AYAA Interview: Lina Cappellano

After playing a little boy in a production of The Nutcracker, Lina Cappellano felt she really didn't enjoy theatre. However, after a long hiatus, Lina returned to theatre at Studio 3 Performing Arts three years ago. Since then, Lina has been performing with both Studio 3/Limelight and AYT, where she has played roles like Wednesday Addams at Studio 3 (NYA winner and Zoni Nom), Sour Kangaroo at Studio 3 (NYA Nom), Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Studio 3) and the Preacher in AYT's Bonnie and Clyde. Lina feels she gained a sense of success after earning her role as Wednesday Addams and realized performing "creates a story" for her, allowing her to come out of a rough spot in her life. Currently, Lina is working with music producers to create an original song -- which may be sold to a popular artist -- and revving up to play Jemima in Limelight's production of Cats this August.

Full Real Legit Name

Angelina Kathleen Cappellano

Where were you born?

Yuma, Arizona

What’s home like? Brothers? Siblings? Parents? Pets?

I live with my mom, dad, 17 year-old brother, 2 dogs, and the amazing nurses who basically live at my house.

When and why did you start performing?

I started performing at the age of 5 or 6. We knew a lady who lived not too far from my house who was looking for people to audition for her studio’s The Nutcracker. I was cast as the lead’s annoying little brother. Never thought I would ever audition for another show again.

Most influential show you ever saw? Why was it so influential?

Seeing Wicked at Gammage kind of motivated me to start doing theatre again

Lina Cappellano as Wednesday Addams with
Sam Ellefson in Studio 3's The Addams Family.
(2014)

Favorite show you’ve ever been in? Why?

The Addams Family at Studio 3. It was the first time that I felt like I truly succeeded at earning something that I set my heart on.

And if your favorite isn’t one, favorite youth show? Why?

Seussical Jr.. I normally HATE the way junior shows are cut, but I’ve been in Seussical Jr. twice and have loved it both times. The cut still gives a clear explanation of what’s happening in the story.

Most challenging acting experience? Why?

Probably Narrator at Studio 3. It was interesting to figure out individual character choices that blended with the interpretation of two other people playing the same part.

In the fall of 2014, you played Wednesday Addams in Studio 3’s production of The Addams Family. What was your favorite part of playing that character? What were the challenges that came with playing such an iconic character? In addition, Addams Family is a very “in” show at the moment. What made your production unique?

Lina Capellano as Wednesday with Katie Doty in Addams Family
at Studio 3. (2014)

Playing Wednesday was such a beautiful experience. Some people have a million dream roles, but Wednesday is the role that I’ve played before and would do it again a million times. There is so much more depth to her then just a firm and dark girl who has daddy and mommy issues, and that was the challenging part. Addams is such an iconic show, especially for adults who actively watched the T.V show. In my opinion, the musical production Wednesday Addams is much different than the popular image of who she was as a child. She is still the same dark and twisted girl she’s always been inside, but the depth of her maturity and unfamiliar feelings is so important to express in the musical. I think that what sets apart our production of Addams is the fact that we all blended so well together. The family aspect of the show came to life so naturally, and we all continue to be a family even though we are all off busy with our lives.

This year, you shared the role of the Narrator with Grace Napoletano and Macy LeCheminant in Studio 3’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. What were the benefits of splitting the role into three parts? Were there any detriments? Why do think Joseph as a show is making a revival around the Valley? What will make Studio 3’s production stand out?

Having 3 Narrators was definitely very challenging. Marie and Emma took turns blocking scenes, so sometimes the rehearsal process was a little confusing bc they had some different ideas for some of the scenes. BUT of course we worked it all out and had a fantastic show! The harmonies that we created for the 3 of us were gorgeous, and it was fun to have 2 other girls to help bring the story to life. Joseph is such a fun show, and I think VYT bringing it back kind of sparked a lot of the directors around AZ’s imagination. Joseph is a very upbeat and energetic show, so I feel the Studio was a perfect place to put on this production. Our cast had a lot of strong dancers and singers, so the actors beautifully brought all of Emma’s creativity to life.

You portrayed the Preacher in Bonnie and Clyde at Actor’s Youth Theatre. What was your favorite part about playing that character? Bonnie and Clyde is a very adult shows. What were the challenges that came with putting on the show at a youth theatre?

I remember that before I auditioned, I was joking around with some friends about how would love to be the Preacher but I didn’t think it was realistic. I was cast as an alternate, and the next day during Shrek rehearsal Tracie offered me the role. My favorite part about playing the Preacher was basically rearranging the original score so that what was originally male solos could be sung by a female. I don’t think anyone has ever cast a female as the Preacher because it contradicts with traditions, so I am honored to have had the opportunity to make the role so unique. Because this show has so much heavy and adult content, it was difficult to have to modify some of the lines and still maintain the intensity of every moment. I wish it were possible to have kept the script completely raw and unmodified, but unfortunately it may have offended some.

Studio 3 and Limelight Performing Arts is known for the beautiful choreography in their shows. What is your favorite show you’ve been in at Studio 3 dancewise? And what can we expect from the choreography in Cats the Musical?

Honestly. I don’t enjoy dancing, and I normally strive for roles with more vocal opportunities. However, I did enjoy Addams choreo because it was a lot of fun and there was a very limited amount of dancing. What can you expect from Cats? Just… Wow. Really. As mentioned before, Emma England is ridiculously creative (she often choreographs our show stopping dance numbers in the car!!!) and the choreography for this show doesn’t fail to show that. We also have the wonderful Jackie Brecker blocking and choreographing scenes, and she has put in a lot of amazing ideas into her part of the show. I am making a lot of progress and improving because of the difficulty of the dance in this show and I’m glad I have the chance to do that.

Lina as Gingy in AYT's Shrek Jr. (2015)

Last summer, you played Gingy in Shrek Jr. at AYT. What was your favorite part of that role? What was your experience like being in a junior show versus a full length production?

Gingy was so much fun!!!! I loved working with Mary Jane and I really hope that I will be able to work with her in future shows! Mary Jane gave me a lot of freedom to put my interpretation into the role which I loved, and it was also so much fun to practice and perfect the voice for each line and emotion. I liked being in a junior show because I got to know some pretty cool kids and some of them told me they kinda look up to me and it was adorable <3

Favorite character you got to play during the 2015-16 season?

Preacher in Bonnie and Clyde

Favorite person you got to play opposite of during the 2015-16? (Romantically or otherwise)

Kale Burr in Bonnie and Clyde (lol)

Dream role? Dream role of the opposite sex?

LOL so many but: Wednesday Addams (always<3), Veronica Sawyer, Eponine, Bonnie Parker, Gertrude McFuzz, Natalie, Ariel

Opposite sex: joey j the rapper

Theatres in Arizona you would love to work with, but haven’t?

Spotlight, VYT, Hale, MCC

Lina as Belle (understudy) with Sam Ellefson
in Studio 3's Beauty and the Beast Jr. (2015)

Craziest stage experience (mishap, funny improvised joke, etc.)?

I was a cardboard bookshelf in Beauty and the Beast and it folded in half (like over my face so I couldn't really see) so I did an interpretive dance all the way off stage in the middle of a very touching scene, whoops

Favorite costume you’ve ever worn? Least favorite?

My mom dress in Beauty and the Beast was pretty quirky, but those plate and bookshelf costumes were a nightmare to get around in.

What is your go-to audition song?

"Live Out Loud" from the Little Princess

Advice for young performers? Auditions? Behavior? Life?

Just be yourself, think about now AND the future, know your strengths and weaknesses and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Stay humble about your talents and never take them for granted because they could be gone in a minute. Spread love and positivity and never hate. Cheer everyone on, rejoice in the success of not just yourself but more importantly others, and be encouraging in times of weakness. You never know the struggles people are facing every day, so smile at people and express your love for people through ACTIONS, not just words. Know you are loved. <333

Lina as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical Jr. at Studio 3. (2015)

Favorite actors and actresses? Stage? Screen?

Cynthia Erivo, Aaron Tveit, Jeremy Jordan, Jonathan Groff, Sierra Boggess, Laura Osnes, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robin Williams, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston. Probably forgetting a lot.

Favorite musicals?

Heathers, Next to Normal, Addams, First Date, Suessical, Les Mis

Musical/play on Broadway currently you’re dying to see?

The Color Purple

Favorite movie? TV Show?

The Outsiders, Pretty Little Liars

Secret guilty pleasure?

I eat so much Nutella (most of the time straight out of the jar) but that’s not much of a secret tbh

Personal mantra(s)?

“In your garden of thought, cultivate harmony”

Lina as Mary Poppins in Valley Christian's Mary
Poppins. (2016)

Performer you would die to perform with?

Natalie Weiss

How do you feel about the atmosphere of youth theatre around Arizona? What do you like about it? What do you feel like can be improved?

I have met some of my best friends just because of how connected theatre kids are, and I love that. I just feel like there’s a lot of judgement, and assumptions about people are made a lot.

Most underrated show?

The Secret Garden

What’s your “adult” plan? Keep performing professionally or…?

Keep performing, whether that’s Broadway, or to continue recording and focusing on vocals.

Upcoming projects?

Recording an original with 2 amazing producers, Cats at Studio 3

Young actor/actress in the Phoenix area you'd love to perform with

STEVEN ENRIQUEZ (luv that boy so much)

Thank you to Lina for her lovely insightful interview! And don't forget: you can nominate Lina and all the other wonderful young actors and actresses in the Phoenix area for AYAA Awards until noon tomorrow by following this link!