BEHIND THE SCENES WITH WICKED's GINA BECK - An Actor's Life for G...

Ever wondered exactly what an actor thinks, feels and does throughout the trying process of auditions, rehearsals and ultimately performing eight shows a week? Then you've come to the right place. In this BWW:UK mini-series, we quiz the talented Gina Beck, recently announced as Wicked London's newest Glinda, to find out just what happens during an actor's journey, from auditions to costume fittings, and first rehearsals to opening night.

Hi Gina! Thanks for joining me today and agreeing to be grilled about your profession! So I suppose we should go back to where it all started for you…why acting? What was it that inspired you to pursue it?

I can't really remember definitely choosing it as a career, it was just something I always did from childhood with amateur companies. I used to look in The Stage Newspaper in my early teens and circle auditions that I was right for, but I never got up the courage to apply. Once I became a part of The National Youth Music Theatre it became clear that I was heading for the profession. A lot of the other cast members already had agents and I got my first agent aged 17, but I decided to go to drama school and continue my training. 

Sounds sensible to me! Performance art is often viewed as an unstable profession…do you find it stressful not knowing when your next job is coming? How do you deal with that?

I try not to worry about it! Luckily with musical theatre in particular there are always new jobs coming through, and if I'm not successful in one audition I try to get over it quickly and move on to the next. It's such a cliche but I always look back and think: 'Ah, that's why I didn't get that job!' There always seems to be a plan. 

What non-acting jobs have you had?

In the past I've done my fair share of ushering. In fact, I worked at the Prince Edward Theatre for a couple of months when Jersey Boys first opened. It was hard not being on stage, but excellent for the ego! 

Well, you certainly won't be ushering as of December! It seems you'll soon be adding a couple of letters to your name…

Yes, Glinda…Beck! Hmmm, it has a certain ring to it…Perhaps I could change it by deed poll?! Too much?!

Go for it…though it might look rather confusing in the programme! When did you first hear about or see Wicked, and what were your first thoughts?

I actually booked tickets right after it first opened. The hype surrounding the show when it came to London was massive and I was desperate to see Idina Menzel in the role, and she didn't disappoint. The whole show was just how I imagined it, a massive spectacle, with beautiful sets and costumes, memorable songs and excellent singers. 

How did you feel when you heard you were up for the role? Can you tell us a bit about your first audition?

Well, I've spent the last year since leaving Phantom harping on to anyone who'd listen that I wanted to play Glinda. I'm glad I had this year to prepare, though, as I hadn't done a comedy role since college. Luckily three came along this year and I was able to get my confidence back. Saying that, the audition came around very quickly, and I didn't feel quite as prepared as I should have been. I was also deep into rehearsals for my play, The Belle's Stratagem, and had to work on my audition material in the evenings when I should have been learning my lines for the play!

What did you sing for that first audition and how did you feel?

Luckily for the first round they sent me material from the show, so I didn't have to prepare my own choices. It was very nerve-wracking, I'd spent a year dreaming about it and I didn't want to blow it in the first instance. 

How many auditions did you have to do and what did they involve?

After round one I was called back a week later and had to work on the same material, a couple of songs and a couple of scenes from the show. They had given me some notes to work on, and after my second round the team told me I would be in the final a few weeks later. I then had two more sessions just working through the material with the team before the final. All the candidates were filmed and the tapes were sent to the American production team for approval. There were a lot of anxious girls and boys waiting to go in one after the other! I sang my songs and did the scenes once through and that was me done. I was in tech rehearsals for my play, so at least I didn't have much time to dwell on it all!

How do you prepare for auditions? Do you prefer to have seen the character in action or not, in order to give it your own take?

Well, I have seen the show about five times now, so there's absolutely no way that I'm not influenced by what I've seen before, but I take that as a good thing. I can take inspiration from what I've seen before and hopefully add my own interpretations to create something new. 

How do you handle audition nerves? 

I'm terrible with nerves and often ruin auditions for myself by being nervous. Recently, with the help of my vocal coach Steven Luke Walker, I've become more aware of my technique so I know how to control my voice better when I'm nervous. I don't often feel nervous on stage, strangely. There's something about playing a character that stops the nerves and focuses me. 

How did you react when you heard the good news?

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to hear so soon - only two days after the final audition. You normally have to wait much longer, but apparently they like to cast the Glindas first so that they can get on with the massive task of making the costumes. I wasn't allowed to share the information publicly until the press release was out a week later. It was extremely hard to keep it to myself so I probably walked around for a week with a silly smirk on my face!

I don't blame you! And now for our quickfire round! Cats or dogs?

Cats.

Silver or gold?

Silver.

Mountain or beach?

Beach.

And finally, three words to describe how you feel about your Wicked experience so far...

Unreal. Epic. Nerve-wracking. That's technically four words, sorry!

Thanks, Gina!

Check back again soon for our next instalment, when Gina chats to us about costume fittings and tips for learning reams of lines!

Photo credit: Joseph Shaffery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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