BWW Interviews: Cinda McCain, A Life in the Theatre

Cinda McCain is one of the most naturally gifted actors you'll find on a stage anywhere. Thankfully, though, most of her work has been performed in Nashville and over the years the Mississippi native has assembled a resume that's full of some of the best theatrical roles for women: Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire (which won her the First Night Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play); Meg in Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart; Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - the list goes on and on. Most recently, however, she's found herself on soundstages, making film appearances alongside such notables as Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw in the upcoming Love Don't Let Me Down, which just finished filming in the Nashville area.

To know her is to love her and this week's Life in the Theatre spotlight falls on Cinda McCain and the circuitous journey she's taken to becoming one of the best-loved personalities in town...

What was your first "taste" of theatre?

My first taste of theatre was not one of seeing a grand production of a Broadway show, or anything near that: It was playing a character in a school play when I was in the fourth grade. The production was a version of Cinderella, called Clementella, and the Prince was called "Buckshot." I played one of the ugly stepsisters. I only had a few lines, but the one I still remember was, "Have fun with the pigs while we're gone." I also got to participate in the square dance, which was equivalent to the ball. I just fell in love with the stage, rehearsals, dancing, etc.

What was your first real job in the theatre?

Although there was no paycheck involved, I consider playing Meg, in Crimes of the Heart, my first "real" performance. I heard about the auditions on the radio, and called to see if I was eligible, because I had no formal training or experience. Not only was I new to the theatre, I was new to Nashville, and didn't have a clue about what I was doing. I remember walking into the little lobby at Lakewood Theatre, and there were about 80 women crowded in there to audition for the four female roles. I was so intimidated...they all had headshots and resumes and knew each other, and I...well, I had my purse (and knew no one). I didn't get the role initially, but a couple of weeks later I received a call from the magnificent Melissa Bedinger-Hade. I thought she was going to ask me to help with props or something. Lo and behold, the original pick didn't work out, so I got it by default. To this day, it was one of the magical experiences I have ever experienced in theatre. 

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre?

When I was an embryo.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here?

Initially, it was because there always seemed to be some show going on somewhere in community theatre. I was able to work as an Executive Legal Assistant full time, raise my daughter in a great town, and act "on the side." But the longer I lived in Nashville, the more I fell in love with it, and met some of the most talented and interesting people I'd ever stumbled upon. Many of my very best friends are theatre people. As my resume grew, and more theatres opened, I seemed to be able to work any time I wanted. I don't believe I would have been able to find a great agent, without those theatre performances and awards listed on my resume. Eventually, it led to roles in film, which I currently seem to do more than theatre. I must admit, however, that theatre is my first true love...all that instant gratification and stuff.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production, what would it be and why?

Wow. Honestly, I have to say I've already done that. First of all, Crimes will always hold a special place near and dear to my heart, for the reasons named above. But, the other two characters that I consider "dream" roles were Blanche, in A Streetcar Named Desire, and Beatrice, in The Effect of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. Both were very complicated women, and I adore that challenge...Thank you ACT 1!

Who would play you in the film version of your life story?

I have no idea. Who do you think?

What's your favorite play/musical? 

A Streetcar Named Desire.

If you could have dinner with any three figures who are part of the theatre, who would you choose and why?

Tennessee Williams, because I would love to ask him about how he created such awesome female characters. Plus, I'd ask him to write another play...starring me, of course; Lillian Gish, to ask about her enjoyment of suffering to the extreme for her art and character choices; and Jessica Lange, because she has played several of the same roles I've gotten to play...and I think she's fabulous.

Imagine a young person seeing you, onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role comin up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream... what would you say?

First, I would tell them that I hope they take rejection well. I'd also encourage them to audition for community theatre productions to help build a resume....plus, there is some DAMN, RICH, TALENT on these itty-bitty, act-for-free, squeaky stage. People actually know that here.

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