In a surprising turn of events, a seemingly offhand and unusual comment from a casting director became the pivotal moment that launched actor Ethan Slater into the spotlight. Slater, now widely recognised for his role in the 'Wicked' film adaptations, recently recounted how this remark helped him secure his breakout role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the Broadway musical, a performance that later earned him a prestigious Tony Award nomination.
The Unforgettable Audition Call
Speaking at an event hosted by his alma mater, Vassar College, Slater delved into the memories of his audition for 'The SpongeBob Musical', based on Nickelodeon's iconic cartoon. His journey began after an audition for 'Romeo and Juliet' in New York, where he met casting director Erica Jensen. Shortly after, he received a call from another casting director, Paul Davis, about a mysterious workshop project.
Slater recalled the moment vividly. He was sitting on a beanbag chair, holding a SpongeBob plush toy and looking at a poster of the character's many faces. It was then that Davis called him. "Paul Davis called me and he said, 'We've got a workshop that we're casting. I can't tell you what it's called, but I think you're the right shape'," Slater shared, quoting the director. The actor's initial reaction was one of mock offense: "I was like, 'That is so hurtful'." Despite the odd compliment, he was soon sent the audition details for the untitled project.
Mastering the Art of SpongeBob
Initially taken aback, Slater embraced the challenge. The audition required a scene performance and a physical comedy routine. He chose a classic moment from the animated series where SpongeBob unknowingly eats a bomb baked into a pie by Squidward. "SpongeBob doesn't know, and Squidward does know, and the sun's setting, and he knows that at sundown, SpongeBob's going to explode," Slater described. He decided to play the absurd scene with intense emotional realism, a choice that caught the attention of the creative team.
Director and playwright Tina Landau, who co-conceived the musical, advised him to work on SpongeBob's signature laugh and invited him for a callback. For this second chance, Slater prepared extensively, watching "a ton of SpongeBob" and crafting a unique physical routine.
The Proud 'Billie Jean' Dance Audition
His callback involved creating another physical comedy piece. Slater's preparation resulted in what he calls one of his proudest audition moments: a three-minute dance to Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean', performed with the imagined premise of a bee attacking him throughout. "That's maybe one of my proudest auditions of all time, my Billie Jean dance," the actor admitted. This creative and energetic showcase ultimately won him the role.
From Chicago to Broadway and Beyond
Ethan Slater's dedication paid off spectacularly. He starred in the musical's world premiere in Chicago in 2016 and reprised the role on Broadway the following year. 'The SpongeBob Musical' was a critical and commercial success, receiving 12 Tony Award nominations in 2018. Slater himself was nominated in the coveted Best Actor in a Musical category. The production, featuring music by stars like Steven Tyler, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, and John Legend, later expanded into national and UK tours.
The actor's career has continued to soar. He recently starred in the movie adaptation of 'Wicked' and its upcoming sequel. He has also co-written and will star in the new play 'Marcel on the Train', set for an Off-Broadway debut in February 2026. In recognition of his inspiring career, Vassar College honoured Slater with the Young Alum Achievement Award in 2024, celebrating graduates from the past decade who have made significant impacts.
