Jessica Taige was a little girl with a big voice when Scott Michal and I cast her in the premiere production of The Last Christmas Carol.  She originated the role of Laverne Spreen the first year and then portrayed Billie, part of a vocal trio, the second (although that’s not quite the way she remembers it).  Although Spreen was a flashier role and she did a fine job, we needed her to anchor the vocal trio the second time around.

Recently, Actors’ Equity announced that Jessica had been selected for the 2010 Roger Sturtevant Award, given to an Equity Membership Candidate who demonstrates outstanding abilities in the field of musical theatre.

In an article posted on the Equity website, Jessica recalled that her interest in theatre began in the third grade.  “My mother always tells me the story of when we went to see SCROOGE at the Davis Discovery Center in Columbus, OH.  Supposedly, I turned to her after the show ended and said that that was what I was going to do with the rest of my life. She helped me and supported me in my theatrical endeavors ever since, and clearly, the dream has yet to change.”

Jessica began auditioning at age 8, but failed to land a role until three years later.   ”The show was called THE LAST CHRISTMAS CAROL by David Meyers and I played the role of Ensemble/ Stage Hand Billie. It was a small part but I didn’t care. I got to be on stage and even had a solo, which was extremely exciting.”

Her mother (Patricia?), by the way, was working on her Ph.D. in bio-medical engineering at The Ohio State University.  She would sit in the theater and study during rehearsals, but I would occasionally strike up a conversation with her.  She had come from Germany in pursuit of her education (which is why Jessica speaks German fluently).

After the second production, Jessica and her mother moved to Wisconsin in order to further her mother’s career.  However, Jessica also continued to pursue her dream.  A graduate of Catawba College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, she has appeared in productions all over the country and has also performed with the Wisconsin swing band, The Mr. Lucky Syndicate.

I am extremely pleased that Jessica is doing so well and that she has fond memories of her time in our show.  Perhaps, she can follow in the footsteps of another local-girl-made-good, Jessica Grove (or, for that matter, one of the Bowen kids).

Check out a few of Jessica’s videos on YouTube.