Michelle Obama Gives Passionate Speech as Part of BROADWAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE; Airs on TLC This Thanksgiving

Today, November 16, First Lady Michelle Obama give a fun and passionate speech during a student workshop as part of BROADWAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE, parts of which will air on TLC this THANKSGIVING in a special hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison. Also participating throughout the day will be Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Christian Borle, Cicely Tyson and other current Broadway performers.

"We also invited you all here today because we believe in you," the First Lady told the crowd of students. "And we always think that there's a good reason to invite a bunch of talented young people to the White House to make sure they know how special they are. The President and I and everyone on this stage, we know how extraordinary you guys are. And these folks are here today to honor you and to hopefully inspire you. They're also here with an important message for you about what it takes to succeed, not just on Broadway, but in life.

"It took a lot more than their just pure, raw talent for these folks to be where they are. They weren't born knowing how to act or direct or sing. Their achievements took years of honing --- thousands of hours memorizing lines, rehearsing for that big scene; endless late nights spent getting over stage fright, calming their nerves, figuring out how to step on that stage and get it right; countless auditions and interviews, and plenty of heartbreaks and failures -- before they finally found success. And that's something we want to remind all young people. It looks easy up here; you think that the path is always straight, but it rarely is."

The First Lady went on to talk about FUN HOME's Gabriella Pizzolo and how she was patient for her opportunity to shine on Broadway, and about pop legend Gloria Estefan's perseverance and inspiring work ethic.

"And when talking about how Gloria was able to achieve so much -- this is a quote, this is WHAT SHE SAID -- she says, 'If you put in the work and persevere, success is what you're going to get back,'" Michelle Obama continued. "And that's true not just on stage, but in every aspect of your lives, and it's something we really try to drive home with the young people that we work with. No matter what you want to do in life -- whether you want to be an actor or a doctor or a scientist or a teacher, or even a good parent, quite frankly -- it takes a lot of hard work and perseverance.

"You're going to need to learn all kinds of skills. You've got to have that foundation of an education in the end. Going to school and getting that foundation is only going to prepare you to do the kinds of things you want -- whether it's singing or producing or songwriting. You've got to be in school, and you've got to show up, and you've got to do the homework, and you've got to put in 120 percent.

"You can't be late. You can't just not show up. Because part of showing up in school is practicing being able to show up when it's time to do your part. You've got to be there if you're going to replace the lead as an understudy. You have to be on time. You have to be consistent. And all this you learn and you practice in school.

"So never, never think that school is just sort of that side thing you do to get where you want to be. School and education lays the foundation so that you can ultimately be great at what you do. It's all relevant, okay?"

This Thanksgiving, TLC cameras will follow deserving high school students who were chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend an all-day symposium on careers in theater. Held at the White House, and alongside some of the biggest names on Broadway, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will transform into a space for students to explore their creative aspirations and dig into molding their emerging talent.

Throughout the day the special will follow approximately 40 students from both public arts high schools and after school arts programs, from around the country, as they attend master classes in their chosen field of study. Led by the professionals they hope to become, workshop subjects will include acting, directing, hair/make-up/costume design, music composition and musical theatre. In the afternoon, the students will attend a Q&A session, where a panel of Broadway professionals will offer advice, discuss their own careers and how they got started, and be available for questions. The day will culminate with an evening performance by the Broadway stars for participants and First Lady Michelle Obama. The performance will feature music from FINDING NEVERLAND, FUN HOME, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, ON YOUR FEET!, SCHOOL OF ROCK and SOMETHING ROTTEN!

To join the conversation, use the hashtag #BroadwayAtTheWhiteHouse on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

To post a comment, you must register and login.