THE FRIDAY FIVE: Abigail Davis Haggard from The Keeton Theatre's CHRISTMAS CAROL

Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to BroadwayWorld Nashville's freshest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find onstage throughout the Volunteer state. Our second spotlight of the week focuses on Abigail Davis Haggard, one of Music City's busiest actresses, who opens tonight in the Keeton Theatre's seasonal production of A Christmas Carol, the Musical, directed by Jamie London and music directed by Ginger Newman.

Abigail's performed on stages all over Middle Tennessee and most recently was production stage manager for the Dickson-based Renaissance Players' production of The Fantasticks. Get to know the vivacious, talented Ms. Haggard in The Friday Five!

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? I jumped headfirst into my first show. When I was 15, I played Laurey Williams in a community theater production of Oklahoma! I had TERRIBLE stage-fright when rehearsals began, but obviously I had to get over that really quickly! I've been hooked ever since.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I often arrive at the theater in a mad rush, especially when I am coming from work (I work during the day as a dental hygienist). I love the time I have to sit down and put on my makeup before a show. It gives me time to clear my head and switch gears in my mind from teeth to the show.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? I played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors last year at Pull-Tight in Franklin. Once during a quick change, the zipper on the dress I was putting on got stuck in the back of my fish-nets. Of course I panicked, and the zipper pull completely came off of the dress. I was able to get back into the previous dress I'd just taken off just before I had to dash onstage for the next scene. I think it just added to the story of how bad business was for the flower shop- Audrey could only afford one dress!

What's your dream role? Oh, I have such a long bucket list...If I had to choose one to top it, though, I would say Cathy in The Last Five Years. That's a soundtrack that I definitely belt along with in the car! It would be such an awesome role to tackle.

Who's your theatrical crush? There is also a long list for this one, but I can easily pick my number one. Carol Burnett. She is such a multi-talented, well-rounded entertainer. I played Agnes Gooch in Mame last summer, and received the compliment on a couple of occasions that my Agnes reminded theater-goers of Carol. I can only hope to be half the actress she is!

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