Director Interview: Nicolette Adams Brings Annie to Life!
At Steel River Playhouse, every production is a collaborative effort fueled by creativity, passion, and talent. This season, we’re thrilled to have Nicolette Adams at the helm of our production of Annie! With years of experience in theatre and a knack for creating magic on stage, Nicolette has been working closely with the cast and crew to bring this beloved classic to life.
We sat down with her to learn more about her journey, her approach to directing, and what makes this Annie truly special. Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at Nicolette’s vision and what you can expect when the curtain rises!
What’s your favorite part of directing Annie?
My favorite part of directing Annie is my favorite part of directing any show – meeting beautiful new people and letting them bring their own special flare to each moment. No two productions of a show are alike because no two actors are alike. The actors are what make a show worth doing and my actors are awesome!
Do you have a favorite song from Annie?
My favorite song is “Maybe.” Every time I hear it, I tear up. It’s just so full of hope that you can’t help but connect with it. I dare you not to cry during the last reprise, when Annie is about to leave the Warbuck’s mansion. It’s heartbreaking and so beautiful. A close second is “Thank You, Herbert Hoover”, affectionately nicknamed “Hooverville”. It’s a song that wasn’t in the movie so most people don’t know it but it’s so clever and has a great melody that can get stuck in your head for days!
If you could play any character in Annie, who would it be?
I’d love to play Miss Hannigan. It’s so fun to be the villain because, as an actor, you have to figure out why they are the way they are, so you have something to connect with. If you don’t know why the character is that way, you’ll never connect to them and the audience will never connect with you.
How did you get started in theatre?
I auditioned for my first show in 7th grade. My best friend wanted to audition but didn’t want to go alone. I had horrible stage fright at the time but was happy to take an ensemble role in the play. The next year was a musical and that’s when I got hooked! I did every play and musical in high school and decided to major in Theater in college. There, I learned the “backstage” talents – stage management, costume and makeup design, lots of crew positions – it was only after graduation that I learned what it was to be an actor and director. 15 years later, I’m proud to have been part of 43 community theater productions (and counting)!
What do you enjoy most about being part of the local theatre community?
I love how small the theatre world is. Every show, event, or audition you go to, you’re bound to run into someone that you know (or at least have met in passing so many times that you’re basically friends!) I also love the way our community supports one another. We aren’t in competition with other theaters. Their triumphs are a win for the entire community and we do whatever we can to make sure that every show is a success.
Join us for a heartwarming journey filled with unforgettable songs, lovable characters, and the timeless story of hope and resilience. Gather your family and friends for this feel-good musical event!
