The Taffetas cast members Alexis Beaulieu, Marion Bienvenu, Coryn Bourgeois and Addie Wilson.
The Taffetas is set in the 1950s. The setting allows the audience to imagine they are watching a television review featuring a group of four girls singing many of their favorite songs. The show will feature songs such as Mr. Sandman and I’m Sorry. The show was conceived by Rick Lewis. Andrew Lewis is director and choreographer. Michael Rorex is musical director.
“It has a lot of music including four part harmonies between all of us and the taffeta dresses,” said cast member Alexis Beaulieu of Kingwood, Texas, who plays Peggy. “It’s a nice musical journey through the 1950s. I knew a lot of the music because my grandmother would play a lot of records from the fifties. Some of it I didn’t know, but I have had a lot of fun getting familiar with the music and rehearsing it.”
The other cast members are Addie Wilson and Coryn Bourgeois of St. Amant, and Marion Bienvenu of Baton Rouge.
“Those of us on the cast have become the best of friends,” said Beaulieu, “With the cast, stage managers and directors, there are just eight of us so we have really gotten to know each other. We have a lot of fun and make a lot of inside jokes.”
Beaulieu, a vocal performance/theatre major, is also a member of the NSU Chamber Choir.
“I grew up singing and that is what I want to do,” said Beaulieu. “My goal is to make it to Broadway and be part of a big stage show.”
According to Beaulieu, the faculty in the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State provide personal attention to students, which helps them develop their talent.
“We can talk to the faculty here as a friend. They know us by name and are available to talk with us,” she said. “Everyone is like family. The faculty know each of our individual voices and work with us to improve.”
Beaulieu said students in the theatre and dance program appreciate the chance to compete for parts as soon as they enter the program.
“In the theatre program, they look at everyone as an equal,” said Beaulieu. “If you are right for a part, you can get the part even if you are a freshman.”
Beaulieu said being a member of Northwestern State’s Chamber Choir, a highly auditioned choral ensemble that specializes in performing music suitable for smaller choirs, adds to her educational experience at NSU.
“Being part of the Chamber Choir is enjoyable, but is also challenging,” said Beaulieu. “Over the past year, we did Handel’s Messiah with a choir in Alexandria and performed Lessons and Carols in Natchitoches along with our regular concerts. One thing I really enjoyed was going on tour in the Baton Rouge area and performing for high school students. I look forward to doing that again.”
Post a Comment