From Peter: Cameron was one of my first “real life” industry friends. We met on Disney Cruise Line where, fun fact, Cameron took the lead on choreographing a cast-wide flash mob for me to propose to Kat. He holds a special place in our story.
Aside from that obvious bias, Cameron is that person in your cast that keeps you together. His spirit, humor, kindness, and talent provides the energy that keeps you focused on performing your best and having fun doing it. We knew he was destined for our industry's biggest things.
And that's what he and his equally wonderful boyfriend, Stephen, are doing. When you were both working on National Tours of the highest caliber, Stephen as Evan in Dear Evan Hansen and Cameron dancing on 0 in the ensemble of Aladdin, you're living the dreams of so many of us. But that comes along with extremely hard work, long distance communication, and a global pandemic to put it all in check. We talked to Stephen and Cameron while they were still on the road pre-Coronavirus, but they've graciously given us an update of what's going on now (Hint: it's a CUTE puppy). We're thankful for the wisdom from their incredible careers and even more thankful for their friendship.
Cameron and Stephen- Instagram’s most photogenic and talented couple! Can you introduce yourselves?
Cameron: I’m Cameron Hobbs. I’m originally from New Albany, IN and I was recently in the Ensemble/Babkak understudy on the National Tour of Aladdin
Stephen: I’m Stephen Christopher Anthony, I’m from Miami, Florida. I play Evan in the Dear Evan Hansen National Tour.
Stephen, you went to Florida State (so you’re a Seminole) and Cameron you went to Otterbein (so you’re an… otter?) Can you talk about how you found those schools and how they impacted your career?
Cameron: Yes, I am a 2012 graduate of Otterbein University with a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Minor! I found Otterbein, a small Liberal Arts college in Westerville, Ohio, through the help of my high school theater director, David Longest. His daughter, Claire, was three years older than me and attended Otterbein for Musical Theatre. I loved my time at the Bein! I don’t want to say I was untalented before I went to college, but let’s just say… I wasn’t great! They definitely helped shape me into the performer I am today. One of the many amazing things they offer for students, is their internship program. The second semester of your senior year, you are sent to New York City to work for a casting agency. As a casting intern, you get to sit in on auditions, dance calls, callbacks, production meetings, etc. It is not only a great tool to get acclimated to the do’s and don’ts of theater in New York City, but allows you to also familiarize yourself with the city of New York! Truly invaluable.
Stephen: FSU’s MT program only admits about 10 students a year, so you’re getting a lot of individual attention, which is amazing. FSU also made me a forever-student. I’m almost two years into my work with Evan now and I will still (hopefully) surprise myself and learn something new onstage tonight.
You both have these parallel interests that we now would call ‘special skills’. Cameron, you tumble and, Stephen, you play piano and guitar. What’s the balance of pursuing artistic interest and feeling pressure to fulfill ever-growing audition needs?
Cameron: I have been tumbling since a very young age, which I am grateful for. It is a special skill that has definitely helped my success. Because of that, I don’t think I felt the pressure to fulfill the ever-growing audition need, because tons of musicals love to have tumbling in them. BUT, check back with me in a few years when I’m too old to tumble and I have to find a new special skill.
Stephen: It’s pretty wild, you can hardly go to an audition these days unless you’re an acrobat who plays five instruments. My advice: just do what makes you happy, and stay curious! If the thought of learning an instrument makes you absolutely miserable, then you don’t need that job. But it is important to find your own ways to feel stimulated and fulfilled outside of the theatre, that will only make your work better.
Was there ever a moment where you felt like giving up? What did you do to get through that time?
Cameron: I think working in such a competitive field, I crave sustainability. So I’m not sure I ever thought about giving up, but I was once presented a job opportunity on the “other side of the table,” that I took. In 2015, I was offered a job as an office assistant for the producers of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. At the time, I was between jobs and not sure of my next step, so I thought I would give it a year. I was extremely grateful for the job, but I missed the performing aspect of theatre. I have been fortunate to have been working pretty consistently as a performer since that time, but it was an eye-opening experience to see theatre from that angle and all that goes into producing a Broadway musical.
Stephen: I had an injury during a show a few years ago that I was really scared to come back from. I actually started studying to go back to school! And of course that’s right around when my agents called with an audition for DEH. I think the lesson there was remembering I have value as a human that has nothing to do with singing a song or acting a scene. That freed me up to enjoy doing my work again.
You’re both involved in iconic and long-running shows. Cameron, Coronavirus ended your time with Aladdin just shy of one year and, Stephen, you’ve been with DEH for nearly 2. What do you think you’ll remember most about being a part of your particular show?
Cameron: Being a Disney show, Aladdin already comes with an enormous amount of pride, but I think what I’ll remember most is being part of this giant family. After 6 years on Broadway and 5 companies world wide, Aladdin has employed hundreds and hundreds of people. Just like in theatre, everyone knows everyone in this family and it’s very cool to be a part of the legacy that is Aladdin.
Stephen: I will never ever get over our audiences, our “fansens.” There is such a deep love and connection to this piece. It’s not often you get to be a part of something that feels so immediately impactful.
Other than 5 magical, or rather normal, weeks in Washington D.C., you've spent a good deal of your relationship long-distance. What’s the key to supporting your partner from afar?
Cameron: Being away from each other is not easy. Long distance is not easy. If your partner is sick or upset when you’re in the same city, you go grab them soup or lift their spirits with a date night. You can’t do that on the road. You got FaceTime. Haha!
But, you have to listen with an open heart and communicate what it is you need in each exact moment. This is something that we have learned and are still learning everyday. TRANSPARENCY! At the end of the day, we want the same thing: to be happy and make the other one happy.
Stephen: We understand that we’re both in the thick of a difficult thing— touring can be crazy and unpredictable at times. And when things get tough, we don’t have the benefit of sitting in the same room, which I think has actually helped us to grow. Since you can’t just give your partner a hug, all that you have is your words, and so our communication is stronger than ever.
Where are you on your mountain?
Cameron: What a difficult question! I think my mountain is a cluster of mountains. Maybe 4 or 5 mountains all close together. And after I reach the top of one mountain, I start to set my sights on the next. Because, I don’t want to diminish the joy and pride I felt achieving the goals I had once set for myself, such as Disney Cruise Line and a 1st National Tour! But I achieved those and now I’m onto other peaks.
Stephen: I’m just taking one day at a time and enjoying the hike!!
How has corona changed your view of the business and/or your life?
Quarantine has made it super clear how badly we need and crave human interaction. In difficult times, I think art becomes more important than ever, both for its escapism and as a means for reflection.
Personally, quarantine forced us to take care of ourselves and our relationship without any outside distractions. Our relationship has changed drastically. We went from seeing each other for two days every couple months, to not being able to leave each other’s side for the foreseeable future. It’s been a learning curve, but also a blessing. We also got a dog, August. He is perfect and difficult and a welcomed challenge. Our time has been filled with learning and teaching not only our dog, but ourselves.
Professionally, quarantine has also made us really appreciate our jobs and miss all of the stress and hard work that goes into the career and lives we have chosen.
RAPID FIRE from Cameron:
Favorite Broadway show: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Binge tv show: Law and Order: SVU and Golden Girls!
First time on stage: 2nd grade as a “non-dancing” Lostboy in Peter Pan.
On travel days, I pass the time by: EATING!
Religious, Spiritual, or nah?: Spiritual
Who likes Domino’s more?: Cameron. Phillip. Hobbs.
Former side hustles: Soulcycle and Photobooth operator.
Any bad audition stories?: Do you have all day?!
What’s the thing you wish you would’ve learned earlier?: That you define your own success!
Job you didn’t expect to book: Aladdin
Biggest beef with the business: Never knowing “what’s next?”
Favorite thing about the business: The people!
Anything you’d like to promote?: New puppy, August!
Photo Credits:
Photo 3: Matthew Murphy
Photo 4: Deen van Meer