Cast Interview: Tara Hockensmith

Cast interviews for La Périchole are coming in fast and I'm thrilled to introduce one of a chorus members, Tara Hockensmith.

What's your role in La Périchole?
Chorus

What's your favorite part of the show?
In this show, there are so many little moments that are wonderful, it's hard to pick just one. In Act II, I wear haughty looks on my face the entire act as one of the Viceroy's servants, even though I'm in basically the same social class as La Perichole and Piquillo. Being indifferent to their predicament is not a typical reaction for a chorus member in a Victorian operetta. As a servant in this act, it is also challenging improvising reactions to events onstage without interacting with other cast members.

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I have never performed any works by Offenbach, and wanted to find out whether or not I would like his music. I find that many of the melodies get stuck in my head easily, but I do wish we could sing the original French lyrics, which I've heard are reminiscent of Gilbert's (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame).

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I work for the Department of Defense. In my spare time, I am the Archives Team Lead at the Howard County Historical Society, which involves a lot of organizing, archiving, and project management.

Come support Tara in La Périchole February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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