This Spring, I participated in the CPCC Summer-Stock production of Fiddler on The Roof. I was very confused/excited when I heard I was cast as… GRANDMA TZEITEL! I mean… I have mostly been playing parts that are half my age… NOT 10 TIMES IT! Either way, I was very excited to do another show with CPCC. The rehearsal process, for me, had a very rocky start because I had to miss a the first full week of rehearsals due to my performances for School House Rock Live! Those first rehearsals were dedicated to learning the music, so I had to learn all of my parts on my own time. Thank You YOUTUBE!!! I was very nervous for my first rehearsal as “Grandma Tzeitel”. I wasn’t sure how to play the character or what exactly they wanted me to do with the character. Immediately as I started singing my part, the music director stopped me and told me that I was singing “too pretty”… she wanted it to sound screechy, like an old lady. I was so confused. In the days following, I started to brainstorm. I watched thousands of videos of people playing the part to tried and gather inspiration from other actors. Then I locked myself in my room and started to form my own version of the “Grandma Tzeitel Voice”. It was not easy, and when it came time to ask other people for their opinions, I got really embarrassed… it was very out of my comfort zone. I had never played an old woman. But, I had to get over my fears and try the voice out. My mom helped me a lot and soon I was ready to present it to my music director. I was so nervous but and embarrassed to think about what people were going to think. I finally got through my part and everybody thought it was funny and perfect for the role.
One day during rehearsals, our costume designer ran in with something in her hand. She called me over and showed me what she was so excited about. It was a full face mask that I was going to wear during the show. My first impression was, “woah that is scary” but then I remembered that I was going to be playing an old woman. This mask was going to be super cool and really help my character become more believable and humorous onstage. My costume was very detailed as well. I was wearing an old wedding dress and a veil that attached to my grey wig and went all the way down to the floor. I had a wooden cane that looked very old as well. It was a process becoming the grandma and then transitioning back into a little girl, and there was not a lot of time to do it. The alternative to gluing the mask to my face every night was to attach elastic bands at several different points around the mask and just strap it tightly around my head. This way, I didn’t have to deal with taking the glue off.
As Grandma Tzeitel, I got to work closely with Beau Stroupe, who played Tevye in the production. I loved working with him because felt like I was always learning something new. Just from watching him, I learned some things about acting and he gave me advice on how to better my character. Working with Beau was a pleasure and a blessing, and I hope that I get to work with a cast full of such professionals, again in the future. I created many friendships and most of all, a family. I had a blast working on Fiddler on the Roof… from the choreography to the harmonies.