Let you in on a secret… I don’t think Annie had any sort of a hard knock life.
Sami Staitman, Pioneer Theatre Company’s own Annie, was at a loss when I asked her to share some hard knock moments in her life. Granted, she had a good excuse – “Well, I’m only 11, so I don’t really know!” I dug a bit deeper.
Sami started acting at the young age of four. Her mom claims it started at birth, however. Seven years into an acting career (or 11 depending on how you look at it, I suppose), I asked her where she wanted to be in 10 or uh, 20 years – you know, cause she’s young. A spark glimmered in her eyes as she enthusiastically replied, “Broadway!” What about her dream role? “I really wanted to play Annie when I was younger.” Okay…I tried. Definitely no hard knocks there, right? She’s 11; she’s playing the role of her dreams. I am completely jealous of her life.
Throughout the opening night cast and crew party, I went about looking for other hard knocks from members of the cast of Annie. It is a “hard-knock life,” isn’t it? Hear the highlights of their hard-knocks and see photos (because what’s a blog without photos?!) depicting their post-hard knock life on Easy Street (we like to keep it happy).
*Emily Shoolin (Grace Ferrell), left, and *Sami Staitman (Annie), right
“Oh my gosh, you have got to be kidding. I came in here for an audition and now I’m a glorified secretary.”
Hear Emily Shoolin’s Hard Knocks
*Dirk Lumbard, Rooster
“I took reservations at the Marriott Essex House, New York City. And I cleaned apartments.”
Hear Dirk Lumbard’s Hard Knocks
*Mike Kirsch, Ensemble and Asst. Choreographer
“I never took a dance class until I was in college. And I remember crying, every night freshman year of college because I couldn’t do pirouettes.”
Hear Mike Kirsch’s Hard Knocks
Michelle Blake, Ensemble
“I’m local and it took me a really long time to have the confidence to audition for Pioneer.”
Hear Michelle Blake’s Hard Knocks
*Adam Lendermon, Ensemble
“I think one of the biggest issues I’ve had to face as an actor is coming to terms with auditioning.”
Hear Adam Lendermon’s Hard Knocks
*Gina Milo, Lily St. Regis
“I had to work five jobs to live in my studio apartment that I lived in with my friend.”
*Eric Lee Brotherson, Ensemble
“I always thought, because I’m short, that people looked at me and didn’t see me as being able to fill the stage.”
Hear Eric Lee Brotherson’s Hard Knocks
*Brian Michael Hoffman, Ensemble + Animal Trainer
“I think the hardest thing is to leave New York as much as I do.”
Hear Brian Michael Hoffman’s Hard Knocks
*Rashaan James II, Ensemble
“I think the biggest thing is planning and not necessarily being home.”
Hear Rashaan James II’s Hard Knocks
Ashley Gardner Carlson, Ensemble
“The worst job I’ve ever had my entire life was… I was a telemarketer. It’s funny because I got that job and then I got booked in a show and the part I got booked as was the back end of a horse.”
Hear Ashley Gardner Carlson’s Hard Knocks
*Jeffrey Scott Stevens, Ensemble, and guest
“Last year I was called in for about six Broadway shows, or tours… but I didn’t book them!”
Hear Jeffrey Scott Stevens’ Hard Knocks
*Larry Cahn, Oliver Warbucks
“I was scheduled to go on for a week… a very big deal starting out. And… the week before that happened, I fell on a badly maintained escape stair making an exit and I broke my foot.”
*Steven Fehr, Ensemble
“Right after I finished grad school, I kind of supplemented my income… I worked at Bath and Bodyworks a bit.”
Hear Steven Fehr’s Hard Knocks
*Anne Stewart Mark, Ensemble
“I was playing first witch, the first time, and nursing a baby. And so… I was… leaking in rehearsal!”
Hear Anne Stewart Mark’s Hard Knocks
See Annie at Pioneer Theatre Company – December 2 to December 23, 2011. It’s a warming way to get into the holiday spirit! Yessiree.
*Denotes members of Actors’ Equity Association.
Lansia is a semi-pro social media artist – having blogged professionally and casually. An art major herself, Lansia loves to support and participate in the creative community: theatre, film, music, photography, writing, performance and art just to name a few off the tip of the tongue. In addition to her writing, she loves to cook, eat, travel, play, adventure and rock the headphones. Find her personal blog at http://daphnelcc.wordpress.com.
Posted on: December 8, 2011 | Categories: General | Leave a Comment