Carol Beaugard is known to the bluegrass world as a performer in the NY/NJ area, and as the long time host of Lonesome Pine RFD, airing on WFDU-FM and WAMU’s Bluegrass Country.
But Carol has a second passion in the arts, and has begun to develop a career in the theater. She has been cast in a number of roles this past few years, and has found work in film, television and voice-over.
A major milestone will be marked this evening when Carol experiences her Off-Broadway debut, as Grandma Carmen in The Plastic Couch. The play is a new work by Alyssa Burgos, presented at Hudson Guild Theater on West 26th Street in New York City as part of Strawberry Theatre Festival. It follows three generations of a Puerto Rican family in New York, with Grandma Carmen serving as a central role.
Carol shared a few thoughts about the different approach to musical and theater performance.
“There are many similarities – but also big differences – between working in a bluegrass band and broadcasting my show vs. my work on stage. I’ve always been a singer, but I studied Broadway and opera as a young girl, and when I began to front my bluegrass band I had to work to let my voice sound ‘more free’ and less ‘trained’.
Communicating on air, I speak on a one-on-one basis with each listener and manipulate the microphone to capture the best tones of my voice. In theater, I’m relating very personally one to one with my fellow actors, but have to use my voice and entire body to convey the playwright’s thoughts and the role’s intentions.
In radio and in the band I’m always me. On stage, I’m portraying a character. I have to admit – I love the thrill that comes from being on stage in a play or musical and it was always my number one dream.”
You can also look for Beaugard this year in lead roles on two episodes of Fatal Encounters on the Discovery Channel.
The Plastic Couch will play tonight (2/28), and again on March 4th and 10th. Ticket details can be found online.
Break a leg!
