Cast interview: Jackie Rogers

It's The Merry Widow week! The show opens on Friday, and we've got fabulous dance numbers, fancy costumes, and of course, some gorgeous music just about ready to go! Today's cast interview is not just with a member of the cast, but also the choreographer for the show! Please welcome Jackie Rogers, whose creative choreography AND performance will wow you on stage!

Name
Jackie Rogers

What's your role in The Merry Widow?
Choreographer/Grisette/Chorus member

What made you decide to get involved with The Merry Widow?
Prior to this show I have done two concerts with VLOC and I have really enjoyed them, so I wanted to try a fully-staged operetta. I was especially interested in The Merry Widow because I had heard that it has a lot of dancing opportunities. 

What are you enjoying most about working on The Merry Widow with VLOC?
I really enjoy getting to spend time with my family while I'm doing this show. My dad is also in the show and my mom, my dad, my sister (when she is home from school), and I spend most of our Saturdays working on painting and building the sets. I love that we all get to contribute to the show while spending time together. 

What is your dream role/job?
To be a Rockette (but I'm 3 and a half inches too short).

What is the first musical/opera/play you ever saw and what effect did it have on you?
I don't remember the first one I saw on stage, but I grew up watching lots of "Golden Age" MGM musicals. I especially loved watching Eleanor Powell, Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly and I started taking tap classes when I was 3. Over the years I added more dance classes and singing classes and then started doing musicals when I was in sixth grade. 

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I graduated last year from Dickinson College with a B.A. in archaeology and history. I currently work part-time with an archaeology firm in Maryland and my goal is to attend graduate school and become a bioarchaeologist. Outside of the theatre world I also enjoy doing CrossFit. 

Thanks, Jackie! The Merry Widow opens in just a few short days - grab your tickets before it's too late! Purchase online HERE or call the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater box office at 240-314-8690. 

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