BWW Interviews: Gina D'Arco Tackles THE FRIDAY FIVE

In a blatant rip-off of BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six (although we will insist that instead of ripping off the idea, we were instead inspired by it), we introduce BroadwayWorld Nashville's very first installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find on stages in the Volunteer State.

First up is Gina D'Arco, one of Belmont University's most gifted actors, who tonight opens in Actors Bridge Ensemble's staging of Federico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernard Alba (the professional company's annual collaborative production with Belmont University's Department of Theatre and Dance), directed by Jessika Malone, who helmed last year's critically acclaimed  and award-winning production of Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl.

"It has been such an incredible journey working with this extremely passionate, all-female cast," D'Arco says.  "This is my second collaboration with Actors Bridge and possibly one of the most special pieces I've had the privilege to be in. Lorca's words are so beautifully crafted into this tale, which I believe is still shockingly relevant to today's society."

For more information about ticket prices and show dates go to http://bernarda.eventbrite.com/.

And for more about Gina D'Arco…read on:

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first taste of the theatre was my freshman year of high school. I was in Godspell with the Act Too Players at the Boiler Room Theatre. It was the first time I ever sang outside of the comforts of my shower. It wasn't long after that that I knew I was in it for life.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? Usually it changes with every show depending on what is needed for the specfic character I'm playing. However, my favorite ritual so far has been the "Minor Character Chant" that the girls and I created backstage during Dancing at Lughnasa at Belmont. Before every show we would chant the names of characters whose names were mentioned in the script but never seen on stage (such as Danny Bradley, Vera McLaughlin, etc.). Though extremely silly, this ritual helped us get our energy up and bond as a cast.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Luckily, I haven't personally experienced any dramatic mishaps while in the run of a show (yet). But, one moment of almost chaos comes to mind from when Belmont and Actors Bridge Ensemble did Eurydice last season. I was playing Little Stone along with the other two stones (J.P. Cheek and Adrienne Hall). It was a matinee performance and we were about halfway through the show when Loud Stone (Adrienne) got really sick to her stomach and we didn't think she was going to make it. It was possibly the most terrifying minute and a half of my life as me and Big Stone (J.P. Cheek) waited backstage for Adrienne to get in place, not knowing what would happen if we had to go on stage without her. The only thought that was running through my mind was, "Do we just say, 'We are a couple of stones?' instead of 'We are a chorus of stones?'" But thank god at the last second, Loud Stone walked out on stage and made it through the run without missing a beat.

What's your dream role? Among many, I'll have to go with a classic-Ophelia in Hamlet.

Who's your theatrical crush? Hands down-Kyle Dean Massey. I've maintained an undying love for him ever since I saw him in Next to Normal on Broadway. 

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