Q1: Tell us about your first memory of seeing/reading Mary Poppins.
The movie of Mary Poppins is one of my favorites. I don’t specifically remember the first time I saw it, but I do know that I was around four or five–I still have my first copy of it on VHS. I’ve watched it countless times since then, and it always brings me so much joy. Julie Andrews is one of my all-time favorite actresses.
I didn’t start reading the books until last summer after I found out that I had been cast as Mary. They are absolutely charming and give you a lot of insight into who Mary is that the movie doesn’t. She is a lot more vain and stern in the books, though the love and desire to help the Banks family is, of course, the same. P.L. Travers is a brilliantly creative writer who paints extremely vivid word pictures. Through Mary, she really expands the imaginations of Jane and Michael and awakens their desire for adventure, which is a much needed refreshment in our world today where technology does so much of our imagining and thinking for us.
Q2: Is Mary a dream role for you?
Mary is most definitely a dream role for me. I remember seeing the Broadway musical in New York in high school and just being in awe of how such a beloved story had been created into this wonderful production. I’m so excited to bring the joy of Mary Poppins to the Charleston community. We say all the time in rehearsal how you just can’t help but to be happy when you watch it, and I can’t wait to spread that to other people as well.
Q3: What’s been the funnest moment of rehearsal so far?
The best part of rehearsal has been watching everyone’s characters come to life. This cast is so talented, and it has been really fun and interesting to see the different ways that people interpret and add their own personalities to the characters. I also really love the dance in “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” It’s so zany and fun.
Q4: Where are you from?
I grew up in Knoxville, TN. I am a southern girl through and through! Both of my parents are artistic: my mom is an amazing singer and choir director and my dad is a beautiful artist and photographer. I grew up going to choir concerts, plays and the symphony. I can remember many a Saturday afternoon spent listening to the Metropolitan Opera broadcast on NPR.
Q5: How did you get involved in theatre?
I sang with the Knoxville Children’s Choir and Knoxville Opera Children’s Chorus all through elementary and middle school and then began doing more theatre at school and in the community when I was a little bit older. I had a wonderful theatre teacher in high school who really inspired me to pursue performing and teaching as a career. I received further theatre training from Samford University in Birmingham, AL, and graduated last May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.
Q6: Tell us about another role you’ve loved playing.
One of my favorite roles I played was Jane in the musical Jane Eyre at Samford. The music and story are beautiful, and I really connected with her on a personal level.
Q7: Are you excited about flying?
I’m so excited to fly! I’ve wanted to fly on stage ever since I knew that that was possible, and I can’t wait to finally do it!
Charleston Stage’s “Mary Poppins” runs April 6 – May 1, 2016, at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. For tickets, call (843) 577-7183 or purchase online by clicking here.
