Hudson Henley shines as Dayna in the critically-acclaimed “Song Sung Blue,” where he acts alongside industry veterans Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman. Henley spoke with NYOTA about his background in musical theatre, his experience working on intense, emotional scenes, and his advice for aspiring actors.

You’ve been playing the piano for most of your life and grew up listening to a lot of 70s-90s music. How did that musical upbringing shape you creatively?

I realized how music has an incredible power and can inspire change. For example, the way protest songs in the 1970s, with themes of pro-peace and civil rights, had a huge impact on our culture. Music is an important facet of my life.

You also have a background in musical theatre from the Nashville Theatre School. Does that play a role in how you choose or pursue different projects?

Yes, it causes me to pursue projects more boldly. I’m not afraid to audition for anything. I love seeing how audiences enjoy it and how they connect with the performance rather than just the storytelling.

In Song Sung Blue, you are acting alongside artists like Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, and King Princess, who are accomplished in both music and acting. How was it working with artists who work across both disciplines, and did it bring anything new out in your performance?

Well, yes, it impressed on me how essential music was to the story of Mike and Claire. I had some nice talks with Dayna and their son, whom I was portraying, about how he perceives music. Having learned his perspective, getting into his head, helped me improve my acting, and it helped me tell the story. I researched Neil Diamond’s iconic music and learned a few pieces on the piano. 

Your character Dayna formed a close bond with his stepdad Mike (Hugh Jackman). How did you and Jackman work off-screen to build that on-screen chemistry?

Getting to know and love Hugh was the easiest thing ever. We developed a close bond right away. He was so kind and loving toward me. We just really hit it off. We had so many common interests: music, theatre, and sports. He taught me about Australian football, and we just joked and hung out on set.

After Dayna’s mom, Claire (Kate Hudson), experiences a tragic accident, you delivered a raw performance in an intense and emotional scene. How did you prepare for that moment, and how did it feel coming out of it?

It was tricky getting into that mindset for that intense scene. I imagined how I would feel if it were my mom or dad who had been hurt so badly, what that would feel like. That personalizing it helped me deliver the best acting performance I could muster. And, yes, it messed me up for a few days. I was in an emotional state, distraught, actually. It was hard to shake the state of imagining my own family in that position. 

You have worked in both theatre and film. How do you navigate the challenges that come with shifting between performing live on stage and acting for the camera?

I just have to remember where I am. For theatre, I have to be “big,” acting for the back wall as they call it. For the camera, I have to be “smaller”; subtle, nuanced actions and facial expressions have to carry the story. Lucky for me, I enjoy it all.

You were the lead in The Wildman of Shaggy Creek, which came out earlier this year. How did it feel stepping into that responsibility?

I was blown away by how special it was to be cast as the lead in my very first film experience. The character of Scott felt very natural to me. I was blessed with a patient and kind director, Jesse Edwards, and cast and crew. It was a loving environment from the cameraman to my co-star; it was a very uplifting experience.

Any words of advice for other aspiring young actors out there?

The best advice I would share is what Hugh Jackman gave to me on the set of Song Sung Blue. Stay true to yourself. Don’t let anyone change who you truly are. And I would add, keep trying. If acting is what you really want, then give it everything you’ve got. Go for it!