VIDEO: From Columbia University to Hadestown:

Michael Manasseh: From Economics Major to Broadway Tour Drummer, Studying the Business of Theater

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Manasseh, the drummer for the current Hadestown national tour. Michael walks us through his unique path—from studying economics at Columbia University to carving out a career as a professional musician—and how his early training gave him the versatility he brings to Broadway today.

We cover:

• Growing up in Boston, church music, and jazz studies that shaped his drumming identity

• College years at Columbia, balancing academics with theater, and realizing music could be a career

• How joining Muse (Musicians United for Social Equity) and mentorship with John Clancy led to his first big break on the Shrek tour

• What it’s like playing Hadestown every night—the physical and mental grind, the room for improvisation, and why it feels like “jazz theater”

• Road stories: near-misses with quick changes, learning directly from orchestrators, and pulling inspiration from Art Blakey to Mark Guiliana

• The business side of Broadway touring—the economics of the road, and why relationships matter more than transactions

Michael’s journey is about more than chops. It’s about balance, community, and adaptability—the keys to building a sustainable career in theater.

If you’re a drummer looking to break into Broadway—or just curious what life behind the kit on a national tour is really like—you’ll want to hear this one.

More about Michael:

https://www.michaelmanassehmusic.com/

Subscribe to Broadway Drumming 101 on YouTube so you don’t miss Michael’s story and other conversations that go beyond the notes. And if you want to go even deeper, my upcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career explores both the art and the business of making it in this industry.

Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.

Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, and The Gospel at Colonus (featuring Kim Burrell). As a skilled sub, he has contributed his talents to notable productions, including Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, and the national tour of Hadestown, among many others. He has also appeared on major shows including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards. He has performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.

Clayton is the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career, the only guide you’ll need to succeed in the competitive world of musical theater.

Sign up to be the first to know when the book drops: www.BroadwayBoundBook.com

He proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.

Learn more about Clayton Craddock at www.claytoncraddock.com