Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Alumna takes role in HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’

 After eight auditions, Margot Bingham finally got the call that she landed a role on the HBO show, Boardwalk Empire. Bingham was so excited about it that nothing could ruin her day.“I got the call and then my phone got pick-pocketed later that day but other than that it was a really good day,” said Bingham in a telephone interview on Wednesday.Bingham now showcases her acting and singing talents in “Boardwalk Empire” as Daughter Maitland, the headstrong, new jazz and blues singer at the Onyx Club. The show is based on Atlantic City, N.J. during the prohibition era.“Originally it was supposed to be a couple day shots and a couple episodes but they extended it be something so much more than I think anyone ever expected, so the whole ride has been a dream,” Bingham said.While Bingham has been on stage since she was young, she had quite the journey to her role in “Boardwalk Empire.”At the age of nine, Bingham started modeling and doing pageant competitions. In 2005, she released her first album at the Hard Rock Café. She studied ballet at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and had vocal training at Carnegie Mellon University. After graduating CMU, Bingham spent two years studying dance and musical theater at Point Park.“It was short lived but it was good. I had great teachers in the department which was phenomenal,” Bingham said.By the time Bingham moved to New York in 2010, she already released two albums and was working on her third. She moved to New York to go on auditions and write for other artists, and  landed a spot on tour with singer Jason Mraz.“It was amazing; huge stadiums, arenas and all of them were all sold out,” Bingham said.Bingham decided to try one last musical theater audition and went to an open-call for the off-Broadway production of “Rent” and landed a part as Alexi Darling. She was in the show from 2011-2012 and said the experience was special to her. She got to work with the original director of the show as well as the same producers and some of the main cast members.During this time, Bingham met her current agent, Miles Williams. He saw her at one of his artist shows at the club S.O.B in New York, and she introduced herself. The second time he saw Bingham was a year later at her own showcase.“When I met [Bingham] and she gave me her CD, ‘Live at the Hazlet,’ I listened to it, and I fell in love with it,” said Williams in a phone interview on Friday.Even after starring in “Rent,” being on tour and landing a television role, Bingham does not consider them her biggest accomplishments. Continuing to work is a great achievement for her.  “Our (artist) biggest up fall and down fall is always finding the next job, being hungry enough to get the job,” Bingham said. “Everything is based around the next. Sometimes, we can never really enjoy the ride when we’re there.”Williams remembers the first time he saw her work in the music studio. He admires the way she takes command of the studio by knowing what she wants, perfecting her craft and the notes.“Her work ethic is incredible,” Williams said. “She is a true professional when it comes to her craft in whatever it is she is doing.”

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