Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Fagin.
Hi Evan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Middletown, NJ. I am half Puerto Rican and half Italian so family gatherings were always a big event filled with so much food and even more love. My passion for performing developed at a very young age. It definitely helped that I had a very vivid imagination and also had no shame singing as loud as I possibly could. My first vocal coach was actually my Pop-pop. He was my Grandpa on my Mom’s side (Italian side).
I can remember him hearing me sing throughout the house at around five years old and him always saying, “Evan, sing from your diaphragm,”… as he held his hand over my stomach and showed me what he was talking about. Growing up in a Christian household, I was not really allowed to listen to a lot of “secular” music as a child. I got my music fix by listening to artists like Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman & Crystal Lewis. I used to listen to these artist on repeat, singing all their songs as loud as I could. My Pop-pop would also play his own records when I’d go over to his place. We listened to a lot of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Rat Pack, my Pop-pop loved the great crooners of his time and that love was something that was passed on to me.
When I was in middle school, I discovered Whitney Houston & Celine Dion. My life was forever changed. Listening to them belt out a song with such passion and control was something that inspired me more than anything else I had ever experienced. When Titanic came out in 1997 and Celine performed “My Heart Will Go On” at the Oscars, it was in that moment as I watched it on TV that I knew I wanted to be a singer. What she had just done on that stage was something I had to do for the rest of my life.
Middle school was also the time that my parents took me to go see my first Broadway show; Surprisingly, it was Titanic. I was in awe from the moment the curtain rose to when it closed. The next show I saw was Phantom of the Opera, and that was my other “ah-ha” moment, where I knew performing was going to be my life.
I started training classically when I was in high school, I had been taking piano lessons for a few years and wanted to build up my vocal skills. Starting my training as a classical singer was probably one of the best things I ever did. For me, it’s like when a dancer says that Ballet is the ground to all forms of dance. Being classically trained it taught me how to use my voice and sustain the career I have today. From there, I went on to Wagner College in New York, where I studied Musical Theatre. Those four years of college truly helped mold me into the performer I am today. My acting coaches were some of the best coaches I have ever worked with to this day. The passion they had was unshakeable, and I owe them so much.
After College I landed my first job right out of school. I hit the ground running and after my first contract, I was hired by Disney Cruise Line. With DCL, I not only learned the value of professionalism and what it meant to be a professional performer. It also taught me to hold myself at a very high standard. The theatre etiquette I learned during that contract is something I bring to every single job I do today, theatre-related or not.
That was 13 years ago. My career has brought me to such amazing places and opportunities. After DCL, I moved back to NYC and started auditioning non-stop. I landed a job with Norwegian Cruise Line. I spent almost six years with NCL. Where I went from starting out as just a Vocalist in the cast to creating and producing my own one-man show, becoming Vocal captain, as well as I became the Entertainment Production Manager. That meant I was basically at the same level as Assistant Cruise Director and was in charge of all entertainment onboard the ship.
In 2013 my dear friend Amanda convinced me to move to Orlando, FL. After being on ships for so long, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go in life, so I decided to take a chance. There I auditioned for Universal Studios and had the privilege to open the new Beetlejuice show as Frankenstein, then cross-trained into Dracula. It was there that I found my “Chosen Family.” This group of artists are my stronghold. We encourage each other, push each other to be better and are always there for each other.
After spending a year in Orlando, I auditioned for Universal Studios Japan and had the honor of living in Japan for about 15 months. It was the longest contract I had ever booked, plus it was on land in another country. Japan had its ups and downs due to a double knee injury I experienced. However, overall, Japan was amazing. Who would of ever thought that I would get to live in Japan as a performer. It blew my mind.
While I was in Japan, I auditioned via video for Royal Caribbean Productions. Royal was a company I had always wanted to work for and never made it past their callbacks. Growth is definitely a thing because that time, I made it through. I booked the second cast of their newest ship and shows. I was the lead in their production of “The Beautiful Dream.” That show was like no other show I had ever performed. It also was the closest thing to a book musical I had done in years. That show truly challenged me. I hadn’t “acted” in ages; most cruise ship shows I had done were not book musicals. What I learned from that show was that we can do anything we put our minds to. As well as always follow your dreams. Even if you get hundreds of “No’s” one day, you will get that one “Yes” and your life will change. I went on to work for Royal for five years, until last year when the Pandemic left me stranded at Sea on the ship for 95 days. While we were there, the company let us know that due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, people were being let go until further notice.
That leaves me to where I am today. Once I finally got off the ship and back to the States, I moved back to Orlando. This is a crazy time for everyone right now, for me, I try to stay as busy as possible. I am in my home studio practicing or recording everyday. Taking classes online and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. In my 21 years of being a professional performer, the one thing I always learn is to keep learning. It’s something my teachers always told me, but I don’t think it truly clicked with me until I got older. I have been so blessed in my career, there have been setbacks, but everyone has setbacks in their life. You just need to learn from them and keep moving forward; if you are not growing, what is the point in living.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Rejection comes with the job. It is not easy, but it makes us stronger and better artists and people. I can remember my first rejection. It was for my community theatre’s production of “The King & I.” I was in high school and my Best friend got the role of the prince over me. I was so hurt but so excited for him at the same time. It truly was the first time I had to realize that rejection comes with the territory, as I had to be ok with it if I wanted a career in the arts. After college, I moved to NYC and was auditioning all the time. For everything under the sun. I was always called back for roles and it was always up between me and one other person.
For some reason, I was never the choice they went with. It was really hard and it definitely beat me down. But I made a decision to audition for a cruise ship and get out of NYC for a bit. Well, “a bit” turned into a career at sea for over ten years. When I look back at it, I used to regret it and get upset that I left NYC. However, looking back now, I realize NYC will always be there and what I experienced and got to live is something most dream about. I got paid to travel and see the world and work on my craft. The years I spent performing on cruise ships taught me so much. You do not truly understand the type of verse performer you have to be in order to pull off a cruise ship show. I sang opera, pop, rock; I taught myself what “My sound” was during all of these contracts. I truly developed my sound as an artist thanks to performing reviews on cruise ships. I wouldn’t change that for anything.
Along with the physiological & emotional struggles I also dealt with Physical challenges as well. For 5 years I struggled with recurring knee issues that left me crippled and bed ridden for months at a time. I saw multiple doctors that could not figure out what was wrong with me. Every Doctor I went to told me I would never get better. When I was bed ridden one Doctor even told me I’d never walk again. As a very physical performer this was heart wrenching. Performing is my life and it was being taken away from me. Even through all the bad news I never gave up hope and kept fighting and searching for Doctors that could help. 5 years later I finally found a Doctor in Singapore that knew exactly what was wrong with me and my rare condition, and thanks to him I am back living life like it never happened. I say this to anyone struggling with something in their life, never lose hope. Listen to your gut and fight for yourself. If I hadn’t I would still be in a wheelchair today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional performer. Meaning, I sing, act and dance for a living. I am probably most known for being the guy who can belt power ballads like Celine and Whitney, but I also bring a type of acting skill to it that you wouldn’t expect. I am most proud of where I have come vocally. Starting as a high schooler who could barely singing an F to now being a man who can use all aspects of his voice and beltway over an F (never stop pushing yourself and failing, failing helps us grow, failure is a key to growth).
My unique take on songs is what sets me apart from others. As well as my nickname around town is “Glitterbeard,” If you ever come to Häos on Church on the weekend, you might see me with full Glitter face performing. I like to use my beard as a canvas and paint what I’m feeling that day and then perform with it on.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When I was younger my cousins, brother & I used to put on a talent variety show we called the Wanda Show. I’d always sing “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and I was terrified! Lol it was where I learned to not be scared of being in-front of an audience. That silly little show in my Grandma’s basement helped start my performing journey and I am so grateful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Evanfagin
- Facebook: @evanfagin
- Twitter: @evanfagin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ_bQPjFue8ssjOVxlri1Gw
