In The Spotlight - Laura Woolley

How long have you been performing in shows
From a little girl! I started dancing when I was just 3 years old. My mum took me to the Neal Academy of Dance where I started dance lessons. I learned tap ballet and modern dance and performed in shows and pantomimes at Stanford Hall Theater.

What got you interested in music / theatre
I went to see Greasepaints' production of "Calamity Jane" in 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed it. It inspired me to want to be on stage and be part of such a talented group of people. With some encouragement from family and friends I attended an audition to join Greasepaint and was thrilled to be accepted. My first rehearsal was for "Chess" I was quite nervous but I remember feeling very excited when I recognized people from the shows and I felt like asking for their autograph because it felt like they were stars!

What was your first show
My first show was "chess" in winter 2001. I was not familiar with the show but soon became very absorbed with the powerful & mind blowing music involved in the show. My favorite rehearsals were those that took place in the Parish Church in Loughborough because of how beautiful the music and our voices sounded inside the church. I thoroughly enjoyed performing in "Chess" and I couldn't wait to do the next show.

What has been your favourite show and/or character and why
My favorite show has to be "Fame" which we recently performed (May 2010) The show has always been one of my favorites because of the humor, fantastic characters and the dancing! I have seen Greasepaint perform "Fame" before at the Town Hall back in 2000. I thoroughly enjoyed it and remember my favorite character was "Mabel" I remember thinking: "WOW! I would love to play Mabel Washington someday" Well my dream came true when it was announced we were to be performing "Fame" as our show in May 2010. I auditioned for the part of Mabel and was delighted to have got the part! I throughly enjoyed playing the character (probably because I'm so like her!) It was a pleasure to work with the rest of the company and cast and it will be a show I will definitely "Remember Remember Remember!"

What has been your most embarassing or funniest moment in a show
Oh dear there have been a few but the funniest moment was actually backstage when we performed the "Wizard of Oz" in 2008. I was arranging my next costume for a quick change in the disabled toilet behind the stage. I was dressed in my Oz land costume (green tunic and large head dress with tall twisted wire on top) I somehow managed to get the wire on top of my head dress caught in the cord (that you pull for help in an emergency!)the alarm sounded and I ran outside panicing because I thought that the audience and everyone would here it!! Luckily the audience couldn't hear it and a member of stage crew came to my rescue. I was so embarrassed!

Describe the best and worst costumes you have had to wear
One of favorite costumes was a dress I wore in "Little Shop of Horrors" in 2007. I played one of the singing ronettes. I got to wear a long purple sequin gown with a fish tail back and halter neck straps. I felt like a "Diva" in that dress it was beautiful. When I was at the Neal Academy of Dance aged 3-4 one of my favorite costumes was an ice blue tutu with silver sequins and white swans down (fluff) I got to wear a little silver crown. My mum still has the tutu in her attic today as she didn't want to throw it away. (She made after all!)

I was not very fond of our "jitterbug" costume for "Wizard of Oz" Although it looked very effective on stage it was an all-in-one PVC suit that covered you from head to toe. It was very figure hugging but the worst thing was it was sticky and very hot! It was a relief to get it off after dancing in it!

What has been your proudest moment
I was very proud to have received the part of "Lottie" in Mack and Mabel in 2009. It was my first big principle role and I had two numbers "Big Time" and my proudest moment of the show "Tap your troubles away" The tap number was spectacular. I performed tap dancing along with company members who blew the socks off the audience with the dance break routine. The response to the number was brilliant and it felt amazing!

If you could choose any show to perform in, what would it be and why
CHICAGO!!!! I love everything about Chicago. The 20s costumes, the songs, the story line and the characters! I have the film and the soundtrack and my favorite number has to be the "Cell Block Tango" I would love to play "Roxie" or "Velma" in this production on stage.

Do you have any plans to pursue theatre as a career
No not really. I never had the confidence to take it any further really. I'm happy doing it as a hobby. I've been involved with Greasepaint for about 9 years now. It's something I'm going to keep doing because I enjoy it, it has helped me gain more confidence and experience but more importantly I've made more friends.