Friday, April 17, 2015

Spotlight On...Madeline Calandrillo

Name: Madeline Calandrillo

Hometown: Garden City, NY (Long Island)

Education: BA in Theatre Performance from Rider University, NJ

Select Credits: Poe, Design for Living, A Christmas Carol, The Clean House

Why theater?: Theater, for me, is a way of expression. It is a playful and truthful way to explore the truth about humanity. I love that we can be storytellers.

Who do you play in A Midsummer Night's Dream?: Flute and Cobweb

Tell us about Midsummer: This production of Midsummer is an interesting  mix of modern day and Shakespearian language. As an actor, it is so much fun to work on something from the very beginning. It has been such a collaborative rehearsal process in the early stages.

What is it like being a part of Midsummer?: Midsummer has defiantly been such fun. I play two different parts. These characters are completely different. Flute is very nervous and basically has an anxiety attack throughout the last half of the show. While, Cobweb, is a very grounded and earthy character. Both parts are very playful but in different ways. This whole cast has been so great to work with. Each rehearsal was like we were experimenting different ways to find the balance between the fairy and modern world.
 
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love working on new works. I have been really fortunate lately to be a part of several shows that started out as just readings. It is a challenge for an actor to create a new and truthful character. My family inspires me every day. They are so incredibly supportive. My parents are doctors so we always joke about how funny it is that I wanted to be an artist. I am also a teaching artist and my students are so inspiring. Usually, my students have no idea what they are creatively capable of. It is such a wonderful feeling to watch when they realize that theatre and the arts is so vital to their growth.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: I know it closed but Bonnie from Bonnie and Clyde.  Anything Sarah Ruhl. I would love to play Lane from the Clean House again. I was lucky enough to play her back in college but being older and more worldly (ha) I would love to go back and experiment.

What’s your favorite show tune?: I really listen to everything. I think my favorite piece of music has to hands down be the "Overture" to The Light in the Piazza. I heard it live once and I cried like a baby.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Tom Hewitt- I just saw him do a one man show in January, directed by Aaron Mark. He is amazing.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Agh can I think about it and get back to you???

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: There was a 1966 musical version of Breakfast at Tiffany's. I think that would have been interesting to see. I also missed The Drowsy Chaperone and I would have loved to have seen that!  

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I know I am a little late but I just started watching "30 Rock". It is so funny.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?:  Chocolate. I have absolutely no control when it comes to anything chocolate. I'm also a compulsive shopper.