Captivated by Cabaret: An Interview with Cara Treacy

Actress Cara Treacy shares her experience as a dancer and actor and her captivation with Cabaret that inspired her to pursue Musical Theatre. See her on stage in Cabaret, now thru Oct. 22!

You’ve danced in classical ballet productions like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker and also modern dance forms in productions like West Side Story and now Cabaret. Do you have a favorite style of dance?

 I would not be where I am today without my background in ballet, but my favorite style of dance is jazz. I love being able to use my technique to create a beautiful line and then incorporating stylistic elements to make it fun and interesting to an audience. Dancing “Cool” in West Side Story as a jet girl was my favorite dance number that I have ever performed. The music combined with Jerome Robbins choreography is so exhilarating and I loved every moment.

At what point did you decide to pursue a life in musical theatre?

Ironically, the musical Cabaret is the reason that I am a musical theatre performer! I moved to New York City at 19 and my first night in New York, I saw the recent Cabaret revival with Alan Cumming and Emma Stone. My mom and I bought tickets that morning and were at the center table in the first row. I have never been so captivated by a performance in my entire life and I knew at that moment, that I wanted to leave my career in ballet and go into musical theatre. Cabaret has always been my dream show and three years later, I get the amazing opportunity of performing in it!

You traveled to a lot of cities, performing in different productions. Do you have a favorite city?

No matter where I travel to, New York is still my favorite city. There is something about the energy there that inspires me like no other. I have dreamt of living there ever since I was a little girl and I am so lucky that I get to live there as an adult.

What is your Kit Kat Girl’s character like?

Texas is in her early 20s and started working at the club when she was 18. She has always been captivated by American Western films and has big dreams of moving to America and being in the movies. She is working at the club to earn a living, and save up money to move to the States. However, she really enjoys the comradery at the club and has fun performing all the fun numbers every night. She is a fun and flirty girl!

What is your favorite part of the rehearsal process?

My favorite part of the rehearsal process is always getting to rehearse with the band for the first time. Hearing the live music and getting to perform to it every night is so special. I come from a musical family, with a few professional musicians, so I have always loved live music.

How do you prepare your body for dancing before a performance? After?

I always do a ballet barre followed by an 8 minute ab workout about an hour before the show. The 8 minute abs workout is a video on YouTube and my friend Avery introduced it to me when I was doing West Side Story. Then I usually stretch out and plank a few minutes before I go on.

What is your dream role?

Wow this is a hard one! I would say Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera. I would love to be able to combine my love for ballet and theatre in one role. Phantom is such a beautiful show and it would be so cool to be a part of it.

What are you most excited for audiences to see on Cabaret’s opening night?

I think that the atmosphere of the club is going to be really amazing. From the moment that the audience walks in, they are going to feel like they have been transported to the Kit Kat club. It is a special show in the way that the set design really creates this club atmosphere and people feel like they are involved in the show, especially if they are in the table seats. I am also excited for all the big dance numbers, especially Mein Herr. Jenn Rose’s choreography is really fun to do and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it.

About Cara: 

Cara Treacy (Texas) Arden debut! Off-Broadway: Crashlight: The Musical (Cherry Lane Theatre) Regional: Beauty and the Beast (upcoming), Pauline in West Side Story (Media Theatre Company). Cara danced professionally with two ballet companies; Ballet San Antonio and Connecticut Ballet. Training: Dance Training: The Rock School for Dance Education.

 

Cabaret