"The legacy robe is an incredible symbol of our community because it represents us "Show People”. It represents all that we sacrifice to show up 8 times a week. It represents the aches and pains of our bodies and the discipline we need to have to show up fully for our audiences. It represents the swings, the understudies and the ensemble who work tirelessly to keep the backbones of Broadway shows strong so that theatre can thrive. It has been an incredibly challenging couple of years for our community, but the legacy robe is a symbol of our strength. We ARE resilient and we HAVE come back. I have experienced the blood, sweat and tears of Broadway for almost two decades, which the robe represents. The robe ceremony is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the journey of all of the hard work that has gone into each show, the relationships that I treasure from them and the growth I have experienced. It also makes me think deeply of those we have lost along the way and of the next generation that I need to nurture and pass on to. In this post-COVID world, the tradition is all the more sweet. The feeling I had during the ceremony was pure joy! Our company has been through a lot. Their arrival to Broadway was severely delayed because of COVID. I was welcomed into this family in March, but most of them have been on the journey for years. The robe was for them and the 15 Broadway debuts in our cast!!! They did it! I am honored to captain the ship. I felt tremendous pride."
Photo by Jenny Anderson.
Name: Erica Mansfield
Show: Almost Famous
Opening Night: November 3, 2022
Hometown: Born in France and raised in Houston, TX
Broadway Debut: Mamma Mia 2006
Professional Training: Luckily I had a fantastic theatre program in High School and a phenomenal dance teacher in Houston "Miss Susie” who guided me. She brought me to NY in the summers to train and sent me to theatre camps like Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project. I developed a deep passion for NY that brought me here at 18 years old and into a women’s residence on the upper west side with 2 suitcases and a dream. I studied via the school of life and loved being able to pick and choose my training at places like BDC and Steps, The School for Film and Television, TVI, The Independent Studio studying with Greg Zittle, Voice with Donna Reid to name a few. There are so many fantastic opportunities to educate yourself here. Some of my mentors such as Andy Blankenbuehler, Josh Bergasse and Tara Rubin ended up casting me in their shows many years later. The education through each unique experience was invaluable. It wasn’t the easiest journey, but it brought me to this point and whatever might lie ahead.
Year Joined: 2000
How I Got My Equity Card: Performing Marty in Grease at the Westchester Broadway Dinner Theatre. I turned down my card a couple of times there on other shows, and then they needed me to join to be dance captain. The decision was made for me!
Broadway Chorus Credits: Mamma Mia, How to Succeed, Evita, Pippin, On the Twentieth Century, On the Town, Finding Neverland, Bandstand, Kiss Me Kate, Mrs. Doubtfire and Almost Famous
Fun Fact: I am also a visual stylist and appearance coach for news stations around the country. I also have an incredible pup named Rylee that I love beyond words!
Mansfield runs around the circle wearing the Legacy Robe. Photo by Jenny Anderson.
The cast of Almost Famous joins Mansfield on stage. Photo by Jenny Anderson.
View the full gallery of photos
Watch the video of the ceremony