10 Questions — Carolyn Cole | Washington Theatre Guide | TheatreWashington

10 Questions — Carolyn Cole

May 3, 2012 | by Manny Strauss

First show you saw:
I think it was Miss Saigon. My mom was embarrassed because she didn’t realize the opening scene involved prostitutes, and I was definitely the youngest person in that entire audience.

First involvement in a theatrical production:
I played one of the Three Little Pigs in my kindergarten musical The Three Piggy Opera.

Favorite play / musical:
My favorite show when I was real young was Les Misérables. Then I was blown away when I saw Jersey Boys on Broadway during its previews a few years ago. I don’t think I have a ‘favorite’ today, I just really respect great work.

Favorite playwright / composer:
I don’t have a favorite composer, I love so many. But I am impressed by people I’ve met locally who compose (i.e. Matt Conner).

What you like most about Washington area theatre community:
I love how welcoming DC is to new-comers (like myself!). The talent here is absolutely incredible. And people genuinely Love, and are so dedicated to, theatre out here. It is so refreshing.

Something others are often surprised to find out about you:
Apparently my (Boston) accent is very surprising to people. I instinctually turn it off when working on a show. So when I start to really kick-back with a cast, they get to experience it first-hand.

Other than your significant other, who would be your dream date (living or dead)?
I don’t think I have a ‘date’ in mind, but I’d love to have lunch with my Grandmother who passed some years ago. She was my absolute best friend. She used to make me stand on her stair as my stage and teach me songs everyday. I’d want to tell her about how far I’ve come because of her teachings. (And we’d eat Spaghetti Os, bread ‘n butter, and chocolate milk, which is what we ate everyday, ahah).

If not theatre, then what?
I enrolled in cosmetology school not too long ago. I just wanted to work, and show contracts were not coming very frequently. Of course, right before my classes were supposed to start, I booked a show (my first in DC), and I took that as a sign that I should stick to theatre.

Why do you do what you do?
It’s the only thing in this world that makes me happy. And to be able to make others happy with what I do is a gift that I appreciate every day.

Advice for an 8 year-old smitten by theatre / for a graduating MFA student:
I’ve talked to people in both of those age groups. And I always tell them to Go for it. If you’re a small kid with big dreams — Go for it. If you’re a big kid with big dreams, and everyone is telling you to be smart and have things to fall back on so you don’t end up poor, lol, but you just want to do theatre — Go for it.