Talking Music with Rachael Ward by Eddie Gazani

https://youtu.be/MOt1yLKlSRI

Musician and author Eddie Gazani jams and talks all things music with incredible Musicians. Exploring the meaning and challenges of a life in music.In this episode, Eddie Gazani plays and talks with Rachael Ward. A highly accomplished international stage and screen performer, having performed in various musical productions around the world.

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https://www.armstrongrobley.com/podcast/episode/48a33f85/ep19-or-the-performers-mindset-rachael-ward

The Performers Mindset Podcast with Thomas Armstrong-Robley

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The Producers Musical – Rachael Ward

The Fame Reporter interviewed the talented Queensland performer Rachael Ward. She is starring as the showstopper Ulla in Altitude Theatre’s musical ‘The Producers‘ – playing at Brisbane Powerhouse at The Powerhouse Theatre from Thu 4 – Sat 13 Mar, 2021.

Winner of a record twelve Tony Awards, The Producers is the smash hit 2001 musical written by comedic genius Mel Brooks.

A fading producer and his mousy accountant devise a brilliant scam: to produce the worst musical ever to hit Broadway, guaranteed to close on opening night. Leave your prejudice at the door and prepare to laugh out loud with this fresh made-in-Queensland season of a musical icon!

A big, brassy show that will fill the room with laughter and will fill your heart with joy.

We talked to Rachael about how she feels returning to the theatre, what she loves about her character Ulla in The Producers Musical, what inspires her as an artist and more.

Welcome to The Fame Reporter Rachael, for you what is the most exciting aspect of returning to the theatre? 
There is something magical and unexplainable about creating art with likeminded passionate people and the energy a theatre holds. I feel my truest self and right at home. That’s what I am excited about returning back to. 

What enticed you to be apart of Altitude Theatre’s ‘The Producers’? 
I saw Jacqui’s post and was instantly drawn to the production as ‘Ulla’ has always been a dream role. I felt it was to always be somewhere along my journey.

I am overjoyed I can play Ulla now, in my hometown with this passionate team of creatives. 

What do you love about your character Ulla? 
Ulla is unapologetically unique. She takes pride in standing out from the crowd.

With a fierce drive and confidence to go for what she wants, knowing of self and triple threat talent, this woman is unstoppable.

What inspires you and keeps you creative during this difficult period that the arts industry is going through? 
I have (and have always had) an inner knowing of what I was put on this earth to do. Although ever evolving, one of those things is to transform people’s worlds through creating and performing art. Hence, I keep on that path.

What did you enjoy about performing internationally in Japan for Singin’ in the rain or in Paris for ‘Cats’ for example? 
Particularly now after this past year of locked borders, my gratitude has soared for my many years of traveling, living and working overseas.

Having those work experiences in different countries and cultures made me grow so much as a person and performer.

I so look forward to when that opportunity opens up freely again.

How do you feel being part of one of only a few shows in the world that are able to perform right now? 
Beyond grateful. My focus in the rehearsal room right now is to stay truly present soaking up every bit of the experience as I know how fortunate I am to be having it.

What 3 performers dead or alive would you love to have a dinner party with? 
Hugh Jackman. Barbra Streisand. Ann-Margret 

What do you love about Queensland theatre in particular?
Being a kid growing up in Queensland, going to the theatre was always a big deal. Some shows never got here, so my parents would buy me tickets to the big show in Australia and we’d fly to Sydney or Melbourne for a special event. 

Patrons appreciate theatre here and never take it for granted which is what I love most about performing in Brisbane. You feel the support backing you all the way.

What do you think audiences will love about this version of ‘The Producers’ and what is the best way we can support the arts industry at this time? 
BUY TICKETS! The more people can invest in us, the more we can give you. This production is created on the company involved so is going to be fresh and exciting whilst still staying true to its original vision. 

Rachael Ward Interview
by Indy Readsmith
@indyr.theatre
for Overture Blog
11th April 2020

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to chat with theatre performer Rachael Ward about her career in the industry. Rachael has performed in shows such as Cats, Evita, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago and Singing in the Rain. Over the years, Rachael has worked in Australia and internationally and was kind enough to share some stories with Overture Blog!

You just finished a six month long run of Chicago the Musical. What did you find difficult and what did you do to prepare for a show like that?

“In Chicago, the two hardest things for me were keeping focused and keeping warm. You don’t have any spectacular props or costume changes, so it’s really heavily focused on the acting and that’s what I love about it! Also keeping warm is quite difficult because you are sitting in a chair for most of the show, and you don’t have time to warm up before going and doing the ‘Billy split’, for example. It’s a lot of mental preparation. But for me, the hardest is the rehearsal. Mainly because you don’t know anyone and you’re at your most vulnerable. You’re working with the creatives, and all they know you from is a snapshot in the audition room, so vulnerability is a huge fear and I think you need to get over that as soon as possible! Also definitely getting show fit. Doing it over and over again really helps you not only get into a physical but a mental space for your character. Something that is also so important is research. I think it’s really important to not come into the rehearsal room with a concrete idea of what the show is, I think that’s very dangerous. You have to come in with an open mind but with that being said, do your research. Coming in prepared and having knowledge of the story, the music and the show’s history is really beneficial. I took fosse classes in New York, with people that had worked with Bob Fosse himself and I also took private tuition with a lady who did Chicago on Broadway. Additionally I read the play that Chicago was based on and learnt a lot about the people that Chicago is based on. This way I didn’t get a glamorised view of the show, I got a really raw view.”

You performed in Cats the Musical in France as well as aboard a cruise ship, what was that experience like?

“I auditioned for Andrew Lloyd Webber himself for Cats, and he chose me to be Bombalurina in the version that would be performed on the Oasis of the Seas. That was a really interesting experience, trying to prepare a show like Cats for a cruise ship. We went through many obstacles as it was the first full length musical to be taken on a ship. It was great we had the London team flown out to Miami for the production. So when they went to go do the same production in France they couldn’t find the Bombalurina that they wanted in Europe so they called me and asked me to audition. I did the audition and I thought nothing of it because I had never spoken a word of French in my life but had an Italian passport therefore could work in France. The next day I received a phone call and I was on a plane to Paris to do the show. It was really difficult for me because I was the only Western cultured person in the cast. On top of the rehearsal process of 10am to 6pm, I was learning the French script for an additional four hours a day. I would just work the show material phonetically trying to make my French sound as natural as I could. And as this was a new translation so it changed all the time! My French rehearsal lasted throughout the year. I remember getting to Christmas day and thinking I can’t do this anymore! I also had a vocal coach to sing authentically. The French audience is not very forgiving and Bombalurina has her own song so the pressure was high. It took awhile for the cast to warm to me as I didn’t know the language but they around and made some wonderful friends who supported me throughout. The experience was very tough because I wanted to do the work justice.”

Evita the Musical was such a fantastic piece of theatre, my favourite show I’ve ever seen! What were some things that you learned during that experience?

“I’m very grateful for being able to work at the Opera House. It was such an amazing experience and iconic building, and getting to walk to the theatre everyday was incredible. Also, meeting and getting to work with Tina Arena was amazing. She is such a kind and down to earth woman with an incredible instrument. She really gave herself to the role every night and that was constantly inspiring. I also think that the entire company was remarkably talented so it was a great experience. My role, the tango feature was quite difficult. Working on a raked stage was a challenge, especially in the tango style and it was definitely a challenge physically.”

You were in Singin in the Rain, which is a very iconic show and you even understudied Lina Lamont. What was it like navigating a show like that?

“I loved Singin in the Rain. Going into the audition process I didn’t know if I was right for the show, but I thought I might as well go for it and audition. I think that the biggest challenge dance wise was the floor. There were slats in the floor so the rain could go through as well as a slippery patch around the outside that was a different level stability was a challenge as well as the fact we had to tap on the same floor! But I was so excited to tap. I had tapped my whole life but had never in a musical before, except for Cats which had a tiny bit in it.
I loved covering Lina and is a a role I’d love to do in the future. It really enhanced my love for acting and comedy roles being able to explore that side of me. I love the 1920’s and while researching for the show learnt about the Hitchcock blondes and all things that era which I’d love to work more in. Something like North by Northwest or a show that would allow me to be a Hitchcock Blonde and explore the talkies!
Working with the rain every night was quite challenging, getting soaking wet. Some Days, it was so much fun but other days not so much, especially if it was freezing outside!”

You perform a lot of Jazz music, have you trained in jazz or is it just something you’ve discovered? What is your background in terms of your vocal training?

“I started off singing and dancing classically, and when I was 15 everything sort of shifted as I was introduced to Musical Theatre and I instantly fell in love. In terms of my jazz training, I have had no formal training in jazz music whatsoever, and I love that. Singing, dancing and acting are my profession so I have always been very tough on myself about those, I strive for perfection and I’m a hard worker, but jazz is something I can be free in! When I was 18 and working on a cruise ship, I accidentally walked past a jazz lounge and instantly fell in love. Jazz does something to me that I can’t describe, it makes me so happy. I kept coming back to the lounge and soon I started to get up and sing and play with the jazz musicians. Soon enough I started creating my own sets and performing them on the ship once a week. For me, it’s purely passion and instinct and that is so freeing for me because it means I’ve never had to strive for any sort of perfection!”

You have obviously done many auditions, what advice would you give for younger performers preparing to go out and audition in the next few years, wanting to have a career in musical theatre?

“For me, number one is to go in as a blank canvas. The panel want to see you. They want a good insight into who YOU are. Go in and be authentic and vulnerable because they aren’t only looking for the character they want to cast, but they are also looking for someone they want to work with. Also, just be prepared. Do as much preparation beforehand but then let it go in the audition room and do your best. Believe me, I have had some great auditions but I’ve also had some terrible auditions! You learn from your biggest mistakes, and I know it’s hard at the time, but that’s the best you can do on the day. At the end of the day, if you can make yourself proud, that’s the biggest achievement.”

You were in The Wizard of Oz, which is a show that many different age groups saw and possibly introduced many younger kids to performing and made them realise that that’s what they want to do. What is it like performing for kids?

“I think the whole story of the Wizard of Oz is a really important story about hope. I mentioned in my instagram video where I sang ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow‘ that I think that it’s a really important story for kids these days.
It was so special for me to come out of the theatre and see all of them thoroughly inspired. I think a lot of people can relate to that beautiful story and I was honoured to share it.”

Thank you so much Rachael for answering all of my questions! It was great to chat with you, and I can’t wait to see you on stage in the future!

https://youtu.be/MOt1yLKlSRI

Talking music with Eddie!