Debuting Artist: Lexi Wilson

Lexi takes the stage for the very first time with OpenStage for The Cottage!

 

Please tell us a bit about your background and how you got into theatre?

I have been on the stage since age two! Between singing, dancing, and acting, I found every opportunity to perform. I was lucky enough to find theatre in middle school, which gave me the acting bug! Ever since, I have been working both on stage and behind the scenes, including teaching theatre to little humans.

How did you first hear about OpenStage, and what drew you to work with us for this show?

Going to school at UNC in Greeley! I got to hear about the exciting theatre companies in NoCo and OpenStage was one of them! 

What is your role in this show, and what excited you most about working on this particular production?

In The Cottage, I play Deidre! She is a young, feisty, and funny character that is full of surprises. There is a lot of physical comedy in this role which has been a blast to explore! 

What has been the most enjoyable or unexpected part of the rehearsal process so far?

Working with OpenStage and this cast, it feels like I am joining a family! I’m getting to work with and learn from wonderfully experienced and talented artists who have made this whole process so fun!

What has been the most challenging part of bringing this character to life?

Deidre is a character with so much nuance and many contradictions. Balancing all of those with the comedy of her character is a unique challenge that I’m excited to work with.

What makes this show a unique kind of play to work on?

It is a true to form farce with lots of comedy, but also has a lot of heart. There are very silly moments followed by very heartwarming and poignant moments. Getting to explore both sides of this story to create a beautiful and enjoyable show is one of a kind experience!

Why do you think this show is relevant to audiences now and should be performed today?

This story has so many beautiful aspects to it. It’s a love story, it’s a comedy, it’s a heartwarming discovery of self. It asks us to re-examine our relationships with others and with ourselves, all while reaffirming a message of women’s liberation – all of which are very apt themes in present times.

What is your favorite moment or scene in the show, and why does it stand out to you?

The end of the first act is a whirlwind and I can’t wait for the audience to experience it with us!

If you could swap roles with any other character in this play for a day, who would it be and why?

I would love to be Marjorie for a day! She is such an elegant and witty character with a special kind of grace.

What is your favorite play and/or musical, and why? 

It’s so hard to pick just one, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Legally Blonde: The Musical! It’s a feminist manifesto set to an amazing soundtrack, just ask for my essay on it! 😉

What is your favorite role you’ve played in the past? Why was that role special to you?

Recently, I got to perform as Molly Aster in Peter and the Starcatcher which was a dream role! Much like Deidre, she is a feisty, strong, underestimated character. I had first seen the show at 16 years old and resonated with the story so it had been a dream over a decade in the making!

Is there a dream role or type of production you hope to work on in the future?

My time with OpenStage has been such a dream! This team has built such a warm, inviting, hilarious space to create in and I hope to return for more productions soon! I’d love to work on a Shakespeare production, as the Bard was my first love.

What do you like to do in your free time (when you’re not working on theatre projects)?

Outside of theatre, I love to read silly fantasies and spooky horrors, hike all the trails I can find, and spend copious amounts of time cuddling with my cats. Anything that connects me to nature, creativity, and my people refreshes my soul!