Live Arts theatre is proud to present a very multi-talented and diverse individual to our stage. Dawn Davridge has a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Chemistry, Biology, Sociology, and Human Development and Learning. She also has a graduate certificate in Business Administration. In addition, she has her C.A.P. (Certified Administrative Professional) and her Series 7 and 63 (FINRA licensed agent for the Stock Market). Dawn is currently an executive assistant for a Stock Brokerage firm for the directors of the Institutional Equity Capital Markets divisions for the Southeast U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. She has worked various administrative positions throughout her career in various industries (hospitality, medical school, appliances, phone company, toy store, etc), and also went on a speaking tour for 2 months as an activist in charge of the drama team attempting to change discriminatory policies at various colleges across the country.
- But don’t let all that corporate stuff fool you. Dawn is a born and raised performer! Let’s learn more about her:
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Q: Tell us about your entertainment training and background?
- A: My background is mainly in dance, with all the acting and emotions that go with a great dance performance! I literally grew up in studios/theatres. My bio-mom was a professional ballerina and dancer/choreographer so I lived in studios and stages and theatres rehearsing, practicing, hanging out backstage and dressing rooms, performing on stage in countless productions, helping with costumes, sewing, staging, props, set design, etc. Dance and theatre and everything that goes with it was my life growing up. I also acted in several plays and productions as a child and was in Drama League in High School (mainly backstage during high school except for dance numbers).
I was trained in classical ballet since I was a baby, then got into swing dancing in high school when I stopped ballet at the age of 16. I picked up salsa/Latin ballroom in college and danced that socially (though not formally trained) ever since. I was also dance minister at my church in Knoxville. Due to lots of injuries and pursuing my corporate career I left the world of trained/professional dance and only just returned to training this past November. Now I am training in all sorts of different styles that I didn’t get the opportunity to take growing up (Hip Hop, Cabaret, Jazz, Club/rave, Belly Dancing, etc.)
- Q: What is your role in the show?
A: I am part of the ensemble, I am one of the picket girls, Cutie #4, and Fedora.
Q: Is this your first show at Live Arts, and what other shows have you done with us?
A: This is my first show at Live Arts.
Q: What attracted you to audition for Fiorello?
A: Bill let me know about the auditions and my dream is to get back to my first love of dance and performance. I loved the play as Bill explained it and I love swing dancing and that whole era and so I auditioned as a first step back into the dancing/performing world!
Q: Name two fun facts about you:
- A: While I am a graceful dancer, I am also one of the biggest klutzes!! The amount of times I heard, “but you fell so gracefully, it was like you just bounced and smoothly flew back up”… lol ☺
- I love inspiring people, making them smile, laugh, and feel better and more confident about themselves. My passion and purpose in life is to help others by inspiring them and entertaining them and making them feel better and more confident about themselves ☺ I am one of those crazy people who seriously believes I can change the world (and if I can get more people to believe that way themselves then there will be enough of us that we eventually will change the world ☺)
Q: What is your dream acting role?
A: That’s hard, because my dream acting role would be one with a lot of dancing ☺ So a lead role in Grease, Notre Dame de Paris, any of the dance heavy musicals, a “Step Up” like move, Center Stage, FlashDance, Dirty Dancing, etc… I would love a role where I could act and dance ☺
Q: What musical would you most like to be in?
A: It is so hard to pick just one, I group up on musicals, picking just one is tough but I would have to say Bundle of Joy – I don’t know that it has ever been staged live, but I would love to do it as it is my favorite, followed closely by Notre Dame de Paris (technically an Opera) and almost all of Doris Day’s musicals (Calamity Jane, Pillow Talk, etc.)
Q: What makes Fiorello! different from other shows you have done?
A: It is the first one I have done as an adult and I love that it is based on a true story!
Q: Tell us about your character in Fiorello! and how does that character compare to you.
A: Hilariously all my ensemble role characters are a part of me, I have been an activist on the protest lines for equal rights and arrested for peaceful nonviolent protests so I completely relate to the picket girls. I also am a showgirl and dancer and love to perform and dance on stage so I totally relate to the Cuties (and yes I have my ditzy moments too ☺ ). And Fedora who suggests the best option is to vote independent relates to me because I don’t vote party lines, I vote for the candidate I believe can do the best and consider myself politically independent! So yes, I can easily relate to all these characters.
Q: Fiorello! is based on a true story of an honest politician taking on a corrupt establishment. How does this resonate with you as you prepare for this show?
A: I love it!! I really wish there were more honest politicians today. I have fought for equal rights most of my adult life but I grew up in Louisiana which is one of the most corrupt states and places ever. I have seen political corruption up front and suffered for it multiple times and at the same time benefited from it through family connections. I really wish there were more honest politicians out there fighting to make a difference. I think the only politician I look up to now and believe in is Congressman John Lewis. I met him when I was training in DC for the 2 month protest/speaking tour (way before I ever actually lived in his district, although I am beyond stoked that by moving to Atlanta 2 years ago he is finally my congressman!!) and he was so sincere and said something to me that I think would relate to Fiorello as well, he said, “People will tell you to keep your head down and stay out of trouble, but sometimes you need to get in trouble, because it’s good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Things don’t change quietly from the sidelines, you have to speak up and put yourself out there and I love that Fiorello did that and I just hope this musical and the fact that it is historically based will inspire others to demand more honest politicians and will inspire others to want to fight corruption. I think people let their guards down with dance and music so you have a chance to reach easily through their defenses and inspire them to change much more so than you ever could with logical arguments or discourse. Dance and music are powerful agents of change and inspiration and I’m excited to be part of a show that entertains and inspires at the same time.
We would like to thank Dawn Davridge for opening her mind and heart for this interview. Come see Dawn and the rest of the cast in Fiorello! The show runs weekends, from July 14 to July 29. Get your tickets now. We are still operating out of the Belfry Playhouse (inside Norcross Presbyterian Church), but Fiorello! will be performed in the sanctuary, just inside the front door. The address is 3324 Medlock Bridge Rd Norcross, GA 30092.