Having recently joined the London cast of the theatrical staple Hamilton, Emily-Mae is playing the part of Angelica Schuyler in the historical hit. Audiences embark on the journey through the life of Alexander Hamilton - dubbed one of the Founding Fathers of the United States - as the production is littered with some of the industry's most technical and demanding vocals, and a creatively crafted script.
Emily-Mae has told us a little more about her experience stepping into the role.
What drew you to joining the cast of Hamilton, and how does it feel to be stepping into the role of Angelica Schuyler?
I’m sure Hamilton draws everyone in! It’s such a clever, fun and innovative piece of theatre. I’m a month into my run and I’m still finding new meaning and humour in the text. Stepping into the role of Angelica is a huge honour and I feel very lucky to be able to portray her every night. She’s a complex, strong intelligent woman and a joy to portray her.
How did you prepare for the part and what have been the most challenging or exciting elements so far?
Preparing for Angelica involved a lot of repetition. The singing/rap is very fast as her brain works at around double the speed of mine. This was the biggest challenge for me as an actor, I think. To make clear, fast-thought changes. She decides things very quickly, which is very challenging but very fun. I wanted the lyrics to feel second nature to me, so the fast thoughts looked natural, so I sang 'Satisifed' excessively!
What techniques do you use to best get into character before a performance?
I find the best way to get into any character is to have a playlist of music that feels appropriate to the role/show. Really gets me in the right mindset before a show. I love a physical warm up with the whole cast too. It helps everyone feel connected for the show and really in our bodies.
What considerations must you have when approaching a historical piece rather than one of fiction?
When approaching a historical piece like Hamilton I think it’s important to note the societal differences between now and the world the show is in. Like posture, social etiquette, politics etc. The great challenge of Hamilton is merging those factors with its vibrant modern score. When doing my historical research, I also found there’s a few historical inaccuracies so it’s good to be clear on the exact truth of the musical!
How do you maintain the emotional and vocal complexities throughout the fast-paced plot?
To maintain the emotional complexities of the show I find it helpful to really leave all the emotions of the show in the show. To shed the Angelica off of me as soon as the show is done helps maintain my sanity, just about! Vocally, for me the only thing that maintains good health is lots of sleep and water. It keeps everything ticking over!
Which elements of Angelica's personality do you most enjoy conveying, and which do you personally relate to?
I most enjoy Angelica’s fire and directness. I am trying to implement some of that in my real life! I find her big sister protectiveness the most fun to get my teeth into, as in reality I am the baby of my siblings. So it’s been a joy to explore the opposite dynamic.
Which moments in the show are particularly special to you and why?
The whole show feels very special, but I do really enjoy 'It’s Quiet Uptown' - it’s a really still, poignant moment when everyone is on stage together. It feels very powerful to be so still in such a busy piece of theatre.
If you could speak to Angelica herself, what would you discuss?
If I could speak to Angelica herself, I would love to discuss women’s roles and tell her how far we’ve come regarding women’s equality (though we have a long way to go). I think she would love to hear about the things she’d be doing now.
Thanks so much to Emily-Mae for taking the time to answer these - I'd love to know what's on that playlist! I hope you continue to have a wonderful run and showing that stage what you're made of.
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Photo credit: @cassie.zhao_ on Instagram
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