making very little money, and learning the realities of life on the road. From there, she talks about cruise ship work, adaptability, and how every gig, even the unglamorous ones, added tools to her toolbox.
If you’re trying to understand how Broadway careers are actually built over time, this episode is full of perspective that’s still relevant today.
https://www.elenabonomo.com
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If you want to go deeper into this world, Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career, is available now on Amazon.com.
If you’d like a signed copy by Clayton, along with Broadway Drumming 101 merchandise, head to signaturebrandworks.com.
The book lays out the mindset, preparation, relationships, money realities, and long-term thinking behind real theater careers.
Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career.
His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.
Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.
www.claytoncraddock.com


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

Joe Bergamini on Subbing, Broadway Reality, and Building a Real Music Career
In this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, I sit down with Joe Bergamini—drummer, educator, author, and one of the most thoughtful voices in the drum world.
Joe has subbed on more than 15 Broadway shows, toured nationally, taught for decades, and written some of the most respected drum books out there. But what really stands out is how clearly he talks about what it actually takes to build a sustainable life as a working musician.
We dig into what subbing on Broadway is really like, how learning music note-for-note early on prepared him for theater work, and how teaching, touring, rock bands, and saying yes to the right gigs quietly shaped his career. Joe also shares stories from his early club days and why preparation, curiosity, and relationships matter more than hype or shortcuts.
This is an honest, practical conversation for drummers who care about longevity.
Here are just a few books he has written:
Speaking at NAMM – January 24
I’ll be expanding on many of these ideas in person at NAMM:
Building a Career in Theater MusicSaturday, January 2411:30 AM – 12:00 PMHilton California A
If you’re attending NAMM and curious about Broadway, touring, subbing, networking, contracts, and the real financial side of being a working musician, I hope you’ll stop by.
Broadway Bound and Beyond
My upcoming book, Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career, goes deeper into many of the topics we talk about here—how musicians actually get hired, how careers are sustained, and what no one explains when you’re starting out.
Get on the list at:www.broadwayboundbook.com
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Thanks for listening and for supporting the Broadway Drumming 101 community.
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Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career.
His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.
Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.
www.claytoncraddock.com


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

This is a Broadway Drumming 101 Classic.
Originally released in December 2021, this episode features Rich Rosenzweig, recorded on the very day Companyofficially opened on Broadway. The timing alone makes it special. Rich was stepping into an opening night shaped by grief, history, and pressure, following the passing of Stephen Sondheim, while carrying the responsibility of yet another major Broadway chair.
But what makes this episode endure is not the moment. It is the honesty.
Rich and Clayton dig into the parts of Broadway drumming that rarely get talked about clearly. Reviews. Word of mouth. Why some shows with mediocre press run for years while others with praise disappear. Rich explains how the power of critics has shifted, and why storytelling, audience response, and momentum now matter more than ever.
From there, the conversation goes deep into subbing. This is one of the most detailed discussions anywhere about what chair holders actually look for in a sub drummer. Not flash. Not ego. Preparation, consistency, psychological trust, and the ability to make a conductor feel safe. Rich explains why subbing can be more stressful than holding a Broadway chair full time, and why even great drummers struggle if they miss these non-negotiables.
They also talk candidly about career reality. Getting fired. Losing gigs. Being passed over. How to assess whether feedback is something to grow from or simply a mismatch. Rich shares stories from Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Rent, Memphis, and more, showing how longevity in this business often comes down to adaptability and self-awareness, not perfection.
This episode is essential listening if you are serious about musical theater, Broadway, or touring at a high level.
Not motivational quotes. Not shortcuts. Just real talk from someone who has lived it.
If you are trying to understand how Broadway actually works, this one belongs in your library.
Support Broadway Drumming 101 and unlock exclusive content at BroadwayDrumming101.com.
Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career.
His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.
Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.
www.claytoncraddock.com


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

This Classic episode goes back to 2021 with drummer Rich Rosenzweig. At the time, he was playing the drum chair for Company. Today, he is the drummer for Ragtime at Lincoln Center. Part One focuses on his early years, his training, and his path into the Broadway world.
What we cover in this episode
* How Rich transitioned from piano lessons to drums.
* Growing up in a home filled with music and support for the arts.
* Group snare drum lessons in grammar school and early practice habits.
* Playing in the basement, practicing with records, and discovering big band.
* Hearing Buddy Rich, Basie’s band, and how those experiences shaped his sound.
* Getting into jazz as a teenager and forming his first jazz groups.
* Studying at UNC Chapel Hill and balancing music with a liberal arts education.
* His obsession with film, film scores, and composers like Bernard Herrmann and Ennio Morricone.
* Moving to New York with pianist Frank Kimbrough and building a freelance life.
* Playing weddings, club dates, and the slow grind toward professional theater work.
* Watching Ray Marchica play The Will Rogers Follies and learning what Broadway drumming really requires.
* Subbing under conductor Eric Stern and facing a click track for the first time.
* Landing his first Broadway chair on State Fair and what he learned from that experience.
* Why Broadway drumming demands consistency, reading skills, groove, and a full understanding of the storytelling behind the music.
This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Why this episode matters
* It gives a clear picture of how a Broadway drummer builds a career from scratch.
* It highlights the mix of training, influences, timing, and relationships that shape a long career on Broadway.
* It shows how jazz, film music, and classical Broadway scoring all feed into a drummer’s approach and musical identity.
* It offers practical insight for anyone who wants to pursue theater drumming at a high level.
Part Two will be released next week.
Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway revival of Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career.
His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.
Clayton is currently on tour with The Rock Orchestra and has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.
www.claytoncraddock.com


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe