Spotlight On: Stephanie Carroll
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Get to know Stephanie Carroll who is in the ensemble of our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
Hi, I am Stephanie and I am in the ensemble.
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?
I am a big fan of Cheryl Porter’s 10 minute vocal warmup. It’s fun and it’s on Spotify, so it’s easy to do in the car. Being vocally warmed up is essential. On rest days I try my hardest not to sing and to actually rest my voice. No whispering or yelling.
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?
It helps that this is my favorite show of all time. Letting myself feel the music and emotions it brings helps get me from beginning to end.
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 believe that every take on the show is different. Costuming, choreography and staging can make each version different. The more recent choice of gender blind casting is a fantastic way of making this show feel contemporary and relevant to modern audiences.
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?
The legacy of controversy definitely crossed my mind. When the show first premiered, it was controversial because it humanized Jesus, made Judas sympathetic and romantized Mary Magdalene. These controversies still exist today. When they cast Cynthia Erivo to play Jesus at the Hollywood Bowl last summer, there was a huge outcry over genderblind casting. I believe controversial takes on the show make for the best versions of the show.
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?
The rehearsal environment is great. It’s a lot of water breaks, hyping each other up and joking around. We aren’t afraid to break into applause if we’ve watched a scene we aren’t in or listened to someone sing a line in a song that we think is great. Rehearsal is exhausting, but my fellow cast keep me going!
How do you balance full-time jobs, school, or family commitments with an intense community theater rehearsal schedule?
By not having a social life! Lol! When I started working full time, I had to give up theatre because schedules just didn’t align. To make sure everything works, I make sure that everything is scheduled. (And I do schedule the fun time with friends and family on the days I have no rehearsal or work commitments.)
Community theater casts often become incredibly tight-knit very quickly. How did this specific cast build its chemistry and trust during rehearsals?
Coming into rehearsals, it helped that I knew a good number of cast and crew involved. This cast just melded so quickly. We genuinely care for and support each other. The overall vibe is very inclusive. I don’t think I’ve seen a cast mesh this well in a long time. We’ve become each other’s biggest fans.
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?
I really hope they see the fresh and innovative take we have on such a classic show. I want them to be moved by the story, the acting, and everything involved.
“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
