Andrew Burnap: From Rhode Island Roots To Broadway Stardom
How does a kid from a small coastal town in Rhode Island become one of Broadway’s most talked-about young stars, poised to headline a major Disney reimagining? The journey of Andrew Burnap is a masterclass in artistic dedication, strategic career moves, and the power of a unforgettable audition. Since his professional stage debut, Burnap has consistently chosen roles that challenge him, moving from classical revivals to groundbreaking new plays and, now, to the silver screen. This article dives deep into the life, career, and upcoming projects of the actor who is quietly reshaping what it means to be a modern theatre star crossing over into film.
We’ll explore his foundational years in South Kingstown, his rapid ascent through the ranks of New York and London theatre, his breakout role in the Tony-winning The Inheritance, and his transition to screen work in series like WeCrashed and Under the Banner of Heaven. Most notably, we’ll unpack his leading role as Jonathan opposite Rachel Zegler in Disney’s highly anticipated Snow White (2025), a character that redefines the classic fairy tale prince. Prepare to discover the relentless drive and nuanced craft behind the rising fame of Andrew Burnap.
Andrew Burnap: Biography and Personal Details
Before tracing his career trajectory, let’s establish the core facts about the man behind the roles. Andrew Burnap’s personal history is succinct, marked by a clear origin story that fuels his grounded approach to fame.
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| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrew Burnap |
| Date of Birth | March 5, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | South Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Primary Professions | Actor (Stage, Film, Television) |
| Known For | The Inheritance (Broadway/West End), Snow White (2025), WeCrashed (2022), Under the Banner of Heaven (2022), Camelot (2023) |
| Education | (Details not widely publicized; trained through professional conservatory/regional theatre pathways) |
This table highlights his American roots and his primary identity as a stage actor who has successfully transitioned to screen. His birthplace, South Kingstown, is a quiet, coastal town—a world away from the bright lights of Broadway, a contrast that often informs his perspective on his career.
The Early Years: Rhode Island to the Stage
Andrew Burnap was born and raised in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. This environment, characterized by its beaches and close-knit community, provided a stable, unassuming backdrop for his early life. While specific details about his family and childhood are kept private, it’s clear that his path to acting was not one of traditional Hollywood nepotism but of discovered passion and local opportunity. Rhode Island, though not a major entertainment hub, has a respectable regional theatre scene, which likely offered his first glimpses of live performance.
His professional journey began not with a small indie film, but on the hallowed boards of New York’s Public Theatre, a legendary institution known for its Shakespeare in the Park and commitment to accessible, high-quality theatre. In 2014, he was cast in the Public’s revival of King Lear. This was no minor role; being chosen for a Shakespearean tragedy at such a prestigious venue so early in his career signaled immense promise. Two years later, in 2016, he returned to the Public for another Shakespeare revival, Troilus and Cressida. These two productions served as his rigorous, high-profile stage debut, grounding him in classical text and connecting him with directors and peers at the pinnacle of American theatre. These experiences were his "university," teaching him stamina, textual analysis, and the electric energy of performing for diverse, discerning audiences.
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Broadway Breakthrough: The Inheritance and Toby Darling
While the Public Theatre roles were crucial, Andrew Burnap’s true breakthrough came with the two-part epic, The Inheritance. This play, a modern reimagining of E.M. Forster’s Howards End set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in New York, was a theatrical event. It transferred from London’s West End to Broadway in 2019, where it won the Tony Award for Best Play.
Burnap originated the role of Toby Darling in the West End production, making him among the youngest actors to ever portray this complex, central character on either side of the Atlantic. Toby is a charismatic, ambitious, and deeply flawed young writer whose relationships and choices drive the narrative’s emotional core. The role demanded a breathtaking emotional range—from charming wit to devastating vulnerability—and Burnap’s performance was hailed as a revelation. His success in London’s West End, a proving ground for international talent, proved his mettle before he even set foot on Broadway. The role cemented his reputation as a serious, formidable stage actor capable of carrying a major, demanding production. It was this specific performance that put him firmly on the map for casting directors in both theatre and film.
Transition to Screen: WeCrashed and Under the Banner of Heaven
The natural next step for a rising stage star is the screen, and Andrew Burnap’s transition was both strategic and swift. He began landing roles in high-profile television projects that leveraged his intensity and relatability.
First was the Apple TV+ limited series WeCrashed (2022), starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway as the flamboyant founders of WeWork. Burnap played Eliot, a key early employee and confidant to Leto’s Adam Neumann. The series required him to navigate the real-life drama of corporate ambition and betrayal, showcasing his ability to work in an ensemble with major movie stars in a serialized format.
Shortly after, he appeared in the Hulu limited series Under the Banner of Heaven (2022), based on the Jon Krakauer book about a brutal murder in a fundamentalist Mormon community. Starring Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones, the series was a gritty, intense drama. Burnap’s involvement in these two major 2022 projects demonstrated his versatility—from the sleek, modern world of tech startups to the harsh, historical landscapes of religious extremism. These roles, while not always the lead, provided crucial visibility to a broad, streaming audience and proved his screen presence was as compelling as his stage work.
Stepping into a Classic: Snow White and the Role of Jonathan
Andrew Burnap’s most significant career leap to date is his casting as Jonathan in Disney’s live-action reimagining of Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as the titular character. Set for release in 2025, this film is generating immense buzz, and Burnap’s role is central to its new narrative.
Jonathan is a completely new character, created for this adaptation. He is described as Snow White’s love interest, partially inspired by the traditional Prince Charming but fundamentally reimagined. Crucially, he is also a rebel who wants to defy the evil queen’s monarchy. This isn’t a passive, romantic afterthought; Jonathan is an active participant in the story’s conflict, aligning with Snow White against the oppressive ruler. This makes the character dynamic and modern, fitting for a 2020s audience.
Burnap’s chemistry with Rachel Zegler is a key point of interest. Their pairing brings together a celebrated Broadway star (Zegler, from West Side Story) and a peer from the stage world (Burnap). In interviews promoting the film, Burnap has shared that Jonathan “doesn’t take anything seriously, including, at some times, the movie itself.” This playful, meta approach suggests a character with wit and self-awareness, a refreshing take on a classic archetype. The role requires a blend of charm, action-hero capability, and comedic timing—a perfect showcase for an actor with Burnap’s stage-honed skills in physicality and timing.
Back to Broadway: Camelot and Stage Versatility
Even as he prepares for a major film release, Andrew Burnap has not abandoned his first love: the stage. In 2023, he returned to Broadway in a new revival of the classic musical Camelot. This production, directed by Bartlett Sher and starring Phillipa Soo as Guenevere, offered Burnap a different kind of challenge: a musical theatre role.
He played Mordred, the scheming, illegitimate son who seeks to destroy King Arthur’s kingdom. This was a significant departure—a villainous, singing role in one of the most famous musicals ever written. The 2023 Broadway cast recording captures his performance, showcasing a darker, more menacing vocal quality compared to his previous work. Playing Mordred required him to embody treachery and youthful resentment, a stark contrast to the earnest Toby Darling or the rebellious Jonathan. This role proved his versatility and commitment to the Broadway ecosystem, willingly taking on a supporting but pivotal part in a high-profile revival while his film career was ascending. It reinforced his identity as a working theatre actor at heart.
Personal Insights and Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes
What truly humanizes Andrew Burnap are the personal stories he shares from his pre-fame days. In a recent interview ahead of his next Broadway role and the release of Snow White, he took a reflective look back at his first auditions. He recounted a “particularly memorable tennis match” that occurred during one of those early, nerve-wracking tryouts.
This anecdote isn’t just a funny story; it’s a window into his mindset. It illustrates the absurd, high-pressure, and often surreal experience of being a young actor trying to break in. The tennis match likely represented a moment of unexpected normalcy or a bizarre distraction in the midst of a career-defining opportunity. It speaks to his ability to find humor and perspective in stressful situations—a trait that undoubtedly serves him well in the volatile entertainment industry. These kinds of stories build a connection with fans, showing that beneath the polished performer is someone who remembers the struggle and the strange, small moments that make up a career’s foundation.
Andrew Burnap’s Rising Star: What’s Next?
With Snow White on the horizon, Andrew Burnap stands at a pivotal moment. He has successfully built a dual-track career that is rare and valuable: respected credibility on the stage (in both plays and musicals, in New York and London) and growing recognition on screen through prestige television. This foundation makes him a reliable and bankable choice for filmmakers seeking talent with depth and discipline.
His future likely involves a continued balance between the two mediums. We can anticipate him returning to Broadway or the West End for the right project, given his clear passion for live theatre. Simultaneously, his role as Jonathan is poised to make him a household name, opening doors to a wider range of film roles beyond the fairy tale genre. He represents a new model of actor: one who doesn’t abandon theatre for film but uses each to enrich the other. His choices—from the classical rigor of King Lear to the contemporary relevance of The Inheritance to the blockbuster potential of Snow White—show a thoughtful, intentional career path.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Andrew Burnap
Andrew Burnap’s story is compelling because it feels both classic and entirely of the moment. It’s the story of a talented kid from Rhode Island who pursued his craft with singular focus, earning his stripes in the most demanding theatrical environments. He didn’t chase viral fame; he built a formidable resume role by challenging role, from Shakespeare to modern drama to musical theatre. This foundation of versatility and respect for the craft is what makes his crossover to major film so exciting.
As he steps into the role of Jonathan in Snow White, he carries with him the lessons of Toby Darling’s emotional journey, the cunning of Mordred, and the resilience of that young actor at his first tennis-match audition. He is not just playing a prince; he is redefining what a prince can be in today’s cinema—a rebel, a partner, and a character with a playful spirit. Andrew Burnap’s career is a testament to the enduring power of stage training in the digital age and a promising indicator of the nuanced, compelling performances we can expect from him for decades to come. His journey reminds us that sometimes, the most magical stories begin in the most ordinary of places.
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Andrew Burnap '13 – The University of Rhode Island
Andrew Burnap - Actor
Andrew Burnap ’13 – The University of Rhode Island
