Spotlight On: Kaylyn Terry
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Get to know Kaylyn Terry who is in the ensemble of our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
Hi! I’m Kaylyn. I’m one of the dance captains and in the ensemble. This is my fourth show at CTC and I’m very excited to be dancing my way through Jesus Christ Superstar! When I’m not on stage, I work as a Personal Injury and Insurance Defense Attorney at Varunes, Estabrook & Associates, P.C. in Hartford!
The score for Jesus Christ Superstar is notoriously taxing. What are your specific vocal warm-up routines or rest-day rituals to maintain your voice?
Unfortunately for me, I tend not to get much vocal rest during the day before shows especially on the weekdays due to my job, so I love to vocal steam every day pre-show and I religiously use the Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Drops to soothe and prepare my voice.
This show is largely a non-stop, sung-through rock rollercoaster. How do you maintain the dramatic arc and emotional stamina from the overture to the curtain call?
Rehearsals have proven just how hard it is to continuously stay in the emotional atmosphere of the show, especially playing so many different ensemble characters. I try to be as high energy as possible to keep the rest of the casts’ energy up as well. I’ve learned that the people around you feed off your energy so if you maintain that energy, others will too.
The musical has been thrilling audiences for over 50 years. What do you think makes this sung-through rock opera still feel contemporary and relevant to modern audiences?
I think the theater community goes through waves of classical/contemporary shows to rock/rock opera every few years. This year especially a lot of Broadway and community theater shows have dealt with rock style music. Plus, the style is so different than the majority of musicals, so I feel like it is a refreshing change of pace when these shows do pop up again.
Historically, this show has faced protests and intense debate regarding its content. Does that legacy of controversy cross the cast’s mind today, or has the cultural perception completely shifted?
I think it’s hard for the controversy to not cross peoples’ minds, especially in this day and age. Religious themes are constantly present in our every days lives and there’s always a question of whether this type of content is disrespectful or inappropriate to groups of people. I do think, however, that the general notion and opinion of this musical has changed since its origination and has been more accepted than prior times.
From the opening overture to the final curtain, the show rarely stops for a breath. What is the rehearsal environment like trying to maintain that high-octane energy?
I tend to be a high energy person and have always been told people feed off my energy. I try my best to keep that energy up throughout rehearsals and performing the show because I think that helps others keep the energy up. Our production team has also been extremely helpful in keeping the energy up by cheering us on, making us get up and dance around for dun at music rehearsals, or just generally being supportive throughout the process so thanks to them!
How do you balance full-time jobs, school, or family commitments with an intense community theater rehearsal schedule?
It can be difficult balancing a full-time jobs, rehearsals, and other events and things I have going on in my life. There have been quite a few times I’ve taken client phone calls or sent emails at rehearsal but I really try to separate my day from work and then rehearsal as best as I can. I also tend to show up to work on show days in show hair and makeup as much as I able to (sorry to my bosses and the court staff).
Community theater casts often become incredibly tight-knit very quickly. How did this specific cast build its chemistry and trust during rehearsals?
I think we all bonded pretty quickly. This is the most supportive (of each other) cast that I have ever been a part of. Every practiced solo or dance gets clapped for; if someone needs a friend to talk to, anyone would step up; and generally everyone is nice. That’s what makes community theater so special; You make some of the best friends you’ll ever have because you basically live with these people for two-three months.
When local theatergoers leave the venue and head to their cars, what is the main conversation or feeling you hope they take home with them?
As hard as it will be with the ending, I hope the audiences head home feeling some sort of joy for what they watched. I think the main conversation revolves around belonging and not following that mob mentality. This musical gains a lot of material from “Paradise Lost” by John Milton and Judas’ perspective. I think it’s really important to understand this story from Judas’ eyes because it really enhances the misunderstandings and judgment.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” opens on July 31st and runs through August 9th at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“Despite its biblical setting and characters, Jesus Christ Superstar feels strikingly relevant to modern audiences. At its core, the story delves into timeless human struggles — the cost of conviction, the burden of leadership, and the tension between faith and fame. In an age where celebrity culture and social media amplify every public figure’s rise and fall, Judas’s disillusionment and Jesus’s exhaustion under public scrutiny resonate more deeply than ever. Moreover, the show’s themes of political uncertainty, moral compromise, and the clash between individual conscience and authority mirror the dilemmas faced in today’s world.” — RACHEL WONG of Broadwayworld
“‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is a glorious vocal showcase and an aching human drama.” — EMIL HOFILENA of Theater Fans Manila
“Yet the star, all these years on, remains the musical itself. Now that it no longer shocks, what strikes you is Lloyd Webber’s brilliant conceptual range – not a sentence I find myself writing often – as he innovates in styles ranging from gospel, hard rock, jazz, and funk through to folk, and contemporary classical. Rice’s lyrics remain intelligently provocative too and still feel edgily political.” — RACHEL HALLIBURTON of theartsdesk.com
