Dream Roles: Age Appropriate

"What I really want is to originate a part. To craft a role with the creative team. To be the first to dance the combinations, eligible to be up for all sorts of nominations. I mean, seriously. That's my dream!" -Jake from The Battery's Down

As an actor you grow up watching and listening different shows and content. And every once in a while you come across a show that you want nothing more to be a part of. To be up there singing and dancing along with. Not just belting the score and dancing the combination on a Friday night in front of your mirror. I'm going to be listing 10 roles that I have had literal dreams of playing. This is an age appropriate list. So every character is someone I could play right at this moment. And all of these roles are played by female identifying actors. A gender bent dream roles list will be coming shortly.

First on my list is probably one of the most coveted roles in the theater world. Belle from Beauty and The Beast. I was a Disney kid from the very beginning. I would watch the movie over and over and over. When I was 4 and saw the production live in Toronto it automatically became something I wanted to accomplish in my life. Seeing a cartoon was one thing, but watching it in person by a human was life changing. Belle's demeanor, longing for adventure, and kind hearted nature was something so inspiring. Not to mention the score is so beautiful, and feels so wonderful to sing. Belting out Home or A Change In Me, doing the famous kick line with a bunch of silverware. It's really the dream.

Next is a role I will probably never play but absolutely adore. And that's Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. I've definitely never had the "hot girl" physique, I'm more of a "fun best friend" build. But that doesn't stop me from living my best Elle Woods life. The message behind her character, her drive, determination, and loyalty is really something we should all strive for. There's belting for days, empowering messages, and a pink wardrobe Barbie would kill for. Also you get a dog people!

This one is a non musical dream role. Molly in Peter and The Starcatcher. I fell in love with the book when I was a teenager. I got it as a Christmas present and automatically loved it. So when I heard they were making it into a play I already knew Molly was going to be a dream of mine. The artistic freedom, physicality and comedy behind the role are definitely what drew me into it. It could possibly be Celia Keenan-Bolgers amazing performance as well. But this role just seems like such a wonderful time on stage that anyone would be a fool not want to play her!

When you think of Wicked you automatically assume everyone would want to play Elphaba, right? Well not the case. Of course I would love to play Elphaba. Being lifted up while belting Defying Gravity to thousands of people in complete awe over you. Yes amazing. But I also adore the character of Nessarose. The fact that we don't have "The Wicked Witch of The East" recorded professionally is an absolute confusifying. It's a beautiful song, and such an important part of the story. Nessarose simply doesn't get the credit and I kind of love that.

I have always been a more contemporary, new musical theater person. I love the classics, and I'm glad they're there. But for my voice type and acting style I just find the 80's onwards to be my sweet spot. So when Heathers was made into a musical I simply could not. Veronica quickly became a role I needed to play. Everything from the comedic timing needed to play her down to the actual vocals was just perfect. Every single song in that show is something I want to be included in. And don't even get me started on "Dead Girl Walking."

I love comedy. It has always been something I was good at. My dad loves Monty Python so I grew up watching a decent amount of it. So when Spamalot came out I was very much into it. Pair their comedy with Sara Ramirez vocals and you have a Tony, literally she has one. The Diva's Lament was such a perfect, hilarious number that I remember belting out in our car on the way to choir practice on many occasion. Hilarious, sexy and talented. That's what I want to be.

I love Rent. It's sort of a right of passage for musical theatre kids. Sing Seasons Of Love, cry when Angel dies (oops spoilers) and all groan at Roger's love songs but secretly love them. I've played Maureen before, in a community theatre production, and I would love to play her again. There's so many ways you can go with the character that the more you grow as an entertainer, the more you can do with Maureen. She's fun and spunky, and sassy and just such a character.

Another role I will probably never actually play is Eliza Schuyler. I'm white, there are about a billion and one roles that have always been targeted to caucasian women. I get that, fine that's cool. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to sing Burn in front of a burning fire. The character of Eliza is the back bone of the show. The ending scene is one of the most beautiful things I've even seen. Not to mention she gets to sing a wonderful variety of styles that are just a joy.

I love Andrew Lloyd Webber. I had a VHS of Cats that I watched so many times I had to get a new copy. But my real love is for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. That show is the most wholesome, good natured fun you can have at a theatre. The Narrator has and will always be a dream role of mine. You get to gossip about other peoples drama, sing the entire time, and get to open and close most of the show. I'm here for it.

This last role is probably the most cliche role there is. Eponine from Les Miserables. No matter how many times I hear On My Own, or One Day More I am still in awe of this show. Eponine is, like Belle, on everyone's list. She's a heartbroken, strong willed character who would do anything for the people she loves. Plus it has one of the most recognizable songs ever. Yes it's cliche, but it's still wonderful and magical.