Ft. Thomas native and NKU 2005 grad Justin Glaser can be found tonight pushing a laundry basket on stage at the Aronoff, where he’s enjoying his first national tour in non-Equity “Annie.” He’s also understudy for Drake the Butler.

It took six auditions and “It’s my first big gig. It’s very exciting,” Glaser reports.

Glaser had pretty much decided against seriously pursuing a stage career, despite some performances with Village Light Opera Group of Manhattan. He was working (and working his way up) in a veep’s office at New Line Cinema when Glaser did a little mental check. “Am I doing what I want to do? Is theater something I want to do? – That answer is always yes.”

“So I went with it, and I’m really loving it.”

Glaser plans to spend much of his free time during the Cincinnati engagement visiting with family (who’ll come to the show on Friday.) And he’s planning to pop in on Terry LaBolt’s weekly Sunday night cabaret at Below Zero after the final performance. He and his former voice teacher LaBolt are a mutual admiration society.

Need more “Annie” info? You know you can find it elsewhere at CinStages.