performer spotlight: justin keats
this week’s performer spotlight shines on justin keats, who is truly living the dream as a vacation swing on broadway’s the great gatsby as well as on the moulin rouge! north american tour. from rolling d20 dice backstage to swapping makeup wipes for micellar water, justin proves that a little variety (and good skincare) goes a long way.
performer life ✨
what show or project are you currently working on, and what’s been the most exciting part of the process?
i am living a version of my actual dream right now. i am vacation swinging two different shows at the moment. i’m on broadway some weeks in the great gatsby and i also jump out on the road with the moulin rouge north american tour as a swing. the most exciting thing about this is the variety. i’m loving it so much i would honestly add a third show. in college i often was holding many different shows in my head at once — from disneyland parades and shows to musicals at school and dance performances both on and off campus — so it feels like what i have been training for.
what’s your favorite backstage ritual before a performance?
i have developed a very silly ritual this contract. i roll a twenty-sided die (based on dungeons & dragons) to “predict” how my show will feel that night. it reminds me that not every performance is going to feel perfect, and that my job is to stay present and ready for whatever the theater gods throw my way.
do you have a go-to snack, drink, or pick-me-up during rehearsals or tech?
i love a sweet treat, but i’ve been trying to wean myself off them. crunchy green grapes have become a favorite instead, and i’m also fond of a chomp’s jalapeño beef stick — the subtle kick is lovely.
skincare + self-care 🫧
what does your daily skincare routine look like right now?
this, i’m proud to say, has improved since i got my facial with the goddess that is the broadway esthetician. i’ve always used a daily face wash and exfoliated every few days with kiehl’s, but i’ve now added niacinamide and hyaluronic acid serums to my daily ritual. i’ve noticed my skin is much healthier and hydrated. also, shaving regularly for the show has made me more conscious of my routine — i switch between an electric shave and a razor shave, and after using a razor i follow with jack black’s shaving cream, aftershave, and hydrating spf lotion. i’m still failing at a night routine… but one step at a time.
how do you take care of your skin during heavy stage makeup weeks?
using micellar water to remove makeup has been a game changer! wipes were killing my face.
any self-care rituals outside of skincare that help you reset?
i am a firm believer in sweating it out! some yoga (hot or regular), time in a steam room or sauna — anywhere you’re forced to slow your mind down and sweat it out. a calmer mind means clearer skin.
quick-fire fun ⚡️
favorite broadway show of all time?
SIX (i’ve oddly seen it four times — the most i’ve ever seen any show!)
best advice you’ve received as a performer?
in musical theater, it’s so important to be more than just great at the technique. filling it with intention and story matters so much more than perfection. that’s where other humans connect with you.
three words to describe your skin?
happily lived in
huge thanks to keats for stepping into the spotlight with us! ✨
follow along with his journey on stage and beyond at @forkeatssake.
