A Hungarian Girl’s Journey to Broadway: Eszter’s Story

My name is Eszter Zádor, and I would like to share with you the story of my life so far, the paths that have led me here, and the experiences from which I have drawn inspiration.

I was raised on the picturesque streets of Budapest, where I learned the value of perseverance from an early age, thanks to my involvement in swimming and tennis. Those early swimming lessons and countless hours spent on the tennis court not only molded my athletic side but also played a significant role in shaping my entire adult life. In addition to sports, my parents introduced me to the world of culture, which led me to discover my passion for theater at an early age.

I attended the Alternatív Közgazdasági Gimnázium, where I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of theater. It was during my summer collaboration with the Orlai Production Company that I realized, theater was my calling.

My fascination with America began during my high school years when my brother, who was also a tennis player, and I decided to continue our studies in the United States with tennis scholarships. The admission process was not easy, with SAT (standardized college admissions test) exams, TOEFL (English proficiency) tests, and Hungarian high school graduation exams, all presenting challenges. However, thanks to our determination and help from family and friends, we both received scholarships and moved to America in 2016.

During my years in the US, I studied at Portland State University, where I not only excelled academically but also played on the university women’s tennis team. I chose theater arts as my major and also obtained a photography qualification. I proudly look back on my senior year when I received the Scholar-Athlete Award for outstanding academic and athletic performance.

Even during my university years, I was deeply drawn to the American theater scene, and I wanted to stay in the country and become more involved in the theater community. Being accepted into Columbia University in New York, where I completed a master’s program in stage management, was a significant milestone. Since then, I have been living and working in New York City.

I have had the privilege of participating in several significant productions, including the Broadway National tour of “Oklahoma,” Rattlestick Theater’s “All The Lonely Women” production, and an upcoming musical, “Gardens of Anuncia,” which will be playing at Lincoln Center Theater starting mid-October.

Recently, I had the pleasure of getting to know HungarianHub and Piros, with whom I immediately found common ground. Over the years, I have realized how important it is for Hungarians living abroad to access information and receive community support. That’s why I decided to join the HungarianHub team. I look forward to sharing my experiences and ideas with readers and hope to provide them with interesting and useful content.

The “My America” blog series introduces several successful Hungarian athletes in America, click here and get to know them too!