Auston Henderson has spent years preparing for this moment. A Houston native and Spring High School graduate, he has taken the stage in cities across the country, but performing Hamilton at the Hobby Center hits differently.
This is home.
“This has been a dream come true,” Henderson says. “It’s also really tough. I’ve never had to live on the road.”
In his national tour debut, Henderson plays James Reynolds and other ensemble roles while covering several principal characters. The opportunity to be part of Hamilton, one of the most influential musicals of all time, is a testament to his talent, perseverance and deep love for the craft. But his journey to the stage wasn’t a direct one.
A detour through music
Henderson received a degree in music theatre from Elon University in 2017. Instead of immediately chasing Broadway, he followed his passion for music. He pursued a career as a recording artist, moving to Los Angeles and Nashville, performing on the Grand Ole Opry’s General Jackson Showboat, and building his artistry in ways that would ultimately prepare him for Hamilton.
“The passion to leap and go to New York and start doing things is beautiful,” Henderson said. “I knew that I couldn’t let that fire and hunger and inspiration go, but I also knew that New York was not going anywhere.”
That patience paid off. Now, traveling the country with Hamilton, he’s proving to himself just how much grit he possesses.
“Every day, I am showing myself what I’m capable of, and it’s so empowering,” Henderson said.
Senior Lecturer in Music Polly Cornelius, who was his voice teacher at Elon, said it comes as no surprise that he’s living his dream.
“Auston was always a ‘triple threat’ who can act, dance and sing, but has a special, powerful and beautiful voice,” Cornelius said.
Coming home to Houston
For Henderson, Houston is more than just his hometown. It’s the foundation of his artistic journey. Performing at the Hobby Center, where he once watched shows as a kid, is a full-circle moment.
“I grew up seeing shows at the Hobby Center. That was my Broadway,” he says. “The first show I saw there was Swing when I was young, and I’ll never forget that moment. I sang Lion King there in 2012. I have so much pride being from Houston.”
Henderson credits the city’s rich culture and arts scene for shaping him.
“Houston has created the artist and the person I am today,” he said. “All the culture and everything I grew up around influenced who I became. It has led me to be able to perform in a show like Hamilton and do these incredible things. I just owe it all to Houston.”
The homecoming has also been deeply personal. His former theater teacher—the one who cast him in Willy Wonka, his first musical—came to see him perform.
“To have the teacher who started it all be there is a feeling I can’t explain,” he says.
Beyond the personal nostalgia, being home provides a comfort that eases his anxiety.
“I grew up in Humble, right next to Bush Airport. I participated in UIL, four different choirs, we sang for the Astros, Rockets, the Houston Chamber Choir,” Henderson said. “This was my training ground.”
Why Hamilton still resonates
Hamilton is here through March 23. The show has played in Houston before, but its impact never fades. Henderson believes the show’s power lies in its ability to evolve with its audience.
“The musical is alive. We are talking about things happening in the 1700s, but this is our democracy, how our country came to be, and it’s still so pertinent today. Where you are in your life, you will see the show very differently,” he explains. “The music is infectious. Hamilton really crosses the border of musical and theater. Fusing hip-hop with the beautiful writing keeps people coming back.”
The weight and joy of the stage
When Henderson stepped onto the Hamilton stage for the first time in front of a live audience, it was an overwhelming release of emotion.
“Most of us were new and learned the show from the ground up. There’s no way to describe your dreams coming true. It just inspires you more and makes you want to inspire others,” he said.
The role isn’t easy. In addition to his nightly performances, he has to be ready to step into multiple principal roles at a moment’s notice.
“All of the sacrifices, even learning the show—my track is one of the hardest in the show,” Henderson said. “I have to do my show every night, 8 shows a week, but I also have these three principal characters on my shoulder.”
Despite the challenges, the hard work is worth it. “It was so much work and so much in my brain, but the final bow made it all worth it,” he said.
As Henderson takes the stage in Houston, his flame burns brighter. “I have fire here that I don’t have in other cities because I’m home.”
Box
Hamilton at the Hobby Center
March 4 – 23, 2025
Tues – Fri at 7:30pm | Sat at 2 & 7:30pm | Sun at 1:30 & 7:00pmTICKETS: Start at $49. Available online at www.TheHobbyCenter.org or www.BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com
