MAGGIE MCVEY is coming to OAT from New York, but she grew up in St. Louis and graduated from nearby Rosati-Kain high school.
Pictured: Maggie McVey as Gabriella in High School Musical at Surflight Theatre in New Jersey. Also pictured: Josh Sassanella as Troy.
1. So, Maggie, you are kinda coming home for this season, having graduated from Rosati-Kain high school in nearby St. Louis. Did you always know you wanted to go give it a shot in New York, and what’s it like getting to perform with a professional company back close to home?
I’ve always known I liked performing, going to shows, teaching theatre, etc. But I don’t think I actually knew it was what I wanted to do until I was in high school, and it was because of a show I did at Rosati-Kain. It was 1776 and I got to play John Adams (which, sadly, will probably never happen again—you know, being a girl and everything.) I distinctly remember after the show one night, a family friend asked me if I knew what I wanted to do in college. Without really thinking, and a little shrug of my shoulders, I looked at the stage and simply said, “This.” She chuckled and then realized I was serious—I think before I even realized I was serious. Before that show though, it had never occurred to me that performing was something I might be able to do for a living. So now I live in New York, and I’m doing “this” for a living. However, I am the biggest hometown girl you might ever meet; coming back to Missouri and getting to perform with a professional company so close to home is beyond wonderful. I have an incredibly large (and loud) Irish-Catholic family that supports my career choice and everything I do. I’m so lucky to be performing in shows this summer that they will all be able to come and see. (And trust me, you’ll know when they are in the audience!)
2. Where are you from and how did you decide to spend the summer at OAT?
I grew up in the South County/Lindbergh/Affton area of St. Louis and loved it. My mom and dad still live in the house where I grew up. My roommate found a listing on an audition website for a theatre in Rolla, MO – OAT – and asked if I knew anything about it. When I found OAT’s information online, I was thrilled with their season (Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor has been a role I’d like to play for a while now) and sent in a video audition. Once Jason offered me the job, it was a done deal. I couldn’t be more excited!
3. How did you get in to the theatre?
As a child, I had the opportunity to do and see a lot of different things. I even tried sports for a while…that didn’t last! My mom would take me to see shows at STAGES, St. Louis and the MUNY, which I always enjoyed. I started taking dance lessons when I was about five and I danced competitively for a few years. I was on the Bellarmine speech team in grade school. I sang in choir at church. I think a combination of all of that is how I got in to theatre. I was lucky enough to be exposed to all of it.
4. What’s one of your fondest theatrical memories as a performer?
When I was fourteen years old, I had the opportunity to be a swing for the teen ensemble in STAGES St. Louis’ production of BIG: The Musical. It was the first professional show that I’d been in, and I never felt like I was “just one of the kids.” Being an understudy who wasn’t actually in the show, I still got to sit and watch every performance that I wanted to. I had a spot in the dressing room. It was the first time I encountered what it felt like to be part of a cast—where you become a family. The show was wrapping up after a four week run and I had not had the opportunity to perform for an audience. The STAGES family decided they were going to have a couple of the teens step out for a few numbers and let me perform. It was the most exhilarating experience I can remember. They let my family and friends buy the remaining twenty-some odd tickets for the evening’s performance. They mentioned my name in the curtain speech. I don’t think I stopped smiling for a week!
5. What are you most looking forward to experiencing in Rolla?
I cannot wait to tackle three roles this summer that I’ve never played before. Working on a play is such a wonderful thing for me. I enjoy the rehearsal process, I enjoy the homework, the research, I enjoy the opening night. I’m looking forward to experiencing all of that this summer with a new group of people who I’ve never met! Plus, my family gets to come and see all of my work! I can’t wait!
