Spotlight On: Ashley McLeod
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of The Prom. Get to know Ashley McLeod who is portraying Angie Dickinson in our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
Hi! My name is Ashley McLeod and I play Angie Dickinson in “The Prom”.
What drew you to your specific role, and what has been the most rewarding part of playing them?
I wasn’t familiar with the show (except for a few of the songs that I had been part of at various cabaret nights), but decided to watch the movie when I saw the audition notice. I loved Angie’s character immediately because she was just such a fun, sincere, and big-hearted person. The most rewarding part has been getting to go on the journey every night to Indiana with the other “Broadway people” as our characters grow and find themselves by helping Emma.
What was your biggest “pinch-me” moment during the rehearsal or opening process?
How quickly it felt like everything came together! This cast and production team are all so talented and hard working, and everyone has been lovely. This is my first show at CTC and it has been such a pleasure getting to know so many new people.
What is your favorite song to perform in the show, and why?
Angie’s big number “Zazz” is the obvious choice, but a close runner up would be getting to sing the backups for “Unruly Heart” offstage. That song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it and will likely make us all cry when we perform it for real! It embodies everything this show stands for and the music is just so beautifully arranged.
Do you approach your character by finding similarities to yourself, or by focusing on how they are different from you?
Both! I’ve been playing mostly villains these past few years so getting to explore “a chorus girl with a heart of gold” has been a fun change!
Do you have any pre-show rituals to calm your nerves before going on stage?
I don’t typically get nervous performing – by the time a show opens, I’m just excited and ready for an audience! (Auditioning, on the other hand… Oof.) I do have a set of warm ups that I like to do in my car when driving to the theatre to make sure my voice is where I want it to be, if that counts as a ritual.
If you could give advice to someone wanting to perform in musical theater, what would it be?
Go for it – you’ll love it! Musical theatre is my happy place and there’s a great community of people who feel the same! It’s very rare for someone to do their first show and not get hooked.
What was your experience at your own high school prom?
Because I was dating an older boy, I got to go to prom multiple times and had a blast at all of them. My favorite part was probably getting to try on all of those beautiful dresses!
What does it mean to you to perform a show that celebrates building bridges and finding the courage to be your authentic self?
It means everything. With the state of the world right now, we need this message of love and acceptance more than ever. I’m honored to get to be a small part of it.
“The Prom” opens on May 22nd and runs through May 31st at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“It’s a 21st century “Bye Bye Birdie,” with showbiz interlopers causing havoc before finding their better selves — but re-imagined with a millennial slant and an echo of “Dear Evan Hansen” empowerment.” — FRANK RIZZO of Variety
“The Prom is hilarious, entertaining, and most importantly, moving. It highlights the ongoing cruelty in communities across the country. It highlights the ongoing barriers that minorities, specifically youth minorities, face daily.” — JESSICA NEU of onStage Pittsburgh
“What makes The Prom “more than entertainment” is the way its social messages are seamlessly threaded throughout a compelling storyline. The drama clearly offers a lesson in how a series of individuals and a whole town (surrogate for a nation or the world?) can be transformed from homophobia to an acceptance of life-affirming inclusivity.” — JOAN LANCOURT of the arts fuse
