TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Lauren Chambers, "Babette"

"Into the Woods"

From mission work in Thailand to wowing us in every TAABeauty rehearsal with her hysterical and detailed performance as the French maid turned Feather Duster, Babette, Lauren Chambers throws her whole heart into everything she does, including her work on the stage!  She has been part of the Visalia performing arts community from an early age, and shared some of her thoughts on theater and life with us...

How did you get here?  Why is theater part of your life? I grew up watching old musicals, and I was mesmerized by them! The beautiful ladies in the beautiful dresses doing beautiful dances. It was all I ever wanted to do! Theater has also given me the opportunity to dance again, and has taught me a lot about confidence! There is something weirdly freeing about being someone else for a bit, it's fun!
 

"South Pacific"

Tell us about your performing arts background...I have been performing in one way or another in Visalia since I was in elementary school. Throughout my school years, I was very involved with Dance Arts, and since I've moved back to Visalia I've been enjoying working with the League of Christian Actors and Theater Arts Alliance. 

What is your favorite theater project to date? I think one of my favorite shows I've done was TAA's Young Frankenstein. The show itself is funny, but the cast made it hilarious! It was such a small cast, and most of us had worked together on other projects before, so it was like doing a show with your family. I was in the ensemble, so I had a million different parts. It was wonderful!  

What is your "day job," and what else do you do when you're not on stage?By day I am a teacher, I guess you could say it relates to theater by fact that I'm used to having an audience all day long. But really, I think that theater has helped me in my work simply because theater has helped me become a more confident person in general, in and out of my classroom. Aside from theater and work, I hardly have time for other hobbies, but I love to craft. I knit and and do other silly Pinterest-inspired things. I also love to bake pie! 

Real-life in Thailand!

Why see this production of "Beauty and the Beast?" Beauty and the Beast is a fairy tale, and fairy tales are good for the soul! Beauty and the Beast sends an important message about standing up for yourself, looking for the good in others and not judging someone simply because they may look different. I think everyone should see this show, because it really is "a tale as old as time," but our cast is giving a great interpretation to this magical story!

Dancing in TAABeauty rehearsal with Lumiere

 See Lauren as Babette the Feather Duster and the rest of the marvelous TAABeauty cast 

August 18-21 at Visalia's LJ Williams Theater
For tickets call 559-972-8417 

Or go to www.brownpapertickets.com

TAA Frankenstein Artist Spotlight: Brooke Rogers as Elizabeth Benning!

TAA is so excited to have amazing actress Brooke Rogers join us on stage this season!  An incredibly versatile actress, Brooke is stunning in serious and period pieces, but in this comic romp her sparkling wit will have everyone rolling in the aisles as she portrays Elizabeth Benning, Frederick Frankenstein's "madcap fiancee!"

"I'd say any adults with a sense of humor should see Young Frankenstein and have a great time, and adults without a sense of humor should see it so they can get one!"



 We asked Brooke a few more questions about her life in theater and current project... read her other thoughts below!

 1) What roles have you played in recent years and what are your all time favorites?  I just finished playing Anna in The King and I at COS and had an amazing time. It was the first musical I had done in YEARS and the fact that I got to be in such a classic show playing one of the roles I have always wanted to play made it extra special. A couple years before that, I did The Glass Menagerie as Laura, which was another dream time. I'd love to do that show again, I love it so much! I got to be both Belle and Mrs.Potts, which was awesome. At CAL STATE FULLERTON, I had an incredible experience in being an ensemble show called The Spoon River Project as well as The Laramie Project. Both let me explore many diverse characters and it was not only exciting, but it was provided great growth.

2) How is Elizabeth Benning the same/different from any of these? Does she present any particular challenges or fun for you? Elizabeth is SO different from most roles I've played!! It's one of the reasons I was so stoked to take it on, apart from the fact that it's Madeline Kahn's character in the movie. I've played big, out-there characters like Miss. Hannigan in Annie and Nanny in Baby with the Bathwater (who I think is the most Elizabeth-like role I've had). It's going to be hard letting myself be as big and bold as I can be! I'm so freaking excited. She's definitely the dirtiest broad I've ever played, that's for sure. BRING IT ON!

3) Why Theater? Is this kind of art important for the community? Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. I've seen theater inspire many people, may it be backstage, onstage, or in the audience. The theater community goes past just the cast and crew. The community is incomplete without an audience, so being able to be a part of a show and connect the outside world with the artistic world is an honor, and from the audience point of view, it's an honor to be invited into the story being told.

4) Why see Young Frankenstein?   Um... because it's hysterical. Fans of the movie will get to see many beloved moments live onstage. Even those who haven't seen the movie will have a blast. It has a definite melodramatic element which makes the site even funnier! I'd say any adults with a sense of humor should see it and have a great time, and adults without a sense of humor should see it so they can get one!

Come see Brooke and the rest of the incredible #TAAFrankenstein cast May 26th-28th at the Main Street Theater in Visalia!  
For tickets, call Kym at 559-972-8417 
or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2540771